Strong execution drives record quarterly results; Raising outlook for remainder of 2018

WAUKESHA, Wis., Nov. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) (“Generac” or the “Company”), a leading global designer and manufacturer of power generation equipment and other engine powered products, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2018.    

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

• Net sales increased 22.7% to $559.5 million during the third quarter of 2018 as compared to $455.8 million in the prior-year third quarter, including $13.4 million of contribution from the Selmec acquisition, which closed on June 1, 2018.  Core sales growth, which excludes both the impact of acquisitions and foreign currency, was approximately 20%.    
• Gross profit margin improved 110 basis points to 35.4% as compared to 34.3% in the third quarter of 2017.
• Net income attributable to the Company during the third quarter was $75.8 million, or $1.11 per share, as compared to $39.4 million, or $0.63 per share, for the same period of 2017. 
• Adjusted net income attributable to the Company, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $89.1 million, or $1.43 per share, as compared to $57.4 million, or $0.92 per share, in the third quarter of 2017. 
• Adjusted EBITDA before deducting for non-controlling interests, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, improved to $124.5 million, or 22.2% of net sales, as compared to $88.4 million, or 19.4% of net sales, in the prior year.
• Cash flow from operations was $59.3 million as compared to $66.3 million in the prior year quarter.  Free cash flow, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $47.0 million as compared to $60.4 million in the third quarter of 2017.
• The Company is increasing its full-year 2018 sales growth guidance to approximately 20% with Adjusted EBITDA margins, before deducting for non-controlling interests, of approximately 21.0%.

“Our third quarter results were a record for Generac as we experienced broad based growth across all of our end markets,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Shipments of residential products were again particularly strong with demand climbing to record levels as disruptions from power outages continued to drive awareness around the home standby category and the need for homeowners to have back-up power.  Sales of our C&I mobile and stationary products were also strong during the quarter with rental, telecom, and healthcare verticals experiencing outsized growth.  With a healthy backlog entering the fourth quarter, the fundamentals of our business have never been stronger and we remain focused on execution as we further drive shareholder value.”

Additional Third Quarter 2018 Consolidated Highlights

Residential product sales increased 24.2% to $311.9 million as compared to $251.2 million in the prior year.  Recall that the prior year quarter included the impacts from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.  C&I product sales increased 18.7% to $206.4 million as compared to $173.8 million in the prior year, with core sales growth of approximately 15%.   

Gross profit margin improved 110 basis points to 35.4% as compared to 34.3% in the prior-year third quarter.  A significant favorable mix shift towards home standby generator sales drove the majority of this improvement, with price / cost factors being largely neutral to gross margins relative to the prior year.

Operating expenses increased $7.7 million, or 9.2%, as compared to the third quarter of 2017.  The increase was primarily driven by higher variable operating expenses given the higher sales volumes, an increase in employee & incentive compensation costs, and recurring operating expenses from the Selmec acquisition.  These items were partially offset by lower promotion, marketing and intangible amortization expenses.

Provision for income taxes for the current year quarter was $20.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 20.8%, as compared to $20.4 million, or 33.9% effective tax rate, for the prior year.

Cash flow from operations was $59.3 million as compared to $66.3 million in the prior-year third quarter, and free cash flow was $47.0 million as compared to $60.4 million in the same quarter last year.  Higher operating earnings were more than offset by the timing of certain cash flows related to taxes, interest, pensions, capital expenditures and sales of extended warranties. 

The current year earnings per share calculation of $1.11 includes the impact of a $6.9 million adjustment to increase the value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest for the Pramac acquisition, resulting in an $0.11 reduction in earnings per share. Under U.S. GAAP accounting rules, any adjustments to the redemption value are recorded directly to retained earnings.  However, the redemption value adjustments are required to be reflected in the earnings per share calculation as detailed in the accompanying reconciliation schedules.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all related amendments, commonly known as the “new revenue recognition standard”.  The full retrospective method was elected under this standard, which requires application to all periods presented.  As a result, the prior-year 2017 results have been restated accordingly.  However, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. 

Business Segment Results

Domestic Segment

Domestic segment sales increased 24.9% to $453.3 million as compared to $362.9 million in the prior-year quarter.  The current-year quarter continued to experience strong growth in shipments of home standby generators, C&I mobile products, C&I stationary generators, and service parts, all of which contributed to the year-over-year growth.

Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $117.1 million, or 25.8% of net sales, as compared to $82.8 million in the prior year, or 22.8% of net sales.  Adjusted EBITDA margin in the current year benefitted from favorable mix, improved operating leverage, a favorable pricing environment, and focused margin improvement initiatives.  These benefits were partially offset by an increase in employee costs and general inflationary pressures.

International Segment

International segment sales increased 14.3% to $106.3 million as compared to $92.9 million in the prior-year quarter.  Core sales growth was approximately 3%, with the Selmec acquisition contributing an additional $13.4 million.

Adjusted EBITDA for the segment, before deducting for non-controlling interests, improved to $7.4 million, or 6.9% of net sales, as compared to $5.6 million, or 6.1% of net sales, in the prior year.  The improvement was primarily due to increased leverage of fixed operating costs on the higher organic sales volumes and favorable mix.    

Updated 2018 Outlook

The Company is increasing its prior guidance for revenue growth for full-year 2018, reflecting  the favorable end market conditions primarily driven by higher than expected power outage activity experienced during the second half of 2018.  Full year net sales are now expected to grow by approximately 19 to 20% over the prior year, which is an increase from the 13 to 14% growth previously expected.  Core sales growth is expected to be approximately 16 to 17%, which is an increase from the approximate 10% core growth previously expected. 

Given the increase in net sales guidance, net income margins, before deducting for non-controlling interests, are now expected to be approximately 12% for the full-year 2018, which is an increase from the 10.5% guidance previously expected.  Adjusted EBITDA margins, also before deducting for non-controlling interests, are now expected to be approximately 21% for the year, up from the prior 20.0% guidance. 

Operating and free cash flow generation is expected to remain strong, with the conversion of adjusted net income to free cash flow forecasted to be approximately 80 to 85%.

Conference Call and Webcast

Generac management will hold a conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, November 1, 2018 to discuss third quarter 2018 operating results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 415-3113 (domestic) or +1 (678) 509-7544 (international) and entering passcode 5499586.

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

Following the live webcast, a replay will be available on the Company's website. A telephonic replay will also be available approximately two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or +1 (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering passcode 5499586. The telephonic replay will be available for 7 days.
               
About Generac

Founded in 1959, Generac is a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of power generation equipment and other engine powered products.  As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial, and industrial markets, Generac's power products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers. 

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," “optimistic” 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:

• frequency and duration of power outages impacting demand for Generac products;
• availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components and labor needed in producing Generac products;
• the impact on our results of possible fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodities, product mix, and regulatory tariffs;
• the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
• the risk that our acquisitions will not be integrated successfully;
• difficulties Generac may encounter as its business expands globally;
• 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 or recalls; 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”), particularly in the Risk Factors section of the 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

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.

Non-GAAP Financial Metrics

Core Sales

The Company references core sales to further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Core sales excludes the impact of acquisitions and fluctuations in foreign currency translation.  Management believes that core sales facilitates easier and more meaningful comparison of net sales performance with prior and future periods.

Adjusted EBITDA

The computation of adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Company is based on the definition of EBITDA contained in Generac's credit agreement dated as of May 31, 2013, as amended.  To supplement the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Generac provides a summary to show the computation of adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the impact of non-controlling interests, 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 U.S. GAAP, the Company provides a summary to show the computation of adjusted net income attributable to the Company. Adjusted net income attributable to the Company is defined as net income before non-controlling interests and provision 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, losses on extinguishment of debt, business optimization expenses, certain other non-cash gains and losses, and adjusted net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

Free Cash Flow

In addition, we reference free cash flow to further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, plus proceeds from beneficial interests in securitization transactions, 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 U.S. GAAP.  Please see our SEC filings for additional discussion of the basis for Generac's reporting of Non-GAAP financial measures, which includes why the Company believes these measures provide useful information to investors and the additional purposes for which management uses the non-GAAP financial information.

SOURCE: Generac Holdings Inc.

CONTACT:
York Ragen
Chief Financial Officer
(262) 506-6064
InvestorRelations@generac.com