Gorman-Rupp Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Net sales for the second quarter of 2019 were $108.3 million compared to record net sales of $111.8 million for the second quarter of 2018, a decrease of 3.1 percent or $3.5 million. Domestic sales increased 4.6 percent or $3.3 million while international sales decreased 16.8 percent or $6.8 million compared to the same period in 2018.

Sales in our water markets decreased 4.8 percent or $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the second quarter of 2018. Sales in the fire protection market decreased $2.7 million driven primarily by softness in international markets. Sales in the municipal market decreased $0.9 million, and sales in the agriculture market decreased $0.5 million. These decreases were partially offset by increased sales in the construction market of $0.3 million.

Sales in our non-water markets increased 1.0 percent or $0.3 million during the second quarter of 2019 compared to the second quarter of 2018. Sales in the petroleum market increased $1.5 million driven primarily by mid-stream oil and gas customers, and sales in the OEM market increased $1.0 million primarily related to power generation equipment and services. These increases were partially offset by decreased sales in the industrial market of $2.2 million due primarily to softness in the upstream oil and gas market.

International sales were $33.5 million in the second quarter of 2019 compared to $40.3 million in the same period last year and represented 31 percent and 36 percent of total sales for the Company, respectively. International sales decreased $3.3 million in the fire protection market driven primarily by softness in the oil and gas industry and $1.7 million in the construction market due primarily to strong fleet orders last year that did not recur this year.
Gross profit was $28.2 million for the second quarter of 2019, resulting in gross margin of 26.0 percent, compared to gross profit of $29.9 million and gross margin of 26.7 percent for the same period in 2018. Material costs as a percentage of sales were flat in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the same period last year as selling price increases implemented at the beginning of 2019 were realized. The 70 basis points decrease in gross margin was due principally to the loss of leverage from lower sales volume compared to the second quarter of 2018.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $15.0 million and 13.8 percent of net sales for the second quarter of 2019 compared to $14.9 million and 13.3 percent of net sales for the same period in 2018. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased 50 basis points due principally to the loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Operating income was $13.2 million, resulting in operating margin of 12.2 percent, for the second quarter of 2019, compared to operating income of $15.0 million and operating margin of 13.4 percent for the same period in 2018. Operating margin decreased 120 basis points due principally to the loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

The Company’s effective tax rate increased to 22.0 percent for the second quarter of 2019 from 19.2 percent for the second quarter of 2018 due primarily to pension plan contributions made in the second quarter of 2018 which were eligible for tax deduction at the prior 35.0 percent federal corporate tax rate.

Net income was $10.5 million for the second quarter of 2019 compared to $10.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, and earnings per share were $0.40 and $0.39 for the respective periods. A non-cash pension settlement charge reduced second quarter of 2018 earnings by $0.07 per share.

Net sales for the first six months of 2019 were $205.2 million compared to $208.4 million for the first six months of 2018, a decrease of 1.6 percent or $3.2 million. Domestic sales increased 4.8 percent or $6.6 million while international sales decreased 13.5 percent or $9.8 million compared to the same period in 2018.

Sales in our water markets decreased 0.5 percent or $0.7 million in the first six months of 2019 compared to the first six months of 2018. Sales in the municipal market increased $3.7 million driven primarily by infrastructure needs domestically, and sales in the construction market increased $2.7 million due primarily to sales to rental market customers. These increases were offset by decreased sales in the fire protection market of $5.2 million driven by softness in international markets and in the agriculture market of $1.9 million primarily due to adverse weather conditions.

Sales in our non-water markets decreased 4.0 percent or $2.5 million during the first six months of 2019 compared to the first six months of 2018. Sales in the petroleum market increased $0.9 million driven primarily by mid-stream oil and gas customers. This increase was offset by decreased sales in the industrial market of $3.1 million due primarily to softness in the upstream oil and gas market and decreased sales in the OEM market of $0.3 million.

International sales were $62.7 million in the first six months of 2019 compared to $72.5 million in the same period last year and represented 31 percent and 35 percent of total sales for the Company, respectively. International sales decreased most notably in the fire protection, municipal and construction markets.

Gross profit was $51.5 million for the first six months of 2019, resulting in gross margin of 25.1 percent, compared to gross profit of $56.1 million and gross margin of 26.9 percent for the same period in 2018. Gross margin decreased 180 basis points largely as a result of material cost increases due to inflation, tariffs and higher freight costs. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2019 improved from the first quarter of 2019 as selling price increases implemented at the beginning of the year were more fully realized.

SG&A expenses were $29.4 million and 14.3 percent of net sales for the first six months of 2019 compared to $29.2 million and 14.0 percent of net sales for the same period in 2018. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased 30 basis points primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Operating income was $22.2 million, resulting in operating margin of 10.8 percent, for the first six months of 2019, compared to operating income of $26.8 million and operating margin of 12.9 percent for the same period in 2018. Operating margin decreased 210 basis points due principally to material cost increases, which were partially offset by selling price increases.

Net income was $17.7 million for the first six months of 2019 compared to $19.8 million in the first six months of 2018, and earnings per share were $0.68 and $0.76 for the respective periods. The first six months of 2018 earnings were reduced by non-cash pension settlement charges of $0.08 per share.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $107.0 million at June 30, 2019 compared to $128.9 million at June 30, 2018 and $113.7 million at December 31, 2018. The backlog at June 30, 2019 decreased 17.0 percent as compared to June 30, 2018 driven by decreased incoming orders in several of the markets the Company serves, most notably in the fire protection, construction, industrial and municipal markets.

Capital expenditures for the first six months of 2019 were $3.5 million and consisted primarily of machinery and equipment. Capital expenditures for the full-year 2019 are presently planned to be in the range of $15-$20 million.

Jeffrey S. Gorman, Chairman, President and CEO commented, “We were pleased with the improvement in earnings in the second quarter as our gross margin benefited from selling price increases that were implemented at the beginning of the year. However, our incoming order rate softened, reducing our backlog, which will make top line growth more challenging in the second half of the year. Global economic conditions impacted our international markets, while adverse weather in many parts of the U.S. put pressure on construction projects and the agriculture market. On the positive side, interest in flood control continues to increase and is encouraging for the future. We remain focused on our long-term strategic initiatives, including continuing to look for the right acquisition opportunities.”