CL King’s “7 th Annual Best Ideas Conference”
September 16, 2009
Essex Rental Corp
Important Notice
This document does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. It is an outline of matters for discussion only.
Some of these statements in this presentation and other written and oral statements made from time to time by Essex Rental Corp. (the “Company” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Essex”) and its representatives are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements regarding the intent and belief or current expectations of Essex and its management team and may be identified by the use of words like "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "will", "should", "seek", the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Essex’s expectations include, without limitation, the continued ability of Essex to successfully execute its business plan, the possibility of a change in demand for the products and services that Essex provides (through its subsidiary, Essex Crane Rental Corp. (“Essex Crane”)), intense competition which may require us to lower prices or offer more favorable terms of sale, our reliance on third party suppliers, our indebtedness which could limit our operational and financial flexibility, global economic factors including interest rates, general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, our dependence on our management team and key personnel, as well as other relevant risks detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on our website, www.essexcrane.com. The factors listed here are not exhaustive. Many of these uncertainties and risks are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events. Essex assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking information in this press release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results or financial conditions, or otherwise.
This presentation contains unaudited non-GAAP financial measures, including Total EBITDA, and Rental EBITDA. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures serves to enhance understanding of Essex’s individual operating and financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as substitutes for, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. A reconciliation of Total EBITDA and Rental EBITDA to income from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 can be found in Essex’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 12, 2009.
The historical 2004 financial information and data of Essex Crane contained in this presentation is unaudited and was prepared by Essex Crane as a private company prior to its acquisition by the Company, and may not conform to SEC regulation S-X.
We believe the non-Company information provided herein is reliable, as of the date hereof, but do not warrant its accuracy or completeness. In preparing these materials, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources. Except as required by law, the Company, Essex and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and consultants make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the non-Company information contained in this document, and take no responsibility under any circumstances for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any omission, inadequacy, or inaccuracy in this document.
Neither the Company nor Essex Crane guarantees the performance or return of capital from investments.
©2009 Essex Rental Corp.
2
Definitions
OLV: Orderly Liquidation Value as assessed by independent specialist equipment appraisers in January
2009
Replacement Value: The cost required to replicate the current aggregate lifting tonnage of Essex’s fleet
with crawlers being produced today
CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate
Rental EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization generated in the
ordinary course of business, which does not include sales of equipment
Total EBITDA: Rental EBITDA + gain on sale of equipment
Free Cash Flow (“FCF”): Rental EBITDA – Maintenance Capital Expenditure – Interest Expense –
Taxes – Net Crane Investment
Net Crane Investment: Equipment Purchases – Equipment Sales
Note: The historical 2004 financial information and data of Essex Crane contained in this presentation is unaudited and was prepared
by Essex Crane as a private company prior to its acquisition by the Company, and may not conform to SEC regulation S-X.
3
Introduction
1
Introduction to Essex
Notes:
(1)
Source: International Crane and Specialized Transport, June 2009
(2)
As assessed by independent specialist equipment appraisers in January 2009
(3)
Essex management estimates
Essex owns one of the largest rental fleet of heavy lift crawler cranes in
North America(1)
>350 cranes and attachments, OLV and estimated Replacement Value
of ~$270 million (2) and ~$450 million(3) respectively
#1 North American “bare” crawler crane rental company(1)
50-year operating history
Majority of revenue is derived from infrastructure-related projects, which
Essex believes are benefiting from powerful secular trends
Bridge and road construction, power, water treatment, refineries,
alternative energy and other infrastructure-related projects comprise
majority of revenues
Historically, 40% of revenues generated from public works projects(3)
35% of revenues generated from repair and maintenance projects(3)
Exposure to residential and light commercial construction is minimal
Revenue generated from:
“Bare” (non-Essex operated) crane and attachment rental
Rental contracts are typically 6-18 months
Customers are responsible for most repair and maintenance during
lease, which minimizes Essex’s maintenance capital expenditures
5
Investment Highlights
Strong long-term secular trend
Attractive business characteristics
Over 90% of revenue generated from infrastructure and energy-related projects
Investment in infrastructure by government stimulus program is expected to be an indirect driver affecting
future crawler crane rates in the US
Product substitution risk is believed to be minimal
Market leader in heavy lift segment(1)
Well balanced target market (diversity of industries, customers served and geographic scope)
Fleet size and equipment mix provide competitive advantage
Simple business model – low operational risk and attractive margins
Low relative cost position versus Replacement Value or OLV
Assets have 30-50 year economic lives, limited technological obsolescence risk and require minimal
maintenance capital expenditures; proven history of maintaining market resale value
Notes:
(1)
Source: International Crane and Specialized Transport 2007
Strong free cash flow and good return model
Strong free cash flow model
Excess cash flow will be used to pay down debt and to repurchase shares and warrants
Limited maintenance capital expenditures (estimated $2-3 million per year)
Return on capital versus return of capital economic model
6
($ millions)
Rental Revenues(2)
Annual Summary Financial
Information
($ millions)
Total EBITDA
Notes:
1.
Source: Essex Crane and Essex audited (2005-2008) and unaudited (2004, 6M’08 and 6M’09) financials.
2.
Rental Revenue includes revenue from rentals, repairs & maintenance, and transportation services but excludes used rental equipment sales.
3.
2008 Total EBITDA of $40.2 million is after $2.2 million of public company expenses and one time expenses of $5.2 million associated with Essex Rental Corp’s
(formerly Hyde Park Acquisition Corp.) acquisition of Essex Crane Rental Corp. and excludes the impact of the $23.9 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in
the fourth quarter of 2008.
4.
6M’09 Total EBITDA was reduced by $1.5 million of public company expenses.
5.
The historical 2004 financial information and data of Essex Crane contained in this presentation is unaudited and was prepared by Essex Crane as a private
company prior to its acquisition by the Company, and may not conform to SEC regulation S-X.
$22.1
$13.4
(4)
(3)
7
Return on Capital vs. Return of
Capital
Notes:
1.
Asset depreciation represents equipment market value depreciation
2.
Annual Depreciation % = (1 – Residual Value %) / Lifespan.
3.
Source: Oliver Wyman Essex Crane Assessment
Asset Depreciation (1) Benchmark: Residual Value vs. Lifespan
Asset Depreciation (1) Benchmark: Annual Depreciation %(2)
Crawler cranes stand out from other equipment types due to their superior lifespan and residual value characteristics
Rental Lifespan (years)
Van trailers
Boom Lift
Scissor Lift
Roller
Backhoe
Tractor Loader
Forklift Crane
Excavator
Skidsteer Loader
Hospital
equipment
Mobile Mini
storage units
(steel)
Scotsman rental
equipment (North
America)
Mobile Mini
storage units
(wood)
Scotsman rental
equipment
(Europe)
All terrain cranes
ESSEX
Crawler Crane
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
8
Heavy Crane Rental
Industry
2
U.S. Heavy Crane Rental Industry
Segments
Notes:
1.
Source: Manufacturer reports and Essex management estimates
2.
Crawler crane prices reflect models in Essex’s heavy-lift niche. Light and super heavy-lift crawler cranes can range from $0.5 million to over $5 million
Railroads
Highways
Condominiums
Apartment Buildings
Other Residential
Nuclear power
Sewer / water
treatment
High rise (>10 story)
Office Towers
Condominiums
Apartment Buildings
Secondary type
used in variety of
markets including
sewer / water
treatment,
petrochemicals
maintenance and
public infrastructure
projects
Condominiums
Other Residential
Petrochemical
maintenance
Railroads
Highways
Office Towers
Apartments
Condominiums
Other Commercial &
Residential
Highways, large
bridges, railroads
Public infrastructure
(stadiums, garages)
Power generation
Sewer / water
treatment
Petrochemicals
Industrial / marine
Key End Markets
Short-term
Long-term
Short-term
Short-term
Long-term
Rental Duration
15+
30+
15+
15+
50+
Avg. Life (years)
$300 - $800
$300 - $1,000
$250 - $1,000
$500 - $3,000
$800 - $2,500 (2)
Price New ($ ‘000)
250
350
250
400
700
Max. Reach Cap. (ft.)
150
80
130
600
1,500
Max. Lift Cap. (tons)
Truck
Tower
Rough Terrain (RTs)
All Terrain (ATs)
Crawler
Crane Type
Crawlers typically service infrastructure projects, are non-substitutable and are often rented for longer periods than other crane classes
Comparison of Major Crane Types in the North American Market(1)
10
Company Overview
3
Company Highlights
Head Office
Service Center
Equipment Storage Yard
Satellite Service Center
Key Attributes
Simple business model: bare
(un-manned) rentals
Highly predictable: 6-18 month
contracts
Assets have 30-50 year
economic lives and limited
technological obsolescence risk
Well balanced target market
(industries and customers served
and geography)
Assets have a proven history of
maintaining secondary market re-
sale value
12
Essex’s Competition
Notes:
1.
Source: International Cranes and Specialized Transport, June 2009
2.
Bolded companies represent family owned and operated crawler crane rental companies
3.
Crawler equipment includes all cranes and attachments
4.
Essex management estimate of primary geographic presence (SE=Southeast; NE=Northeast)
5.
Essex management estimate of number of Lampson crawler equipment in North America
East
127
Amquip Corp.
5
Top 10 North American Based Crawler Crane Fleets(1)
West
52
Biggie Crane Service
10
NE
53
Buckner Heavy Lift
Cranes
9
National
55
Ray Anthony
International
8
NE
65
J.F. Lomma
7
SE
125 (Est.)
M.D. Moody Sons Inc.
6
National
293
Maxim Crane Works
4
National
285(5)
Lampson International
3
National
376
Essex Crane Rental
Corp.
2
National
457
ALL Erection & Crane
Rental
1
Region (4)
Crawler
Equipment (3)
Name(2)
The crawler crane industry is fragmented:
Essex is the largest player in the bare crawler crane
rental industry owning a large share of the crawler
cranes in excess of 100 ton lifting capacity in the U.S.
Numerous acquisition opportunities of companies in the
top 10 of the crawler crane industry, both national and
regional players
Many competitors are focused on smaller lifting equipment
and therefore are more closely tied to residential and
commercial construction cycles
Minimal competition with general equipment rental
companies (e.g. United Rentals, H&E Equipment Rentals)
Management believes a new market entrant would face a
significant competitive economic disadvantage given the
cost of replicating Essex’s fleet, which is estimated to equal
$450 million.
$210 million purchase price versus estimated $450
million cost to replicate fleet with new equipment
13
Essex Rental Fleet
Essex operates a fleet of >350 cranes and attachments
Fleet diversified by lift capacity
Status as large customer provides preferential pricing and lead-
time arrangements with crane manufacturers
Manitowoc and Liebherr cranes represent 100% of fleet by units
Average lifting capacity has increased from 177 tons in 2003 to
presently 250 tons as a result of Essex’s fleet re-positioning
strategy
Consistently rebalancing fleet mix:
Focus on acquiring heavier tonnage cranes and selling older,
lighter tonnage models
Last 18 months:
Sold 31 cranes to overseas concerns or domestic fixed
operators
Took delivery of $33.0 mm of new equipment
Management believes heavier cranes are in shorter supply and
in higher demand than lighter cranes, which has translated into
a more favorable pricing dynamic and higher utilization rates
Heavier lift capacity cranes exist in smaller quantities in the
marketplace and with fewer suppliers. Management believes
there will be a growth in demand for these cranes in the future
and that the tighter supply and growth opportunities will produce
higher revenue and margins (returns)
Rental rate increases expected to follow increased utilization rates
Average Monthly Rental Rates for Essex Fleet(1)
Notes:
1.
Source: Essex
2.
Based on “hits” method utilization
Fleet Utilization and Size(1)(2)
14
Stable Underlying Asset Value
Note: Line represents the annual OLV of a representative static group of Essex cranes
as a % of their OLV in April 2000
Extended usable lives of up to 50 years
Average fleet age of 18 years(1)
Current OLV of approximately $270 million
Approximately $174 million invested in crawler fleet
since 1995
Estimated Replacement Value of fleet is
approximately $450 million(2)
Management believes fleet has retained value due
to a number of factors:
Substantial initial investment
High structural steel content
Replaceable components
Low duty-cycle
Enduring technology
Essex investment and maintenance expertise
Strong global demand
Fleet sales have averaged 100% of OLV from 2000
through December 2008(3) and have averaged over
110% of OLV in 2009
Notes:
1.
Represents an OLV-weighted average age of the entire crane fleet
2.
Essex management estimates
3.
Source: Essex
Essex Crane Fleet OLV Index(3)
Less than 2% economic
depreciation per annum
15
Essex End Market Overview
Source: Oliver Wyman Essex Crane
Assessment
Despite overall weakness in the infrastructure & construction
markets in the first half of 2009, Essex anticipates an increase
in bookings late this year. Demand drivers include:
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Federal Stimulus
Plan) expected to fund increased building activity in many
of Essex’ end markets
$50 billion allocated for transportation related projects
such as heavy highway work and large bridge
construction
$244.1 billion SAFETEA-LU bill and renewed focus on US
bridge system positive for transportation infrastructure
A significantly larger highway bill is under
consideration in Congress
Growing push for new nuclear power facilities
Upgrade of existing national infrastructure – power and
water utilities
Pipeline of social infrastructure projects – i.e.
municipalities building convention / stadium facilities
16
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
Essex’s End Markets
Essex 2002 Rental Revenues by End Market
Less exposure to power,
greater diversification
Industrial / Marine (33%)
Industrial Facilities
Factories
Petrochemicals (22%)
Chemical Plants
Petrochemical
Plants
General Building (5%)
Hospitals
Stadiums
Power (19%)
Power Plants
Wind Power
Transportation (13%)
Road construction
Bridge construction
Sewer & Water (2%)
Sewers
Water Treatment
Marine
Essex 2009 Rental Revenues by End Market
17
Growth Opportunities
Leverage extensive relationships and success in selling used equipment at premium prices
Provide “one stop shop” model: rent to own or try before you buy
Expand used equipment sales by purchasing used crawlers for refurbishment and sale
Management believes its relationships with international manufacturers and market players provide additional equipment
purchasing and used equipment sales opportunities
Distribution of New and Used Equipment
Organic Growth
Expected longer term growth in demand for heavy lifting equipment driving increases in rental and utilization rates
Updating fleet with heavier tonnage cranes and replacing older, lighter, less utilized equipment
Purchasing power benefits from crane manufacturer relationships
Equipment purchases of new heavier lift equipment of $50 million the last three years are expected to drive growth in 2010
Expanding customer base to take advantage of future infrastructure projects
Acquisitions / Consolidation
The fragmented rental industry is expected to consolidate
Many competitors are family owned and management expects a number of these to become available over time
Further diversification would enable expansion of current national footprint to markets in the Northeast and the West
18
Summary Financial
Information and
Valuation
4
Summary Financial Information
Notes:
1.
Source: Essex
2.
Total Rental Related Revenues excludes used rental equipment sales.
3.
2008 financial information includes $5.2 million of one-time non-recurring transaction costs incurred related to Essex Rental Corp’s (formerly Hyde Park Acquisition Corp.)
acquisition of Essex Crane Rental.
4.
Based on “hits” method utilization.
5.
The historical 2004 financial information and data of Essex Crane contained in this presentation is unaudited and was prepared by Essex Crane as a private company
prior to its acquisition by the Company, and may not conform to SEC regulation S-X.
6.
2008 financial information excludes the impact of the $23.9 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008.
$22.2
$21.4
$16.3
$13.8
$12.4
$11.3
Average Monthly Rental Rate ($000's)
55.5%
77.0%
76.3%
72.6%
57.8%
45.7%
Average Fleet Utilization Rate (4)
(11,829)
(21,153)
(18,784)
(6,004)
(5,875)
(383)
Discretionary Crane Investment
(556)
(2,375)
(724)
(512)
(518)
(339)
Maintenance Capital Expenditure
42.1%
47.1%
49.1%
47.0%
36.0%
29.0%
Total EBITDA Margin %
31,881
85,328
77,765
61,639
46,424
33,978
Revenue + Equipment Sale Proceeds
4,685
8,440
13,233
5,980
7,841
5,454
Equipment Sale Proceeds
13,414
40,215
38,147
28,974
16,694
9,839
Total EBITDA
608
3,814
6,049
3,007
2,879
1,608
Gain On Sale of Equipment
40.2%
47.3%
49.7%
46.7%
35.8%
28.9%
Rental EBITDA Margin (%)
12,806
36,401
32,098
25,967
13,815
8,231
Rental EBITDA
-
(5,200)
-
-
-
-
One-time Transaction Costs (3)
(5,834)
(12,498)
(9,112)
(8,732)
(7,585)
(7,123)
SG&A
18,640
54,099
41,210
34,699
21,400
15,354
Gross Profit
(8,556)
(27,789)
(23,322)
(20,960)
(17,183)
(13,170)
Operating Expenses
$27,196
$76,888
$64,532
$55,659
$38,583
$28,524
Total Rental Related Revenues (2)
6M'09
2008 (6)
2007
2006
2005
2004 (5)
(USD $000's)
Unaudited
Historical Audited
Historical Unaudited
December 31 Year End
20
Valuation Snapshot
Debt outstanding (6/30/09): $134.7 million
$190 million facility size
5-year facility
Libor plus 225
1 financial covenant (FCF coverage test if availability is below $20
million)
14.1 million shares outstanding and 14.2 million warrants exercisable
at $5.00 per share through March 2011
Accumulated tax loss of $43.9 million, which has a present value of
approximately $21 million(1) (estimated present value of cash tax
saved of approximately $8.5 million(2))
(1) Discount rate of 15% used to calculate present value of accumulated tax loss.
(2) Assumes use of accumulated tax loss over a ten-year period.
21
Public Company Trading and Transaction Multiples (LTM EV/Total EBITDA)
Rental Asset Life and EBITDA
Multiple Comparison
Rental Equipment Useful Life
Source: Company filings, industry research
Notes: Data as of 9/04/08; Essex Transaction multiple calculated using LTM 9/30/08 EBITDA
0 Years 5 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 30 Years 50 Years
Mean 6.7x
Transaction EBITDA Multiples Trading EBITDA Multiples Essex Transaction Total EBITDA Multiple
22
2009 Goals & Outlook
Focus on paying down debt in 2009 and continuation of share and
warrant repurchase plan using after tax free cash flow
Proactive cost cutting program
Reduced head count, eliminated discretionary expenses wherever
possible, decreased use of 3 rd party vendors, and reduced overtime and
associated expenses
Annualized savings of $5 million
Company expects to benefit from Federal Stimulus Bill funded projects,
that include highway and heavy bridge construction, civil works programs,
water and waste water treatment, and alternative energy projects
2009 Growth and Profitability driven by:
23
Investment Summary
Market leader with a long industry heritage able to leverage scale
Committed management team; management and Board of Directors own over 40% of
common shares outstanding
Strong free cash flow generation characteristics
Exposure to growing infrastructure-related end markets
Numerous organic and strategic growth opportunities
Attractive, flexible and committed debt facilities
Essex is considered to be an attractive investment opportunity for the following reasons:
24