Helios Technologies Reports Strong Sequential and Year-over-Year Sales Growth and Solid Cash Generation in Fourth Quarter 2020

Rhea-AI Summary

Helios Technologies reported strong financial results for Q4 and the full year 2020, driven by robust performance across its business segments, particularly in agriculture, marine, and health and wellness. The Balboa acquisition, completed on November 6, 2020, exceeded expectations, contributing positively in its initial months. Helios is focused on diversifying its customer base and expanding into new markets. The company is investing in capacity expansion and productivity improvements while maintaining healthy cash generation and reducing its net leverage to 3.0x, enhancing its financial flexibility.

Positive

• Strong revenue and profitability across all business segments.
• Successful integration of the Balboa acquisition, exceeding initial forecasts.
• Initial success in diversifying customer base, particularly in hydraulics and electronics.
• Continued investments in capacity and productivity improvements.
• Improved cash generation and reduced net leverage to 3.0x.

Negative

• None.

Helios Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIO) (“Helios” or the “Company”), a global leader in highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technology for diverse end markets, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020 ended January 2, 2021. Results include the acquisition of BWG Holdings I Corp. (known as “Balboa Water Group” or “Balboa acquisition”) on November 6, 2020.

Josef Matosevic, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We ended the year on a strong note with all businesses exceeding our expectations in revenue and profitability. The Helios team worked extremely hard through a very challenging macro environment in 2020 and drove excellent results and superior shareholder return. We realized strong demand across a number of our markets, especially in agriculture, marine and health and wellness. The Balboa acquisition also exceeded our expectations in their first two months as part of the Helios family.

Over the last couple quarters, we have talked about diversifying our end markets. We are pleased to report that we have already won our first diversified markets customer with product offerings in the hydraulics segment and over time expanding into the electronics segment. We continue to pursue additional opportunities to diversify.”

He continued, “As we enter 2021, we are investing in expanding capacity as well as manufacturing and productivity improvements. Importantly, we are confident that we can keep driving growth and delivering improved margins over time. Our cash generation remains robust and we are focused on maintaining financial flexibility to support our flywheel acquisition strategy. In fact, we continued to de-lever our balance sheet. In the fourth quarter, we were able to pay down debt and achieve net leverage of 3.0x¹, significantly better than anticipated at the time of the Balboa acquisition.”

*Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See comments regarding forward-looking non-GAAP measures in the Forward-Looking Information statement of this release.

1 On a pro-forma basis for Balboa Water Group

Fourth Quarter 2020 Consolidated Results

($ in millions, except per share data)		Q4 2020			Q4 2019			Change					% Change
Net sales		$	151.6		$	125.9		$	25.7				20%
Gross profit		$	52.7		$	47.4		$	5.3				11%
Gross margin			34.8%			37.7%			(290)		bps
Operating income		$	10.4		$	18.8		$	(8.4)				(45%)
Operating margin			6.9%			14.9%			(800)		bps
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin			18.8%			18.5%			30		bps
Net income		$	5.6		$	13.8		$	(8.2)				(60%)
Diluted EPS		$	0.17		$	0.43		$	(0.26)				(60%)
Non-GAAP cash net income		$	19.2		$	17.2		$	2.0				12%
Non-GAAP cash EPS		$	0.60		$	0.54		$	0.06				11%
Adjusted EBITDA		$	35.1		$	29.2		$	5.9				20%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			23.2%			23.2%			-		bps

See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Helios’s use of non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and certain non-recurring charges) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales) as well as reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP adjusted operating income and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and GAAP net income to non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Helios believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the non-GAAP measures described above help improve the understanding of its operating performance.

Sales

• Sales reflected improving demand across all markets, in particular agriculture and marine, and the Balboa acquisition, which contributed $26.1 million in the fourth quarter.
• Foreign currency translation adjustment on sales: $3.8 million favorable.

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit included $1.9 million of inventory step-up amortization related to the Balboa acquisition, a (120) basis-point impact to margin. Gross profit and margin were also influenced by mix of products sold, the business model of the Balboa acquisition, which has lower gross margin but higher operating margin, as well as the increasing freight costs and constraints with the supply chain and labor affecting productivity.
• Selling, engineering and administrative (“SEA”) expenses: as a percentage of sales, increased 290 basis points, reflecting both the business model of the Balboa acquisition and continued cost containment initiatives which were offset by $7.1 million of acquisition- and financing-related costs and $0.4 million of integration costs and officer transition.
• Amortization of intangible assets: $8.8 million was up from $4.5 million in the prior year reflecting the acquisition.

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $4.7 million in the quarter, up $1.5 million compared with the prior-year period due to increased debt balances.
• Effective tax rate: 22.4% compared with 18.1% in the prior-year period driven by favorable tax incentives in the prior-year period, while the fourth quarter 2020 rate was affected by one-time non-deductible costs incurred during the Balboa acquisition.

Net income, earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP net income and earnings per share: $5.6 million $0.17 per share.
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: $0.60 compared with $0.54 last year on better-than-expected performance of the Balboa acquisition.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: unchanged at 23.2% compared with the prior-year period.

Full Year 2020 Consolidated Results

($ in millions, except per share data)		2020			2019		Change					% Change
Net sales		$	523.0		$554.7		$	(31.7)				(6%)
Gross profit		$	196.2		$212.3		$	(16.1)				(8%)
Gross margin			37.5%		38.3%			(80)		bps
Operating income		$	35.4		$90.1		$	(54.7)				(61%)
Operating margin			6.8%		16.2%			(940)		bps
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin			19.5%		20.3%			(80)		bps
Net income		$	14.2		$60.3		$	(46.1)				(76%)
Diluted EPS		$	0.44		$1.88		$	(1.44)				(77%)
Non-GAAP cash net income		$	71.9		$77.7		$	(5.8)				(7%)
Non-GAAP cash EPS		$	2.24		$2.43		$	(0.19)				(8%)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	121.2		$131.1		$	(9.9)				(8%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin			23.2%		23.6%			(40)		bps

See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Helios’s use of non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and certain non-recurring charges) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales) as well as reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP adjusted operating income and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and GAAP net income to non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Helios believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the non-GAAP measures described above help improve the understanding of its operating performance.

Sales

• The majority of the change in sales reflected the effect on demand from the COVID-19 pandemic, including government-mandated operational closure in Italy and global shelter-at-home orders, somewhat offset by the Balboa acquisition.
• Foreign currency translation adjustment on sales: $2.0 million favorable.

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross margin was affected by lower volume and a (40) bps impact from inventory step-up amortization related to the Balboa acquisition.
• SEA expenses: $106.8 million, or 20.4% of sales and included $7.3 million in acquisition- and finance-related costs, $2.6 million in officer transition costs and approximately $1.9 million incremental SEA expenses from the Balboa acquisition.
• Amortization of intangible assets: $22.1 million compared with $18.1 million in prior year.
• Goodwill impairment charge: $31.9 million, related to Faster’s change in market outlook resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $2.1 million improvement to $13.3 million from lower debt balances through most of the year.
• Effective tax rate: 17.6%, excludes non-taxable goodwill impairment charge, and includes certain one-time benefits in the second quarter 2020 that reduced the year-to-date effective tax rate; Effective tax rate was 20.0% in 2019.

Earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP Earnings per share: included a $31.9 million charge for goodwill impairment and $7.3 million in acquisition- and financing-costs and also reflects the effect of reduced sales volume, partially offset by cost management efforts, lower interest expense and a one-time tax benefit.
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: change was similarly impacted by lower sales volume.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: only (40) basis point change despite the influence of the pandemic on sales volume as a result of effective cost management efforts, production efficiencies and strong margin profile of acquisition.

Hydraulics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

($ in millions, except per share data)
Hydraulics
		Q4 2020			Q4 2019			Change					% Change
Net Sales
Americas		$	31.3		$	36.2		$	(4.9)				(14%)
EMEA		$	34.4		$	31.1		$	3.3				11%
APAC		$	37.4		$	35.2		$	2.2				6%
Total Segment Sales		$	103.1		$	102.5		$	0.6				1%
Gross Profit		$	37.6		$	37.2		$	0.4				1%
Gross Margin			36.5%			36.3%			20		bps
SEA Expenses		$	18.0		$	16.9		$	1.1				7%
Operating Income		$	19.6		$	20.3		$	(0.7)				(3%)
Operating Margin			19.0%			19.8%			(80)		bps

Fourth Quarter Hydraulics Segment Review

• Higher sales were driven by increases in Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia/Pacific (“APAC”), regions which were impacted primarily by demand from the construction and agricultural end markets. This more than offset softness in the Americas; foreign currency exchange rates had a $3.7 million favorable adjustment on sales.
• Gross margin improved 20 basis points due to higher sales, a favorable change in sales mix, the effectiveness of the factory consolidation of the CVT facility in Florida and savings from cost containment efforts, including over-time management, decreased usage of temporary labor and inventory and supplies expense management.
• The change in operating margin was driven by increased investment in R&D spend to drive future revenue growth and corporate operating costs allocated to the segment.

Electronics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

($ in millions, except per share data)
Electronics
		Q4 2020			Q4 2019			Change					% Change
Net Sales
Americas		$	37.5		$	19.5		$	18.0				92%
EMEA		$	4.9		$	2.0		$	2.9				145%
APAC		$	6.1		$	1.9		$	4.2				221%
Total Segment Sales		$	48.5		$	23.4		$	25.1				107%
Gross Profit		$	17.0		$	10.2		$	6.8				67%
Gross Margin			35.0%			43.5%			(850)		bps
SEA Expenses		$	8.0		$	7.2		$	0.8				11%
Operating Income		$	9.0		$	3.0		$	6.0				200%
Operating Margin			18.5%			12.9%			560		bps

Fourth Quarter Electronics Segment Review

• Sales increased as a result of the Balboa acquisition, which added $26.1 million in revenue in the fourth quarter. While demand from the marine market is increasing, sales are affected by supply chain constraints and the continued impact in other markets from the pandemic. Sales also reflect the intentional shift in customer base which involved releasing certain contractual obligations enabling broader market penetration.
• Gross margin reflects the different business model of the Balboa acquisition, which has lower gross margins which is offset by lower SEA expense structure.
• Operating margin of 18.5% demonstrates the business model of the Balboa acquisition, which has an inherently lower operating expense structure. SEA expenses increased due to the incremental expenses from the Balboa acquisition.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

• Total debt increased to $462.4 million at January 2, 2021 from $300.4 million at December 28, 2019 reflecting net debt repayment of $48.3 million through the year and additional borrowings of $200 million for the acquisition.
• Cash and cash equivalents at January 2, 2021 were $25.2 million, up $3.1 million from the end of 2019.
• Pro-forma net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA was 3.0x at January 2, 2021 demonstrating the Company’s financial strategy to flex up leverage to support its acquisition strategy and then use cash generated from operations to pay down debt. At the end of the fourth quarter 2020, the Company had $144.0 million available on its revolving line of credit.
• Adjusted net cash provided by operations increased to $108.6 million in 2020 compared with $101.2 million in 2019. The Company generated $31.5 million of cash from operations in the fourth quarter compared with from $39.6 million in the prior-year period.
• Capital expenditures were $14.6 million, or approximately 3% of sales demonstrating the focus on cash preservation in light of the influence of COVID-19 on economic conditions. The Company expects to return to its more normalized capital investment level of approximately 5% of sales going forward.
• Paid 97^th sequential quarterly cash dividend on January 20, 2021.

2021 Outlook

The following provides the Company’s expectations for 2021. This assumes constant currency rates and that markets served continue to recover from the global pandemic.

		2020 Actual		2021 Outlook
Consolidated revenue		$523 million		$675 - $705 million
Adjusted EBITDA margin		23.2%		23% - 24%
Interest expense		$13 million		$16 - $18 million
Effective tax rate*		17.6%		24% - 26%
Depreciation		$18 million		$22 - $24 million
Amortization		$22 million		$30 - $31 million
Capital expenditures		~3% of sales		~5% of sales
Non-GAAP Cash EPS		$2.24		$2.75 - $3.10
* Included certain one-time benefits in the second quarter 2020 that reduced the full year effective tax rate.

Mr. Matosevic concluded, “We are implementing augmented values streams to drive growth and profitability at Helios. We expect our recent addition of BJN Technologies and the establishment of our Center of Engineering Excellence to enable quicker integration of technology capabilities, leverage talent and know-how across the organization and open opportunities to address new markets. We believe that fully integrating these elements of our business also creates a more cohesive operation that can deliver enhanced performance and value for our customers.”

Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast tomorrow, March 2, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial and operating results and discuss its corporate strategies and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow. The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8573. The audio webcast will be available at www.heliostechnologies.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from approximately 12:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Tuesday, March 9, 2021. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13715001. The webcast replay will be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.heliostechnologies.com, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

About Helios Technologies

Helios Technologies is a global leader in highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technology for diverse end markets, including construction, material handling, agriculture, energy, recreational vehicles, marine, health and wellness. Helios sells its products to customers in over 85 countries around the world. Its strategy for growth is to be the leading provider in niche markets, with premier products and solutions through innovative product development and acquisition. The company has paid a cash dividend to its shareholders every quarter since becoming a public company in 1997. For more information please visit: www.heliostechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward‐looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. They include statements regarding current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, our beliefs, and assumptions made by Helios Technologies, Inc. (“Helios” or the “Company”), its directors or its officers about the Company and the industry in which it operates, and assumptions made by management, and include among other items, (i) the Company’s strategies regarding growth, including its intention to develop new products and make acquisitions; (ii) the effectiveness of Creating the Center of Engineering Excellence; (iii) the Company’s financing plans; (iv) trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; (v) the Company’s ability to continue to control costs and to meet its liquidity and other financing needs; (vi) the declaration and payment of dividends; and (vii) the Company’s ability to respond to changes in customer demand domestically and internationally, including as a result of standardization. In addition, we may make other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward‐looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) conditions in the capital markets, including the interest rate environment and the availability of capital; (ii) the risk that the Acquisition will not be consummated in a timely manner or at all, our failure to realize the benefits expected from the Acquisition, our failure to promptly and effectively integrate the Acquisition and the ability of Helios to retain and hire key personnel, and maintain relationships with suppliers (iii) risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks and similar outbreaks, including, without limitation, the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows; (iv) changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect the Company’s revenue and/or cost bases, such as increased competition, lack of qualified engineering, marketing, management or other personnel, and increased labor and raw materials costs; and (v) new product introductions, product sales mix and the geographic mix of sales nationally and internationally. Further information relating to factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated is included but not limited to information under the heading Item 1. “Business” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019 and Part II, Item IA, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2020 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This news release will discuss some historical non-GAAP financial measures, which the Company believes are useful in evaluating its performance. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income recognized in a given period. You should not consider the inclusion of this additional information in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

This news release also presents forward-looking statements regarding non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA margin. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, the Company believes that such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company’s 2021 financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the Company’s actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.

Financial Tables Follow:

HELIOS TECHNOLOGIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended								For the Year Ended
		January 2,			December 28,					January 2,			December 28,
		2021			2019			% Change		2021			2019			% Change
		(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net sales		$	151,618		$	125,927		20%		$	523,040		$	554,665		(6)%
Cost of sales			98,902			78,500		26%			326,812			342,383		(5)%
Gross profit			52,716			47,427		11%			196,228			212,282		(8)%
Gross margin			34.8%			37.7%					37.5%			38.3%
Selling, engineering and administrative expenses			33,525			24,134		39%			106,831			99,665		7%
Restructuring charges			-			-		NM			-			1,724		NM
Amortization of intangible assets			8,791			4,521		94%			22,114			18,065		22%
Loss on disposal of intangible asset			-			-		NM			-			2,713		NM
Goodwill impairment			-			-		NM			31,871			-		NM
Operating income			10,400			18,772		(45)%			35,412			90,115		(61)%
Operating margin			6.9%			14.9%					6.8%			16.2%
Interest expense, net			4,714			3,164		49%			13,286			15,387		(14)%
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss, net			(1,237)			(938)		32%			(1,555)			(846)		84%
Other non-operating (income) expense, net			(233)			(315)		(26)%			(366)			267		(237)%
Income before income taxes			7,156			16,861		(58)%			24,047			75,307		(68)%
Income tax provision			1,605			3,052		(47)%			9,829			15,039		(35)%
Net income		$	5,551		$	13,809		(60)%		$	14,218		$	60,268		(76)%
Basic and diluted net income per common share		$	0.17		$	0.43		(60)%		$	0.44		$	1.88		(77)%
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding			32,113			32,044					32,088			32,015
Dividends declared per share		$	0.09		$	0.09				$	0.36		$	0.36
NM = Not meaningful

HELIOS TECHNOLOGIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
		January 2,			December 28,
		2021			2019
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	25,216		$	22,123
Restricted cash			41			39
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $1,493 and $1,131			97,623			66,677
Inventories, net			110,372			85,195
Income taxes receivable			1,103			3,196
Other current assets			19,664			15,359
Total current assets			254,019			192,589
Property, plant and equipment, net			163,177			145,854
Deferred income taxes			6,645			5,803
Goodwill			443,533			377,569
Other intangible assets, net			419,375			294,651
Other assets			10,230			5,285
Total assets		$	1,296,979		$	1,021,751
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	59,477		$	29,730
Accrued compensation and benefits			22,985			16,898
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities			24,941			14,377
Current portion of long-term non-revolving debt, net			16,229			7,623
Dividends payable			2,891			2,884
Income taxes payable			1,489			4,941
Total current liabilities			128,012			76,453
Revolving lines of credit			255,909			208,708
Long-term non-revolving debt, net			189,932			84,062
Deferred income taxes			78,864			49,290
Other noncurrent liabilities			36,472			25,602
Total liabilities			689,189			444,115
Commitments and contingencies			-			-
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.001, 2,000 shares authorized,
no shares issued or outstanding			-			-
Common stock, par value $0.001, 100,000 shares authorized,
32,121 and 32,047 shares issued and outstanding			32			32
Capital in excess of par value			371,778			365,310
Retained earnings			270,320			267,658
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(34,340)			(55,364)
Total shareholders’ equity			607,790			577,636
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,296,979		$	1,021,751

HELIOS TECHNOLOGIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
		For the Year E

FAQ

What were Helios Technologies' financial results for Q4 2020?

Helios reported strong revenue and profitability for Q4 2020, with all business segments exceeding expectations.

How did the Balboa acquisition affect Helios Technologies' performance?

The Balboa acquisition, completed on November 6, 2020, exceeded expectations in its initial months, contributing positively to Helios' financial results.

What markets is Helios Technologies focusing on for diversification?

Helios is focusing on diversifying into markets such as hydraulics and electronics, along with continued strength in agriculture, marine, and health and wellness.

What is the current net leverage ratio of Helios Technologies?

As of Q4 2020, Helios Technologies' net leverage ratio is 3.0x.

What are the plans for capacity expansion at Helios Technologies?

Helios is investing in expanding capacity and making manufacturing and productivity improvements as part of their growth strategy.