H.B. Fuller Reports First Quarter 2016 Results


First Quarter Adjusted Diluted EPS $0.431;
First Quarter Diluted EPS $0.37

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE:FUL) today reported financial results for the first quarter that ended February 27, 2016.

Items of Note for the First Quarter of 2016:

  • Constant currency revenue increased 5.3 percent compared to the prior year, led by solid growth in Engineering Adhesives along with growth in EIMEA, Construction Products and Asia Pacific;
  • Gross profit margin was 29.0 percent, an improvement of 430 basis points versus the prior year’s first quarter;
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 was 12.4 percent; adjusted EBITDA margin in EIMEA segment was up 560 basis points relative to same period last year;
  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.431, up 43 percent versus last year’s first quarter.

First Quarter 2016 Results:
Net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $18.9 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, versus net income of $9.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in last year’s first quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2016 were $0.431, up 43 percent versus the prior year’s adjusted result of $0.301.

Net revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was $474.3 million, up 0.8 percent versus the first quarter of 2015. Higher volume positively impacted net revenue growth by 5.8 percentage points. Lower average selling prices and foreign currency translation negatively impacted net revenue growth by 0.5 and 4.5 percentage points, respectively. Constant currency revenue grew by 5.3 percent year-over-year.

During the quarter, we continued to improve margins through effective management of raw material costs and end user pricing as well as driving efficiencies in our supply chain and operations. These factors, combined with mix improvement, contributed to a 430 basis point increase in gross profit margin. We recorded unusually high foreign currency losses in the quarter, almost entirely related to the devaluation of the Argentine peso. The relevant underlying exposure in Argentina has now been substantially eliminated.

As we announced previously, we have changed our operating segment structure to better align our organization to the most significant growth opportunities. The primary change is the introduction of a new operating segment which we call Engineering Adhesives. This new segment includes our electronic materials, Tonsan engineering adhesives and automotive business, all of which have demonstrated strong growth and profit performance. The new segment alignment allows us to better allocate resources and accelerate our profit and growth plans. The attached schedules provide segment financial performance metrics for the newly defined segments. In addition, a pro-forma schedule is included which shows the results as they would have been reported under the previous segment reporting structure.

”We are off to a solid start to our 2016 fiscal year,” said Jim Owens, H.B. Fuller president and chief executive officer. “Our 2020 strategic plan identified specific areas of profitable growth and differential management of our EBITDA margins as key drivers. This quarter’s performance aligned with our strategy as we delivered solid organic growth and very strong margin improvement in our targeted segments. Our new engineering adhesives segment delivered growth and margin improvement as expected and our geographical segments all showed solid EBITDA margin performance. Our efforts resulted in over a 40 percent increase in adjusted diluted EPS versus last year’s first quarter and a first quarter EBITDA margin well above historical levels.”

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow:
At the end of the first quarter of 2016, we had cash totaling $127 million and total debt of $723 million. This compares to fourth quarter 2015 cash and debt levels of $119 million and $723 million, respectively. Sequentially, net debt was down by $7 million. Cash flow from operations was positive $43 million in the first quarter, reflecting strong net income and normal seasonal patterns. Capital expenditures were $23 million in the first quarter.

Fiscal 2016 Outlook:
Our financial performance guidance for 2016 is unchanged relative to the original guidance we provided in January of this year. Constant currency growth is expected to be around 4 percent for 2016 versus the 2015 fiscal year. The constant currency growth rate was higher in the first quarter because we recorded a full quarter of Tonsan revenue this year and only one month last year. We expect to generate approximately $290 million of EBITDA in 2016, reflecting a full-year EBITDA margin of about 14 percent. Our core tax rate, excluding the impact of discrete items, is expected to be 33 percent. We plan to invest $60 million in capital items in 2016. We are maintaining our adjusted diluted EPS plan for the 2016 fiscal year of $2.40 to $2.60.

Conference Call:
The Company will host an investor conference call to discuss first quarter 2016 results on Thursday, March 24, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. Central U.S. time (10:30 a.m. Eastern U.S. time). The conference call audio and accompanying presentation slides will be available to all interested parties via a simultaneous webcast at www.hbfuller.com under the Investor Relations section. The event is scheduled to last one hour. For those unable to listen live, an audio replay of the event along with the accompanying presentation will be archived on the Company’s website.

Regulation G:
The information presented in this earnings release regarding segment operating income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) does not conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. Management has included this non-GAAP information to assist in understanding the operating performance of the Company and its operating segments as well as the comparability of results. The non-GAAP information provided may not be consistent with the methodologies used by other companies. All non-GAAP information is reconciled with reported GAAP results in the tables below.

About H.B. Fuller Company:
For over 125 years, H.B. Fuller has been a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products to improve products and lives. With fiscal 2015 net revenue of $2.1 billion, H.B. Fuller’s commitment to innovation brings together people, products and processes that answer and solve some of the world's biggest challenges. Our reliable, responsive service creates lasting, rewarding connections with customers in packaging, hygiene, general assembly, electronic and assembly materials, paper converting, woodworking, construction, automotive and consumer businesses. And our promise to our people connects them with opportunities to innovate and thrive.  For more information, visit us at www.hbfuller.com and subscribe to our blog.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this document may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following: the Company's ability to effectively integrate and operate acquired businesses; the ability to effectively implement Project ONE; political and economic conditions; product demand; competitive products and pricing; costs of and savings from restructuring initiatives; geographic and product mix; availability and price of raw materials; the Company's relationships with its major customers and suppliers; changes in tax laws and tariffs; devaluations and other foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of litigation and environmental matters; the effect of new accounting pronouncements and accounting charges and credits; and similar matters. Further information about the various risks and uncertainties can be found in the Company's SEC 10-K filing for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2015. All forward-looking information represents management's best judgment as of this date based on information currently available that in the future may prove to have been inaccurate. Additionally, the variety of products sold by the Company and the regions where the Company does business make it difficult to determine with certainty the increases or decreases in net revenue resulting from changes in the volume of products sold, currency impact, changes in product mix, and selling prices. However, management's best estimates of these changes as well as changes in other factors have been included.

 
H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited)
          
 13 Weeks Ended Percent of 13 Weeks Ended Percent of
 February 27, 2016 Net Revenue February 28, 2015 Net Revenue
Net revenue$  474,326   100.0% $  470,661   100.0%
Cost of sales   (336,721)  (71.0%)    (354,455)  (75.3%)
Gross profit   137,605   29.0%    116,206   24.7%
          
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (99,767)  (21.0%)    (94,833)  (20.1%)
Special charges, net   (413)  (0.1%)    (2,361)  (0.5%)
Other income (expense), net   (5,082)  (1.1%)    363   0.1%
Interest expense   (6,308)  (1.3%)    (6,102)  (1.3%)
Income before income taxes and income from equity method investments   26,035   5.5%    13,273   2.8%
          
Income taxes   (8,760)  (1.8%)    (4,769)  (1.0%)
          
Income from equity method investments   1,692   0.4%    1,291   0.3%
Net income including non-controlling interests   18,967   4.0%    9,795   2.1%
          
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   (49)  (0.0%)    (85)  (0.0%)
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller$  18,918   4.0% $  9,710   2.1%
          
          
Basic income per common share attributable to H.B. Fuller$  0.38    $  0.19   
          
          
Diluted income per common share attributable to H.B. Fuller$  0.37    $  0.19   
          
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:         
Basic   49,958       50,188   
Diluted   50,995       51,379   
          
Dividends declared per common share$  0.13    $  0.12   


Selected Balance Sheet Information (subject to change prior to filing of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q)
         
 February 27, 2016 November 28, 2015 February 28, 2015
Cash & cash equivalents$ 126,771 $ 119,168 $ 71,574
Trade accounts receivable, net  335,403   364,704   335,536
Inventories  264,837   248,504   275,038
Trade payables  162,513   177,864   195,000
Total assets  2,023,336   2,042,252   2,097,472
Total debt  723,374   722,863   763,570



H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES  
REGULATION G RECONCILIATION  
In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited)  
               
      % of    Adjusted % of
   13 Weeks Ended Net   13 Weeks Ended Net
   February 27, 2016 Revenue Adjustments February 27, 2016 Revenue
Net revenue  $  474,326   100.0% $ -  $  474,326   100.0%
Cost of sales     (336,721)  (71.0%)    (1,891)    (334,830)  (70.6%)
Gross profit     137,605   29.0%    (1,891)    139,496   29.4%
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (99,767)  (21.0%)    (732)    (99,035)  (20.9%)
               
Acquisition and transformation related costs   (105)            
Workforce reduction costs   1             
Facility exit costs   (273)            
Other related costs   (36)            
Special charges, net     (413)  (0.1%)    (413)    -   0.0%
               
Other income (expense), net     (5,082)  (1.1%)   -     (5,082)  (1.1%)
Interest expense     (6,308)  (1.3%)    (75)    (6,233)  (1.3%)
Income before income taxes and income from equity method investments   26,035   5.5%    (3,111)    29,146   6.1%
               
Income taxes     (8,760)  (1.8%)    229     (8,989)  (1.9%)
- Effective tax rate    33.6%     7.4%   30.8%  
               
Income from equity method investments     1,692   0.4%    -     1,692   0.4%
Net income including non-controlling interests    18,967   4.0%    (2,882)    21,849   4.6%
               
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests    (49)  (0.0%)    -     (49)  (0.0%)
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller $  18,918   4.0% $  (2,882) $  21,800   4.6%
               
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to H.B. Fuller$  0.38    $  (0.06) $  0.44   
               
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to H.B. Fuller$  0.37    $  (0.06) $  0.43 1   
               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:            
Basic     49,958       49,958     49,958   
Diluted     50,995       50,995     50,995   


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES  
REGULATION G RECONCILIATION  
In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited)  
               
      % of    Adjusted % of
   13 Weeks Ended Net   13 Weeks Ended Net
   February 28, 2015 Revenue Adjustments February 28, 2015 Revenue
Net revenue  $  470,661   100.0% $ -  $  470,661   100.0%
Cost of sales     (354,455)  (75.3%)    (3,150)    (351,305)  (74.6%)
Gross profit     116,206   24.7%    (3,150)    119,356   25.4%
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (94,833)  (20.1%)    (838)    (93,995)  (20.0%)
               
Acquisition and transformation related costs   (472)            
Workforce reduction costs   (56)            
Facility exit costs   (1,529)            
Other related costs   (304)            
Special charges, net     (2,361)  (0.5%)    (2,361)    -   0.0%
               
Other income (expense), net     363   0.1%   -     363   0.1%
Interest expense     (6,102)  (1.3%)    (100)    (6,002)  (1.3%)
Income before income taxes and income from equity method investments   13,273   2.8%    (6,449)    19,722   4.2%
               
Income taxes     (4,769)  (1.0%)    967     (5,736)  (1.2%)
- Effective tax rate    35.9%     15.0%   29.1%  
               
Income from equity method investments     1,291   0.3%    -     1,291   0.3%
Net income including non-controlling interests    9,795   2.1%    (5,482)    15,277   3.2%
               
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests    (85)  (0.0%)    -     (85)  (0.0%)
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller $  9,710   2.1% $  (5,482) $  15,192   3.2%
               
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to H.B. Fuller$  0.19    $  (0.11) $  0.30   
               
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to H.B. Fuller$  0.19    $  (0.11) $  0.30 1   
               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:            
Basic     50,188       50,188     50,188   
Diluted     51,379       51,379     51,379   


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
In thousands (unaudited)
                   
  13 weeks ended February 27, 2016 13 weeks ended February 28, 2015
  Income       Income      
  before  Income Diluted before  Income Diluted
  Income Tax  Taxes EPS Income Tax  Taxes EPSa
GAAP Earnings$27,678 $8,760 $0.37 $14,479 $4,769 $0.19
                   
Special charges, net  413  68  0.01  2,361  330  0.04
Acquisition project costsb  121  39  0.00  3,145  419  0.06
Construction Productsc  -  -  -  571  218  0.01
EIMEA business integration costsd  1,611  122  0.03  -  -  -
Tonsan call option agreemente  966  -  0.02  100  -  0.00
Otherf  -  -  -  271  -  0.01
Adjusted Earnings $ 30,789 $ 8,989 $ 0.43 $ 20,928 $ 5,736 $ 0.30
                   
                   
a Income per share amounts may not add due to rounding
b Non-recurring costs related to integrating and accounting for past and potential acquisitions
c Non-recurring costs related to the ramp up of new business with Lowes and the combination of facilities in Illinois
d Non-recurring costs related to EIMEA restructuring announced November 2015
e Non-recurring non-cash costs related to accretion and revaluation of the Tonsan call option agreement
f  Non-recurring costs related to the completion and start-up of a new electronics facility in Yantai China


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In thousands (unaudited)
      
      
 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended
 February 27, 2016 February 28, 2015
Net Revenue:     
Americas Adhesives$  183,319  $  194,073 
EIMEA   124,291     134,115 
Asia Pacific   53,860     55,343 
Construction Products   60,074     58,456 
Engineering Adhesives   52,782     28,674 
Total H.B. Fuller$  474,326  $  470,661 
      
Adjusted Segment Operating Income:3     
Americas Adhesives$ 26,299  $  21,854 
EIMEA   7,799     840 
Asia Pacific   3,765     3,195 
Construction Products  799     1,643 
Engineering Adhesives  1,799     (2,171)
Total H.B. Fuller$  40,461  $  25,361 
      
Adjusted Depreciation Expense:     
Americas Adhesives$  3,713  $  3,890 
EIMEA   3,603     3,901 
Asia Pacific   1,386     1,398 
Construction Products   1,273     1,476 
Engineering Adhesives   1,555     913 
Total H.B. Fuller$  11,530  $  11,578 
      
Amortization Expense:     
Americas Adhesives$  1,017  $  1,074 
EIMEA   1,107     1,284 
Asia Pacific   301     390 
Construction Products   2,323     2,391 
Engineering Adhesives   1,950     1,009 
Total H.B. Fuller$  6,698  $ 6,148 
      
Adjusted EBITDA:2     
Americas Adhesives$  31,029  $  26,818 
EIMEA   12,509     6,025 
Asia Pacific   5,452     4,983 
Construction Products   4,395     5,510 
Engineering Adhesives  5,304     (249)
Total H.B. Fuller$  58,689  $ 43,087 
      
Adjusted Segment Operating Margin:3     
Americas Adhesives  14.3%   11.3%
EIMEA  6.3%   0.6%
Asia Pacific  7.0%   5.8%
Construction Products  1.3%   2.8%
Engineering Adhesives  3.4%   (7.6%)
Total H.B. Fuller  8.5%   5.4%
      
Adjusted EBITDA Margin:2     
Americas Adhesives  16.9%   13.8%
EIMEA  10.1%   4.5%
Asia Pacific  10.1%   9.0%
Construction Products  7.3%   9.4%
Engineering Adhesives  10.0%   (0.9%)
Total H.B. Fuller  12.4%   9.2%
 
 
H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
OLD SEGMENT STRUCTURE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In thousands (unaudited) – FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
      
      
 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended
 February 27, 2016 February 28, 2015
Net Revenue:     
Americas Adhesives$  194,047  $  203,943 
EIMEA   135,362     147,562 
Asia Pacific   92,517     69,993 
Construction Products  52,400     49,163 
Total H.B. Fuller$ 474,326  $  470,661 
      
Adjusted Segment Operating Income:2     
Americas Adhesives$ 26,720  $ 20,982 
EIMEA   7,204     (546)
Asia Pacific  4,986    2,512 
Construction Products   1,551     2,413 
Total H.B. Fuller$ 40,461  $ 25,361 
      
Adjusted Depreciation Expense:     
Americas Adhesives$ 3,933  $  4,164 
EIMEA  3,898     4,310 
Asia Pacific   2,654     1,918 
Construction Products   1,045     1,186 
Total H.B. Fuller$  11,530  $  11,578 
      
Amortization Expense:     
Americas Adhesives$  1,160  $  1,358 
EIMEA   1,506     1,722 
Asia Pacific   1,932     875 
Construction Products   2,100     2,193 
Total H.B. Fuller$  6,698  $  6,148 
      
Adjusted EBITDA:3     
Americas Adhesives$ 31,813  $ 26,310 
EIMEA  12,608    5,364 
Asia Pacific  9,572    5,670 
Construction Products  4,696    5,743 
Total H.B. Fuller$ 58,689  $ 43,087 
      
Adjusted Segment Operating Margin:2     
Americas Adhesives  13.8%   10.3%
EIMEA  5.3%   (0.4%)
Asia Pacific  5.4%   3.6%
Construction Products  3.0%   4.9%
Total H.B. Fuller  8.5%   5.4%
      
Adjusted EBITDA Margin:3     
Americas Adhesives  16.4%   12.9%
EIMEA  9.3%   3.6%
Asia Pacific  10.3%   8.1%
Construction Products  9.0%   11.7%
Total H.B. Fuller  12.4%   9.2%


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
NET REVENUE GROWTH
(unaudited)
            
13 Weeks Ended February 27, 2016
            
 Americas
Adhesives
 EIMEA Asia Pacific Construction
Products
 Engineering
Adhesives
 Total HBF
Price (1.2%)  (0.2%)  (0.5%)  2.0%  (1.9%)  (0.5%)
Volume (3.2%)  2.8%  4.5%  2.3%  90.0%  5.8%
Constant Currency Growth (4.4%)  2.6%  4.0%  4.3%  88.1%  5.3%
            
F/X (1.1%)  (9.9%)  (6.7%)  (1.5%)  (4.0%)  (4.5%)
  (5.5%)  (7.3%)  (2.7%)  2.8%  84.1%  0.8%


H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
REGULATION G RECONCILIATION
In thousands (unaudited)
      
      
 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended
 February 27, 2016 February 28, 2015
Net income including non-controlling interests$  18,967  $  9,795 
      
Income from equity method investments   (1,692)    (1,291)
Income taxes   8,760     4,769 
Interest expense   6,308     6,102 
Other income (expense), net   5,082     (363)
Special charges   413     2,361 
Non-recurring costs  2,623    3,988 
Adjusted Segment operating income3  40,461     25,361 
      
Depreciation Expense  13,258    11,578 
Accelerated Depreciation – EIMEA2  (1,728)   - 
Adjusted Depreciation expense   11,530     11,578 
Amortization expense   6,698     6,148 
Adjusted EBITDA2$  58,689  $  43,087 
      
Adjusted EBITDA margin2  12.4%   9.2%
      
____________________________________ 

1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) is a non-GAAP financial measure and excludes the following non-recurring costs listed on the adjusted earnings per share reconciliation table above: special charges related to the “business integration”; restructuring in EIMEA related to operational efficiency improvement projects; and the start-up of a new electronics facility in Yantai China.

2 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined on a consolidated basis as gross profit, less SG&A expense, plus depreciation expense, plus amortization expense and excludes items listed on the adjusted earnings per share reconciliation table above. On a segment basis it is defined as operating income, plus depreciation expense, plus amortization expense. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenue.

3 Adjusted segment operating income is defined as gross profit less SG&A expense and excludes items listed on the adjusted earnings per share reconciliation table above. Adjusted segment operating margin is defined as adjusted segment operating income divided by net revenue.


            

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