CLEVELAND, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022.

Q4 2022 Highlights:

• Third consecutive record of quarterly net sales; increased 29% from comparable 2021 period
• Record quarterly net income of $16.5 million
• Diluted EPS of $3.28, an increase of 83% from Q4 2021, a new quarterly record

Full Year 2022 Highlights:

• Fourth consecutive record of annual net sales; increased 23% from comparable 2021 period
• Record net income of $54.4 million
• Diluted EPS of $10.88, an increase of 51% from 2021, a new annual record

Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 were $169.9 million compared to $131.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, a 29.3% increase and a new record for quarterly shipments. Foreign currency translation reduced fourth quarter 2022 net sales by $8.0 million.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was $16.5 million, or $3.28 per diluted share, compared to $9.0 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2021. The fourth quarter of 2022 net income benefited from the increased gross profit from the incremental sales, selling price increases and incremental sales from recent acquisitions. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 36.6% for the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 630 bps versus the same quarter in 2021.

Net sales for the full year 2022 were $637.0 million, compared to $517.4 million in 2021. This is the fourth consecutive year of record net sales and represents a 23.1% increase versus prior year. Foreign currency translation reduced full year 2022 net sales by $24.2 million.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $54.4 million, or $10.88 per diluted share, compared to $35.7 million, or $7.19 per diluted share in 2021. Net income for the full year 2022 was favorably impacted by the increase in margin on incremental sales as well as the full year benefit of price increases which helped offset inflationary raw material and freight cost increases. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 33.8% for 2022, an increase of 170 bps versus 2021.

Rob Ruhlman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The fourth consecutive year for record net sales and record earnings per share in 2022 continues to be the result of the resolve, commitment and dedication of our global team. This also represents the fifth consecutive year of record domestic net sales with PLP-USA posting a year-over-year increase of 32.1%. The Americas and EMEA regions both enjoyed net sales growth while the Asia-Pacific region showed a slight reduction in net sales in 2022 with a decline in the pace of year-over-year reductions from the two preceding years. The price increases we announced over the last two years have been effective at offsetting the significant inflation for core raw material commodities and transportation costs. We continue to invest capital in our global facilities to increase capacity and we continue to seek out the right opportunities for inorganic growth completing four acquisitions in the last five quarters. We are fully committed to providing our customers with the high quality products and service they have come to expect from our dedicated workforce."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the Company, including those statements regarding the Company's and management's beliefs and expectations concerning the Company's future performance or anticipated financial results, among others. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in those statements. Among other things, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements include the uncertainty in global business conditions and the economy due to factors such as inflation, rising interest rates, labor disruptions, military conflict, political instability, exchange rates and lingering effects of COVID-19, the strength of demand and availability of funding for the Company's products and the mix of products sold, the relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company's products, the cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products, opportunities for business growth through acquisitions and the ability to successfully integrate any acquired businesses, changes in regulations and tax rates, security breaches, litigation and claims and the Company's ability to continue to develop proprietary technology and maintain high quality products and customer service to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations, and other factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 4, 2022 and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's other filings with the SEC can be found on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

ABOUT PLP

PLP protects the world's most critical connections by creating stronger and more reliable networks. The company's precision-engineered solutions are trusted by energy and communications providers worldwide to perform better and last longer. With locations in over 20 countries, PLP works as a united global corporation, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to customers around the world.

MEDIA RELATIONS, JOSH NELSON, MANAGER, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS, +1 440 473 9120, JOSH.NELSON@PLP.COM; INVESTOR RELATIONS, ANDREW S. KLAUS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, +1 440 473 9246, ANDY.KLAUS@PLP.COM