Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Fiscal 2020 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies, today reported results for its fiscal 2020 fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2020.

Net sales for the quarter decreased 17.9% to $725.1 million from $882.7 million in the prior year. The change in sales includes a 1.5% increase from acquisitions, partially offset by an approximate 1% negative impact from foreign currency translation. Excluding these factors, sales decreased 18.4% on an organic basis reflecting a 21.1% decline in the Service Center segment and an 11.8% decline in the Fluid Power & Flow Control segment. The Company reported net income of $30.0 million, or $0.77 per share. Results include non-routine costs of $1.5 million pre-tax ($0.03 per share) associated with restructuring and cost actions in response to the demand environment. Excluding these costs, the Company reported non-GAAP adjusted net income of $31.1 million, or $0.80 per share.

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2020, sales were $3.2 billion, a decrease of 6.5% compared with $3.5 billion last year, or down 9.4% on an organic daily basis. Net income was $24.0 million or $0.62 per share on a reported basis. Non-GAAP adjusted net income was $148.7 million, or $3.81 per share.

Neil A. Schrimsher, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer, commented “I want to thank our associates for their strong effort and support throughout fiscal 2020 including the exceptional response in recent months to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have adapted well with all of our locations fully operational and playing a vital role in keeping essential industries productive, while understanding our requirements during this slower demand environment. This resiliency was apparent during the quarter with decremental margins on adjusted operating income in the mid-teens despite a high-teen sales decline, as well as strong cash generation further enhancing our balance sheet and flexibility as we enter fiscal 2021.”

Mr. Schrimsher added, “As expected, demand was challenging throughout the quarter as customers in many of our core manufacturing end markets idled or reduced production capacity and facility utilization in response to the pandemic. Underlying trends remain subdued but are firming slightly into our fiscal 2021 first quarter with organic sales down mid-teens year-over-year through early August. While we believe the worst is behind us, visibility is limited and we expect a slow pace near term as customers gradually bring facilities back online and conservatively manage operations against a still fluid pandemic and macro outlook.”

“Going forward, we will remain prudent and have reinforced recent cost actions, though with an offensive approach in mind as we position for the recovery and execute strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing our growth in coming years. We remain committed to our long-term financial targets of $4.5 billion in sales and 11% EBITDA margins. While the timing of these goals is dependent on the industrial cycle trajectory, I believe Applied’s long-term growth and margin potential have never been stronger as our leading technical MRO position, service capabilities, and strategic direction further entrench our value across critical motion, power, and control infrastructure, as well as next generation industrial solutions.”

Fiscal 2021 Outlook

Due to ongoing uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is refraining from providing formal financial guidance for the full-year fiscal 2021 until it further assesses the direction of industrial activity. Near term, assuming underlying demand remains stable with July and early August levels, first quarter sales are expected to decline 17% to 18% year-over-year on an organic basis. In addition, the Company has extended previously announced cost measures into early fiscal 2021. The majority of these actions remain temporary and will be reevaluated as the year progresses alongside growth requirements.

Conference Call Information
Applied will host its quarterly conference call for investors and analysts at 10 a.m. ET on August 12, 2020. Neil A. Schrimsher – President & CEO, and David K. Wells – CFO will discuss the Company's performance. A supplemental investor deck detailing latest quarter results is available for reference on the investor relations portion of the Company’s website at www.applied.com. To join the call, dial 877-311-4351 (toll free) or 614-999-9139 (for International callers) using conference ID 6441297. A live audio webcast can be accessed online through the investor relations portion of the Company's website at www.applied.com. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 855-859-2056 or 800-585-8367 (both toll free), or 404-537-3406 (International) using conference ID 6441297.

About Applied
Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO and OEM end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “outlook,” “guidance” and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends in the industrial sector of the economy, the effects of the health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on our business operations, results of operations, and financial condition, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, many of which risks are amplified by circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Year Ended June 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Net Sales		$	725,076			$	882,743			$	3,245,652			$	3,472,739
Cost of sales			516,786				625,392				2,307,916				2,465,116
Gross Profit			208,290				257,351				937,736				1,007,623
Selling, distribution and administrative expense,
including depreciation			161,262				185,376				717,747				742,241
Goodwill & intangible impairment			-				-				131,000				31,594
Operating Income			47,028				71,975				88,989				233,788
Interest expense, net			8,088				10,187				36,535				40,188
Other income, net			(1,139	)			(332	)			(2,782	)			(881	)
Income Before Income Taxes			40,079				62,120				55,236				194,481
Income Tax Expense			10,090				22,317				31,194				50,488
Net Income		$	29,989			$	39,803			$	24,042			$	143,993
Net Income Per Share - Basic		$	0.78			$	1.03			$	0.62			$	3.72
Net Income Per Share - Diluted		$	0.77			$	1.02			$	0.62			$	3.68
Average Shares Outstanding - Basic			38,691				38,579				38,658				38,670
Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted			38,988				38,993				38,999				39,160

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1) Applied uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuing U.S. inventory. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory determination.   2) On July 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842 – accounting for leases. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of $83.5 million and $89.8 million, respectively, on July 1, 2019. In addition, the adoption resulted in an adjustment to opening retained earnings of approximately $3.3 million, net of tax, on July 1, 2019.   3) In the quarter ending March 31, 2020, the Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $131.0 million related to the operations of FCX Performance, Inc. (FCX) within the Company's Fluid Power & Flow Control segment.   4) In the year ending June 30, 2020, the Company incurred certain non-routine charges primarily related to its U.S. Service Center Based Distribution segment. Total non-routine charges reduced gross profit by $3.9 million, decreased operating income by $9.0 million, and decreased net income by $5.8 million.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
		June 30, 2020			June 30, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	268,551		$	108,219
Accounts receivable, net			449,998			540,902
Inventories			389,150			447,555
Other current assets			52,070			51,462
Total current assets			1,159,769			1,148,138
Property, net			121,901			124,303
Operating lease assets, net			90,636			-
Intangibles, net			343,215			368,866
Goodwill			540,594			661,991
Other assets			27,436			28,399
Total Assets		$	2,283,551		$	2,331,697
Liabilities
Accounts payable		$	186,270		$	237,289
Current portion of long-term debt			78,646			49,036
Other accrued liabilities			161,167			137,469
Total current liabilities			426,083			423,794
Long-term debt			855,143			908,850
Other liabilities			158,783			102,019
Total Liabilities			1,440,009			1,434,663
Shareholders' Equity			843,542			897,034
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity		$	2,283,551		$	2,331,697

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
		Year Ended June 30,
		2020				2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income		$	24,042			$	143,993
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property			21,196				20,236
Amortization of intangibles			41,553				41,883
Goodwill & intangible impairment			131,000				31,594
Amortization of stock appreciation rights and options			2,954				2,437
Gain on sale of property			(1,157	)			(459	)
Other share-based compensation expense			4,000				4,474
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions			73,720				(70,221	)
Other, net			(594	)			6,664
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities			296,714				180,601
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			(37,237	)			(37,526	)
Property purchases			(20,115	)			(18,970	)
Proceeds from property sales			1,948				1,003
Other			-				391
Net Cash used in Investing Activities			(55,404	)			(55,102	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net repayments under revolving credit facility			-				(19,500	)
Long-term debt borrowings			25,000				175,000
Long-term debt repayments			(49,553	)			(161,738	)
Payment of debt issuance costs			(95	)			(775	)
Purchases of treasury shares			-				(11,158	)
Dividends paid			(48,873	)			(47,266	)
Acquisition holdback payments			(2,440	)			(2,610	)
Taxes paid for shares withheld for equity awards			(2,607	)			(3,492	)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options			330				-
Net Cash used in Financing Activities			(78,238	)			(71,539	)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash			(2,740	)			109
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			160,332				54,069
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of Period			108,219				54,150
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period		$	268,551			$	108,219

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands)
The Company supplemented the reporting of financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with reporting of non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist shareholders in understanding financial results, assessing prospects for future performance, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported results. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the business. The Company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review company financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
Reconciliation of Net income and Net income per share, GAAP financial measures, with Adjusted Net income and Adjusted Net income per share, non-GAAP financial measures:
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
		Pre-tax				Tax Effect				Net of Tax				Per Share Diluted Impact				Tax Rate
Net income and net income per share		$	40,079			$	10,090			$	29,989			$	0.77			25.2	%
Non-routine costs			1,540				388				1,152				0.03			25.2	%
Adjusted net income and net income per share		$	41,619			$	10,478			$	31,141			$	0.80			25.2	%
		Year Ended June 30, 2020
		Pre-tax				Tax Effect				Net of Tax				Per Share Diluted Impact				Tax Rate
Net income and net income per share		$	55,236			$	31,194			$	24,042			$	0.62			56.5	%
Goodwill impairment			131,000				12,200				118,800				3.04			9.3	%
Non-routine costs			8,992				2,135				6,857				0.18			23.7	%
Non-routine tax benefit			-				1,010				(1,010	)			(0.03	)		N/M
Adjusted net income and net income per share		$	195,228			$	46,539			$	148,689			$	3.81			23.8	%
		Year Ended June 30, 2019
		Pre-tax				Tax Effect				Net of Tax				Per Share Diluted Impact				Tax Rate
Net income and net income per share		$	194,481			$	50,488			$	143,993			$	3.68			26.0	%
Canadian intangible impairment			31,594				8,485				23,109				0.59			26.9	%
Canadian tax valuation allowance			-				(3,785	)			3,785				0.10			N/M
Non-routine costs			2,300				598				1,702				0.04			26.0	%
Adjusted net income and net income per share		$	228,375			$	55,786			$	172,589			$	4.41			24.4	%
Reconciliation of Net Cash provided by Operating activities, a GAAP financial measure, to Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Year Ended June 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities		$	127,090			$	103,435			$	296,714			$	180,601
Property purchases			(3,892	)			(7,259	)			(20,115	)			(18,970	)
Free Cash Flow		$	123,198			$	96,176			$	276,599			$	161,631
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less property purchases.

 

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