Baldor Electric Company 2nd Quarter and YTD 2004 Results and Discussion
FORT SMITH, Ark., July 15 -- Baldor Electric Company markets, designs, and manufactures industrial electric motors, drives, and generators and is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Today Baldor announced the results of the second quarter and first six months of 2004.
2nd Quarter Year
2004 2003 2004 2003
(in thousands 13 weeks 13 weeks 26 weeks 26 weeks
except per ended ended % ended ended %
share data) Jul 3 Jun 28 Change Jul 3 Jun 28 Change
2004 2003 2004 2003
Net Sales $163,695 $138,523 +18% $316,518 $275,912 +15%
Cost of Sales 119,079 100,763 229,714 200,773
Gross Profit 44,616 37,760 +18% 86,804 75,139 +16%
SG&A 29,142 26,706 57,697 52,558
Operating Profit 15,474 11,054 +40% 29,107 22,581 +29%
Other (Income)
Expense 267 245 535 616
Profit Sharing 1,756 1,305 3,316 2,657
Earnings Before
Income Taxes 13,451 9,504 +42% 25,256 19,308 +31%
Income Taxes 4,979 3,505 9,345 7,144
Net Earnings $8,472 $5,999 +41% $15,911 $12,164 +31%
Earnings Per
Share - Diluted $0.25 $0.18 +41% $0.48 $0.36 +31%
Dividends Per Share $0.14 $0.13 +8% $0.28 $0.26 +8%
Average Shares
Outstanding 33,427 33,253 +1% 33,432 33,556 -0%
John McFarland, President and CEO, commented on the Company's results. "We are pleased to announce record sales during the second quarter of $163,695,000. During this quarter, sales were up 18%, earnings were up 41%, and earnings per share increased 41% to $0.25. Operating margins improved to 9.5%, the highest in three years."
McFarland also said, "Our sales have now increased over the prior quarter for seven consecutive quarters. Compared to the prior year, this is the largest increase since first quarter 1998. Additionally, incoming orders are strong, and we expect to end the year with record sales."
R. S. Boreham, Jr., Chairman, said, "We didn't lay-off our skilled workforce during the recession. This has allowed us to continue offering the shortest lead times in the industry. Faster deliveries, along with quality products and excellent customer service, are helping us increase the value we provide to customers."
Balance Sheet Summary
(in thousands) 2004 2003
Jul 3 2004 Jun 28 2003
Cash & Marketable Securities $49,081 $31,053
Trade Receivables - net 104,181 89,388
Inventories 118,231 114,342
Working Capital 179,916 175,705
Total Debt 104,519 106,454
Shareholders' Equity 267,580 254,244
Cash Flow from Operations (YTD) $16,610 $28,321
Operating Margins
http://www.baldor.com/images/04Q2_OperatingMargins.jpg
We have prepared answers to a list of questions often asked by shareholders.
Q ... In what areas did you see growth this quarter?
Sales of motors were up over 15% during the quarter. Sales to original equipment manufacturers were strong in almost all industries. Distributor business increased as well, with some customers building inventory prior to the June 1 price increase. Our custom product business continues to improve and made up over 40% of our sales during the quarter.
In drives, we had particularly strong sales of servo and linear motor products, and we are preparing for the early-2005 introduction of a new generation of inverter and vector controls. During the past three years, we have improved our product quality, decreased our material costs, and put many productivity improvements in place. These efforts will have a positive impact on sales and earnings as we gain more market share in the drives business.
Generator sales increased to 7% of total sales during the second quarter and were up over 50% for the first six months of the year. During the quarter, we created Baldor Power Finance, Inc. to offer financing and leasing of generator products ranging from 25 kilowatt to 2000 kilowatt. As a result of offering this option to our customers, we expect to finance several million dollars per year in additional sales.
Q ... How is international business?
International sales grew 24%, and we are on track to reach our goal of $100 million this year. On May 25, 2004, we announced the formation of Baldor-Tech.Full Electric (Harbin) Company, Ltd., a joint venture to manufacture and distribute linear motors in the Chinese market. This venture will also allow us to increase distribution in China of our U.S.-made products.
Q ... Are material costs continuing to rise?
Material cost increases have flattened out with the exception of steel. Because our price increase did not go into effect until June 1, these increased costs were not completely covered during April and May. For the remainder of the year, however, the price increase, in addition to internal product and cost improvements, will offset the higher material costs.
Q ... What changes did you see in your balance sheet?
During the quarter accounts receivable days outstanding improved, inventory turns increased, debt was slightly reduced, and cash and inventory balances increased from one year ago. Cash flow was down due to the increase in accounts receivable and an increase in inventory needed to support higher sales.
Q ... With interest rates increasing, why aren't you paying off debt?
We are still earning more on our investments than we are paying on our debt. If this situation changes, we will use our cash to reduce our debt.
This document contains statements that are forward-looking, i.e. not historical facts. The forward-looking statements (generally identified by words or phrases indicating a projection or future expectation such as "outlook", "optimistic", "trends", "expect(s)", "assuming", "expectations", "forecasted", "estimates", "expected") are based on the Company's current expectations and some of them are subject to risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, you are cautioned that any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors. The factors that might cause such differences include, among others, the following: (i) changes in economic conditions, (ii) developments or new initiatives by our competitors in the markets in which we compete, (iii) fluctuations in the costs of select raw materials, (iv) the success in increasing sales and maintaining or improving the operating margins of the Company, and (v) other factors including those identified in the Company's filings made from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual report (as well as the Company's Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) containing a discussion of the Company's business and of various factors that may affect it.