“Importantly, we achieved a gross profit margin of 11.7% of sales, breaking through the double-digit level also for the first time since 2019. Increased shipment volume and plant activity levels, the higher premium sales mix, higher base selling prices, and positive surcharges were the main contributors to our improved profitability. Increased hiring along with training and better retention also aided the quarter and bodes well for the rest of the year. While supply chain issues persisted, they improved from last year.
“We have entered 2023 on a very strong footing. Backlog at the end of the first quarter reached a record $366 million, and bookings of $117 million were also a quarter record. Business conditions remain positive, even with current economic uncertainty, with strong aerospace market demand continuing unabated. These factors point to continued sales growth and profitability improvement over the balance of the year.
“We are intent on making further progress in 2023 as we execute our strategic plan. Our ability to do so rests, as always, on the talents, commitment and hard work of all our employees.”
Financial Position
Managed working capital was $149.8 million at March 31, 2023, compared with $145.9 million at December 31, 2022, and $142.7 million at March 31, 2022. Inventory at the end of the first quarter of 2023 was $149.4 million, compared with $154.2 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022, and $147.6 million at the end of the 2022 first quarter. The sequential decrease in inventory reflects higher sales and improved inventory turnover while maintaining increased plant activity levels.
Backlog (before surcharges) increased 27.1% to a record $366.0 million at March 31, 2023 from $287.9 million at December 31, 2022, and increased 81.4% from $201.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022.
The Company’s total debt at March 31, 2023 was $99.4 million compared with $98.4 million at December 31, 2022, and $76.0 million at March 31, 2022. Interest expense increased to $2.0 million compared with $1.6 million in the 2022 fourth quarter and $0.7 million in the 2022 first quarter. The increase compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily driven by higher rates on the Company’s variable debt, as the underlying interest rate on its revolver and term loan borrowings increased from approximately 3% in the prior year quarter to more than 7% in the 2023 first quarter. The average total debt balance outstanding during the quarter also increased approximately 30% compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2023 totaled $4.5 million, compared with $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2022. Approximately half of capital expenditures in the 2023 first quarter were for the Company’s VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelt) expansion project at its North Jackson, Ohio operation.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company has scheduled a conference call for today, April 26th, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss first quarter 2023 results. If you wish to listen to the live conference call via telephone, please Click Here to register for the call and obtain your dial-in number and personal PIN number. A simultaneous webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website through the end of the second quarter of 2023.
About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.
Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., established in 1994 and headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and heavy equipment manufacturing. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.
2