MANSFIELD — The Board of Directors of The Gorman-Rupp Company (NYSE: GRC) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share on the common stock of the Company, payable Sept. 10, 2024, to shareholders of record Aug. 15, 2024.
This will mark the 298th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by The Gorman-Rupp Company.
“Incoming orders have continued at a solid pace and on a year-to-date basis are up over 6% compared to the first half of last year, resulting in an increase in backlog since the end of 2023,” Scott A. King, President and CEO commented.
“In addition, our pricing strategies contributed to improved gross margin and increased adjusted earnings.
“We are focused on top line growth through backlog reduction in the second half of the year, as well as delivering strong gross margin and earnings.
“We are also pleased that our previously announced refinancing is expected to result in significant interest savings going forward.”
Second quarter 2024 highlights
- Net sales of $169.5 million decreased 0.9%, or $1.5 million, compared to the second quarter of 2023.
- Second quarter net income was $8.3 million, or $0.32 per share, compared to a net income of $10.5 million, or $0.40 per share, for the second quarter of 2023
- Adjusted earnings per share1 for the second quarters of 2024 and 2023 were $0.54 and $0.41, respectively
- Incoming orders of $162.5 million were up $8.4 million, or 5.5%, compared to the second quarter of 2023.
- Refinanced debt expected to reduce interest expense by over $7.0 million annually.
- Record Adjusted EBITDA1 of $35.4 million for the second quarter of 2024 increased $1.7 million, or 4.9%, from $33.7 million for the same period in 2023.
Net sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $169.5 million compared to net sales of $171.0 million for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 0.9% or $1.5 million.
The decrease in sales was due to a decrease in volume partially offset by the impact of pricing increases taken in the first quarter of 2024.
Sales increased $6.7 million in the municipal market due to domestic flood control and wastewater projects related to increased infrastructure investment, $2.2 million in the OEM market, $0.6 million in the repair market, and $0.3 million in the petroleum market.
These increases were offset by a sales decrease of $8.0 million in the fire suppression market primarily resulting from backlog returning to more normal levels.
Fire suppression sales in the second quarter of 2023 were up significantly compared to the same period in 2022 as the Company was working to return backlog and lead times to normal levels, which resulted in higher second quarter 2023 sales and a tougher year-over-year comparison for the second quarter of 2024.
Fire suppression incoming orders for the second quarter of 2024 were up 11.2% when compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Sales for the second quarter of 2024 also decreased $1.6 million in the agriculture market primarily driven by a significant decline in farm income, $1.2 million in the industrial market, and $0.5 million in the construction market.
Gross profit was $54.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, resulting in gross margin of 31.9%, compared to gross profit of $51.7 million and gross margin of 30.2% for the same period in 2023.
The 170 basis point increase in gross margin included a 280 basis point improvement in cost of material, which consisted of a reduction in LIFO2 expense of 70 basis points, and a 210 basis point improvement from the realization of selling price increases.
These improvements were partially offset by a 110 basis point increase in labor and overhead expenses as a percent of sales.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $24.9 million and 14.7% of net sales for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $24.2 million and 14.1% of net sales for the same period in 2023. SG&A expenses for the second quarter of 2024 included $1.3 million of refinancing transaction costs and a $1.1 million gain on the sale of a fixed asset.
Amortization expense was $3.1 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2023.
Operating income was $26.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, resulting in an operating margin of 15.4%, compared to operating income of $24.3 million and operating margin of 14.2% for the same period in 2023.
Operating margin in the second quarter of 2024 increased 120 basis points compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to improved cost of material, partially offset by increased labor, overhead, and SG&A expenses.
Interest expense was $9 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2023.
The decrease in interest expense was due to a series of previously announced refinancing transactions the Company completed on May 31, 2024.
The refinancing is expected to reduce interest expense, and also extended and staggered the Company’s debt maturities.
The Company upsized, amended, and extended the existing Senior Term Loan Facility from $350.0 million to $370.0 million, amended and extended the existing $100 million revolving Credit Facility, and issued $30.0 million in new 6.40% Senior Secured Notes.
The proceeds from these transactions, as well as $10.0 million of cash on hand, were used to retire the Company’s $90.0 million unsecured Subordinated Credit Facility.
Other income (expense), net was $6.3 million of expense for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $0.5 million of expense for the same period in 2023.
Other expense for the second quarter of 2024 included a $4.4 million write-off of unamortized previously deferred debt financing fees and a $1.8 million prepayment fee related to the early retirement of the unsecured Subordinated Credit Facility.
Net income was $8.3 million, or $0.32 per share, for the second quarter of 2024 compared to net income of $10.5 million, or $0.40 per share, in the second quarter of 2023.
Adjusted earnings per share1 for the second quarter of 2024 were $0.54 per share compared to $0.41 per share for the second quarter of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $35.4 million and 20.8% of sales for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $33.7 million and 19.7% of sales for the second quarter of 2023.
Year-to-Date 2024 highlights
- Net sales of $328.8 million decreased 0.8%, or $2.7 million, compared to 2023
- Net income was $16.2 million, or $0.62 per share, compared to net income of $17.0 million, or $0.65 per share, in 2023
- Adjusted earnings per share1 for 2024 and 2023 were $0.84 and $0.68, respectively
- Gross margin improved 190 basis points
- Adjusted EBITDA1 of $63.6 million for 2024 increased $1.5 million, or 2.4%, from $62.1 million in 2023
Net sales for the first six months of 2024 were $328.8 million compared to net sales of $331.5 million for the first six months of 2023, a decrease of 0.8% or $2.7 million.
The decrease in sales was due to a decrease in volume partially offset by the impact of pricing increases taken in the first quarter of 2024.
Sales increased $9.4 million in the municipal market due to domestic flood control and wastewater projects related to increased infrastructure investment, $1.4 million in the OEM market, $0.7 million in the petroleum market, $0.7 million in the repair market, and $0.1 million in the construction market.
Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $11.8 million in the fire suppression market primarily resulting from backlog returning to more normal levels.
Fire suppression sales for the first six months of 2023 were up significantly compared to the same period in 2022 as the Company was working to return backlog and lead times to normal levels, which resulted in higher sales for the first six months of 2023 and a tougher year-over-year comparison for the first six months of 2024.
Fire suppression incoming orders for the first six months of 2024 were up 6.4% when compared to the first six months of 2023.
Sales for the first six months of 2024 also decreased $2.3 million in the agriculture market primarily driven by significant declines in farm income, and $0.9 million in the industrial market.
Gross profit was $102.5 million for the first six months of 2024, resulting in gross margin of 31.2%, compared to gross profit of $97.2 million and gross margin of 29.3% for the same period in 2023.
The 190 basis point increase in gross margin included a 260 basis point improvement in cost of material, which consisted of a reduction in LIFO2 expense of 70 basis points, a favorable impact of 30 basis points related to the amortization of acquired Fill-Rite customer backlog which occurred in 2023 and did not reoccur in 2024, and a 160 basis point improvement from the realization of selling price increases.
These improvements were partially offset by a 70 basis point increase in labor and overhead expenses as a percent of sales.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $49.8 million and 15.2% of net sales for the first six months of 2024 compared to $47.4 million and 14.3% of net sales for the same period in 2023.
SG&A expenses for the first six months of 2024 included $1.3 million of refinancing transaction costs and a $1.1 million gain on the sale of a fixed asset.
Amortization expense was $6.2 million for the first six months of 2024 compared to $6.4 million for the same period in 2023.
Operating income was $46.5 million for the first six months of 2024, resulting in an operating margin of 14.1%, compared to operating income of $43.4 million and operating margin of 13.1% for the same period in 2023.
Operating margin in the first six months of 2024 increased 100 basis points compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to improved cost of material, partially offset by increased labor, overhead, and SG&A expenses.
Interest expense was $19.1 million for the first six months of 2024 compared to $20.7 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in interest expense was due to a series of debt refinancing transactions the Company completed on May 31, 2024.
Other income (expense), net was $6.6 million of expense for the first six months of 2024 compared to $1.0 million of expense for the same period in 2023.
Other expense for the first six months of 2024 included a $4.4 million write-off of unamortized previously deferred debt financing fees and a $1.8 million prepayment fee related to the early retirement of the unsecured Subordinated Credit Facility.
Net income was $16.2 million, or $0.62 per share, for the first six months of 2024 compared to net income of $17.0 million, or $0.65 per share, for the first six months of 2023.
Adjusted earnings per share1 for the first six months of 2024 were $0.84 per share compared to $0.68 per share for the first six months of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $63.6 million and 19.4% of net sales for the first six months of 2024 compared to $62.1 million and 18.7% of net sales for the first six months of 2023.
The Company’s backlog of orders was $224.4 million at June 30, 2024 compared to $249.8 million at June 30, 2023 and $218.1 million at Dec. 31, 2023.
Incoming orders for the first six months of 2024 were $341.4 million, or an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period in 2023.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of 2024 was $33.4 million compared to $37.9 million for the same period in 2023 with the decrease driven by working capital needs.
Capital expenditures for the first six months of 2024 were $7.1 million and consisted primarily of machinery and equipment.
Capital expenditures for the full-year 2024 are presently planned to be approximately $20.0 million.
Total debt, net of cash, decreased $17.5 million during the first six months of 2024.
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 suppression, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), military and other liquid-handling applications.
Forward-looking statements
In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, The Gorman-Rupp Company provides the following cautionary statement:
This news release contains various forward-looking statements based on assumptions concerning The Gorman-Rupp Company’s operations, future results and prospects.
These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about important economic, political, and technological factors, among others, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.
Such uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our estimates of future earnings and cash flows, general economic conditions and supply chain conditions and any related impact on costs and availability of materials, integration of the Fill-Rite business in a timely and cost effective manner, retention of supplier and customer relationships and key employees, the ability to achieve synergies and cost savings in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated and the ability to service and repay indebtedness incurred in connection with the transaction.
Other factors include, but are not limited to: company specific risk factors including (1) loss of key personnel; (2) intellectual property security; (3) acquisition performance and integration; (4) the Company’s indebtedness and how it may impact the Company’s financial condition and the way it operates its business; (5) general risks associated with acquisitions; (6) the anticipated benefits from the Fill-Rite transaction may not be realized; (7) impairment in the value of intangible assets, including goodwill; (8) defined benefit pension plan settlement expense; (9) risk of reserve and expense increases resulting from the LIFO inventory method, and (10) family ownership of common equity; and general risk factors including (11) continuation of the current and projected future business environment; (12) highly competitive markets; (13) availability and costs of raw materials and labor; (14) cybersecurity threats; (15) compliance with, and costs related to, a variety of import and export laws and regulations; (16) environmental compliance costs and liabilities; (17) exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (18) conditions in foreign countries in which The Gorman-Rupp Company conducts business; (19) changes in our tax rates and exposure to additional income tax liabilities; and (20) risks described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to review or update any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments or otherwise.
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