Brady Corporation Reports Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter Results and Announces its Fiscal 2018 EPS Guidance


  • Organic revenues increased 3.0 percent for the quarter ended July 31, 2017.
  • Earnings before income taxes increased 12.2 percent to $35.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to $32.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
  • Earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share were $0.48 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to $0.49 in the same quarter of the prior year.
  • Earnings per diluted Class A Common Share guidance for the full year ending July 31, 2018 announced at a range of $1.85 to $1.95. 

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC) (“Brady” or “Company”), a world leader in identification solutions, today reported its financial results for its fiscal 2017 fourth quarter ended July 31, 2017. 

Quarter Ended July 31, 2017 Financial Results:
Net earnings for the quarter ended July 31, 2017, were $25.2 million compared to $25.1 million in the same quarter last year.  Net earnings were significantly impacted by quarterly fluctuations in the income tax rate which was 29.7 percent for the quarter ended July 31, 2017, and 21.5 percent for the quarter ended July 31, 2016.  Earnings before income taxes increased 12.2 percent to $35.9 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2017 compared to $32.0 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2016.

Earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share were $0.48 for the quarter ended July 31, 2017, compared to $0.49 in the same quarter last year. 

Sales for the quarter ended July 31, 2017, increased 2.5 percent to $289.2 million compared to $282.1 million in the same quarter last year.  Total organic sales increased 3.0 percent and the impact of foreign currency translation decreased sales by 0.5 percent.  By segment, organic sales increased 4.4 percent in Identification Solutions and decreased 0.6 percent in Workplace Safety.

Year Ended July 31, 2017 Financial Results:
Net earnings for the year ended July 31, 2017, were $95.6 million compared to $80.1 million last year.  Earnings before income taxes increased 15.8 percent to $126.6 million for the year ended July 31, 2017, compared to $109.3 million last year.

Earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share were $1.84 for the year ended July 31, 2017, compared to $1.58 last year.

Sales for the year ended July 31, 2017, decreased 0.7 percent to $1.11 billion compared to $1.12 billion last year.  Total organic sales increased 0.5 percent and foreign currency translation decreased sales by 1.2 percent.  By segment, organic sales increased 1.6 percent in Identification Solutions and decreased 2.0 percent in Workplace Safety.

Commentary:
“We finished fiscal 2017 with our eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement in pre-tax earnings.  This is a direct result of our organic sales growth, our consistent focus on driving efficiencies throughout our SG&A structure, and our improved manufacturing processes,” said Brady’s President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Nauman.  “Organic sales growth was 3.0 percent this quarter.  Our Identification Solutions business was the driver of our organic sales growth and is where we have been investing the most in the development of innovative new products.  This is beginning to generate improved organic sales trends.  Our priorities for fiscal 2018 remain unchanged, which are to grow our pipeline of innovative new products, accelerate organic sales growth, provide excellent customer service and deliver operational efficiencies throughout our business.  We continue to focus on the long-term by taking actions today that we believe will result in sustainable organic sales growth into the future.”

“The benefits from our organic sales growth were supplemented by our focus on operational efficiencies, our drive for sustainable efficiency gains in our general and administrative cost structure, and a strong focus on cash generation,” said Brady’s Chief Financial Officer, Aaron Pearce.  “During the year ended July 31, 2017, we increased our pre-tax earnings by 15.8 percent, increased net earnings by 19.4 percent, and generated $144.0 million of cash from operating activities, which represents 151 percent of net earnings.  Our cash generation was primarily used to return funds to our shareholders in the form of dividends and to strengthen our balance sheet.  We finished the year in a net cash position of $26.2 million compared to a net debt position of $75.7 million at the start of this fiscal year.  Our balance sheet provides significant flexibility for investments to drive long-term shareholder value.”

Fiscal 2018 Guidance:
The Company anticipates organic sales to increase in the low-single digits for the year ending July 31, 2018.  Brady expects earnings per diluted Class A Common Share to range from $1.85 to $1.95.  This guidance is based upon a full-year income tax rate of approximately 27 percent to 29 percent, which is higher than fiscal 2017, and depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $26 million.  The Company expects to continue to achieve efficiency gains in its manufacturing facilities and in selling, general and administrative expenses while increasing investments in research and development expenses by approximately 10 percent when compared to fiscal 2017.  Capital expenditures are anticipated to be approximately $30 million during the year ending July 31, 2018.  The Company’s fiscal 2018 guidance is based on foreign currency exchange rates as of July 31, 2017.

A webcast regarding Brady’s fiscal 2017 fourth quarter financial results will be available at www.bradycorp.com beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central Time today.

Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places.  Brady’s products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software.  Founded in 1914, the Company has a diverse customer base in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, medical, aerospace and a variety of other industries.  Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as of July 31, 2017, employed approximately 6,300 people in its worldwide businesses.  Brady’s fiscal 2017 sales were approximately $1.11 billion.  Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC.  More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com.

In this news release, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.

The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  For Brady, uncertainties arise from:  our ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute our strategy; Brady’s ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands; difficulties in protecting our websites, networks, and systems against security breaches; deterioration or instability in the global economy and financial markets; decreased demand for our products; Brady’s ability to retain large customers; risks associated with the loss of key employees; changes in tax legislation and tax rates; Brady’s ability to execute facility consolidations and maintain acceptable operational service metrics; extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities; litigation, including product liability claims; divestitures and contingent liabilities from divestitures; Brady’s ability to properly identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies; foreign currency fluctuations; potential write-offs of Brady’s substantial intangible assets; differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders; Brady’s ability to meet certain financial covenants required by our debt agreements; numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of Brady’s Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2016.

These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES        
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS        
(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except per share data)        
         
 Three months ended July 31, Year ended July 31, 
  2017   2016     2017   2016  
Net sales  $  289,212  $  282,106  $  1,113,316  $  1,120,625  
Cost of products sold  145,345    141,017    555,024    561,852  
Gross margin  143,867    141,089    558,292    558,773  
Operating expenses:        
Research and development  11,047    9,268    39,624    35,799  
Selling, general and administrative  96,525    98,418    387,653    405,096  
Total operating expenses  107,572    107,686    427,277    440,895  
         
Operating income   36,295    33,403    131,015    117,878  
         
Other income (expense):        
Investment and other income (expense)   561    321    1,121    (709) 
Interest expense  (939)   (1,705)   (5,504)   (7,824) 
         
Earnings before income taxes  35,917    32,019    126,632    109,345  
         
Income tax expense  10,675    6,883    30,987    29,235  
         
Net earnings$  25,242  $  25,136  $  95,645  $  80,110  
         
Net earnings per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:        
Basic $  0.49  $  0.50  $  1.87  $  1.59  
Diluted $  0.48  $  0.49  $  1.84  $  1.58  
Dividends$  0.21  $  0.20  $  0.82  $  0.81  
         
Net earnings per Class B Voting Common Share:        
Basic $  0.49  $  0.50  $  1.86  $  1.57  
Diluted $  0.48  $  0.49  $  1.83  $  1.56  
Dividends$  0.21  $  0.20  $  0.80  $  0.79  
         
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):              
Basic  51,307    50,355    51,056    50,541  
Diluted  52,180    50,834    51,956    50,769  

 

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS   
(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)   
    
 July 31, 2017 July 31, 2016
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents $  133,944   $  141,228 
Accounts receivable—net  149,638    147,333 
Inventories:   
Finished products  69,760    64,313 
Work-in-process  18,117    16,678 
Raw materials and supplies  19,147    18,436 
Total inventories  107,024    99,427 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  17,208    19,436 
Total current assets  407,814    407,424 
Other assets:   
Goodwill  437,697    429,871 
Other intangible assets  53,076    59,806 
Deferred income taxes  35,456    27,238 
Other  18,077    17,181 
Property, plant and equipment:   
Cost:   
Land  7,470    5,809 
Buildings and improvements  98,228    95,355 
Machinery and equipment  261,192    256,549 
Construction in progress  4,109    2,842 
   370,999    360,555 
Less accumulated depreciation  272,896    258,111 
Property, plant and equipment—net  98,103    102,444 
Total$  1,050,223  $  1,043,964 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT   
Current liabilities:   
Notes payable$  3,228  $  4,928 
Accounts payable  66,817    62,245 
Wages and amounts withheld from employees  58,192    45,998 
Taxes, other than income taxes  7,970    7,403 
Accrued income taxes  7,373    6,136 
Other current liabilities  43,618    40,017 
Total current liabilities  187,198    166,727 
Long-term obligations  104,536    211,982 
Other liabilities  58,349    61,657 
Total liabilities  350,083    440,366 
Stockholders’ investment:   
Common stock:   
Class A nonvoting common stock—Issued 51,261,487 shares and outstanding 47,814,818 and 46,920,974 shares, respectively            513    513 
Class B voting common stock—Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares  35    35 
Additional paid-in capital  322,608    317,001 
Earnings retained in the business  507,136    453,371 
Treasury stock—3,446,669 and 4,340,513 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost  (85,470)   (108,714)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (44,682)   (54,745)
Other  —    (3,863)
Total stockholders’ investment  700,140    603,598 
Total$  1,050,223  $  1,043,964 

 

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES    
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS    
(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)    
     
 Year ended July 31, 
  2017   2016  
Operating activities:    
Net earnings $  95,645   $  80,110  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:                    
Depreciation and amortization  27,303    32,432  
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense  9,495    8,154  
Deferred income taxes  (8,618)   2,085  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable  766    8,159  
Inventories  (5,687)   4,833  
Prepaid expenses and other assets  1,812    475  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  22,255    3,928  
Income taxes  1,061    (1,200) 
Net cash provided by operating activities  144,032    138,976  
     
Investing activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (15,167)   (17,140) 
Other  (86)   1,724  
Net cash used in investing activities  (15,253)   (15,416) 
     
Financing activities:    
Payment of dividends  (41,880)   (40,808) 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  19,728    5,246  
Purchases of treasury stock  —    (23,552) 
Proceeds from borrowing on credit facilities  180,320    96,276  
Repayment of borrowing on credit facilities  (244,268)   (91,759) 
Principal payments on debt  (49,302)   (42,514) 
Debt issuance costs  —    (803) 
Income tax on equity-based compensation, and other  (839)   (1,662) 
Net cash used in financing activities  (136,241)   (99,576) 
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  178    2,752  
     
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (7,284)   26,736  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  141,228    114,492  
     
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$  133,944  $  141,228  
     
Supplemental disclosures:    
Cash paid during the period for:    
Interest$  5,766  $  8,528  
Income taxes  31,885    28,497  

 

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES        
SEGMENT INFORMATION        
(Unaudited; Dollars in Thousands)        
         
 Three Months Ended July 31, Year Ended July 31, 
  2017   2016   2017   2016  
SALES        
ID Solutions  $  211,286   $  203,229   $  800,392   $  795,511  
Workplace Safety   77,926     78,877     312,924     325,114  
Total$  289,212  $  282,106  $  1,113,316  $  1,120,625  
         
SALES INFORMATION        
ID Solutions        
Organic 4.4%  (0.6)%  1.6%  (0.7)% 
Currency (0.4)%  (1.2)%  (1.0)%  (3.1)% 
Total 4.0%  (1.8)%  0.6%  (3.8)% 
Workplace Safety        
Organic (0.6)%  (1.8)%  (2.0)%  (0.7)% 
Currency (0.6)%  (1.8)%  (1.7)%  (5.0)% 
Total (1.2)%  (3.6)%  (3.7)%  (5.7)% 
Total Company        
Organic 3.0%  (0.9)%  0.5%  (0.7)% 
Currency (0.5)%  (1.4)%  (1.2)%  (3.7)% 
Total 2.5%  (2.3)%  (0.7)%  (4.4)% 
         
SEGMENT PROFIT        
ID Solutions$  35,896  $  31,891  $  130,572  $  112,276  
Workplace Safety   7,939     9,102     25,554     30,792  
Total$  43,835  $  40,993  $  156,126  $  143,068  
SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF SALES                                            
ID Solutions 17.0%  15.7%  16.3%  14.1% 
Workplace Safety 10.2%  11.5%  8.2%  9.5% 
Total 15.2%  14.5%  14.0%  12.8% 
         
         
 Three Months Ended July 31, Year Ended July 31, 
  2017   2016   2017   2016  
Total segment profit$  43,835  $  40,993  $  156,126  $  143,068  
Unallocated amounts:        
Administrative costs   (7,540)    (7,590)    (25,111)    (25,190) 
Investment and other income (expense)   561     321     1,121     (709) 
Interest expense   (939)    (1,705)    (5,504)    (7,824) 
Earnings before income taxes$  35,917  $  32,019  $  126,632  $  109,345  

            

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