GORMAN RUPP CO - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in tables in thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Gorman-Rupp Company (the “Company” or “Gorman-Rupp”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results. In the opinion of management of the Company, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, from which related information herein has been derived.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS

On May 31, 2022, the Company acquired the assets of Fill-Rite and Sotera (“Fill-Rite”), a division of Tuthill Corporation, for cash consideration of $528.0 million. The transaction was funded with new debt consisting of $350.0 million from a senior secured term loan, $90.0 million from a subordinated unsecured loan, $5.0 million from the new revolving Credit Facility, and $83.0 million of cash on hand. Refer to “Note 10 – Financing Arrangements” for further details related to the financing completed as part of the transaction.

The Company accounted for the Fill-Rite acquisition in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations”. The results of operations for Fill-Rite are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income from the acquisition date. Fill-Rite had $40.1 million in net sales and $3.6 million in operating income and $53.7 million in net sales and $3.7 million in operating income included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 included $0.6 million of acquired customer backlog amortization and $3.0 million in amortization on customer relationships and developed technology. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 included $1.4 million of inventory step-up amortization, $0.8 million of acquired customer backlog amortization, and $4.0 million in amortization on customer relationships and developed technology. 

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities have been recorded at their respective estimated fair values as of the date of completion of the acquisition and reported into the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents the final fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

For tax purposes, the Fill-Rite acquisition was treated as an asset purchase. As such, the Company received a step-up in tax basis of the net Fill-Rite assets, equal to the purchase price, including goodwill which is deductible for tax purposes.

The transaction costs related to the acquisition approximated $0.1 million and $7.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. These costs were expensed as incurred and recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses.

The following is supplemental pro-forma net sales, operating income, net income, and earnings per share had the Fill-Rite Acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2021 (in millions):

The supplemental pro forma information presented above is being provided for information purposes only and may not necessarily reflect the future results of operations of the Company or what the results of operations would have been had the Company owned and operated Fill-Rite since January 1, 2021.  

NOTE 3 – REVENUE

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate total net sales by end market and geographic location:

International sales represented approximately 24% and 25% of total net sales for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and were made to customers in many different countries around the world.

On September 30, 2023, the Company had $237.5 million of remaining performance obligations, also referred to as backlog. The Company expects to recognize as revenue substantially all of its remaining performance obligations within one year.

The Company’s contract assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:

Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period was $4.5 million and $8.9 million, respectively.

NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES

LIFO inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and all other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Replacement cost approximates current cost and the excess over LIFO cost was approximately $94.6 million and $88.2 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Allowances for excess and obsolete inventory totaled $7.2 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimate of expected year-end inventory levels and costs, and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

Inventories are comprised of the following:

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:

NOTE 6 - PRODUCT WARRANTIES

A liability is established for estimated future warranty and service claims based on historical claims experience and specific product failures. The Company expenses warranty costs directly to Cost of products sold. Changes in the Company’s product warranties liability are:

NOTE 7 - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan (“GR Plan”) covering certain domestic employees. Benefits are based on each covered employee’s years of service and compensation. The GR Plan is funded in conformity with the funding requirements of applicable U.S. regulations. The GR Plan was closed to new participants effective January 1, 2008. Employees hired after this date, in eligible locations, participate in an enhanced 401(k) plan instead of the defined benefit pension plan. Employees hired prior to this date continue to accrue benefits.

The Company established a defined benefit pension plan for certain Fill-Rite employees (“Fill-Rite Plan”) upon the acquisition as of June 1, 2022. The activity is included in the tables within this footnote.

Additionally, the Company sponsors defined contribution pension plans made available to all domestic and Canadian employees. The Company funds the cost of these benefits as incurred.

The Company also sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit postretirement health care plan that provides health benefits to certain domestic and Canadian retirees and eligible spouses and dependent children. The Company funds the cost of these benefits as incurred.

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit costs:

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a settlement loss relating to retirees that received lump sum distributions from the Company’s defined benefit pension plan totaling $4.8 million and $6.4 million, respectively. There were no settlement losses recorded for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023. These changes were the result of lump sum payments to retirees exceeding the Plan’s actuarial service and interest cost.

NOTE 8 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)          

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are:

NOTE 9 – COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES

The Company has a share repurchase program with the authorization to purchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common shares. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $48.1 million available for repurchase under the share repurchase program. During the nine-month period ending September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 36,105 shares at an average cost per share of $28.51 for a total of $1.0 million in the surrender of common shares to cover taxes in connection with the vesting of stock awards, which were not part of the share repurchase program. During the nine month period ending September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased 24,546 shares at an average cost per share of $37.39 for a total of $0.9 million. No shares were repurchased during the three month periods ending September 30, 2023 and 2022.

NOTE 10 – FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

The carrying value of long term debt, including the current portion, approximates fair value as the variable interest rates approximate rates available to other market participants with comparable credit risk.

Senior Secured Credit Agreement

On May 31, 2022, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Credit Agreement with several lenders, which provides a term loan of $350.0 million (“Senior Term Loan Facility”) and a revolving credit facility up to $100.0 million (“Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility has a letter of credit sublimit of up to $15.0 million, as a sublimit of the Credit Facility, and a swing line subfacility of up to $20.0 million, as a sublimit of the Credit Facility. The Company borrowed $5.0 million under the Credit Facility, which, along with the Senior Term Loan Facility, and cash-on-hand and the proceeds of the Subordinated Credit Facility described below, was used to purchase the assets of Fill-Rite as described in “Note 2 – Acquisitions”. The Company’s obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of its personal property, and each of Patterson Pump Company, AMT Pump Company, National Pump Company and Fill-Rite Company (collectively, the “Guarantors”) has guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and secured the obligations thereunder by granting a first priority lien in substantially all of such Guarantor’s personal property.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement has a maturity date of May 31, 2027, with the Senior Term Loan Facility requiring quarterly installment payments which commenced on September 30, 2022 and continuing on the last day of each consecutive December, March, June and September thereafter.

At the option of the Company, borrowings under the Senior Term Loan Facility and under the Credit Facility bear interest at either a base rate or at an Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, plus the applicable margin, which ranges from 0.75% to 1.75% for base rate loans and 1.75% to 2.75% for Adjusted Term SOFR Rate loans. The applicable margin is based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2023, the applicable interest rate under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement was Adjusted Term SOFR plus 2.6%.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement includes covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain maximum leverage ratios and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. On June 30, 2023, the Senior Secured Credit Agreement was amended to provide the Company with more flexibility by adjusting the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to not less than 1.00 to 1.00 for each four consecutive fiscal quarter periods ending June 30, 2023 through and including June 30, 2024 and not less than 1.10 to 1.00 for each four consecutive fiscal quarter periods ending September 30, 2024 through and including December 31, 2024. We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2023.

Subordinated Credit Agreement

On May 31, 2022, the Company entered into an unsecured subordinated credit agreement (“Subordinated Credit Agreement”) which provides for a term loan of $90.0 million (the “Subordinated Credit Facility”). Each of the Guarantors has agreed to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The proceeds from the Subordinated Credit Facility, along with cash-on-hand and the proceeds of the Senior Term Loan Facility described above, were used to purchase the assets of Fill-Rite as described in “Note 2 – Acquisitions”.

The Subordinated Credit Agreement has a maturity date of December 1, 2027. If the Subordinated Credit Facility is prepaid prior to the second anniversary, such prepayment must be accompanied by a make-whole premium. If the Subordinated Credit Facility is prepaid after the second anniversary but prior to the third anniversary, such prepayment requires a prepayment fee of 2%, and if the Subordinated Credit Facility is prepaid after the third anniversary but prior to the fourth anniversary, such prepayment requires a prepayment fee of 1%.

At the option of the Company, borrowings under the Subordinated Credit Facility bear interest at either a base rate plus 8.0%, or at an Adjusted Term SOFR Rate plus 9.1%. As of September 30, 2023 borrowings under the Subordinated Credit Facility bear interest at an Adjusted Term SOFR Rate plus 9.1%.

The Subordinated Credit Agreement includes covenants subject to maximum leverage ratios. We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2023.

Interest Rate Derivatives

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company entered into interest rate swaps that hedge interest payments on its Senior Term Loan Facility. All swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges. The following table summarizes the notional amounts, related rates and remaining terms of the interest rate swap agreements as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps was a receivable of $2.2 million as of September 30, 2023 and a payable of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2022. The fair value was based on inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that are observable either directly or indirectly and therefore considered level 2. The mark-to-market effect of interest rate swap agreements that are considered effective as hedges has been included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The interest rate swap agreements held by the Company on September 30, 2023 are expected to continue to be effective hedges.

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments as recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

The following table summarizes total gains (losses) recognized on derivatives:

The effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Results of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for OCI are as follows:

NOTE 11 – LEASES

On June 1, 2023, the Company commenced a lease for a new manufacturing facility in Lenexa, Kansas with an initial lease term through August 31, 2043. The Company vacated its prior leased manufacturing facility in Lenexa during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, with no additional lease liability. The new lease is considered an operating lease and is subject to annual rent escalations based on the greater of a set minimum percentage or the Consumer Price Index. As a result of this lease, the Company recorded a right-of-use (ROU) asset which is included in Other Assets, and a long-term lease liability, which is included in Other Long-Term Liabilities, each of approximately $17.5 million as of September 30, 2023. The impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 was not material.

ITEM 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, and notes thereto, and the other financial data included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following discussion should also be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Executive Overview

The Gorman-Rupp Company (“we”, “our”, “Gorman-Rupp” or the “Company”) is a leading designer, manufacturer and international marketer of pumps and pump systems for use in diverse water, wastewater, construction, dewatering, industrial, petroleum, original equipment, agriculture, fire suppression, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), military and other liquid-handling applications. The Company attributes its success to long-term product quality, applications and performance combined with timely delivery and service, and continually seeks to develop initiatives to improve performance in these key areas.

We regularly invest in training for our employees, in new product development and in modern manufacturing equipment, technology and facilities all designed to increase production efficiency and capacity and drive growth by delivering innovative solutions to our customers. We believe that the diversity of our markets is a major contributor to the generally stable financial growth we have produced historically.

On May 31, 2022, the Company acquired the assets of Fill-Rite and Sotera (“Fill-Rite”), a division of Tuthill Corporation, for $528.0 million. When adjusted for approximately $80.0 million in expected tax benefits, the net transaction value was approximately $448.0 million. The Company funded the transaction with cash on-hand and new debt. The Company incurred $7.1 million of one-time acquisition costs during the year ended December 31, 2022 and does not expect to incur material acquisition costs in connection with the transaction going forward. The results of operations for Fill-Rite are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income from the acquisition date.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $237.5 million at September 30, 2023 compared to $266.7 million at September 30, 2022 and $267.4 million at December 31, 2022. Incoming orders for the first nine months of 2023 were $476.7 million, or an increase of 6.9% compared to the same period in 2022.

On October 26, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized the payment of a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share on the common stock of the Company, payable December 8, 2023, to shareholders of record as of November 15, 2023. This will mark the 295th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by The Gorman-Rupp Company.

The Company currently expects to continue its exceptional history of paying regular quarterly dividends and increased annual dividends. However, any future dividends will be reviewed individually and declared by our Board of Directors at its discretion, dependent on our assessment of the Company’s financial condition and business outlook at the applicable time.

Outlook

The Company’s backlog is down from the record levels earlier in the year, but it remains strong at elevated levels.  The relocated and expanded Fill-Rite’s manufacturing facility in Lenexa, Kansas nearly tripled the size of the prior facility and provides additional capacity for Fill-Rite’s continued growth.  We remain optimistic about our outlook and will continue to focus on delivering long-term sustained growth and shareholder value.  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

Net Sales

The following table presents the Company’s disaggregated net sales by its end markets for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

Net sales for the third quarter of 2023 were $167.5 million compared to net sales of $153.8 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 8.9% or $13.7 million. The increase in sales was due to an increase in volume as well as the impact of pricing increases taken in 2022 and an annual price increase in January 2023. The Company’s two price increases in 2022, as well as the price increase in 2023 averaged between 4.0% - 5.0%. Domestic sales increased 10.1% or $11.7 million and international sales increased 5.2% or $2.0 million compared to the same period in 2022.

Sales increased $4.2 million in the fire suppression market primarily from increased domestic commercial construction, $3.5 million in the construction market due to overall strong conditions including infrastructure related projects, $2.7 million in the industrial market and $2.4 million in the repair market due to strengthening in the broader industrial economy, $2.0 million in the OEM market, and $1.0 million in the petroleum market due to increased demand for larger petroleum transfer pumps. Partially offsetting these increases was a sales decrease of $1.8 million in the municipal market due to the timing of domestic flood control and wastewater projects, and a decrease of $0.3 million in the agriculture market primarily driven by weather conditions that have slowed demand.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit was $48.1 million for the third quarter of 2023, resulting in gross margin of 28.7%, compared to gross profit of $40.6 million and gross margin of 26.4% for the same period in 2022. The 230 basis point increase in gross margin included a 320 basis point improvement in cost of material, which consisted of a reduction in LIFO expense of 130 basis points, a favorable impact of 40 basis points related to the amortization of acquired Fill-Rite customer backlog which occurred in the third quarter of 2022 and did not reoccur in the third quarter of 2023, and a 150 basis point improvement from the realization of selling price increases. The increase in gross margin was partially offset by a 90 basis point increase in labor and overhead expenses, which included approximately 60 basis points of one-time expenses related to the relocation and expansion of Fill-Rite’s manufacturing facility in Lenexa, Kansas.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $23.2 million and 13.9% of net sales for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $22.1 million and 14.4% of net sales for the same period in 2022. The increase in SG&A expenses, was due to increased expenses to support sales growth. The improvement in SG&A as a percent of sales was primarily due to favorable leverage from increased sales.

Amortization expense

Amortization expense was $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2022.

Operating Income

Operating income was $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2023, resulting in an operating margin of 13.1%, compared to operating income of $15.3 million and operating margin of 10.0% for the same period in 2022. Operating margin in the third quarter of 2023 increased 310 basis points compared to the same period in 2022 due to improved margin on material costs, and improved leverage on SG&A and amortization expenses due to increased sales volumes.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $7.6 million for the same period in 2022 due to increased interest rates.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net was $0.4 million of expense for the third quarter of 2023 compared to expense of $5.3 million of expense for the same period in 2022. The $5.3 million expense for the third quarter of 2022 included non-cash pension settlement charges of $4.8 million. The pension settlement charge resulted from retirees electing to receive the lump sum payments upon retirement.

Net Income (loss)

The Company’s effective tax rate was 18.3% for the third quarter of 2023 compared to 8.7% for the third quarter of 2022.

Net income was $9.0 million, or $0.34 per share, for the third quarter of 2023 compared to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.09 per share, in the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2022 were $0.25 per share. Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2023 included an unfavorable LIFO impact of $0.06 per share compared to an unfavorable LIFO impact of $0.11 per share in the third quarter of 2022. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for reconciliation of Reported earnings per share to Adjusted earnings per share.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

Net Sales

The following table presents the Company’s disaggregated net sales by its end markets for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

Net sales for the first nine months of 2023 of $498.9 million increased 33.0% or $123.9 million compared to 2022 net sales of $375.0 million for the same period. The increase in sales was due to the inclusion of a full nine months of Fill-Rite sales compared to four months of sales included in the prior year as well as an increase in volume and the impact of pricing increases taken in 2022 and an annual price increase in January 2023. The Company’s two price increases in 2022, as well as the price increase in 2023 averaged between 4.0% - 5.0%. Domestic sales increased 37.5% or $102.2 million and international sales increased 21.3% or $21.7 million compared to the same period in 2022.

Sales increased $31.4 million in the industrial market primarily due to the inclusion of a full nine months of Fill-Rite sales compared to four months of sales included in the same period of the prior year. In addition to the increase from Fill-Rite, industrial sales increased $10.0 million due to the strengthening in the broader industrial economy. Sales increased $27.7 million in the agriculture market due entirely to the inclusion of a full nine months of Fill-Rite sales compared to four months of sales in the prior year period. Sales increased $24.1 million in the construction market primarily due to the inclusion of a full nine months of Fill-Rite sales compared to four months of sales included in the prior year period. In addition to the increase from fill-Rite, construction sales increased $7.2 million due to overall strong conditions including infrastructure related projects. Sales increased $21.0 million in the fire market primarily from increased domestic commercial construction, $8.4 million in the repair market due to strengthening in the broader industrial economy, $3.9 million in the municipal market due to domestic flood control and wastewater projects related to increased infrastructure investment, and $2.4 million in the OEM market. Sales in the petroleum market increased $4.9 million primarily due to the inclusion of a full nine months of Fill-Rite sales compared to four months of sales included in the prior year period as well as increased demand for larger petroleum transfer pumps.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit was $145.3 million for the first nine months of 2023, resulting in gross margin of 29.1%, compared to gross profit of $94.3 million and gross margin of 25.1% for the same period in 2022. The 400 basis point increase in gross margin included a 300 basis point improvement in cost of material, which consisted of a favorable LIFO impact of 130 basis points, a favorable impact of 30 basis points related to the Fill-Rite inventory step-up that was recognized in 2022 that did not recur in 2023 and a 140 basis point improvement from the realization of selling price increases. The increase in gross margin also included a 100 basis point improvement on labor and overhead leverage due to increased sales volume and sales mix which includes nine months of Fill-Rite sales for 2023 compared to four months for the same period in 2022.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $70.7 million and 14.2% of net sales for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $62.1 million and 16.6% of net sales for the same period in 2022. SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2022 included $7.0 million of one-time acquisition costs. Excluding acquisition costs of $7.0 million, SG&A expenses were $55.1 million and 14.7% of net sales for the first nine months of 2022. The increase in SG&A expenses, excluding acquisition costs, was due to the inclusion of Fill-Rite expenses for the full nine month period in 2023 as compared to four months in the same period in 2022, as well as increased expenses to support sales growth. The improvement in SG&A as a percent of sales was primarily due to favorable leverage from increased sales.

Amortization expense

Amortization expense was $9.4 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in amortization expense was due to the inclusion of nine months of amortization attributable to the Fill-Rite acquisition compared to four months for the same period in 2022.

Operating Income

Operating income was $65.3 million for the first nine months of 2023, resulting in an operating margin of 13.1%, compared to operating income of $27.7 million and operating margin of 7.4% for the same period in 2022. Operating income for the first nine months of 2022 included $7.0 million of one-time acquisition costs, and $1.4 million of inventory step-up amortization. Excluding acquisition costs and inventory step-up totaling $8.4 million, operating income was $36.1 million for the first nine months of 2022 resulting in an operating margin of 9.6% of net sales. Excluding acquisition costs and inventory step-up in 2022, operating margin in the first nine months of 2023 increased 350 basis points compared to the same period in 2022 due to improved margin on material costs, and improved leverage on SG&A expense due to increased sales volumes partially offset by increased amortization expense.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $31.1 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $9.9 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the inclusion of nine months of interest expense in 2023 compared to four months for the first nine months of 2022 on the debt financing attributable to the Fill-Rite acquisition, as well as increased interest rates in 2023 as compared to 2022.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net was $1.4 million of expense for the first nine months of 2023 compared to expense of $7.1 million of expense for the same period in 2022. The $7.1 million expense for the first nine months of 2022 included non-cash pension settlement charges of $6.4 million.

Net Income (loss)

The Company’s effective tax rate was 20.6% for the first nine months of 2023 compared to 18.2% for the first nine months of 2022.

Net income was $26.0 million, or $0.99 per share, for the first nine months of 2023 compared to net income of $8.8 million, or $0.34 per share for the first nine months of 2022. Adjusted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2023 were $1.02 per share compared to $0.81 per share for the first nine months of 2022. Adjusted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2023 included an unfavorable LIFO impact of $0.19 per share compared to an unfavorable LIFO impact of $0.30 per share in the first nine months of 2022. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for reconciliation of Reported earnings per share to Adjusted earnings per share.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

The discussion of Results of Operations above includes certain non-GAAP financial data and measures such as adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted earnings is earnings excluding non-cash pension settlement charges, one-time acquisition costs, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories, and amortization of customer backlog. Adjusted earnings per share is earnings per share excluding non-cash pension settlement charges per share, one-time acquisition costs per share, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories per share, and amortization of customer backlog per share. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is net income (loss) excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude non-cash pension settlement charges, one-time acquisition costs, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories, amortization of customer backlog, and non-cash LIFO expense. Management utilizes these adjusted financial data and measures to assess comparative operations against those of prior periods without the distortion of non-comparable factors. The inclusion of these adjusted measures should not be construed as an indication that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items or that the items for which the Company has made adjustments are unusual or infrequent or will not recur. Further, the impact of the LIFO inventory costing method can cause results to vary substantially from company to company depending upon whether they elect to utilize LIFO and depending upon which method they may elect. The Gorman-Rupp Company believes that these non-GAAP financial data and measures also will be useful to investors in assessing the strength of the Company’s underlying operations from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to replace GAAP financial measures, and they are not necessarily standardized or comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Provided below is a reconciliation of adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.