Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCO), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2012 third quarter that ended on December 31, 2011.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were $142.8 million, up $14.1 million, or 10.9%, from the prior-year period. U.S. sales grew $8.3 million, or 12.5%, to $74.7 million, while sales outside of the U.S. expanded 9.3% to $68.1 million and comprised 47.7% of total net sales. Excluding changes in foreign currency translation, which had a $0.5 million favorable impact on fiscal 2012 third quarter sales, sales outside the U.S. grew 8.5%.

Timothy T. Tevens, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have had consistent, solid sales growth as our customer-focused product innovation and quality service combine to capture market share in Europe, Asia and Latin America. We have also seen economic conditions in the U.S. steadily improve throughout the quarter. From a global standpoint, we continue to make strategic investments to capitalize on continued economic development, particularly in emerging markets such as China and Brazil."

The fluctuation in sales compared with fiscal 2011's third quarter is summarized as follows, in millions:

       

Sales $ Change

    

Sales % Change

Increased volume $ 10.0 7.8%
Pricing $ 3.6 2.8%
Foreign currency translation $ 0.5 0.4%
Total $ 14.1 10.9%

Net income measurably improved to $8.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the fiscal 2012 third quarter from a loss of $39.6 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Positively impacting net income in the fiscal 2012 third quarter was a gain on the sale of a closed facility and a gain on the re-measurement of investment related to recent South African acquisition, both of which are discussed further below. Excluding these unusual events, diluted earnings per share would have been $0.33. The third quarter of fiscal 2011 included a non-cash tax provision of $39.7 million, or $2.08 per share, to record a full valuation allowance against Columbus McKinnon's deferred tax assets.

Leverage on Higher Volume Drives Margin Expansion in Third Quarter

Gross profit increased to $38.6 million, or 27.0% of sales, for the fiscal 2012 third quarter from $29.4 million, or 22.8% of sales, in fiscal 2011's third quarter. Higher gross profit and margin expansion reflect the impact of restructuring activities and the leverage gained on higher sales. The Company's forging operation contributed $1.9 million to gross profit improvement in the quarter.

Selling expenses of $16.0 million were relatively unchanged when compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2011. As a percent of revenue, selling expenses were 11.2% compared with 12.1% in the same period last year. Measured cost discipline helped to hold selling expenses flat despite revenue expansion.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $11.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, up 12.9%, or $1.3 million, from the previous fiscal year's third quarter, reflecting investments in emerging markets, higher professional services expense and new product development. G&A expenses were 8.1% of revenue for the third quarter of this year compared with 8.0% for last year's third quarter. Compared with the trailing second quarter of fiscal 2012, the $0.7 million increase was mostly related to investments in emerging markets and professional services expense.

The third quarter of fiscal 2012 included a favorable adjustment in restructuring charges of $1.5 million related to a gain on the sale of the facility in Cedar Rapids, IA that had previously housed forging operations. The prior-year period had restructuring charges of $0.2 million.

Third quarter fiscal 2012 operating margin improved to 8.4% from 2.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Excluding the impact of the facility sale, operating margin was 7.4% and operating leverage was 54.0% (defined as the year-over-year change in operating income divided by the year-over-year change in sales).

Mr. Tevens commented, "Our forging operations continue to improve and have now contributed positively to our gross margin expansion this quarter. We continue to gain our customers' confidence and expand volume through the facility in order to achieve targeted gross margin levels in that operation. To date, we have recognized approximately $6.4 million in net cumulative savings from our overall restructuring activities. The hoist and chain consolidations, which have exceeded our expectations, have achieved a total of approximately $13 million in savings since the consolidations began, of which $1.2 million was reflected in this quarter."

Interest and debt expense was $3.6 million in the fiscal 2012 third quarter compared with $3.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Included in other income was $0.9 million associated with the gain on re-measurement of the original 20% investment in Yale Lifting Solutions. The Company previously announced on January 10, 2012, that it had acquired the remaining 80% ownership of this South African business. The acquisition closed on December 13, 2011.

Strong balance sheet provides financial flexibility to support growth initiatives

Cash and equivalents at December 31, 2011 was $82.0 million. Debt, net of cash, at December 31, 2011 was $71.7 million, or 28.9% of total capitalization, compared with $85.5 million, or 36.0% of total capitalization at December 31, 2010. Total long term debt at the end of the fiscal 2012 third quarter was $152.1 million. The Company also had $69.5 million of availability on its $85 million line of credit, with nothing drawn and $15.5 million of outstanding letters of credit.

Cash provided by operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $13.5 million of which $9.0 million was generated in the third quarter. Cash used in operations in the first nine months of fiscal 2011 was $17.0 million.

Working capital as a percentage of sales decreased to 17.5% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2012, compared with 19.0% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The Company's long term goal remains a 15% working capital to sales ratio.

Capital expenditures for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 were $10.5 million compared with $8.9 million in the prior-year period. The Company anticipates capital spending will be approximately $13 million to $15 million in fiscal 2012 with approximately $4 million to $5 million dedicated to its global ERP system initiative. Other capital investments are focused on new product development, productivity enhancements, maintenance capital and environmental, health and safety initiatives.

First nine months fiscal 2012 review

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 were $432.4 million, up 13.8% from the same period in the prior fiscal year. This was a $52.3 million increase over sales of $380.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2011.

Gross profit margin was 26.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2012 compared with 23.3% for the first nine months of fiscal 2011. Selling expenses increased $1.3 million, or 2.8%, compared with last year. G&A expenses increased $4.1 million, or 13.7%, primarily due to investments in emerging markets, professional services and product development. As a percent of sales, selling and G&A expenses decreased to 18.8% during the first nine months of fiscal 2012 compared with 20.0% in the same period the prior year.

Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $31.5 million, or 7.3% of sales, compared with $9.3 million, or 2.4% of sales, in the prior year period. The first nine months of fiscal 2012 included a charge for a pension curtailment for $1.2 million and a $1.5 million positive adjustment in restructuring charges for the sale of the closed facility discussed previously. In the corresponding period in fiscal 2011, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $1.9 million.

Interest and debt expense in the first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $10.7 million, up from $9.9 million in the fiscal 2011 nine-month period due to higher average debt balances outstanding. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company refinanced its senior subordinated debt, replacing $125 million of 8 7/8% notes due in 2013 with $150 million of 7 7/8% notes due in 2019, taking advantage of historically low interest rates to lock in a lower rate for an extended term.

Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $18.0 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $38.5 million, or ($2.02) per diluted share, during the first nine months of fiscal 2011.

Solid Order Growth Continues

Backlog was $110.3 million at December 31, 2011, compared with $76.5 million at December 31, 2010. Although the time to convert the majority of backlog to sales typically averages from one day to a few weeks, backlog can include project-type orders from customers that have defined deliveries that may extend out 12 to 24 months. As of December 31, 2011, approximately $30.5 million of backlog was scheduled to ship beyond March 31, 2012.

Mr. Tevens noted, "We continue to realize double digit order growth globally as the U.S. demonstrates renewed strength, and we take market share in Europe where order growth is strong despite the slowing of those economies. Our presence in China, albeit small, is moving ahead well, and we are having strong success in Latin America."

Both U.S. and Eurozone capacity utilization are leading market indicators for the Company. U.S. industrial capacity utilization increased to 76.4% in December 2011, up from 74.2% in December 2010 and 75.6% in September 2011. Eurozone capacity utilization has trended down the last three quarters to 79.7% in the fourth calendar quarter of 2011 from its recent peak in the June 2011 quarter of 81.6%. Eurozone capacity utilization was 78.1% in the prior year's fourth quarter.

Mr. Tevens concluded, "We are optimistic about the future although, given the tenuous nature of the global economy and continued uncertainty, our enthusiasm is somewhat tempered. Our strategic focus remains on strengthening earnings power and cash generation, capturing greater market share internationally, developing new products and identifying acquisition opportunities for geographic expansion or product line extensions."

About Columbus McKinnon

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services, which efficiently and ergonomically move, lift, position and secure materials. Key products include hoists, cranes, actuators and lifting and rigging tools. 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 on its website at http://www.cmworks.com.

Teleconference/webcast

Columbus McKinnon will host a conference call and live webcast today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, at which Timothy T. Tevens, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Gregory P. Rustowicz, Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer, will review the Company's financial results and strategy. Their review will be accompanied by a slide presentation which will be available on Columbus McKinnon's website at http://www.cmworks.com/investors. A question and answer session will follow the formal discussion.

Columbus McKinnon's conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-888-459-1579, or for those outside the United States and in Canada, 1-210-234-7695. The webcast can be monitored on Columbus McKinnon's website at http://www.cmworks.com/investors.

An archived recording of the call will be available approximately one hour after the calls completion and until February 24, 2012. To listen to the archived call, dial 1-203-369-1997. Alternatively, the archive can be heard on the Company's website at http://www.cmworks.com/investors/NewsPresentations.aspx until February 24, 2012. A transcript of the call will also be posted to the website once available.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future revenue and earnings, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served by the Company and its subsidiaries, conditions affecting the Company's customers and suppliers, competitor responses to the Company's products and services, the overall market acceptance of such products and services, the effect of operating leverage, the pace of bookings relative to shipments, the ability to expand into new markets and geographic regions, the success in acquiring new business, the speed at which shipments improve, and other factors disclosed in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

Tables follow.

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share and percentage data)
 

Three Months Ended

  

December 31,
2011

  

December 31,
2010

Change

 
Net sales $ 142,750 $ 128,696 10.9%
Cost of products sold   104,147       99,345 4.8%
Gross profit 38,603 29,351 31.5%
Gross profit margin 27.0 % 22.8 %
Selling expense 15,980 15,524 2.9%
General and administrative expense 11,605 10,275 12.9%
Restructuring (gain) charges (1,467) 150 NM
Amortization   485       452 7.3%
Income from operations   12,000       2,950 306.8%
Operating margin 8.4 % 2.3 %
Interest and debt expense 3,590 3,281 9.4%
Investment income (275) (317) -13.2%
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss (97) 641 NM
Other income, net   (1,399)       (294) 375.9%
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
income tax expense 10,181 (361) NM
Income tax expense   1,666       39,406 -95.8%
Income (loss) from continuing operations 8,515 (39,767) NM
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   -       128 -100.0%
Net income (loss) $ 8,515       (39,639) NM
 
Average basic shares outstanding 19,313 19,082 1.2%
Basic income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 0.44 $ (2.09) NM
Discontinued operations   0.00       0.01
Net income (loss) $ 0.44     $ (2.08) NM
 
Average diluted shares outstanding 19,488 19,082 2.1%
Diluted income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 0.44 $ (2.09) NM
Discontinued operations   0.00       0.01
Net income (loss) $ 0.44     $ (2.08) NM
     
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share and percentage data)

Nine Months Ended

December 31,
2011

December 31,
2010

Change

 
Net sales $ 432,373 $ 380,095 13.8%
Cost of products sold   318,897       291,488 9.4%
Gross profit 113,476 88,607 28.1%
Gross profit margin 26.2 % 23.3 %
Selling expense 47,515 46,219 2.8%
General and administrative expense 33,956 29,855 13.7%
Restructuring (gain) charges (1,037) 1,947 NM
Amortization   1,515       1,315 15.2%
Income from operations   31,527       9,271 240.1%
Operating margin 7.3 % 2.4 %
Interest and debt expense 10,651 9,885 7.7%
Investment income (824) (1,020) -19.2%
Foreign currency exchange loss 121 303 -60.1%
Other income, net   (1,880)       (933) 101.5%
Income from continuing operations before
income tax expense 23,459 1,036 2164.4%
Income tax expense   5,898       39,790 -85.2%
Income (loss) from continuing operations 17,561 (38,754) NM
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   409       261 56.7%
Net income (loss) $ 17,970     $ (38,493) NM
 
Average basic shares outstanding 19,256 19,050 1.1%
Basic income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 0.91 $ (2.03) NM
Discontinued operations   0.02       0.01
Net income (loss) $ 0.93     $ (2.02) NM
 
Average diluted shares outstanding 19,526 19,050 2.5%
Diluted income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 0.90 $ (2.03) NM
Discontinued operations   0.02       0.01
Net income (loss) $ 0.92     $ (2.02) NM
     
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(In thousands)

December 31, 2011

March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 82,033 $ 80,139
Trade accounts receivable, net 79,377 77,744
Inventories, net 104,288 90,031
Prepaid expenses and other   11,563       14,294
Total current assets   277,261       262,208
 
Net property, plant, and equipment 61,228 59,360
Goodwill 105,812 106,055
Other intangibles, net 15,332 18,089
Marketable securities 23,860 24,592
Deferred taxes 1,207 1,217
Other assets   6,879       7,351
Total assets $ 491,579     $ 478,872
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks $ 235 $ 473
Trade accounts payable 38,028 37,174
Accrued liabilities 56,436 56,502
Current portion of long-term debt   1,396       1,116
Total current liabilities   96,095       95,265
 
Senior debt, less current portion 3,992 4,949
Subordinated debt 148,072 147,867
Other non-current liabilities   67,313       68,645
Total liabilities   315,472       316,726
 
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock 193 191
Additional paid-in capital 188,205 184,884
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) 16,898 (1,072)
ESOP debt guarantee (1,083) (1,407)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (28,106)       (20,450)
Total shareholders' equity   176,107       162,146
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 491,579     $ 478,872
       
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 
(In thousands)

Nine Months Ended

December 31,
2011

December 31,
2010

 
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 17,970 $ (38,493)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations (409) (261)
Depreciation and amortization 8,609 8,257
Deferred income taxes and related valuation allowance 378 39,846
Gain on sale of real estate/investments (1,909) (991)
Gain on re-measurement of investment (850) -
Stock-based compensation 2,246 1,347
Amortization/write-off of deferred financing costs 289 208
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of

effects of business acquisition:

Trade accounts receivable (775) 514
Inventories (14,011) (18,251)
Prepaid expenses 2,440 (2,836)
Other assets 332 268
Trade accounts payable 927 (1,363)
Accrued and non-current liabilities   (1,774)       (5,254)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities   13,463       (17,009)
 
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities 5,747 8,316
Purchases of marketable securities (4,503) (1,830)
Capital expenditures (10,464) (8,859)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired (3,356) -
Proceeds from sale of businesses or assets   1,971       1,182
Net cash used for investing activities from continuing
operations   (10,605)       (1,191)
Net cash provided by investing activities from
discontinued operations   409       261
Net cash used for investing activities   (10,196)       (930)
 
Financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,733 4
Net payments under lines-of-credit (238) (290)
Repayment of debt (488) (835)
Other   324       334
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities   1,331       (787)
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (2,704)       848
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 1,894 (17,878)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   80,139    

63,968

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 82,033     $ 46,090
             

 

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

Additional Data

(Unaudited)

 

December 31,
2011

December 31,
2010

March 31,
2011

 
Backlog (in millions) $ 110.3 $ 76.5 $ 89.4
 
Trade accounts receivable
days sales outstanding 50.6 days 49.7 days 49.1 days
 
Inventory turns per year
(based on cost of products sold) 4.0 turns 4.0 turns 4.7 turns
Days' inventory 91.4 days 90.2 days 77.1 days
 
Trade accounts payable
days payables outstanding 33.2 days 29.2 days 31.8 days
 
Working capital as a % of sales 17.5 % 19.0 % 16.9 %
 
Debt to total capitalization percentage 46.6 % 46.4 % 48.8 %
Debt, net of cash, to total capitalization 28.9 % 36.0 % 31.4 %
                                                     

 

Shipping Days by Quarter

 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

 
FY 13 63 63 60 62 248
 
FY 12 63 64 58 65 250
 
FY 11 63 64 59 64 250

Columbus McKinnon Corporation
Gregory P. Rustowicz, 716-689-5442
Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
greg.rustowicz@cmworks.com
or
Investor Relations:
Kei Advisors LLC
Deborah K. Pawlowski, 716-843-3908
dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com