Helios Technologies Second Quarter 2021 Revenue Grew 87% with Strong Organic Growth; Executing on Strategy to Achieve Accelerated Goals

• Organic growth of 37% achieved in the quarter driven by industry-best lead times, flexibility and new products
• Net income grew to $30.7 million, up 138% over the prior-year period and up 36% over the trailing first quarter
• Operating momentum gained from manufacturing strategies; protected profitability with targeted pricing actions; Adjusted EBITDA¹ margin expanded 310 basis points over prior-year period to 25.7%
• Diluted EPS of $0.95 up 138% from last year; Non-GAAP Cash EPS of $1.20 up 118%
• Strong cash generation and free cash flow; further reduced net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio to 2.16x²
• Raising revenue and margin expectations for 2021 even while anticipating continued supply chain challenges and material cost headwinds in second half

Helios Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIO) (“Helios” or the “Company”), a global leader in highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technology for diverse end markets, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended July 3, 2021. Results include BWG Holdings I Corp. (known as “Balboa Water Group” or “Balboa acquisition”), from the date of its acquisition on November 6, 2020.

Josef Matosevic, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We delivered excellent results in the quarter on all levels. The Helios team is executing very well on our plans to drive organic growth, generate cash, deliver top tier adjusted EBITDA margins and meet the accelerated goal that we recently outlined at our investor day to achieve $1 billion in revenue two years earlier than planned, by 2023. We believe we are gaining market share as we are providing best in class industry lead times, remaining agile in addressing customer requirements, and accelerating innovative new products. In addition, our manufacturing and operating strategies are gaining traction as we navigate supply chain challenges, material cost increases, and labor shortages to outpace the competition, delight our customers and protect our margins.”

He concluded, “Following the end of the quarter, we successfully closed the NEM acquisition. This acquisition accelerates the electrification of our global hydraulics product offering while leveraging the know-how of our Helios Center of Engineering Excellence. We are also advancing our electronics offering as a systems integrator in select niche markets. We believe our unique market position as a pure play electronics/hydraulics company provides us with competitive advantages as we pursue the many opportunities available to us.”

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Second Quarter 2021 Consolidated Results

See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Helios’s use of non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and certain non-recurring charges) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales) as well as reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP adjusted operating income and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and GAAP net income to non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Helios believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the non-GAAP measures described above help improve the understanding of its operating performance.

Sales

• Sales reflected strong demand across all markets, in particular agriculture, construction equipment, recreation, and health & wellness. Results included $60.2 million in sales from acquisitions. (See the table in this release that provides acquired revenue by segment by quarter).
• Strength in demand across all regions as markets recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Foreign currency translation adjustment on sales: $6.9 million favorable.

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit benefitted from increased volume during the quarter. Gross margin was driven by improved leverage on higher volume and manufacturing labor efficiencies. These tailwinds were offset by higher freight and raw material costs given the challenges with global supply chains. In addition, the business model of the Balboa acquisition has lower gross margins but higher operating margins.
• Selling, engineering and administrative (“SEA”) expenses: as a percentage of sales, improved 530 basis points to 14.5% compared with the 2020 second quarter and 40 basis points sequentially, reflecting both the business model of the Balboa acquisition and continued cost management initiatives.
• Amortization of intangible assets: $7.7 million was up from $4.4 million in the prior year reflecting the acquisition.

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $4.4 million in the quarter, up $1.5 million compared with the prior-year period due to higher debt balances.
• Effective tax rate: 17.6% compared with 4.7%, or 22.7% excluding certain one-time Italian tax benefits, in the prior-year period.

Net income, earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP net income and earnings per share: $30.7 million and $0.95 per share.
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: $1.20 compared with $0.55 last year on strong demand, operational efficiencies, and better-than-expected performance of the Balboa acquisition.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: improved 310 and 60 basis points to 25.7% compared with the prior-year and sequential period, respectively, due to higher volume and operational efficiencies.

First Half 2021 Consolidated Results

See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Helios’s use of non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and certain non-recurring charges) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales) as well as reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP adjusted operating income and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and GAAP net income to non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Helios believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the non-GAAP measures described above help improve the understanding of its operating performance.

Sales

• Sales reflected strong demand across all regions and markets, in particular agriculture, construction equipment, recreation, and health & wellness. Results included $116.5 million in sales related to acquisitions. (See the table in this release that provides acquired revenue by segment by quarter).
• Foreign currency translation adjustment on sales: $12.7 million favorable.

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit and margin were driven by higher volume and the mix of products sold offset by the headwinds related to supply chain challenges resulting in higher raw material and freight costs, and the business model of the Balboa acquisition.
• Selling, engineering and administrative (“SEA”) expenses: 14.7% as a percentage of sales, improved 510 basis points compared with the prior-year period, reflecting both the lower SEA expenses relative to sales for the acquisition and continued cost containment initiatives.
• Amortization of intangible assets: increased $9.1 million to $17.9 million from the prior year reflecting the Balboa acquisition.
• Goodwill impairment charge: last year’s first quarter included a $31.9 million impairment charge resulting from weakened market outlook primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $3.3 million increase to $9.2 million compared with the prior-year period reflecting higher debt balances.
• Effective tax rate: 20.1% compared with 15.0% in prior year, excludes non-taxable goodwill impairment charge, included certain one-time benefits in the second quarter of 2020 that reduced the effective tax rate for the period.

Net income, earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP net income and earnings per share: $53.3 million and $1.65 per share.
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: $2.18 compared with $1.11 in the prior-year period driven by strong demand, operational efficiencies, and strong performance of the Balboa acquisition.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: 25.4%, up 230 basis points compared with the prior-year period due higher volume and operational efficiencies.

Hydraulics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

Second Quarter Hydraulics Segment Review

• Higher sales in all regions were driven by demand from the construction, agriculture, mobile and industrial equipment end markets; foreign currency exchange rates had a $6.7 million favorable adjustment on sales.
• Gross margin of 38.3%, up 160 basis points, was driven by improved leverage on higher volume and production labor efficiencies.
• Operating margin improved 280 basis points, reflecting disciplined cost management efforts.

Electronics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

Second Quarter Electronics Segment Review

• Higher sales included $60.2 million related to the acquisition. Strong demand from health & wellness and recreational markets drove sales despite headwinds from supply chain constraints.
• Gross margin reflects the different business model of the Balboa acquisition, which has lower gross margins that are offset by a lower SEA expense structure. Additionally, raw material, freight, and logistics costs increased as a result of materials shortages and efforts to meet customer requirements on a timely basis.
• Operating margin of 21.7% demonstrates the business model of the Balboa acquisition, which has an inherently lower operating expense structure, and higher volume in the organic business. SEA expenses increased due to the incremental expenses from the acquisition.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

• Total debt was reduced by $25.3 million to $437.1 million from $462.4 million at January 2, 2021.
• Cash and cash equivalents at July 3, 2021 were $34.4 million, up $9.2 million from the end of 2020.
• Pro-forma net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA improved to 2.16x at the end of the second quarter 2021 compared with 3.0x (pro-forma for Balboa) at the end of 2020 demonstrating the Company’s ability to rapidly de-lever the balance sheet following an acquisition. At the end of the second quarter 2021, the Company had $161.4 million available on its revolving lines of credit.
• Net cash provided by operations increased $9.2 million, or 36.4%, to $34.5 million in the second quarter 2021 compared with the prior-year period.
• Capital expenditures were $5.3 million in the quarter, or approximately 2% of sales. The Company continues to expect to spend between $30 to $32 million in capital investments in 2021.
• Paid 99^th sequential quarterly cash dividend on July 20, 2021.

2021 Outlook

The following provides the Company’s expectations for 2021. This assumes constant currency, using quarter end rates, and that markets served are not further impacted by the global pandemic.

Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast tomorrow, August 10, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial and operating results and discuss its corporate strategies and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow. The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8573. The audio webcast will be available at www.heliostechnologies.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from approximately 12:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Tuesday, August 17, 2021. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13721131. The webcast replay will be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.heliostechnologies.com, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

About Helios Technologies

Helios Technologies is a global leader in highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technology for diverse end markets, including construction, material handling, agriculture, energy, recreational vehicles, marine, health and wellness. Helios sells its products to customers in over 90 countries around the world. Its strategy for growth is to be the leading provider in niche markets, with premier products and solutions through innovative product development and acquisition. The Company has paid a cash dividend to its shareholders every quarter since becoming a public company in 1997. For more information please visit: www.heliostechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward‐looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. They include statements regarding current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, our beliefs, and assumptions made by Helios Technologies, Inc. (“Helios” or the “Company”), its directors or its officers about the Company and the industry in which it operates, and assumptions made by management, and include among other items, (i) the Company’s strategies regarding growth, including its intention to develop new products and make acquisitions; (ii) the effectiveness of creating the Center of Engineering Excellence; (iii) the Company’s financing plans; (iv) trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; (v) the Company’s ability to continue to control costs and to meet its liquidity and other financing needs; (vi) the declaration and payment of dividends; and (vii) the Company’s ability to respond to changes in customer demand domestically and internationally, including as a result of standardization. In addition, we may make other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward‐looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) conditions in the capital markets, including the interest rate environment and the availability of capital; (ii) our failure to realize the benefits expected from the Balboa acquisition, our failure to promptly and effectively integrate the Balboa acquisition and the ability of Helios to retain and hire key personnel, and maintain relationships with suppliers (iii) risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks and similar outbreaks, including, without limitation, the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may among other things, adversely affect our supply chain and material costs and have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows; (iv) changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect the Company’s revenue and/or cost bases, such as increased competition, lack of qualified engineering, marketing, management or other personnel, and increased labor and raw materials costs; and (v) new product introductions, product sales mix and the geographic mix of sales nationally and internationally. Further information relating to factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated is included but not limited to information under the heading Item 1. “Business” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2021.

This news release will discuss some historical non-GAAP financial measures, which the Company believes are useful in evaluating its performance. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income recognized in a given period. You should not consider the inclusion of this additional information in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

This news release also presents forward-looking statements regarding non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA margin. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, the Company believes that such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company’s 2021 financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the Company’s actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.

Financial Tables Follow: