Blount Announces Second Quarter 2012 Results, Updates Outlook for 2012

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blount International, Inc. (NYSE: BLT) ("Blount" or the "Company") today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012, and updated its outlook for 2012. 

Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2012

Sales in the second quarter were $239.1 million, a 19% increase from the second quarter of 2011. Excluding the impact of businesses acquired since April 1, 2011, sales declined 8%. Operating income for the second quarter of 2012 was $23.8 million compared to $24.8 million in the prior year. Second quarter net income was $13.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to $13.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011.

"Our top line growth and profitability improved from the first quarter of this year, but our sales were lower in the quarter compared to our record second quarter in 2011 when excluding acquisitions. We experienced slower demand in key markets, particularly in Europe due to current economic uncertainty," stated Josh Collins, Blount's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As we expected for the quarter, we incurred excess costs associated with completing our distribution and log splitter assembly facility consolidation in Kansas City, although at a reduced rate compared to the first quarter of this year. We believe these costs are largely behind us."

Mr. Collins continued, "Our top priorities are managing through the current, soft market environment and continued integration of the businesses we acquired in the last two years. Reduced demand due to slowing economic activity in Europe and other key regions and the impact of drought conditions in the United States have led us to reduce our sales and profit outlook for 2012."

The consolidation of the SpeeCo distribution and assembly operations and the previous Forestry, Lawn, and Garden ("FLAG") distribution center into Blount's new Kansas City distribution and assembly facility began in late 2011 and is largely completed. The consolidation will provide synergies and significant capacity scalability in the FLAG and Farm, Ranch, and Agriculture ("FRAG") businesses and is expected to provide incremental assembly capacity for the SpeeCo product line.

Segment Results

Blount operates primarily in two business segments – the Forestry, Lawn, and Garden ("FLAG") segment and the Farm, Ranch, and Agriculture ("FRAG") segment. The Company reports separate results for the FLAG and FRAG segments. Blount's Concrete Cutting and Finishing ("CCF") business is included in "Corporate and Other."

Forestry, Lawn, and Garden

The FLAG segment reported second quarter 2012 sales of $166.3 million. Second quarter 2012 sales decreased 7% from the second quarter of 2011, and declined 9% when excluding businesses acquired since April 1, 2011. For comparability, all sales statistics are quoted excluding the impact of acquired businesses for the period during which Blount did not own the acquired business. A 27% decline in second quarter 2012 sales in Europe and 3% decline in Asia generated the sales downturn compared to the prior year, with a 10% improvement in U.S. sales partially offsetting the Europe and Asia weakness. Average pricing improved as price increases in place since mid-2011 improved second quarter 2012 sales on a comparative basis. The change in segment sales for the comparable second quarter periods is illustrated below, with sales of $4.1 million from businesses acquired since April 1, 2011, presented entirely as acquired volume increase.

Segment backlog was $170.8 million at June 30, 2012, a decrease of 6% from the $182.4 million on December 31, 2011. The reduction in backlog relates to improvement in our ability to deliver orders more timely and a reduction in order intake.

Segment contribution to operating income and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and certain charges ("Adjusted EBITDA") was $29.3 million and $36.1 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012. While segment Adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 70 basis points, segment contribution to operating income and Adjusted EBITDA decreased on an absolute basis by $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012 versus 2011. Increased average selling prices had the largest positive impact on segment operating income; however, the volume decline and additional costs (as outlined below) more than offset the average pricing benefit. A reconciliation of FLAG contribution to operating income for the comparable second quarter periods is presented below.

The benefit of improved currency exchange rates was driven primarily by a stronger U.S. Dollar versus the Canadian Dollar and Brazilian Real, which resulted in lower U.S. Dollar equivalent manufacturing and overhead costs in the Brazilian and Canadian operations. Cost/mix spending was higher driven mostly by the increase in personnel in key areas such as supply chain compared to the second quarter of 2011, offset by lower SG&A spending, primarily in the area of incentive compensation.

Farm, Ranch, and Agriculture

The FRAG segment reported second quarter 2012 sales of $66.3 million. Second quarter 2012 sales increased $50.3 million from the second quarter of 2011, driven entirely by sales generated by acquired businesses and partially offset by a sales volume decline in the SpeeCo business unit. Excluding the impact of acquired businesses, sales declined 1%. The change in segment sales for the comparable second quarter periods is illustrated below, with sales from businesses acquired since April 1, 2011 of $50.5 million presented entirely as acquired volume increase. Sales from businesses acquired are represented primarily by sales of the Woods/TISCO business. Woods/TISCO sales were approximately equal compared to the prior year second quarter on a pro forma basis.

Segment backlog was $19.9 million at June 30, 2012, compared to $28.3 million at December 31, 2011. June 30, 2012, backlog includes $8.2 million related to businesses acquired in 2011.

Segment contribution to operating income and Adjusted EBITDA was negative $0.9 million and positive $3.4 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012. A reconciliation of the second quarter 2012 contribution to operating income compared to the second quarter of 2011 is presented below.

While sales volumes were down slightly, average prices were up compared to the second quarter of 2011. The largest driver of reduced profit was unfavorable cost/mix performance of $7.2 million. Contributing to the cost/mix impact were increased freight charges, product quality and related warranty expense, and increased support cost. Incremental freight charges of $2.2 million were incurred to expedite material and parts shipments from foreign vendors, and accelerate deliveries of finished goods to customers. Support costs, primarily in the areas of supply chain and information systems, increased $1.4 million with planned investments in the infrastructure necessary to achieve long-term, strategic goals. Charges related to evaluating the quality of a new log splitter product and increased product cost due to re-work generated an incremental $2.6 million of cost compared to the second quarter of 2011. The remaining cost/mix increase was primarily driven by higher product costs over the previous year. Acquired businesses had a net positive impact on segment contribution to operating income, partially offset by changes in acquisition accounting.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and other generated net expense of $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to net expense of $6.1 million in the second quarter of 2011. The year-over-year decrease was due to lower SG&A spending, mostly in the area of incentive compensation, and slightly higher Concrete Cutting and Finishing profit. Partially offsetting the spending reduction in SG&A was $1.7 million of transition expenses associated with consolidation of the SpeeCo distribution and assembly and FLAG distribution operations into the new Kansas City distribution and log splitter assembly facility. Of the $1.7 million, approximately $1.3 relates to elevated personnel costs as the new distribution center operations were stabilized over the course of the second quarter. These personnel costs have been largely eliminated as of July 31, 2012.

Net Income

Second quarter 2012 net income declined primarily due to lower operating income, discussed above, including the impact of non-cash purchase accounting charges and the facility closure and restructuring charges. Partially offsetting the impact of operating income changes and purchase accounting charges were lower interest and other expenses. Net interest expense was $4.3 million in the second quarter of 2012 versus $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2011. The impact of lower interest rates more than offset higher average borrowing levels in the second quarter of 2012 versus the 2011. The change in net income for the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 is illustrated in the table below.

Cash Flow and Debt

As of June 30, 2012, the Company had net debt of $473.7 million, a decrease of $5.2 million from March 31, 2012 and an increase of $5.4 million compared to December 31, 2011. The decrease in net debt since the end of the first quarter 2012 was driven mostly by free cash generation of $5.9 million. Free cash in the second quarter of 2012 was the result of cash generated by operations of $22.0 million offset by net capital expenditures of $16.1 million. Net capital expenditures were $8.2 million larger in the second quarter of 2012 than the second quarter of 2011. The Company had incremental capital spending of $4.8 million at the Fuzhou China manufacturing plant related to capacity expansion. Additionally, an incremental $2.4 million was spent at the Canada based manufacturing plant, mostly related to capacity increases. Also, capital spending rates increased as a result of maintenance capital spending for FLAG manufacturing equipment. Free cash generated in the second quarter of 2012 declined by $9.8 million compared to the second quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of increased capital equipment spending as well as an increase in working capital levels compared to the prior year. Higher working capital levels were driven mostly by an increase in inventory as the Company consolidated into the Kansas City warehouse and prepared for the seasonally larger third quarter FRAG selling cycle. The Company defines free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities less net capital spending. The ratio of net debt to pro forma last-twelve-months ("LTM") Adjusted EBITDA was 3.2x as of June 30, 2012, which increased from 2.8x at December 31, 2011. The increase in leverage from the end of 2011 is primarily the result of increased inventory and reduced year-to-date 2012 profitability resulting in increased net debt.

On August 3, 2012, the Company amended the terms of its Senior Credit Facility. The amendment included a change to the leverage limits and a modification of certain other covenants. There was no change to the size, rates of interest, or maturity dates of the facility. The amended terms are designed to provide operating flexibility as the Company navigates the current decline in demand in key markets. The amendment is effective immediately and the Company expects to incur associated fees and expenses of approximately $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2012.

2012 Financial Outlook

As a result of recent market conditions, particularly due to economic uncertainty in Europe and drought conditions in North America, the Company has reduced its sales outlook for 2012 and now expects sales to be between $900 million and $940 million for the year. Full year 2012 operating income is expected to be between $77.5 million and $87.5 million. The expectation for 2012 assumes that favorable foreign currency exchange rates will improve operating income on a year-over-year basis by between $1.0 million and $2.0 million and reduced steel prices will further improve year-over-year operating income between $1.0 million and $2.0 million, with the improvement coming primarily in the last half of the third quarter and in the fourth quarter. The outlook for 2012 operating income also includes estimated non-cash charges as a result of acquisition accounting of approximately $16 million. Free cash flow for 2012 is expected to range between $17 million and $23 million, after approximately $50 million of capital expenditures. Net interest expense is expected to be between $17 million and $18 million in 2012, and the effective income tax rate for continuing operations is expected to be between 34% and 37% in 2012.

A comparison of key operating indicators for 2011 actual results, 2011 pro forma results, and the 2012 outlook mid-point, is provided in the table below.    

Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP measures and are reconciled to Operating Income and Cash Flow from Operations in the attached financial data table.

Blount is a global manufacturer and marketer of replacement parts, equipment, and accessories for consumers and professionals operating primarily in two market segments: Forestry, Lawn, and Garden ("FLAG"); and Farm, Ranch, and Agriculture ("FRAG"). Blount also sells products in the construction markets and is the market leader in manufacturing saw chain and guide bars for chain saws.  Blount has a global manufacturing and distribution footprint and sells its products in more than 115 countries around the world.  Blount markets its products primarily under the OREGON^®, OREGON^® PowerNow^™, Carlton^®, Woods^®, TISCO, SpeeCo^®, and ICS^® brands. For more information about Blount, please visit our website at http://www.blount.com.

"Forward looking statements" in this release, including without limitation Blount's "outlook," "expectations," "beliefs," "plans," "indications," "estimates," "anticipations," "guidance" and their variants, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,  are based upon available information and upon assumptions that Blount believes are reasonable; however, these forward looking statements involve certain risks and should not be considered indicative of actual results that Blount may achieve in the future.  In particular, among other things, guidance given in this release is expressly based upon certain assumptions concerning market conditions, foreign currency exchange rates, and raw material costs, especially with respect to the price of steel, the presumed relationship between backlog and future sales trends and certain income tax matters, as well as being subject to the uncertainty of the current global economic situation.  To the extent that these assumptions are not realized going forward, or other unforeseen factors arise, actual results for the periods subsequent to the date of this announcement may differ materially.

SOURCE Blount International, Inc.

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