QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
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 1-12981
_________________________
AMETEK, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_________________________
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
1100 Cassatt Road
Berwyn, Pennsylvania
(Address of principal executive offices)
14-1682544
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
19312-1177
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 647-2121
_________________________
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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth 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 ☒
_________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
AME
New York Stock Exchange
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of the latest practicable date was: Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value, outstanding at April 29, 2022 was 230,910,009 shares.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. AMETEK, Inc. (the “Company”) believes that all adjustments (which primarily consist of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position of the Company at March 31, 2022, the consolidated results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 have been included. Quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement
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 ("ASU 2021-08"), which provides a single comprehensive accounting model for the acquisition of contract balances under ASC 805. ASU 2021-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted the ASU on January 1, 2022, and the amendments in this ASU were applied on a prospective basis to all periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2021-08 did not impact the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows, or financial statement disclosures.
3. Revenues
The outstanding contract asset and liability accounts were as follows:
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Contract assets—January 1
$
95,274
$
68,971
Contract assets – March 31
102,703
71,415
Change in contract assets – increase (decrease)
7,429
2,444
Contract liabilities – January 1
328,816
215,093
Contract liabilities – March 31
351,053
253,047
Change in contract liabilities – (increase) decrease
(22,237)
(37,954)
Net change
$
(14,808)
$
(35,510)
The net change for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily driven by contract liabilities, specifically broad-based growth in advance payments from customers. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized revenue of $181.6 million and $132.0 million, respectively, that was previously included in the beginning balance of contract liabilities.
Contract assets are reported as a component of Other current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $28.3 million and $30.1 million of Customer advanced payments (contract liabilities), respectively, were recorded in Other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
The remaining performance obligations not expected to be completed within one year as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $305.9 million and $342.5 million, respectively. Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm, non-cancelable orders, with expected delivery dates to customers greater than one year from the balance sheet date, for which the performance obligation is unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied. These performance obligations will be substantially satisfied within two to three years.
Net sales were attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the customer. Information about the Company’s operations in different geographic areas was as follows for the three months ended March 31:
Three months ended March 31, 2022
EIG
EMG
Total
(In thousands)
United States
$
483,626
$
230,641
$
714,267
International(1):
United Kingdom
27,955
28,757
56,712
European Union countries
120,714
114,149
234,863
Asia
256,420
63,406
319,826
Other foreign countries
99,044
33,813
132,857
Total international
504,133
240,125
744,258
Consolidated net sales
$
987,759
$
470,766
$
1,458,525
________________
(1) Includes U.S. export sales of $409.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Three months ended March 31, 2021
EIG
EMG
Total
(In thousands)
United States
$
388,901
$
210,182
$
599,083
International(1):
United Kingdom
21,947
30,051
51,998
European Union countries
103,665
95,297
198,962
Asia
197,561
61,194
258,755
Other foreign countries
78,850
28,094
106,944
Total international
402,023
214,636
616,659
Consolidated net sales
$
790,924
$
424,818
$
1,215,742
______________
(1) Includes U.S. export sales of $331.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Major Products and Services
The Company’s major products and services in the reportable segments were as follows:
The Company provides limited warranties in connection with the sale of its products. The warranty periods for products sold vary among the Company’s operations, but the majority do not exceed one year. The Company calculates its warranty expense provision based on its historical warranty experience and adjustments are made periodically to reflect actual warranty expenses. Product warranty obligations are reported as a component of Accrued liabilities and other in the consolidated balance sheet.
Changes in the accrued product warranty obligation were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Balance at the beginning of the period
$
27,478
$
27,839
Accruals for warranties issued during the period
2,753
2,780
Settlements made during the period
(3,023)
(3,292)
Warranty accruals related to acquired businesses and other during the period
(166)
(99)
Balance at the end of the period
$
27,042
$
27,228
Accounts Receivable
The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to meet their financial obligations to the Company. The Company recognizes an allowance for credit losses, on all accounts receivable and contract assets, which considers risk of future credit losses based on factors such as historical experience, contract terms, as well as general and market business conditions, country, and political risk. Balances are written off when determined to be uncollectible.
At March 31, 2022, the Company had $854.5 million of accounts receivable, net of allowances of $10.9 million. Changes in the allowance were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares considered outstanding during the periods. The calculation of diluted earnings per share reflects the effect of all potentially dilutive securities (principally outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants). Securities that are anti-dilutive have been excluded and are not significant. The number of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Weighted average shares:
Basic shares
231,481
230,435
Equity-based compensation plans
1,584
1,861
Diluted shares
233,065
232,296
5. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
The Company utilizes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to the valuations used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following table provides the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, consistent with the fair value hierarchy, at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
March 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Fair Value
Fair Value
(In thousands)
Mutual fund investments
$
11,283
$
10,703
The fair value of mutual fund investments, which are valued as level 1 investments, was based on quoted market prices. The mutual fund investments are shown as a component of investments and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, gains and losses on the investments noted above were not significant. No transfers between level 1 and level 2 investments occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
Financial Instruments
Cash, cash equivalents and mutual fund investments are recorded at fair value at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
The following table provides the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instrument liabilities, for which fair value is measured for disclosure purposes only, compared to the recorded amounts at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
March 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Recorded
Amount
Fair Value
Recorded
Amount
Fair Value
(In thousands)
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
(2,208,928)
$
(2,243,340)
$
(2,233,705)
$
(2,378,930)
The fair value of net short-term borrowings approximates the carrying value. Net short-term borrowings are valued as level 2 liabilities as they are corroborated by observable market data. The Company’s net long-term debt is all privately held with no public market for this debt, therefore, the fair value of net long-term debt was computed based on comparable current market data for similar debt instruments and is considered a level 3 liability.
6. Hedging Activities
The Company has designated certain foreign-currency-denominated long-term borrowings as hedges of the net investment in certain foreign operations. As of March 31, 2022, these net investment hedges included British-pound-and Euro-denominated long-term debt. These borrowings were designed to create net investment hedges in certain designated foreign subsidiaries. The Company designated the British-pound- and Euro-denominated loans referred to above as hedging instruments to offset translation gains or losses on the net investment due to changes in the British pound and Euro exchange rates. These net investment hedges are evidenced by management’s contemporaneous documentation supporting the hedge designation. Any gain or loss on the hedging instruments (the debt) following hedge designation is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in the same manner as the translation adjustment on the hedged investment based on changes in the spot rate, which is used to measure hedge effectiveness.
At March 31, 2022, the Company had $295.9 million of British-pound-denominated loans, which were designated as a hedge against the net investment in British pound functional currency foreign subsidiaries. At March 31, 2022, the Company had $596.2 million in Euro-denominated loans, which were designated as a hedge against the net investment in Euro functional currency foreign subsidiaries. As a result of the British-pound- and Euro-denominated loans designated and 100% effective as net investment hedges, $23.7 million of pre-tax currency remeasurement gains have been included in the foreign currency translation component of other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The Company has commitments under operating leases for certain facilities, vehicles and equipment used in its operations. Cash used in operations for operating leases was not materially different from operating lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The Company's leases have initial lease terms ranging from one month to 16 years. Certain lease agreements contain provisions for future rent increases.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Operating lease cost
$
15,378
$
11,517
Variable lease cost
2,253
1,470
Total lease cost
$
17,631
$
12,987
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
March 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
(In thousands)
Right of use assets, net
$
169,279
$
169,924
Lease liabilities included in Accrued Liabilities and other
47,473
47,353
Lease liabilities included in Other long-term liabilities
127,620
129,101
Total lease liabilities
$
175,093
$
176,454
Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:
Lease Liability Maturity Analysis
Operating Leases
(In thousands)
Remaining 2022
$
39,105
2023
44,048
2024
32,276
2025
23,317
2026
16,712
Thereafter
27,232
Total lease payments
182,690
Less: imputed interest
7,597
$
175,093
The Company does not have any significant leases that have not yet commenced.
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment were as follows:
EIG
EMG
Total
(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2021
$
4,073.8
$
1,164.9
$
5,238.7
Purchase price allocation adjustments and other
(1.2)
—
(1.2)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(9.6)
(9.0)
(18.6)
Balance at March 31, 2022
$
4,063.0
$
1,155.9
$
5,218.9
The Company is in the process of finalizing its measurements of certain tangible and intangible assets and liabilities for its November 2021 acquisition of Alphasense.
10. Income Taxes
At March 31, 2022, the Company had gross uncertain tax benefits of $154.1 million, of which $113.8 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.
The following is a reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions (in millions):
Balance at December 31, 2021
$
147.0
Additions for tax positions
7.1
Reductions for tax positions
—
Balance at March 31, 2022
$
154.1
The additions above primarily reflect the tax positions for foreign tax planning initiatives. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The amounts recognized in income tax expense for interest and penalties during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were not significant.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 19.0%, compared with 19.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The lower effective tax rate in 2022 is primarily due to a favorable foreign tax rate differential.
11. Debt
On April 26, 2021, the Company along with certain of its foreign subsidiaries amended and restated its credit agreement dated as of September 22, 2011, as amended and restated as of March 10, 2016 and as further amended and restated as of October 30, 2018, with the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Bank of America, N.A., PNC Bank, National Association, Trust Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents. The credit agreement amends and restates the Company’s existing revolving credit facility to add a new five-year, delayed draw, term loan for up to $800 million. The credit agreement places certain restrictions on allowable additional indebtedness. At March 31, 2022, the Company had $150.0 million outstanding on the term loan with a maturity date of June 2026. The Company's ability to draw on the term loan expired on April 26, 2022, with no additional borrowings.
The Company's share-based compensation plans are described in Note 11, Share-Based Compensation, to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, filed on the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Share Based Compensation Expense
Total share-based compensation expense was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Stock option expense
$
3,440
$
3,923
Restricted stock expense
4,778
6,227
Performance restricted stock unit expense
1,353
1,290
Total pre-tax expense
$
9,571
$
11,440
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense is included in the consolidated statement of income in either Cost of sales or Selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on where the recipient’s cash compensation is reported.
Stock Options
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the fair values of stock options granted during the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Expected volatility
24.5
%
24.2
%
Expected term (years)
5.0
5.0
Risk-free interest rate
2.33
%
0.85
%
Expected dividend yield
0.65
%
0.66
%
Black-Scholes-Merton fair value per stock option granted
$
32.54
$
25.63
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information:
Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(In thousands)
(Years)
(In millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
3,352
$
76.08
Granted
608
134.69
Exercised
(142)
62.75
Forfeited
(24)
91.75
Outstanding at March 31, 2022
3,794
$
76.56
6.7
$
180.4
Exercisable at March 31, 2022
2,361
$
70.86
5.3
$
147.1
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $8.9 million. The total fair value of stock options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $7.3 million. As of March 31, 2022, there was approximately $28.0 million of expected future pre-tax compensation expense related to the 1.4
million non-vested stock options outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.
Restricted Stock
The following is a summary of the Company’s non-vested restricted stock activity and related information:
Shares
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
(In thousands)
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2021
413
$
96.07
Granted
179
134.71
Vested
(107)
86.05
Forfeited
(10)
100.34
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2022
475
$
112.85
The total fair value of restricted stock vested during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $9.3 million. As of March 31, 2022, there was approximately $44.2 million of expected future pre-tax compensation expense related to the 0.5 million non-vested restricted shares outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.
Performance Restricted Stock Units
In March 2022, the Company granted performance restricted stock units ("PRSU") to officers and certain key management-level employees. The PRSUs vest over a period up to three years from the grant date based on continuous service, with the number of shares earned (0% to 200% of the target award) depending upon the extent to which the Company achieves certain financial and market performance targets measured over the period from January 1 of the year of grant to December 31 of the third year. Half of the PRSUs were valued in a manner similar to restricted stock as the financial targets are based on the Company’s operating results, which represents a performance condition. The grant date fair value of these PRSUs are recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period based on the probable number of awards to vest at each reporting date.
The other half of the PRSUs were valued using a Monte Carlo model as the performance target is related to the Company’s total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies, which represents a market condition. The Company recognizes the grant date fair value of these awards as compensation expense ratably over the vesting period.
The following is a summary of the Company’s non-vested performance restricted stock activity and related information:
Shares
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
(In thousands)
Non-vested performance restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2021
289
$
85.29
Granted
87
134.69
Performance assumption change 1
66
81.76
Vested
(161)
81.76
Forfeited
(2)
89.73
Non-vested performance restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2022
279
$
101.97
_________________________________________
1 Reflects the number of PRSUs above target levels based on performance metrics.
As of March 31, 2022, there was approximately $17.3 million of expected future pre-tax compensation expense related to the 0.3 million non-vested restricted shares outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of less than one year.
13. Retirement and Pension Plans
The components of net periodic pension benefit expense (income) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost
$
1,374
$
2,021
Interest cost
5,120
4,567
Expected return on plan assets
(15,268)
(14,174)
Amortization of net actuarial loss and other
2,174
4,353
Pension income
(6,600)
(3,233)
Other plans:
Defined contribution plans
13,261
8,455
Foreign plans and other
2,318
2,234
Total other plans
15,579
10,689
Total net pension expense
$
8,979
$
7,456
For defined benefit plans, the net periodic benefit income, other than the service cost component, is included in “Other (expense) income, net” in the consolidated statement of income.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, contributions to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans were $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The Company’s current estimate of 2022 contributions to its worldwide defined benefit pension plans is in line with the range disclosed in Note 12 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company (including its subsidiaries) has been named as a defendant in a number of asbestos-related lawsuits. Certain of these lawsuits relate to a business which was acquired by the Company and do not involve products which were manufactured or sold by the Company. In connection with these lawsuits, the seller of such business has agreed to indemnify the Company against these claims (the “Indemnified Claims”). The Indemnified Claims have been tendered to, and are being defended by, such seller. The seller has met its obligations, in all respects, and the Company does not have any reason to believe such party would fail to fulfill its obligations in the future. To date, no judgments have been rendered against the Company as a result of any asbestos-related lawsuit. The Company believes that it has good and valid defenses to each of these claims and intends to defend them vigorously.
Environmental Matters
Certain historic processes in the manufacture of products have resulted in environmentally hazardous waste by-products as defined by federal and state laws and regulations. At March 31, 2022, the Company is named a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) at 13 non-AMETEK-owned former waste disposal or treatment sites (the “non-owned” sites). The Company is identified as a “de minimis” party in 12 of these sites based on the low volume of waste attributed to the Company relative to the amounts attributed to other named PRPs. In eight of these sites, the Company has reached a tentative agreement on the cost of the de minimis settlement to satisfy its obligation and is awaiting executed agreements. The tentatively agreed-to settlement amounts are fully reserved. In the other four sites, the Company is continuing to investigate the accuracy of the alleged volume attributed to the Company as estimated by the parties primarily responsible for remedial activity at the sites to establish an appropriate settlement amount. At the remaining site where the Company is a non-de minimis PRP, the Company is participating in the investigation and/or related required remediation as part of a PRP Group and reserves have been established to satisfy the Company’s expected obligations. The Company historically has resolved these issues within established reserve levels and reasonably expects this result will continue. In addition to these non-owned sites, the Company has an ongoing practice of providing reserves for probable remediation activities at certain of its current or previously owned manufacturing locations (the “owned” sites). For claims and proceedings against the Company with respect to other environmental matters, reserves are established once the Company has determined that a loss is probable and estimable. This estimate is refined as the Company moves through the various stages of investigation, risk assessment, feasibility study and corrective action processes. In certain instances, the Company has developed a range of estimates for such costs and has recorded a liability based on the best estimate. It is reasonably possible that the actual cost of remediation of the individual sites could vary from the current estimates and the amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements; however, the amounts of such variances are not expected to result in a material change to the consolidated financial statements. In estimating the Company’s liability for remediation, the Company also considers the likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation expense and the ability of the other PRPs to fulfill their obligations.
Total environmental reserves at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $36.9 million and $37.2 million, respectively, for both non-owned and owned sites. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded $2.3 million in reserves. Additionally, the Company spent $2.6 million on environmental matters for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The Company has agreements with other former owners of certain of its acquired businesses, as well as new owners of previously owned businesses. Under certain of the agreements, the former or new owners retained, or assumed and agreed to indemnify the Company against, certain environmental and other liabilities under certain circumstances. The Company and some of these other parties also carry insurance coverage for some environmental matters.
The Company believes it has established reserves for the environmental matters described above, which are sufficient to perform all known responsibilities under existing claims and consent orders. In the opinion of management, based on presently available information and the Company’s historical experience related to such matters, an adequate provision for probable costs has been made and the ultimate cost resulting from these actions is not expected to materially affect the consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth net sales and income by reportable segment and on a consolidated basis:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Net sales:
Electronic Instruments
$
987,759
$
790,924
Electromechanical
470,766
424,818
Consolidated net sales
$
1,458,525
$
1,215,742
Operating income and income before income taxes:
Segment operating income:
Electronic Instruments
$
244,774
$
206,897
Electromechanical
128,209
105,033
Total segment operating income
372,983
311,930
Corporate administrative expenses
(19,743)
(18,585)
Consolidated operating income
353,240
293,345
Interest expense
(19,570)
(18,947)
Other income (expense), net
2,552
(1,942)
Consolidated income before income taxes
$
336,222
$
272,456
Recent Events and Market Conditions
Recent events and market conditions impacting our business include the COVID-19 pandemic, increased material and transportation cost inflation, supply chain constraints, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result of these events and conditions, we anticipate a challenging global economic environment for the remainder of 2022. There still remains uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, its effect on labor, government mandated lockdowns and other restrictive measures, and the pandemic's ultimate duration. The recent lockdowns in China have limited our ability to access customer sites, operate certain facilities, and place additional constraints on our supply chain. Beginning in 2021, we experienced inflationary cost increases in material and transportation costs and we expect elevated levels of cost inflation to persist throughout 2022. We have taken steps to mitigate the impacts of inflation by implementing pricing actions. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the sanctions imposed in response to this conflict have increased global economic and political uncertainty. Russia and Ukraine represent an insignificant portion of our business, but a significant expansion of the conflict's current scope could further complicate the economic environment. While the ultimate impact of these events remains uncertain, we will continue to evaluate the extent to which these factors will impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Results of operations for the first quarter of 2022 compared with the first quarter of 2021
For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the Company posted a record backlog as well as strong sales, operating income, net income, and orders. The Company achieved these results from organic sales growth in both EIG and EMG, contributions from the 2021 acquisitions of Abaco Systems, Inc., Magnetrol International, and NSI-MI Technologies, as well as the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.
Net sales for the first quarter of 2022 were $1,458.5 million, an increase of $242.8 million or 20.0%, compared with net sales of $1,215.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in net sales for the first quarter of 2022 was due to a 14% increase in organic sales, a 7% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation.
Total international sales for the first quarter of 2022 were $744.4 million or 51.0% of net sales, an increase of $127.7 million or 20.7%, compared with international sales of $616.7 million or 50.7% of net sales for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in international sales was primarily driven by strong demand in Europe and Asia during the quarter as well as contributions from recent acquisitions.
Orders for the first quarter of 2022 were $1,702.8 million, an increase of $305.2 million or 21.8%, compared with $1,397.6 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in orders for the first quarter of 2022 was due to an 18% increase in
organic orders, a 5% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation. As a result, the Company's backlog of unfilled orders at March 31, 2022 was a record $2,974.4 million, an increase of $244.3 million or 8.9% compared with $2,730.1 million at December 31, 2021.
Segment operating income for the first quarter of 2022 was $373.0 million, an increase of $61.1 million or 19.6%, compared with segment operating income of $311.9 million for the first quarter of 2021. Segment operating income was positively impacted in 2022 by the increase in sales discussed above, as well as a $7.1 million gain on the sale of a facility. Segment operating margins, as a percentage of net sales, decreased slightly at 25.6% for the first quarter of 2022, compared with 25.7% for the first quarter of 2021. Segment operating margins were negatively impacted in the first quarter of 2022 by the dilutive impact of the 2021 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions and the gain on sale of a facility, segment operating margins for the core businesses increased 120 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2021, due to benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.
Cost of sales for the first quarter of 2022 was $948.8 million or 65.1% of net sales, an increase of $159.4 million or 20.2%, compared with $789.4 million or 64.9% of net sales for the first quarter of 2021. The cost of sales increase was primarily due to the net sales increase discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $156.5 million or 10.7% of net sales, an increase of $23.5 million or 17.6%, compared with $133.0 million or 10.9% of net sales for the first quarter of 2021. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the net sales increase discussed above.
Consolidated operating income was $353.2 million or 24.2% of net sales for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of $59.9 million or 20.4%, compared with $293.3 million or 24.1% of net sales for the first quarter of 2021.
Other income, net was $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared with $1.9 million of other expense, net for the first quarter of 2021, a change of $4.5 million. The first quarter of 2022 includes higher pension income of $2.5 million and lower due diligence expense compared to the first quarter of 2021.
The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 19.0%, compared with 19.5% for the first quarter of 2021. The lower effective tax rate in 2022 is primarily due to a favorable foreign tax rate differential.
Net income for the first quarter of 2022 was $272.4 million, an increase of $53.2 million or 24.3%, compared with $219.2 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2022 were $1.17, an increase of $0.23 or 24.5%, compared with $0.94 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2021.
Segment Results
EIG’s net sales totaled $987.8 million for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of $196.8 million or 24.9%, compared with $790.9 million for the first quarter of 2021. The net sales increase was due to a 15% increase in organic sales, and an 11% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation.
EIG’s operating income was $244.8 million for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of $37.9 million or 18.3%, compared with $206.9 million for the first quarter of 2021. EIG’s operating margins were 24.8% of net sales for the first quarter of 2022, compared with 26.2% for the first quarter of 2021. EIG's operating margins were negatively impacted in the first quarter of 2022 by the dilutive impact of the 2021 acquisitions. Excluding the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions, EIG operating margins for the core business increased 130 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2021, due to benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.
EMG’s net sales totaled $470.8 million for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of $46.0 million or 10.8%, compared with $424.8 million for the first quarter of 2021. The net sales increase was due to a 12% organic sales increase, partially offset by an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation.
EMG’s operating income was a record $128.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of $23.2 million or 22.1%, compared with $105.0 million for the first quarter of 2021. EMG's operating income included a $7.1 million gain on the sale of a facility during the first quarter of 2022. EMG’s operating margins were a record 27.2% of net sales for the first quarter of 2022, compared with 24.7% for the first quarter of 2021. Excluding the gain on the sale of a facility, EMG operating
margins increased 100 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2021, due to benefits from the Company's Operational Excellence initiatives.
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $201.3 million for the first three months of 2022, a decrease of $83.1 million or 29.2%, compared with $284.4 million for the first three months of 2021. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for the first three months of 2022 was primarily due to higher investments in inventory to support sales and backlog growth, and also to mitigate inventory supply chain constraints.
Free cash flow (cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) was $175.0 million for the first three months of 2022, compared with $266.9 million for the first three months of 2021. EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $433.6 million for the first three months of 2022, compared with $355.5 million for the first three months of 2021. Free cash flow and EBITDA are presented because the Company is aware that they are measures used by third parties in evaluating the Company.
Cash used by investing activities totaled $14.9 million for the first three months of 2022, compared with cash used by investing activities of $284.5 million for the first three months of 2021. For the first three months of 2022, the Company received proceeds of $11.8 million from the sale of a facility. For the first three months of 2021, the Company paid $263.9 million, net of cash acquired, to purchase Magnetrol International, Crank Software, and EGS Automation. Additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $26.4 million for the first three months of 2022, compared with $17.5 million for the first three months of 2021.
Cash used by financing activities totaled $187.4 million for the first three months of 2022, compared with cash used by financing activities of $84.0 million for the first three months of 2021. At March 31, 2022, total debt, net was $2,536.0 million, compared with $2,544.2 million at December 31, 2021. For the first three months of 2022, total borrowings increased by $20.0 million compared with a $33.0 million decrease for the first three months of 2021. At March 31, 2022, the Company had available borrowing capacity of $2,431.3 million under its revolving credit facility and term loan, including the $500 million accordion feature.
On April 26, 2021, the Company along with certain of its foreign subsidiaries amended and restated its credit agreement dated as of September 22, 2011, as amended and restated as of March 10, 2016 and as further amended and restated as of October 30, 2018, with the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Bank of America, N.A., PNC Bank, National Association, Trust Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents. The credit agreement amends and restates the Company’s existing revolving credit facility to add a new five-year, delayed draw, term loan for up to $800 million. The credit agreement places certain restrictions on allowable additional indebtedness. At March 31, 2022, the Company had $150.0 million outstanding on the term loan with a maturity date of June 2026. The Company's ability to draw on the term loan expired on April 26, 2022, with no additional borrowings.
The debt-to-capital ratio was 26.8% at March 31, 2022, compared with 27.0% at December 31, 2021. The net debt-to-capital ratio (total debt, net less cash and cash equivalents divided by the sum of net debt and stockholders’ equity) was 24.1% at March 31, 2022, compared with 24.2% at December 31, 2021. The net debt-to-capital ratio is presented because the Company is aware that this measure is used by third parties in evaluating the Company.
Additional financing activities for the first three months of 2022 included cash dividends paid of $50.8 million, compared with $46.0 million for the first three months of 2021. Effective February 9, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 10% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock to $0.22 per common share from $0.20 per common share. The Company repurchased $156.7 million of its common stock for the first three months of 2022, compared with $8.0 million for the first three months of 2021. Proceeds from stock option exercises were $8.3 million for the first three months of 2022, compared with $6.9 million for the first three months of 2021.
As a result of all of the Company’s cash flow activities for the first three months of 2022, cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2022 totaled $340.3 million, compared with $346.8 million at December 31, 2021. At March 31, 2022, the Company had $326.4 million in cash outside the United States, compared with $334.0 million at December 31, 2021. The Company utilizes this cash to fund its international operations, as well as to acquire international businesses. The Company is in compliance with all covenants, including financial covenants, for all of its debt agreements. The Company believes it has
sufficient cash-generating capabilities from domestic and unrestricted foreign sources, available credit facilities and access to long-term capital funds to enable it to meet its operating needs and contractual obligations in the foreseeable future.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Primary disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies is also included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Information
Information contained in this discussion, other than historical information, is considered “forward-looking statements” and is subject to various factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations. These factors and uncertainties include risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on AMETEK’s operations, supply chain, and demand across key end markets; general economic conditions affecting the industries the Company serves; changes in the competitive environment or the effects of competition in the Company’s markets; risks associated with international sales and operations; the Company’s ability to consummate and successfully integrate future acquisitions; the Company’s ability to successfully develop new products, open new facilities or transfer product lines; the price and availability of raw materials; compliance with government regulations, including environmental regulations; and the ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect the Company’s future results is contained in AMETEK’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. AMETEK disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required by the securities laws to do so.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be disclosed, is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely manner. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our system of disclosure controls and procedures as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of March 31, 2022. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Such evaluation did not identify any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.
The following table reflects purchases of AMETEK, Inc. common stock by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)(2)
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (2)
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan
January 1, 2022 to January 31, 2022
—
$
—
—
$
469,729,729
February 1, 2022 to February 28, 2022
143,528
128.85
143,528
451,235,513
March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022
1,074,423
128.65
1,074,423
313,006,100
Total
1,217,951
$
128.68
1,217,951
________________
(1) Includes 34,205 shares surrendered to the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with employees’ share-based compensation awards.
(2) Consists of the number of shares purchased pursuant to the Company’s Board of Directors $500 million authorization for the repurchase of its common stock announced in February 2019. Such purchases may be effected from time to time in the open market or in private transactions, subject to market conditions and at management’s discretion.
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.
