Wheels announces fourth quarter and year end 2014 results, revenue up 5.6%

TORONTO, March 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Wheels Group Inc. ("Wheels" or the "Company") (TSXV: WGI) today announced its results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $375.1 million, representing an increase of $19.9 million or 5.6% over $355.2 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2013. Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 was $100.1 million, representing an increase of $6.4 million or 6.8% over $93.8 million reported in the quarter ended December 31, 2013.

Gross margin for the year was $47.3 million, a decrease of $0.5 million or 1.1% over the prior year. Gross margin for the quarter was $13.0 million, a decrease of $0.2 million or 1.8% over the prior year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $8.3 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 13.7% from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue for the year was 2.2%, down from 2.7% for the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $3.3 million a decrease of $0.1 million or 1.9% from the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue for the quarter was 3.3%, down from 3.6% in the prior year quarter.

Financial Highlights	For the quarter ended		For the year ended
(in millions of dollars, except per share data and number of shares outstanding)	December 31, 2014	December 31, 2013	December 31, 2014	December 31, 2013
Revenue	100.1	93.8	375.1	355.2
Gross margin for the period	13.0	13.2	47.3	47.9
Net income (loss) for the period	0.2	0.7	(1.1)	(0.0)
Earning (loss) per share ^1
- Basic	0.00	0.01	(0.01)	0.00
- Diluted	0.00	0.01	(0.01)	0.00
Adjusted EBITDA^2	3.3	3.3	8.3	9.6
Adjusted EBITDA per share ^1, 2	0.04	0.04	0.09	0.11
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,556,568	89,556,568	89,556,568	89,556,568

¹ Based on weighted average number of common shares outstanding.
² See Adjusted EBITDA below.

Net loss for the year was $1.1 million or $0.01 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.02 million for the prior year. Net income for the quarter was $0.2 million or $Nil per share, compared to net income of $0.7 million or $0.01 per share, in the prior year quarter.

In the Canadian segment, revenue for the year was $182.1 million, an increase of $6.6 million or 3.7% over the prior year. Revenue for the quarter was $46.9 million, a decrease of $3.4 million or 6.8% from the prior year quarter. In the US segment, revenue for the year was $197.6 million, an increase of $14.3 million or 7.8% over the prior year. Revenue for the quarter was $54.9 million, an increase of $10.3 million or 23.1% over the prior year quarter.

"Consolidated revenue for 2014 increased over the prior year. However, adjusted EBITDA was below 2013 due to the impact of extreme weather conditions in the first quarter and competitive market pressures," said Doug Tozer, Chief Executive Officer of Wheels. "We continued to optimize the Company's operations, completing the first phase of our Canadian facility and office consolidation and reducing public company and related costs, the benefits of which will contribute to 2015 results. Looking ahead, Wheels' previously announced arrangement agreement with Radiant Logistics is expected to close early in April. We are excited about the merger and view it as an excellent opportunity to accelerate the growth of both companies."

Adjusted EBITDA

The term adjusted EBITDA is used to describe earnings before any deduction for income taxes, net finance cost, depreciation, amortization, one-time non-recurring expenses and share-based compensation. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are metrics used by many investors and analysts to compare organizations on the basis of ability to generate cash from operations. Management considers adjusted EBITDA (as defined) to be an indirect measure of operating cash flows, which is a significant indicator of the success of any business. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be representative of cash flow from operations or results of operations determined in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not recognized measures under IFRS. Wheels' method of calculating EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA may differ from methods used by other companies, and accordingly may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

The financial statements and related Management Discussion and Analysis will be available on the Company's website at www.wheelsgroup.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the Securities Act (Ontario). Forward-looking statements can be generally identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "expected", "intend", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include statements respecting certain future expectations about: prices and demand for commodities, products and services, capital expenditures, the ability of the Company to access tax losses and tax attributes, sources and use and sufficiency of cash flows, the Company's ability to renew its term debt at maturity, the effect of changes in the exchange and interest rates and the prices of key services. Forward-looking statements in this news release describe the expectations of the Company as of the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation the RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES section of the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, and they should not be unduly relied upon. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions regarding: there being no significant disruptions affecting the Company's operations, whether due to labour disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; the ability of Wheels to obtain transportation services and supplies in a timely manner to carry out its activities and at prices consistent with current levels or in line with the Company's expectations; the ability of the Company to successfully access tax losses and tax attributes; the ability of the Company to obtain financing on acceptable terms; currency exchange and interest rates being consistent with current levels or in line with Wheels' expectations; and global economic performance.

Wheels disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Wheels Group Inc. with the securities regulatory authorities, available under the profile of the Company on www.SEDAR.com.

About Wheels

Founded in 1988, Wheels is a leading North American third party logistics ("3PL") provider. As a non-asset provider, Wheels develops advanced supply chain solutions delivered through its qualified partner network of over 6,000 truck, rail, air and ocean carriers. Wheels serves consumer goods, food and beverage, manufacturing and retail clients through 18 offices throughout the United States and Canada. Wheels has been named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 1997, Platinum since 2003, one of North America's Top 100 3PL Companies and one of the Top 100 Food 3PLs.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Wheels Group Inc.

Patrick J Marshall, Investor Relations, Tel: [phone], www.wheelsgroup.com