MILWAUKEE, Wis. , Oct. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (“STRATTEC” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:STRT) today reported operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 29, 2019.
First Quarter Highlights
For further information, see the Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation tables, along with the explanatory note following the table, included in this release.
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES | ||||||
(in thousands, except earnings per share data) | ||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||
September 29, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | |||||
Gross profit (GAAP measure) | $ | 15,886 | $ | 15,183 | ||
Compensation charge, pre-tax | 1,366 | - | ||||
Adjusted gross profit (Non-GAAP measure) | $ | 17,252 | $ | 15,183 | ||
Engineering, selling & administrative | ||||||
expenses (GAAP measure) | $ | 12,954 | $ | 11,031 | ||
Compensation charge, pre-tax | 862 | - | ||||
Adjusted engineering, selling & | ||||||
administrative expenses (Non-GAAP measure) | $ | 12,092 | $ | 11,031 | ||
Operating income (GAAP measure) | $ | 2,932 | $ | 4,152 | ||
Compensation charge, pre-tax | 2,228 | - | ||||
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) | $ | 5,160 | $ | 4,152 | ||
Net income (GAAP measure) | $ | 1,244 | $ | 3,467 | ||
Compensation charge, net of tax | 1,704 | - | ||||
Favorable tax adjustment related to “Tax Reform 2017” | - | (372 | ) | |||
Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP measure) | $ | 2,948 | $ | 3,095 | ||
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP measure) | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.93 | ||
Compensation charge, net of tax | 0.46 | - | ||||
Favorable tax adjustment related to “Tax Reform 2017” | - | (0.10) | ||||
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP measure) | $ | 0.79 | $ | 0.83 | ||
Frank Krejci, President and CEO commented: “I am pleased to report that we are making significant progress in our current capital allocation strategy to strengthen our balance sheet by paying down debt. Our very strong Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities this quarter of $15 million was used to reduce debt by $6 million, which followed $9 million of debt reduction in fiscal 2019. That is a 29% debt reduction in the last 15 months.
While the non-cash compensation expense charges and UAW/General Motors strike are having a negative impact in this quarter and the upcoming quarter, we are pleased with our improving manufacturing efficiencies, particularly in the ramping up of our Leon, Mexico facility.”
First Quarter
Net sales for the first quarter ended September 29, 2019 were $120.0 million, compared to net sales of $117.2 million for the first quarter ended September 30, 2018. Net income was $1,244,000 (adjusted net income of $2.9 million) in the current year quarter, compared to net income of $3.5 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter were $0.33 ($0.79 adjusted diluted earnings per share) compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.93 ($0.83 adjusted diluted earnings per share) in the prior year quarter.
The lower tax provision in the prior year quarter as compared to the current year quarter was attributed to a favorable tax adjustment in the prior year period due to the impact of the new Federal tax law change generally referred to as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017”, which reduced the income tax provision by $372,000 and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.10 in the prior year quarter in comparison to the current year quarter.
Net sales to each of our customers in the current year quarter and prior year quarter were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
September 29, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | |||||||
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles | $ | 25,842 | $ | 30,297 | ||||
General Motors Company | 33,838 | 25,287 | ||||||
Ford Motor Company | 15,812 | 15,523 | ||||||
Tier 1 Customers | 17,747 | 17,816 | ||||||
Commercial and Other OEM Customers | 21,346 | 20,928 | ||||||
Hyundai / Kia | 5,737 | 7,308 | ||||||
TOTAL | $ | 119,962 | $ | 117,159 | ||||
Sales to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in the current year quarter decreased over the same period in the prior year quarter due primarily to lower vehicle production volumes on the FCA minivans for which we supply multiple components. The increase in sales to General Motors Company in the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter related primarily to higher production volumes and content on products we supply to their business. As reported in the first quarter highlights section, the impact of the General Motors UAW strike impacted net sales by an estimated $3.0 million in the current year quarter. Sales to the Ford Motor Company and Tier 1 Customers were flat in the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter. Sales to Commercial and Other OEM Customers during the current year quarter increased slightly in comparison to the prior year quarter mainly due to higher sales volumes related to our Aftermarket business. These customers, along with the Tier 1 Customers, primarily represent purchasers of vehicle access control products, such as latches, fobs, driver controls and door handles that we have developed in recent years to complement our historic core business of locks and keys. The decreased sales to Hyundai / Kia in the current year quarter were principally due to lower levels of production on the Kia Sedona minivan for which we supply components.
Adjusted Gross Profit margins improved to 14.3% in the current year quarter compared to 13.0% in the prior year quarter primarily due to improvements in operations at our paint and assembly facility in Leon, Mexico which was partially offset by the Mexican minimum wage increase that took effect in the beginning of the calendar year.
Adjusted Engineering, Selling and Administrative expenses as a percent of net sales in the current year quarter were 10.1% compared to 9.4% in the prior year quarter. The increase in overall operating expense spending in the current year quarter was primarily due to new product development costs. During the current year quarter, we utilized third party vendors for a portion of our development work, which resulted in higher operating expenses as compared to the prior year quarter.
Included in Other Income (Expense), Net in the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter were the following items (in thousands of dollars):
September 29, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
Equity Earnings of VAST LLC Joint Venture | $ | 487 | $ | 915 | |||
Equity Earnings (Loss) of STRATTEC Advanced Logic, LLC | (3 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss) | 20 | 31 | ) | ||||
Other | (117 | ) | (214 | ) | |||
$ | 387 | $ | 664 | ||||
The reduction in equity earnings of VAST LLC in the current year quarter primarily related to higher development costs for new programs and the costs incurred by VAST LLC in connection with breaking ground for the new plant in Jingzhou, China, which we believe will give VAST added capacity, efficiencies and a broader geographic footprint in the China market going forward. Both of these events resulted in lower profitability in our VAST China operation during the current year quarter as compared to the same period in the prior year. VAST LLC, (including VAST China) is a crucial part of our global strategy and we anticipate that it will contribute to our overall long term market and financial strength as it continues to grow.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (referred to as Non-GAAP), specifically “adjusted net income,” “adjusted gross profit,” “adjusted engineering, selling & administrative expenses,” “adjusted operating income” and “adjusted diluted earnings per share.” “Adjusted net income” is defined as net (loss) income attributable to STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION shareholders excluding the compensation expense charges, net of tax (i.e., on an after tax basis), and excluding a favorable tax adjustment relating to “Tax Reform 2017”. “Adjusted diluted earnings per share” is defined as “Adjusted net income” divided by average diluted shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. “Adjusted gross profit” is defined as gross profit excluding the compensation expense charges, all on a pre-tax basis. “Adjusted engineering, selling & administrative expenses” is defined as engineering, selling & administrative expenses excluding the compensation expense charges, all on a pre-tax basis. “Adjusted operating income” is defined as operating income excluding the compensation expense charges, all on a pre-tax basis. The Company believes that these Non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating STRATTEC’s performance and are important measures by which STRATTEC’s management is able to assess the profitability and liquidity of STRATTEC’s business. These Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance. These Non-GAAP measures may be different than Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
STRATTEC designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive Access Control Products, including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products. These products are provided to customers in North America, and on a global basis through a unique strategic relationship with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under this relationship, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market each company’s products to global customers under the “VAST Automotive Group” brand name. STRATTEC’s history in the automotive business spans over 110 years.
Certain statements contained in this release contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” and “would.” Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties in the Company’s operations and business environment. These uncertainties include general economic conditions, in particular, relating to the automotive industry, consumer demand for the Company’s and its customers’ products, competitive and technological developments, customer purchasing actions, changes in warranty provisions and customers’ product recall policies, foreign currency fluctuations, uncertainties stemming from U.S. trade policies, tariffs and reaction to same from foreign countries and costs of operations (including fluctuations in the cost of raw materials). Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. In addition, such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed further in the Company’s quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION | |||||||
Results of Operations | |||||||
(In Thousands except per share amounts) | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
First Quarter Ended | |||||||
September 29, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
Net Sales | $ | 119,962 | $ | 117,159 | |||
Cost of Goods Sold | 104,076 | 101,976 | |||||
Gross Profit | 15,886 | 15,183 | |||||
Engineering, Selling & | |||||||
Administrative Expenses | 12,954 | 11,031 | |||||
Income from Operations | 2,932 | 4,152 | |||||
Interest Expense | (340 | ) | (407 | ) | |||
Other Income, Net | 387 | 664 | |||||
Income before Provision for Income | |||||||
Taxes and Non-Controlling Interest | 2,979 | 4,409 | |||||
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | 299 | (20 | ) | ||||
Net Income | 2,680 | 4,429 | |||||
Net Income Attributable | |||||||
to Non-Controlling Interest | (1,436 | ) | (962 | ) | |||
Net Income Attributable | |||||||
to STRATTEC SECURITY CORP. | $ | 1,244 | $ | 3,467 | |||
Earnings Per Share: | |||||||
Basic | 0.34 | 0.95 | |||||
Diluted | 0.33 | 0.93 | |||||
Average Basic | |||||||
Shares Outstanding | 3,710 | 3,652 | |||||
Average Diluted | |||||||
Shares Outstanding | 3,728 | 3,711 | |||||
Other | |||||||
Capital Expenditures | $ | 4,298 | $ | 3,969 | |||
Depreciation | $ | 4,733 | $ | 4,047 | |||
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION | |||||||
Condensed Balance Sheet Data | |||||||
(In Thousands) | |||||||
September 29, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | ||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current Assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 11,241 | $ | 7,809 | |||
Receivables, net | 78,932 | 84,230 | |||||
Inventories, net | 51,500 | 47,262 | |||||
Other current assets | 14,024 | 17,331 | |||||
Total Current Assets | 155,697 | 156,632 | |||||
Investment in Joint Ventures | 23,216 | 23,528 | |||||
Other Long Term Assets | 18,908 | 14,456 | |||||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net | 115,978 | 118,120 | |||||
$ | 313,799 | $ | 312,736 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Current Liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | 43,996 | $ | 41,889 | |||
Other | 38,187 | 37,374 | |||||
Total Current Liabilities | 82,183 | 79,263 | |||||
Accrued Pension and Post Retirement Obligations | 2,429 | 2,425 | |||||
Borrowings Under Credit Facility | 36,000 | 42,000 | |||||
Other Long-term Liabilities | 4,916 | 1,232 | |||||
Shareholders’ Equity | 319,041 | 317,681 | |||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | (19,691 | ) | (18,568 | ) | |||
Less: Treasury Stock | (135,711 | ) | (135,725 | ) | |||
Total STRATTEC SECURITY | |||||||
CORPORATION Shareholders’ Equity | 163,639 | 163,388 | |||||
Non-Controlling Interest | 24,632 | 24,428 | |||||
Total Shareholders’ Equity | 188,271 | 187,816 | |||||
$ | 313,799 | $ | 312,736 | ||||
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION | |||||||
Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data | |||||||
(In Thousands) | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
First Quarter Ended | |||||||
September 29, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | |||||||
Net Income | $ | 2,680 | $ | 4,429 | |||
Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Net | |||||||
Cash Provided by Operating Activities: | |||||||
Depreciation | 4,733 | 4,047 | |||||
Equity Earnings in Joint Ventures | (484 | ) | (909 | ) | |||
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss | 85 | 428 | |||||
Unrealized Gain on Peso Forward Contracts | - | (225 | ) | ||||
Stock Based Compensation Expense | 413 | 385 | |||||
Non-cash Compensation Expense | 2,228 | - | |||||
Deferred Income Taxes | (524 | ) | (372 | ) | |||
Change in Operating Assets/Liabilities | 5,638 | 14 | |||||
Other, net | 239 | - | |||||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | 15,008 | 7,797 | |||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | |||||||
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment | (4,298 | ) | (3,969 | ) | |||
Proceeds Received on Sale of Property, Plant | |||||||
and Equipment | 15 | - | |||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | (4,283 | ) | (3,969 | ) | |||
Cash Flow from Financing Activities: | |||||||
Borrowings on Credit Facility | - | 2,000 | |||||
Repayment of Borrowings under Credit Facility | (6,000 | ) | (2,000 | ) | |||
Dividends Paid to Non-Controlling Interest of Subsidiaries | (980 | ) | (784 | ) | |||
Dividends Paid | (522 | ) | (514 | ) | |||
Exercise of Stock Options and Employee | |||||||
Stock Purchases | 239 | 23 | |||||
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities | (7,263 | ) | (1,275 | ) | |||
Foreign Currency Impact on Cash | (30 | ) | (298 | ) | |||
Net Increase in Cash & Cash Equivalents | 3,432 | 2,255 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||
Beginning of Period | 7,809 | 8,090 | |||||
End of Period | $ | 11,241 | $ | 10,345 | |||