Franklin Electric Reports Record First Quarter 2022 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Franklin Electric Co. reported a record first quarter in 2022 with sales reaching $451.5 million, a 36% increase from $333.0 million in Q1 2021. Operating income rose to $39.9 million, up 18% year-over-year. Earnings per share (EPS) hit a record $0.63, compared to $0.59 in 2021. All segments showed strong organic growth: Fueling Systems up 29%, Water Systems 27%, and Distribution 26%. Despite ongoing supply chain challenges, the company maintains its 2022 guidance for sales between $1.90 billion and $2.05 billion.

Positive

• Record first quarter sales of $451.5 million, up 36% from 2021.
• Operating income increased to $39.9 million, an 18% rise year-over-year.
• GAAP fully diluted EPS reached $0.63, a record for any first quarter.
• All segments reported strong organic growth with Distribution seeing a 41% sales increase.

Negative

• Supply chain and inflationary challenges constrained margins.
• Open order balance increased, indicating potential strain on meeting demand.

First Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Record sales of $451.5 million, compared to first quarter 2021 sales of $333.0 million, an increase of 36%
• Strong organic sales growth in all three Segments; Fueling Systems 29%, Water Systems 27%, and Distribution 26%
• Operating income was a record at $39.9 million, compared to first quarter operating income in 2021 of $33.8 million, an increase of 18%
• GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.63, a new record for any first quarter

FORT WAYNE, Ind., April 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co. Inc. today announced first quarter financial results for fiscal year 2022.

First quarter 2022 sales were $451.5 million, compared to first quarter 2021 sales of $333.0 million.   First quarter 2022 operating income was $39.9 million, compared to first quarter operating income in 2021 of $33.8 million.  

First quarter 2022 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share was $0.63, versus GAAP fully diluted EPS in the first quarter 2021 of $0.59.  

“Overall, the first quarter was a strong start to the year as we delivered another record first quarter for revenue, operating income and earnings per share. We maintained our momentum with continued strong demand across all our businesses. Our Distribution business posted year-over-year sales growth of 41 percent while our Water Systems and Fueling Systems businesses delivered sales growth of 38 and 28 percent, respectively with all business units benefitting from strong price and volume performance to drive profitable growth,” commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.

“We achieved record top line results on strong year-over-year organic and acquisition growth, while supply chain and inflationary challenges persisted during the first quarter constraining our margins, and our open order balance increased during the first quarter which is indicative of the current demand environment. Our team remains focused on managing these impacts while meeting our customers’ needs, and we will remain agile in response to the evolving landscape,” concluded Mr. Sengstack.

Segment Summaries

Water Systems sales, a new record for any first quarter, were $272.6 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $75.0 million or 38 percent versus the first quarter 2021. Water Systems sales, excluding acquisitions and the impact of foreign currency translation, were up about 27 percent compared to the first quarter 2021. Sales of groundwater pumping, surface pumping and dewatering equipment increased due to strong end market demand.   Water Systems operating income in the first quarter was $33.2 million driven by higher sales. First quarter 2021 Water Systems operating income was $31.3 million.

Distribution sales, a new record for any first quarter, were $134.9 million in the first quarter 2022. The Distribution segment organic sales increased 26 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021. Revenue growth was driven by solid demand primarily in the U.S. groundwater market due to strong price realization in addition to growth from acquisition. The Distribution segment operating income was $9.4 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to first quarter 2021 operating income of $2.0 million.

Fueling Systems sales, a new record for any first quarter, were $72.5 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $15.7 million or 28 percent versus the first quarter 2021. Fueling Systems sales in the U.S. and Canada increased by about 33 percent compared to the first quarter 2021. Outside the U.S. and Canada, Fueling Systems revenues increased by about 2 percent, as sales increases of 4 percent in the rest of the world outside of China were offset by lower sales in China. Fueling Systems operating income in the first quarter was $17.7 million, compared to $14.9 million in the first quarter of 2021.

2022 Guidance

The Company is maintaining its full year 2022 sales to be in the range of $1.90 billion to $2.05 billion and full year 2022 earnings per share before restructuring expenses to be in the range from $3.50 to $3.75.

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 2022 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/wuadmxpg

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: 5883286.

A replay of the conference call will be available Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 12:00 noon ET through noon ET on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, by dialing 855.859.2056 for domestic calls and 404.537.3406 for international calls. The replay passcode is: 5883286.

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, 2021, 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,				March 31,
		2022				2021
Net sales	$	451,470			$	333,046
Cost of sales		306,136				217,500
Gross profit		145,334				115,546
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		104,673				81,603
Restructuring expense		720				152
Operating income		39,941				33,791
Interest expense		(1,494	)			(1,090	)
Other income/(expense), net		(378	)			(100	)
Foreign exchange income/(expense)		(585	)			(57	)
Income before income taxes		37,484				32,544
Income tax (benefit)/expense		7,365				4,381
Net income	$	30,119			$	28,163
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(354	)			(283	)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$	29,765			$	27,880
Income per share:
Basic	$	0.64			$	0.60
Diluted	$	0.63			$	0.59

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
	March 31		December 31,
	2022		2021
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$ 38,581		$ 40,536
Receivables (net)	229,736		196,173
Inventories	527,867		449,975
Other current assets	37,401		37,963
Total current assets	833,585		724,647
Property, plant, and equipment, net	214,190		210,654
Right-of-Use Asset, net	46,458		48,379
Goodwill and other assets	588,956		591,485
Total assets	$ 1,683,189		$ 1,575,165
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$ 190,488		$ 164,758
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	91,066		117,955
Current lease liability	15,188		15,320
Current maturities of long-term debt and
short-term borrowings	194,846		97,981
Total current liabilities	491,588		396,014
Long-term debt	89,933		90,535
Long-term lease liability	31,140		32,937
Income taxes payable non-current	11,610		11,610
Deferred income taxes	29,828		28,162
Employee benefit plans	39,926		40,696
Other long-term liabilities	24,999		26,568
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	106		(19)
Total equity	964,059		948,662
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,683,189		$ 1,575,165

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
(In thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
	2022			2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	30,119		$	28,163
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,078			9,574
Non-cash lease expense	4,181			3,068
Share-based compensation	3,985			4,190
Other	2,473			359
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(34,119)			(24,196)
Inventory	(74,690)			(14,327)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(2,753)			(298)
Operating leases	(4,181)			(3,068)
Other	1,596			1,917
Net cash flows from operating activities	(61,311)			5,382
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(9,456)			(6,744)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	-			-
Acquisitions and investments	553			70
Other investing activities	-			3
Net cash flows from investing activities	(8,903)			(6,671)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in debt	96,851			(457)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	343			5,083
Purchases of common stock	(19,319)			(4,849)
Dividends paid	(9,130)			(8,143)
Net cash flows from financing activities	68,745			(8,366)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(486)			(2,801)
Net change in cash and equivalents	(1,955)			(12,456)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	40,536			130,787
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	38,581		$	118,331

Key Performance Indicators: Earnings Per Share Calculations

		For the First Quarter
Earnings Before and After Restructuring			2022			2021		Change
(in millions)
Net Income attributable to FE Co., Inc. Reported		$	29.8		$	27.9		7	%
Allocated Earnings		$	(0.1	)	$	(0.2	)
Earnings for EPS Calculations		$	29.7		$	27.7		7	%
Restructuring (before tax):		$	0.7		$	0.2
Restructuring, net of tax:		$	0.6		$	0.1
Earnings before Restructuring		$	30.3		$	27.8		9	%
		For the First Quarter
Earnings Per Share			2022			2021		Change
Before and After Restructuring
(in millions except Earnings Per Share)
Average Fully Diluted Shares Outstanding			47.1			46.9		0	%
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") Reported		$	0.63		$	0.59		7	%
Restructuring Per Share, net of tax		$	0.01		$	-
Fully Diluted EPS before Restructuring		$	0.64		$	0.59		8	%

Key Performance Indicators: Net Sales Summary

	Net Sales
	United States			Latin			Europe, Middle			Asia			Total
(in millions)	& Canada			America			East & Africa			Pacific			Water			Fueling			Distribution			Other/Elims			Consolidated
Q1 2021	$	101.3		$	31.7		$	44.4		$	20.2		$	197.6		$	56.8		$	95.7		$	(17.1	)	$	333.0
Q1 2022	$	163.2		$	37.9		$	51.0		$	20.5		$	272.6		$	72.5		$	134.9		$	(28.5	)	$	451.5
Change	$	61.9		$	6.2		$	6.6		$	0.3		$	75.0		$	15.7		$	39.2		$	(11.4	)	$	118.5
% Change		61	%		20	%		15	%		1	%		38	%		28	%		41	%					36	%
Foreign currency translation	$	0.0		$	(0.2	)	$	(11.6	)	$	(0.6	)	($	(12.4	)	$	(0.7	)	$	0.0
% Change		0	%		-1	%		-26	%		-3	%		-6	%		-1	%		0	%
Acquisitions	$	32.1		$	0.0		$	0.0		$	1.8		$	33.9		$	0.0		$	14.3
Volume/Price	$	29.8		$	6.4		$	18.2		$	(0.9	)	$	53.5		$	16.4		$	24.9
% Change		29	%		20	%		41	%		-4	%		27	%		29	%		26	%

Key Performance Indicators: Operating Income and Margin Summary

Operating Income and Margins
(in millions)		For the First Quarter 2022
		Water			Fueling			Distribution				Other/Elims				Consolidated
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	%
Restructuring		$	0.6		$	-		$	0.1			$	-			$	0.7
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring		$	33.8		$	17.7		$	9.5			$	(20.4	)		$	40.6
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring			12.4	%		24.4	%		7.0	%							9.0	%
Operating Income and Margins
(in millions)		For the First Quarter 2021
		Water			Fueling			Distribution				Other/Elims				Consolidated
Operating Income / (Loss)		$	31.3		$	14.9		$	2.0			$	(14.4	)		$	33.8
% Operating Income To Net Sales			15.8	%		26.2	%		2.1	%							10.2	%
Restructuring		$	0.1		$	-		$	0.1			$	-			$	0.2
Operating Income/(Loss) before Restructuring		$	31.4		$	14.9		$	2.1			$	(14.4	)		$	34.0
% Operating Income to Net Sales Before Restructuring			15.9	%		26.2	%		2.2	%							10.2	%

FAQ

What were Franklin Electric's sales figures for Q1 2022?

Franklin Electric reported sales of $451.5 million for Q1 2022, a 36% increase compared to Q1 2021.

What was Franklin Electric's earnings per share for Q1 2022?

The GAAP fully diluted earnings per share for Q1 2022 was $0.63.

How much did operating income increase for Franklin Electric in Q1 2022?

Operating income increased to $39.9 million in Q1 2022, up 18% from $33.8 million in Q1 2021.

What is Franklin Electric's guidance for 2022 sales?

Franklin Electric maintains its sales guidance for 2022 to be between $1.90 billion and $2.05 billion.

Which segments showed growth for Franklin Electric in Q1 2022?

All segments showed growth: Fueling Systems increased by 29%, Water Systems by 27%, and Distribution by 26%.