UNF UniFirst Corp

UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) today announced results for its fourth quarter and full year ended August 30, 2014. Fourth quarter revenues were $352.0 million, down 0.3% from $352.9 million in the year ago period. Net income for the quarter was $28.9 million ($1.43 per diluted share), down 5.5% from $30.6 million ($1.52 per diluted share) reported a year earlier. Full year revenues were $1.395 billion, up 2.9% from fiscal 2013. Full year net income was $119.9 million ($5.95 per diluted share), up 2.8% from $116.7 million ($5.81 per diluted share) reported in the prior year.

As a reminder, fiscal 2014 was a 52 week year compared to fiscal 2013, which included 53 weeks. The extra week a year ago was included in fiscal 2013’s fourth quarter. Excluding the estimated impact of the extra week, fourth quarter revenues and income from operations both increased 7.4% and full year revenues and income from operations increased 4.8% and 5.7%, respectively.

Net income, excluding the estimated impact of the extra week, increased in the quarter and full year by 1.7% and 4.7%, respectively. The comparison of net income in the quarter was impacted by a higher effective income tax rate of 39.4% compared to 36.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. This increase was due to a change in the mix of jurisdictional earnings as well as the impact of certain refunds and credits recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Ronald D. Croatti, UniFirst President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are very pleased to be reporting another record year of revenues and profits. Our Core Laundry Operations had a strong year, setting a new level of achievement for sales as well as improving customer retention. These accomplishments are the direct result of the teamwork and dedication of our thousands of employees across North America, Central America and Europe.”

Revenues in the Core Laundry Operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 were $321.0 million, up 0.2% from those reported in the prior year’s fourth quarter. Excluding the negative impact of the weaker Canadian dollar and the extra week, as well as the positive contributions from acquisitions, the Core Laundry Operations’ revenues grew 7.5% for the quarter. During the quarter, income from operations for this segment, excluding the effect of the extra week, increased 8.9% and operating profit margins increased slightly to 14.3% from 14.2% a year ago. The positive impact on margins from the quarter’s strong revenue growth, excluding the extra week, was partially offset by higher legal costs compared to a year ago.

Revenues for the Specialty Garments segment for the fourth quarter, which consists of nuclear decontamination and cleanroom operations, were $19.0 million, down 4.4% from $19.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. This segment’s income from operations for the quarter was $0.1 million compared to $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Less project-based revenues from this segment’s U.S. and Canadian nuclear business was responsible for these shortfalls compared to the prior year.

UniFirst continues to maintain a solid balance sheet and financial position. We ended the fiscal year with essentially no long-term debt and cash and cash equivalents of $191.8 million, down from $197.5 million at the end of fiscal 2013. The change in cash levels during the year was affected by the Company’s repayment of $100.0 million in private placement notes that came due in September 2013.

Outlook

Mr. Croatti continued, “We believe that we will continue producing solid results for our shareholders in fiscal 2015, despite anticipated increases in merchandise amortization and costs related to healthcare. We expect fiscal 2015 revenues to be between $1.450 billion and $1.470 billion and full year EPS to be in the range of $5.75 and $6.00.” This guidance assumes no deterioration of current economic conditions in the geographies that we service.

Conference Call Information

UniFirst will hold a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its quarterly financial results, business highlights and outlook. A simultaneous live webcast of the call will be available over the Internet and can be accessed at www.unifirst.com.

About UniFirst Corporation

UniFirst Corporation is one of the largest providers of workplace uniforms, protective clothing, and facility services products in North America. The Company employs approximately 12,000 Team Partners who serve more than 260,000 customer locations in 45 U.S. states, Canada, and Europe from over 200 customer service, distribution, and manufacturing facilities. UniFirst is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UNF and is a component of the Standard & Poor's 600 Small Cap Index.

Forward Looking Statements

This public announcement contains forward looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance, including projected revenues and earnings per share. Forward looking statements contained in this public announcement are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the Company’s ability to consummate and successfully integrate acquired businesses, uncertainties regarding any existing or newly-discovered expenses and liabilities related to environmental compliance and remediation, any adverse outcome of pending or future contingencies or claims, including suits relating to the New England Compounding Center matter, the Company’s ability to compete successfully without any significant degradation in its margin rates, seasonal fluctuations in business levels, our ability to preserve positive labor relationships and avoid becoming the target of corporate labor unionization campaigns that could disrupt our business, the effect of currency fluctuations on our results of operations and financial condition, our dependence on third parties to supply us with raw materials, any loss of key management or other personnel, increased costs as a result of any future changes in federal or state laws, rules and regulations or governmental interpretation of such laws, rules and regulations, uncertainties regarding the price levels of natural gas, electricity, fuel and labor, the impact of turbulent economic conditions and the current tight credit markets on our customers and such customers’ workforce, the level and duration of workforce reductions by our customers, the continuing increase in domestic healthcare costs, including the ultimate impact of the Affordable Care Act, demand and prices for our products and services, rampant criminal activity and instability in Mexico where our principal garment manufacturing plants are located, our ability to properly and efficiently design, construct, implement and operate our new CRM computer system, interruptions or failures of our information technology systems, including as a result of cyber-attacks, additional professional and internal costs necessary for compliance with recent and proposed future changes in Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Stock Exchange and accounting rules, strikes and unemployment levels, the Company’s efforts to evaluate and potentially reduce internal costs, economic and other developments associated with the war on terrorism and its impact on the economy, general economic conditions and other factors described under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013 and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. When used in this public announcement, the words “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are included to identify such forward looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which such statements are made.

 

UniFirst Corporation and SubsidiariesConsolidated Statements of Income

 

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weeks ended

August 30,

Fourteen weeks ended

August 31,

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weeks ended

August 30,

Fifty-three weeks ended

August 31,

(In thousands, except per share data) 2014 (2) 2013 (2) 2014 (2) 2013   Revenues $ 351,988 $ 352,876 $ 1,394,897 $ 1,355,515   Operating expenses: Cost of revenues (1) 217,965 218,136 858,306 836,174 Selling and administrative expenses (1) 68,086 68,640 271,564 263,531 Depreciation and amortization 18,515 18,542 71,752 69,607 Total operating expenses 304,566 305,318 1,201,622 1,169,312   Income from operations 47,422 47,558 193,275 186,203   Other (income) expense: Interest expense 239 327 772 1,651 Interest income (716 ) (729 ) (3,131 ) (3,201 ) Foreign exchange loss (gain) 242 (177 ) 283 144 Total other (income) expense (235 ) (579 ) (2,076 ) (1,406 )   Income before income taxes 47,657 48,137 195,351 187,609 Provision for income taxes 18,785 17,576 75,426 70,924   Net income $ 28,872 $ 30,561 $ 119,925 $ 116,685   Income per share – Basic Common Stock $ 1.51 $ 1.61 $ 6.29 $ 6.14 Class B Common Stock $ 1.21 $ 1.29 $ 5.03 $ 4.91   Income per share – Diluted Common Stock $ 1.43 $ 1.52 $ 5.95 $ 5.81   Income allocated to – Basic Common Stock $ 22,876 $ 24,123 $ 94,849 $ 91,916 Class B Common Stock $ 5,742 $ 6,033 $ 23,705 $ 22,913   Income allocated to – Diluted Common Stock $ 28,631 $ 30,178 $ 118,626 $ 114,927   Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Basic Common Stock 15,113 15,017 15,080 14,975 Class B Common Stock 4,741 4,694 4,711 4,666   Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Diluted Common Stock 20,007 19,882 19,939 19,789  

(1) Exclusive of depreciation on the Company’s property, plant and equipment and amortization on its intangible assets

(2) Unaudited

 

UniFirst Corporation and SubsidiariesCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

        (In thousands) August 30,

2014 (1)

August 31,

2013

Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 191,769 $ 197,479 Receivables, net 152,523 141,156 Inventories 78,858 74,351 Rental merchandise in service 146,449 132,630 Prepaid and deferred income taxes 13,342 7,099 Prepaid expenses 6,349 8,679   Total current assets 589,290 561,394   Property, plant and equipment: Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 393,584 376,222 Machinery and equipment 512,842 474,402 Motor vehicles 166,573 153,219   1,072,999 1,003,843 Less - accumulated depreciation 586,717 546,157 486,282 457,686   Goodwill 303,648 302,363 Customer contracts and other intangible assets, net 41,477 49,344 Deferred income taxes 1,403 1,417 Other assets 2,061 2,658   $ 1,424,161 $ 1,374,862   Liabilities and shareholders' equity Current liabilities: Loans payable and current maturities of long-term debt $ 7,704 $ 111,253 Accounts payable 59,177 45,633 Accrued liabilities 100,818 95,582 Accrued and deferred income taxes 23,342 12,506   Total current liabilities 191,041 264,974   Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current maturities 155 155 Accrued liabilities 50,235 45,037 Accrued and deferred income taxes 48,271 51,298   Total long-term liabilities 98,661 96,490   Shareholders' equity: Common Stock 1,519 1,513 Class B Common Stock 486 487 Capital surplus 59,415 51,445 Retained earnings 1,075,572 958,508 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (2,533 ) 1,445   Total shareholders' equity 1,134,459 1,013,398   $ 1,424,161 $ 1,374,862  

(1) Unaudited

 

UniFirst Corporation and SubsidiariesDetail of Operating ResultsRevenues

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Dollar

 

Percent

(In thousands, except percentages) 2014 (1) 2013 (1) Change Change   Core Laundry Operations $ 320,993 $ 320,447 $ 546 0.2 % Specialty Garments 19,016 19,884 (868 ) -4.4 First Aid 11,979 12,545 (566 ) -4.5 Consolidated total $ 351,988 $ 352,876 $ (888 ) -0.3 %     Fifty-two

weeks ended August 30,

    Fifty-three

Weeks ended

August 31,

   

 

Dollar

 

 

Percent

(In thousands, except percentages) 2014 (1) 2013 Change Change   Core Laundry Operations $ 1,259,485 $ 1,214,365 $ 45,120 3.7 % Specialty Garments 91,484 96,688 (5,204 ) -5.4 First Aid 43,928 44,462 (534 ) -1.2 Consolidated total $ 1,394,897 $ 1,355,515 $ 39,382 2.9 %                

Income from Operations

  Thirteen

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Fourteen

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August 31,

 

Dollar

 

Percent

(In thousands, except percentages) 2014 (1) 2013 (1) Change Change   Core Laundry Operations $ 45,937 $ 45,451 $ 486 1.1 % Specialty Garments 115 984 (869 ) -88.4 First Aid 1,370 1,123 247 22.0 Consolidated total $ 47,422 $ 47,558 $ (136 ) -0.3 %     Fifty-two

weeks ended August 30,

    Fifty-three

Weeks ended

August 31,

   

 

Dollar

 

 

Percent

(In thousands, except percentages) 2014 (1) 2013 Change Change   Core Laundry Operations $ 182,250 $ 170,662 $ 11,588 6.8 % Specialty Garments 7,178 10,539 (3,361 ) -31.9 First Aid 3,847 5,002 (1,155 ) -23.1 Consolidated total $ 193,275 $ 186,203 $ 7,072 3.8 %  

(1) Unaudited

   

UniFirst Corporation and SubsidiariesConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

(In thousands)

Fifty-two

weeks ended

August 30,

2014 (1)

    Fifty-three

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August 31,

2013

Cash flows from operating activities:       Net income $ 119,925 $ 116,685 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 62,791 59,810 Amortization of intangible assets 8,961 9,797 Amortization of deferred financing costs 209 238 Share-based compensation 5,601 6,315 Accretion on environmental contingencies 716 542 Accretion on asset retirement obligations 941 676 Deferred income taxes 8,439 20,666 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Receivables (11,541 ) (5,605 ) Inventories (4,450 ) 1,146 Rental merchandise in service (14,002 ) 7,079 Prepaid expenses 2,623 (2,000 ) Accounts payable 13,646 (6,458 ) Accrued liabilities 6,890 18,040 Prepaid and accrued income taxes (6,130 ) (15,360 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 194,619 211,571   Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of businesses (3,635 ) (30,714 ) Capital expenditures (91,808 ) (103,526 ) Other 1,269 54 Net cash used in investing activities (94,174 ) (134,186 )   Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from loans payable and long-term debt 9,388 14,033 Payments on loans payable and long-term debt (113,247 ) (9,524 ) Proceeds from exercise of Common Stock options, including excess tax benefits 5,880 5,488 Taxes withheld and paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (3,527 ) (3,332 ) Payment of cash dividends (2,860 ) (2,851 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (104,366 ) 3,814   Effect of exchange rate changes (1,789 ) (3,843 )   Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (5,710 ) 77,356 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 197,479 120,123   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 191,769 $ 197,479

(1) Unaudited

UniFirst CorporationSteven S. Sintros, 978-658-8888Senior Vice President & CFOssintros@unifirst.com