• Franklin Electric Reports Full Year 2020 Results and Record Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 16 Feb 2021 08:00:03   America/New_York

    Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights

    • Record sales of $321.1 million
    • Organic sales growth for Distribution (21%) and Water Systems (4%)
    • Gross profit margin as a percent of sales increased 300 basis points
    • Record GAAP operating income of $34.4 million, increasing 20% from the prior year
    • Successful completion of the Gicon Pumps and Equipment acquisition; expected to drive meaningful growth for Distribution

    Full Year 2020 Highlights

    • Full year 2020 Sales were $1,247.3 million.
    • GAAP earnings per share of $2.14, a 5% increase from the prior year
    • Full year 2020 cash flow from operating activities was a record of $212 million and free cash flow conversion of net income was 187%

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co. Inc. today announced fourth quarter and full year financial results for fiscal year 2020.

    Fourth quarter 2020 sales were $321.1 million, compared to fourth quarter 2019 sales of $320.1 million. Fourth quarter 2020 operating income was $34.4 million, compared to fourth quarter operating income in 2019 of $28.6 million.

    Fourth quarter 2020 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.57, versus GAAP fully diluted EPS in the fourth quarter 2019 of $0.42. Fourth quarter 2020 EPS before the impact of restructuring expenses was $0.57 compared to fourth quarter 2019 EPS before restructuring of $0.43 (see table below for a reconciliation of GAAP EPS to EPS before restructuring).  

    Full year 2020 sales were $1,247.3 million, compared to full year 2019 sales of $1,314.6 million. Full year 2020 operating income was $130.5 million, compared to full year 2019 operating income of $127.1 million.

    Full year 2020 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $2.14, versus a GAAP fully diluted EPS in 2019 of $2.03. Full year 2020 EPS before the impact of restructuring expenses was $2.18 compared to 2019 EPS before restructuring of $2.07 (see table below for a reconciliation of GAAP EPS to EPS before restructuring).

    “We ended 2020 strong, delivering record fourth quarter 2020 sales and earnings. Our Water Systems business continued to rebound from the slowdown driven by the pandemic earlier in the year to post 4 percent organic sales growth in the fourth quarter, alongside record operating income and operating income margin. Further, our Distribution business achieved profitability in the fourth quarter for the first time in its history supported by organic sales growth of 21 percent. We also continued to advance our acquisition strategy with the completion of two strategic acquisitions in the fourth quarter, one in the Water Treatment space in Canada and another with a critical groundwater distribution entity in central Texas. We are confident that each offers a great new growth platform for 2021,” commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.

    “Given the incredible challenges we faced in 2020, I am extremely proud of the dedication and execution of our global team. We gained momentum towards the end of 2020 and are poised to capitalize on the strong tailwinds that have materialized in the Water end markets we serve. Our strategy to grow as a global provider of water and fuel systems, through geographic expansion and product line extensions, leveraging our global platform and competency in system design, is working. We see many growth opportunities ahead of us and look forward to continuing to drive strong performance in the years ahead,” concluded Sengstack.

    Segment Summaries

    Water Systems sales were $189.3 million in the fourth quarter 2020, an increase of $1.1 million versus the fourth quarter 2019. Water Systems sales, excluding acquisitions and the impact of foreign currency translation, were up about 4 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019. Sales of groundwater pumping equipment and sales of surface pumping equipment increased due to strong end market demand. These increases were partially offset by lower sales of dewatering equipment, which were down by about 24 percent, due to lower sales in the rental channel. In 2020, Water Systems operating income was a record for any fourth quarter at $30.4 million driven by price realization, product sales mix and cost management. Fourth quarter 2019 Water Systems operating income was $24.5 million.

    Fueling Systems sales were $65.5 million in the fourth quarter 2020, a decrease of $11.8 million versus the fourth quarter 2019. Fueling Systems sales in the U.S. and Canada decreased by about 13 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019. The decrease was due to declining demand for new filling stations. Outside the U.S. and Canada, Fueling Systems revenues declined by about 21 percent, driven primarily by lower sales in China. Fueling Systems operating income was $18.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $20.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 driven almost entirely by lower revenues.  

    Distribution sales were a record at $77.9 million in the fourth quarter 2020. The Distribution segment organic sales increased 21 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Favorable weather conditions versus last year contributed to the revenue growth. The Distribution segment operating income was a record at $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

    Cash Flow

    Full Year 2020 Free Cash Flow from Operations was $189 million and 187 percent of Net Income versus $157 million and 163 percent of net income in 2019. Free cash flow increased primarily due to a 200-basis point improvement in working capital as a percent of trailing twelve-month sales. Free Cash Flow is Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities, less net additions to property, plant, and equipment.

    2021 Guidance

    The Company expects its full year 2021 sales to be in the range of $1.365 billion to $1.395 billion and full year 2021 earnings per share before restructuring expenses to be in the range from $2.50 to $2.75. The Company expects full year 2021 free cash flow conversion to exceed 115 percent of net income.

    Earnings Conference Call

    A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/dn9qs2nn

    If you intend to ask questions during the call, please dial in using 877.643.7158 for domestic calls and 914.495.8565 for international calls. The conference ID is: 2573897.

    A replay of the conference call will be available Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 12:00 noon ET through noon ET on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, by dialing 855.859.2056 for domestic calls and 404.537.3406 for international calls. The replay passcode is: 2573897.

    Forward Looking Statements

    "Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases,  raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    About Franklin Electric

    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and fuel. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications.

    Franklin Electric Contact:

    John J. Haines
    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    260-824-2900
    Email: jhaines@fele.com

                
    FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
                
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)           
                
     Fourth Quarter Ended
    		 Fiscal Year End
     December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
     2020 2019 2020 2019
                
    Net sales$          321,106  $          320,107  $       1,247,331  $       1,314,578 
                
    Cost of sales209,703  218,851  814,192  886,475 
                
    Gross profit111,403  101,256  433,139  428,103 
                
    Selling, general, and administrative expenses76,713  71,870  300,122  298,451 
                
    Restructuring expense317  784  2,506  2,519 
                
    Operating income34,373  28,602  130,511  127,133 
                
    Interest expense(1,131) (1,571) (4,627) (8,245)
    Other income/(expense), net267  (109) (795) (412)
    Foreign exchange income/(expense)(1,308) (3,807) (1,392) (1,641)
                
    Income before income taxes32,201  23,115  123,697  116,835 
                
    Income tax (benefit)/expense5,213  3,130  22,540  20,836 
                
    Net income$            26,988  $            19,985  $          101,157  $            95,999 
                
    Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(194) (210) (697) (516)
                
    Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.$            26,794  $            19,775  $          100,460  $            95,483 
                
    Income per share:           
    Basic$                0.58  $                0.42  $                2.16  $                2.04 
    Diluted$                0.57  $                0.42  $                2.14  $                2.03 
                


    FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
          
    (In thousands)     
          
     December 31 December 31,
     2020 2019
    ASSETS     
          
    Cash and equivalents$          130,787  $            64,405 
    Receivables (net)159,827  173,327 
    Inventories300,932  300,246 
    Other current assets27,708  29,466 
    Total current assets619,254  567,444 
          
    Property, plant, and equipment, net209,021  201,328 
    Right-of-Use Asset, net31,954  27,621 
    Goodwill and other assets412,078  398,350 
    Total assets$       1,272,307  $       1,194,743 
          
          
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     
          
    Accounts payable$            95,903  $            82,593 
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities94,160  71,454 
    Current lease liability11,090  9,838 
    Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings2,551  21,879 
    Total current liabilities203,704  185,764 
          
    Long-term debt91,966  93,141 
    Long-term lease liability20,866  17,785 
    Income taxes payable non-current11,965  11,965 
    Deferred income taxes25,671  27,598 
    Employee benefit plans44,443  38,288 
    Other long-term liabilities23,988  21,769 
          
    Redeemable noncontrolling interest(245) (236)
          
    Total equity849,949  798,669 
    Total liabilities and equity$       1,272,307  $       1,194,743 
          


    FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands)     
          
     2020 2019
    Cash flows from operating activities:     
    Net income$       101,157  $         95,999 
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net     
    cash flows from operating activities:     
    Depreciation and amortization36,488  36,977 
    Non-Cash Lease Expense11,699  11,699 
    Share-based compensation10,066  8,957 
    Other(1,635) (34)
    Changes in assets and liabilities:     
    Receivables22,053  1,076 
    Inventory13,144  17,228 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses20,519  6,770 
    Operating Leases(11,698) (11,698)
    Other10,061  10,702 
          
    Net cash flows from operating activities211,854  177,676 
          
    Cash flows from investing activities:     
    Additions to property, plant, and equipment(22,856) (21,855)
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment34  866 
    Acquisitions and investments(55,915) (20,827)
    Other investing activities(74) 10 
          
    Net cash flows from investing activities(78,811) (41,806)
          
    Cash flows from financing activities:     
    Change in debt(21,073) (90,943)
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock3,721  3,194 
    Purchases of common stock(19,553) (10,741)
    Dividends paid(29,675) (27,671)
    Purchase of redeemable non-controlling shares-  (487)
    Net cash flows from financing activities(66,580) (126,648)
          
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(81) (3,990)
    Net change in cash and equivalents66,382  5,232 
    Cash and equivalents at beginning of period64,405  59,173 
    Cash and equivalents at end of period$       130,787  $         64,405 
          

    Key Performance Indicators: Earnings Per Share Calculations

        
     For the Fourth Quarter
    		 For the Full Year of
    Earnings Before and After Restructuring2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
    (in millions)                 
    Net Income attributable to FE Co., Inc. Reported$       26.8  $       19.8  35% $     100.5  $       95.5  5%
    Allocated Earnings$       (0.2) $       (0.2)    $       (0.7) $       (0.7)   
    Earnings for EPS Calculations$       26.6  $       19.6  36% $       99.8  $       94.8  5%
                      
    Restructuring (before tax):$        0.3  $        0.8     $        2.5  $        2.5    
                      
    Restructuring, net of tax:$        0.2  $        0.6     $        2.0  $        2.0    
                      
    Earnings before Restructuring$       26.8  $       20.2  33% $     101.8  $       96.8  5%
                      
     For the Fourth Quarter
    		 For the Full Year of
    Earnings Per Share2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
    Before and After Restructuring                  
    (in millions except Earnings Per Share)                 
                      
    Average Fully Diluted Shares Outstanding46.8  46.8  0% 46.7  46.8  0%
                      
    Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") Reported$       0.57  $       0.42  36% $       2.14  $       2.03  5%
                      
    Restructuring Per Share, net of tax$-  $      0.01     $      0.04  $      0.04    
                      
    Fully Diluted EPS before Restructuring$       0.57  $       0.43  33% $       2.18  $       2.07  5%
                      

    Key Performance Indicators: Sales Summary

                               
     Net Sales For the Fourth Quarter
     United
    States    		 Latin Europe,
    Middle    		 Asia Total            
    (in millions)& Canada America East & Africa Pacific Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims
    		 Consolidated
                               
    Q4 2019$92.5  $33.7  $38.1  $23.9  $188.2  $77.3  $64.4  ($9.8) $320.1 
    Q4 2020$94.1  $36.0  $41.3  $17.9  $189.3  $65.5  $77.9  ($11.6) $321.1 
    Change$1.6  $2.3  $3.2  ($6.0) $1.1  ($11.8) $13.5  ($1.8) $1.0 
    % Change2% 7% 8% -25% 1% -15% 21%    0%
                               
    Foreign currency translation$0.1  ($8.0) ($2.5) $0.6  ($9.8) $0.9  $0.0       
    % Change0% -24% -7% 3% -5% 1% 0%      
                               
    Acquisitions$4.1  $0.0  $0.0  $0.0  $4.1  $0.0  $0.0       
                               
    Volume/Price($2.6) $10.3  $5.7  ($6.6) $6.8  ($12.7) $13.5       
    % Change-3% 31% 15% -28% 4% -16% 21%      
                               


     Net Sales For the Full Year
     United
    States    		 Latin Europe,
    Middle    		 Asia Total
    		            
    (in millions)& Canada America East & Africa Pacific Water
    		 Fueling Distribution Other/Elims
    		 Consolidated
                               
    FY 2019$419.9  $124.2  $155.6  $81.8  $781.5  $293.6  $291.8  ($52.3) $1,314.6 
    FY 2020$388.5  $118.5  $156.8  $70.9  $734.7  $245.1  $328.4  ($60.9) $1,247.3 
    Change($31.4) ($5.7) $1.2  ($10.9) ($46.8) ($48.5) $36.6  ($8.6) ($67.3)
    % Change-7% -5% 1% -13% -6% -17% 13%    -5%
                               
    Foreign currency translation($0.7) ($28.3) ($10.8) ($0.2) ($40.0) $0.4  $0.0       
    % Change0% -23% -7% 0% -5% 0% 0%      
                               
    Acquisitions$12.8  $0.0  $0.0  $0.0  $12.8  $0.0  $0.0       
                               
    Volume/Price($43.5) $22.6  $12.0  ($10.7) ($19.6) ($48.9) $36.6       
    % Change-10% 18% 8% -13% -3% -17% 13%      
                               

    Key Performance Indicators: Operating Income and Margin Summary

                   
    Operating Income and Margins               
    (in millions)For the Fourth Quarter 2020
     Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
    Operating Income / (Loss)$30.4  $18.8  $0.5  $        (15.3) $          34.4 
    % Operating Income To Net Sales16.1% 28.7% 0.6%    10.7%
                   
    Restructuring$0.3  $-  $-  $-  $            0.3 
                   
    Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring$30.7  $          18.8  $            0.5  $        (15.3) $          34.7 
    % Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring16.2% 28.7% 0.6%    10.8%
                   
    Operating Income and Margins               
    (in millions)For the Fourth Quarter 2019
     Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims Consolidated
    Operating Income / (Loss)$          24.5  $          20.2  $          (2.5) $        (13.6) $          28.6 
    % Operating Income To Net Sales 13.0%  26.1%  -3.9%       8.9%
                        
    Restructuring$            0.8  $-  $-  $-  $            0.8 
                        
    Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring$          25.3  $          20.2  $          (2.5) $        (13.6) $          29.4 
    % Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring 13.4%  26.1%  -3.9%      9.2%
              


    Operating Income and Margins                   
    (in millions)For the Full Year of 2020
     Water
    		 Fueling
    		 Distribution
    		 Other/Elims
    		 Consolidated
    Operating Income / (Loss)$         114.4  $           63.4  $           11.5  $         (58.8) $         130.5 
    % Operating Income To Net Sales 15.6%  25.9%  3.5%      10.5%
                        
    Restructuring$             2.3  $             0.1  $             0.1  $-  $             2.5 
                        
    Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring$         116.7  $           63.5  $           11.6  $         (58.8) $         133.0 
    % Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring 15.9%  25.9%  3.5%      10.7%
                        
    Operating Income and Margins                   
    (in millions)For the Full Year of 2019
     Water
    		 Fueling
    		 Distribution
    		 Other/Elims
    		 Consolidated
    Operating Income / (Loss)$         103.0  $           75.8  $             3.6  $         (55.3) $         127.1 
    % Operating Income To Net Sales 13.2%  25.8%  1.2%      9.7%
                        
    Restructuring$             1.7  $-  $             0.8  $-  $             2.5 
                        
    Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring$         104.7  $           75.8  $             4.4  $         (55.3) $         129.6 
    % Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring 13.4%  25.8%  1.5%      9.9%
                        

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