Gorman-Rupp Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Net sales during the third quarter of 2017 were $94.0 million compared to $91.3 million during the third quarter of 2016, an increase of 2.9% or $2.6 million. Excluding sales from the New Orleans Permanent Canal Closures & Pumps (“PCCP”) project of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $1.6 million for the same period in 2016, net sales increased 4.4% or $4.0 million. Domestic sales, excluding PCCP, increased 3.5% or $2.0 million while international sales increased 6.0% or $2.0 million compared to the same period in 2016.

Sales in our larger water markets, excluding PCCP, decreased 2.2% or $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Sales in the construction market increased $2.6 million due primarily to sales to rental market customers related to increased oil and gas drilling activity. This increase was offset by decreased sales in the municipal market of $2.2 million primarily driven by decreased shipments attributable to flood control projects, clean water and wastewater applications. In addition, sales in the fire protection market decreased $1.8 million due principally to market softness in the Middle East.

Sales increased 21.7% or $5.4 million in non-water markets during the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Sales in the industrial and petroleum markets increased a combined $3.2 million principally attributable to increased capital spending related to oil and gas drilling activity. Sales in the OEM market increased $2.2 million primarily related to power generation equipment and services.

Gross profit was $26.2 million for the third quarter of 2017, resulting in gross margin of 27.9%, compared to gross profit of $22.7 million and gross margin of 24.8% for the same period in 2016. Gross margin included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.3 million or 30 basis points in the third quarter of 2017 which did not occur in the third quarter of 2016. Excluding the non-cash pension settlement charge, the 340 basis point increase in gross margin was largely driven by favorable sales mix and lower manufacturing overhead expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) was $14.2 million and 15.2% of net sales for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $12.8 million and 14.0% of net sales for the same period in 2016. SG&A included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.1 million or 20 basis points in the third quarter of 2017. SG&A included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million or 110 basis points in the third quarter of 2016. Excluding these items, SG&A as a percentage of sales improved 10 basis points due principally to higher sales volume.

Operating income was $7.9 million, resulting in operating margin of 8.4% for the third quarter of 2017, compared to operating income of $9.9 million and operating margin of 10.8% for the same period in 2016. In the third quarter of 2017, due to decreasing demand for barge pumps for the marine transportation market, driven by low oil prices and overcapacity of inland barges, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $4.1 million or 440 basis points related to its Bayou City Pump Company reporting unit. These charges represented the full remaining amounts of the reporting unit’s goodwill and customer relationship intangible assets. The third quarter of 2017 also included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.4 million or 50 basis points which did not occur in the same period last year. In the third quarter of 2016, operating margin included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million or 110 basis points. Excluding these items, operating margin improved 360 basis points due principally to increased sales, favorable sales mix and lower manufacturing overhead expenses.

Net income was $5.7 million during the third quarter of 2017 compared to $6.9 million in the third quarter of 2016, and earnings per share were $0.22 and $0.27 for the respective periods. Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2017 included non-cash impairment charges of $0.10 per share and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.01 per share. Conversely, the third quarter of 2016 included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $0.03 per share.

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $284.5 million compared to $287.9 million during the same period in 2016, a decrease of 1.2% or $3.4 million. Excluding sales from the PCCP project of $0.8 million in the first nine months of 2017 and $9.5 million for the same period in 2016, net sales for the first nine months of 2017 increased 1.9% or $5.3 million. Domestic sales, excluding PCCP, increased by 0.1% or $0.2 million while international sales increased 5.2% or $5.1 million compared to the same period in 2016.

Sales in the first nine months of 2017 in our larger water markets, excluding PCCP, decreased 0.3% or $0.7 million compared to the first nine months of 2016. Sales in the construction market increased $7.2 million due primarily to sales to rental market customers, and sales of repair parts increased $1.8 million. Sales in the fire protection market decreased $5.1 million principally due to market softness domestically and in the Middle East, and sales in the agriculture market decreased $1.6 million principally due to low farm income and competitive pricing pressure. Sales in the municipal market decreased $3.0 million principally driven by decreased shipments attributable to flood control projects.

Sales in the first nine months of 2017 in our non-water markets increased 7.2% or $6.0 million compared to the first nine months of 2016. Sales increased $5.4 million in the industrial market driven by an increase in oil and gas drilling activity. Sales in the OEM market increased $2.6 million primarily related to power generation equipment and services and infrastructure spending driven by gas production. These increases were partially offset by decreased shipments of $2.0 million in the petroleum market driven by challenging market conditions.

Gross profit was $73.5 million for the first nine months of 2017, resulting in gross margin of 25.9%, compared to gross profit of $68.8 million and gross margin of 23.9% for the same period in 2016. Gross margin included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $2.5 million or 90 basis points in the first nine months of 2017 which did not occur in the first nine months of 2016. Excluding the non-cash pension settlement charge, gross margin increased by 290 basis points due principally to favorable sales mix, labor efficiency and lower warranty expense.

SG&A was $43.1 million and 15.2% of net sales for the first nine months of 2017 compared to $40.2 million and 14.0% of net sales for the same period in 2016. SG&A included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $1.3 million or 50 basis points in the first nine months of 2017 which did not occur in the same period last year. SG&A included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million or 40 basis points in the first nine months of 2016. Excluding these items, SG&A as a percentage of sales increased 30 basis points due principally to lower sales volume.

Operating income was $26.3 million, resulting in operating margin of 9.3% for the first nine months of 2017, compared to operating income of $28.6 million and operating margin of 9.9% for the same period in 2016. In the first nine months of 2017, operating margin included non-cash impairment charges of $4.1 million or 140 basis points and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $3.8 million or 140 basis points. In the first nine months of 2016, operating margin included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million or 30 basis points. Excluding these items, operating margin improved 250 basis points due principally to favorable sales mix, and lower labor and manufacturing overhead costs.

Net income was $18.6 million during the first nine months of 2017 compared to $19.8 million in the first nine months of 2016, and earnings per share were $0.71 and $0.76 for the respective periods. Earnings per share for the first nine months of 2017 included non-cash impairment charges of $0.10 per share and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.10 per share. Conversely, the first nine months of 2016 included a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $0.03 per share.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $111.4 million at September 30, 2017 compared to $102.8 million at September 30, 2016 and $98.8 million at December 31, 2016. Excluding the PCCP project in 2016, the backlog at September 30, 2017 increased 9.6% as compared to September 30, 2016.

Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2017 of $4.8 million consisted primarily of machinery and equipment. Capital expenditures for the full-year 2017 are presently planned to be in the range of $6 to $8 million and are expected to be financed through internally-generated funds.

Jeffrey S. Gorman, President and CEO commented, “Our third quarter results reflect continued solid operating performance with increased sales in most of our markets as compared to last year and strong gross and operating margins. Overall business conditions have continued to improve and we are optimistic about our incoming order rate. As we approach next year, our management team remains focused on long-term growth opportunities and strategic initiatives supported by our very strong balance sheet.”