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8-K - FORM 8-K - GRACO INCd290867d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

News Release

  

GRACO INC.

P.O. Box 1441

Minneapolis, MN

55440-1441

NYSE: GGG

     LOGO     

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Monday, January 30, 2012

   James A. Graner (612) 623-6635

Graco Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Annual Sales

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (January 30, 2012)  -  Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the quarter and year ended December 30, 2011.

Summary

$ in millions except per share amounts

 

     Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
     Dec 30,      Dec 31,      %     Dec 30,      Dec 31,      %  
     2011      2010      Change     2011      2010      Change  
     (13 weeks)      (14 weeks)            (52 weeks)      (53 weeks)         

Net Sales

   $ 215.6      $ 197.3        9   $ 895.3      $ 744.1        20

Net Earnings

     30.4        27.0        13     142.3        102.8        38

Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share

   $ 0.50      $ 0.44        14   $ 2.32      $ 1.69        37

 

   

Sales for the quarter were 9 percent higher than the strong fourth quarter last year, which included 14 weeks, compared to 13 weeks in 2011.

 

   

Sales for the year increased 20 percent from last year.

 

   

Lubrication segment sales for the year topped $100 million and operating earnings more than doubled from the previous year.

 

   

For the year, gross margin rate of 56 percent and return on sales of 16 percent were each 2 percentage points higher than last year.

 

   

General and administrative expenses include $2 million of acquisition-related costs for the quarter and $8 million for the year.

“The increase in our revenues for the full year 2011 was very broad-based, with strong double-digit growth in all geographies and business segments,” said Patrick J. McHale, Graco’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Although year-over-year growth decelerated somewhat from the third quarter of 2011, Graco reported revenues that were a record for any fourth quarter in the history of the Company. In addition, the extra week in the 2010 comparables belies the underlying growth in the Company’s weekly order rate experienced in the fourth quarter of 2011. When compared to the same period of the prior year, weekly order intake in the fourth quarter continued to grow at a double-digit rate. These strong results were driven by the Company’s continued investment in new products and geographic expansion.”

Consolidated Results

For the quarter, sales were 9 percent higher than last year in the Americas, flat in Europe and 20 percent higher in Asia Pacific. Translation rates did not have a significant impact on the sales increase for the quarter. For the year, sales increased 20 percent (18 percent at consistent translation rates), including increases of 17 percent in the Americas, 19 percent in Europe (14 percent at consistent translation rates) and 32 percent in Asia Pacific (27 percent at consistent translation rates). There were 53 weeks in fiscal 2010, including 14 weeks in the fourth quarter. There were 52 weeks in fiscal 2011, with 13 weeks in the fourth quarter.

 

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Page 2 GRACO

 

Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 54 percent for the quarter, consistent with last year, and 56 percent for the year, up 2 percentage points. The rate improvement for the year is mainly from higher production volumes, pricing and favorable translation rates, partially offset by higher material costs.

Total operating expenses for the quarter were flat compared to last year and increased $30 million for the year. Half of the increase was in selling, marketing and distribution expenses, including strategic spending to generate and support growth, especially in Asia Pacific. General and administrative expenses for the year increased by $11 million, including $8 million related to the proposed acquisition of ITW’s finishing businesses. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 32 percent for the quarter and 31 percent for the year, down 3 and 2 percentage points, respectively, compared to last year.

The effective income tax rate was 30 percent for the quarter and 32 percent for the year, compared to 26 percent and 31 percent for the comparable periods last year. In 2010, the effective rate for the quarter was low because the federal R&D tax credit was not renewed until the fourth quarter and the full-year benefit was reflected in that quarter.

Segment Results

Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

 

     Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
     (13 weeks in 2011, 14 weeks in 2010)     (52 weeks in 2011, 53 weeks in 2010)  
     Industrial     Contractor     Lubrication     Industrial     Contractor     Lubrication  

Net sales (in millions)

   $ 125.2     $ 62.1     $ 28.3     $ 501.8     $ 290.7     $ 102.7  

Net sales percentage change from last year

     11     1     26     23     13     32

Operating earnings as a percentage of net sales

            

2011

     33     10     19     35     17     18

2010

     31     8     11     31     14     11

Industrial segment sales increased 11 percent for the quarter, including increases of 7 percent in the Americas, 8 percent in Europe and 20 percent in Asia Pacific. For the year, sales increased 23 percent, including increases of 17 percent in the Americas, 23 percent in Europe (19 percent at consistent translation rates) and 31 percent in Asia Pacific (27 percent at consistent translation rates). Higher sales and the leveraging of expenses led to improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales.

Contractor segment sales increased 1 percent for the quarter and 13 percent for the year. Sales for the quarter increased 8 percent in the Americas and 5 percent in Asia Pacific (2 percent at consistent translation rates). In Europe, sales decreased 15 percent compared to a strong fourth quarter of 2010 that included initial stocking orders of the new handheld product. For the year, sales increased 13 percent in the Americas, 9 percent in Europe (4 percent at consistent translation rates) and 25 percent in Asia Pacific (18 percent at consistent translation rates). Higher sales and the leveraging of expenses led to improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales.

Lubrication segment sales increased 26 percent for the quarter and 32 percent for the year. Sales for the quarter increased 17 percent in both the Americas and Europe, and 59 percent in Asia Pacific. For the year, sales increased 25 percent in the Americas, 38 percent in Europe and 57 percent in Asia Pacific. For both the quarter and the year, higher sales and the leveraging of factory volumes and operating expenses led to improvement in operating earnings as a percentage of sales.

 

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Page 3 GRACO

 

Outlook

“We are planning for growth in all business segments and geographies for the full year 2012, although percentage growth trends will likely be lower, reflecting difficult comparisons to our record-level sales in 2011, continued challenges in the worldwide construction market and the ongoing Eurozone crisis. We will continue to invest in new products and resources to expand Graco’s geographic footprint and broaden the served markets and applications for our products,” said McHale. “While we remain cautious regarding demand trends in Western Europe, we continue to see strong growth in the emerging markets of Europe as well as pockets of strength in certain end-markets, such as automotive, energy, heavy equipment and industrial lubrication. We also see sustained opportunities to grow in the United States, while Asia Pacific remains a bright spot for ongoing double-digit growth in 2012.”

As announced in mid-December, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a complaint to challenge Graco’s proposed acquisition of the finishing businesses of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW). “The decision by the FTC to challenge this acquisition is extremely disappointing,” said McHale. “We strongly believe that this acquisition is pro-competitive and will benefit both end users and our distributor partners. We are confident in our position and will vigorously fight for approval in court.”

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

A forward-looking statement is any statement made in this earnings release and other reports that the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in press releases, analyst briefings, conference calls and the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders, which reflects the Company’s current thinking on the acquisition of the finishing businesses of ITW, market trends and the Company’s future financial performance at the time it is made. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 by making cautionary statements concerning any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company cannot give any assurance that the results forecasted in any forward-looking statement will actually be achieved. Future results could differ materially from those expressed, due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies, currency fluctuations, political instability, changes in laws and regulations, and changes in product demand. In addition, risk factors related to the Company’s pending acquisition of the ITW finishing businesses include: whether and when the required regulatory approvals will be obtained, whether and when the closing conditions will be satisfied and whether and when the transaction will close, the ability to close on committed financing on satisfactory terms, the amount of debt that the Company will incur to complete the transaction, completion of purchase price valuation for acquired assets, whether and when the Company will be able to realize the expected financial results and accretive effect of the transaction, how customers, competitors, suppliers and employees will react to the transaction, and economic changes in global markets. Please refer to Item 1A of, and Exhibit 99 to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2010 (and most recent Form 10-Q) for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. These reports are available on the Company’s website at www.graco.com and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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Page 4 GRACO

 

Conference Call

Graco management will hold a conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. ET, to discuss Graco’s fourth quarter and year-end results.

A real-time Webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen and view slides can access the call at the Company’s website at www.graco.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available soon after the conference call at Graco’s website, or by telephone beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. ET on January 31, 2012, by dialing 800-406-7325, Conference ID #4502375, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 303-590-3030, with the same Conference ID #. The replay by telephone will be available through February 4, 2012.

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.

 

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Page 5 GRACO

 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended      Year Ended  
     Dec 30,
2011
     Dec 31,
2010
     Dec 30,
2011
     Dec 31,
2010
 

Net Sales

   $ 215,594      $ 197,293      $ 895,283      $ 744,065  

Cost of products sold

     98,581        89,621        395,078        340,620  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross Profit

     117,013        107,672        500,205        403,445  

Product development

     10,846        9,490        41,554        37,699  

Selling, marketing and distribution

     37,538        40,816        151,276        135,903  

General and administrative

     21,241        19,563        87,861        76,702  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Earnings

     47,388        37,803        219,514        153,141  

Interest expense

     3,658        1,025        9,131        4,184  

Other expense (income), net

     6        270        655        417  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Taxes

     43,724        36,508        209,728        148,540  

Income taxes

     13,300        9,500        67,400        45,700  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Earnings

   $ 30,424      $ 27,008      $ 142,328      $ 102,840  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Earnings per Common Share

           

Basic

   $ 0.51      $ 0.45      $ 2.36      $ 1.71  

Diluted

   $ 0.50      $ 0.44      $ 2.32      $ 1.69  

Weighted Average Number of Shares

           

Basic

     59,723        59,944        60,286        60,209  

Diluted

     60,635        60,700        61,370        60,803  

Segment Information (Unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
     Dec 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2010
    Dec 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2010
 

Net Sales

        

Industrial

   $ 125,205     $ 113,080     $ 501,841     $ 409,569  

Contractor

     62,068       61,647       290,732       256,588  

Lubrication

     28,321       22,566       102,710       77,908  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 215,594     $ 197,293     $ 895,283     $ 744,065  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Earnings

        

Industrial

   $ 40,698     $ 35,032     $ 173,694     $ 126,266  

Contractor

     6,342       5,113       50,581       36,952  

Lubrication

     5,276       2,571       18,928       8,897  

Unallocated corporate (expense)

     (4,928     (4,913     (23,689     (18,974
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 47,388     $ 37,803     $ 219,514     $ 153,141  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Page 6 GRACO

 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Dec 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 303,150     $ 9,591  

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $5,500 and $5,600

     150,912       124,593  

Inventories

     105,347       91,620  

Deferred income taxes

     17,674       18,647  

Other current assets

     5,887       7,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     582,970       252,408  

Property, Plant and Equipment

    

Cost

     358,235       344,854  

Accumulated depreciation

     (219,987     (210,669
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     138,248       134,185  

Goodwill

     93,400       91,740  

Other Intangible Assets, net

     18,118       28,338  

Deferred Income Taxes

     29,752       14,696  

Other Assets

     11,821       9,107  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 874,309     $ 530,474  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities

    

Notes payable to banks

   $ 8,658     $ 8,183  

Trade accounts payable

     27,402       19,669  

Salaries and incentives

     32,181       34,907  

Dividends payable

     13,445       12,610  

Other current liabilities

     49,596       44,385  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     131,282       119,754  

Long-term Debt

     300,000       70,255  

Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation

     120,287       76,351  

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common stock

     59,747       60,048  

Additional paid-in-capital

     242,007       212,073  

Retained earnings

     97,467       44,436  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (76,481     (52,443
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     322,740       264,114  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 874,309     $ 530,474  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Page 7 GRACO

 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended  
     Dec 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2010
 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

    

Net Earnings

   $ 142,328     $ 102,840  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     32,483       33,973  

Deferred income taxes

     (1,814     (4,248

Share-based compensation

     10,994       10,024  

Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements

     (2,195     (1,988

Change in

    

Accounts receivable

     (26,767     (23,285

Inventories

     (13,440     (32,997

Trade accounts payable

     5,974       1,670  

Salaries and incentives

     (3,469     20,453  

Retirement benefits and deferred compensation

     7,228       (1,428

Other accrued liabilities

     8,148       (18

Other

     2,574       (3,873
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     162,044       101,123  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

    

Property, plant and equipment additions

     (23,854     (16,620

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     426       257  

Acquisition of business

     (2,139     —     

Investment in life insurance

     (1,499     (1,499

Capitalized software and other intangible asset additions

     (931     (907
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (27,997     (18,769
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

    

Borrowings on short-term lines of credit

     18,221       10,584  

Payments on short-term lines of credit

     (17,724     (13,789

Borrowings on long-term notes and line of credit

     402,175       140,540  

Payments on long-term line of credit

     (172,430     (156,545

Payments of debt issuance costs

     (1,131     —     

Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements

     2,195       1,988  

Common stock issued

     22,231       12,794  

Common stock repurchased

     (43,250     (24,218

Cash dividends paid

     (50,646     (48,146
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     159,641       (76,792
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (129     (1,383
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     293,559       4,179  

Cash and cash equivalents:

    

Beginning of year

     9,591       5,412  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 303,150     $ 9,591  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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