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8-K

Energy Recovery, Inc. (ERII)

8-K 2021-08-05 For: 2021-08-05
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Added on April 08, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 5, 2021

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Energy Recovery, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 001-34112 01-0616867
--- --- ---
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1717 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

510-483-7370

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share ERII The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On August 5, 2021, Energy Recovery, Inc. issued an earnings press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2021. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The information in this report (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)     Exhibits

Exhibit Number Description
99.1 Press release of Energy Recovery, Inc., dated August 5, 2021, to report its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2021.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:    August 5, 2021

Energy Recovery, Inc.
By: /s/ William Yeung
William Yeung
Chief Legal Officer

Document

Exhibit 99.1

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Energy Recovery Posts Strong Quarterly Product Revenue Growth in Second Quarter

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. - August 5, 2021 - Energy Recovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: ERII) today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, achieving seven percent growth in product revenue, compared to the second quarter of 2020.

“Our desalination business continues to thrive, driven in part by returning demand in segments and regions hard-hit by COVID-19,” said Robert Mao, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Recovery.

Mr. Mao continued, “We continue to make material progress in diversification efforts of our pressure exchanger technology. We have been awarded projects in the chemical manufacturing, landfill leachate and lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in China for our new Ultra PX™ energy recovery device, a testament to our efforts to educate the industrial wastewater treatment market on the Ultra PX’s energy-saving benefits. Furthermore, our confidence in our PX G1300™ energy recovery device for CO2 refrigeration has grown stronger through successful tests that underscore the significant financial and sustainability benefits we can bring end customers such as supermarkets. We are already seeking our first commercial deployment and believe our technology can make the transition from climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons to sustainable natural refrigeration alternatives attractive for retailers. We are excited by these new opportunities and believe our strategy of pressure exchanger diversification will continue to drive long-term value creation for Energy Recovery shareholders.”

Financial Results

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2021 2020 Variance 2021 2020 Variance
(In millions, except net income per share, percentages and basis points)
Product revenue $ 20.6 $ 19.3 7% $ 49.5 $ 38.3 30%
License and development revenue (1) 24.4 (100%) 26.9 (100%)
Total revenue $ 20.6 $ 43.6 (53%) $ 49.5 $ 65.2 (24%)
Product gross profit $ 13.4 $ 12.7 6% $ 33.4 $ 26.0 28%
Product gross margin 65.1 % 66.0 % (90) bps 67.4 % 68.0 % (60) bps
Operating expense $ 13.1 $ 15.8 (17%) $ 27.0 $ 31.5 (14%)
Operating income $ 0.3 $ 21.3 (99%) $ 6.4 $ 21.4 (70%)
Net income $ 1.1 $ 16.9 (94%) $ 7.9 $ 17.5 (55%)
Diluted net income per share $ 0.02 $ 0.30 $ (0.28) $ 0.13 $ 0.31 $ (0.18)
Operating cash flow $ 11.5 $ 5.6 $ 5.9 $ 11.5 $ (0.3) $ 11.8
Cash and investments $ 120.7 $ 96.9 25% $ 120.7 $ 96.9 25%

(1)In June 2020, the Company terminated the VorTeq License Agreement with Schlumberger Technology Corporation. As there were no future performance obligations to be recognized under the VorTeq License Agreement after the effective date, the Company recognized in full the remaining deferred revenue balance of $24.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. In addition, no future license and development revenue was recognized under the VorTeq License Agreement after the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Product Channel Revenue

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2021 2020 Variance 2021 2020 Variance
(In millions, except percentages)
Megaproject $ 13.3 $ 12.0 11% $ 37.0 $ 26.4 40%
Original equipment manufacturer 4.3 4.1 6% 7.1 7.6 (7%)
Aftermarket 3.0 3.2 (6%) 5.4 4.3 29%
Total product revenue $ 20.6 $ 19.3 7% $ 49.5 $ 38.3 30%

“We experienced another solid financial quarter at Energy Recovery,” said Joshua Ballard, Chief Financial Officer of Energy Recovery. “Growth remains steady and stable across all sales channels despite a slight temporary decline in aftermarket sales this quarter. Importantly, our year-to-date operating expenditures, excluding impairment charges, remain 8% below 2020 as we continue to manage this growth prudently. The notable year-to-date 44% increase in sales and marketing spend reflects investments in support of this growth, offset entirely by reduced R&D spend largely due to VorTeq™. Finally, despite nearly $12 million in share buybacks and increased investments in inventory, our cash and security balances remain at historic highs following record sales in the first quarter.”

Second Quarter 2021 Business Highlights

Water Segment

•Steady product revenue growth in the second quarter was driven by megaproject (“MPD”) and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) channels, with year-to-date sales representing growth of 30% across all channels, compared to the same period in 2020. The MPD channel continues to drive stable growth from large scale SWRO projects, while the OEM channel is beginning to rebound. This upward trend within the OEM channel is being driven primarily by large greenfield plant installations and brownfield retrofits, which include upgrades to existing operations leveraging our pressure exchanger technology and ancillary equipment.

•Our continued focus on manufacturing efficiencies, cost discipline and mix normalization is expected to improve the product gross margin profile from the low margin observed in second quarter. Gross margin was lower this quarter largely due to product mix as we sold a higher mix of non-PX products during the quarter from our growth in OEM sales.

Emerging Technologies Segment

•Testing of our PX G1300 energy recovery device for CO2 refrigeration continues to affirm expected energy savings and system efficiency gains we can achieve for CO2 refrigeration systems. We are seeking our first commercial deployment of the PX G1300.

•We are continuing our live well field trials of the VorTeq. The next scheduled field trial will test our efforts to extend the service life of the VorTeq cartridges.

•Excluding 2020 impairment costs, operating expenses in this segment decreased year-over-year, due primarily to reduced development expenditures related to the VorTeq which were partially offset by a shift of R&D investment to our commercial refrigeration efforts.

Bottom Line Summary

On a quarterly basis, we reported a net income of $1.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to a net income of $16.9 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020, which included $17.2 million, net of tax, related to the termination of the VorTeq License Agreement and the impairment of related long-lived assets.

Cash Flow Highlights

The Company finished the first quarter ended June 30, 2021 with cash and cash equivalents of $103.3 million, and short-term investments of $17.4 million, which represents a combined total of $120.7 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call 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, including the Company’s belief that the company is embarking on a path of sustainable, disciplined and diversified growth; our ability to develop pressure exchanged-based solutions for new industries; our belief that our carbon dioxide commercial refrigeration solution excels in warmer climates as compared to the market-leading technology; our belief that the Company’s future is bright; our belief that the Company can work towards a more diversified revenue stream for the future; and our belief that the Company is making significant progress in our emerging technology projects. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. Potential risks and uncertainties include any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of the Company’s business, and the risks discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Conference Call to Discuss Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

LIVE CONFERENCE CALL:

Thursday, August 5, 2021, 2:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM EDT

Listen-only, US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (877) 709-8150

Listen-only, Local / International Toll: +1 (201) 689-8354

Access code: 13720677

CONFERENCE CALL REPLAY:

Expiration: Sunday, September 5, 2021

US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (877) 660-6853

Local / International Toll: +1 (201) 612-7415

Access code: 13720677

Investors may also access the live call or the replay over the internet at ir.energyrecovery.com. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the live call concludes.

Disclosure Information

Energy Recovery uses the investor relations section on its website as means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Energy Recovery’s investor relations website in addition to following Energy Recovery’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Energy Recovery

Energy Recovery creates technologies that solve complex challenges for industrial fluid-flow markets worldwide. Building on our pressure exchanger technology platform, we design and manufacture solutions that make industrial processes more efficient and sustainable. What began as a game-changing invention for desalination has grown into a global business accelerating the environmental sustainability of customers’ operations in multiple industries. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Energy Recovery has manufacturing, research and development facilities across California and Texas with sales and on-site technical support available globally. For more information, please visit www.energyrecovery.com.

Contact

Investor Relations

ir@energyrecovery.com

+1 (281) 962-8105

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

June 30,<br>2021 December 31,<br>2020
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 103,302 $ 94,255
Short-term investments 17,394 20,446
Accounts receivable, net 7,599 11,792
Inventories, net 15,289 11,748
Prepaid expenses and other assets, current 4,265 4,950
Total current assets 147,849 143,191
Deferred tax assets, net 12,471 11,030
Property and equipment, net 20,443 20,176
Operating lease, right of use asset 15,383 16,090
Goodwill and other intangible assets 12,833 12,839
Other assets, non-current 365 988
Total assets $ 209,344 $ 204,314
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,278 $ 1,118
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, current 8,397 11,816
Lease liabilities, current 1,473 1,243
Contract liabilities, current 1,117 1,552
Total current liabilities 13,265 15,729
Lease liabilities, non-current 15,682 16,443
Other liabilities, non-current 571 518
Total liabilities 29,518 32,690
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock 63 62
Additional paid-in capital 191,087 179,161
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (53) 53
Treasury stock (42,040) (30,486)
Retained earnings 30,769 22,834
Total stockholders’ equity 179,826 171,624
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 209,344 $ 204,314

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(In thousands, except per share data)
Product revenue $ 20,607 $ 19,256 $ 49,547 $ 38,257
Product cost of revenue 7,181 6,549 16,162 12,233
Product gross profit 13,426 12,707 33,385 26,024
License and development revenue 24,352 26,895
Operating expenses:
General and administrative 6,175 5,599 12,781 12,480
Sales and marketing 2,537 1,497 5,240 3,635
Research and development 4,424 6,352 8,926 13,061
Amortization of intangible assets 3 4 7 8
Impairment of long-lived assets 2,332 2,332
Total operating expenses 13,139 15,784 26,954 31,516
Income from operations 287 21,275 6,431 21,403
Other income (expense):
Interest income 51 255 143 675
Other non-operating expense, net (12) (18) (22) (30)
Total other income, net 39 237 121 645
Income before income taxes 326 21,512 6,552 22,048
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes (743) 4,586 (1,383) 4,501
Net income $ 1,069 $ 16,926 $ 7,935 $ 17,547
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.02 $ 0.30 $ 0.14 $ 0.32
Diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.30 $ 0.13 $ 0.31
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic 57,253 55,614 57,066 55,513
Diluted 58,999 56,371 58,822 56,438

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30,
2021 2020
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 7,935 $ 17,547
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Stock-based compensation 3,341 2,595
Depreciation and amortization 2,733 2,751
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments 139 215
Deferred income taxes (1,441) 4,666
Impairment of long-lived assets 2,332
Other non-cash adjustments 149 228
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net 4,193 101
Contract assets 1,356 (198)
Inventories, net (3,621) 260
Prepaid and other assets (47) (278)
Accounts payable 1,237 1,285
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (3,999) (4,009)
Contract liabilities (434) (27,789)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 11,541 (294)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of marketable securities 9,767
Maturities of marketable securities 14,861 43,286
Purchases of marketable securities (12,034) (12,855)
Capital expenditures (2,449) (4,410)
Other 5
Net cash provided by investing activities 383 35,788
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 8,697 1,128
Tax payment for employee shares withheld (23)
Repurchase of common stock (11,554)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (2,857) 1,105
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents (20) (15)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 9,047 36,584
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 94,358 26,488
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 103,405 $ 63,072

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 (Recast)
Water Emerging Technologies Corporate Total Water Emerging Technologies Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Product revenue $ 20,568 $ 39 $ $ 20,607 $ 19,256 $ $ $ 19,256
Product cost of revenue 7,181 7,181 6,549 6,549
Product gross profit 13,387 39 13,426 12,707 12,707
License and development revenue 24,352 24,352
Operating expenses
General and administrative 1,776 1,315 3,084 6,175 1,967 1,150 2,482 5,599
Sales and marketing 2,121 229 187 2,537 1,124 262 111 1,497
Research and development 595 3,829 4,424 960 5,392 6,352
Amortization of intangible assets 3 3 4 4
Impairment of long-lived assets 2,332 2,332
Total operating expenses 4,495 5,373 3,271 13,139 4,055 9,136 2,593 15,784
Operating income (loss) $ 8,892 $ (5,334) $ (3,271) 287 $ 8,652 $ 15,216 $ (2,593) 21,275
Other income, net 39 237
Income before income taxes $ 326 $ 21,512
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (Recast)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Water Emerging Technologies Corporate Total Water Emerging Technologies Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Product revenue $ 49,508 $ 39 $ $ 49,547 $ 38,257 $ $ $ 38,257
Product cost of revenue 16,162 16,162 12,233 12,233
Product gross profit 33,346 39 33,385 26,024 26,024
License and development revenue 26,895 26,895
Operating expenses
General and administrative 3,333 2,481 6,967 12,781 4,046 2,642 5,792 12,480
Sales and marketing 4,285 408 547 5,240 2,800 574 261 3,635
Research and development 1,096 7,830 8,926 1,862 11,199 13,061
Amortization of intangible assets 7 7 8 8
Impairment of long-lived assets 2,332 2,332
Total operating expenses 8,721 10,719 7,514 26,954 8,716 16,747 6,053 31,516
Operating income (loss) $ 24,625 $ (10,680) $ (7,514) 6,431 $ 17,308 $ 10,148 $ (6,053) 21,403
Other income, net 121 645
Income before income taxes $ 6,552 $ 22,048