FRANKLIN ELECTRIC REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2023 RESULTS
Third Quarter 2023 Highlights
•Consolidated net sales of $538.4 million, a decrease of 2% to the prior year
•Water Systems sales increased by 1%, while Fueling Systems and Distribution’s net sales decreased 14% and 2%, respectively
•Operating income was $78.1 million with solid operating margin of 14.5%
•GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.23
•Year-to-date cash flows from operating activities of $198.6 million increased $191.5 million over the prior year
Fort Wayne, IN – October 24, 2023 – Franklin Electric Co., Inc. today announced its third quarter financial results for fiscal year 2023.
Third quarter 2023 net sales were $538.4 million, compared to third quarter 2022 net sales of $551.7 million. Third quarter 2023 operating income was $78.1 million, compared to third quarter 2022 operating income of $80.0 million. Third quarter 2023 EPS was $1.23, versus EPS in the third quarter 2022 of $1.24.
“The third quarter, which is seasonally one of our stronger periods, was a solid quarter but more challenging than anticipated and our results were below our expectations as additional commodity price pressure in our Distribution business and further destocking impacted sales. Nevertheless, Water Systems set a third-quarter record for revenue and operating income on strong global execution. While underlying demand in our core markets remains solid, we continued to see customers extend project timelines and right-size inventory levels in response to improved supplier lead times. In addition, unfavorable weather lasted longer than expected during our busiest months, negatively impacting what is historically a strong quarter,” commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.
“Our team executed well and remained nimble as we delivered strong margins and robust cash flow generation with a focus on disciplined cost management. Year-to-date cash flows from operating activities increased about $190 million over the prior year as we progressed on our inventory reduction goals. Looking ahead, we remain focused on delivering for our customers while continuing to manage our costs and driving value for our shareholders.” concluded Mr. Sengstack.
Segment Summaries
Water Systems net sales were $295.8 million, a new third quarter record, an increase of $2.7 million compared to the third quarter 2022. Sales increases were led by continued strong end market demand for large pumps. Water Systems operating income in the third quarter 2023 was $52.7 million, a new quarterly record, driven by higher sales and disciplined cost management. Third quarter 2022 Water Systems operating income was $45.5 million.
Distribution net sales were $189.2 million in the third quarter 2023, a decrease of $4.0 million compared to the third quarter 2022. The Distribution segment operating income was $10.7 million in the third quarter
2023 compared to third quarter 2022 operating income of $19.0 million. Distribution segment sales and operating income were negatively impacted by wet weather across much of the US, margin compression from declining pricing of commodity-based products sold through the business, and some channel inventory destocking as supply chains normalize.
Fueling Systems net sales were $77.7 million in the third quarter 2023, a decrease of $12.5 million compared to the third quarter 2022 when the Company realized an all-time quarterly sales record and reduced its backlog significantly. Sales decreased in the U.S. and Canada by 14 percent and outside the U.S. and Canada by 20 percent. Fueling Systems operating income in the third quarter 2023 was $25.8 million. Third quarter 2022 Fueling Systems operating income was $28.6 million.
2023 Guidance
The Company is updating its guidance for full year 2023 sales to be in the range of $2.05 billion to $2.15 billion and full year 2023 EPS to be in the range of $4.07 to $4.17.
Earnings Conference Call
A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The third quarter 2023 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/r99z8p6f
For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.
All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).
A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, October 24, 2023, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.
Forward Looking Statements
"Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
About Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and fuel. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications.
Franklin Electric Contact:
Jeffery L. Taylor
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
260-824-2900
Email: jeffery.taylor@fele.com
FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Third Quarter Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Net sales
$
538,431
$
551,672
$
1,592,163
$
1,554,280
Cost of sales
352,178
361,077
1,055,164
1,029,063
Gross profit
186,253
190,595
536,999
525,217
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
107,687
109,366
324,651
322,352
Restructuring expense
462
1,185
735
1,898
Operating income
78,104
80,044
211,613
200,967
Interest expense
(2,984)
(3,066)
(10,309)
(7,492)
Other income/(expense), net
277
(1,250)
1,865
(2,787)
Foreign exchange expense
(2,483)
(3,376)
(8,098)
(4,290)
Income before income taxes
72,914
72,352
195,071
186,398
Income tax expense
14,746
13,380
39,167
37,544
Net income
$
58,168
$
58,972
$
155,904
$
148,854
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(370)
(348)
(1,181)
(1,101)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
$
57,798
$
58,624
$
154,723
$
147,753
Earnings per share:
Basic
$
1.25
$
1.26
$
3.34
$
3.17
Diluted
$
1.23
$
1.24
$
3.29
$
3.13
FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents
$
62,507
$
45,790
Receivables (net)
252,315
230,404
Inventories
543,540
544,980
Other current assets
41,136
36,916
Total current assets
899,498
858,090
Property, plant, and equipment, net
222,395
215,154
Lease right-of-use assets, net
42,307
48,948
Goodwill and other assets
561,096
572,009
Total assets
$
1,725,296
$
1,694,201
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable
$
170,862
$
139,266
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
103,396
123,788
Current lease liability
13,311
15,959
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings
40,351
126,756
Total current liabilities
327,920
405,769
Long-term debt
88,036
89,271
Long-term lease liability
27,877
32,858
Income taxes payable non-current
4,837
8,707
Deferred income taxes
32,252
29,744
Employee benefit plans
31,897
31,889
Other long-term liabilities
28,835
25,209
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
1,035
620
Total equity
1,182,607
1,070,134
Total liabilities and equity
$
1,725,296
$
1,694,201
FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
155,904
$
148,854
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
39,582
37,067
Non-cash lease expense
12,664
12,939
Share-based compensation
8,449
8,940
Other
10,894
9,160
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables
(20,427)
(73,995)
Inventory
2,537
(122,150)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
4,376
1,881
Operating leases
(12,847)
(12,939)
Income taxes-U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
(2,902)
(355)
Other
399
(2,242)
Net cash flows from operating activities
198,629
7,160
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment
(30,155)
(29,327)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment
—
6
Acquisitions and investments
(6,641)
(1,576)
Other investing activities
26
9
Net cash flows from investing activities
(36,770)
(30,888)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in debt
(87,653)
83,679
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
9,010
3,584
Purchases of common stock
(29,888)
(30,731)
Dividends paid
(31,315)
(27,293)
Deferred payments for acquisitions
(448)
—
Net cash flows from financing activities
(140,294)
29,239
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(4,848)
(6,524)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
16,717
(1,013)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
45,790
40,536
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
62,507
$
39,523
Key Performance Indicators: Net Sales Summary
Net Sales
(in millions)
United States & Canada
Latin America
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Asia Pacific
Total Water
Fueling
Distribution
Other/Elims
Consolidated
Q3 2022
$
183.7
$
41.3
$
46.0
$
22.1
$
293.1
$
90.2
$
193.2
$
(24.8)
$
551.7
Q3 2023
$
182.0
$
45.5
$
48.7
$
19.6
$
295.8
$
77.7
$
189.2
$
(24.3)
$
538.4
Change
$
(1.7)
$
4.2
$
2.7
$
(2.5)
$
2.7
$
(12.5)
$
(4.0)
$
0.5
$
(13.3)
% Change
(1)
%
10
%
6
%
(11)
%
1
%
(14)
%
(2)
%
(2)
%
Foreign currency translation
$
(0.6)
$
(6.1)
$
(5.4)
$
(0.5)
$
(12.6)
$
—
$
—
$
(12.6)
% Change
—
%
(15)
%
(12)
%
(2)
%
(4)
%
—
%
—
%
(2)
%
Volume/Price
$
(1.1)
$
10.3
$
8.1
$
(2.0)
$
15.3
$
(12.5)
$
(4.0)
$
0.5
$
(0.7)
% Change
(1)
%
25
%
18
%
(9)
%
5
%
(14)
%
(2)
%
(2)
%
—
%
Key Performance Indicators: Operating Income and Margin Summary
