First quarter results in line with internal expectations as continued growth from commercial & industrial products helps to diversify business

WAUKESHA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2014-- Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) (the “Company”), a leading designer and manufacturer of power generation equipment and other engine powered products, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

First Quarter 2014 Highlights

• Net sales were $342.0 million as compared to $399.6 million in the first quarter of 2013.
  • Commercial & Industrial (C&I) product sales increased 23.8% to $157.4 million as compared $127.1 million in the prior-year first quarter, due to a combination of acquisitions and continued organic growth.
  • Residential product sales were $164.0 million during the first quarter of 2014 as compared to $255.2 million in the prior year quarter. The prior year first quarter benefitted from elevated demand due to Superstorm Sandy, while the first quarter of 2014 was negatively impacted by colder temperatures and snow cover which delayed installations and slowed demand for home standby generators.
• Net income during the first quarter of 2014 was $34.7 million, or $0.50 per share, as compared to $50.7 million or $0.73 per share for the same period of 2013.
• Adjusted net income, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $50.7 million as compared to $83.9 million in the first quarter of 2013. Adjusted diluted net income per share was $0.72 as compared to $1.21 per share in the first quarter of 2013.
• Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $77.5 million as compared to $108.8 million in the first quarter last year.
• Cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2014 was $36.4 million as compared to $38.3 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $31.4 million as compared to $33.9 million in the first quarter of 2013.
• For the trailing four quarters, including the first quarter of 2014, net sales were $1.428 billion; net income was $158.6 million; adjusted EBITDA was $371.3 million; cash flow from operations was $258.0 million; and free cash flow was $226.7 million.

“We are pleased with our overall financial results for the quarter as they were in line with our expectations. Shipments of residential products during the first quarter were more typical of the seasonality we historically see in winter months, which was magnified in the current season with heavy snow and colder temperatures delaying installs of residential standby units, ” said Aaron Jagdfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Shipments of C&I products were again strong during the quarter as a result of continued organic growth and the contribution from recent acquisitions. Through a combination of our internal growth initiatives and M&A activity, we remain focused on driving a new and higher baseline of demand for our products, while also becoming a more diversified company with improved global scale.”

Additional First Quarter 2014 Highlights

Residential product sales for the first quarter of 2014 were $164.0 million as compared to $255.2 million for the comparable period in 2013. Sales of residential products during the prior-year first quarter of 2013 were positively impacted by approximately $100 million in incremental shipments as a result of satisfying the extended lead times that resulted from Superstorm Sandy, which did not repeat during the first quarter of 2014. Excluding this benefit in the prior year quarter, residential product revenue increased during the first quarter of 2014, driven by higher shipments of portable generators.

C&I product sales for the first quarter of 2014 increased 23.8% to $157.4 million from $127.1 million for the comparable period in 2013. The increase was driven by recent acquisitions along with solid organic growth for stationary generators and light towers. The strength in organic revenues was primarily driven by an increase in shipments to national account customers.

Gross profit margin for the first quarter of 2014 was 34.9% compared to 38.4% in the prior-year first quarter. Gross margin was impacted over the prior year primarily due to a notably higher mix of organic C&I product shipments and lower mix of home standby generators, together with the impact of recent acquisitions.

Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2014 declined $2.7 million, or 4.8%, as compared to the first quarter of 2013. The expense reduction was driven primarily by a decline in warranty expense driven by warranty rate improvements in recent quarters, partially offset by the addition of operating expenses associated with recent acquisitions.

Interest expense in the first quarter of 2014 declined to $11.7 million compared to $15.7 million in the same period last year, the result of a reduction in interest rate from the credit agreement refinancing completed in May 2013.

2014 Outlook

The Company is reaffirming its prior guidance for 2014 in terms of revenue growth, EBITDA margins and cash flows. For the full-year 2014, the Company still expects net sales to increase in the mid-single digit range as compared to the prior year. This top-line guidance assumes no material changes in the current macroeconomic environment, no major power outage events for the remainder of 2014, and no benefit from additional acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA margins are expected to remain in the mid-20% range as previously guided, as a higher mix of C&I product shipments relative to prior expectations is projected to be offset by reduced operating expenses. These attractive margins are consistent with the average levels seen during the past four years.

“We expect to continue to benefit from the long-term secular growth drivers for our business,” continued Mr. Jagdfeld. “Given the relatively low penetration for both residential and light-commercial standby generators, we believe there is a substantial opportunity for long-term growth as the leader in these emerging product categories. We are also optimistic about the increasing need for our products used in certain end-market verticals such as telecommunications and oil & gas, as well as the overall ongoing secular shifts in the market toward natural gas generators and the rental of mobile power equipment. As we continue to execute on our Powering Ahead strategic plan, we are confident in our ability to continue to invest in the future growth of the business, both organically and through acquisitions.”

Conference Call and Webcast

Generac management will hold a conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 1, 2014 to discuss highlights of the first quarter operating results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (800) 510-9691 (domestic) or +1 (617) 614-3453 (international) and entering passcode 39271367.

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 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 23767186. The telephonic replay will be available for 30 days.

About Generac

Since 1959, Generac has been 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, industrial and construction markets, Generac's power products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, 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" 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 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;
• 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, losses on extinguishment of debt, and certain other 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.
Michael W. Harris
Vice President – Finance and Investor Relations
(262) 544-4811 x2675
Michael.Harris@Generac.com