Gorman-Rupp reports fourth quarter and full-year 2017 financial results

MANSFIELD — The Gorman-Rupp Company (NYSE: GRC) reports financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2017.

Jeffrey S. Gorman, President and CEO of the company, commended the work of employees for a strong performance.

“We finished 2017 with strong fourth-quarter results. A continued focus on production efficiencies and cost control has delivered another quarter of improved gross and operating margins,” Gorman said. “While we continue to experience softness in the agriculture and certain oil and gas driven markets, we enter 2018 with a stronger backlog and sales momentum in many of our other markets.

“Increased emphasis on infrastructure improvements at both the federal and state levels, along with the newly enacted tax legislation, could be additional positive factors over the next several years. As we celebrate our 85th anniversary in 2018, we would like to thank our customers, associates and shareholders for their continued support.”

Fourth Quarter 2017 Highlights

Current quarter earnings per share were $0.31 compared to $0.19 per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 Fourth quarter of 2016 included a non-cash impairment charge of $0.05 per share Net sales increased 0.8 percent or $0.7 million. Excluding the PCCP project, net sales increased 1.3 percent or $1.2 million.

Incoming orders increased 6 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2016.

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expected to have a favorable impact on the company’s future income tax rate.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $94.9 million compared to $94.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, an increase of 0.8 percent or $0.7 million. Excluding sales from the New Orleans Permanent Canal Closures & Pumps (“PCCP”) project of $0.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, net sales increased 1.3 percent or $1.2 million. Domestic sales, excluding PCCP, decreased 0.2 percent or $0.1 million while international sales increased 4.0 percent or $1.3 million compared to the same period in 2016.

Sales in our larger water markets, excluding PCCP, decreased 1.2 percent or $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Sales in the construction market increased $3.2 million due primarily to sales to rental market customers related to increased oil and gas drilling activity, and sales in the fire protection market increased $1.1 million due principally to domestic shipments.

These increases were offset by decreased sales in the municipal market of $4.2 million primarily driven by decreased shipments attributable to flood control projects and large volume wastewater applications. In addition, sales in the agriculture market decreased $0.8 million and sales of repair parts decreased $0.1 million.

Sales in our non-water markets increased 7.3 percent or $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Sales in the industrial market increased $2.3 million principally attributable to increased capital spending related to oil and gas drilling activity, and sales in the OEM market increased $0.3 million. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased sales in the petroleum market of $0.6 million.

Gross profit was $25.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, resulting in gross margin of 26.5 percent, compared to gross profit of $23.2 million and gross margin of 24.7 percent for the same period in 2016. The 180 basis point increase in gross margin was largely driven by favorable sales mix and lower manufacturing overhead expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) was $13.7 million and 14.4% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $14.3 million and 15.2 percent of net sales for the same period in 2016. SG&A as a percentage of sales improved 80 basis points due principally to a focus on cost control and higher sales volume.

Operating income was $11.5 million, resulting in operating margin of 12.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to operating income of $7.1 million and operating margin of 7.5 percent for the same period in 2016. The fourth quarter of 2016 included a non-cash impairment charge of $1.8 million or 190 basis points. Excluding the non-cash impairment charge, operating margin improved $2.6 million or 270 basis points due principally to favorable sales mix and lower manufacturing overhead and SG&A expenses.

Net income was $7.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and earnings per share were $0.31 and $0.19 for the respective periods. A non-cash goodwill impairment charge decreased the fourth quarter of 2016 earnings by $0.05 per share.

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $379.4 million compared to $382.1 million for 2016, a decrease of 0.7 percent or $2.7 million. Excluding sales from the PCCP project of $0.7 million in 2017 and $9.9 million in 2016, net sales in 2017 increased 1.8% or $6.5 million. Domestic sales, excluding PCCP, increased $0.1 million while international sales increased 4.9 percent or $6.4 million.

Sales in our larger water markets, excluding PCCP, decreased 0.4 percent or $1.1 million in 2017 compared to 2016. Sales in the construction market increased $10.4 million due primarily to sales to rental market customers, and sales of repair parts increased $2.4 million. These increases were offset by decreased sales in the municipal market of $7.3 million principally driven by decreased shipments attributable to flood control projects.

In addition, sales in the fire protection market decreased $4.2 million principally due to market softness in the Middle East, and sales in the agriculture market decreased $2.4 million principally due to low farm income and competitive pricing pressure.

Sales in our non-water markets increased 6.9 percent or $7.6 million in 2017 compared to 2016. Sales increased $7.7 million in the industrial market driven by an increase in oil and gas drilling activity. Sales in the OEM market increased $2.5 million primarily related to power generation equipment and new customers associated with transportation and alternative energy applications.

These increases were partially offset by decreased shipments of $2.6 million in the petroleum market driven by challenging market conditions.

Gross profit was $98.7 million for 2017, resulting in gross margin of 26.0 percent, compared to gross profit of $92.0 million and gross margin of 24.1 percent for 2016. Gross margin included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $2.6 million or 70 basis points in 2017, which did not occur in 2016.

Excluding the non-cash pension settlement charge, gross margin increased by 260 basis points due principally to favorable sales mix.

SG&A was $56.8 million and 15.0 percent of net sales for 2017 compared to $54.5 million and 14.3 percent of net sales for 2016. SG&A included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $1.4 million or 40 basis points in 2017 which did not occur last year. SG&A included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million or 30 basis points in 2016. Excluding these items, SG&A decreased slightly compared to last year and as a percentage of sales was flat.

Operating income was $37.9 million, resulting in operating margin of 10.0% for 2017, compared to operating income of $35.7 million and operating margin of 9.3 percent for 2016. In 2017, operating income included non-cash impairment charges of $4.1 million or 100 basis points and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $4.0 million or 110 basis points.

In 2016, operating income included a non-cash impairment charge of $1.8 million or 50 basis points and a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $0.6 million or 20 basis points. Excluding these items, operating income improved $9.1 million or 250 basis points due principally to improved gross margin.

Net income was $26.6 million for 2017 compared to $24.9 million in 2016, and earnings per share were $1.02 and $0.95 for the respective periods. Earnings per share for 2017 included non-cash impairment charges of $0.10 per share and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.10 per share. Earnings per share for 2016 included a non-cash impairment charge of $0.05 per share.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $114.0 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $98.8 million at Dec. 31, 2016, an increase of 15.4 percent. The increase in backlog was primarily due to increases in the fire protection, municipal and construction markets principally driven by improved economic conditions both domestically and internationally.

Capital expenditures for 2017 of $7.8 million consisted primarily of machinery and equipment. Capital additions for 2018 are presently planned to be in the range of $10-$15 million primarily for machinery and equipment purchases, and are expected to be financed through internally-generated funds.

On Dec. 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was enacted. The transitional impacts of the Tax Act resulted in a provisional net charge of $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, comprised of an estimated repatriation tax charge of $2.0 million (which includes U.S. repatriation taxes and foreign withholding taxes) and a net deferred tax benefit of approximately $1.6 million.

The provisional estimates are based on the Company’s initial analysis of the Tax Act. Given the significant complexity of the Tax Act, anticipated guidance from the U. S. Treasury about implementing the Tax Act, and the potential for additional guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Financial Accounting Standards Board related to the Tax Act, these estimates may be adjusted during 2018.

The Company’s preliminary estimate of its future effective tax rate attributable to the Tax Act is between 23 percent and 26 percent. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the Tax Act, and will update its estimates as appropriate.

About The Gorman-Rupp Company

Founded in 1933, The Gorman-Rupp Company is a leading designer, manufacturer and international marketer of pumps and pump systems for use in diverse water, wastewater, construction, dewatering, industrial, petroleum, original equipment, agriculture, fire protection, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), military and other liquid-handling applications.