Franklin Electric Reports Record First Quarter 2023 Results


First Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Sales of $484.6 million, an increase of 7% over the prior year, a first quarter record
  • Record first quarter sales in all three segments; Water Systems increased 12%, Distribution increased 6%, and Fueling Systems increased less than 1%
  • Operating income was a first quarter record at $52.6 million, an increase of 32% over the prior year
  • GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.79, an increase of $0.16 over the prior year

FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co. Inc. today announced first quarter financial results for fiscal year 2023.

First quarter 2023 sales were $484.6 million, compared to first quarter 2022 sales of $451.5 million. First quarter 2023 operating income was $52.6 million, compared to first quarter operating income in 2022 of $39.9 million. First quarter 2023 GAAP fully diluted EPS was $0.79, versus GAAP fully diluted EPS in the first quarter 2022 of $0.63.

“The Franklin Electric team delivered a strong start to 2023 with records for first quarter sales, operating income and earnings per share. Overall, demand remains seasonally robust, and we continue to make progress with managing and improving our supply chain. Strong shipments during the quarter drove top-line sales and operating leverage resulting in year-over-year operating margin expansion and a more normal backlog which decreased sequentially by $30 million,” commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.

“While the demand environment remains healthy across each of our businesses, we are mindful of the ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures that are expected to persist throughout 2023. Our strong first quarter results give us confidence as we move to the busy season for our business,” concluded Mr. Sengstack.

Segment Summaries

Water Systems sales, a new first quarter record, were $306.6 million in the first quarter 2023, an increase of $34.0 million compared to the first quarter 2022. Sales increases were led by pricing actions and strong end market demand across most major product lines led by surface pumping, especially in large dewatering pumps, and groundwater. Water Systems operating income in the first quarter was $49.0 million, a new first quarter record, driven by higher sales and operating leverage. First quarter 2022 Water Systems operating income was $33.2 million.

Distribution sales, a new first quarter record, were $143.0 million in the first quarter 2023, an increase of $8.1 million compared to the first quarter 2022. The Distribution segment operating income was $4.7 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to first quarter 2022 operating income of $9.4 million. Distribution segment sales and operating income were negatively impacted by weather, seasonality, and margin compression from unfavorable pricing of commodity-based products sold through the business.

Fueling Systems sales, a new first quarter record, were $72.7 million in the first quarter 2023, an increase of $0.2 million compared to the first quarter 2022. Sales increases in the U.S. and Canada of 4 percent were offset by sales declines outside the U.S. and Canada. Fueling Systems operating income in the first quarter was $20.8 million, a new first quarter record, driven by a favorable product and geographic mix of sales. First quarter 2022 Fueling Systems operating income was $17.7 million.

2023 Guidance

The Company is updating and raising its guidance for full year 2023 sales to be in the range of $2.15 billion to $2.25 billion and full year 2023 EPS to be in the range of $4.25 to $4.45.

Earnings Conference Call

A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The first quarter 2023 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/p6ddvija

For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI23ed60aedc6f4b01aabdd0f5a51dbaba

All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the start of the event (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, May 2, 2023, through 9AM ET on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

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, 2022, 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)   
 First Quarter Ended
 March 31, 2023 March 31, 2022
    
Net sales$484,551  $451,470 
    
Cost of sales 322,286   306,136 
    
Gross profit 162,265   145,334 
    
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 109,535   104,673 
    
Restructuring expense 124   720 
    
Operating income 52,606   39,941 
    
Interest expense (3,147)  (1,494)
Other income/(expense), net 409   (378)
Foreign exchange income/(expense) (2,044)  (585)
    
Income before income taxes 47,824   37,484 
    
Income tax expense 10,248   7,365 
    
Net income$37,576  $30,119 
    
Less: Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (251)  (354)
    
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.$37,325  $29,765 
    
Earnings per share:   
Basic$0.81  $0.64 
Diluted$0.79  $0.63 
    



FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
    
(In thousands)   
 March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
ASSETS 
    
Cash and equivalents$51,873 $45,790
Receivables (net) 276,503  230,404
Inventories 600,651  544,980
Other current assets 39,018  36,916
Total current assets 968,045  858,090
    
Property, plant, and equipment, net 220,592  215,154
Lease right-of-use assets, net 45,622  48,948
Goodwill and other assets 569,187  572,009
Total assets$1,803,446 $1,694,201
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
    
Accounts payable$187,985 $139,266
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 98,452  123,788
Current lease liability 15,144  15,959
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings 185,280  126,756
Total current liabilities 486,861  405,769
    
Long-term debt 88,766  89,271
Long-term lease liability 30,346  32,858
Income taxes payable non-current 8,707  8,707
Deferred income taxes 30,893  29,744
Employee benefit plans 32,303  31,889
Other long-term liabilities 29,969  25,209
    
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 633  620
    
Total equity 1,094,968  1,070,134
Total liabilities and equity$1,803,446 $1,694,201
    



FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
(In thousands)   
 March 31, 2023 March 31, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income$37,576  $30,119 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization 12,837   12,078 
Non-cash lease expense 4,239   4,181 
Share-based compensation 3,912   3,985 
Other 3,250   2,473 
Changes in assets and liabilities:   
Receivables (43,408)  (34,119)
Inventory (50,725)  (74,690)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 13,163   (2,753)
Operating leases (4,239)  (4,181)
Other 11,376   1,596 
    
Net cash flows from operating activities (12,019)  (61,311)
    
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Additions to property, plant, and equipment (9,563)  (9,456)
Acquisitions and investments (4,990)  553 
    
Net cash flows from investing activities (14,553)  (8,903)
    
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Net change in debt 57,733   96,851 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 2,938   343 
Purchases of common stock (17,133)  (19,319)
Dividends paid (10,440)  (9,130)
    
Net cash flows from financing activities 33,098   68,745 
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (443)  (486)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 6,083   (1,955)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 45,790   40,536 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$51,873  $38,581 
    


Key Performance Indicators: Net Sales Summary

 Net Sales
 United StatesLatinEurope, MiddleAsiaTotal    
(in millions)& CanadaAmericaEast & AfricaPacificWaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
          
Q1 2022$163.2 $37.9 $51.0 $20.5 $272.6 $72.5 $134.9 ($28.5)$451.5 
Q1 2023$197.1 $40.3 $50.4 $18.8 $306.6 $72.7 $143.0 ($37.7)$484.6 
Change$33.9 $2.4 ($0.6)($1.7)$34.0 $0.2 $8.1 ($9.2)$33.1 
% Change 21% 6% -1% -8% 12% 0% 6%  7%
          
Foreign currency translation($1.4)($4.2)($7.1)($1.5)($14.2)($0.8)$0.0  ($15.0)
% Change -1% -11% -14% -7% -5% -1% 0%  -3%
          
Volume/Price$35.3 $6.6 $6.5 ($0.2)$48.2 $1.0 $8.1 ($9.2)$48.1 
% Change 22% 17% 13% -1% 18% 1% 6% 32% 11%


Key Performance Indicators: Operating Income and Margin Summary

Operating Income and Margins      
(in millions) For the First Quarter 2023
  WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income / (Loss) $49.0 $20.8 $4.7 $(21.9)$52.6 
% Operating Income To Net Sales  16.0% 28.6% 3.3%  10.9%
       
       
Operating Income and Margins      
(in millions) For the First Quarter 2022
  WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income / (Loss) $33.2 $17.7 $9.4 $(20.4)$39.9 
% Operating Income To Net Sales  12.2% 24.4% 7.0%  8.8%