Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Record Sales and Earnings Per Share for Fiscal 2015

CLEVELAND, Aug. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) today reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2015 year ended June 30, 2015.

Net sales for the quarter were $677.5 million, an increase of 3.5% compared with $654.6 million in the same quarter a year ago. The overall sales increase for the quarter reflects a 6.5% increase from acquisition related volume, offset by a negative 2.4% foreign currency translation impact and a 0.6% decrease in our core underlying operations. Net income for the quarter was $28.0 million, or $0.70 per share, compared with $29.7 million, or $0.71 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

For the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, sales were $2.75 billion, an increase of 11.9% compared to $2.46 billion last year, with acquisitions accounting for 11.4%. Net income was $115.5 million, or $2.80 per share, compared with $112.8 million, or $2.67 per share, in the prior year.

Commenting on the results, Applied's President & Chief Executive Officer Neil A. Schrimsher said, "While we report record sales and earnings per share for our fiscal 2015, we are not satisfied with the results. Our financials reflect the continued impact of reduced demand in certain industrial end markets as well as headwinds from foreign currency translation. We have taken action to reduce our operating expenses, and we will continue to be focused on effective cost controls and operating discipline in this economic environment.

"Looking forward, we expect the current economic conditions to continue through the first half of our fiscal 2016. For the full fiscal year, we are forecasting a sales change in the range of negative 2% to up 1%. This includes an expected negative impact from foreign currency translation of 2.5% for the remainder of calendar 2015 and nearly 1.0% negative for the first half of calendar 2016. We expect earnings per share for the full fiscal year to be in the range of $2.80 to $3.05 per share.

"While the current industrial economy presents some challenges, we know we have growth opportunities with current and new customers. We are pleased with the recent acquisition of Atlantic Fasteners – a nice addition that builds on our Maintenance Supplies & Solutions℠ platform. We will be active with acquisitions throughout the fiscal year, and we are confident that Applied is well-positioned to serve our customers and generate shareholder value."

During fiscal 2015, the Company returned a record $119 million to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases. In the fourth quarter, the Company purchased 406,000 shares of its common stock in open market transactions for $17.3 million. During the full fiscal year, the Company purchased 1,740,100 shares for $76.5 million. At June 30, 2015, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase 1,247,300 additional shares.

Applied will host its quarterly conference call for investors and analysts at 10 a.m. ET on August 12, 2015. Neil A. Schrimsher – President & CEO, and Mark O. Eisele – CFO will discuss the Company's performance. To join the call, dial 1-800-379-4140 or 1-212-231-2900 (for International callers). A live audio webcast can be accessed online through the investor relations portion of the Company's website at www.applied.com. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 1-800-633-8625 or 1-402-977-9141 (International) using passcode 21771737.

Founded in 1923, Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading industrial distributor that offers more than five million parts to serve the needs of MRO and OEM customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber and fluid power shop services. Applied also offers maintenance training and inventory management solutions that provide added value to its customers. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as "will," "expect," "forecast," "guidance," and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends in the industrial sector of the economy, the performance of acquired businesses, currency exchange movements, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Applied uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuing U.S. inventory. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory determination.

There were no LIFO layer liquidation benefits recognized for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

(2) On July 1, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Knox Oil Field Supply Inc. ("Knox"), headquartered in San Angelo, Texas, for a purchase price of $132.5 million. 

On July 1, 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of Rodamientos y Derivados del Norte S.A de C.V., a Mexican distributor of bearings and power transmission products and related products, and Great Southern Bearings / Northam Bearings, a Western Australia distributor of bearings and power transmission products. On November 3, 2014, the Company acquired Ira Pump and Supply Inc., a Texas distributor of oilfield pumps and supplies. The combined total purchase price of these acquisitions was $54.9 million. 

The financial results of the operations acquired have been included in the Service Center Based Distribution Segment as of the acquisition date.

(3) Effective July 1, 2013, the Company aligned the consolidation of the Company's Canadian subsidiaries in the consolidated financial statements which previously included results on a one month reporting lag. The Company has determined that the effect of this change is not material to the financial statements for all periods presented and therefore has not presented retrospective application of this change. The net impact of the lag elimination was $1.2 million of additional income and has been included within "Other (income) expense, net" on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income for the year ended June 30, 2014. 

(4) During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, $2.8 million of tax reserves were reversed which reduced income tax expense by the same amount and resulted in an increase to earnings per share in the quarter of $0.07.