Columbus McKinnon Reports 16% Order Growth in Q2 FY25

CHARLOTTE, NC, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCO) ("Columbus McKinnon" or the "Company"), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, today announced financial results for its fiscal year 2025 second quarter, which ended September 30, 2024. 

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights (compared with prior-year period, except where otherwise noted)

Orders increased 16% with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.08x; Precision conveyance up 42%

Net sales decreased 6% to $242.3 million reflecting impacts related to Hurricane Helene, the ramp up of linear motion production in Monterrey, MX and project timing

Results included $17.5 million2 of non-cash pension settlement expense and $11.8 million2 for factory closure and start-up costs as we transitioned manufacturing to our Monterrey, MX facility

GAAP EPS of ($0.52) and Adjusted EPS1 of $0.70

Repaid $10 million of debt in Q2 FY25; Anticipate FY25 debt repayment of $60 million

Executed $4.9 million of share repurchases in Q2 FY25 and $5.0 million in early Q3 FY25

"Our commercial and operational initiatives are delivering wins with new and existing customers in attractive vertical markets and we delivered one of our highest order quarters in history with 16% order growth and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.08x in Q2." said David J. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Order growth, with particular strength in precision conveyance, and an encouraging funnel of promising opportunities supports our fiscal 2025 guidance and positions us well for fiscal 2026."

"But for the impact of Hurricane Helene, we delivered on our guidance for the second quarter while transitioning our linear motion manufacturing activity to Monterrey," continued Wilson. "We remain confident in our long-term financial objectives and are advancing the strategic initiatives that will both grow our business and deliver targeted margin expansion over time."

Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Sales

($ in millions)

Q2 FY25

Q2 FY24

Change

% Change

Net sales

$    242.3

$    258.4

$        (16.1)

(6.2) %

U.S. sales

$    132.3

$    145.2

$        (12.9)

(8.9) %

     % of total

55 %

56 %

Non-U.S. sales

$    110.0

$    113.2

$          (3.2)

(2.8) %

     % of total

45 %

44 %

For the quarter, net sales decreased $16.1 million, or 6.2%. In the U.S., sales were down $12.9 million, or 8.9%. Price improvement of $1.3 million helped to offset $14.2 million in lower volume. Sales outside the U.S. decreased $3.2 million, or 2.8%. Price improvement of $2.5 million helped to offset $6.0 million of lower volume. Favorable foreign currency translation was $0.3 million.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Operating Results

($ in millions)

Q2 FY25

Q2 FY24

Change

% Change

Gross profit

$      74.7

$    100.0

$        (25.2)

(25.2) %

     Gross margin

30.9 %

38.7 %

(780) bps

Adjusted Gross Profit1

$      87.9

$    100.0

$        (12.0)

(12.0) %

     Adjusted Gross Margin1

36.3 %

38.7 %

(240) bps

Income from operations

$      10.8

$      33.4

$        (22.5)

(67.6) %

 Operating margin

4.5 %

12.9 %

(840) bps

Adjusted Operating Income1

$      27.0

$      34.1

$          (7.2)

(21.0) %

     Adjusted Operating Margin1

11.1 %

13.2 %

(210) bps

Net income (loss)

$     (15.0)

$      15.8

$        (30.9)

NM

     Net income (loss) margin

(6.2) %

6.1 %

(1,230) bps

GAAP EPS

$     (0.52)

$      0.55

$        (1.07)

NM

Adjusted EPS1

$      0.70

$      0.76

$        (0.06)

(7.9) %

Adjusted EBITDA1

$      39.2

$      45.7

$          (6.6)

(14.4) %

     Adjusted EBITDA Margin1

16.2 %

17.7 %

(150) bps

Adjusted EPS1 excludes, among other adjustments, amortization of intangible assets.  The Company believes this better represents its inherent earnings power and cash generation capability.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Guidance

The Company is issuing the following guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, ending December 31, 2024:

Metric

Q3 FY25

Net sales

Flat year-over-year

Adjusted EPS3

Flat year-over-year

Third quarter 2025 guidance assumes approximately $8 million of interest expense, $8 million of amortization, an effective tax rate of 25% and 28.9 million diluted average shares outstanding.

 

The Company is issuing the following guidance for the fiscal year 2025, ending March 31, 2025:

Metric

FY25

Net sales

Flat to low-single digit growth year-over-year

Adjusted EPS3

Mid-single digit growth year-over-year

Capital Expenditures

$20 million to $25 million

Net Leverage Ratio3

~2.3x

Fiscal 2025 guidance assumes approximately $32 million of interest expense, $30 million of amortization, an effective tax rate of 25% and 29.0 million diluted average shares outstanding.

 

Teleconference/Webcast

Columbus McKinnon will host a conference call today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results and strategy.  The conference call will be accessible through live webcast and via phone by dialing 1-800-836-8184.  The webcast, earnings release and earnings presentation will be available at the Company's investor relations website at investors.cmco.com.  A replay of the webcast will also be archived on the Company's investor relations website and available via phone by dialing 1-888-660-6345 and enter the conference ID number 93312# through Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

______________________



Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures.  See accompanying discussion and reconciliation tables provided in this release for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the closest corresponding GAAP financial measures.

2

Represents $23.2 million of non-cash pension settlement costs, $11.9 million of expense related to the closure of our Charlotte, NC factory and $3.8 million of Monterrey MX start-up costs, which are taxed at a 24.6% tax rate.



The Company has not reconciled the Adjusted EPS and Net Leverage Ratio guidance to the most comparable GAAP financial measure outlook because it is not possible to do so without unreasonable efforts due to the uncertainty and potential variability of reconciling items, which are dependent on future events and often outside of management's control and which could be significant. Because such items cannot be reasonably predicted with the level of precision required, we are unable to provide guidance for the comparable GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance regarding Adjusted EPS and Net Leverage Ratio is made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein and in alignment with the Company's financial covenants per the Company's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

About Columbus McKinnon

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions that move the world forward and improve lives by efficiently and ergonomically moving, lifting, positioning, and securing materials. Key products include hoists, crane components, precision conveyor systems, rigging tools, light rail workstations, and digital power and motion control systems. The Company is focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by its superior design and engineering know-how.  Comprehensive information on Columbus McKinnon is available at www.cmco.com. 

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "illustrative," "intend," "likely," "may," "opportunity," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "shall," "should," "target," "will," "would" and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this document, including, but are not limited to, statements relating to: (i) our strategy, outlook and growth prospects, including our third quarter and fiscal year 2025 net sales and Adjusted EPS, and our fiscal year 2025 net leverage ratio and capital expenditure guidance; (ii) our operational and financial targets and capital allocation policy; (iii) general economic trend and trends in the industry and markets; (iv) the amount of debt to be paid down by the Company during fiscal year 2025; (v) the estimated costs and benefits related to the consolidation of the Company's North American linear motion operations in Charlotte, North Carolina to its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico (vi) the proper application of generally accepted accounting principles, which are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgements; and (vii) the competitive environment in which we operate; are forward looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but instead represent our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 as well as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at www.sec.gov. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Columbus McKinnon undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority.

Contacts:

Gregory P. Rustowicz

Kristine Moser

EVP Finance and CFO

VP IR and Treasurer

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

716-689-5442

704-322-2488

 

Financial tables follow.

 

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements - UNAUDITED

(In thousands, except per share and percentage data)

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,2024

September 30,2023

Change

Net sales

$          242,274

$          258,400

(6.2) %

Cost of products sold

167,531

158,424

5.7 %

Gross profit

74,743

99,976

(25.2) %

Gross profit margin

30.9 %

38.7 %

Selling expenses

26,926

26,867

0.2 %

% of net sales

11.1 %

10.4 %

General and administrative expenses

23,363

25,709

(9.1) %

% of net sales

9.6 %

9.9 %

Research and development expenses

6,102

6,541

(6.7) %

% of net sales

2.5 %

2.5 %

Amortization of intangibles

7,547

7,508

0.5 %

Income from operations

10,805

33,351

(67.6) %

Operating margin

4.5 %

12.9 %

Interest and debt expense

8,352

10,211

(18.2) %

Investment (income) loss

(610)

88

NM

Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss

(792)

1,746

NM

Other (income) expense, net

23,806

393

5,957.5 %

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

(19,951)

20,913

NM

Income tax expense (benefit)

(4,908)

5,100

NM

Net income (loss)

$           (15,043)

$            15,813

NM

Average basic shares outstanding

28,869

28,725

0.5 %

Basic income (loss) per share

$              (0.52)

$                0.55

NM

Average diluted shares outstanding

28,869

29,001

(0.5) %

Diluted income (loss) per share

$              (0.52)

$                0.55

NM

Dividends declared per common share

$                0.07

$                0.07

 

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements - UNAUDITED

(In thousands, except per share and percentage data)

 

Six Months Ended

September 30,2024

September 30,2023

Change

Net sales

$          482,000

$          493,892

(2.4) %

Cost of products sold

318,227

307,266

3.6 %

Gross profit

163,773

186,626

(12.2) %

Gross profit margin

34.0 %

37.8 %

Selling expenses

54,696

51,848

5.5 %

% of net sales

11.3 %

10.5 %

General and administrative expenses

49,810

53,152

(6.3) %

% of net sales

10.3 %

10.8 %

Research and development expenses

12,268

12,442

(1.4) %

% of net sales

2.5 %

2.5 %

Amortization of intangibles

15,047

14,385

4.6 %

Income from operations

31,952

54,799

(41.7) %

Operating margin

6.6 %

11.1 %

Interest and debt expense

16,587

18,836

(11.9) %

Investment (income) loss

(819)

(454)

80.4 %

Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss

(398)

2,230

NM

Other (income) expense, net

24,484

605

3,946.9 %

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

(7,902)

33,582

NM

Income tax expense (benefit)

(1,488)

8,494

NM

Net income (loss)

$            (6,414)

$            25,088

NM

Average basic shares outstanding

28,852

28,694

0.6 %

Basic income (loss) per share

$              (0.22)

$                0.87

NM

Average diluted shares outstanding

28,852

28,962

(0.4) %

Diluted income (loss) per share

$              (0.22)