GGG Graco Inc

Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) today announced first quarter net earnings of $35.4 million on net sales of $192.2 million - increases over the prior year of 31 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Diluted net earnings per share were $0.51 versus $0.38 last year, a 34 percent increase. First quarter 2006 results include $1.5 million of after-tax expenses for stock-based compensation due to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R). There were no significant expenses for stock-based compensation last year. Changes in translation rates also had an unfavorable impact on first quarter results when compared to last year. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales increased 14 percent. In the first quarter of 2006, sales in the Industrial segment were $100.2 million, up 14 percent versus the same period last year. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales increased 17 percent. Double-digit sales increases were experienced in the Americas and Europe while sales in Asia Pacific were lower than last year. Sales in the Americas were up 23 percent with strong gains across the major product categories. In Europe, sales were up 11 percent versus last year. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales in Europe increased 19 percent. While bookings increased by double-digits in Asia Pacific, sales were 7 percent lower than last year. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales in Asia Pacific decreased 4 percent. When compared to the first quarter of 2005, worldwide Contractor Equipment segment sales of $74.4 million increased 10 percent. The business continued to experience growth in the Americas with a 9 percent sales increase this quarter. Strength in the quarter was characterized by a combination of well-received new product introductions and robust demand at professional paint stores. In Europe, sales were up 12 percent as growth continued throughout the region this quarter. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales in Europe increased 21 percent. In Asia Pacific, sales were 17 percent higher than last year. Graco continues to focus on converting end users to airless spray, leveraging new products and gaining market share throughout Europe and Asia Pacific. First quarter sales for the Lubrication Equipment segment were $17.7 million, up 16 percent from last year. The Lubrication segment continues to experience good demand for its key products, including PBL products, in North America. Business tempo was strong throughout the first quarter with no apparent signs of weakness heading into the second quarter. In the Americas, first quarter sales increased 16 percent to $132.2 million. Sales increases were experienced in all three reportable segments during the first quarter. In Europe, net sales of $39.5 million were 11 percent higher than the first quarter of 2005. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales in Europe increased 19 percent. The Industrial and Contractor segments experienced double-digit volume growth in Europe in the first quarter. While sales were lower, bookings increased double-digits in Asia Pacific during the first quarter. Net sales of $20.5 million were 4 percent lower than the first quarter of 2005. Translated at consistent exchange rates sales in Asia Pacific decreased 2 percent. Graco's gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 53.7 percent for the quarter versus 50.2 percent for the same period last year. Last year's gross profit margin was reduced by approximately 180 basis points from the higher cost of inventory of acquired businesses. The remaining portion of the improved gross margin was due to manufacturing cost improvements and enhanced pricing, which more than offset the adverse impact of exchange rate changes. Graco's operating profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 28.4 percent for the first quarter versus 24.1 percent last year. Despite increased product development spending, $1.8 million of expenses for stock-based compensation and a $1 million contribution to the Graco Foundation in the first quarter of 2006, operating expenses, expressed as a percentage of net sales, were lower than last year. This lower spending as a percentage of sales, combined with the aforementioned increased gross margin, led to a record level of operating profitability in the quarter. Graco's effective tax rate for the first quarter was 35% compared to 33.5% for the same quarter last year. The higher tax rate was primarily due to lower federal tax credits and exclusions versus last year. Graco repurchased $17.4 million or approximately 420,000 shares of its common stock in the first quarter. Graco also announced that it is closing its facility in Lakewood, New Jersey, by the end of 2006 to enhance customer support and service while improving its cost structure. The Lakewood operation was acquired last year as part of the Gusmer acquisition and currently employs approximately 120 people. Graco intends to move the Lakewood operation to North Canton, Ohio, where it currently has a manufacturing facility. As part of this consolidation, Graco would build a 58,000 square foot addition onto the North Canton facility for approximately $5 million. Graco is also moving its spray foam production from Villanova, Spain, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Villanova operation was also acquired last year as part of the Gusmer acquisition. It is estimated that approximately $4 to $6 million of costs and expenses for consolidation of these locations will be incurred over the remainder of this year. "We are pleased to report record first quarter results," said President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Roberts. "This represents our sixteenth consecutive quarter of sales growth and it's the eleventh consecutive quarter where all three segments have reported higher sales when compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our backlog increased $14 million during the quarter to $48 million and while our vision is limited due to the short cycle nature of this business, the sales tempo experienced throughout the quarter was very good. We were able to leverage these sales increases into even higher net earnings and earnings per share this quarter. Our actions to improve the profitability and cash flow of Liquid Control and Gusmer are showing results and we are pleased with the improvements we are seeing so far in these businesses." 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 market trends and the Company's future financial performance at the time they are made. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. 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. Please refer to Exhibit 99 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2005 for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. Investors should realize that factors other than those identified above and in Exhibit 99 might prove important to the Company's future results. It is not possible for management to identify each and every factor that may have an impact on the Company's operations in the future as new factors can develop from time to time. Conference Call A conference call for analysts and institutional investors will be held Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss Graco's first quarter results. Graco management will host the call. A real-time, listen-only Webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen 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 April 20, 2006, by dialing 800.405.2236, Conference ID# 11057597, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 303.590.3000, with the same passcode. The replay by telephone will be available through April 24, 2006. 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. -0- *T GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statement of Earnings First Quarter (13 weeks) Ended ------------------------------ (In thousands, except per share amounts) March 31, 2006 April 1, 2005 --------------- -------------- Net Sales $192,216 $170,944 Cost of products sold 88,989 85,078 --------------- -------------- Gross Profit 103,227 85,866 Product development 7,212 6,244 Selling, marketing and distribution 27,942 26,407 General and administrative 13,421 12,048 --------------- -------------- Operating Earnings 54,652 41,167 Interest expense 125 339 Other expense, net 5 189 --------------- -------------- Earnings before Income Taxes 54,522 40,639 Income taxes 19,100 13,600 --------------- -------------- Net Earnings $35,422 $27,039 =============== ============== Net Earnings per Common Share Basic $0.52 $0.39 Diluted $0.51 $0.38 =============== ============== Weighted Average Number of Shares Basic 68,428 69,074 Diluted 69,549 70,274 =============== ============== All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Segment Information First Quarter (13 weeks) Ended ------------------------------ (In thousands) March 31, 2006 April 1, 2005 --------------- -------------- Net Sales Industrial $100,160 $87,869 Contractor 74,352 67,780 Lubrication 17,704 15,295 --------------- -------------- Consolidated $192,216 $170,944 =============== ============== Operating Earnings Industrial $32,083 $21,964 Contractor 21,042 15,086 Lubrication 4,755 4,199 Unallocated Corporate (3,228) (82) --------------- -------------- Consolidated $54,652 $41,167 =============== ============== All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) March 31, 2006 Dec. 30, 2005 -------------- ------------- ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $27,183 $18,664 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $6,100 and $5,900 129,118 122,854 Inventories 64,562 56,547 Deferred income taxes 15,733 14,038 Other current assets 1,841 1,795 -------------- ------------- Total current assets 238,437 213,898 -------------- ------------- Property, Plant and Equipment Cost 259,411 255,463 Accumulated depreciation (152,840) (148,965) -------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment, net 106,571 106,498 -------------- ------------- Prepaid Pension 30,026 29,616 Goodwill 52,254 52,009 Other Intangible Assets, net 38,291 39,482 Other Assets 3,944 4,127 -------------- ------------- Total Assets $469,523 $445,630 ============== ============= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Notes payable to banks $4,341 $8,321 Trade accounts payable 29,640 24,712 Salaries, wages and commissions 13,694 23,430 Dividends payable 9,918 9,929 Other current liabilities 54,314 45,189 -------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 111,907 111,581 -------------- ------------- Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation 36,145 35,507 Deferred Income Taxes 10,819 10,858 Shareholders' Equity Common stock 68,408 68,387 Additional paid-in capital 124,049 110,842 Retained earnings 121,750 112,506 Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) and other (3,555) (4,051) -------------- ------------- Total shareholders' equity 310,652 287,684 -------------- ------------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $469,523 $445,630 ============== ============= All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) First Quarter (Thirteen Weeks) Ended ------------------------------------ March 31, 2006 April 1, 2005 ------------------ ----------------- Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net Earnings $35,422 $27,039 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 5,781 5,703 Deferred income taxes (1,706) (766) Share-based compensation 2,164 -- Excess tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements (2,000) -- Change in: Accounts receivable (6,471) (3,107) Inventories (7,934) (2,329) Trade accounts payable 4,906 1,824 Salaries, wages and commissions (9,825) (9,472) Retirement benefits and deferred compensation 19 (86) Other accrued liabilities 11,883 6,182 Other 50 814 ------------------ ----------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 32,289 25,802 ------------------ ----------------- Cash Flows from Investing Activities Property, plant and equipment additions (4,371) (3,735) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 19 32 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired -- (102,534) ------------------ ----------------- Net cash used in investing activities (4,352) (106,237) ------------------ ----------------- Cash Flows from Financing Activities Borrowings on notes payable and lines of credit 4,333 45,816 Payments on notes payable and lines of credit (8,310) (6,062) Excess tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements 2,000 -- Common stock issued 10,200 7,946 Common stock retired (17,404) (7,017) Cash dividends paid (9,922) (8,969) ------------------ ----------------- Net cash from financing activities (19,103) 31,714 ------------------ ----------------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (315) 488 ------------------ ----------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 8,519 (48,233) Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of year 18,664 60,554 ------------------ ----------------- End of period $27,183 $12,321 ================== ================= All figures are subject to audit and adjustment at the end of the fiscal year. *T