NFI announces first quarter 2024 results

All figures quoted in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted:

• 2024 Q1 revenue of $723 million; 1,127 equivalent units ("EUs") delivered, up 42% from 2023 Q1, with 201 of EUs delivered being battery- and fuel cell-electric buses ("ZEBs").
• Ending total backlog² position (both firm and options) reached a record high of 14,783 EUs (valued at $11.7 billion), with 365 EUs in bid award pending; ZEBs represent 39% of total backlog².
• 2024 Q1 Net loss of $9 million; Net loss per Share of $0.08, and Adjusted Net Loss per Share² of $0.13.
• 2024 Q1 Adjusted EBITDA² of $34 million. Ending Total Liquidity² position of $166 million.
• Aftermarket segment delivers record quarterly performance with $160 million of revenue, and $38 million of Adjusted EBITDA².
• Reiterate financial guidance for Fiscal 2024 as announced on January 17, 2024, including Adjusted EBITDA² range of $240 to $280 million; and 2025 Adjusted EBITDA² target of greater than $350 million.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) NFI Group Inc. ("NFI" or the "Company"), a leader in zero-emission electric mobility solutions, today announced its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2024.

Key financial metrics for the quarter and for the last twelve months are highlighted below:

Footnotes:

1. Results noted herein are for the 13-week period ("2024 Q1”) and the 52-week period ("2024 Q1 LTM”) ended March 31, 2024. The comparisons reported in this press release compare 2024 Q1 to the 13-week period ("2023 Q1") and 2024 Q1 LTM to the 53-week period ("2023 Q1 LTM") ended April 2, 2023. Comparisons and comments are also made to the 13-week period (“2023 Q4”) ended December 31, 2023. The term “LTM” is an abbreviation for “Last Twelve Month Period”.
   
2. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss, and Free Cash Flow represent non-IFRS measures; Adjusted Net Loss per Share and Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") are non-IFRS ratios; and Total Liquidity and Backlog are supplementary financial measures. Such measures and ratios are not defined terms under IFRS and do not have standard meanings, so they may not be a reliable way to compare NFI to other companies. Adjusted Net Loss per Share is based on the non-IFRS measure Adjusted Net Loss. ROIC is based on net operating profit after tax and average invested capital, both of which are non-IFRS measures. See “Non-IFRS Measures” and detailed reconciliations of IFRS Measures to non-IFRS Measures in the Appendices of this press release. Readers are advised to review the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (including notes) (the “Financial Statements”) and the related Management's Discussion and Analysis (the "MD&A").
   
3. NFI's Financial Statements were prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with IFRS. Readers are recommended to read "Note 2.1 Basis of preparation" in the Financial Statements regarding the basis of preparation.

"Our financial results continued to show positive improvement in the seasonally slower first quarter, with double-digit growth in vehicle deliveries and revenue, significant improvement in margin performance, and a record total backlog² with a value of nearly $12 billion. While certain legacy inflation impacted deliveries had a negative impact on quarterly results, we have completed the majority of those remaining contracts, which is expected to drive margin growth as we move through 2024," said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer, NFI.

“Customer demand was at record levels, as we secured the highest new quarterly contract awards in NFI history with over 5,400 EUs of new additions to our backlog². The Aftermarket segment also delivered another period of record results, highlighting the strength and resiliency of our global parts businesses. Within the Manufacturing segment, our team remains laser-focused on improving production efficiencies, delivering to our customers, and driving volume drop-through as we significantly increase our annual deliveries, capitalizing on the improved pricing and product mix within our backlog².

“The operating environment continues to see challenges related to labour availability and overall supply chain health, two areas that we are actively managing. Supplier performance has seen significant improvement, and, while the first quarter did see year-over-year delivery growth and Aftermarket outperformance, certain deliveries planned for the quarter were pushed into the second quarter of 2024, primarily driven by timing of final customer acceptances. Our recovery was supported by the addition of 210 new team members primarily in manufacturing roles.

"Our focus on working capital management was another bright spot, with improvements in working capital days both year-over-year and sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2023. This helped us maintain a strong quarter ending liquidity position, even as we increased new vehicle starts. Our teams are advancing discussions with customers regarding proposed changes to U.S. contract structures, including progress payments and milestone billings, pricing adjustments, and changes to customization levels. We saw some benefit from taking these actions during the quarter and expect they will provide further positive benefit to working capital investments as we build these new terms into future contracts.

"Overall, we are confident in our ability to execute to our plan and reaffirm our 2024 expectations for double-digit growth in revenues and deliveries, triple digit growth in Adjusted EBITDA², and positive Free Cash Flow² generation in the second half of the year."

Liquidity²

The Company's Total Liquidity² position, which combines cash on-hand plus available capacity under its senior first lien credit facilities (without consideration given to the minimum liquidity requirement of $50 million), was $166 million as at the end of 2024 Q1, down 12% from the end of 2023 Q4. Total Liquidity² position was positively impacted by cash generated from operating activities, offset by interest expenses, repayments on obligations under capital leases and capital expenditures, which required the Company to make draws on its North American and UK secured facilities.

NFI generated $10 million in cash flows from working capital in the first quarter of 2024, as higher vehicle deliveries lowered finished goods and work-in-process (“WIP”) inventory. These reductions were offset by an increase in raw material balances, which remain elevated, reflecting higher input costs for ZEB components and higher carrying balances to support consistent supply. Working capital was also impacted by a reduction in overall deferred revenue balances, from the recognition of pre-payments on final deliveries and from a reduction in provision balances to cover warranty campaign activities.

NFI expects that its Total Liquidity² position may decrease slightly during the second quarter of 2024 as WIP and finished goods inventory balances increase as production rates increase. The Company remains focused on cash and liquidity management, including efforts to accelerate deliveries and customer acceptances, accelerating customer payments through the pursuit of advance payments and deposits wherever possible, and improving supplier payment terms. NFI believes that its existing liquidity supports the execution of the Company’s operational and strategic goals, including planned increases in production rates and investments in zero-emission products and electric propulsion technology.

Segment Results

Manufacturing segment revenue for 2024 Q1 increased by $177 million, or 46%, compared to 2023 Q1, driven by higher new vehicle deliveries higher average sales prices per unit, and product mix. The Company continued to see improvement in supplier performance and on-time production in 2024 Q1.

Manufacturing Adjusted EBITDA² improved by $21 million, or 91%, compared to 2023 Q1. The improvement was driven by higher deliveries, favourable sales mix, and a lower number of legacy inflation-impacted deliveries. Manufacturing Adjusted EBITDA² as a percentage of revenue showed continued improvement, increasing from (6%) in 2023 Q1 to (0.4%) in 2024 Q1.

At the end of 2024 Q1, the Company's total backlog² (firm and options) of 14,783 EUs (firm and options) increased by 40% from the end of 2023 Q4, and increased by 47% from the end of 2023 Q1. The increase was driven by record awards in the quarter, offset by higher deliveries. NFI also had 365 EUs of new firm and option orders in bid awards pending (where NFI had received notification of award from the customer, but formal purchase order documentation had not yet been finalized) as at the end of 2024 Q1.

Backlog² for 2024 Q1 has a total dollar value of $11.7 billion, and the average price of an EU in backlog² is now $0.79 million, a 19% increase from 2023 Q1.

Aftermarket segment delivered another quarter of record results with revenue of $160 million, an increase of $21 million, or 15%, compared to 2023 Q1, driven by increased volume in North American public and private markets, and the impacts of heightened inflation on parts pricing. In 2024 Q1, Aftermarket Adjusted EBITDA² was $38 million, an increase of $8 million, or 27%, year-over-year, stemming from improved sales volume, pricing adjustments and favourable product mix. Aftermarket Adjusted EBITDA² as a percentage of revenue was strong at 23%, compared to 21% for the same period in 2023.

Net Loss, Adjusted Net Loss², and Return on Invested Capital²

In 2024 Q1, the net loss of $9 million decreased by $37 million from 2023 Q1, improving by 80%, with improvements in vehicle deliveries, revenue, favourable sales mix, and Adjusted EBITDA² offset somewhat by higher interest and financing costs.

Adjusted Net Loss² for 2024 Q1 of $16 million improved from 2023 Q1 Adjusted Net Loss² of $38 million, driven by the same items that impacted Adjusted EBITDA² and net loss, adjusted for unrealized fair market gains related to foreign exchange, the Company’s interest rate swap and the prepayment option on second-lien debt, plus other normalization adjustments including non-recurring restructuring and past service and pension costs.

2024 Q1 ROIC² increased by 6% from 2023 Q1, primarily due to the increase in Adjusted EBITDA² and a slight decrease in the invested capital base. The decrease in invested capital² is primarily driven by a decrease in long-term debt balances as the Company completed a comprehensive refinancing plan during 2023 Q3. Also contributing are increases in cash balances as the Company generated cash from its operating activities during 2023 Q4 and 2024 Q1.

Efforts to Strengthen Bus Manufacturing in the U.S.

During the quarter, NFI continued to advance efforts championed by the American Public Transportation Association (“APTA”) and the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (“FTA”) to support more competitive and stable bus manufacturing capacity in the United States. These activities included discussions on pricing adjustments to legacy inflation-impacted contracts bid from 2020 to 2023, the incorporation of progress payments (deposits, advances, and milestone payments), pricing adjustments to future contracts to reflect price inflation or deflation, and a potential reduction in vehicle customization through the establishment of standard specifications and best practices.

NFI has experienced some success from these efforts and during the quarter, completed some price adjustments on legacy contracts and progress payment structures with certain customers. The Company will continue discussions with customers on incorporating progress payments into existing contracts and has begun to build progress payments into new contracts wherever possible. Management expects these actions may have a positive impact on NFI’s financial performance in future periods, especially as it relates to working capital investments.

Outlook

Management anticipates continued positive improvements to revenue, gross profit, Adjusted EBITDA² and Free Cash Flow², a shift to net earnings from net loss, and improvement in ROIC² over the next 12 to 24 months, as the Company ramps-up production, delivers on its backlog², and benefits from the growing demand for its buses, coaches, parts, and Infrastructure Solutions™ services.

Management believes market demand is evident through NFI securing record new quarterly orders of 5,421 EUs in 2024 Q1, the Company's North American active bids of 5,410 EUs, and the current five-year forecasted demand within the Company's North American bid universe of 21,350 EUs. This bid activity is expected to drive additional backlog² growth throughout 2024, and revenue growth in the medium- and longer-term. In addition, demand within private coach and international transit markets has also seen strong growth driven by increasing ridership, travel and return to work initiatives. These demand factors are expected to drive additional new orders in 2024.

ZEB demand has remained strong, with an increased number of ZEB bids and the number of EUs per ZEB bid increasing, as transit agencies are progressing from pilot or trials to more active deployment and operation of ZEB fleets. NFI expects active ZEB bids to remain high through the coming years based on government funding levels supporting state, provincial and municipal ZEB adoption targets.

NFI is working closely with its suppliers to monitor supply chain performance, and, due to the Company's strong backlog², has been able to provide longer-term production visibility to its supply base for the remainder of 2024 production. As part of NFI’s supplier development program, the Company provides a risk rating to all its key suppliers based upon their on-time delivery performance and other factors. NFI has seen a significant decline in the number of moderate and high-risk suppliers driven by a combination of overall improvements in global supply chain health and actions taken by NFI's supply and sourcing teams. The Company appointed a dedicated Vice President of Supplier Development in early 2024 who has continued to strengthen NFI’s supply oversight.

In 2024 Q1, NFI continued increasing new vehicle production rates and hiring new team members to support this increase. While there has been significant positive improvement, the labour market within the United States and the UK remains challenging. NFI plans to continue to ramp-up production and add personnel on a phased approach throughout 2024, with gradual headcount additions ensuring that the ramp-up is matched to consistent supply and labour availability. NFI successfully added 210 team members during the quarter, primarily in production related roles.

Gross margins and other profitability metrics are expected to improve production rates and bus and coach deliveries increase, WIP is reduced, and as the remaining inflation-impacted legacy contracts are completed. NFI anticipates that nearly all of the remaining legacy inflation-impacted contracts will be delivered during the second quarter of 2024. The Company has seen signs of commodities and raw material costs easing and anticipates that contracts in NFI's backlog² now reflect appropriate, inflation-adjusted costing and pricing.

Financial Guidance and Targets

NFI reiterates its previously provided financial guidance for Fiscal 2024 and targets for 2025 as disclosed on January 17, 2024.

As NFI disclosed in its fourth quarter 2023 financial results, the Company expects to deliver approximately 35% of annual Adjusted EBITDA² in the first half of 2024, with approximately 65% of annual Adjusted EBITDA² expected to be delivered in the second half of the year. First quarter 2024 results were in-line with these overall expectations. These seasonality expectations are based on expected production ramp up, the timing of certain ZEB deliveries, impacts of legacy inflation-impacted contracts, and sales mix.

NFI's guidance and targets are subject to the risk of supply disruptions being extended and/or exacerbated and the risk of additional supply disruptions affecting key parts or components. In addition, the guidance and targets do not reflect potential escalated impact on supply chains or other factors arising directly or indirectly as a result of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East. Although NFI does not have direct suppliers in these regions, additional supply delays, possible shortages of critical components or increases in raw material costs may arise as the conflicts progress and if certain suppliers’ operations and/or subcomponent supply from affected countries are disrupted further. In addition, there may also be further general industry-wide price increases for components and raw materials used in vehicle production as well as further increases in the cost of labour and potential difficulties in sourcing an increase in the supply of labour. See Appendix B Forward Looking Statements for risks and other factors and the Company's filings on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, and Board of Directors Update

NFI’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “Shareholders’ Meeting”) will be held virtually on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (EST).

After nine years and upon the completion of the Company’s Shareholders’ Meeting, Phyllis Cochran will retire as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee of NFI. The Board of Directors extends its sincere thank you to Phyllis for her contributions, dedication, and leadership as a Director, Audit Chair, and partner to NFI.

Ms. Anne Marie O’Donovan, FCPA, FCA, ICD, is being nominated as a new independent Director on NFI’s Board. Ms. O’Donovan served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Global Banking and Markets at Scotiabank from 2009 to 2014, and the Senior Vice President and Chief Auditor of Scotiabank from 2005 to 2009. Ms. O’Donovan is also a former partner at Ernst & Young LLP. She is the chair of the board of Aviva Canada Inc., chair of the audit committee of Cadillac Fairview Corp. and serves on the board and chairs the investment committee of CMA Impact Inc., a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Association. She is a past director, chair of the audit committee and chair of the compensation committee of Indigo Books & Music, Inc. and director and chair of the audit committee of MDC Partners Inc. If Ms. O’Donovan is elected to the Board, she will also become the Chair of the Audit Committee of NFI.

The materials for the Shareholders’ Meeting and voting instructions have been sent to shareholders in advance of the meeting and are available on NFI's website at: https://www.nfigroup.com/events-and-presentation/annual-general-meeting. The meeting website for the webcast is available at the same link.

Environmental, Social & Governance Update

NFI's Environmental Social Governance Report for 2023 will be released on the Company's website in May 2024.

As of the end of 2024 Q1, NFI employed 8,776 team members across its global locations, up from 8,566 as of the end of Fiscal 2023.

First Quarter 2024 Results Conference Call and Filing

A conference call for analysts and interested listeners will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). An accompanying results presentation will be available prior to market open on Friday, May 3, 2024, at www.nfigroup.com.

For attendees who wish to join by webcast, registration is not required; the event can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/zeudch8z. NFI encourages attendees to join via webcast as a results presentation will be presented and users can also submit questions to management through the platform. The results presentation will be available at www.nfigroup.com.

Attendees who wish to join by phone must visit the following link and pre-register: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIfefc68e9b4b34db4ab3ec8162bfac924. An email will be sent to the user’s registered email address, which will provide the call-in details. Due to the possibility of emails being held up in spam filters, we highly recommend that attendees wishing to join via phone register ahead of time to ensure receipt of their access details.

A replay of the call will be accessible from about 12:00 p.m. ET on May 3, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 2, 2025, at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/zeudch8z. The replay will also be available on NFI's website at: www.nfigroup.com.

About NFI Group

Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world. With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.

With over 8,750 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motor coaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base of over 100,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI’s common shares (“Shares”) trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol NFI and its convertible unsecured debentures (“Debentures”) trade on the TSX under the symbol NFI.DB. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, nfi.parts, www.alexander-dennis.com, arbocsv.com, and carfaircomposites.com.

For investor inquiries, please contact:
Stephen King
P: 204.224.6382
[email protected]

Appendix A - Reconciliation Tables

Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA and Net Operating Profit after Taxes

Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA², and net operating profit after taxes² ("NOPAT") are important measures in evaluating the historical operating performance of the Company. However, Adjusted EBITDA² and NOPAT² are not recognized earnings measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA² and NOPAT² may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Readers of this press release are cautioned that Adjusted EBITDA² should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings or loss determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company's performance and NOPAT² should not be construed as an alternative to earnings or loss from operations determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company's performance. See "Non-IFRS Measures" for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA². The following table reconciles net loss to Adjusted EBITDA² based on the historical financial statements of the Company for the periods indicated. The Company defines NOPAT² as Adjusted EBITDA² less depreciation of plant and equipment, depreciation of right-of-use assets and income taxes at a rate of 31%.

Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow per Share

Management uses Free Cash Flow² and Free Cash Flow per Share² as non-IFRS measures to evaluate the Company’s operating performance and liquidity and to assess the Company’s ability to pay dividends on its Shares, service debt, and meet other payment obligations. However, Free Cash Flow² and Free Cash Flow per Share² are not recognized earnings measures under IFRS and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, Free Cash Flow² and the associated per Share figure may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Readers of this press release are cautioned that Free Cash Flow² should not be construed as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with IFRS as a measure of liquidity and cash flow. See "Non-IFRS Measures" for the definition of Free Cash Flow². The following table reconciles net cash generated by operating activities to Free Cash Flow².

The Company defines Free Cash Flow per Share² as Free Cash Flow² divided by the average number of Shares outstanding.

U.S. exchange rate (C$ per US$) is the average exchange rate for the period.

1. Changes in non-cash working capital are excluded from the calculation of Free Cash Flow² as these temporary fluctuations are managed through the Secured Facilities which are available to fund general corporate requirements, including working capital requirements, subject to borrowing capacity restrictions. Changes in non-cash working capital are presented on the audited consolidated statements of cash flows net of interest and income taxes paid.
2. The cash effect of the difference between the defined benefit expense and funding is included in the determination of cash from operating activities. This cash effect is excluded in the determination of Free Cash Flow² as management believes that the defined benefit expense amount provides a more appropriate measure, as the defined benefit funding can be impacted by special payments to reduce the unfunded pension liability.
3. Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in foreign currency is excluded in the determination of cash from operating activities under IFRS; however, because it is a cash item, management believes it should be included in the calculation of Free Cash Flow².
4. Per Share calculations for Free Cash Flow² (C$) are determined by dividing Free Cash Flow² by the total number of all issued and outstanding Shares using the weighted average over the period. The weighted average number of Shares outstanding for 2024 Q1 was 118,972,157 and 77,161,510 for 2023 Q1. The weighted average number of Shares outstanding for 2024 Q1 LTM and 2023 Q1 LTM was 102,319,274 and 77,362,993, respectively. Per Share calculations for declared dividends (C$) are determined by dividing the amount of declared dividends by the number of outstanding Shares at the respective period end date.
5. Normalized to exclude non-operating restructuring costs. Costs primarily relate to severance costs, inefficient labour costs, increased medical costs and right-of-use asset impairments and inventory impairments associated with restructuring initiatives. Free Cash Flow² reconciling amounts are net of right-of-use asset and property, plant and equipment impairments.
6. Costs and recoveries associated with amendments to, and closures of, the Company's pension plans. 2022 Q2 includes $7.0 million for the liability related to the closure of MCI’s Pembina, ND facility and withdrawal from the multi-employer pension plan. In 2023 Q4, the Company made the decision to continue operations of the Pembina facility indefinitely, thereby reversing the above adjustments made in 2022 Q2. Also included in Adjusted EBITDA² is $4.8 million of pension past service costs incurred during 2023 Q1.
7. Normalized to exclude non-operating costs related to an insurance event that are not recoverable, or are related to the deductible.
8. Provision for sales taxes as a result of a previous state sales tax review.
9. Includes fair market value adjustments to interest rate swaps, cash conversion option on the Debentures, and to the prepayment option on the Company’s second lien debt. 2024 Q1 includes a gain of $1.5 million and 2023 Q1 includes a loss of $5.5 million for the interest rate swaps. 2024 Q1 includes a gain of $4.0 million and 2023 Q1 includes a gain of $2.6 million on the cash conversion option. The prepayment option had a gain of $2.5 million in 2024 Q1 compared to no fair market value adjustment in 2023 Q1.
10. Includes adjustments made related to expenses that pertain to prior years. 2022 Q2 includes expenses related to amounts that should have been capitalized from prior years.
11. Includes adjustments made related to items that occurred outside of normal operations. This includes specified items purchased in broker markets at a premium and associated broker fees, which the Company provided to suppliers, and does not normally directly purchase. Also included is the additional labour costs associated with the shortage of the specified item.
12. Includes 2022 Q4 impairment charges with respect to ARBOC's goodwill of $23.2 million and the Alexander Dennis manufacturing cash generating unit’s ("CGU") goodwill of $80.7 million.
13. In 2024 Q1, the Company recognized an impairment loss on a New Product Development (“NPD”) project for $1.0 million.
14. As a result of the Company's comprehensive refinancing, the Company had recognized an accounting gain in 2023 Q3 stemming from the modification made to its secured credit facilities. In 2023 Q4, an accounting loss was recorded to adjust the gain on debt modification.

Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss

Adjusted Net Loss² and Adjusted Net Loss per Share² are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, Adjusted Net Loss² and Adjusted Net Loss per Share² may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Readers of this press release are cautioned that Adjusted Net Loss² and Adjusted Net Loss per Share² should not be construed as an alternative to net loss, or net loss per Share, determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of the Company's performance. See Non-IFRS Measures for the definition of Adjusted Net Loss² and Adjusted Net Loss per Share². The following table reconcile net loss to Adjusted Net Loss² based on the historical financial statements of the Company for the periods indicated.

1. Addback items are derived from the historical financial statements of the Company.
2. The Company has utilized a rate of 31.0% to tax effect the adjustments for the periods above.
3. The unrealized gain on the prepayment option is related to the Company's second lien debt instrument. The gain is the result of an increase in the options fair value between December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
4. Normalized to exclude the over accretion of transaction costs relating to the Company's Secured Facilities.
5. As a result of the Company's comprehensive refinancing, the Company has recognized an accounting gain stemming from the modification made to its secured credit facilities.
6. During the year the Company settled its equity swaps which were used to hedge the exposure associated with changes in value of its Shares with respect to outstanding management restricted share units ("Management RSUs") and a portion of the outstanding performance share units ("PSUs"), and deferred share units ("DSUs").
7. Costs and recoveries associated with amendments to, and closures of, the Company's pension plans. 2022 Q2 includes $7.0 million for the liability related to the anticipated closure of MCI’s Pembina, ND facility and withdrawal from the multi-employer pension plan. In 2023 Q4, the Company made the decision to continue operations of the Pembina facility indefinitely, thereby reversing the above adjustments made in 2022 Q2. Also included is $4.8 million of pension past service costs incurred during 2023 Q1.
8. Normalized to exclude non-operating costs related to an insurance event that are not recoverable, or are related to the deductible.
9. Includes adjustments made related to items that occurred outside of normal operations. This includes specified items purchased in broker markets at a premium and associated broker fees, which the Company provided to suppliers, and does not normally directly purchase. Also included is the additional labour costs associated with the shortage of the specified item.
10. Includes the impact of changes in deferred tax balances as a result of substantively enacted tax rate changes. The 2022 amounts include the impact of the revaluation of deferred tax balances due to the enacted increase in the UK corporate tax rate from 19% to 25% in 2021 Q3. Also included in 2022 Q4 is the impact of the reduction of deferred tax assets related to the derecognition of loss carry forwards in Canada, and restricted interest in the UK.
11. Includes adjustments made related to expenses that pertain to prior years. 2022 Q3 includes expenses related to amounts that should have been capitalized from prior years.
12. Provision for sales taxes as a result of a previous state sales tax review.
13. Includes 2022 Q4 impairment charges with respect to ARBOC's goodwill of $23.2 million and the Alexander Dennis manufacturing CGU's goodwill of $80.7 million.
14. In 2024 Q1, the Company recognized an impairment loss on an NPD project for $1.0 million.
15. Normalized to exclude non-operating restructuring costs. Costs primarily relate to severance costs, inefficient labour costs, increased medical costs and right-of-use asset impairments and inventory impairments associated with other restructuring initiatives. Free Cash Flow² reconciling amounts are net of right-of-use asset and property, plant and equipment impairments.

Reconciliation of Shareholders' Equity to Invested Capital

The following table reconciles Shareholders' Equity to Invested Capital. The average invested capital for the last twelve months is used in the calculation of ROIC². ROIC² is not a recognized measure under IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, ROIC may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. See Non-IFRS Measures for the definition of ROIC².

Appendix B - Non-IFRS Measures and Forward-Looking Statements

Non-IFRS Measures

References to “Adjusted EBITDA” are to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization after adjusting for the effects of certain non-recurring and/or non-operations related items and expenses incurred outside the normal course of operations that do not reflect the current ongoing cash operations of the Company. These adjustments include gains or losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment, fair value adjustment for total return swap, unrealized foreign exchange losses or gains on non-current monetary items and forward foreign exchange contracts, costs associated with assessing strategic and corporate initiatives, past service costs and other pension costs or recovery, non-operating costs or recoveries related to business acquisition, fair value adjustment to acquired subsidiary company's inventory and deferred revenue, proportion of the total return swap realized, equity settled stock-based compensation, expenses incurred outside the normal course of operations, recovery of currency transactions, prior year sales tax provision, COVID-19 costs and impairment loss on goodwill and non-operating restructuring costs.

References to "NOPAT" are to Adjusted EBITDA less depreciation of plant and equipment, depreciation of right-of-use assets and income taxes at a rate of 31%.

“Free Cash Flow” means net cash generated by or used in operating activities adjusted for changes in non-cash working capital items, interest paid, interest expense, income taxes paid, current income tax expense, repayment of obligation under lease, cash capital expenditures, acquisition of intangible assets, proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment, costs associated with assessing strategic and corporate initiatives, fair value adjustment to acquired subsidiary company's inventory and deferred revenue, defined benefit funding, defined benefit expense, past service costs and other pension costs or recovery, expenses incurred outside the normal course of operations, proportion of total return swap, unrecoverable insurance costs, prior year sales tax provision, non-operating restructuring costs, extraordinary COVID-19 costs, foreign exchange gain or loss on cash held in foreign currency.

References to "ROIC" are to NOPAT divided by average invested capital for the last twelve month period (calculated as to shareholders’ equity plus long-term debt, obligations under leases, other long-term liabilities and derivative financial instrument liabilities less cash).

References to "Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss)" are to net earnings (loss) after adjusting for the after tax effects of certain non-recurring and/or non-operational related items that do not reflect the current ongoing cash operations of the Company including: fair value adjustments of total return swap, unrealized foreign exchange loss or gain, unrealized gain or loss on the interest rate swap, impairment loss on goodwill, portion of the total return swap realized, costs associated with assessing strategic and corporate initiatives, fair value adjustment to acquired subsidiary company's inventory and deferred revenue, equity settled stock-based compensation, gain or loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, past service costs and other pension costs or recovery, recovery on currency transactions, expenses incurred outside the normal course of operations prior year sales tax provision, COVID-19 costs and non-operating restructuring costs .

References to "Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) per Share" are to Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) divided by the average number of Shares outstanding.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA, ROIC, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) and Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) per Share are useful measures in evaluating the performance of the Company. However, Adjusted EBITDA, ROIC, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) per Share are not recognized earnings or cash flow measures under IFRS and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. Readers of this press release are cautioned that ROIC, Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings or loss or cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of NFI’s performance, and Free Cash Flow should not be construed as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities determined in accordance with IFRS as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. A reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, based on the Financial Statements, has been provided under the headings “Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA and Net Operating Profit After Taxes”. A reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) is provided under the heading “Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss”.

NFI's method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA, ROIC, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings per Share may differ materially from the methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other issuers. Dividends paid from Free Cash Flow are not assured, and the actual amount of dividends received by holders of Shares will depend on, among other things, the Company's financial performance, debt covenants and obligations, working capital requirements and future capital requirements, all of which are susceptible to a number of risks, as described in NFI’s public filings available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

"Total Liquidity" is not a recognized measure under IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company defines liquidity as cash on-hand plus available capacity under its credit facilities without consideration given to the $50 minimum liquidity requirement under the Company’s senior credit facilities.

The value of the Company’s "backlog" is not a recognized measure under IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.

References to NFI's geographic regions for the purpose of reporting global revenues are as follows: "North America" refers to Canada, United States, and Mexico; United Kingdom and Europe refer to the United Kingdom and Europe; and "Asia Pacific" or "APAC" refers to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company’s future growth, financial performance, and liquidity and objectives and the Company’s strategic initiatives, plans, business prospects and opportunities, including the impact of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and plans to address them. The words “believes”, “views”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “guidance”, “goals”, “objectives”, “targets” and similar words or expressions of future events or conditional verbs such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events (including the temporary nature of the supply chain disruptions and operational challenges, production improvement, labour supply shortages and labour rates, the recovery of the Company’s markets and the expected benefits to be obtained through its “NFI Forward” initiatives) and the Company’s financial and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. By their very nature, forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future events, performance or results, and give rise to the possibility that management’s predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that the assumptions may not be correct and that the Company’s future growth, financial condition, ability to generate sufficient cash flow and maintain adequate liquidity, and the Company’s strategic initiatives, objectives, plans, business prospects and opportunities, including the Company’s plans and expectations relating to the impact of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, operational challenges, labour supply shortages and inflationary and labour rate pressures, will not occur or be achieved.

A number of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements include: the Company’s business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity may be materially adversely impacted by the aftermath and ongoing impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and related supply chain and operational challenges, inflationary effects, and labour supply challenges; while the Company is closely managing its liquidity, it is possible that various events (such as delayed deliveries and customer acceptances, delayed customer payments, supply chain issues, product recalls and warranty claims) could significantly impair the Company’s liquidity and there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to obtain additional liquidity when required in such circumstances; the Company’s business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity may be materially adversely impacted by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine, due to factors including but not limited to further supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and tariffs on certain raw materials and components that may be necessary for the Company’s operations; funding may not continue to be available to the Company’s customers at current levels or at all; the Company’s business is affected by economic factors and adverse developments in economic conditions which could have an adverse effect on the demand for the Company’s products and the results of its operations; currency fluctuations could adversely affect the Company’s financial results or competitive position; interest rates could change substantially, materially impacting the Company’s revenue and profitability; an active, liquid trading market for the Shares and/or the Debentures may cease to exist, which may limit the ability of securityholders to trade Shares and/or Debentures; the market price for the Shares and/or the Debentures may be volatile; if securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about the Company and its business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the Shares or if the Company’s results of operations do not meet their expectations, the Share price and trading volume could decline, in addition, if securities or industry analysts publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about the Company or its business, the Share price and trading volume of the Shares could decline; competition in the industry and entrance of new competitors; current requirements under U.S. “Buy America” regulations may change and/or become more onerous or suppliers’ “Buy America” content may change; failure of the Company to comply with the U.S. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) program requirements or the failure to have its DBE goals approved by the U.S. FTA; absence of fixed term customer contracts, exercise of options and customer suspension or termination for convenience; local content bidding preferences in the United States may create a competitive disadvantage; requirements under Canadian content policies may change and/or become more onerous; the Company’s business may be materially impacted by climate change matters, including risks related to the transition to a lower-carbon economy; operational risk resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and/or systems or from external events, including fiduciary breaches, regulatory compliance failures, legal disputes, business disruption, pandemics, floods, technology failures, processing errors, business integration, damage to physical assets, employee safety and insurance coverage; the Company may not be able to maintain performance bonds or letters of credit required by its contracts or obtain performance bonds and letters of credit required for new contracts; international operations subject the Company to additional risks and costs and may cause profitability to decline; compliance with international trade regulations, tariffs and duties; dependence on unique or limited sources of supply; dependence on supply of engines that comply with emission regulations; a disruption, termination or alteration of the supply of vehicle chassis or other critical components from third-party suppliers could materially adversely affect the sales of certain of the Company’s products; the Company’s profitability can be adversely affected by increases in raw material and component costs; the Company may incur material losses and costs as a result of product warranty costs, recalls, failure to comply with motor vehicle manufacturing regulations and standards and the remediation of transit buses and motor coaches; production delays may result in liquidated damages under the Company’s contracts with its customers; catastrophic events, including those related to impacts of climate change, may lead to production curtailments or shutdowns; the Company may not be able to successfully renegotiate collective bargaining agreements when they expire and may be adversely affected by labour disruptions and shortages of labour; the Company’s operations are subject to risks and hazards that may result in monetary losses and liabilities not covered by insurance or which exceed its insurance coverage; the Company may be adversely affected by rising insurance costs; the Company is subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business and may incur material losses and costs as a result of product liability and other claims; the Company may have difficulty selling pre-owned coaches and realizing expected resale values; the Company may incur costs in connection with regulations relating to axle weight restrictions and vehicle lengths; the Company may be subject to claims and liabilities under environmental, health and safety laws; dependence on management information systems and cyber security risks; the Company’s ability to execute its strategy and conduct operations is dependent upon its ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel, including its ability to retain and attract executives, senior management and key employees; the Company may be exposed to liabilities under applicable anti-corruption laws and any determination that it violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on its business; the Company’s risk management policies and procedures may not be fully effective in achieving their intended purposes; internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations; there are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures; ability to successfully execute strategic plans and maintain profitability; development of competitive or disruptive products, services or technology; development and testing of new products or model variants; acquisition risk; reliance on third-party manufacturers; third-party distribution/dealer agreements; availability to the Company of future financing; the Company may not be able to generate the necessary amount of cash to service its existing debt, which may require the Company to refinance its debt; the Company’s substantial consolidated indebtedness could negatively impact the business; the restrictive covenants in the Company’s credit facilities could impact the Company’s business and affect its ability to pursue its business strategies; in December 2022, the Board made the decision to suspend the payment of dividends given credit agreement constraints and to support the Company’s focus on improving its liquidity and financial position and the resumption of dividends is not assured or guaranteed; a significant amount of the Company’s cash may be distributed, which may restrict potential growth; the Company is dependent on its subsidiaries for all cash available for distributions; Coliseum has a significant influence over the Company and its interests may not align with those of the Company’s other securityholders; the Company may not be able to make principal payments on the Debentures; redemption by the Company of the Debentures for Shares will result in dilution to holders of Shares; Debentures may be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity; the Company may not be able to repurchase the Debentures upon a change of control as required by the trust indenture under which the Debentures were issued (the “Indenture”); conversion of the Debentures following certain transactions could lessen or eliminate the value of the conversion privilege associated with the Debentures; future sales or the possibility of future sales of a substantial number of Shares or Debentures may impact the price of the Shares and/or the Debentures and could result in dilution; payments to holders of the Debentures are subordinated in right of payment to existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as described under the Indenture) and will depend on the financial health of the Company and its creditworthiness; if the Company is required to write down goodwill or other intangible assets, its financial condition and operating results would be negatively affected; and income and other tax risk resulting from the complexity of the Company’s businesses and operations and the income and other tax interpretations, legislation and regulations pertaining to the Company’s activities being subject to continual change.

Factors relating to the aftermath and ongoing effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic include: ongoing economic and social disruptions; production rates may not increase as planned and may decrease; ongoing and future supply delays and shortages of parts and components, and shipping and freight delays, and disruption to or shortage of labour supply may continue or worsen; the pandemic has adversely affected operations of suppliers and customers and those effects may continue or worsen; the increase in customers' purchase of Company's products may not continue and may reverse; the supply of parts and components by suppliers continues to be challenged and may deteriorate; the recovery of the Company’s markets in the future may not continue and demand may be lower than expected; the Company’s ability to obtain access to additional capital if required may be impaired; and the Company’s financial performance and condition, obligations, cash flow and liquidity and its ability to maintain compliance with the covenants under its credit facilities may be impaired. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain sufficient liquidity for an extended period or have access to additional capital or government financial support; and there can be no assurance as to if or when production operations will return to pre-pandemic production rates. There is also no assurance that governments will provide continued or adequate stimulus funding for public transit agencies to purchase transit vehicles or that public or private demand for the Company’s vehicles will return to pre-pandemic levels on a sustained basis in the anticipated period of time.

The Company cautions that the COVID-19 pandemic may return or worsen or other pandemics or similar events may arise. Such events are inherently unpredictable and may have severe and far-reaching impacts on the Company's operations, markets, and prospects.

Factors relating to the Company's “NFI Forward” initiatives include: the Company's ability to successfully execute the initiative and to generate the planned savings in the expected time frame or at all; management may have overestimated the amount of savings and production efficiencies that can be generated or may have underestimated the amount of costs to be expended; the implementation of the initiative may take longer than planned to achieve the expected savings; further restructuring and cost-cutting may be required in order to achieve the objectives of the initiative; the estimated amount of savings generated under the initiative may not be sufficient to achieve the planned benefits; combining business units and/or reducing the number of production or parts facilities may not achieve the efficiencies anticipated; and the impact of the continuing global COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve the anticipated financial and operational benefits, cost savings or other benefits of the initiative.

Factors relating to the Company’s financial guidance and targets disclosed in this press release include, in addition to the factors set out above, the degree to which actual future events accord with, or vary from, the expectations of, and assumptions used by, the Company’s management in preparing the financial guidance and targets and the Company’s ability to successfully execute the “NFI Forward” initiatives and to generate the planned savings in the expected time frame or at all.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended or to occur or be achieved at all. Specific reference is made to “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form for a discussion of the factors that may affect forward-looking statements and information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information contained herein are made as of the date of this press release (or as otherwise indicated) and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or information, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf. The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers and investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.