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8-K - FORM 8-K - BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPform8-k.htm






Investor Relations Contact:
David J. Rodgers, Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer
(414) 259-5333

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION REPORTS INCREASED NET SALES AND NARROWED NET LOSS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2012 AND INCREASES GUIDANCE
    
MILWAUKEE, October 20, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

Briggs & Stratton Corporation (NYSE:BGG) today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended October 2, 2011.

Highlights:

First quarter fiscal 2012 consolidated net sales were $397.3 million, an increase of $63.2 million or 18.9% from the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

First quarter fiscal 2012 consolidated net loss of $5.2 million improved by $2.9 million from a consolidated net loss of $8.1 million one year ago.

Net debt outstanding as of October 2, 2011 is down $66.6 million, or 42.6%, from September 26, 2010.

“We continued to make progress against our strategic initiatives in the first quarter which enabled us to improve profitability in what remains a challenging global economy,” commented Todd J. Teske, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Briggs & Stratton. “In addition, I am very pleased how our team was able to quickly respond and provide help to the areas impacted by Hurricane Irene. Their efforts demonstrate our company's ability to respond when severe weather conditions leave people without power.”

Consolidated Results:

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 were $397.3 million, an increase of $63.2 million or 18.9% when compared to the same period a year ago. The fiscal 2012 first quarter consolidated net loss was $5.2 million or $0.10 per diluted share. The first quarter of fiscal 2011 consolidated net loss was $8.1 million or $0.16 per diluted share. Given the seasonal nature of the business, it is typical for the company to incur a loss in the first quarter of each fiscal year.

Engines Segment:

Engines Segment fiscal 2012 first quarter net sales were $203.4 million, which was $1.7 million or 0.8% lower than the same period a year ago. This decrease in net sales was driven by lower shipment volumes of engines due to reduced consumer demand for lawn and garden products in North America, offset by slightly improved engine pricing and a favorable mix of product shipped that reflected proportionally larger volumes of units used on snow throwers and riding lawn and garden equipment.

The Engines Segment gross profit was $36.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $5.6 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Gross profit decreased primarily due to lower net sales and higher manufacturing spending associated with rising commodity costs, partially offset by slightly improved engine pricing and a favorable mix of product shipped that reflected proportionally larger volumes of units used on riding lawn and garden equipment.

The Engines Segment engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses were $42.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $5.6 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2011 due to lower spending on stock based compensation.
    





Power Products Segment:

Power Products Segment fiscal 2012 first quarter net sales were $235.3 million, an increase of $67.1 million or 39.9% from the same period a year ago. The increase in net sales was primarily due to increased sales of portable and standby generators due to widespread power outages in the U.S. as a result of a landed hurricane on the East Coast, as well as increased shipments of snow equipment after channel inventories were depleted from the prior selling season. There were no landed hurricanes in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. 

The Power Products Segment gross profit was $27.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, an increase of $10.1 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase over the prior year was primarily attributable to the increase in net sales, slightly improved pricing, production efficiencies, and favorable absorption on improved plant utilization, partially offset by increased commodity costs.

The Power Products Segment fiscal 2012 first quarter engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses of $25.3 million increased by $2.9 million from the fiscal 2011 first quarter primarily due to higher sales and marketing and professional services expenses associated with new product launches.

Corporate Items:

Interest expense was $0.8 million lower for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to the same period one year ago due to the reduction in interest rate associated with the refinancing of the Senior Notes in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, partially offset by higher average borrowings outstanding. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012, as previously announced, the company closed on a new 5-year $500 million Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility. This credit facility replaced the company's $500 million credit facility that was scheduled to expire in July 2012. There were no borrowings under the existing revolving credit facility as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was negative 25.3% or $1.1 million of tax expense compared to 33.4% or a $4.1 million tax benefit for the fiscal 2011 first quarter. Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we excluded from our effective tax rate calculation net losses incurred by certain of our foreign subsidiaries which cannot be benefited. Excluding these foreign subsidiary net losses resulted in taxable income for purposes of calculating the company's interim income tax expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The net loss of these subsidiaries is typically higher in the first quarter before they enter into the lawn and garden season.

Financial Position:

Net debt at October 3, 2011 was $89.8 million (total debt of $228.0 million less $138.2 million of cash), an improvement of $66.6 million from the $156.4 million (total debt of $204.1 million less $47.7 million of cash) at September 26, 2010. Cash flows used by operating activities for the fiscal 2012 first quarter were $56.3 million compared to $55.5 million in the fiscal 2011 first quarter. Cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was primarily related to seasonal build of inventory levels and reduction of accounts payable in the quarter.

Outlook:

For fiscal 2012, the company has increased the projection of consolidated net income to be in the range of $58 million to $68 million or $1.15 to $1.35 per diluted share prior to the potential impact of any share repurchases under the company's previously announced share repurchase program. Consolidated net sales for fiscal 2012 are projected to be higher than fiscal 2011 by approximately 4% to 6% depending on the level of recovery of consumer spending within the outdoor power equipment category. Engines Segment sales are forecasted to be comparable to fiscal 2011 on lower volume and improved pricing while the Power Products Segment sales are forecasted higher primarily due to higher volumes of lawn and garden equipment, pressure washers, and portable and standby generators. Operating income margins are now projected to be in the range of 4.5% to 5.0%, and interest expense and other income are forecasted to be in the range of $18 million to $19 million and $5 million to $6 million, respectively. The operating earnings forecast includes additional investments of approximately $12 million for continued international growth. The effective tax rate for the full year is projected to be in a range of 32% to 34%. Capital expenditures for the year are projected to be approximately $60 million to $65 million.







Conference Call Information:

The company will host a conference call today at 10:00 AM (ET) to review this information. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on our corporate website: http://www.briggsandstratton.com/shareholders. Also available is a dial-in number to access the call real-time at (866) 238-1422. A replay will be offered beginning approximately two hours after the call ends and will be available for one week. Dial (888) 266-2081 to access the replay. The pass code will be 1554640.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The words “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on the company's current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that include, among other things, the ability to successfully forecast demand for our products; changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates; the effects of weather on the purchasing patterns of consumers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); actions of engine manufacturers and OEMs with whom we compete; changes in laws and regulations; changes in customer and OEM demand; changes in prices of raw materials and parts that we purchase; changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions; the ability to bring new productive capacity on line efficiently and with good quality; outcomes of legal proceedings and claims; and other factors disclosed from time to time in our SEC filings or otherwise, including the factors discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q.

About Briggs & Stratton Corporation:

Briggs & Stratton Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the world's largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its wholly owned subsidiary Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group, LLC is North America's number one manufacturer of portable generators and pressure washers, and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn and garden and turf care through its Simplicity®, Snapper®, Ferris®, Murray® and Victa® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on six continents.






BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Periods Ended September
(In Thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 Three Months Ended Fiscal September
 
 
2011
 
2010
NET SALES
 
$
397,297

 
$
334,116

COST OF GOODS SOLD
 
331,243

 
272,122

Gross Profit
 
66,054

 
61,994

 
 
 
 
 
ENGINEERING, SELLING, GENERAL
 
 
 
 
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
67,677

 
70,456

Loss from Operations
 
(1,623
)
 
(8,462
)
 
 
 
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
(4,338
)
 
(5,157
)
OTHER INCOME
 
1,794

 
1,435

Loss before Provision (Credit) for Income Taxes
 
(4,167
)
 
(12,184
)
 
 
 
 
 
PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES
 
1,053

 
(4,070
)
Net Loss
 
$
(5,220
)
 
$
(8,114
)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Shares Outstanding
 
49,818

 
49,665

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Average Shares Outstanding
 
49,818

 
49,665

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
 
 
 
 
Segment Information
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Three Months Ended Fiscal September
 
 
2011
 
2010
NET SALES:
 
 
 
 
Engines
 
$
203,378

 
$
205,048

Power Products
 
235,282

 
168,154

Inter-Segment Eliminations
 
(41,363
)
 
(39,086
)
Total *
 
$
397,297

 
$
334,116

 
 
 
 
 
* International sales based on product shipment destination included in net sales
 
$
147,803

 
$
117,849

 
 
 
 
 
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
Engines
 
$
36,882

 
$
42,464

Power Products
 
27,611

 
17,502

Inter-Segment Eliminations
 
1,561

 
2,028

Total
 
$
66,054

 
$
61,994

 
 
 
 
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
 
 
 
 
Engines
 
$
(5,477
)
 
$
(5,533
)
Power Products
 
2,293

 
(4,957
)
Inter-Segment Eliminations
 
1,561

 
2,028

Total
 
$
(1,623
)
 
$
(8,462
)
 
 
 
 
 






BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the End of Fiscal September
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
2011
 
2010
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
138,244

 
$
47,693

 
Accounts Receivable, Net
232,370

 
194,637

 
Inventories
492,128

 
509,575

 
Deferred Income Tax Asset
42,858

 
45,943

 
Assets Held For Sale
4,000

 
4,000

 
Other
25,173

 
33,270

 
Total Current Assets
934,773

 
835,118

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
201,901

 
253,766

 
Investments
21,203

 
17,931

 
Deferred Loan Costs, Net
4,685

 
459

 
Other Intangible Assets, Net
88,372

 
90,189

 
Deferred Income Tax Asset
24,874

 
72,212

 
Other Long-Term Assets, Net
9,380

 
9,478

 
Total Other Assets
350,415

 
444,035

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
 
 
 
At Cost
1,032,073

 
988,571

 
Less - Accumulated Depreciation
698,969

 
654,721

 
Plant and Equipment, Net
333,104

 
333,850

 
 
$
1,618,292

 
$
1,613,003

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
2011
 
2010
 
Accounts Payable
$
172,710

 
$
142,308

 
Short-Term Debt
3,000

 
3,000

 
Current Maturity of Long-Term Debt

 
201,068

 
Accrued Liabilities
143,966

 
150,055

 
Total Current Liabilities
319,676

 
496,431

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Accrued Pension Cost
189,117

 
272,600

 
Accrued Employee Benefits
24,173

 
23,114

 
Accrued Postretirement Health
 
 
 
 
Care Obligation
113,067

 
130,574

 
Other Long-Term Liabilities
26,734

 
42,600

 
Long-Term Debt
225,000

 

 
Total Other Liabilities
578,091

 
468,888

 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT:
 
 
 
 
Common Stock and Additional
 
 
 
 
Paid-in Capital
79,552

 
77,624

 
Retained Earnings
1,082,079

 
1,077,192

 
Accumulated Other
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Loss
(249,445
)
 
(311,850
)
 
Treasury Stock, at Cost
(191,661
)
 
(195,282
)
 
Total Shareholders' Investment
720,525

 
647,684

 
 
$
1,618,292

 
$
1,613,003

 
 
 
 
 







BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended Fiscal September
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
2011
 
2010
 
Net Loss
$
(5,220
)
 
$
(8,114
)
 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
16,119

 
15,501

 
 
Stock Compensation Expense
2,548

 
5,498

 
 
(Gain) Loss on Disposition of Plant and Equipment
(14
)
 
360

 
 
Provision (Benefit) for Deferred Income Taxes
3,507

 
(3,011
)
 
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in Accounts Receivable
13,503

 
93,877

 
 
Increase in Inventories
(65,287
)
 
(107,887
)
 
 
Decrease in Other Current Assets
20,870

 
10,465

 
 
Decrease in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
(39,057
)
 
(63,281
)
 
Other, Net
(3,240
)
 
1,105

 
 
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities
(56,271
)
 
(55,487
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to Plant and Equipment
(10,230
)
 
(9,391
)
 
 
Proceeds Received on Disposition of Plant and Equipment
80

 
33

 
 
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
(10,150
)
 
(9,358
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
Net Repayments on Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt

 
(2,500
)
 
 
Treasury Stock Purchases
(3,118
)
 

 
 
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities
(3,118
)
 
(2,500
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
(1,856
)
 
(1,516
)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(71,395
)
 
(68,861
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning
209,639

 
116,554

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Ending
$
138,244

 
$
47,693