VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC - Quarter Report: 2023 April (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended April 1, 2023
or
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ____________ to
Commission file number 1-31429
Valmont Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 47-0351813 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
15000 Valmont Plaza, | |
Omaha, Nebraska | 68154 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(402) 963-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock $1.00 par value | VMI | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non‑accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
21,056,220
Outstanding shares of common stock at April 20, 2023
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
2
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||
April 1, | March 26, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Product sales | $ | 958,008 | $ | 890,870 | ||
Services sales |
| 104,473 |
| 89,950 | ||
Net sales |
| 1,062,481 |
| 980,820 | ||
Product cost of sales |
| 681,790 |
| 673,170 | ||
Services cost of sales |
| 72,106 |
| 58,464 | ||
Total cost of sales |
| 753,896 |
| 731,634 | ||
Gross profit |
| 308,585 |
| 249,186 | ||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
| 190,119 |
| 154,344 | ||
Operating income |
| 118,466 |
| 94,842 | ||
Other income (expenses): |
|
| ||||
Interest expense |
| (13,105) |
| (11,263) | ||
Interest income |
| 830 |
| 227 | ||
Gain (loss) on investments - unrealized |
| 1,194 |
| (1,063) | ||
Other |
| (2,376) |
| 3,642 | ||
| (13,457) |
| (8,457) | |||
Earnings before income taxes |
| 105,009 |
| 86,385 | ||
Income tax expense: |
|
|
|
| ||
Current |
| 24,356 |
| 22,413 | ||
Deferred |
| 7,487 |
| 708 | ||
| 31,843 |
| 23,121 | |||
Earnings before equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries |
| 73,166 |
| 63,264 | ||
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries |
| (821) | (358) | |||
Net earnings |
| 72,345 |
| 62,906 | ||
Less: Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
| 2,195 |
| (595) | ||
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. | $ | 74,540 | $ | 62,311 | ||
Earnings per share: |
|
|
| |||
Basic | $ | 3.50 | $ | 2.93 | ||
Diluted | $ | 3.47 | $ | 2.90 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||
April 1, | March 26, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Net earnings | $ | 72,345 | $ | 62,906 | ||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
|
|
|
| ||
Foreign currency translation adjustments: |
|
|
|
| ||
Unrealized translation gains |
| 8,189 |
| 11,062 | ||
Hedging activities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity hedges |
| (1,476) |
| 20,560 | ||
Realized (gain) loss on commodity hedges recorded in earnings |
| 2,872 |
| (2,043) | ||
Unrealized gain (loss) on cross currency swaps | (591) | 1,811 | ||||
Amortization cost included in interest expense |
| (16) |
| (16) | ||
789 | 20,312 | |||||
Net gain on defined benefit pension plan |
| 91 |
| 686 | ||
Other comprehensive income |
| 9,069 |
| 32,060 | ||
Comprehensive income |
| 81,414 |
| 94,966 | ||
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
| 1,902 |
| (1,688) | ||
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. | $ | 83,316 | $ | 93,278 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| April 1, | | December 31, | |||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets: |
|
|
| |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 172,948 | $ | 185,406 | ||
Receivables, net |
| 650,041 |
| 604,181 | ||
Inventories |
| 725,360 |
| 728,762 | ||
Contract assets |
| 159,785 |
| 174,539 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
| 107,365 |
| 87,697 | ||
Total current assets |
| 1,815,499 |
| 1,780,585 | ||
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost |
| 1,448,466 |
| 1,433,151 | ||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
| 849,618 |
| 837,573 | ||
Net property, plant, and equipment |
| 598,848 |
| 595,578 | ||
Goodwill |
| 741,735 |
| 739,861 | ||
Other intangible assets, net |
| 172,300 |
| 176,615 | ||
Defined pension benefit asset | 41,744 |
| 24,216 | |||
Other assets |
| 234,366 |
| 240,141 | ||
Total assets | $ | 3,604,492 | $ | 3,556,996 | ||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
| ||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Current installments of long-term debt | $ | 1,165 | $ | 1,194 | ||
Notes payable to banks |
| 11,436 |
| 5,846 | ||
Accounts payable |
| 368,576 |
| 360,312 | ||
Accrued employee compensation and benefits |
| 80,362 |
| 124,355 | ||
Contract liabilities |
| 156,333 |
| 172,915 | ||
Other accrued expenses |
| 130,750 |
| 123,965 | ||
Income taxes payable | 20,093 | 3,664 | ||||
Dividends payable |
| 12,634 |
| 11,742 | ||
Total current liabilities |
| 781,349 |
| 803,993 | ||
Deferred income taxes |
| 45,422 |
| 41,091 | ||
Long-term debt, excluding current installments |
| 985,636 |
| 870,935 | ||
Operating lease liabilities |
| 151,219 |
| 155,469 | ||
Deferred compensation |
| 33,885 |
| 30,316 | ||
Other noncurrent liabilities |
| 8,581 |
| 13,480 | ||
Shareholders’ equity: |
|
|
|
| ||
Common stock of $1 par value - |
|
| ||||
Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued |
| 27,900 |
| 27,900 | ||
Retained earnings |
| 2,635,628 |
| 2,593,039 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| (266,133) |
| (274,909) | ||
Treasury stock |
| (857,296) |
| (765,183) | ||
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity |
| 1,540,099 |
| 1,580,847 | ||
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries |
| 58,301 |
| 60,865 | ||
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,598,400 | 1,641,712 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 3,604,492 | $ | 3,556,996 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Thirteen weeks ended | |||||
April 1, | March 26, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
| |||
Net earnings | $ | 72,345 | $ | 62,906 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: |
|
| ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 24,558 |
| 23,884 | ||
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan |
| (15,259) |
| — | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| 8,689 |
| 9,463 | ||
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit) | 61 | (2,705) | ||||
Loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment |
| 51 |
| 4 | ||
Equity in loss in nonconsolidated subsidiaries |
| 821 |
| 358 | ||
Deferred income taxes |
| 7,487 |
| 708 | ||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
| ||||
Receivables |
| (42,175) |
| (36,643) | ||
Inventories |
| 9,052 |
| (68,236) | ||
Prepaid expenses and other assets (current and non-current) |
| (25,153) |
| (4,452) | ||
Contract assets |
| 14,695 |
| (19,486) | ||
Accounts payable |
| 4,127 |
| 49,006 | ||
Accrued expenses |
| (36,551) |
| (34,186) | ||
Contract liabilities |
| (22,559) |
| 4,308 | ||
Other noncurrent liabilities |
| 5,652 |
| 14 | ||
Income taxes payable / refundable |
| 15,358 |
| 17,760 | ||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities |
| 21,199 |
| 2,703 | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
| ||||
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment |
| (22,361) |
| (27,095) | ||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
| 1,021 |
| 2 | ||
Other, net | (449) | (2,007) | ||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
| (21,789) |
| (29,100) | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
| ||||
Proceeds from short-term borrowings |
| 11,090 |
| — | ||
Payments on short-term borrowings |
| (5,788) |
| (5,562) | ||
Proceeds from long-term borrowings |
| 125,000 |
| 97,000 | ||
Principal payments on long-term borrowings |
| (10,796) |
| (82,529) | ||
Dividends paid |
| (11,742) |
| (10,616) | ||
Dividends to noncontrolling interest |
| (654) |
| — | ||
Purchase of treasury shares |
| (111,115) |
| — | ||
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans |
| 5,018 |
| 713 | ||
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises |
| (14,022) |
| (2,527) | ||
Net cash flows used in financing activities |
| (13,009) |
| (3,521) | ||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
| 1,141 |
| 2,386 | ||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
| (12,458) |
| (27,532) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year |
| 185,406 |
| 177,232 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period | $ | 172,948 | $ | 149,700 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
| Accumulated |
|
| Noncontrolling |
| |||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Common | paid-in | Retained | comprehensive | Treasury | consolidated | shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||
| stock |
| capital |
| earnings |
| income (loss) |
| stock |
| subsidiaries |
| equity | ||||||||
Balance at December 25, 2021 | $ | 27,900 | $ | 1,479 | $ | 2,394,307 | $ | (263,127) | $ | (773,712) | $ | 26,750 | $ | 1,413,597 | |||||||
Net earnings |
| — |
| — |
| 62,311 |
| — |
| — |
| 595 |
| 62,906 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 30,967 |
| — |
| 1,093 |
| 32,060 | |||||||
Cash dividends declared ($0.55 per share) |
| — |
| — |
| (11,721) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (11,721) | |||||||
Stock plan exercises; 11,695 shares acquired |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (2,527) |
| — |
| (2,527) | |||||||
Stock options exercised; 5,616 shares issued |
| — |
| (536) |
| — |
| — |
| 1,249 |
| — |
| 713 | |||||||
Stock option expense |
| — |
| 716 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 716 | |||||||
Stock awards; 37,748 shares issued |
| — |
| 3,592 |
| — |
| — |
| 5,155 |
| — |
| 8,747 | |||||||
Balance at March 26, 2022 | $ | 27,900 | $ | 5,251 | $ | 2,444,897 | $ | (232,160) | $ | (769,835) | $ | 28,438 | $ | 1,504,491 | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | 27,900 | $ | — | $ | 2,593,039 | $ | (274,909) | $ | (765,183) | $ | 60,865 | 1,641,712 | ||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| — |
| — |
| 74,540 |
| — |
| — |
| (2,195) |
| 72,345 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 8,776 |
| — |
| 293 |
| 9,069 | |||||||
Cash dividends declared ($0.60 per share) |
| — |
| — |
| (12,634) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (12,634) | |||||||
Dividends to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | (662) | (662) | ||||||||||||||
Purchase of treasury shares; 356,887 shares acquired |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (111,115) |
| — |
| (111,115) | |||||||
Stock plan exercises; 44,908 shares acquired |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (14,022) |
| — |
| (14,022) | |||||||
Stock options exercised; 31,602 shares issued | — | 971 | (19,317) | — | 23,364 | — | 5,018 | ||||||||||||||
Stock option expense | — | 855 | — | — | — | — | 855 | ||||||||||||||
Stock awards; 76,731 shares issued |
| — |
| (1,826) |
| — |
| — |
| 9,660 |
| — |
| 7,834 | |||||||
Balance at April 1, 2023 | $ | 27,900 | $ | — | $ | 2,635,628 | $ | (266,133) | $ | (857,296) | $ | 58,301 | $ | 1,598,400 |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at April 1, 2023, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Income, Cash Flows, and Shareholders’ Equity for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022 have been prepared by Valmont Industries, Inc. (the “Company”), without audit. In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) have been made to present fairly the financial statements at April 1, 2023 and for all periods presented.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The results of operations for the period ended April 1, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
Inventories
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out method or net realizable value. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods.
Inventories consisted of the following:
April 1, | December 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Raw materials and purchased parts | $ | 258,300 | $ | 258,814 | ||
Work-in-process |
| 46,250 |
| 44,453 | ||
Finished goods and manufactured goods |
| 420,810 |
| 425,495 | ||
$ | 725,360 | $ | 728,762 |
Income Taxes
Earnings before income taxes and equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022 were as follows:
| Thirteen weeks ended | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
United States | $ | 31,858 | $ | 60,816 | ||
Foreign |
| 73,151 |
| 25,569 | ||
$ | 105,009 | $ | 86,385 |
8
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED
Pension Benefits
The Company incurs expenses in connection with the Delta Pension Plan (“DPP”). The DPP was acquired as part of the Delta PLC acquisition in fiscal 2010 and has no members that are active employees. In order to measure expense and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses, and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and liability associated with pension benefits.
The components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022 were as follows:
| | Thirteen weeks ended | ||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Interest cost | $ | 5,256 | $ | 3,365 | ||
Expected return on plan assets |
| (5,317) |
| (6,202) | ||
Amortization of prior service cost |
| 122 |
| 132 | ||
Net periodic (benefit) expense | $ | 61 | $ | (2,705) |
Stock Plans
The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At April 1, 2023, 1,647,157 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans.
Under the plans, the exercise price of each option equals the closing market price at the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date in equal amounts over three years or on the grant’s fifth anniversary date. Expiration of grants is seven years to ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over
or four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant.The Company’s compensation expense (included in selling, general, and administrative expenses) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options and restricted stock for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022, respectively, were as follows:
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Compensation expense | $ | 8,689 | $ | 9,463 | ||
Income tax benefits |
| 2,172 |
| 2,366 |
Fair Value
The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
9
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED
ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
● | Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
● | Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. |
● | Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. |
The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Trading Securities: The majority of the Company’s trading securities represent the investments held in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DCP”). The assets of the DCP at April 1, 2023 of $28,452 ($25,008 at December 31, 2022) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as trading securities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 320, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (“ASC 320”), considering the employee’s ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any time.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward contracts and cross currency contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.
Mutual Funds: The Company has short-term investments in various mutual funds.
Marketable Securities: The Company's marketable securities consist of short-term investments in certificates of deposit.
Fair Value Measurement Using: | ||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in |
| Significant Other |
| Significant | |||||||
Active Markets | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||
Carrying Value | for Identical | Inputs | Inputs | |||||||||
April 1, 2023 | Assets (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Trading securities | $ | 28,452 | $ | 28,452 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Derivative financial instruments, net | 2,793 | — | 2,793 | — | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - mutual funds | 1,534 | 1,534 | — | — | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - marketable securities | 142 | — | 142 | — |
10
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED
Fair Value Measurement Using: | ||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in |
| Significant Other |
| Significant | |||||||
Carrying Value | Active Markets | Observable | Unobservable | |||||||||
December 31, | for Identical | Inputs | Inputs | |||||||||
2022 | Assets (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Trading securities | $ | 25,008 | $ | 25,008 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Derivative financial instruments, net | 1,404 | — | 1,404 | — | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - mutual funds | | 7,205 | | 7,205 | | — | | — | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents - marketable securities | | 136 | | — | | 136 | | — |
Long-Lived Assets
The Company’s other non-financial assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, which are classified as Level 3 items. These assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as part of annual impairment testing.
Leases
The Company’s operating leases right-of-use assets and corresponding lease obligations are included in “Other assets” and “Operating lease liabilities”, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes net earnings, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity, and changes in prior service cost and net actuarial gains (losses) from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Foreign |
|
|
| Accumulated | |||||||
Currency | Defined | Other | ||||||||||
Translation | Hedging | Benefit | Comprehensive | |||||||||
Adjustments | Activities | Pension Plan | Income (Loss) | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | (260,799) | $ | 20,099 | $ | (34,209) | $ | (274,909) | ||||
Current period comprehensive income |
| 7,896 |
| 789 |
| 91 |
| 8,776 | ||||
Balance at April 1, 2023 | $ | (252,903) | $ | 20,888 | $ | (34,118) | $ | (266,133) |
Revenue Recognition
The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition model for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms, and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Contract revenues are classified as product sales when the performance obligation is related to the manufacturing and sale of goods. Contract revenues are classified as service sales when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the coatings and technology products and services product lines.
11
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED
Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products (on a limited basis, the Company may agree to other acceptance terms), and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the project is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize this service as a separate performance obligation and, therefore, no revenue is recognized with the design stage. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products.
Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the transmission, distribution, and substation structures ("TD&S") product line, the solar product line, and the telecommunication structures product line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company has elected to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. In addition, the Company does not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services.
The Company’s contract assets at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 totaled $159,785 and $174,539, respectively.
While most of the Infrastructure segment customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer’s specified location, certain customers are also invoiced by advanced billings or progress billings. At April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total contract liabilities were $156,483 and $178,531, respectively. At April 1, 2023, $156,333 was recorded as “Contract liabilities” and $150 was recorded as “Other noncurrent liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additional details are as follows:
● | During the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023, and March 26, 2022, the Company recognized $58,939 and $28,023 of revenue that was included in the total contract liability at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations completed during the period. |
● | At April 1, 2023, the Company had $150 of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more and expects to complete the remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next to 24 months. |
12
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED
Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition
Infrastructure Segment
Steel and concrete utility structures within the TD&S product line are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For the TD&S and telecommunication structure product lines, the Company generally recognizes revenue on an input basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold, and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Depending on the product sold, revenue from the solar product line is recognized both upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, or by using an inputs method, based on the ratio of costs incurred to-date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain TD&S sales and the Company has chosen to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are manufactured.
For the structures sold for lighting and transportation and for the majority of telecommunication products, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. There are also large regional customers who have unique product specifications for telecommunication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a percent of total estimated hours to complete production.
The coatings product line revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer, which is the same time that the customer is billed.
Agriculture Segment
Revenue recognition from the manufacture of irrigation equipment and related parts and services (including tubular products for industrial customers) is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services recognized as part of technology services product line are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months.
Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the “Business Segments & Related Revenue Information” footnote.
13
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2022-04, Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 450-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations (“ASU 2022-04”), which requires all buyers that use supplier finance programs to enhance the transparency of such programs to allow financial statement users to understand the effect on working capital, liquidity, and cash flows. The new guidance requires disclosure of key terms of the program, including a description of the payment terms, payment timing, and assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees provided to the finance provider or intermediary. Other requirements include the disclosure of the amount that remains unpaid as of the end of the reporting period, a description of where these obligations are presented in the balance sheet, and a rollforward of the obligation during the annual period. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2023, except for the rollforward, which is effective in 2024. The Company adopted the new standard in the first quarter of 2023, as well as early adopted the amendment on rollforward information. The new guidance had no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related, as shown below.
During 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party financial institution to facilitate a supplier finance program which allows qualifying suppliers to sell their receivables from the Company to the financial institution. These participating suppliers negotiate their outstanding receivable arrangements directly with the financial institution and the Company’s rights and obligations to suppliers are not impacted. The Company has no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to enter into these agreements. Once a qualifying supplier elects to participate in the supplier finance program and reaches an agreement with a financial institution, they elect which individual Company invoices they sell to the financial institution. The Company’s obligation is to make payment in the invoice amount negotiated with participating suppliers to the financial institution on the invoice due date, regardless of whether the individual invoice is sold by the supplier to the financial institution. The financial institution pays the supplier on the invoice due date for any invoices that were not previously sold under the supplier finance program. The invoice amounts and scheduled payment terms are not impacted by the suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under these arrangements. The payment of these obligations is included in cash provided by operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Included in Accounts Payable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $58,134 and $48,880 of outstanding payment obligations, respectively, that were sold to the financial institution under the Company’s supplier finance program.
Confirmed obligations outstanding at December 31, 2022 | $ | 48,880 | |
Invoices confirmed during the period | | 74,781 | |
Confirmed invoices paid during the period | |
| (65,527) |
Confirmed obligations outstanding at April 1, 2023 | $ | 58,134 |
14
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(2) ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions of Businesses
On June 1, 2022, the Company acquired approximately 51% of ConcealFab for $39,287 in cash (net of cash acquired) and subject to working capital adjustments. Approximately $1,850 of the purchase price was contingent on seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 18 months of the acquisition date. ConcealFab is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and its operations are reported in the Infrastructure segment. The acquisition was made to allow the Company to incorporate innovative 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions into our advanced infrastructure portfolio. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the first quarter of 2023.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of ConcealFab at the date of acquisition:
| As of June 1, | ||
2022 | |||
Current assets | $ | 21,133 | |
Customer relationships |
| 26,200 | |
Trade name |
| 5,000 | |
Property, plant, and equipment |
| 3,813 | |
Other assets |
| 9,108 | |
Goodwill |
| 42,465 | |
Total fair value of assets acquired | $ | 107,719 | |
Current liabilities |
| 6,658 | |
Long-term debt |
| 2,038 | |
Operating lease liabilities |
| 7,812 | |
Deferred income taxes |
| 5,464 | |
Other noncurrent liabilities |
| 12 | |
Total fair value of liabilities assumed | $ | 21,984 | |
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries |
| 41,693 | |
Net assets acquired | $ | 44,042 |
Proforma disclosures were omitted for this acquisition as it does not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial results.
Acquisition-related costs incurred for the above acquisition were insignificant for all years presented.
Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests
On August 10, 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 9% of Convert Italy S.p.A. for $3,046. As this transaction was for the acquisition of all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, it was recorded within shareholders’ equity and as a financing cash flow in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
On May 10, 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 20% of Valmont West Coast Engineering Ltd. for $4,292. As this transaction was for the acquisition of all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, it was recorded within shareholders’ equity and as a financing cash flow in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
15
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(3) DIVESTITURES
On November 30, 2022, the Company completed the sale of Valmont SM, the offshore wind energy structures business in Denmark, reported in the Other segment. The business was sold because it did not align with the long-term strategic plans for the Company. The offshore wind energy structures business’ historical annual sales, operating profit, and net assets are not significant for discontinued operations presentation. The offshore wind energy structures business had an operating loss of $809 for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2022.
At closing, in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company received Danish Krone 90,000 (U.S. $12,570) with an additional Danish Krone 28,000 (U.S. $4,027) held in an escrow account subject to normal closing conditions before it will be released to the Company. The pre-tax loss recorded during the fourth quarter of 2022 from the divestiture was reported in “Other income (expenses)” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings on the Form 10-K. The loss was comprised of the proceeds and an asset recognized for the escrow funds not yet released from buyer, less deal-related costs and the net assets of the business.
(4) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortized Intangible Assets
The components of amortized intangible assets at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:
April 1, 2023 | ||||||||
Gross | Weighted | |||||||
Carrying | Accumulated | Average | ||||||
| Amount |
| Amortization |
| Life | |||
Customer Relationships | $ | 223,388 | $ | 149,136 | 13 years | |||
Patents & Proprietary Technology |
| 58,687 |
| 23,350 |
| 9 years | ||
Trade Name |
| 2,850 |
| 746 |
| 7 years | ||
Other |
| 2,647 |
| 2,289 |
| 5 years | ||
$ | 287,572 | $ | 175,521 |
December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Gross | Weighted | |||||||
Carrying | Accumulated | Average | ||||||
Amount |
| Amortization |
| Life | ||||
Customer Relationships | $ | 222,716 | $ | 145,502 | 13 years | |||
Patents & Proprietary Technology |
| 58,404 |
| 21,291 |
| 9 years | ||
Trade Name |
| 2,850 |
| 645 |
| 7 years | ||
Other |
| 2,462 |
| 2,164 |
| 5 years | ||
$ | 286,432 | $ | 169,602 |
Amortization expense for intangible assets for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022, respectively, was as follows:
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Amortization expense | $ | 5,190 | $ | 5,849 |
16
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(4) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS – CONTINUED
Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:
| Estimated | ||
Amortization | |||
Expense | |||
Remainder of 2023 | $ | 15,804 | |
2024 |
| 19,028 | |
2025 |
| 17,348 | |
2026 |
| 12,834 | |
2027 | 9,653 | ||
2028 |
| 8,837 |
The useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets included consideration of factors such as the Company’s past and expected experience related to customer retention rates, the remaining legal or contractual life of the underlying arrangement that resulted in the recognition of the intangible asset, and the Company’s expected use of the intangible asset.
Non-Amortized Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and consist solely of trade names. The carrying value of trade names at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:
| April 1, |
| December 31, |
| Year | |||
2023 | 2022 | Acquired | ||||||
Newmark | $ | 11,111 | $ | 11,111 |
| 2004 | ||
Convert Italia S.p.A. |
| 8,131 |
| 8,024 |
| 2018 | ||
Webforge | 7,248 | 7,107 | 2010 | |||||
Ingal EPS / Ingal Civil Products |
| 7,027 |
| 6,891 |
| 2010 | ||
ConcealFab |
| 5,000 |
| 5,000 |
| 2022 | ||
Shakespeare |
| 4,000 |
| 4,000 |
| 2014 | ||
Walpar |
| 3,500 |
| 3,500 |
| 2018 | ||
Other |
| 14,232 |
| 14,152 |
| Various | ||
$ | 60,249 | $ | 59,785 |
In its determination of these intangible assets as indefinite-lived, the Company considered such factors as its expected future use of the intangible asset, legal, regulatory, technological, and competitive factors that may impact the useful life or value of the intangible asset, and the expected costs to maintain the value of the intangible asset. The Company expects that these intangible assets will maintain their value indefinitely. Accordingly, these assets are not amortized.
The Company’s trade names were tested for impairment at August 27, 2022. The values of each trade name were determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, no trade names were determined to be impaired.
17
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(4) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS – CONTINUED
Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was as follows:
| Infrastructure |
| Agriculture |
| |||||
Segment | Segment | Total | |||||||
Gross Balance December 31, 2022 | $ | 473,551 | $ | 313,777 | $ | 787,328 | |||
Accumulated impairment losses |
| (47,467) |
| — |
| (47,467) | |||
Balance at December 31, 2022 |
| 426,084 |
| 313,777 | 739,861 | ||||
Foreign currency translation |
| 1,704 |
| 170 |
| 1,874 | |||
Balance at April 1, 2023 | $ | 427,788 | $ | 313,947 | $ | 741,735 |
Infrastructure |
| Agriculture |
| | | ||||
Segment | Segment | Total | |||||||
Gross Balance April 1, 2023 | $ | 475,255 | $ | 313,947 | $ | 789,202 | |||
Accumulated impairment losses | (47,467) | — | (47,467) | ||||||
Balance at April 1, 2023 | $ | 427,788 | $ | 313,947 | $ | 741,735 |
The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed at August 27, 2022, using primarily the discounted cash flow method. The estimated fair value of all our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying value, so no goodwill impairments were recorded. During fiscal 2023, no goodwill impairments have been recorded.
(5) CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022 were as follows:
| Thirteen weeks ended | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Interest | $ | 3,331 | $ | 1,613 | ||
Income taxes |
| 7,838 |
| 6,699 |
18
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(6) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):
|
| Dilutive |
| ||||||
Effect of | |||||||||
Various Stock | Diluted | ||||||||
Basic EPS | Awards | EPS | |||||||
Thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023: | |||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. | $ | 74,540 | $ | — | $ | 74,540 | |||
Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s) |
| 21,269 |
| 243 |
| 21,512 | |||
Per share amount | $ | 3.50 | $ | (0.03) | $ | 3.47 | |||
Thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2022: |
|
|
|
| |||||
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. | $ | 62,311 | $ | — | $ | 62,311 | |||
Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s) |
| 21,279 |
| 213 |
| 21,492 | |||
Per share amount | $ | 2.93 | $ | (0.03) | $ | 2.90 |
At April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022, there were 40,564 and 47,223 outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.
(7) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company manages interest rate risk, commodity price risk, and foreign currency risk related to foreign currency denominated transactions and investments in foreign subsidiaries. Depending on the circumstances, the Company may manage these risks by utilizing derivative financial instruments. Some derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, while others may be accounted for as fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedges. Derivative financial instruments have credit and market risk. The Company manages these risks of derivative instruments by monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that can be taken and by entering into transactions with counterparties who are recognized, stable multinational banks. Any gains or losses from net investment hedge activities remain in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
Fair value of derivative instruments at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:
| | | | April 1, | | December 31, | ||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: |
| Balance sheet location | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Commodity forward contracts | Other accrued expenses | $ | (1,971) | $ | (3,854) | |||
Foreign currency forward contracts |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 142 |
| 83 | |||
Cross currency swap contracts |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 4,747 |
| 5,385 | |||
Cross currency swap contracts |
| Other accrued expenses | (125) |
| (210) | |||
$ | 2,793 | $ | 1,404 |
19
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(7) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED
Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022 are as follows:
| | Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||
April 1, | March 26, | |||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Statement of earnings location | 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Commodity forward contracts | Product cost of sales | $ | (3,985) | $ | 2,043 | |||
Foreign currency forward contracts | Other income | 97 |
| 151 | ||||
Interest rate hedge amortization | Interest expense | (16) |
| (16) | ||||
Cross currency swap contracts | Interest expense | 446 |
| 774 | ||||
$ | (3,458) | $ | 2,952 |
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company enters into steel hot rolled coil (“HRC”) commodity forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into additional steel HRC forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $15,760 for the total purchase of 18,500 short tons. At April 1, 2023, the forward contracts had a notional amount of $15,760 for the total purchase of 18,500 short tons from September 2023 to March 2024. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in “Product cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings over average inventory turns.
The Company enters into natural gas commodity forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future natural gas purchases. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into additional natural gas commodity forward contracts that also qualify as a cash flow hedge. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $1,206 for the total purchase of 299,000 mmBtu from July 2023 to March 2025. At April 1, 2023, the forward contracts had a notional amount of $5,772 for the total purchase of 1,179,000 mmBtu from April 2023 to March 2025. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in “Product cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period consumed.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into diesel fuel commodity forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future diesel fuel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $755 for the total purchase of 1,890,000 gallons from July 2023 to March 2024. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in “Product cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period consumed.
During the first quarter of 2023, a subsidiary with a Euro functional currency entered into a foreign currency forward contract to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contract, which qualifies as a fair value hedge, matures in April 2023 and has a notional amount to sell $1,800 in exchange for a stated amount of Euros.
20
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(7) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED
Net Investment Hedges
In 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps (“CCS”), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due in 2044 for Danish krone (“DKK”) and Euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company’s Euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. Interest is exchanged twice per year on April 1 and October 1.
The Company designated the initial full notional amount of the two CCS ($130,000) as a hedge of the net investment in certain Danish and European subsidiaries under the spot method, with all changes in the fair value of the CCS that are included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to spot foreign exchange rates) recorded as cumulative foreign currency translation within AOCI. Net interest receipts will be recorded as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the CCS.
During the second half of 2022, the Company settled the DKK CCS and received proceeds of $3,532. Due to the sale of the offshore wind energy structures business in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company reclassified the cumulative net investment hedge gain of $4,827 ($3,620 after tax) from OCI to “Loss from divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings at December 31, 2022 in the Form 10-K.
Key terms of the Euro CCS are as follows:
| Notional | Swapped | Set Settlement | |||||||
Currency | Amount | Termination Date | Interest Rate | Amount | ||||||
Euro | $ | 80,000 | April 1, 2024 |
| 2.825% | € | 71,550 |
(8) BUSINESS SEGMENTS & RELATED REVENUE INFORMATION
The Company has two reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and the allocation of capital within the segment. Net corporate expense is net of certain service-related expenses that are allocated to business units generally on the basis of employee headcounts and sales dollars.
Reportable segments are as follows:
INFRASTRUCTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of products and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, solar, lighting and transportation, and telecommunications, and coatings services to preserve metal products.
AGRICULTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture of center pivot components and linear irrigation equipment for agricultural markets, including parts and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture.
In addition to these two reportable segments, the Company had a business and related activities in 2022 that are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This comprised the offshore wind energy structures business and was reported in the Other segment until its divestiture in fourth quarter 2022.
The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based upon operating income and return on invested capital. The Company’s operating income for segment purposes excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense, non-operating income and deductions, or income taxes.
21
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(8) BUSINESS SEGMENTS & RELATED REVENUE INFORMATION
Summary by Business
| Thirteen weeks ended | |||||
April 1, |
| March 26, | ||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||
SALES: | ||||||
Infrastructure | $ | 736,106 | $ | 662,072 | ||
Agriculture |
| 332,163 |
| 306,580 | ||
Other | — | 18,654 | ||||
Total |
| 1,068,269 |
| 987,306 | ||
INTERSEGMENT SALES: |
|
|
| |||
Infrastructure |
| (3,966) |
| (3,101) | ||
Agriculture |
| (1,822) |
| (3,385) | ||
Total |
| (5,788) |
| (6,486) | ||
NET SALES: |
|
|
|
| ||
Infrastructure |
| 732,140 |
| 658,971 | ||
Agriculture |
| 330,341 |
| 303,195 | ||
Other | — |
| 18,654 | |||
Total | $ | 1,062,481 | $ | 980,820 | ||
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS): |
|
|
|
| ||
Infrastructure | $ | 94,352 | $ | 78,316 | ||
Agriculture |
| 53,323 |
| 37,475 | ||
Other | — |
| (809) | |||
Corporate |
| (29,209) |
| (20,140) | ||
Total | $ | 118,466 | $ | 94,842 |
22
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(8) BUSINESS SEGMENTS & RELATED REVENUE INFORMATION – CONTINUED
| Thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
Infrastructure |
| Agriculture |
| Other | Intersegment Sales |
| Consolidated | ||||||||
Geographical market: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
North America | $ | 584,083 | $ | 182,869 | $ | — | $ | (5,374) | $ | 761,578 | |||||
International |
| 152,023 |
| 149,294 |
| — |
| (414) |
| 300,903 | |||||
Total | $ | 736,106 | $ | 332,163 | $ | — | $ | (5,788) | $ | 1,062,481 | |||||
Product line: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation | $ | 314,820 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 314,820 | |||||
Lighting and Transportation |
| 229,136 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 229,136 | |||||
Coatings |
| 90,114 |
| — |
| — |
| (3,552) |
| 86,562 | |||||
Telecommunications |
| 68,137 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 68,137 | |||||
Solar |
| 33,899 |
| — |
| — |
| (414) |
| 33,485 | |||||
Irrigation Equipment and Parts, excluding Technology |
| — |
| 299,181 |
| — |
| (1,822) |
| 297,359 | |||||
Technology Products and Services |
| — |
| 32,982 |
| — |
| — |
| 32,982 | |||||
Total | $ | 736,106 | $ | 332,163 | $ | — | $ | (5,788) | $ | 1,062,481 |
| Thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
Infrastructure |
| Agriculture |
| Other | Intersegment Sales |
| Consolidated | ||||||||
Geographical market: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
North America | $ | 505,980 | $ | 182,255 | $ | — | $ | (6,486) | $ | 681,749 | |||||
International |
| 156,092 |
| 124,325 |
| 18,654 |
| — |
| 299,071 | |||||
Total | $ | 662,072 | $ | 306,580 | $ | 18,654 | $ | (6,486) | $ | 980,820 | |||||
Product line: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation | $ | 281,600 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 281,600 | |||||
Lighting and Transportation |
| 212,767 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 212,767 | |||||
Coatings |
| 81,976 |
| — |
| — |
| (3,101) |
| 78,875 | |||||
Telecommunications |
| 61,396 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 61,396 | |||||
Solar |
| 24,333 |
| — |
| 18,654 |
| — |
| 42,987 | |||||
Irrigation Equipment and Parts, excluding Technology |
| — |
| 278,034 |
| — |
| (3,385) |
| 274,649 | |||||
Technology Products and Services |
| — |
| 28,546 |
| — |
| — |
| 28,546 | |||||
Total | $ | 662,072 | $ | 306,580 | $ | 18,654 | $ | (6,486) | $ | 980,820 |
23
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(8) BUSINESS SEGMENTS & RELATED REVENUE INFORMATION – CONTINUED
A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and at a point in time for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022 is as follows:
Point in Time | Over Time | Total | |||||||
Thirteen | Thirteen | Thirteen | |||||||
weeks ended | weeks ended | weeks ended | |||||||
| April 1, 2023 |
| April 1, 2023 |
| April 1, 2023 | ||||
Infrastructure | $ | 411,217 | $ | 320,923 | $ | 732,140 | |||
Agriculture |
| 324,206 | 6,135 |
| 330,341 | ||||
Total | $ | 735,423 | $ | 327,058 | $ | 1,062,481 |
| Point in Time |
| Over Time |
| Total | ||||
Thirteen | Thirteen | Thirteen | |||||||
weeks ended | weeks ended | weeks ended | |||||||
March 26, 2022 | March 26, 2022 | March 26, 2022 | |||||||
Infrastructure | $ | 369,190 | $ | 289,781 | $ | 658,971 | |||
Agriculture |
| 297,606 | 5,589 |
| 303,195 | ||||
Other | — | 18,654 |
| 18,654 | |||||
Total | $ | 666,796 | $ | 314,024 | $ | 980,820 |
24
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management has made in light of experience in the industries in which the Company operates, as well as management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control), and assumptions. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. Many factors could affect the Company’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, risk factors described from time to time in the Company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as future economic and market circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, operating efficiencies, availability and price of raw materials, availability and market acceptance of new products, product pricing, domestic and international competitive environments, geopolitical risks, and actions and policy changes of domestic and foreign governments.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto, and the management’s discussion and analysis included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Segment net sales in the table below and elsewhere are presented net of intersegment sales. See Note 8 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on segment sales and intersegment sales.
25
Results of Operations
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Thirteen weeks ended |
| ||||||||
April 1, 2023 |
| March 26, 2022 |
| % Incr. (Decr.) |
| ||||
Consolidated | |||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,062.5 | $ | 980.8 |
| 8.3 | % | ||
Gross profit | 308.6 |
| 249.1 |
| 23.8 | % | |||
as a percent of sales | 29.0 | % |
| 25.4 | % |
| |||
SG&A expense | 190.1 |
| 154.3 |
| 23.2 | % | |||
as a percent of sales | 17.9 | % |
| 15.7 | % |
| |||
Operating income | 118.5 |
| 94.8 |
| 24.9 | % | |||
as a percent of sales | 11.1 | % |
| 9.7 | % |
| |||
Net interest expense | 12.3 |
| 11.0 |
| 11.2 | % | |||
Effective tax rate | 30.3 | % |
| 26.8 | % |
| |||
Net earnings | 74.5 | 62.3 |
| 19.6 | % | ||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.47 | $ | 2.90 |
| 19.7 | % | ||
Infrastructure |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Net sales | $ | 732.2 | $ | 658.9 |
| 11.1 | % | ||
Gross profit |
| 200.5 | 166.0 |
| 20.8 | % | |||
SG&A expense |
| 106.1 | 87.7 |
| 21.0 | % | |||
Operating income |
| 94.4 |
| 78.3 |
| 20.5 | % | ||
Agriculture |
|
|
|
| |||||
Net sales | $ | 330.3 | $ | 303.2 |
| 9.0 | % | ||
Gross profit |
| 108.1 | 82.3 |
| 31.3 | % | |||
SG&A expense |
| 54.8 | 44.9 |
| 22.0 | % | |||
Operating income |
| 53.3 |
| 37.4 |
| 42.3 | % | ||
Other | |||||||||
Net sales | $ | — | $ | 18.7 | NM | ||||
Gross profit | — | 0.8 | NM | ||||||
SG&A expense | — | 1.6 | NM | ||||||
Operating loss | — | (0.8) | NM | ||||||
Corporate |
|
|
|
| |||||
SG&A expense | $ | 29.2 | $ | 20.1 |
| 45.3 | % | ||
Operating loss |
| (29.2) |
| (20.1) |
| 45.0 | % |
26
Overview, Including Items Impacting Comparability
On a consolidated basis, net sales were higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, with higher sales in both reporting segments.
Steel prices for both hot rolled coil and plate were volatile over the past two years, especially in North America. An increase in the average cost of consumed steel drove higher consolidated net sales and cost of sales in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022. Gross profit margin improved in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, as customer pricing mechanisms and product selling price practices allowed for the recovery of cost of material inflation for both the Infrastructure and Agriculture reportable segments.
The Company acquired ConcealFab in the second quarter of 2022, a telecommunications technology company that offers 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions, which is included in the Infrastructure segment.
The Company divested of its offshore wind energy structures business in the fourth quarter of 2022, which resulted in a pre-tax loss of approximately $33.3 million. The offshore wind energy structures business is included in the Other segment until its divestiture in 2022 and the loss was recorded in “Other income (expenses)” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings at December 31, 2022.
Non-cash items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for the first quarter of 2023 included amortization of identified intangible assets of $1.6 million ($1.3 million after-tax) and stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million ($1.8 million after-tax) for the employees from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in the second quarter of 2021 (recognized within SG&A for the Agriculture segment).
Non-cash items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for the first quarter of 2022 included amortization of identified intangible assets of $1.6 million ($1.2 million after-tax) and stock-based compensation expense of $2.5 million ($2.3 million after-tax) for the employees from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in the second quarter of 2021 (recognized within SG&A for the Agriculture segment).
Macroeconomic Impacts on Financial Results and Liquidity
We continue to monitor several macroeconomic and geopolitical trends that impacted our business, including inflationary cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, rising interest rates, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, changing conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and labor shortages.
Reportable Segments
In addition to the two reportable segments, the Company had a business and related activities in 2022 that are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This comprised the offshore wind energy structures business and was reported in the Other segment until its divestiture in fourth quarter 2022. All prior period information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments. See Note 8 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Backlog
The consolidated backlog of unshipped orders at April 1, 2023 was approximately $1.6 billion compared with approximately $1.7 billion at December 31, 2022.
Currency Translation
In the first quarter of 2023, we realized an increase in operating income, as compared with 2022, despite negative currency translation effects. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:
| Total |
| Infrastructure |
| Agriculture |
| Corporate | ||||||
First quarter | $ | (0.7) | $ | (0.5) | $ | (0.3) | $ | 0.1 |
27
Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income
At a consolidated level, gross profit as a percent of sales was higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with the first quarter of 2022, and the amount of gross profit increased due to the higher average selling prices across all product lines more than offsetting higher costs of goods sold across the Company. Amounts of gross profit increased for both reportable segments.
The increase in SG&A expense in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, was due to the incremental SG&A of $3.2 million from the June 2022 acquisition of ConcealFab, as well as higher salaries as a result of merit increases, incentives attributed to improved financial results, and higher travel costs. In addition, the Company incurred a bad debt reserve charge of approximately $2.7 million related to a telecommunications customer that became insolvent.
The increase in consolidated operating income in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, was primarily due to the increase in average selling prices more than offsetting higher costs of goods sold. This was partially offset by the increase in SG&A period over period.
Net Interest Expense
Interest expense increased in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, due to increased borrowing on the revolving line of credit.
Other Income / Expenses (including Gain (loss) on Investments - Unrealized)
The change in other income/expenses in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, was primarily due to a pension expense of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2023, as opposed to a pension benefit of $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2022. These changes were partially offset by the change in the valuation of deferred compensation assets, shown as "Gain (loss) on investments - unrealized" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, which resulted in higher other income of $2.3 million. The change related to deferred compensation assets is offset by an expense of the same amount in SG&A expense.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2023 was 30.3% compared to 26.8% in the first quarter of 2022. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a change in geographical earnings.
Loss (Earnings) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests were lower in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, due to lower net earnings of the subsidiaries the Company does not own 100%.
Cash Flows from Operations
Our cash flows provided by operations were $21.2 million in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with $2.7 million provided by operations in the first quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily the result of the increase in net earnings and continued focus on overall working capital levels, partially offset by a significant increase in the contribution to the defined benefit pension plan of approximately $15 million.
28
Infrastructure Segment
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||||||||
Dollar |
| |||||||||||
Infrastructure |
| Q1 2023 |
| Q1 2022 |
| Change |
| % Change | ||||
Sales, gross of intercompany eliminations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation | $ | 314.9 | $ | 281.6 |
| $ | 33.3 |
| 11.8 | % | ||
Lighting & Transportation | 229.1 | 212.8 |
| 16.3 |
| 7.7 | % | |||||
Coatings | 90.1 | 82.0 |
| 8.1 |
| 9.9 | % | |||||
Telecommunications | 68.1 | 61.4 |
| 6.7 |
| 11.0 | % | |||||
Solar | 33.9 | 24.3 |
| 9.6 |
| 39.3 | % | |||||
Total | $ | 736.1 | $ | 662.1 | $ | 74.0 |
| 11.2 | % | |||
Operating Income | $ | 94.4 | $ | 78.3 | $ | 16.1 |
| 20.5 | % |
Net sales in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, increased across all of the product lines, primarily due to higher average selling prices, partially offset by $10.8 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation effects. From a geography perspective, the increase in sales within North America was much higher than within international markets. We expect continued increases in sales in North America in line with the expansion of infrastructure spending as the rollout of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 continue.
Transmission, distribution, and substation sales increased in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to meaningfully higher average selling prices and slightly higher sales volumes. This increase in average selling prices is due to a number of our sales contracts in North America containing price escalation clauses that tie the sales price to published steel index pricing at the time our customers issue their purchase order.
Lighting and transportation sales increased during the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, due to an increase in sales volume, primarily in North America. Higher average selling prices also drove higher sales in the first quarter of 2023.
Telecommunication sales increased in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with first quarter of 2022, due primarily to approximately $8 million of sales from the second quarter 2022 acquisition of ConcealFab. Sales volumes were slightly lower in North America and average selling prices were generally consistent in the first quarter 2023, as compared to the first quarter 2022.
Coatings sales increased in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with the first quarter of 2022, due to higher average selling prices.
Solar sales increased in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with the first quarter of 2022, due to increased sales volumes.
Gross profit and gross profit margin were higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022. The customer contractual pricing mechanisms and selling price management initiatives led to an increase in average selling prices above the rate of inflation. SG&A was higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher employment costs mostly attributed to inflationary wage increases, incremental SG&A of $3.2 million from the June 2022 acquisition of ConcealFab, and a bad debt reserve charge of approximately $2.7 million related to a telecommunications customer that became insolvent. The increase in operating income for the first quarter of 2023, as compared with the first quarter of 2022, is also due to the increase in average selling prices and profits from the increase in sales volumes. The operating income margin increased to 12.9% in the first quarter of 2023, from 11.9% in the first quarter of 2022, due to better leverage of fixed costs, including SG&A, in the first quarter of 2023.
29
Agriculture Segment
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||||||||
|
|
| Dollar |
|
| |||||||
Agriculture |
| Q1 2023 |
| Q1 2022 |
| Change |
| % Change | ||||
Sales, gross of intercompany eliminations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
North America | $ | 182.9 | $ | 182.3 |
| $ | 0.6 |
| 0.3 | % | ||
International | 149.3 | 124.3 |
| 25.0 |
| 20.1 | % | |||||
Total | $ | 332.2 | $ | 306.6 | $ | 25.6 |
| 8.3 | % | |||
Operating Income | $ | 53.3 | $ | 37.5 | $ | 15.8 |
| 42.3 | % |
The increase in Agriculture segment net sales in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to first quarter of 2022, was primarily due to much higher average selling prices of irrigation equipment globally. In North America, lower sales volumes for irrigation systems and parts in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, were driven by general economic uncertainty due to a number of macroeconomic factors including higher interest rates, continued inflationary pressures, and recessionary fears. International sales volumes increased in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to first quarter of 2022, due primarily to improved sales volumes in Brazil. The strength of our international irrigation businesses more than offset lower volumes experienced in North America. Sales of technology-related products and services continue to increase, as growers continued their adoption of technology to reduce costs and enhance profitability.
The increase in gross profit in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, was primarily attributed to the meaningfully higher average selling prices which more than offset the amount of inflation within cost of goods sold. SG&A was higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher employment costs, mostly attributed to inflationary wage increases. Operating income for the segment was higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022, due primarily to the 5.6% increase in gross profit margin mostly attributed to higher average selling prices.
Other
In November 2022, the Company completed the sale of Valmont SM, an offshore wind energy structures business with operations in Denmark.
Corporate
Corporate SG&A expense was higher in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2022. The increase is primarily due to $2.3 million of incremental expense from the valuation of the deferred compensation plan assets, higher incentive accruals attributed to improved business performance, and increased expense from our trade accounts receivable sale program attributed to higher interest rates. The change related to deferred compensation assets are offset by a change of the same amount in Other income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Allocation Philosophy
We have historically funded our growth, capital spending, and acquisitions through a combination of operating cash flows and debt financing. The following are the capital allocation / priorities for cash generated:
● | working capital and capital expenditure investments necessary for future sales growth; |
● | dividends on common stock in the range of 20% of the prior year’s fully diluted net earnings; |
● | acquisitions; and |
● | return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases. |
30
We intend to manage our capital structure to maintain our investment grade debt rating. Our most recent ratings were Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., BBB- by Fitch Ratings, and BBB+ by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services. We would be willing to allow our debt rating to fall to BBB- to finance a special acquisition or other opportunity. We expect to maintain a ratio of debt to invested capital which will support our current investment grade debt rating.
The Board of Directors in May 2014 authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. The Board of Directors authorized an additional $250 million of share purchases in February 2015 and again in October 2018, and authorized an additional $400 million of share repurchases in February 2023. These authorizations have no expiration date. The purchases will be funded from available working capital and short-term borrowings and will be made subject to market and economic conditions. We are not obligated to make any repurchases and may discontinue the program at any time. At April 1, 2023, we have acquired approximately 7.0 million shares for approximately $1,029.7 million under this share repurchase program.
On February 28, 2023, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly cash dividend on the common stock to $0.60 per share, or a rate of $2.40 per share on an annualized basis, an increase of 9% from the prior quarterly cash dividend of $0.55 per share.
Supplier Finance Program
We have a supplier finance program agreement with a financial institution which allows qualifying suppliers, at their election and on terms they negotiate directly with the financial institution, to sell their receivables from the Company. A supplier’s voluntary participation in the program does not change our payment terms, amounts paid, payment timing, or impact our liquidity, and we have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to participate. At April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our accounts payable on our balance sheet included $58.1 million and $48.9 million, respectively, of our payment obligations under this program.
Sources of Financing
Our debt financing at April 1, 2023 consisted primarily of long‑term debt and borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Our long‑term debt at April 1, 2023, principally consisted of:
● | $450 million face value ($433.2 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.00% per annum and are due in October 2044. |
● | $305 million face value ($295.0 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.25% per annum and are due in October 2054. |
We are allowed to repurchase the notes subject to the payment of a make-whole premium. Both tranches of these notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.
Our revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, has a maturity date of October 18, 2026.
The revolving credit facility provides for $800 million of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400 million in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $300 million at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., are authorized borrowers under the credit facility. The obligations arising under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Valmont Telecommunications, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.
The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our option, either:
(a) | term SOFR (based on a 1-, 3- or 6-month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company’s senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; |
31
(b) | the higher of |
● | the prime lending rate, |
● | the overnight bank rate plus 50 basis points, and |
● | term SOFR (based on a one-month interest period) plus 100 basis points, |
plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; or
(c) | daily simple SOFR plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company’s senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Mood’s Investors Service, Inc. |
A commitment fee is also required under the revolving credit facility which accrues at 10 to 25 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured long-term debt published by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., on the average daily unused portion of the commitments under the revolving credit agreement.
At April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had outstanding borrowings of $255.7 million and $140.5 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2026 and contains a financial covenant that may limit our additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At April 1, 2023, we had the ability to borrow $544.1 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $0.2 million associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short‑term bank lines of credit totaling $38.2 million; $26.7 million of which was unused at April 1, 2023.
Our senior, unsecured notes and revolving credit agreement each contain cross-default provisions which permit the acceleration of our indebtedness to them if we default on other indebtedness that results in, or permits, the acceleration of such other indebtedness.
The revolving credit facility requires maintenance of a financial leverage ratio, measured as of the last day of each of our fiscal quarters, of 3.50:1 or less. The leverage ratio is the ratio of: (a) interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million); to (b) adjusted EBITDA. The debt agreements provide a modification of the definition of “EBITDA” to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. The leverage ratio is permitted to increase from 3.50:1 to 3:75:1 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters after certain material acquisitions.
The revolving credit agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants or credit facilities of this type, including, among others, limitations on us and our subsidiaries with respect to indebtedness, liens, mergers and acquisitions, investments, dispositions of assets, restricted payments, transactions with affiliates and prepayments of indebtedness. The revolving credit agreement also provides for acceleration of the obligations thereunder and exercise of other enforcement remedies upon the occurrence of customary events of default (subject to customary grace periods, as applicable).
At April 1, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants related to these debt agreements.
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the last four quarters and the leverage ratio are presented in the tables below in Selected Financial Measures.
Cash Uses
Our principal cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, payments of principal and interest on our debt, payments of taxes, contributions to pension plan, and, if market conditions warrant, occasional investments in, or acquisitions of, business ventures. In addition, we regularly evaluate our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock, all consistent with the terms of our debt agreements.
Our businesses are cyclical, but we have diversity in our markets, from a product, customer, and a geographical standpoint. We have demonstrated the ability to effectively manage through business cycles and maintain liquidity. We have
32
consistently generated operating cash flows in excess of our capital expenditures. Based on our available credit facilities, recent issuance of senior unsecured notes, and our history of positive operational cash flows, we believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs.
We have cash balances of $172.9 million at April 1, 2023 and approximately $132.8 million is held in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. If we distributed our foreign cash balances, certain taxes would be applicable. At April 1, 2023, we have a liability for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $2.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
Cash Flows
The following table includes a summary of our cash flow information for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022:
Thirteen weeks ended | ||||||
Dollars in thousands |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
Cash flow data: | ||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities | $ | 21,199 | $ | 2,703 | ||
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
| (21,789) |
| (29,100) | ||
Net cash flows used in financing activities |
| (13,009) |
| (3,521) |
Operating Cash Flows and Working Capital – Cash provided by operating activities totaled $21.2 million in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2022. The increase in operating cash flows in the first quarter of 2023, as compared with the first quarter of 2022, was primarily the result of the increase in net earnings partially offset by a significant increase in the contribution to the defined benefit pension plan. Net working capital was $1,034.2 million at April 1, 2023, as compared to $976.6 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in net working capital in the first quarter of 2023, is attributed to an increase in accounts receivables and prepaid expenses and other assets, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and other accrued expenses.
Investing Cash Flows – Cash used in investing activities totaled $21.8 million in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to $29.1 million in the first quarter of 2022. Investing activities in the first quarter of 2023 primarily included capital spending of $22.4 million. For the first quarter of 2022, investing activities primarily included capital spending of $27.1 million. We expect our capital expenditures to be in the range of $105 million to $125 million for fiscal 2023.
Financing Cash Flows – Cash used in financing activities totaled $13.1 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2022. Our total interest-bearing debt was $998.2 million at April 1, 2023 and $878.0 million at December 31, 2022. The financing cash used in the first quarter of 2023 was primarily the result of borrowings on the revolving credit agreement and short-term notes of $136.1 million, offset by principal payments on our long-term debt and short-term borrowings of $16.6 million, dividends paid of $11.7 million, the purchase of treasury shares of $111.1 million, and the net activity resulting from shares purchased for award exercises related to our stock plan of $9.0 million. The financing cash used in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily the result of borrowings on the revolving credit agreement of $97.0 million, principal payments on our long-term debt and short-term borrowings of $88.1 million, and dividends paid of $10.6 million.
Guarantor Summarized Financial Information
We are providing the following information in compliance with Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X with respect to our two tranches of senior unsecured notes. All of the senior notes are guaranteed, jointly, severally, fully, and unconditionally (subject to certain customary release provisions, including sale of the subsidiary guarantor, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets) by certain of the Company’s current and future direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries (collectively the “Guarantors”). The Parent is the Issuer of the notes and consolidates all Guarantors.
The financial information of Issuer and Guarantors is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between Issuer and Guarantors eliminated. The Issuer’s or Guarantors’ amounts due from, amounts due to, and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries are separately disclosed.
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Combined financial information is as follows:
Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
For the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 and March 26, 2022
| Thirteen weeks ended | |||||
Dollars in thousands |
| April 1, 2023 |
| March 26, 2022 | ||
Net sales | $ | 715,471 | $ | 661,749 | ||
Gross profit |
| 191,495 |
| 164,359 | ||
Operating income |
| 71,832 |
| 69,093 | ||
Net earnings |
| 20,211 |
| 41,808 | ||
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. |
| 20,043 |
| 41,816 |
Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022
Dollars in thousands |
| April 1, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | ||
Current assets | $ | 772,693 | $ | 769,263 | ||
Noncurrent assets |
| 899,133 |
| 925,088 | ||
Current liabilities |
| 406,542 |
| 459,961 | ||
Noncurrent liabilities |
| 1,294,484 |
| 1,189,548 | ||
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries |
| 1,780 |
| 1,612 |
Included in noncurrent assets is a due from non-guarantor subsidiaries receivable of $180,604 and $205,424 at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Included in noncurrent liabilities is a due to non-guarantor subsidiaries payable of $177,268 and $200,522 at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
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Selected Financial Measures
We are including the following financial measures for the Company.
Adjusted EBITDA – Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is one of our key financial ratios in that it is the basis for determining our maximum borrowing capacity at any one time. Our bank credit agreements contain a financial covenant that our total interest‑bearing debt not exceed 3.50x Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75x Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions) for the most recent four quarters. These bank credit agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we did not own the acquired businesses. The bank credit agreements also provide for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain specified limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. If this financial covenant is violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the last four quarters (March 27, 2022 to April 1, 2023) is as follows:
|
| Last Four Quarters | |
Dollars in thousands | Q1 2023 | ||
Net cash flows from operations | $ | 344,761 | |
Interest expense |
| 49,376 | |
Income tax expense |
| 117,409 | |
Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business |
| (33,273) | |
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit |
| (5,554) | |
Noncontrolling interest |
| (598) | |
Pension plan expense |
| 7,321 | |
Contribution to pension plan |
| 32,414 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions |
| 58,634 | |
Other |
| (1,696) | |
EBITDA | $ | 568,794 | |
Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business |
| 33,273 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 602,067 |
| Last Four Quarters | ||
Q1 2023 | |||
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. | $ | 263,092 | |
Interest expense |
| 49,376 | |
Income tax expense |
| 117,409 | |
Stock based compensation |
| 41,076 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
| 97,841 | |
EBITDA | $ | 568,794 | |
Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business |
| 33,273 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 602,067 |
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. In October 2021, our revolving credit facility was amended to allow the Company to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature.
Leverage Ratio – Leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million) divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The leverage ratio is one of the key financial ratios in the covenants under our major debt agreements and the ratio cannot exceed 3.5 (or 3.75x after certain material acquisitions) for any reporting period (four quarters). If those covenants are violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity.
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The calculation of this ratio at April 1, 2023 is as follows:
Dollars in thousands |
| 2023 | |
Interest-bearing debt, excluding origination fees and discounts of $26,818 | $ | 1,025,055 | |
Less: Cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50 million |
| 122,948 | |
Net indebtedness | $ | 902,107 | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
| 602,067 | |
Leverage Ratio |
| 1.50 |
Leverage ratio, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Financial Obligations and Financial Commitments
There have been no material changes to our financial obligations and financial commitments as described on page 33 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies
There were no changes in our critical accounting policies as described on pages 38 to 41 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 during the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There were no material changes in the Company’s market risk during the quarter ended April 1, 2023. For additional information, refer to the section "Risk Management" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
No changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. See the discussion of the Company’s risk factors under Part I, Item 1A in each of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
| Total Number of | | | |||||||
| Shares Purchased | Approximate Dollar | ||||||||
| as Part of | Value of Maximum | ||||||||
Total Number | | Publicly | Number of | |||||||
of | Announced Plans | Shares that may yet | ||||||||
Shares | Average Price | or | be Purchased under the | |||||||
Period |
| Purchased |
| paid per share |
| Programs |
| Program (1) | ||
January 1, 2023 to January 28, 2023 |
| — | $ | — |
| — | $ | 481,419,000 | ||
January 29, 2023 to March 4, 2023 |
| 157,878 |
| 318.49 |
| 157,878 |
| 431,137,000 | ||
March 5, 2023 to April 1, 2023 |
| 199,009 |
| 305.68 |
| 199,009 |
| 370,304,000 | ||
Total |
| 356,887 | $ | 311.35 |
| 356,887 | $ | 370,304,000 |
(1) | On May 13, 2014, we announced a new capital allocation philosophy which covered both the quarterly dividend rate as well as a share repurchase program. The Board of Directors at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. On February 24, 2015 and again on October 31, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. On February 27, 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount remaining under the program by an additional $400 million, with no stated expiration date, bringing total authorization to $1.4 billion. At April 1, 2023, we have acquired 6,969,905 shares for approximately $1,029.7 million under this share repurchase program. |
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Item 5. Other Information
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Valmont’s annual meeting of stockholders was held on April 24, 2023. The stockholders elected three directors to serve three-terms, approved, on an advisory basis, a resolution approving Valmont’s named executive officer compensation, voted, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, and ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for fiscal 2023. For the annual meeting there were 21,350,819 shares outstanding and eligible to vote of which 19,753,749 were present at the meeting in person or by proxy. The tabulation for each matter voted upon at the meeting was as follows:
Election of Directors:
For | Withheld | Broker Non-Votes | ||||
Mogens C. Bay | 17,151,468 | 1,375,171 | 1,227,110 | |||
Ritu Favre | 17,745,563 | 781,076 | 1,227,110 | |||
Richard A. Lanoha | 16,900,239 | 1,626,400 | 1,227,110 |
Advisory vote on executive compensation:
For | | 17,956,291 | ||||
Against | | 526,618 | ||||
Abstain | | 43,730 | ||||
Broker non-votes | | 1,227,110 |
Advisory vote on frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation:
1 year | | 17,913,036 | ||||
2 years | | 4,259 | ||||
3 years | | 541,525 | ||||
Abstain | | 67,819 | ||||
Broker non-votes | | 1,227,110 |
The Board of Directors has determined that Valmont will hold advisory votes on executive compensation on a one-year basis.
Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for fiscal 2023:
For | | 19,103,082 | ||||
Against | | 605,586 | ||||
Abstain | | 45,081 |
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) | Exhibits |
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
22.1 | ||
31.1* | ||
31.2* | ||
32.1* | Section 906 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | |
101 | The following financial information from Valmont’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and (vii) document and entity information. | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* | Filed herewith |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf and by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. | |
(Registrant) | |
/s/ AVNER M. APPLBAUM | |
Avner M. Applbaum | |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
Dated the 26th day of April, 2023
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