Standex International : Reports First-Quarter 2019 Financial Results

SALEM, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standex International Corporation (NYSE:SXI) today reported financial results for the first quarter fiscal year 2019. The Company also announced its intention to pursue strategic alternatives for the Cooking Solutions Group within its Food Service Equipment Segment. Results for the Cooking Solutions Group have been classified as discontinued operations and as such are not included in the Company's Q1 fiscal 2019 financial results from continuing operations.

First-Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results

• Net sales increased 2.1% year-over-year to $193.1 million with total organic sales up 1.1%. Acquisitions contributed 1.7% to growth and foreign exchange had a negative effect of 0.7%.

• Net income from continuing operations was $14.4 million, or $1.12 per share, which includes $0.3 million of restructuring charges, $0.3 million of purchase accounting costs, and $0.5 million of acquisition-related costs. This compares with first-quarter fiscal 2018 net income from continuing operations of $12.7 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, including $2.2 million of restructuring charges, $0.2 million of purchase accounting costs and $0.8 million of acquisition-related costs. Excluding the aforementioned items from both periods, non-GAAP net income from continuing operations was $15.5 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, down from $15.8 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.
• Net working capital (defined as accounts receivable plus inventories less accounts payable) was $172.3 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared with $151.5 million a year earlier. Working capital turns decreased to 4.6 in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 from 5.0 a year earlier, primarily due to sales growth and business mix.

• The Company closed the quarter with net debt (defined as debt less cash) of $190.2 million, compared with a net debt position of $84.2 million at year-end fiscal 2018. The increase in debt primarily results from the two acquisitions announced by the Company during the first quarter of fiscal year 2019.

A reconciliation of net income, earnings per share and net income from continuing operations from reported GAAP amounts to non-GAAP amounts is included later in this release.

Exploring Strategic Alternatives for Cooking Solutions Group

After a thorough strategic review, Standex announced that it has retained the investment banking division of Baird to seek strategic alternatives for its Cooking Solutions Group, which is part of the Company's Food Service Equipment Group (FSEG) segment. The Cooking Solutions Group includes the APW Wyott®, Bakers Pride®, Tri-Star™, BKI®, Barbecue King® and Ultrafryer® brands, and serves the food service, convenience store and supermarket end markets. In fiscal year 2018, Cooking business net revenues were $97.9 million, which represents approximately 25% of FSEG segment net sales, or 10% of the Company's fiscal 2018 sales.

Commenting on this announcement, Standex President and Chief Executive Officer David Dunbar stated, 'As the business has evolved, we have determined that the Cooking Solutions Group does not align with our strategic vision. The Cooking Solutions Group portfolio includes attractive brands with a broad set of product lines that we believe would be a valuable strategic fit for a company that can provide the focus and capabilities needed to more effectively compete in this market.'

Management Comments

'In the first quarter of 2019 we delivered topline growth across four of our five business segments -- Electronics, Engraving, Engineering Technologies and Hydraulics,' said Mr. Dunbar. 'We began to see sequential improvements in our Engineering Technologies margins, which reinforces our expectations for a strong second half for the business as the aviation ramp accelerates. FSEG results were impacted by a slowdown in the Refrigeration business in the quarter, however, we expect to leverage the benefits of the Refrigeration restructuring as we move through 2019.

'We made several significant portfolio moves to advance our strategy to transform Standex into a world-class operating company. These moves included two key bolt-on acquisitions -- Agile Magnetics in Electronics and Tenibac-Graphion in Engraving - which strengthen two of our strategic growth platforms. In addition, our decision to pursue strategic alternatives for our Cooking Solutions Group should enhance our profitability.'

Segment Review

Food Service Equipment sales from continuing operations decreased 7.1% year-over-year, and operating income decreased 19.9%.

'FSEG revenues and operating income declined as a slowdown in the Refrigeration business offset positive momentum in Scientific and Merchandising,' said Dunbar. 'Scientific once again delivered double-digit growth and Merchandising grew 4.0% as we capitalized on new product roll outs and business opportunities. Refrigeration sales were down double digits as we experienced a decline in demand from Drug Retail, Dollar Stores and Quick Service Restaurants that was in line with national spending levels industry-wide.

'Looking ahead, we remain focused on continuing to grow differentiated products through the introduction of new offerings in the Scientific, Merchandising and Specialty Pump businesses. In addition, we are focused on taking additional actions to realign the Refrigeration business with current market conditions and leveraging our well-known brands to generate value.'

Engraving sales increased 9.6% year-over-year. Operating income declined 0.6%. Adjusted operating income, excluding purchase accounting expenses, increased 2.6%.

'We achieved strong top-line performance in Engraving as we capitalized on strong automotive demand and new technology sales, including laser, tool finishing and nickel shell, which were $10 million for the quarter,' said Dunbar. 'The Piazza Rosa integration continues to be a key catalyst for growth as we accelerate tool finishing across our footprint. The Tenibac-Graphion acquisition looks to be an excellent cultural fit and Integration is proceeding well.

'Looking ahead, we continue to see robust automotive roll outs, and we remain focused on capitalizing on growth from new technologies, particularly in North America, and leveraging our recent acquisitions.'

Engineering Technologies sales increased 2.6% year-over-year, and operating income increased 50.2%.

'In line with our expectations, Engineering Technologies sales were up slightly and margins showed improvement year over year,' said Dunbar. 'We also were encouraged by a profitable quarter for the Enginetics business as it began to build sales momentum and realize improvement in operating efficiencies.

'Going forward, we are focused on leveraging the investments we have made to support the upcoming aviation ramp, delivering on our growing backlog for critical engine parts and lip-skins, and capitalizing on the mounting demand we are seeing in customer production schedules in the energy and space markets. We continue to expect significant sales and margin improvement during the second half of our fiscal year.'

Electronics sales were up 9.9% year-over-year. Operating income was up 24.4% year over year.

'The year-over-year sales increase in Electronics was once again driven by double-digit organic growth in all regions and all end-markets with continued solid contributions from Standex Electronics Japan, said Dunbar. 'At the end of the quarter, we completed the acquisition of Agile Magnetics, enhancing our ability to service the high-reliability, mission-critical, custom-designed magnetics market.

'Looking ahead, we are focused on capitalizing on growing backlog and new business opportunities, while we advance the integration of Agile Magnetics.'

Hydraulics reported a 9.9% year-over-year sales increase while operating income decreased 15.4%.

'Hydraulics sales, order and backlog growth was driven by strength in all sectors, notably in the construction, housing and infrastructure markets' said Dunbar. 'Profitability in the business was impacted by material price increases, tariffs and machine downtime. We remain optimistic about the future of this segment as we continue to leverage the strong market environment and actively manage near-term cost dynamics.'

Business Outlook

'We began 2019 with solid momentum and strength across most of our end markets,' said Dunbar. 'We will continue to invest where we see the most attractive returns such as Electronics and Engraving as well as new aviation programs including the A350 in Engineering Technologies. In this regard, we plan to spend $35 to $36 million in Capex in 2019 to support these opportunities together with operational excellence initiatives. With regard to the Cooking Solutions Group, we anticipate a sale to be completed within the fiscal year. Finally, by executing against our Value Creation System, we continue to position Standex to deliver on our long-term financial targets and fulfill our mission to become a best-in-class operating company.'

Conference Call Details

Standex will host a conference call for investors today, October 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. ET. On the call, David Dunbar, President and CEO, and Thomas DeByle, CFO, will review the Company's financial results and business and operating highlights. Investors interested in listening to the webcast and viewing the slide presentation should log on to the 'Investors' section of Standex's website under the subheading, 'Webcasts and Presentations', located at www.standex.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website shortly after the conclusion of the presentation through November 12, 2018. To listen to the playback, please dial [phone] in the U.S. or [phone] internationally; the passcode is 2689834 . The webcast replay also can be accessed in the 'Investor Relations' section of the Company's website, located at www.standex.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP'), the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income from continuing operations, free operating cash flow, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and adjusted earnings per share. The attached financial tables reconcile non-GAAP measures used in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company believes that the use of non-GAAP measures including the impact of restructuring charges, purchase accounting, discrete tax events, and acquisition costs help investors to obtain a better understanding of our operating results and prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the Company's performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods. An understanding of the impact in a particular quarter of specific restructuring costs, acquisition expenses, or other gains and losses, on net income (absolute as well as on a per-share basis), operating income or EBITDA can give management and investors additional insight into core financial performance, especially when compared to quarters in which such items had a greater or lesser effect, or no effect. Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a replacement for, the corresponding GAAP measures, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

About Standex

Standex International Corporation is a multi-industry manufacturer in five broad business segments: Food Service Equipment, Engraving, Engineering Technologies, Electronics, and Hydraulics with operations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, South Africa, India and China. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://standex.com/.

Safe Harbor Language

Statements in this news release include, or may be based upon, management's current expectations, estimates and/or projections about Standex's markets and industries. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may materially differ from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ are the impact of implementation of government regulations and programs affecting our businesses, unanticipated legal judgments, fines or settlements, uncertainty in conditions in the financial and banking markets, general domestic and international economic conditions in the markets we serve, the impact of foreign exchange, increases in raw material costs, the ability to substitute less expensive alternative raw materials, changes in the heavy construction vehicle market, the ability to continue to successfully implement productivity improvements, market acceptance of our products, our ability to design, introduce and sell new products and related product components, the ability to redesign certain of our products to continue meeting evolving regulatory requirements, the impact of delays initiated by our customers, our ability to increase manufacturing production to meet demand, increase market share, access new markets, introduce new products, enhance our presence in strategic channels, the successful expansion and automation of manufacturing capabilities and diversification efforts in emerging markets, the ability to continue to achieve cost savings through lean manufacturing, cost reduction activities, and low cost sourcing, effective completion of plant consolidations, successful completion and integration of acquisitions, changes in pension funding requirements, the impact of trade tariffs as well as recently passed tax reform legislation in the United States and the other factors discussed in the Annual Report of Standex on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any subsequent periodic reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent management's estimates only as of the day made and should not be relied upon as representing management's estimates as of any subsequent date. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company and management specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if management's estimates change.