Protolabs Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2024

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Nov 01, 2024

Proto Labs, Inc. ("Protolabs" or the "Company") (NYSE: PRLB), the world’s leading provider of digital manufacturing services, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

  • Revenue was $125.6 million, a 3.9% decrease compared to record revenue of $130.7 million in the third quarter of 2023.
  • Revenue generated from Protolabs Network was $25.3 million, a 11.6% increase compared to the third quarter of 2023.
  • Net income was $7.2 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to $8.0 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023.
  • Non-GAAP net income was $11.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to $13.2 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
  • EBITDA was $17.5 million, or 13.9% of revenue. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $21.9 million, or 17.4% of revenue, compared to $23.9 million, or 18.3% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2023. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

"Our disciplined approach and resilient business model drove solid financial results in the third quarter, despite continued dynamic challenges in the manufacturing sector," said Rob Bodor, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain committed to accelerating our growth, as highlighted by the actions we initiated at the end of the second quarter to reorganize our internal structure and better position the company for growth and value-creation over the long-term. We are committed to executing on our priorities and increasing value for our shareholders."

Dan Schumacher, Chief Financial Officer, commented: "In the third quarter, our business generated its highest quarterly operating cash flow since 2020—before the acquisition of 3D Hubs. This is a testament to the profitability of Protolabs' model against any macro backdrop, driven by our unique combined factory and network model. We will continue to invest profits to accelerate growth and create value for shareholders."

Additional Third Quarter 2024 Highlights:

  • Customer contact information
    • Protolabs served 22,511 customer contacts during the quarter.
    • Revenue per customer contact decreased 1.5% year-over-year to $5,580. Year-to-date, revenue per customer contact is up 4.7%.
  • Gross margin was 45.6% of revenue, compared to 45.4% of revenue in the third quarter of 2023.
  • Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.2% of revenue, compared to 46.0% of revenue in the third quarter of 2023. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
  • Cash flow from operations was $24.8 million in the third quarter of 2024.
  • Cash and investments balance was $117.6 million as of September 30, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company expects to generate revenue between $115 million and $123 million.

The Company expects fourth quarter 2024 diluted net income per share between $0.10 and $0.18, and non-GAAP diluted net income per share between $0.28 and $0.36. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has included non-GAAP revenue growth by region and by service line that excludes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (collectively, “non-GAAP revenue growth”). Management believes these metrics, when viewed in conjunction with the comparable GAAP metrics, are useful in evaluating the underlying business trends and ongoing operating performance of the Company.

The Company has included earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and EBITDA, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency and costs related to the Japan closure activities (collectively, “Adjusted EBITDA”), in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results. The Company has also included earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin (“EBITDA margin”) and EBITDA margin, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency and costs related to the Japan closure activities (collectively, “Adjusted EBITDA margin”), in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results.

The Company has included non-GAAP gross margin, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results.

The Company has included non-GAAP operating margin, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense and costs related to the closure of Japan (collectively, “non-GAAP operating margin”), in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results.

The Company has included non-GAAP net income, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense, unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency and costs related to the closure of Japan (collectively, “non-GAAP net income”), in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results.

The Company has provided below reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP revenue growth by region and by service, and Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are used by the Company’s management and board of directors to understand and evaluate operating performance and trends and provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s business. Accordingly, the Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2024 financial results and fourth quarter 2024 outlook today, November 1, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. EDT. To access the call in the U.S. please dial 877-709-8150 or outside the U.S. dial 201-689-8354 at least five minutes prior to the 8:30 a.m. EDT start time. No participant code is required. A simultaneous webcast of the call and accompanying presentation will be available via the investor relations section of the Protolabs website and the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/b94yu8yp/. A replay will be available for 14 days following the call on the investor relations section of the Protolabs website.

About Protolabs

Protolabs is the fastest and most comprehensive digital manufacturing service in the world. Our digital factories produce low-volume parts in days while Protolabs Network unlocks advanced capabilities and volume pricing through its highly vetted manufacturing partners. The result? One manufacturing source—from prototyping to production—for product developers, engineers, and supply chain teams across the globe. See what's next at protolabs.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Protolabs to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Certain of these risk factors and others are described in the “Risk Factors” section within reports filed with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Protolabs’ future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Protolabs cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Protolabs expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Proto Labs, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

September 30,
2024

December 31,
2023

(Unaudited)

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

87,873

$

83,790

Short-term marketable securities

12,638

19,013

Accounts receivable, net

69,464

72,848

Inventory

12,415

13,657

Income taxes receivable

665

2,228

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

10,019

9,124

Total current assets

193,074

200,660

Property and equipment, net

237,942

253,655

Goodwill

273,991

273,991

Other intangible assets, net

22,890

25,584

Long-term marketable securities

17,120

8,019

Operating lease assets

3,519

4,628

Finance lease assets

759

960

Other long-term assets

4,491

4,856

Total assets

$

753,786

$

772,353

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$

15,004

$

15,636

Accrued compensation

17,549

15,292

Accrued liabilities and other

18,455

16,872

Current operating lease liabilities

1,450

1,585

Current finance lease liabilities

306

296

Income taxes payable

994

—

Total current liabilities

53,758

49,681

Long-term operating lease liabilities

1,979

3,008

Long-term finance lease liabilities

365

595

Long-term deferred tax liabilities

12,688

18,742

Other long-term liabilities

5,003

5,032

Shareholders' equity

679,993

695,295

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

753,786

$

772,353

Proto Labs, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

Injection Molding

$

46,831

$

51,688

$

148,574

$

152,455

CNC Machining

53,327

52,916

154,498

149,317

3D Printing

21,437

21,622

64,300

63,952

Sheet Metal

3,743

4,291

11,218

12,478

Other Revenue

281

188

550

627

Total Revenue

125,619

130,705

379,140

378,829

Cost of revenue

68,389

71,423

207,897

212,648

Gross profit

57,230

59,282

171,243

166,181

Operating expenses

Marketing and sales

22,619

21,682

69,070

65,863

Research and development

9,772

10,105

31,600

30,647

General and administrative

16,259

17,058

49,167

49,713

Closure of Japan business

—

22

—

186

Total operating expenses

48,650

48,867

149,837

146,409

Income from operations

8,580

10,415

21,406

19,772

Other income (loss), net

1,288

320

3,548

(1,758

)

Income before income taxes

9,868

10,735

24,954

18,014

Provision for income taxes

2,679

2,781

7,957

7,784

Net income

$

7,189

$

7,954

$

16,997

$

10,230

Net income per share:

Basic

$

0.29

$

0.31

$

0.67

$

0.39

Diluted

$

0.29

$

0.31

$

0.67

$

0.39

Shares used to compute net income per share:

Basic

24,980,536

26,023,830

25,304,985

26,296,304

Diluted

25,022,485

26,028,456

25,382,280

26,327,606

Proto Labs, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

Operating activities

Net income

$

16,997

$

10,230

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

26,984

28,213

Stock-based compensation expense

12,716

11,811

Deferred taxes

(6,140

)

(9,197

)

Interest on finance lease obligations

26

859

Loss on impairment of equipment

256

—

Loss on foreign currency translation

—

3,906

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

(24

)

(498

)

Other

103

122

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

9,617

10,600

Net cash provided by operating activities

60,535

56,046

Investing activities

Purchases of property, equipment and other capital assets

(8,339

)

(9,935

)

Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and other capital assets

34

693

Purchases of marketable securities

(18,087

)

—

Proceeds from call redemptions and maturities of marketable securities

15,709

19,115

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(10,683

)

9,873

Financing activities

Proceeds from exercises of stock options and employee stock purchases

2,094

1,986

Purchases of shares withheld for tax obligations

(1,920

)

(1,436

)

Repurchases of common stock

(45,958

)

(39,053

)

Principal repayments of finance lease obligations

(220

)

(234

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(46,004

)

(38,737

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

235

(244

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

4,083

26,938

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

83,790

56,558

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

87,873

$

83,496

Proto Labs, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income per Share

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Non-GAAP net income, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense, unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency and costs related to Japan closure activities

GAAP net income

$

7,189

$

7,954

$

16,997

$

10,230

Add back:

Stock-based compensation expense

4,196

4,441

12,716

11,811

Amortization expense

888

1,461

2,796

4,471

Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency

174

(29

)

323

86

Costs related to Japan closure activities

—

22

—

4,093

Total adjustments 1

5,258

5,895

15,835

20,461

Income tax benefits on adjustments 2

(627

)

(633

)

(1,066

)

(931

)

Non-GAAP net income

$

11,820

$

13,216

$

31,766

$

29,760

Non-GAAP net income per share:

Basic

$

0.47

$

0.51

$

1.26

$

1.13

Diluted

$

0.47

$

0.51

$

1.25

$

1.13

Shares used to compute non-GAAP net income per share:

Basic

24,980,536

26,023,830

25,304,985

26,296,304

Diluted

25,022,485

26,028,456

25,382,280

26,327,606

1 Stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense, unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency and costs related to Japan closure activities were included in the following GAAP consolidated statement of operations categories:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Cost of revenue

$

817

$

805

$

2,428

$

2,416

Marketing and sales

727

961

2,378

2,508

Research and development

671

675

2,031

1,888

General and administrative

2,869

3,461

8,675

9,471

Closure of Japan business

—

22

—

186

Total operating expenses

4,267

5,119

13,084

14,053

Other income (loss), net

174

(29

)

323

3,992

Total adjustments

$

5,258

$

5,895

$

15,835

$

20,461

2

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, income tax effects were calculated using the effective tax rate for the relevant jurisdictions. The Company's non-GAAP tax rates differ from its GAAP tax rates due primarily to the mix of activity incurred in domestic and foreign tax jurisdictions and removing effective tax rate benefits from stock-based compensation activity in the quarter.

Proto Labs, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Gross Margin

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

$

125,619

$

130,705

$

379,140

$

378,829

Gross profit

57,230

59,282

171,243

166,181

GAAP gross margin

45.6

%

45.4

%

45.2

%

43.9

%

Add back:

Stock-based compensation expense

474

462

1,401

1,388

Amortization expense

343

343

1,027

1,028

Total adjustments

817

805

2,428

2,416

Non-GAAP gross profit

$

58,047

$

60,087

$

173,671

$

168,597

Non-GAAP gross margin

46.2

%

46.0

%

45.8

%

44.5

%

Proto Labs, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Margin

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

$

125,619

$

130,705

$

379,140

$

378,829

Income from operations

8,580

10,415

21,406

19,772

GAAP operating margin

6.8

%

8.0

%

5.6

%

5.2

%

Add back:

Stock-based compensation expense

4,196

4,441

12,716

11,811

Amortization expense

888

1,461

2,796

4,471

Costs related to Japan closure activities

—

22

—

186

Total adjustments

5,084

5,924

15,512

16,468

Non-GAAP income from operations

$

13,664

$

16,339

$

36,918

$

36,240

Non-GAAP operating margin

10.9

%

12.5

%

9.7

%

9.6

%

Proto Labs, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

$

125,619

$

130,705

$

379,140

$

378,829

GAAP net income

7,189

7,954

16,997

10,230

GAAP net income margin

5.7

%

6.1

%

4.5

%

2.7

%

Add back:

Amortization expense

$

888

$

1,461

$

2,796

$

4,471

Depreciation expense

8,021

7,869

24,188

23,742

Interest income, net

(1,287

)

(561

)

(3,548

)

(1,283

)

Provision for income taxes

2,679

2,781

7,957

7,784

EBITDA

17,490

19,504

48,390

44,944

EBITDA Margin

13.9

%

14.9

%

12.8

%

11.9

%

Add back:

Stock-based compensation expense

4,196

4,441

12,716

11,811

Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency

174

(29

)

323

86

Costs related to Japan closure activities

—

22

—

4,093

Total adjustments

4,370

4,434

13,039

15,990

Adjusted EBITDA

$

21,860

$

23,938

$

61,429

$

60,934

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

17.4

%

18.3

%

16.2

%

16.1

%

Proto Labs, Inc.

Comparison of GAAP to Non-GAAP Revenue Growth by Region

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023

%

Change2

% Change

Organic3

GAAP

Foreign

Currency1

Non-GAAP

GAAP

Revenues

United States

$

99,571

$

—

$

99,571

$

103,940

(4.2

%)

(4.2

%)

Europe

26,048

(474

)

25,574

26,765

(2.7

%)

(4.4

%)

Total revenue

$

125,619

$

(474

)

$

125,145

$

130,705

(3.9

%)

(4.3

%)

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023

%

Change2

% Change

Organic3

GAAP

Foreign

Currency1

Non-GAAP

GAAP

Revenues

United States

$

299,593

$

—

$

299,593

$

298,007

0.5

%

0.5

%

Europe

79,547

(1,357

)

78,190

80,822

(1.6

%)

(3.3

%)

Total revenue

$

379,140

$

(1,357

)

$

377,783

$

378,829

0.1

%

(0.3

%)

1 Revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 has been recalculated using 2023 foreign currency exchange rates in effect during comparable periods to provide information useful in evaluating the underlying business trends excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
2 This column presents the percentage change from GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 to GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
3 This column presents the percentage change from GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 to non-GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (as recalculated using the foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023) in order to provide a constant-currency comparison.

Proto Labs, Inc.

Comparison of GAAP to Non-GAAP Revenue Growth by Service Line

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023

%

Change2

% Change

Organic3

GAAP

Foreign

Currency1

Non-GAAP

GAAP

Revenues

Injection Molding

$

46,831

$

(198

)

$

46,633

$

51,688

(9.4

)%

(9.8

)%

CNC Machining

53,327

(160

)

53,167

52,916

0.8

0.5

3D Printing

21,437

(108

)

21,329

21,622

(0.9

)

(1.4

)

Sheet Metal

3,743

(4

)

3,739

4,291

(12.8

)

(12.9

)

Other Revenue

281

(4

)

277

188

49.5

47.3

Total Revenue

$

125,619

$

(474

)

$

125,145

$

130,705

(3.9

%)

(4.3

%)

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023

%

Change2

% Change

Organic3

GAAP

Foreign

Currency1

Non-GAAP

GAAP

Revenues

Injection Molding

$

148,574

$

(666

)

$

147,908

$

152,455

(2.5

)%

(3.0

)%

CNC Machining

154,498

(378

)

154,120

149,317

3.5

3.2

3D Printing

64,300

(315

)

63,985

63,952

0.5

0.1

Sheet Metal

11,218

9

11,227

12,478

(10.1

)

(10.0

)

Other Revenue

550

(7

)

543

627

(12.3

)

(13.4

)

Total Revenue

$

379,140

$

(1,357

)

$

377,783

$

378,829

0.1

%

(0.3

%)

1

Revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 has been recalculated using 2023 foreign currency exchange rates in effect during comparable periods to provide information useful in evaluating the underlying business trends excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

2

This column presents the percentage change from GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 to GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

3

This column presents the percentage change from GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 to non-GAAP revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (as recalculated using the foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023) in order to provide a constant-currency comparison.

Proto Labs, Inc.

Customer Contact Information

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Customer contacts

22,511

23,080

43,671

45,668

Revenue per customer contact

$

5,580

$

5,663

$

8,682

$

8,295

Proto Labs, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Guidance

(In thousands, except per share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Q4 2024 Outlook

Low

High

GAAP diluted net income per share

$

0.10

$

0.18

Add back:

Stock-based compensation expense

0.15

0.15

Amortization expense

0.03

0.03

Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency

0.00

0.00

Total adjustments

0.18

0.18

Non-GAAP diluted net income per share

$

0.28

$

0.36

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