Franklin Electric Reports Record Second Quarter 2021 Results


Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

  • Record sales of $437.3 million, compared to second quarter 2020 sales of $308.3 million, an increase of 42%
  • Strong organic sales growth in all three Segments: Distribution 41%; Fueling Systems 27%; and Water Systems 23%
  • Operating income was $51.6 million, compared to second quarter 2020 operating income of $33.9 million, an increase of 52%
  • GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.83 a record for any quarter
  • Working capital as a percent of trailing twelve months sales improved 450 basis points to 27.2%

FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co. Inc. today announced second quarter 2021 financial results.

Second quarter 2021 sales were $437.3 million, compared to second quarter 2020 sales of $308.3 million, an increase of 42 percent. Second quarter 2021 operating income was $51.6 million, compared to second quarter 2020 operating income of $33.9 million, an increase of 52 percent.

Second quarter 2021 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.83, versus second quarter 2020 GAAP fully diluted EPS of $0.52.  

“In the second quarter of 2021, we delivered the highest sales and operating income for any quarter in Franklin’s history, which included record revenue in Water Systems and Distribution, record operating income in Distribution and a strong performance in Fueling Systems, most notably in the U.S. This robust performance was propelled by a favorable demand environment and solid execution by our team. Further, our international businesses posted strong results across almost all regions, as we continued to carefully navigate a challenging operating environment. As a result, we posted year-over-year revenue and earnings per share growth of 42 percent and 60 percent, respectively. While supply chain constraints and inflation have presented challenges, we have remained agile and disciplined, positioning us to further capitalize on the opportunities in front of us,” commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Sengstack continued, “Our second quarter acquisitions have further established a meaningful Water Treatment platform in North America. We remain confident as we look to the remainder of the year, as we believe we have ample runway to execute on our strategic plan and drive continued growth across the business.”

Segment Summaries

Water Systems sales, a new record for any quarter, were $247.2 million in the second quarter 2021, an increase of $68.8 million or 39 percent versus the second quarter 2020. Water Systems sales, excluding acquisitions and the impact of foreign currency translation, were up about 23 percent compared to the second quarter 2020. Sales of groundwater, surface and dewatering pump equipment all increased significantly due to strong end market demand and because the second quarter of 2020 was impacted negatively by the global pandemic. Water Systems operating income in the second quarter was $34.6 million driven by higher sales but offset in part by the inflationary impact of higher raw material and freight costs. Second quarter 2020 Water Systems operating income was $28.7 million.

Distribution sales were a record at $144.8 million in the second quarter 2021. The Distribution segment organic sales increased 41 percent compared to the second quarter of 2020. Revenue growth was driven by broad-based demand in all regions and product categories. The Distribution segment operating income was a record at $16.0 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to second quarter 2020 operating income of $6.8 million.

Fueling Systems sales were $72.2 million in the second quarter 2021, an increase of $16.2 million versus the second quarter 2020. Fueling Systems sales in the U.S. and Canada increased by about 40 percent compared to the second quarter 2020. The increase was due to higher demand for Piping, Pumping and Fuel Management Systems. Outside the U.S. and Canada, Fueling Systems revenues increased by about 1 percent, driven primarily by higher sales in Latin America and EMENA, partially offset by lower sales in China. Fueling Systems operating income in the second quarter was $18.5 million, compared to $13.5 million in the second quarter of 2020, driven by higher sales.

Cash Flow

Net cash flows from operating activities for the first half of 2021 were $35.5 million versus $47.0 million in the same period in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to higher working capital requirements in support of higher revenues.

2021 Guidance

The Company is maintaining its most recent full year 2021 earnings per share before restructuring expenses to be in the range from $2.85 to $3.05. The Company’s 2021 guidance assumes there will not be any worsening impacts from supply chain disruptions and the global pandemic.

Earnings Conference Call

A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The second quarter 2021 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/br8axpfg

If you intend to ask questions during the call, please dial in using 877.643.7158 for domestic calls and 914.495.8565 for international calls. The conference ID is 6592147.

A replay of the conference call will be available Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 12:00 noon ET through noon ET on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, by dialing 855.859.2056 for domestic calls and 404.537.3406 for international calls. The replay passcode is 6592147.

Forward Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases,  raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

About Franklin Electric

Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and fuel. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications.

Franklin Electric Contact:

Jeffery L. Taylor
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
260-824-2900
Email: jeffery.taylor@fele.com

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
         
(In thousands, except per share amounts)        
         
 Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 
  2021   2020   2021   2020  
         
Net sales$437,280  $308,281  $770,326  $575,035  
         
Cost of sales 285,041   201,159   502,541   377,596  
         
Gross profit 152,239   107,122   267,785   197,439  
         
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 100,485   72,314   182,088   147,937  
         
Restructuring expense 153   875   305   1,748  
         
Operating income 51,601   33,933   85,392   47,754  
   
Interest expense (1,366)  (1,132)  (2,456)  (2,366) 
Other income/(expense), net (430)  (397)  (530)  (599) 
Foreign exchange income/(expense) (1,189)  (906)  (1,246)  56  
         
Income before income taxes 48,616   31,498   81,160   44,845  
         
Income tax (benefit)/expense 9,253   6,696   13,634   9,251  
         
Net income$39,363  $24,802  $67,526  $35,594  
         
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (222)  (151)  (505)  (300) 
         
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.$39,141  $24,651  $67,021  $35,294  
         
Income per share:        
  Basic$0.84  $0.53  $1.44  $0.76  
  Diluted$0.83  $0.52  $1.42  $0.75  
         


FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
    
(In thousands)   
    
 June 30 December 31,
  2021   2020 
ASSETS   
    
Cash and equivalents$81,597  $130,787 
Receivables (net) 226,074   159,827 
Inventories 350,121   300,932 
Other current assets 33,474   27,708 
Total current assets 691,266   619,254 
    
Property, plant, and equipment, net 210,423   209,021 
Right-of-Use Asset, net 35,881   31,954 
Goodwill and other assets 573,275   412,078 
Total assets$1,510,845  $1,272,307 
    
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
    
Accounts payable$148,862  $95,903 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 93,035   94,160 
Current lease liability 12,680   11,090 
Current maturities of long-term debt and   
short-term borrowings 132,428   2,551 
Total current liabilities 387,005   203,704 
    
Long-term debt 91,279   91,966 
Long-term lease liability 23,416   20,866 
Income taxes payable non-current 11,610   11,965 
Deferred income taxes 27,373   25,671 
Employee benefit plans 41,386   44,443 
Other long-term liabilities 25,145   23,988 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (209)  (245)
    
Total equity 903,840   849,949 
Total liabilities and equity$1,510,845  $1,272,307 
    


 FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
 (Unaudited) 
   Six Months Ended 
 (In thousands)       
   June 30,   June 30, 
   2021   2020 
 Cash flows from operating activities:       
 Net income$67,526  $35,594 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net       
 cash flows from operating activities:       
 Depreciation and amortization 20,535   17,990 
 Non-Cash Lease Expense 6,471   5,283 
 Share-based compensation 6,573   7,015 
 Other 1,753   267 
 Changes in assets and liabilities:       
 Receivables (62,860)   (17,820) 
 Inventory (41,848)   (7,520) 
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 50,262   8,561 
 Operating Leases (6,471)   (5,283) 
 Income taxes-U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (355)   - 
 Other (6,056)   2,914 
         
 Net cash flows from operating activities 35,530   47,001 
         
 Cash flows from investing activities:       
 Additions to property, plant, and equipment (12,777)   (9,445) 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment 8   25 
 Acquisitions and investments (180,917)   (5,826) 
 Other investing activities 27   3 
         
 Net cash flows from investing activities (193,659)   (15,243) 
         
 Cash flows from financing activities:       
 Change in debt 129,264   (17,908) 
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock 8,989   1,520 
 Purchases of common stock (11,231)   (17,724) 
 Dividends paid (16,320)   (14,446) 
 Purchase of redeemable non-controlling shares -   - 
 Net cash flows from financing activities 110,702   (48,558) 
         
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (1,763)   (4,522) 
 Net change in cash and equivalents (49,190)   (21,322) 
 Cash and equivalents at beginning of period 130,787   64,405 
 Cash and equivalents at end of period$81,597  $43,083 
         


Key Performance Indicators
: Earnings Per Share Calculations

  For the Second Quarter 
Earnings Before and After Restructuring  2021  2020 Change
(in millions)     
Net Income attributable to FE Co., Inc. Reported $ 39.1 $ 24.7 58% 
Allocated Earnings $(0.2)$(0.2)  
Earnings for EPS Calculations $ 38.9 $ 24.5 59% 
      
Restructuring (before tax): $0.2 $0.9   
      
Restructuring, net of tax: $0.2 $0.7   
      
      
Earnings before Restructuring $ 39.1 $ 25.2 55% 
      
  For the Second Quarter 
Earnings Per Share  2021  2020 Change
Before and After Restructuring      
(in millions except Earnings Per Share)     
      
Average Fully Diluted Shares Outstanding  47.1  46.5 1% 
      
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") Reported $ 0.83 $ 0.52 60% 
      
Restructuring Per Share, net of tax $- $0.02   
      
Fully Diluted EPS before Restructuring $ 0.83 $ 0.54 54% 
      


Key Performance Indicators:
Net Sales Summary

          
 Net Sales
 United StatesLatinEurope, MiddleAsiaTotal    
(in millions)& CanadaAmericaEast & AfricaPacificWaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
          
Q2 2020$99.0 $24.2 $35.5 $19.7 $178.4 $56.0 $92.1 $(18.2) $308.3 
Q2 2021$141.0 $34.7 $51.4 $20.1 $247.2 $72.2 $144.8 $(26.9) $437.3 
Change$42.0 $10.5 $15.9 $0.4 $68.8 $16.2 $52.7 $(8.7) $129.0 
% Change 42%  43%  45%  2%  39%  29%  57%   42% 
          
Foreign currency translation$1.5 $(0.2) $2.7 $0.8 $4.8 $1.3 $0.0   
% Change 2%  -1%  8%  4%  3%  2%  0%   
          
Acquisitions$23.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $23.8 $0.0 $15.1   
          
Volume/Price$16.7 $10.7 $13.2 $(0.4) $40.2 $14.9 $37.6   
% Change 17%  44%  37%  -2%  23%  27%  41%   
                        


Key Performance Indicators:
Operating Income and Margin Summary

       
       
Operating Income and Margins      
(in millions) For the Second Quarter 2021
  WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income / (Loss) $34.6 $18.5 $16.0 $(17.5) $51.6 
% Operating Income To Net Sales  14.0%  25.6%  11.0%   11.8% 
       
Restructuring $0.1 $- $- $- $0.1 
       
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring $34.7 $18.5 $16.0 $(17.5) $51.7 
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring  14.0%  25.6%  11.0%   11.8% 
       
       
Operating Income and Margins      
(in millions) For the Second Quarter 2020
  WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income / (Loss) $28.7 $13.5 $6.8 $(15.1) $33.9 
% Operating Income To Net Sales  16.1%  24.1%  7.4%   11.0% 
       
Restructuring $0.9 $- $-  $0.9 
       
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring $29.6 $13.5 $6.8 $(15.1) $34.8 
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring  16.6%  24.1%  7.4%   11.3%