Helios Technologies Reports Sequential Sales Growth and Strong Margins for Third Quarter 2020; Generates $37 million in Cash from Operations

• Net sales grew $3.3 million sequentially to $122.6 million compared with trailing second quarter
  • Electronics sales up 42% over trailing second quarter to $24.4 million
• Gross margin expanded 50 basis points over prior-year period to 38.3% on lower volume demonstrating improved operational efficiencies
• Generated $36.7 million of cash from operations and reduced net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA to 2.0x
• Paid its 96^th Sequential Cash Dividend on October 20, 2020
• Expecting revenue in the range of $485 to $495 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 22% for the full year 2020
• Signed definitive agreement to acquire Balboa Water Group for $218.5 million which is expected to close before year end

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Helios Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIO) (“Helios” or the “Company”), a global industrial technology leader that develops and manufactures solutions for both the hydraulics and electronics markets, today reported financial results for the third quarter and year-to-date period ended September 26, 2020.

Josef Matosevic, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We delivered excellent quarterly results with total revenue exceeding our expectations while expanding gross margins, which resulted in better-than-expected consolidated decremental adjusted operating margin of 29%^*. Our businesses demonstrated their ability to quickly adjust to rapidly changing market conditions. Our disciplined execution, continued productivity improvements, and ongoing cost containment are what enabled gross margins to expand on lower volumes.”

He continued, “We generated $36.7 million of cash in the quarter which was 44% more than the prior-year period. Our ability to generate cash enabled us to reduce net debt by over $50 million year-to-date and continue to be a consistent dividend payer over the last twenty-four years. This cash generation provides us the financial flexibility to make the acquisition we recently announced and gives us strong confidence in our ability to de-lever the balance sheet post acquisition back to our 2x net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA target. We entered into a definitive agreement on October 9, 2020, to acquire Balboa Water Group for $218.5 million using cash and debt. This is an ideal fit for our Electronics segment and entirely aligns with our Vision 2025 strategy. Balboa has differentiated, proprietary controls technology which we plan to leverage and accelerate the Electronics segment’s ability to innovate and penetrate new and existing end markets.”

Third Quarter 2020 Consolidated Results

Sales

• The majority of the change in sales reflects the impact on demand of the macro industrial softness resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
• Foreign currency translation impact on sales: $2.0 million

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit reflects lower sales volume while gross margin expanded 50 basis points driven by successful management of our fixed cost base and favorable product mix
• Selling, engineering and administrative (“SEA”) expenses: as a percentage of sales improved 200 basis points reflecting cost containment initiatives which were partially offset by $0.1 million of acquisition costs and $0.6 million of officer transition costs
• Amortization of intangible assets: $4.6 million, comparable with the prior-year period

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: was $2.7 million in the quarter lower by $1.1 million compared to the prior year period due to reduced debt balances
• Effective tax rate: 20.7% compared with 17.3% in the prior year period

Net income, earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP net income and earnings per share: $13.0 million up 2% over the prior year period, and $0.40 per share flat with last year, respectively
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: $0.53 compared with $0.61 last year due primarily to lower sales
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: sequentially was up 80 bps to 23.4% compared with the second quarter 2020 of 22.6%

Year-to-date 2020 Consolidated Results

Sales

• The majority of the change in sales reflects the impact on demand of the macro industrial softness resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
• Foreign currency translation impact on sales: ($1.8) million

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross margin improved 10 basis points on lower volume from production efficiencies and favorable product mix
• SEA expenses: improved $2.2 million primarily due to cost management efforts, even after $2.4 million in officer transition costs and $0.2 million in incremental acquisition and financing-related expenses
• Amortization of intangible assets: $13.3 million compared with $13.5 million in prior year
• Goodwill impairment charge: $31.9 million, related to Faster’s change in market outlook resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $3.7 million improvement to $8.6 million from reduction of approximately $50 million in net debt
• Effective tax rate: 16.9%, excludes non-taxable goodwill impairment charge, down from 20.5% in prior year, included certain one-time benefits in the second quarter 2020 that reduced the year-to-date effective tax rate

Earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP Earnings per share: included a $31.9 million charge for goodwill impairment, reflects impact of reduced sales volume, partially offset by cost management efforts, lower interest and one-time tax benefit
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: change is similar to the GAAP earnings per share explanation above, adjusted for amortization, goodwill impairment charge and other unusual items
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: 60 basis point change reflects lower sales volume somewhat offset by effective cost management efforts and production efficiencies

Hydraulics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

Third Quarter Hydraulics Segment Review

• Higher sales in the Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia/Pacific (“APAC”) regions were driven by demand from the construction and agricultural end markets; foreign currency exchange rates had a $1.9 million impact on sales
• Gross margin improved 60 basis points due to favorable change in sales mix, the effectiveness of the factory consolidation of the CVT facility in Florida and savings from cost containment efforts such as over-time management, decreased usage of temporary labor and inventory and supplies costs management
• Operating margin improved 290 basis points driven by some one-time expenses in the year-ago period related to restructuring and disposal of an intangible asset, as well as effective cost management efforts and production efficiencies in the current quarter

Electronics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

Third Quarter Electronics Segment Review

• Sales recovered in the third quarter compared with the trailing second quarter although year-over-year still reflects demand impacts from the pandemic as well as the intentional shift in customer base which involved removing certain contractual obligations enabling broader market penetration
• Third quarter 2020 gross margin improved 40 basis points due to favorable sales mix and cost management efforts during the quarter. Cost containment measures helped to offset the impact of decremental leverage on lower volume resulting in operating income of $4.7 million

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

• Total debt improved to $260.4 million at September 26, 2020, from $300.4 million at December 28, 2019
• Cash and cash equivalents at September 26, 2020 were $32.4 million, up $10.3 million from the end of 2019
• Net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA reached the Companies target 2.0x at September 26, 2020. At the end of the quarter, the Company had $231.3 million available on its revolving line of credit
• Net cash provided by operations was $77.0 million and $50.9 million year to date in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company generated $36.7 million of cash from operations in the current quarter up from $25.5 million in the prior-year period
• Capital expenditures were $7.2 million year to date. Capital expenditure levels reflect the focus on cash preservation in light of the impact of COVID-19 on economic conditions. Given the current environment, capital expenditures in 2020 are focused on higher priority and critical projects

Balboa Water Group Acquisition

On October 12, 2020, the Company announced it had signed a definitive agreement on October 9, 2020 to acquire BWG Holdings I Corp. (operating as Balboa Water Group) for $218.5 million from investment funds affiliated with AEA Investors LP (the “Acquisition”). Helios plans to fund the Acquisition through a combination of cash and existing and new credit facilities. Helios expects to close the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

2020 Outlook

As of November 2, 2020, the Company expects revenue to range from $485 to $495 million for the full year 2020, which incorporates expectations of typical seasonality in the fourth quarter for the Electronics segment combined with recovering order levels for the Hydraulics segment. The Company also expects Adjusted EBITDA margin to be approximately 22% for the full year 2020. The outlook does not include any contribution from the Acquisition.

Mr. Matosevic concluded, “The value of the diversity of our end markets, which will be further enhanced with the addition of Balboa, was demonstrated in our results this quarter. As we look farther out, we believe the successful execution of our strategy to grow through end market and geographic diversification, leading market share in niche applications and expanding product offerings will enable us to achieve our Vision 2025 goals. In fact, the Helios team is excited about the opportunities in front of us as we work to accelerate our achievements and create a stronger, scalable and more dynamic business.”

Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial and operating results and discuss its corporate strategies and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow. The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8573. The audio webcast will be available at www.heliostechnologies.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from 12:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Tuesday, November 9, 2020. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13711361. The webcast replay will be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.heliostechnologies.com, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

About Helios Technologies

Helios Technologies is a global industrial technology leader that develops and manufactures hydraulic and electronic control solutions for diverse markets. The Company operates in two business segments, Hydraulics and Electronics. The Hydraulics segment markets and sells products globally under the brands of Sun Hydraulics in relation to cartridge valve technology, Custom Fluidpower with regard to hydraulic system design and Faster in connection with quick release coupling solutions. Global Electronics brands include Enovation Controls and Murphy for fully-tailored solutions with a broad range of rugged and reliable instruments such as displays, controls and instrumentation products. Helios Technologies and information about its associated companies is available online at www.heliostechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. They include statements regarding current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, our beliefs, and assumptions made by Helios Technologies, Inc. (“Helios” or the “Company”), its directors or its officers about the Company and the industry in which it operates, and assumptions made by management, and include among other items, (i) the Company’s strategies regarding growth, including its intention to develop new products and make acquisitions; (ii) the timing of completion of the Acquisition and the expected benefits and synergies from the Acquisition; (iii) the Company’s financing plans; (iv) trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; (v) the Company’s ability to continue to control costs and to meet its liquidity and other financing needs; (vi) the declaration and payment of dividends; and (vii) the Company’s ability to respond to changes in customer demand domestically and internationally, including as a result of standardization. In addition, we may make other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) conditions in the capital markets, including the interest rate environment and the availability of capital; (ii) the risk that the Acquisition will not be consummated in a timely manner or at all, our failure to realize the benefits expected from the Acquisition, our failure to promptly and effectively integrate the Acquisition and the ability of Helios to retain and hire key personnel, and maintain relationships with suppliers; (iii) changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect the Company’s revenue and/or cost bases, such as increased competition, lack of qualified engineering, marketing, management or other personnel, and increased labor and raw materials costs; and (iv) new product introductions, product sales mix and the geographic mix of sales nationally and internationally. Further information relating to factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated is included but not limited to information under the heading Item 1. “Business” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019 and Part II, Item IA, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2020 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This news release will discuss some historical non-GAAP financial measures, which the Company believes are useful in evaluating its performance. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income recognized in a given period. You should not consider the inclusion of this additional information in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

This news release also presents forward-looking statements regarding non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA margin. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, the Company believes that such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company’s full 2020 financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the Company’s actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.

Financial Tables Follow:

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA, cash net income and cash net income per diluted share are not measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Helios believes that providing non-GAAP information such as adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA, cash net income and cash net income per diluted share are important for investors and other readers of Helios’s financial statements, as they are used as analytical indicators by Helios’s management to better understand operating performance. Because adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA, cash net income and cash net income per diluted share are non-GAAP measures and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA, cash net income and cash net income per diluted share, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201102005235/en/

Tania Almond
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
(941) 362-1333
tania.almond@HLIO.com

Deborah Pawlowski
Kei Advisors LLC
(716) 843-3908
dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Source: Helios Technologies, Inc.

Released November 2, 2020