Strong and broad-based organic revenue growth and operational execution drive continued growth in adjusted earnings

Outlook raised for full-year 2013, with second half 2013 sales expected to grow over the very strong prior-year period

WAUKESHA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 30, 2013-- Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), a leading designer and manufacturer of generators and other engine powered products, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2013.

Second Quarter 2013 Highlights

• Net sales increased year-over-year by 45.0% to $346.7 million as compared to $239.1 million in the second quarter of 2012.
  
  
  • Residential product sales increased 59.3% compared to the second quarter of 2012.
  • Commercial & Industrial (C&I) product sales increased 32.0% compared to the prior year second quarter.
• Gross profit margin during the second quarter improved 120 basis points over the prior year.
• Net income during the second quarter of 2013 was $28.3 million, or $0.40 per share, as compared to $9.3 million or $0.14 per share for the same period of 2012.
• Adjusted net income, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, increased to $66.6 million from $39.9 million in the second quarter of 2012. Adjusted diluted net income per share was $0.95 as compared to $0.58 per share in the second quarter of 2012.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 65.0% to $90.1 million as compared to $54.6 million in the second quarter last year.
• Cash flow from operations in the second quarter of 2013 was $36.1 million as compared to $21.1 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow was $30.3 million as compared to $17.8 million in the second quarter of 2012.
• For the trailing four quarters, including the second quarter of 2013, net sales were $1.389 billion; net income was $132.8 million; adjusted EBITDA was $358.3 million; cash flow from operations was $250.2 million; and free cash flow was $223.3 million.
• For the second consecutive year, the Company returned significant capital to shareholders during the quarter through a special cash dividend of $5.00 per share paid on June 21, 2013.
• As previously announced, the Company last week entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Tower Light srl, a leading European developer and supplier of mobile light towers with headquarters outside Milan, Italy. Targeted to close in early August using cash on hand, the acquisition positions the Company as a global leader in mobile light towers and accelerates its global expansion efforts.

“Our second quarter results continue to demonstrate the success we are experiencing in executing our Powering Ahead strategic plan,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We executed on very strong organic revenue growth again this quarter which was broad based across our major product categories and all significant regions of the United States. Our growth was driven by continuing adoption of home standby generators, the further expansion of our distribution, and increasing demand within certain of our commercial and industrial end markets. When you combine our organic growth initiatives with our recent acquisitions, we are driving a new and higher baseline of demand for our products, while also becoming a more balanced company with global scale."

Additional Second Quarter 2013 Highlights

Residential product sales for the second quarter of 2013 increased 59.3% to $196.6 million from $123.4 million for the comparable period in 2012, which was primarily driven by very strong double-digit increases in shipments for both home standby and portable generators. The growth was due to a combination of factors including the additional awareness and adoption created by major power outages in recent years, the Company’s expanded distribution, increased sales and marketing initiatives, overall strong operational execution and an improving environment for residential investment. In addition, increased revenue from power washer products contributed to the year-over-year sales growth in residential products.

Commercial & Industrial product sales for the second quarter of 2013 increased 32.0% to $133.4 million from $101.1 million for the comparable period in 2012. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by the Ottomotores acquisition which closed in December 2012, along with strong shipments to national account customers. Increased sales of natural gas generators used in light commercial/retail applications also contributed to year-over-year organic growth.

Gross profit margin for the second quarter of 2013 was 37.8% compared to 36.6% in the second quarter of 2012. Gross margin improved over the prior year due to the combination of improved product mix, improved pricing, and a moderation in product costs due to lower commodities and execution of cost-reduction initiatives. These margin improvements were partially offset by the mix impact from the addition of Ottomotores sales.

Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2013 increased $4.2 million, or 8.5%, as compared to the second quarter of 2012. These additional expenses were driven primarily by operating expenses associated with the Ottomotores businesses, and increased sales, engineering and administrative infrastructure to support the strategic growth initiatives and higher baseline sales levels of the Company. These operating expense increases were partially offset by warranty rate improvements and reduced amortization of intangibles.

As previously announced, on May 31, 2013, the Company completed a refinancing of its senior secured credit facilities, pursuant to which it incurred $1.2 billion of senior secured term loans to replace its prior term loan facilities. The new term loans accrue interest initially at LIBOR plus 2.75% with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%, which results in a 275 basis point reduction in interest rate as compared to the Company’s previous facility, at current LIBOR interest rates. Following the refinancing, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from the new term loans to fund a special cash dividend to its stockholders of $5.00 per share and to pay related financing fees and expenses. The special dividend constituted a declared amount of $342.1 million in the aggregate, of which $340.8 million was paid on June 21, 2013. In conjunction with this refinancing and other debt prepayments, a $13.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt was recorded during the second quarter of 2013.

Interest expense in the second quarter of 2013 increased to $14.3 million compared to $9.9 million in the same period last year. The increase was a result of higher debt levels and interest rates compared to the prior year period. Due to the reduction in interest rate from the current-year refinancing completed in May 2013, interest expense during the third quarter of 2013 is expected to be approximately $13.0 million, which includes approximately $1.5 million of deferred financing costs and original issue discount amortization.

Outlook

The Company is revising upward its sales guidance for full-year 2013 primarily due to continued strong demand for home standby and portable generators, an improved outlook for C&I shipments, as well as the expected closing of the Tower Light acquisition early in the third quarter of 2013. Full-year 2013 net sales are now expected to increase in the low-20% range over the prior year, which is an increase from the low-to-mid teens rate previously expected. Specifically for the second half 2013, net sales are now forecasted to increase in the mid-single digit range as compared to the very strong prior-year second-half period. This top-line guidance continues to assume no material changes in the current macroeconomic environment and no major power outage events for the remainder of 2013.

Gross margins for 2013 are still expected to be approximately flat as compared to the prior year.

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, excluding amortization of intangibles, are now expected to be approximately flat as compared to 2012, which is an improvement from the previous expectation of slightly up compared to the prior year.

As a result of the higher sales outlook and the improved operating expense guidance, adjusted EBITDA for the full-year 2013 is now expected to increase in the low-20% range, which is an increase from the low-teens percentage range previously expected.

Cash flow conversion is still expected to remain strong during 2013 and be consistent with the cumulative average during the past four years of free cash flow representing between 90-95% of adjusted net income.

As previously announced, the Company recently signed an agreement to acquire the equity of Tower Light srl. Founded in 1996 and located outside of Milan, Italy, Tower Light is a leading developer and supplier of mobile light towers throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Tower Light has experienced growth and built a leading market position in the equipment rental markets by leveraging their broad product offering and strong global distribution network in over 50 countries. With approximately 100 employees, Tower Light’s net sales for year ended December 31, 2012 were approximately €37 million.

“The powerful macro drivers for our business, which include the underinvestment in the electrical grid, an aging population, and an increasing reliance on uninterrupted power and data, should drive further awareness of the need for back-up power,” concluded Mr. Jagdfeld. “Through innovation and solid execution of our strategic initiatives, we expect to continue to drive the adoption of standby generators for homes and businesses. At the same time, we are building Generac into a larger, more balanced company with improved global focus by continuing to diversify our product offerings, our distribution channels, and the geographies we serve. Combine with this the potential for further recovery in residential investment and non-residential construction, and we believe Generac is well positioned to continue driving organic revenue growth, superior margins and strong free cash flow.”

Conference Call and Webcast

Generac management will hold a conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 to discuss highlights of this earnings release. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 515-2911 (domestic) or +1 (617) 399-5125 (international) and entering passcode 74698026.

The conference call will also be webcast simultaneously on Generac's website (http://www.generac.com), under the Investor Relations link. The webcast link and supporting materials, if any, will be made available on the Company’s website prior to the start of the call.

Following the live webcast, a replay will be available on the Company's web site. A telephonic replay will also be available approximately one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (888) 286-8010 (domestic) or +1 (617) 801-6888 (international) and entering passcode 72906440. The telephonic replay will be available for 30 days.

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About Generac

Since 1959, Generac has been a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of generators and other engine powered products. As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial, industrial and construction markets, Generac's power products are available internationally through a broad network of independent dealers, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies.

Forward-looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Generac Holdings Inc. or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Generac's current expectations and projections relating to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend," "believe," "confident," "may," "should," "can have," "likely," "future" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company's control) and assumptions. Although Generac believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Generac's actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including:

• demand for Generac products;
• frequency and duration of major power outages;
• availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components used in producing Generac products;
• the impact on our results of the substantial increases in our outstanding indebtedness and related interest expense due to the dividend recapitalization transactions completed in May 2012 and 2013;
• the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of the acquisitions of the Ottomotores and Tower Light businesses or other acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
• the risk that the Ottomotores and Tower Light businesses or other acquisitions that we make will not be integrated successfully;
• difficulties Generac may encounter as its business expands globally;
• competitive factors in the industry in which Generac operates;
• Generac's dependence on its distribution network;
• Generac's ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologies and manufacturing techniques;
• loss of key management and employees;
• increase in product and other liability claims; and
• changes in environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, Generac's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in any forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect future results is contained in Generac's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Any forward-looking statement made by Generac in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Generac undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Reconciliations to GAAP Financial Metrics

Adjusted EBITDA

The computation of adjusted EBITDA is based on the definition of EBITDA contained in Generac's credit agreement, dated as of May 31, 2013, which is substantially the same definition that was contained in the Company’s previous credit agreements. To supplement the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with US GAAP, Generac provides a summary to show the computation of adjusted EBITDA, taking into account certain charges and gains that were recognized during the periods presented.

Adjusted Net Income

To further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with US GAAP, the Company provides a summary to show the computation of adjusted net income. Adjusted net income is defined as net income before provision (benefit) for income taxes adjusted for the following items: cash income tax expense, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount related to the Company's debt, intangible impairment charges, certain transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments, and certain non-cash gains and losses.

Free Cash Flow

In addition, we reference free cash flow to further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with US GAAP. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less expenditures for property and equipment and is intended to be a measure of operational cash flow taking into account additional capital expenditure investment into the business.

The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Please see our SEC filings for additional discussion of the basis for Generac's reporting of Non-GAAP financial measures.

SOURCE: Generac Holdings Inc.

Source: Generac Holdings Inc.

Generac Holdings Inc.
York A. Ragen
Chief Financial Officer
(262) 506-6064
InvestorRelations@generac.com
or
Michael W. Harris
Director – Finance and Investor Relations
(262) 544-4811 x2675
Michael.Harris@generac.com