Gorman-Rupp Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

The Gorman-Rupp Company (NYSE: GRC) reports financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Net sales of $168.2 million increased 0.4%, or $0.7 million, compared to the third quarter of 2023
• Third quarter net income was $12.9 million, or $0.49 per share, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.34 per share, for the third quarter of 2023
• Gross margin improved 260 basis points
• Interest expense decreased $2.7 million or 25.9% primarily due to debt refinanced in the second quarter of 2024
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $32.0 million for the third quarter of 2024 increased $1.5 million, or 5.1%, from $30.5 million for the same period in 2023
• Jeffrey S. Gorman will transition from Executive Chairman to Chairman of the Board effective January 3, 2025

Net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $168.2 million compared to net sales of $167.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 0.4% or $0.7 million. The increase in sales was due to the impact of pricing increases taken in the first quarter of 2024 partially offset by a decrease in volume.

Sales increased $5.4 million in the municipal market due to domestic flood control and wastewater projects related to increased infrastructure investment, $2.3 million in the repair market also related to domestic flood control and wastewater projects, $1.8 million in the OEM market primarily related to computer cooling, and $1.2 million in the petroleum market primarily driven by increased international refueling applications. These increases were offset by a sales decrease of $4.4 million in the fire suppression market primarily resulting from backlog returning to more normal levels. Fire suppression sales in 2023 were up significantly compared to 2022 as the Company was working to return backlog and lead times to normal levels, which resulted in higher 2023 sales and a tougher year-over-year comparison for 2024. Sales for the third quarter of 2024 also decreased $3.8 million in the industrial market and $1.1 million in the construction market due to slower construction activity and $0.7 million in the agriculture market primarily driven by a significant decline in farm income.

Gross profit was $52.7 million for the third quarter of 2024, resulting in gross margin of 31.3%, compared to gross profit of $48.1 million and gross margin of 28.7% for the same period in 2023. The 260 basis point increase in gross margin included a 240 basis point improvement in cost of material, which consisted of a reduction in LIFO² expense of 40 basis points and a 200 basis point improvement from the realization of selling price increases. The increase in gross margin also included a 20 basis point improvement on labor and overhead leverage.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $25.7 million and 15.3% of net sales for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $23.2 million and 13.9% of net sales for the same period in 2023. SG&A expenses increased due to payroll and payroll related costs, including healthcare costs, as well as increased selling activity.

Operating income was $23.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, resulting in an operating margin of 14.2%, compared to operating income of $21.9 million and operating margin of 13.1% for the same period in 2023. Operating margin in the third quarter of 2024 increased 110 basis points compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to improved cost of material, partially offset by increased SG&A expenses.

Interest expense was $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in interest expense was due primarily to a series of refinancing transactions the Company completed on May 31, 2024.

Net income was $12.9 million, or $0.49 per share, for the third quarter of 2024 compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.34 per share, in the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $32.0 million and 19.0 % of sales for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $30.5 million and 18.2% of sales for the third quarter of 2023.

Year to date 2024 Highlights

• Net sales of $496.9 million decreased 0.4%, or $2.0 million, compared to 2023
• Net income was $29.1 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to net income of $26.0 million, or $0.99 per share, in 2023
  • Adjusted earnings per share¹ for 2024 and 2023 were $1.33 and $1.02, respectively
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $95.6 million for 2024 increased $3.0 million, or 3.3%, from $92.6 million in 2023
• Total debt, net of cash, decreased $37.6 million further improving leverage

Net sales for the first nine months of 2024 were $496.9 million compared to net sales of $498.9 million for the first nine months of 2023, a decrease of 0.4% or $2.0 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 $14.8 million in the municipal market due to domestic flood control and wastewater projects related to increased infrastructure investment, $3.5 million in the repair market also related to domestic flood control and wastewater projects, $3.2 million in the OEM market primarily related to computer cooling, and $1.9 million in the petroleum market primarily driven by increased international refueling applications. Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $16.5 million in the fire suppression market primarily resulting from backlog returning to more normal levels. Fire suppression sales in 2023 were up significantly compared to 2022 as the Company was working to return backlog and lead times to normal levels, which resulted in higher 2023 sales and a tougher year-over-year comparison for 2024. Fire suppression incoming orders for the first nine months of 2024 were up 3.5% when compared to the first nine months of 2023. Sales for the first nine months of 2024 also decreased $4.8 million in the industrial market, and $1.1 million in the construction market due to slower construction activity, and $3.0 million in the agriculture market primarily driven by significant declines in farm income.

Gross profit was $155.1 million for the first nine months of 2024, resulting in gross margin of 31.2%, compared to gross profit of $145.3 million and gross margin of 29.1% for the same period in 2023. The 210 basis point increase in gross margin included a 250 basis point improvement in cost of material, which consisted of a reduction in LIFO² expense of 60 basis points, a favorable impact of 20 basis points related to the amortization of acquired Fill-Rite customer backlog which occurred in 2023 and did not reoccur in 2024, and a 170 basis point improvement from the realization of selling price increases. These improvements were partially offset by a 40 basis point increase in labor and overhead expenses as a percent of sales.

SG&A expenses were $75.5 million and 15.2% of net sales for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $70.7 million and 14.2% of net sales for the same period in 2023. SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2024 included $1.3 million of refinancing transaction costs and a $1.1 million gain on the sale of a fixed asset. SG&A expenses increased due to payroll and payroll related costs, including healthcare costs, as well as increased selling activity.

Operating income was $70.4 million for the first nine months of 2024, resulting in an operating margin of 14.2%, compared to operating income of $65.3 million and operating margin of 13.1% for the same period in 2023. Operating margin in the first nine months of 2024 increased 110 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 $26.9 million for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $31.1 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in interest expense was due primarily to a series of debt refinancing transactions the Company completed on May 31, 2024. In addition to reducing interest expense, the refinancing 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 $100.0 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 $6.7 million of expense for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $1.4 million of expense for the same period in 2023. Other expense for the first nine 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 $29.1 million, or $1.11 per share, for the first nine months of 2024 compared to net income of $26.0 million, or $0.99 per share, for the first nine months of 2023. Adjusted earnings per share¹ for the first nine months of 2024 were $1.33 per share compared to $1.02 per share for the first nine months of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $95.6 million and 19.2% of net sales for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $92.6 million and 18.6% of net sales for the first nine months of 2023.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $207.8 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $237.5 million at September 30, 2023 and $218.1 million at December 31, 2023. Incoming orders for the first nine months of 2024 were $496.1 million, or an increase of 4.1%, compared to the same period in 2023.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2024 was $60.6 million compared to $71.7 million for the same period in 2023 with the decrease driven by working capital needs. Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2024 were $10.3 million and consisted primarily of machinery and equipment. Capital expenditures for the full-year 2024 are presently planned to be approximately $18 - $20 million. Total debt, net of cash, decreased $37.6 million during the first nine months of 2024.

Scott A. King, President and CEO commented, “We continued to achieve gross margin and earnings improvement despite a nominal increase in sales compared to last year. In addition to the improvement in gross margin, interest expense in the third quarter decreased significantly from last year due to the refinancing transactions we completed during the second quarter. As a result of these improvements, we saw a 44% increase in earnings over last year. Our operating results allowed us to improve our debt, net of cash, by $20 million during the quarter, further improving leverage. Our year-to-date incoming orders are exceeding last year’s pace and are up just over 4%. As expected, we reduced our backlog during the quarter, however our backlog still remains at healthy levels as we head into the fourth quarter.”

Jeffrey S. Gorman transition to Chairman of the Board

Effective January 3, 2025, his 47th anniversary of working for Gorman-Rupp, Jeffrey S. Gorman, age 72, will transition from Executive Chairman of the Board to Chairman of the Board. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gorman will continue to provide valuable insights and governance oversight while working closely with the Board of Directors and the executive team in supporting the Company’s long-term strategic objectives.

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.

(1) Non-GAAP Information

This release includes certain non-GAAP financial data and measures such as adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Adjusted earnings is earnings excluding amortization of customer backlog, write-off of unamortized previously deferred debt financing fees, and refinancing costs. Adjusted earnings per share is earnings per share excluding amortization of customer backlog per share, write-off of unamortized previously deferred debt financing fees per share, and refinancing costs per share. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is net income (loss) excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude amortization of customer backlog, write-off of unamortized previously deferred debt financing fees, refinancing costs, and non-cash LIFO² expense. Management utilizes these adjusted financial data and measures to assess comparative operations against those of prior periods without the distortion of non-comparable factors. The inclusion of these adjusted measures should not be construed as an indication that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items or that the items for which the Company has made adjustments are unusual or infrequent or will not recur. Further, the impact of the LIFO² inventory costing method can cause results to vary substantially from company to company depending upon whether they elect to utilize LIFO² and depending upon which method they may elect. The Gorman-Rupp Company believes that these non-GAAP financial data and measures also will be useful to investors in assessing the strength of the Company’s underlying operations and liquidity from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to replace GAAP financial measures, and they are not necessarily standardized or comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Provided later in this release is a reconciliation of adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted EBITDA to their respective corresponding GAAP financial measures, which includes descriptions of actual adjustments made in the current period and the corresponding prior period.

(2) LIFO Inventory Method

The majority of the Company’s inventories are valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method and stated at the lower of cost or market. Current cost approximates replacement cost, or market, and LIFO cost is determined at the end of each fiscal year based on inventory levels on-hand at current replacement cost and a LIFO reserve. The Company uses the simplified LIFO method, under which the LIFO reserve is determined utilizing the inflation factor specified in the Producer Price Index for Machinery and Equipment – Pumps, Compressors and Equipment, as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimate of the expected year-end inflation index and, as such, are subject to adjustment each quarter. When inflation increases, the LIFO reserve and non-cash expense increase.

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 LIFO² 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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