Gorman-Rupp Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Net sales for the first quarter of 2020 were $91.7 million compared to net sales of $96.9 million for the first quarter of 2019, a decrease of 5.4 percent or $5.2 million. Domestic sales decreased 3.4 percent or $2.3 million and international sales decreased 9.8 percent or $2.9 million compared to the same period in 2019.

Sales in our water markets decreased 5.6 percent or $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. Sales in the fire protection market increased $2.2 million driven primarily by increased domestic shipments and sales in the agriculture market increased $0.8 million. These increases were offset by decreased sales in the construction market of $6.1 million driven primarily by softness in oil and gas drilling activity. Also, sales of repair parts decreased $0.5 million, and sales in the municipal market decreased $0.2 million.

Sales in our non-water markets decreased 4.9 percent or $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. Sales in the industrial market increased $0.1 million. This increase was offset by decreased sales in the petroleum market of $1.1 million driven primarily by reduced demand from midstream oil and gas customers and decreased sales in the OEM market of $0.4 million.

International sales were $26.3 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to $29.2 million in the same period last year and represented 29 percent and 30 percent of total sales, respectively. The decrease in international sales was across most of the markets the Company serves.

Gross profit was $23.4 million for the first quarter of 2020, resulting in gross margin of 25.6 percent, compared to gross profit of $23.3 million and gross margin of 24.1 percent for the same period in 2019. Gross margin improved 150 basis points due principally to lower material costs of 270 basis points as a result of the stabilization of material costs and selling price increases implemented in 2019 being fully realized. Partially offsetting these improvements was loss of leverage on fixed labor and overhead from lower sales volume compared to the first quarter of 2019.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $14.9 million and 16.2 percent of net sales for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $14.4 million and 14.8 percent of net sales for the same period in 2019. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased 140 basis points primarily as a result of trade show expenses and loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Operating income was $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2020, resulting in an operating margin of 9.4 percent, compared to operating income of $9.0 million and operating margin of 9.2 percent for the same period in 2019. Operating margin improved 20 basis points primarily as a result of lower material costs partially offset by loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Other income (expense), net was $1.7 million of expense for the first quarter of 2020 compared to income of $0.3 million for the same period in 2019. The increase to expense of $2.0 million was due primarily to a non-cash pension settlement loss of $1.5 million and $0.5 million of foreign exchange losses, which both occurred in the first quarter of 2020.

Net income was $5.5 million for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2019, and earnings per share were $0.21 and $0.28 for the respective periods. Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2020 included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.04 per share.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $113.8 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $120.8 million at March 31, 2019 and $105.0 million at December 31, 2019. Incoming orders decreased 3.3 percent compared to the same period in 2019 while increasing 3.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Incoming orders during the first quarter included an increase in the fire protection market but were down to the prior year across most other markets.

Capital expenditures for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 were $1.7 million and consisted primarily of machinery and equipment. Capital expenditures for the full-year 2020 are presently planned to be in the range of $10-$15 million.

Jeffrey S. Gorman, Chairman, President and CEO commented, “Unprecedented, pandemic, and COVID-19 are words you will see repeatedly in most companies reports this quarter. Gorman-Rupp is no exception and we are confident that we are prepared to meet the upcoming challenges of today. All of our facilities are currently operating as essential businesses, and we are closely following all national and local guidelines to provide for the health and safety of those working in these facilities. The transition for most of our office staff to “work from home” was accomplished with little disruption. While sales will likely continue to be challenging during these times, Gorman-Rupp is in a strong financial position with no debt and significant cash on hand. An infrastructure bill including investment in water, wastewater and flood control would be beneficial to us and the country. While we operate in a lean environment even during good economic conditions, contingency plans are in place to meet upcoming financial challenges arising from the pandemic, should they be necessary. For 87 years, taking care of our customers, employees and shareholders has been part of our core operating philosophy. Today is no exception.”