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SALEM, N.H., Nov. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Standex International Corporation (NYSE: SXI) today reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 ending September 30, 2019.

First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Results 

"First quarter results were in line with our previously communicated expectations. Performance in Engineering Technologies, Hydraulics and Scientific remained strong. The Engraving segment reported a significant sequential margin increase from the previous quarter on a modest sales gain.  Macro-economic headwinds continued to impact results, particularly in the Electronics segment.  Our cost restructuring efforts are on plan and we continue to identify additional productivity initiatives that will be implemented in fiscal 2020.  Finally, our working capital metrics improved resulting in a favorable free cash flow comparison year-over-year," commented President and Chief Executive Officer David Dunbar. 

"From an organic growth perspective, laneway sales revenue increased 12% year-over-year to $16.6 million  as our new offerings continue to resonate with customers.  We are also benefitting from the successful integration and performance of our recent acquisitions, GS Engineering and Agile Magnetics, as we continue to leverage our Standex Value Creation model.

"Our financial position remains strong with net debt to Adjusted EBITDA of under 1x and approximately $250 million in available liquidity. Working capital metrics improved in all of our business segments this quarter. Working capital turns increased 90 basis points to 5.4x, and importantly, we generated free cash flow of $1.3 million in the first quarter which historically has been a negative quarter for us. 

"In summary, despite the challenges we are experiencing from the macro environment that is impacting some of our end markets, we continue to make progress in transforming our higher margin businesses into significant platforms. Our ongoing focus on company-wide productivity enhancements provides further opportunity to drive profitable growth.  In addition, our financial strength positions us well to invest in an active pipeline of high return internal projects and attractive acquisition opportunities.  Our capital allocation approach will remain disciplined and balanced as we pursue these new opportunities," concluded Mr. Dunbar.

Outlook

In the second fiscal quarter of 2020, the Company expects its financial performance to be similar to first quarter results.  For the third fiscal quarter, the expectation is for a sequential and year-over-year improvement in both revenue and operating income.

The Company's outlook assumes continued weakness in the Electronics segment particularly in Asia, improved Engraving segment performance, and continued growth in the Engineering Technologies and Scientific businesses.  As the previously announced restructuring contributes at its full run rate, the Company expects to further leverage its cost structure in the third quarter.

First Quarter Segment Operating Performance

Engraving (20% of sales; 23% of segment operating income)

Overall sales grew 6.8% with contributions from recent acquisitions more than offsetting an organic decline of 5.5% and the 2.4% negative impact of foreign currency.  Although declining year-over-year, segment margin increased over 300 basis points sequentially compared to 4Q19 and reflected the improved performance primarily in our North American operations as well as contribution from growth laneways in lasers and tool finishing.  The decrease in adjusted operating income of $1.5 million year-over-year was largely due to the lower level of new roll-outs in the automotive sector and acquisition-related, non-cash amortization expense.  

In second quarter fiscal 2020, Standex expects year-over-year improvement due to increased automotive model roll-outs, continued contribution from the GS Engineering acquisition and completion of the restructuring actions announced in 3Q19.

Electronics (24% of sales; 28% of segment operating income)

The 9.4% decline in sales was primarily due to continued lower demand in the Company's end markets such as automotive as well as distributor de-stocking.  The sales decline was mostly focused within the reed switch and sensor markets in Asia and was partially offset by growth in our magnetics business.  The 36.7% decrease in operating income year-over-year reflected lower sales volume and the impact of material inflation.

In 2Q20, the Company expects Electronics sales volume to decline year-over-year, although be sequentially similar to first quarter revenue levels, as the aforementioned end market weakness and material inflation issues continue to impact results. The segment continues to build a very strong and broad-based pipeline of new business opportunities that is expected to have a sequentially increasing contribution in fiscal 2020.  Aside from previously announced cost saving measures, Standex is pursuing additional productivity and cost efficiency initiatives.

Engineering Technologies (12% of sales; 11% of segment operating income)

Engineering Technologies revenue grew 18.6% over 1Q19 with continued strength in Aviation, Space and Defense. Operating income increased 89.2% year-over-year as the segment successfully leveraged both the volume growth and ongoing productivity improvements in manufacturing processes and efficiency initiatives. 

Standex expects revenue and operating income growth year-over-year to continue in 2Q20 driven by continued favorable end-market strength in its core markets and additional productivity improvements.

Hydraulics (7% of sales; 9% of segment operating income)

Sales for the Hydraulics segment increased 9.7% year-over-year due to continued strong OEM demand, particularly in the North American refuse market. Income from operations increased 59.6% year-over-year due to the combination of volume leverage and the impact of ongoing efficiency initiatives. 

In 2Q20 the Company expects Hydraulics revenue to stay flat and operating income to improve slightly year-over-year.  Standex continues to focus on growing its aftermarket presence from its current level of approximately 15% of segment revenue.

Food Service Equipment (37% of sales; 29% of segment operating income)

The  increase in sales reflected growth in Scientific and Merchandising primarily due to demand in retail channels offset by lower sales in the Refrigeration and Pumps segments.  The 25.6% increase in operating income was due to both overall higher product volume in Scientific and favorable product mix at Merchandising.

The Company expects that commercial refrigeration sales will be lower year-over-year in 2Q20 as finished goods inventory levels are further rebuilt to meet customer demand following the warehouse facility fire in 4Q19.  In 2Q20, Standex also expects continued strength in Scientific end markets.

Capital Allocation

• Capital Expenditures: In first quarter fiscal 2020 Standex's cash capital expenditures were $7.0 million compared to $7.5 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2019.  The Company revised its expectation for fiscal 2020 capital spending to be between approximately $31 to $34 million from $33 to $34 million.
• Dividends: On October 24, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share, a 10% year-over-year increase.  The dividend will be payable on November 26, 2019 to shareholders of record November 12, 2019. 

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

• Net Debt: Standex had net debt of $98.7 million at September 30, 2019 compared to $104.5 million at the end of the fiscal fourth quarter in 2019.  Net debt consisted primarily of long-term debt of $190 million and cash and equivalents of $90.2 million of which $76.9 million was held by foreign subsidiaries. Standex repatriated $9.2 million in 1Q20 and expects to repatriate $35 million in total in fiscal 2020.  The Company's net debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio was 0.9x at the end of first fiscal quarter 2020.
• Cash Flow: Net cash provided by continuing operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $8.3 million compared to net cash used by continuing operating activities of $2.6 million in the prior year. Cash provided by operating activities reflected improved working capital management driven by focused collection efforts and improved inventory turns and accounts payable management.

The Company generated free cash flow after capital expenditures of $1.3 million compared to negative free cash flow of $10.0 million in 1Q19.

Conference Call Details

Standex will host a conference call for investors tomorrow, November 6, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET. On the call, David Dunbar, President and CEO, and Ademir Sarcevic, CFO, will review the Company's financial results and business and operating highlights. Investors interested in listening to the webcast and viewing the slide presentation should log on to the "Investors" section of Standex's website under the subheading, "Events and Presentations", located at www.standex.com.

To listen to the teleconference playback, please dial (877) 344-7529 in the U.S. or (412) 317-0088 internationally; the passcode is 10136152.  The audio playback via phone will be available through November 13, 2019. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website shortly after the conclusion of the presentation online. The webcast replay also can be accessed in the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website, located at www.standex.com.  

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP adjusted income from operations, non-GAAP adjusted net income from continuing operations, free operating cash flow, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA to net debt, and adjusted earnings per share. The attached financial tables reconcile non-GAAP measures used in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company believes that the use of non-GAAP measures including the impact of restructuring charges, purchase accounting, insurance recoveries, discrete tax events, and acquisition costs help investors to obtain a better understanding of our operating results and prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the Company's performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods.  An understanding of the impact in a particular quarter of specific restructuring costs, acquisition expenses, or other gains and losses, on net income (absolute as well as on a per-share basis), operating income or EBITDA can give management and investors additional insight into core financial performance, especially when compared to quarters in which such items had a greater or lesser effect, or no effect.  Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a replacement for, the corresponding GAAP measures, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

About Standex

Standex International Corporation is a multi-industry manufacturer in five broad business segments: Engraving, Electronics, Engineering Technologies, Hydraulics, and Food Service Equipment with operations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, India and China.  For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://standex.com/.

SOURCE Standex International Corporation