A. O. Smith reports increased earnings on record sales in second quarter; increases 2013 outlook and 2015 aspirations

MILWAUKEE, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS) today announced second quarter net earnings of $42.1 million or $0.45 per share on record sales of $549.1 million.

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Second quarter 2013 adjusted earnings of $48.2 million or $0.52 per share exclude an after-tax restructuring and impairment charge of $3.1 million related to the transfer of residential water heater manufacturing from the Fergus, Ontario, plant as well as $3.0 million in non-operating pension costs.

Sales of $549.1 million for the quarter ended June 30 represented a 13 percent increase over sales of $484.2 million in the second quarter of 2012.

A. O. Smith is providing non-GAAP measures (adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted segment operating earnings) that exclude certain items as well as non-operating pension costs consisting of interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of actuarial gains (losses), and curtailments.  Prior year results are provided on a comparable basis. Reconciliations to measures on a GAAP basis are provided in the financial information included with this press release.

"Our North American operations continued to benefit from improved economic conditions and the recovery of the new housing market in the U. S.," Ajita G. Rajendra, president and chief executive officer, observed.  "The improved market conditions impacted both our residential water heater and boiler product lines."

"A. O. Smith branded product sales in China increased approximately 35 percent in the second quarter, surpassing our expectations," he continued.  "Our team in China continues to do an excellent job of growing the business and serving our customers in that important region of the world."

North America segment

Second quarter sales for the North America segment, which includes U. S. and Canadian water heaters and boilers, increased approximately six percent to $389.0 million compared with second quarter 2012 sales of $365.9 million.  Increased volumes of residential water heaters in the U. S. and higher boiler volumes contributed to the increase. 

Segment operating earnings were $55.0 million compared with the $51.2 million earned in the second quarter last year.  Second quarter adjusted segment operating earnings of $62.8 million were 20 percent higher than adjusted segment operating earnings of $52.3 million in the same period last year and excluded pre-tax non-operating pension costs of $3.6 million in the current period and $1.1 million in the year-ago period.  The current period also excludes a pre-tax restructuring and impairment charge of $4.2 million.  Higher volumes, improved pricing associated with a price increase implemented in the 2012 second quarter and lower material costs contributed to the profit increase.  Second quarter adjusted operating margin of 16.1 percent was higher than the 2012 second quarter adjusted operating margin of 14.3 percent. 

Rest of World segment

Sales for this segment, which includes China, India, and Europe, increased more than 33 percent to $169.5 million compared with second quarter 2012 sales of $127.2 million.   Sales of A. O. Smith branded products in China increased more than $37 million to $143.6 million in the quarter.  Greater demand for the company's premium water heating and water treatment products and a higher priced product mix as a result of product introductions with higher value features and benefits drove the increase in sales.

Segment operating earnings of $22.4 million increased over 80 percent compared with second quarter 2012 earnings of $12.3 million.  The higher volumes and improved mix of A. O. Smith branded products in China and improved performance in the non-A. O. Smith branded water treatment operations contributed to the increase in operating earnings.  Second quarter operating margin of 13.2 percent improved compared with second quarter 2012 operating margin of 9.7 percent.

Restructuring activity

On March 28, 2013, the company's Board of Directors approved a plan to transfer residential water heater production from its Fergus, Ontario, plant to other North American facilities.  The majority of the Fergus plant's production was transferred as of July 1, with the remaining production scheduled to be transferred in the third quarter.  As a result of the capacity rationalization, the company incurred a pre-tax restructuring charge of $4.2 million in the second quarter related to employee severance costs and impairment of assets.  Additional restructuring charges made up of equipment relocation costs are expected to be approximately $2.5 million for the remainder of the year.  The company expects net pre-tax savings of approximately $3 to $4 million in 2013 and approximately $10 million in 2014.

Cash, Leverage and Share Buyback

Total debt as of June 30, 2013 was $209.3 million, resulting in leverage of 14 percent as measured by the ratio of total debt to total capital.  Cash and investments, located largely outside the U. S., totaled $463.9 million at the end of the quarter. 

During the second quarter, the company repurchased 272,800 shares of common stock at an average price of $38.54 per share, representing a total of $10.5 million. 

Given the company's expectation to generate approximately $100 million in free cash flow in 2013, its Board of Directors approved adding two million shares to the company's existing discretionary share repurchase program resulting in current authority to repurchase approximately 2.5 million shares.  Under the Board's share repurchase authorization, the company may repurchase shares through a combination of a 10b5-1 automatic trading plan and discretionary purchases in accordance with applicable securities laws. The number of shares purchased and the timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, as well as on working capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities.

The company believes its cash flow from operations, borrowing capacity and existing cash are adequate to support the repurchase program, as well as its active acquisition strategy.

Outlook for 2013

"Our two business segments performed very well in the first half of this year," Rajendra said.  "The improvements in new home construction in the U. S. and the continued market acceptance of our high-efficiency condensing boilers have added profitable revenues to our strong replacement water heater business." 

"Our Rest of World business segment remained strong in the first half of this year, with new products contributing increased sales and profits.  We expect A. O. Smith branded product sales in China will grow approximately 18 percent in 2013, which implies over 10 percent growth in the second half of the year.  Growth in the second half of the year will be slower than in the first half primarily due to a difficult year-over-year comparison."

"As a result of our strong first half performance, we are increasing our guidance for 2013.  We believe A. O. Smith Corporation will achieve full-year GAAP earnings of between $1.62 and $1.68 per share with adjusted earnings of between $1.84 and $1.90 per share.  These estimates do not include the potential impact from future acquisitions."

"We continue to aggressively pursue acquisition opportunities that will add value and have an active pipeline of potential acquisitions," Rajendra concluded.

2015 Aspirations

"Strong performance in our North America segment prompted us to update our high level 2015 aspirations," noted Rajendra.  "Based on our expectations for EBIT margins driven by new construction and 10 percent revenue growth of Lochinvar branded products through 2015, we are revising our 2015 North America segment operating margin expectation to approximately 15.5 percent from the previously reported 14.5 percent.   This revision incorporates expected expenses related to the implementation of a global Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system of approximately $11 million in 2015.  Expenses related to the ERP system are projected to be approximately $5 million this year and $15 million in 2014.  We expect significant benefits from the system after its implementation is completed in North America, which is planned for late 2015."

"We maintain our original aspiration for revenues of $2.4 to $2.45 billion by 2015, which implies organic growth of seven percent per year, and for Rest of World segment operating margins of 13 percent by 2015," continued Rajendra.  "Our earnings aspirations for our existing portfolio of businesses are now expected to be approximately $2.25 per share by 2015 versus the previously disclosed $2.15 per share."

A. O. Smith will broadcast a live conference call at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) today.  The call can be heard on the company's web site, www.aosmith.com.  An audio replay of the call will be available on the company's web site after the live event.

Forward-looking statements

This release contains statements that the company believes are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as  "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "guidance," "aspirations" or words of similar meaning.  All statements regarding 2015 aspirations are forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the following: uncertain costs, savings and timeframes associated with the announced plant rationalization in Canada; uncertain costs, savings and timeframes associated with the implementation of the new ERP system; potential weakening in the high efficiency boiler segment in the U. S.; the ability to execute our acquisition strategy; significant volatility in raw material prices; competitive pressures on the company's businesses; inability to implement pricing actions; instability in the company's replacement markets; strength or duration of any recoveries in U. S. residential or commercial construction; a further slowdown in the Chinese economy; foreign currency fluctuations;  and adverse general economic conditions and capital market deterioration. Forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release, and the company is under no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to the company, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified entirely by these cautionary statements.

A. O. Smith Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, offering a comprehensive line featuring leading brands in North America and China, as well as water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications.  A. O. Smith, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., employs approximately 10,900 people at operations in the U. S., Canada, Mexico, India, China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation