QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended April 30, 2023
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from to
Commission File Number 1-14959
BRADY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin
39-0178960
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6555 West Good Hope Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin53223
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(414) 358-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
BRC
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☑No☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes☑No☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☑
Accelerated filer
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐No☑
As of May 16, 2023, there were 45,911,762 outstanding shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and 3,538,628 shares of Class B Voting Common Stock. The Class B Voting Common Stock, all of which is held by affiliates of the Registrant, is the only voting stock.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
NOTE A — Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company," "Brady," "we," or "our") without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, the foregoing statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, its results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, and cash flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from the estimates.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2022.
NOTE B — New Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted Standards
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers,” which requires contract assets and contract liabilities (e.g. deferred revenue) acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” as if the acquirer had originated the contracts. The guidance is applied prospectively to acquisitions occurring on or after the effective date. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2021-08 during the quarter ended October 31, 2022. The adoption of the new standard will only have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements in the event of future acquisitions.
NOTE C — Additional Balance Sheet Information
Inventories
Inventories as of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, consisted of the following:
April 30, 2023
July 31, 2022
Finished products
$
103,623
$
112,323
Work-in-process
28,802
29,272
Raw materials and supplies
50,384
48,428
Total inventories
$
182,809
$
190,023
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is presented net of accumulated depreciation in the amount of $287,368 and $272,376 as of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, respectively.
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 were as follows:
IDS
WPS
Americas & Asia
Europe & Australia
Total
Balance as of July 31, 2022
$
556,151
$
30,681
$
—
$
—
$
586,832
Translation adjustments
3,319
625
—
—
3,944
Balance as of January 31, 2023
559,470
31,306
—
—
590,776
Reallocation due to change in segments
(559,470)
(31,306)
442,290
148,486
—
Divestiture of business
—
—
(1,954)
—
(1,954)
Translation adjustments
—
—
382
1,480
1,862
Balance as of April 30, 2023
$
—
$
—
$
440,718
$
149,966
$
590,684
Effective February 1, 2023, the Company is organized and managed within two regions: Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia, which are the reportable segments. Prior to February 1, 2023, the Company was organized and managed on a global basis within two business platforms: Identification Solutions ("IDS") and Workplace Safety ("WPS"). As a result, goodwill was allocated to the new reportable segments in accordance with ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other." Refer to Note H, "Segment Information," and Management's Discussion and Analysis for additional information regarding the Company's segment change.
During the nine-month period ended April 30, 2023, goodwill increased $3,852 primarily due to the positive effects of foreign currency translation, which was partially offset by a reduction due to the sale of our PremiSys business within the Americas & Asia segment during the three months ended April 30, 2023.
Other intangible assets as of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, consisted of the following:
April 30, 2023
July 31, 2022
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Book Value
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Book Value
Amortized other intangible assets:
Tradenames
3
$
1,762
$
(1,525)
$
237
3
$
1,749
$
(1,014)
$
735
Customer relationships
9
64,049
(13,996)
50,053
9
105,404
(48,428)
56,976
Technology
5
9,241
(3,718)
5,523
5
9,136
(2,241)
6,895
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Tradenames
N/A
9,397
—
9,397
N/A
9,422
—
9,422
Total
$
84,449
$
(19,239)
$
65,210
$
125,711
$
(51,683)
$
74,028
The decrease in the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of April 30, 2023 compared to July 31, 2022 was primarily due to the removal of a fully amortized customer relationship intangible asset as the period of economic benefit related to this asset has lapsed.
Amortization expense of intangible assets was $2,461 and $3,735 for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $9,350 and $11,291 for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
NOTE E — Leases
The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, warehouse and office spaces, and vehicles accounted for as operating leases. Lease terms typically range from one year to ten years. As of April 30, 2023, the Company did not have any finance leases.
Operating lease expense was $3,997 and $4,346 for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $11,645 and $13,198 for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which was recognized in either "Cost of goods sold" or "Selling, general and administrative" expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, based on the
nature of the lease. Short-term lease expense, variable lease expenses, and sublease income was immaterial to the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022.
Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, was as follows:
Nine months ended April 30,
2023
2022
Operating cash outflows from operating leases
$
13,196
$
14,582
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)
6,545
2,553
(1)Includes new leases and remeasurements or modifications of existing leases.
NOTE F — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges, and the unamortized gain on post-retirement plans, net of their related tax effects.
The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the nine months ended April 30, 2023:
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2022
$
954
$
1,436
$
(111,467)
$
(109,077)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
1,966
—
12,985
14,951
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(946)
(329)
—
(1,275)
Ending balance, April 30, 2023
$
1,974
$
1,107
$
(98,482)
$
(95,401)
The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of April 30, 2023 compared to July 31, 2022 was primarily due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the nine-month period. The foreign currency translation adjustments column in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation, foreign currency translation on intercompany notes, and the settlements of net investment hedges, net of tax.
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended April 30, 2022 were as follows:
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2021
$
729
$
1,888
$
(58,570)
$
(55,953)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
307
(59)
(42,408)
(42,160)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(486)
(289)
—
(775)
Ending balance, April 30, 2022
$
550
$
1,540
$
(100,978)
$
(98,888)
The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of April 30, 2022 compared to July 31, 2021, was primarily due to the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the nine-month period.
Of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, unrealized gains on cash flow hedges were reclassified to "Cost of goods sold" and unamortized gains on post-retirement plans were reclassified into "Investment and other income" on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The following table illustrates the income tax (expense) benefit on the components of other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended April 30,
Nine months ended April 30,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income:
Cash flow hedges
$
(8)
$
(15)
$
116
$
(206)
Pension and other post-retirement benefits
—
(3)
(62)
12
Other income tax adjustments and currency translation
—
(87)
—
346
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income
$
(8)
$
(105)
$
54
$
152
NOTE G — Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when control of the product or service transfers to the customer at an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. The Company’s revenues are primarily from the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products that are shipped and billed to customers. All revenue is from contracts with customers and is included in “Net sales” on the condensed consolidated statements of income. See Note H, “Segment Information,” for the Company’s disaggregated revenue disclosure.
The Company offers extended warranty coverage that is included in the sales price of certain products, which it accounts for as service warranties. The Company accounts for the deferred revenue associated with extended service warranties as a contract liability. The balance of contract liabilities associated with service warranty performance obligations was $2,737 and $2,675 as of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, respectively. The current portion and non-current portion of contract liabilities are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities," respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized revenue of $311 and $297 during the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $928 and $882 during the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the respective period from the amortization of extended service warranties. Of the contract liability balance outstanding at April 30, 2023, the Company expects to recognize 12% by the end of fiscal 2023, an additional 37% by the end of fiscal 2024, and the remaining balance thereafter.
NOTE H — Segment Information
Effective February 1, 2023, the Company is organized and managed within two regions: Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia, which are the reportable segments. Prior to February 1, 2023, the Company was organized and managed on a global basis within three operating segments: Identification Solutions and People Identification ("PDC"), which aggregated into the IDS reportable segment, and Workplace Safety ("WPS"), which was the WPS reportable segment. As such, all segment-related data has been recast to the new reportable segments.
Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:
Three months ended April 30,
Nine months ended April 30,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Numerator (in thousands):
Net income (Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share)
$
48,052
$
40,054
$
125,479
$
108,915
Less:
Preferential dividends
—
—
(769)
(803)
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options
—
—
(4)
(8)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class B Voting Common Share
$
48,052
$
40,054
$
124,706
$
108,104
Denominator (in thousands):
Denominator for basic income per share for both Class A and Class B
49,653
51,326
49,755
51,700
Plus: Effect of dilutive equity awards
348
242
278
355
Denominator for diluted income per share for both Class A and Class B
50,001
51,568
50,033
52,055
Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic
$
0.97
$
0.78
$
2.52
$
2.11
Diluted
$
0.96
$
0.78
$
2.51
$
2.09
Net income per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic
$
0.97
$
0.78
$
2.51
$
2.09
Diluted
$
0.96
$
0.78
$
2.49
$
2.08
Potentially dilutive securities attributable to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share where the combined exercise price and average unamortized fair value were greater than the average market price of the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The amount of anti-dilutive shares were 447,210 and 526,603 for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 555,247 and492,527for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
NOTE J — Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, the Company determines fair value based on the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that are accessible as of the reporting date.
Level 2 — Other significant pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3 — Significant unobservable pricing inputs, which result in the use of management's own assumptions.
The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022:
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Deferred compensation plan assets: The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds, which are included in "Other assets" on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Foreign exchange contracts: The Company’s foreign exchange contracts were classified as Level 2 as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. See Note K, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for additional information.
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities approximated carrying values due to their short-term nature.
NOTE K — Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate on a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts.
Main foreign currency exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Mexican Peso, Chinese Yuan, Malaysian Ringgit and Singapore dollar. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions.
The U.S. dollar equivalent notional amounts of outstanding forward exchange contracts were as follows:
April 30, 2023
July 31, 2022
Designated as cash flow hedges
$
6,328
$
25,276
Non-designated hedges
4,670
4,057
Total foreign exchange contracts
$
10,998
$
29,333
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has designated a portion of its forward foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. As of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, unrealized gains of $1,945 and $1,040 have been included in OCI, respectively.
Net Investment Hedges
The Company has designated certain third party foreign currency denominated debt borrowed under its credit agreement as net investment hedges. These debt obligations, denominated in Euros and British Pounds, were designated as net investment hedges to hedge portions of the Company's net investment in its European operations. The Company’s foreign currency denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices, and the net gains or losses attributable to the changes in spot prices are recorded as cumulative translation within AOCI and are included in the foreign currency translation adjustments section of the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. As of April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, the cumulative balance recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income were losses of $1,502 and $0, respectively, on any outstanding foreign currency denominated debt obligations.
The income tax rate for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, was 23.8% and 21.8%, respectively. The income tax rate for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, was 22.5% and 21.1%, respectively. The increase in the tax rate in both the three and nine-month periods was due to the sale of the PremiSys business as well as lapses in the statutes of limitations that did not reoccur in 2023. The Company expects its ongoing annual income tax rate to be approximately 21% based on its current global business mix and based on tax laws and statutory tax rates currently in effect.
NOTE M — Subsequent Events
On May 16, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock of $0.23 per share payable on July 31, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 10, 2023.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. Effective February 1, 2023, the Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis with two reportable segments: Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia. As such, all segment-related data has been recast to reflect our new reportable segments in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section. Prior to February 1, 2023, the Company operated two former segments: Identification Solutions (“IDS”) and Workplace Safety (“WPS”). The IDS segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance and innovative identification and healthcare products. The WPS segment manufactures a broad range of stock and custom identification products and is a distributor of a wide variety of resale products.
The ability to provide customers with a broad range of proprietary, customized and diverse products for use in various applications across multiple industries and geographies, along with a commitment to quality and service, have made Brady a leader in many of its markets. Brady's long-term sales growth and profitability will depend not only on the overall economic environment and our ability to successfully navigate changes in the macro environment, but also on our ability to develop and market innovative new products, deliver a high level of customer service, advance our digital capabilities, and continuously improve the efficiency of our global operations. Our strategy for growth includes an increased focus on the development of technologically advanced, innovative and proprietary products and a focus on providing customers with relevant, comprehensive and complimentary solutions. We are enhancing our omnichannel experience for customers, streamlining our product offerings and improving our price competitiveness while delivering relevant products to our customers.
The following are key initiatives supporting our strategy in fiscal 2023:
•Investing in organic growth by enhancing our research and development process and utilizing customer feedback and observations to develop innovative new products that solve customer needs and improve environmental sustainability.
•Providing our customers with the highest level of customer service.
•Expanding and enhancing our sales capabilities through an improved digital presence and the use of data-driven marketing automation tools.
•Maintaining profitability through pricing mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures while ensuring prices are market competitive.
•Investing in acquisitions that enhance our strategic position and accelerate long-term sales growth and profitability.
•Driving operational excellence and executing sustainable efficiency gains within our selling, general and administrative structures and within our global operations including insourcing of critical products and manufacturing activities while reducing our environmental footprint and managing working capital.
•Building on our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion to increase employee engagement and enhance recruitment and retention practices in order to drive differentiated performance and execute our strategy.
•Executing our reorganization to a regional operating structure to support continued growth in key geographies, facilitate new product development in our recent acquisitions, and simplify and further integrate our businesses.
Macroeconomic Conditions and Trends
The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, inflationary pressures and supply chain and other business disruptions. The Company has taken and will continue to take actions to mitigate inflation issues through pricing actions and the execution of sustainable efficiency gains.
We believe we have the financial strength to continue to invest in organic sales growth opportunities including sales, marketing, and research and development ("R&D") and inorganic sales opportunities including acquisitions, while continuing to drive sustainable efficiency gains and automation in our operations and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") functions. At April 30, 2023, we had cash of $135.0 million, as well as a credit agreement with $247.6 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased up to $1,047.6 million at the Company's option and subject to certain conditions, for total available liquidity of $1,182.6 million.
We believe that our financial resources and liquidity levels, including the remaining undrawn amount of our credit agreement and our ability to increase our credit line as necessary, are sufficient to manage the impact of economic or geopolitical events which may result in reduced sales, net income, or cash provided by operating activities. Refer to Risk Factors, included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2022, for further discussion of the potential impact of global economic or geopolitical events or the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.
A comparison of results of operating income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, is as follows:
Three months ended April 30,
Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2023
% Sales
2022
% Sales
2023
% Sales
2022
% Sales
Net sales
$
337,116
$
338,551
$
985,934
$
978,081
Gross margin
169,691
50.3
%
164,026
48.4
%
481,395
48.8
%
468,376
47.9
%
Operating expenses:
Research and development
15,715
4.7
%
14,923
4.4
%
45,025
4.6
%
42,795
4.4
%
Selling, general and administrative
90,975
27.0
%
96,214
28.4
%
273,202
27.7
%
285,485
29.2
%
Total operating expenses
106,690
31.6
%
111,137
32.8
%
318,227
32.3
%
328,280
33.6
%
Operating income
$
63,001
18.7
%
$
52,889
15.6
%
$
163,168
16.5
%
$
140,096
14.3
%
References in this Form 10-Q to “organic sales” refer to sales calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, sales recorded from divested companies up to the first anniversary of their divestiture and sales recorded from acquired companies prior to the first anniversary date of their acquisition. The Company's organic sales disclosures exclude the effects of foreign currency translation as foreign currency translation is subject to volatility that can obscure underlying business trends. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure of organic sales is meaningful to investors as it provides them with useful information to aid in identifying underlying sales trends in our businesses and facilitating comparisons of our sales performance with prior periods.
Net sales for the three months ended April 30, 2023 declined 0.4% to $337.1 million, compared to $338.6 million in the same period in the prior year. Organic sales growth of 1.9% was offset by a decrease from foreign currency translation of 2.1% and a decrease of 0.2% due to the divestiture of a business. Organic sales grew 1.2% in the Americas & Asia segment and 3.4% in the Europe & Australia segment during the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year.
Net sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 increased 0.8% to $985.9 million, compared to $978.1 million in the same period in the prior year. The increase consisted of organic sales growth of 5.0%, which was partially offset by a decrease from foreign currency translation of 4.1% and a decrease of 0.1% due to the divestiture of a business. Organic sales increased 4.0% in the Americas & Asia segment and 7.0% in the Europe & Australia segment during the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year.
Gross margin increased 3.5% to $169.7 million in the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $164.0 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 50.3% from 48.4% in the three-month period. Gross margin increased 2.8% to $481.4 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $468.4 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 48.8% from 47.9% in the nine-month period. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to operating efficiencies, reductions in freight expenses and pricing actions in response to higher costs.
R&D expenses increased 5.3% to $15.7 million in the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $14.9 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses increased to 4.7% from 4.4% in the three-month period. R&D expenses increased 5.2% to $45.0 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $42.8 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses increased to 4.6% from 4.4% in the nine-month period. The Company remains committed to investing in new product development to increase sales within our businesses. Investments in new printers, materials and the build out of industrial track and trace solutions remain the primary focus of R&D expenditures for the remainder of fiscal 2023.
SG&A expenses include selling and administrative costs directly attributed to the Americas & Asia and Europe & Australia segments, as well as certain other corporate administrative expenses including finance, information technology, human resources, and other administrative expenses. SG&A expenses decreased 5.4% to $91.0 million in the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $96.2 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 27.0% from 28.4% in the three-month period. SG&A expenses decreased 4.3% to $273.2 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $285.5 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 27.7% from 29.2% in the nine-month period. SG&A expenses include a gain of $3.8 million from the sale of the PremiSys business during the three months ended April 30, 2023. The decrease in SG&A expenses during the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 was due to foreign currency translation, the gain on the sale of the divested business and ongoing efficiency activities.
Operating income increased 19.1% to $63.0 million and increased 16.5% to $163.2 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023, respectively, compared to $52.9 million and $140.1 million in the same periods in the prior year. The increase in operating income in both the three and nine-month periods was primarily due to the increase in segment profit in the Americas & Asia segment as a result of organic sales growth and the realization of pricing actions taken during fiscal 2022 and the beginning of fiscal 2023, and to a lesser extent due to the gain on the sale of the PremiSys business.
OPERATING INCOME TO NET INCOME
Three months ended April 30,
Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2023
% Sales
2022
% Sales
2023
% Sales
2022
% Sales
Operating income
$
63,001
18.7
%
$
52,889
15.6
%
$
163,168
16.5
%
$
140,096
14.3
%
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income (expense)
785
0.2
%
(1,308)
(0.4)
%
1,596
0.2
%
(1,343)
(0.1)
%
Interest expense
(753)
(0.2)
%
(329)
(0.1)
%
(2,886)
(0.3)
%
(763)
(0.1)
%
Income before income taxes
63,033
18.7
%
51,252
15.1
%
161,878
16.4
%
137,990
14.1
%
Income tax expense
14,981
4.4
%
11,198
3.3
%
36,399
3.7
%
29,075
3.0
%
Net income
$
48,052
14.3
%
$
40,054
11.8
%
$
125,479
12.7
%
$
108,915
11.1
%
Investment and other income was $0.8 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023, respectively, compared to investment and other expense of $1.3 million in both the three and nine-month periods in the prior year. The increase in income during the three and nine-month periods was primarily due to an increase in the market value of securities held in deferred compensation plans and, to a lesser extent, an increase in interest income.
Interest expense increased to $0.8 million and $2.9 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023, respectively, compared to $0.3 million and $0.8 million in the same periods in the prior year. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in benchmark interest rates compared to the same periods in the prior year.
The Company's income tax rate was 23.8% and 21.8% for the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and the income tax rate was 22.5% and 21.1% for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Refer to Note L, "Income Taxes" for additional information on the Company's income tax rates.
Business Segment Operating Results
The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit and customer sales. Interest expense, investment and other income (expense), income tax expense, and certain corporate administrative expenses are excluded when evaluating segment performance.
The following is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three months ended April 30,
Nine months ended April 30,
2023
2022
2023
2022
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION
Americas & Asia
Organic
1.2
%
9.2
%
4.0
%
10.7
%
Currency
(0.8)
%
(0.1)
%
(1.1)
%
0.3
%
Divestiture
(0.3)
%
—
%
(0.1)
%
—
%
Acquisition
—
%
8.6
%
—
%
8.3
%
Total
0.1
%
17.7
%
2.8
%
19.3
%
Europe & Australia
Organic
3.4
%
8.4
%
7.0
%
7.6
%
Currency
(4.8)
%
(8.1)
%
(10.1)
%
(4.6)
%
Acquisition
—
%
8.7
%
—
%
8.8
%
Total
(1.4)
%
9.0
%
(3.1)
%
11.8
%
Total Company
Organic
1.9
%
9.0
%
5.0
%
9.6
%
Currency
(2.1)
%
(3.0)
%
(4.1)
%
(1.5)
%
Divestiture
(0.2)
%
—
%
(0.1)
%
—
%
Acquisition
—
%
8.6
%
—
%
8.5
%
Total
(0.4)
%
14.6
%
0.8
%
16.6
%
SEGMENT PROFIT
Americas & Asia
$
49,192
$
45,021
$
130,511
$
114,659
Europe & Australia
17,099
16,050
47,316
46,165
Total
$
66,291
$
61,071
$
177,827
$
160,824
SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF NET SALES
Americas & Asia
22.1
%
20.2
%
19.7
%
17.8
%
Europe & Australia
15.0
%
13.8
%
14.6
%
13.8
%
Total
19.7
%
18.0
%
18.0
%
16.4
%
Americas & Asia
Americas & Asia net sales were essentially flat at $222.8 million for the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $222.6 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 1.2% and decreases from foreign currency translation of 0.8% and the sale of the PremiSys business of 0.3%. Americas & Asia net sales increased 2.8% to $661.4 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $643.3 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.0% and decreases from foreign currency translation of 1.1% and the sale of the PremiSys business of 0.1%.
Organic sales in the Americas increased in the low-single digits in the three months ended April 30, 2023 and increased in the mid-single digits in the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in organic sales during the three-month period was primarily due to organic sales growth in IDS with the strongest growth in the safety and facility identification and healthcare identification product lines, which was partially offset by organic sales declines in wire identification and product identification. During the nine-month period, organic sales grew in the safety and facility identification, healthcare identification and wire identification product lines, which was partially offset by an organic sales decline in the product identification product line. Organic growth in IDS was partially offset by a mid-single digit organic decline in WPS during both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023.
Organic sales in Asia declined in the low-single digits in the both the three and nine-month periods ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The organic sales decline during the three-month period was primarily driven by decreased sales in Malaysia and Singapore, which were partially offset by sales growth in China and India. The organic sales decline during the nine-month period was primarily driven by decreased sales in China due to the spread of COVID-19 during the second quarter of fiscal 2023, which was partially offset by strong sales growth in India and Japan during the nine-month period.
Americas & Asia segment profit increased 9.3% to $49.2 million for the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $45.0 million in the same period in the prior year. Segment profit increased 13.8% to $130.5 million for the nine months ended
April 30, 2023 compared to $114.7 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, segment profit increased to 22.1% from 20.2% for the three-month period, and segment profit increased to 19.7% from 17.8% for the nine-month period ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in segment profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to ongoing efforts to streamline processes to drive operational efficiencies as well as price increases, which were partially offset by an increase in costs due to inflationary pressures.
Europe & Australia
Europe & Australia net sales declined 1.4% to $114.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $116.0 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 3.4% and a decrease from foreign currency translation of 4.8%. Europe & Australia net sales declined 3.1% to $324.6 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $334.8 million in the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 7.0% and a decrease from foreign currency translation of 10.1%.
Organic sales in Europe increased in the low-single digits in the three months ended April 30, 2023 and increased in the mid-single digits in the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in organic sales during the three-month period was primarily driven by mid-single digit growth within WPS, which included digital sales growth of approximately 15%. Organic sales in IDS increased in the low-single digits during the three-month period, which consisted of growth in the safety and facility identification product line, which was partially offset by a decline in the product identification and wire identification product lines. Organic sales growth during the nine-month period was driven by mid-single digit growth in both IDS and WPS. Organic sales growth in IDS was strongest in the safety and facility identification and product identification product lines, followed by wire identification. Organic sales in WPS included digital sales growth of approximately 13%.
Organic sales in Australia increased in the low-teens in both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales were driven by consistent growth in both digital and sales from all other channels, including catalogs, in both the three and nine-month periods, which was primarily the result of price increases implemented throughout the nine months ended April 30, 2023. Organic sales growth was led by core safety and facility identification products.
Europe & Australia segment profit increased 6.5% to $17.1 million from $16.1 million, and as a percentage of net sales, segment profit increased to 15.0% from 13.8% for the three months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. Segment profit increased 2.5% to $47.3 million from $46.2 million and as a percentage of net sales, segment profit increased to 14.6% from 13.8% for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in segment profit for both periods was primarily due to actions taken during fiscal 2022 to reduce the cost structure as well as pricing actions implemented throughout the nine months ended April 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's cash balances are generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world. At April 30, 2023, 99% of the Company's cash and cash equivalents were held outside the United States. The Company's organic and inorganic growth has historically been funded by a combination of cash provided by operating activities and debt financing. The Company believes that its cash flow from operating activities and its borrowing capacity are sufficient to fund its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development, common stock repurchases, and dividend payments for the next 12 months and beyond. Although the Company believes these sources of cash are currently sufficient to fund domestic operations, annual cash needs could require repatriation of cash to the U.S. from foreign jurisdictions, which may result in additional tax payments.
Cash and cash equivalents were $135.0 million at April 30, 2023, an increase of $21.0 million from July 31, 2022. The significant changes were as follows:
Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2023
2022
Net cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities
$
129,861
$
65,236
Investing activities
(4,901)
(22,071)
Financing activities
(105,935)
(81,762)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
1,953
(5,670)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
20,978
$
(44,267)
Net cash provided by operating activities was $129.9 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $65.2 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to improved profitability and reduced inventory purchases compared to elevated inventory purchases in the prior year to reduce the risk of supply chain disruption.
Net cash used in investing activities was $4.9 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2023, which consisted of capital expenditures of $12.9 million partially offset by proceeds of $8.0 million received from the sale of the PremiSys business. Net cash used in investing activities was $22.1 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2022, which was elevated due to the purchase of two facilities that were previously leased.
Net cash used in financing activities was $105.9 million in the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $81.8 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash used by financing activities was primarily due to $44.2 million of net repayments on the credit agreement in the nine months ended April 30, 2023 compared to $39.0 million of net borrowings on the credit agreement in the same period of the prior year, which was due to the increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the current nine-month period. The increase in cash used in financing activities was partially offset by a decrease in share repurchases compared to the prior period.
Material Cash Requirements
Our material cash requirements for known contractual obligations include capital expenditures, borrowings on our credit agreement and lease obligations. We believe that net cash provided by operating activities will continue to be adequate to meet our liquidity and capital needs for these items over the next 12 months and in the long-term beyond the next 12 months. We also have cash requirements for purchase orders and contracts for the purchase of inventory and other goods and services, which are based on current and anticipated customer needs and are fulfilled by our suppliers within short time horizons. We do not have significant agreements for the purchase of inventory or other goods or services specifying minimum order quantities. In addition, we may have liabilities for uncertain tax positions, but we do not believe that the cash requirements to meet any of these liabilities will be material.
Credit Agreement
On August 1, 2019, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an unsecured $200 million multi-currency credit agreement with a group of five banks.
On December 21, 2021, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the credit agreement dated August 1, 2019. The amendment modified the credit agreement to, among other things, (a) change the interest rate under the credit agreement for borrowings (i) denominated in British Pounds from the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") to a daily simple SONIA-based rate, (ii) denominated in Euro from a LIBOR-based rate to a rate based on the Euro Interbank Offered Rate and (iii) denominated in Japanese Yen from a LIBOR-based rate to a rate based on the Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate, in each of the foregoing cases subject to certain adjustments specified in the credit agreement; and (b) provide mechanics relating to a transition away from U.S. dollar LIBOR (with respect to borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars) and the designated benchmarks for the other eligible currencies as benchmark interest rates and the replacement of any such benchmark by a replacement benchmark rate. The amendment to the credit agreement did not have a material impact on the interest rate or related balances in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
On November 14, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 2”) with a group of six banks, which amended the original credit agreement dated August 1,
2019. Amendment No. 2 amended the credit agreement to, among other items, (a) increase the lending commitments by $100 million for total lending commitments of $300 million, (b) extend the final maturity date to November 14, 2027, (c) increase the interest rate on certain borrowings by 0.125%, and (d) increase the available amount under the credit agreement, at the Company's option and subject to certain conditions, from $300 million up to (i) an amount equal to the incremental borrowing necessary to bring the Company's consolidated net debt-to-EBITDA ratio as defined in the credit agreement to 2.5 to 1.0 plus (ii) $200 million. Borrowings under Amendment No. 2 are unsecured and are guaranteed by certain of the Company's domestic subsidiaries.
As of April 30, 2023, the outstanding balance on the Company's credit agreement was $50.8 million. The maximum amount outstanding on the credit agreement during the nine months ended April 30, 2023 was $103.0 million. As of April 30, 2023, the U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings of $13.0 million bear interest at 6.0%; the Euro-denominated borrowings of €23.0 million bear interest at 3.9%; and the British Pound-denominated borrowings of £10.0 million bear interest at 5.1% for a weighted average interest rate of 4.7%. The Company had letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement of $1.6 million as of April 30, 2023, and there was $247.6 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased to $1,047.6 million at the Company's option, subject to certain conditions. The credit agreement has a final maturity date of November 14, 2027. As such, borrowings were classified as long-term on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Covenant Compliance
The Company's credit agreement requires it to maintain certain financial covenants, including a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined in the credit agreement, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio) and the trailing twelve months EBITDA to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of April 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants, with a ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreement, equal to 0.19 to 1.0 and the interest expense coverage ratio equal to 77.1 to 1.0.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, income, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.
The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from:
•Increased cost of raw materials, labor and freight as well as raw material shortages and supply chain disruptions
•Decreased demand for the Company's products
•Ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute the Company's strategy
•Ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands
•Ability to identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies, and to manage contingent liabilities from divested businesses
•Adverse impacts of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic or other pandemics
•Difficulties in protecting websites, networks, and systems against security breaches and difficulties in preventing phishing attacks, social engineering or malicious break-ins
•Risks associated with the loss of key employees
•Extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities
•Litigation, including product liability claims
•Foreign currency fluctuations
•Potential write-offs of goodwill and other intangible assets
•Changes in tax legislation and tax rates
•Differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders
•Numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including major public health crises and government responses thereto and those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of Brady's Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2022.
These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2022. There has been no material change in this information since the 2022 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Brady Corporation maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer (the "Chief Executive Officer") and its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer (the "Chief Financial Officer"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
The Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2022. There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 2022 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company has a share repurchase program for the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The repurchase program may be implemented by purchasing shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company's stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. On May 24, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company's share repurchase program, authorizing the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. As of April 30, 2023, there were $55.2 million worth of shares authorized to purchase remaining pursuant to the existing share repurchase program.
The following table provides information with respect to the purchases by the Company of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock during the three months ended April 30, 2023:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (Dollars in Thousands)
XBRL Instance Document (The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BRADY CORPORATION
Date: May 18, 2023
/s/ RUSSELL R. SHALLER
Russell R. Shaller
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 18, 2023
/s/ ANN E. THORNTON
Ann E. Thornton
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
