esco8k7may2013.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

-----------------------------------------

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 7, 2013


ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


Missouri
1-10596
43-1554045
(State or Other
(Commission
(I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
File Number)
Identification No.)

9900A Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri
63124-1186
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   314-213-7200


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2 (b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2 (b))

[  ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4 (c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.113d-4 (c))

 
 

 

Item 2.02                      Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Today, May 7, 2013, the Registrant is issuing a press release (furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report) announcing its fiscal year 2013 second quarter financial and operating results.  See Item 7.01, Regulation FD Disclosure, below.


Item 7.01                      Regulation FD Disclosure

Today, May 7, 2013, the Registrant is issuing a press release (furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report) announcing its fiscal year 2013 second quarter financial and operating results.  The Registrant will conduct a related Webcast conference call today at 4:00 p.m. Central Time.  This press release will be posted on the Registrant’s web site located at http://www.escotechnologies.com.  It can be viewed through the “Investor Relations” page of the web site under the tab “Press Releases,” although the Registrant reserves the right to discontinue that availability at any time.


Item 9.01                      Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)           Exhibits

Exhibit No.                                Description of Exhibit
 
99.1                                Press Release dated May 7, 2013


Other Matters

The information in this report furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (“Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, unless the Registrant incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended or the Exchange Act.

References to the Registrant’s web site address are included in this Form 8-K and the press release only as inactive textual references, and the Registrant does not intend them to be active links to its web site.  Information contained on the Registrant’s web site does not constitute part of this Form 8-K or the press release.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


Date:  May 7, 2013
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.


By:   /s/G.E. Muenster                                                 
 
G.E. Muenster
 
Executive Vice President
 
and Chief Financial Officer






escopressrelease.htm

EXHIBIT 99.1
 

 
NEWS FROM
ESCO Technologies Inc Logo
 
 For more information contact:     For media inquiries:
 Kate Lowrey     David P. Garino
 Director, Investor Relations    (314) 982-0551
 ESCO Technologies Inc.    
 (314) 213-7277    
 
                                                                                                  

ESCO ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2013 RESULTS


ST. LOUIS, May 7, 2013 – ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE) today reported its operating results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2013.
As noted in the November 12, 2012 earnings release, the Company would provide its operating results (EPS) for 2013 on an adjusted basis, which excluded certain costs associated with the Test segment restructuring. Additional specific costs and charges were identified in the Company’s April 17, 2013 Profit Improvement Plan announcement that will also be excluded from EPS “As Adjusted” in 2013.
Management believes EPS “As Adjusted” is a better indicator of the Company’s 2013 performance and allows shareholders better visibility into the underlying operations of the Company.
During the second quarter, EPS “As Adjusted” reflects the add-back of $0.22 per share of non-operating charges related to the Test restructure ($0.03), the deferred tax asset write-off related to the Doble-Lemke facility closure ($0.07), and the write-off of the Acendant Network inventory ($0.12).
 
Summary Highlights
 
·  
Q2 2013 EPS “As Adjusted” was $0.28 per share, with GAAP EPS of $0.06 per share compared to $0.38 in Q2 2012;
·  
During Q2 2013, the Company recorded an additional $12 million in orders from Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), resulting in program-to-date orders of $151 million through March 31, 2013;
·  
Consolidated orders were $175 million in Q2 2013, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.05x, and firm backlog of $465 million at March 31, 2013. Backlog increased $58 million, or 14 percent, since September 30, 2012;
·  
Segment book-to-bill ratios for Q2 and YTD 2013 were: Utility Solutions Group (USG) 1.10x and 1.29x, Filtration 0.97x and 1.09x, and Test 1.08x and 1.13x;
·  
Consolidated Q2 2013 sales were $166 million compared to $174 million in Q2 2012, with Filtration increasing $5 million (10 percent), while USG decreased $2 million due to a lower volume of power-line sales partially offset by higher RF product sales, and Test was $11 million lower due to the timing of major projects within the comparable periods;
·  
Q2 2013 cost of sales includes the $5.0 million inventory write-off noted above;
·  
SG&A decreased to $46 million in Q2 2013 from $48 million in Q2 2012 primarily due to lower costs in all three operating segments as several cost savings initiatives were realized; and,
·  
The 56 percent effective tax rate in Q2 2013 is the result of the previously announced write-off of the Doble-Lemke deferred tax asset ($1.8 million) resulting from the closure of its German facility.
The remainder of the previously announced costs and charges related to the closure of the Doble-Lemke operation ($4.0 million) and the Aclara manufacturing facility ($3.0 million) will be recognized over the next several quarters in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
While further restructuring activities of this magnitude are not currently expected, Management regularly reviews its ongoing operating costs to ensure that the respective businesses are properly sized to deliver the operating results required to meet the Company’s earnings commitments.
 
Chairman’s Commentary
 
Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Clearly the highlight of the second quarter continues to be the strength of our orders and the growth of our backlog. Operationally, the quarter was a bit softer than originally planned, but I’m pleased that our shortfall is contained within one of our operating segments, and is not a broad indication of an overall market downturn across our operating platforms.
“We previously communicated that the overall AMI market is experiencing project delays as customer decisions are stretching out over a longer period of time when compared to the past. RFP evaluation processes and technology piloting activity are running considerably longer than they have historically. Aclara is not immune to the current market dynamic and as a result, the timing of the current AMI projects remains difficult to predict.
 “I’m very satisfied with our performance on the SoCalGas project which is operating on schedule with the project continuing to increase volumes as expected. The early system deployments are working as designed and the customer relationship remains strong, evidenced by SoCal’s additional $12 million of orders received in the quarter bringing the total commitment to over $150 million.
“Our profit improvement initiatives are on track and we fully expect them to be completed on time and on budget, with the corresponding savings being realized as planned.
 “Operationally, Filtration continued its outstanding performance on both the top and bottom line, and Test came in generally as expected. We continue to see Test’s recently announced electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) interference market developing ahead of plan and we remain excited about this new market’s growth prospects.
 “USG was expected to remain soft in the second quarter due to the Aclara items noted and the results reflect that. Last quarter, we discussed some headwind at Doble resulting from October’s East Coast storm that delayed some product and service revenues, and now that this has passed, we expect the second half to resume to a more normal buying pattern at Doble.”
 
Dividend Payment
 
The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share will be paid on July 18 to stockholders of record on July 4.
 
Share Repurchase Program
 
Through March 31, 2013, the Company spent approximately $10 million to repurchase approximately 270,000 shares, bringing the total amounts repurchased under the current authorization to approximately $15 million and 420,000 shares.
 
Business Outlook
 
Statements contained in the preceding and following paragraphs are based on current expectations. Statements that are not strictly historical are considered forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.
 
Fiscal Year 2013
 
As referenced in the April 17, 2013 Profit Improvement Plan release, Management indicated it was expecting lower sales and earnings for the balance of 2013 compared to earlier guidance as a result project delays in the water market and slower than expected COOP product deliveries.
Management continues to see strong and sustainable growth across the Filtration businesses; Test is on track to meet its earlier commitments; and Doble is expecting slightly lower revenues while generally maintaining its profit plan. Aclara’s water and COOP businesses are expected to be lower than originally planned due to delayed customer decisions in the water market and lower distributor demand impacting the COOP market as distributors reduce their inventory levels. Management continues to believe the issues impacting the water and COOP market are timing related and the overall market remains strong.
 Based on the lower revenue projections of higher margin products, Management expects 2013 EPS – “As Adjusted” in the range of $1.60 to $1.80 per share.
For the balance of the year, Management expects 2013 revenues and EPS to be significantly second half weighted. The first half of 2013 reflected lower quantities of deliveries to SoCalGas against the full operating infrastructure in place to support the project. Additionally, the first half of 2013 was previously expected to be lower than the first half of 2012 due to fewer electric COOP shipments in 2013.
While lower than earlier projected, the current expectations for sales and EPS growth in the second half of 2013 will be supported by SoCalGas being in full deployment mode, Test having completed its facility restructuring delivering higher margins, higher electric COOP shipments (compared to the first half due to timing during the year), and the water business delivering at marginally higher levels than in the first half.
 
Conference Call
 
The Company will host a conference call today, May 7, at 4 p.m. Central Time, to discuss the Company’s second quarter 2013 operating results. A live audio webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.escotechnologies.com. Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days on the Company’s website noted above or by phone (dial 1-888-843-7419 and enter the pass code 34424905).
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements in this press release regarding the amount and timing of the Company’s expected 2013 and beyond revenues, growth, margins, tax rates, 2013 EPS – “As Adjusted”, EPS, EBIT, sales, orders, the timing, size and success of the SoCalGas AMI project, the costs, benefits and timing of the profit improvement initiatives and restructuring activities previously announced, the amount and timing of COOP and water sales, the likelihood of further restructuring activities, the success of new products, the buying patterns of Doble customers, the size, number and timing of growth opportunities in the future, the long-term success of the Company, and any other statements which are not strictly historical are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment including, but not limited to: the risk factors described in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012; and the following: changes in requirements or financial constraints impacting SoCalGas; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in federal or state energy laws; the Company’s successful performance of its AMI contracts; site readiness issues with Test segment customers; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; unforeseen charges impacting corporate operating expenses; delivery delays or defaults by customers; the performance of the Company’s international operations; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; termination for convenience of customer contracts; timing and content of future contract awards and customer orders; containment of engineering and development costs; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; labor disputes; the impacts of natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; changes in laws and regulations, including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration; the Company’s successful execution of profit improvement initiatives and restructuring activities; and the Company’s ability to successfully integrate newly-acquired businesses.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The financial measures EBIT, EBIT margin and EPS – “As Adjusted” are presented in this press release. The Company defines EBIT as earnings before interest and taxes from continuing operations, EBIT margin as a percent of net sales and EPS – “As Adjusted” as GAAP EPS less the Test segment restructuring charges (representing $0.03 per share during the second quarter of 2013), the deferred tax asset write-off related to the Doble-Lemke facility closure (representing $0.07 per share during the second quarter of 2013), and the write-off of the Acendant Network inventory (representing $0.12 per share during the second quarter of 2013). EBIT, EBIT margin and EPS – “As Adjusted” are not recognized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Management believes that EBIT and EBIT margin are useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because they exclude interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by Management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT, EBIT margin and EPS – “As Adjusted” provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.
ESCO, headquartered in St. Louis, is a proven supplier of special purpose utility solutions for electric, gas, and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications and fully automated intelligent instrumentation. In addition, the Company provides engineered filtration products to the aviation, space, and process markets worldwide and is the industry leader in RF shielding and EMC test products. Further information regarding ESCO and its subsidiaries is available on the Company’s website at www.escotechnologies.com.

- tables attached -

 
 
 


ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
   
Three Months
 Ended
 March 31, 2013
   
Three Months
 Ended
 March 31, 2012
 
             
Net Sales
  $ 166,178       173,863  
Cost and Expenses:
               
Cost of sales
    110,681       105,967  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    45,751       47,944  
Amortization of intangible assets
    4,203       3,254  
Interest expense
    668       470  
Other (income) expenses, net
    1,330       (376 )
Total costs and expenses
    162,633       157,259  
                 
Earnings before income taxes
    3,545       16,604  
Income taxes
    1,986       6,402  
                 
Net earnings
  $ 1,559       10,202  
                 
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
               
Net earnings
  $ 0.06       0.38  
                 
Diluted
               
Net earnings
  $ 0.06       0.38  
                 
Average common shares O/S:
               
Basic
    26,417       26,706  
Diluted
    26,745       26,985  






 
 
 






ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
   
Six Months
Ended
 March 31, 2013
   
Six Months
Ended
 March 31, 2012
 
             
Net Sales
  $ 311,443       326,788  
Cost and Expenses:
               
Cost of sales
    204,719       198,688  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    92,690       96,634  
Amortization of intangible assets
    7,703       6,407  
Interest expense
    1,231       961  
Other (income) expenses, net
    1,258       (848 )
Total costs and expenses
    307,601       301,842  
                 
Earnings before income taxes
    3,842       24,946  
Income taxes
    2,037       9,537  
                 
Net earnings
  $ 1,805       15,409  
                 
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
               
Net earnings
  $ 0.07       0.58  
                 
Diluted
               
Net earnings
  $ 0.07       0.57  
                 
Average common shares O/S:
               
Basic
    26,460       26,689  
Diluted
    26,763       26,940  





 
 
 








ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
       
Condensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)
       
(Dollars in thousands)
       
 
       
     
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
         
Six Months Ended
 March 31,
       
     
2013
         
2012
         
2013
         
2012
       
Net Sales
                                               
Utility Solutions Group
  $ 72,731             74,475             135,349             144,824        
Test
      39,821             50,483             76,116             89,837        
Filtration
    53,626             48,905             99,978             92,127        
 
Totals
  $ 166,178             173,863             311,443             326,788        
                                                           
EBIT
                                                         
Utility Solutions Group
  $ (2,423 )           9,101             (4,631 )           14,067        
Test
      2,559             4,775             3,078             6,722        
Filtration
    10,894             9,468             19,695             17,704        
Corporate
    (6,817 ) (1)            (6,270 ) (1)            (13,069 ) (2)            (12,586 ) (3)       
      Consolidated EBIT
      4,213               17,074               5,073               25,907          
       Less: Interest expense
      (668 )             (470 )             (1,231 )             (961 )        
       Earnings before income taxes
    $ 3,545               16,604               3,842               24,946          
 
                                                                   
                                                                   
Note:
Depreciation and amortization expense was $7.3 million and $6.3 million for the quarters
ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $13.8 million and $12.3 million for the
six-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
                             
(1)
Includes $1.1 million of amortization of acquired intangible assets.
                         
(2)
Includes $2.0 million of amortization of acquired intangible assets.
                         
(3)
Includes $2.3 million of amortization of acquired intangible assets.
                         





 
 
 




ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
   
March 31,
2013
   
September 30,
2012
 
             
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 35,880       30,215  
Accounts receivable, net
    141,154       151,051  
Costs and estimated earnings on
               
long-term contracts
    15,523       14,567  
Inventories
    117,497       108,061  
Current portion of deferred tax assets
    22,706       22,313  
Other current assets
    38,699       17,237  
Total current assets
    371,459       343,444  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    80,699       75,876  
Intangible assets, net
    244,392       231,473  
Goodwill
    387,630       361,280  
Other assets
    21,327       21,680  
    $ 1,105,507       1,033,753  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Short-term borrowings and current maturities
               
of long-term debt
  $ 51,698       50,000  
Accounts payable
    50,237       54,049  
Current portion of deferred revenue
    40,149       24,920  
Other current liabilities
    67,254       75,236  
Total current liabilities
    209,338       204,205  
Deferred tax liabilities
    92,790       88,675  
Other liabilities
    56,021       44,560  
Long-term debt
    126,000       65,000  
Shareholders' equity
    621,358       631,313  
    $ 1,105,507       1,033,753  




 
 
 







ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
   
Six Months
 Ended
 March 31, 2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
     
   Net earnings
  $ 1,805  
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
       
     to net cash provided by operating activities:
       
         Depreciation and amortization
    13,796  
         Stock compensation expense
    2,434  
         Changes in current assets and liabilities
    (27,470 )
         Inventory write down
    5,045  
         Effect of deferred taxes
    3,722  
         Change in deferred revenue and costs, net
    3,811  
         Pension contributions
    (1,755 )
         Other
    676  
           Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,064  
         
Cash flows from investing activities:
       
   Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (28,247 )
   Capital expenditures
    (10,117 )
   Additions to capitalized software
    (7,665 )
       Net cash used by investing activities
    (46,029 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities:
       
   Proceeds from long-term debt
    77,698  
   Principal payments on long-term debt
    (15,000 )
   Dividends paid
    (4,244 )
   Purchases of common stock into treasury
    (9,703 )
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    1,739  
   Other
    (49 )
     Net cash provided by financing activities
    50,441  
         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (811 )
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    5,665  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    30,215  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 35,880  




 
 
 




ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Other Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Backlog And Entered Orders - Q2 FY 2013
 
Utility
 Solutions
   
Test
   
Filtration
   
Total
 
Beginning Backlog - 1/1/13
  $ 220,259       85,960       150,488       456,707  
Entered Orders
    79,736       43,084       51,826       174,646  
Sales
    (72,731 )     (39,821 )     (53,626 )     (166,178 )
Ending Backlog - 3/31/13
  $ 227,264       89,223       148,688       465,175  
                                 
                                 
Backlog And Entered Orders - YTD Q2 FY 2013
 
Utility
 Solutions
   
Test
   
Filtration
   
Total
 
Beginning Backlog - 10/1/12
  $ 187,795       79,418       139,689       406,902  
Entered Orders
    174,818       85,921       108,977       369,716  
Sales
    (135,349 )     (76,116 )     (99,978 )     (311,443 )
Ending Backlog - 3/31/13
  $ 227,264       89,223       148,688       465,175