Griffon Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

Griffon Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

2012 Revenue Increases 2% to $1.9 billion

2012 EPS $0.30 vs. 2011 ($0.13); 2012 Adjusted EPS $0.27 vs. 2011 $0.34

2012 Segment Adjusted EBITDA Increases 3% to $171 million

Telephonics Generates Record Profit for the Year; Backlog Grows

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Griffon Corporation (NYS: GFF) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

Ron Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, commented "Fourth quarter results were in-line with our expectations and underscore how well each of our businesses are operating in this challenging global economic environment. Specifically, Telephonics had another strong quarter benefiting in part from a more favorable product mix, achieving record-level profitability for the year. Clopay Plastics ("Plastics") continued to show ongoing improvement from the initiatives undertaken to address manufacturing inefficiencies arising from our capacity expansions in Germany and Brazil. Home & Building Products ("HBP"), benefited from our doors business, but customer build up of snow tool inventory resulting from last year's unusually warm winter contributed to lower sales at Ames in the quarter."

Fourth quarter revenue totaled $447 million, decreasing 8% compared to the 2011 quarter. HBP, Telephonics and Plastics revenue decreased 5%, 13% and 6%, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter.

For the current quarter, Segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $37.2 million, decreasing 10% compared to $41.5 million in the prior year quarter. Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, excluding corporate overhead, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, acquisition-related expenses including the impact from the fair value of inventory acquired as part of a business combination, restructuring charges and the gain (loss) from debt extinguishment, as applicable.

Fourth quarter net income totaled $3.4 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to $3.4 million, or $0.06 per share, in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter 2012 results included restructuring and acquisition costs, net, of $2.1 million, or $0.04 per share, and net discrete tax benefits of $3.5 million, or $0.06 per share. Fourth quarter 2011 results included restructuring and acquisition costs, net, of $2.1 million, or $0.03 per share, and net discrete tax benefits of $1.3 million, or $0.02 per share. Current quarter adjusted net income was $2.0 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to $4.2 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior year quarter.

For the full year 2012, revenue totaled $1.9 billion, increasing 2% compared to 2011, driven by HBP and Plastics, which increased 2% and 5%, respectively. Telephonics revenue decreased 3% compared to 2011 because of a decline in the Counter Remote Control Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare 3.1 ("CREW 3.1") program for which Telephonics serves as a contract manufacturer.

For the year ended September 30, 2012, Segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $171.0 million, increasing 3% compared to $165.6 million in the prior year.

For the year ended September 30, 2012, net income was $17.0 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to a net loss of $7.4 million, or $0.13 per share, in the prior year. Adjusted income for 2012 was $15.3 million, or $0.27 per share, compared to $19.9 million, or $0.34 per share, in the prior year. Results for 2012 included restructuring of $4.7 million ($3.0 million, net of tax, or $0.05 per share) and acquisition costs of $0.5 million ($0.3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share), as well as discrete tax benefits, net, of $5.1 million, or $0.09 per share. Full year 2011 results included a charge of $26.2 million ($16.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per share) resulting from the refinancing of Ames True Temper ("ATT") acquisition-related debt; $15.2 million ($9.8 million, net of tax, or $0.17 per share) of cost of goods related to the sale of inventory recorded at fair value in connection with ATT acquisition accounting; $7.5 million ($4.9 million, net of tax, or $0.08 per share) of restructuring charges related to the consolidation of Clopay Building Product ("CBP") facilities, and headcount reductions at Telephonics and ATT; $0.4 million ($0.3 million net of tax) of Southern Patio ("SP") acquisition costs; and $4.6 million, or $0.08 per share, of net discrete tax benefits.

Mr. Kramer continued, "While we are prepared for economic conditions to remain challenging, our businesses are well-positioned for growth and improved profitability. We remain committed to driving shareholder value through a range of opportunities including organic improvement, a disciplined approach to capital investment and, in the longer term, our ongoing evaluation of additional strategic transactions."

Segment Operating Results

Telephonics

Revenue in the current quarter decreased $18.1 million or 13% compared to the 2011 quarter. In the current and prior year quarters, revenue included $1.8 million and $11.3 million, respectively, related to the CREW 3.1 program. Excluding CREW 3.1 from both quarters, revenue decreased 7% from the prior year quarter primarily due to timing of Mobile Surveillance Capability and Integrated Fix Tower awards for follow-on production, and timing of awards for Ground Surveillance radars and Firescout, partially offset by LAMPS MMR.

Segment adjusted EBITDA in the 2012 quarter was $13.7 million, increasing 2% from the prior year quarter, mainly driven by higher gross profit from a combination of favorable program mix and manufacturing efficiencies, and lower selling, general and administrative expenses related to the timing of proposal and research and development activities. Operating results also benefited from cost reductions resulting from the voluntary early retirement plan undertaken in the prior year and other restructuring activities implemented earlier this year.

Revenue in 2012 decreased $13.9 million or 3% compared to the prior year. In the current and prior year, revenue included $24.1 million and $44.3 million, respectively, related to the CREW 3.1 program. Excluding CREW 3.1 from both years, revenue increased 2% over the prior year primarily attributable to LAMPS MMR.

Segment adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2012 totaled $60.6 million, increasing 19% over the prior year, mainly driven by higher gross profit from a combination of favorable program mix and manufacturing efficiencies, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to the timing of proposal and research and development activities. Operating results also benefited from cost reductions resulting from the voluntary early retirement plan undertaken in the prior year and other restructuring activities implemented earlier this year.

Contract backlog totaled a record $451 million at September 30, 2012 compared to $417 million at September 30, 2011, with approximately 70% expected to be filled within the next twelve months.

Plastic Products

Revenue in the current quarter decreased $8.8 million, or 6%, compared to the 2011 quarter; a volume increase of 3% and a 1% benefit from favorable mix were more than offset by the 9% unfavorable impact of translation of European and Brazilian revenue into a stronger U.S. dollar. Selling price adjustments due to resin fluctuations reduced revenue by 1% in the quarter; Plastics adjusts customer selling prices, based on underlying resin costs, on a delayed basis.

Segment adjusted EBITDA in the 2012 quarter increased $2.0 million, or 19%, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by the improved volume, favorable mix and continued efficiency improvements on past capital initiatives, partially offset by a 3% unfavorable impact of foreign exchange as well as the impact of somewhat higher selling, general and administrative expenses. The impact of resin was not material in the quarter.

Revenue in 2012 increased $27.4 million, or 5%, compared to 2011, driven by a 10% increase in volume. The benefit of the volume growth was partially offset by a 5% unfavorable impact of translation of European and Brazilian revenue into a stronger U.S. dollar. Selling price adjustments due to resin fluctuations did not have a significant impact on 2012 revenue.

Segment adjusted EBITDA in 2012 increased $2.4 million, or 6%, compared to the prior year, primarily driven by the higher volume, a $3.7 million favorable resin impact and efficiency improvement on past capital initiatives, partially offset by a 2% unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, product mix and the impact of somewhat higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

Home & Building Products

Fourth quarter revenue decreased $10.6 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year quarter. ATT revenue decreased 12% primarily due to lower snow tool sales. Typically, ATT has strong snow tool sales in the last fiscal quarter as customers build inventory in anticipation of the coming snow season; however, excess snow tool inventory remaining at customers following the record warm weather of the 2011-2012 winter substantially reduced such sales. The snow tool impact was partially offset by the inclusion of SP. CBP revenue decreased 1% mainly due to volume, partially offset by favorable mix.

Segment adjusted EBITDA in the 2012 quarter decreased $6.4 million, or 37%, compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease was driven by the lower snow volume that also affected ATT plant absorption of manufacturing expenses in the quarter. The ATT decline was partially offset by CBP favorable product mix as well as CBP manufacturing efficiencies, and lower warehouse and distribution costs.

Revenue in 2012 increased $16.8 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year. ATT revenue was flat with the prior year, mainly because of weak snow tool sales, driven by the absence of snow throughout much of the country during the 2011-2012 winter, substantially offset by the inclusion of SP, acquired in October 2011. CBP revenue increased 4% due to a combination of favorable mix and higher volume.

Segment adjusted EBITDA in 2012 decreased $6.7 million, or 9%, compared to the prior year, driven mainly by the decline in snow volume at ATT; the ATT volume decline was partially offset by the inclusion of SP as well as improved CBP profitability driven by increased volume, favorable mix, and lower warehouse and distribution costs.

Taxes

Griffon's effective tax rate for 2012 was 22.5% compared to a benefit of 48.2% in 2011. The 2012 rate reflected net discrete benefits of $5.1 million primarily from the release of previously established reserves for uncertain tax positions on conclusion of various tax audits, and benefits related to various tax planning initiatives. The 2011 rate reflected net discrete benefits of $4.6 million primarily from tax planning related to unremitted foreign earnings. Excluding discrete tax items, the 2012 rate would have been 45.8%, and the 2011 benefit would have been 16.4%. In both years, the effective rates reflect the impact of permanent differences not deductible in determining taxable income, mainly limited deductibility of restricted stock, as well as the impact of tax reserves and changes in earnings mix between domestic and non-domestic operations.

Restructuring

In 2012 and 2011, respectively, Telephonics recognized $3.8 and $3.0 million of restructuring charges in connection with two discrete voluntary early retirement plans and other restructuring costs related to changes in its organizational structure; such charges were personnel-related, reducing headcount by 185 employees.

In both 2012 and 2011, ATT recognized $0.9 million in restructuring costs primarily related to termination benefits, reducing headcount by 38 employees.

The consolidation of the CBP manufacturing facilities plan, announced in June 2009, was completed in 2011. In completing the consolidation plan, CBP incurred total pre-tax exit and restructuring costs of $9.0 million, substantially all of which were cash charges, and had $10.4 million of related capital expenditures. The restructuring costs were $3.6 million in 2011, $4.2 million in 2010 and $1.2 million in 2009.

Balance Sheet and Capital Expenditures

At September 30, 2012, the Company had cash and equivalents of $210 million, total debt outstanding of $700 million, net of discounts, and $178 million available for borrowing under its revolving credit facility. Capital expenditures were $68.9 million in 2012. The Company expects capital spending of $60 to $65 million for 2013.

Stock Repurchases

During 2012, the Company purchased 1.2 million shares of its common stock under an authorized stock repurchase plan, for $10.4 million, of which 486,000 shares were purchased in the fourth quarter, for $4.7 million. At September 30, 2012, the Company had a remaining authorization of $38.3 million. During 2011, the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan purchased 1.9 million shares for a total of $20.0 million and the Company purchased 1.5 million shares for a total of $12.4 million under authorized repurchase plans.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call today, November 13, 2012, at 4:30 PM ET.

The call can be accessed by dialing 1-800-231-9012 (U.S. participants) or 1-719-457-2619 (International participants). Callers should ask to be connected to the Griffon Corporation teleconference.

A replay of the call will be available starting on November 13, 2012 at 7:30 PM ET by dialing 1-877-870-5176 (U.S.) or 1-858-384-5517 (International), and entering the conference ID number: 4942707. The replay will be available through November 27, 2012.

Forward-looking Statements

"Safe Harbor" Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All statements related to, among other things, income, earnings, cash flows, revenue, changes in operations, operating improvements, industries in which Griffon Corporation (the "Company" or "Griffon") operates and the United States and global economies that are not historical are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements" and may be indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipates," "supports," "plans," "projects," "expects," "believes," "should," "would," "could," "hope," "forecast," "management is of the opinion," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "explores," "opportunities," the negative of these expressions, use of the future tense and similar words or phrases. Such forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: current economic conditions and uncertainties in the housing, credit and capital markets; the Company's ability to achieve expected savings from cost control, integration and disposal initiatives; the ability to identify and successfully consummate and integrate value-adding acquisition opportunities; increasing competition and pricing pressures in the markets served by Griffon's operating companies; the ability of Griffon's operating companies to expand into new geographic and product markets and to anticipate and meet customer demands for new products and product enhancements and innovations; reduced military spending by the government on projects for which Telephonics Corporation supplied products; increases in the cost of raw materials such as resin and steel; changes in customer demand; the potential impact of seasonal variations and uncertain weather patterns on certain of Griffon's businesses; political events that could impact the worldwide economy; a downgrade in the Company's credit ratings; changes in international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations; the reliance by certain of Griffon's businesses on particular third party suppliers and manufacturers to meet customer demands; the relative mix of products and services offered by Griffon's businesses, which could impact margins and operating efficiencies; short-term capacity constraints or prolonged excess capacity; unforeseen developments in contingencies, such as litigation; unfavorable results of government agency contract audits of Telephonics Corporation, including as a result of sequestration which is currently scheduled to take effect in January 2013; Griffon's ability to adequately protect and maintain the validity of patent and other intellectual property rights; the cyclical nature of the businesses of certain Griffon's operating companies; and possible terrorist threats and actions and their impact on the global economy. Such statements reflect the views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, as previously disclosed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Griffon Corporation

Griffon Corporation (the "Company" or "Griffon"), is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. In order to further diversify, Griffon also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capital.

Griffon currently conducts its operations through three segments:

• Home & Building Products consists of two companies, Ames True Temper, Inc. ("ATT") and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. ("CBP"):

  • ATT is a global provider of non-powered landscaping products that make work easier for homeowners and professionals.

  • CBP is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and industrial garage doors to professional installing dealers and major home center retail chains.

• Telephonics Corporation designs, develops and manufactures high-technology, integrated information, communication and sensor system solutions for use in military and commercial markets worldwide.

• Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. is an international leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films used in a variety of hygienic, health-care and industrial applications.

For more information on Griffon and its operating subsidiaries, please see the Company's website at www.griffoncorp.com.

Griffon evaluates performance and allocates resources based on each segments' operating results before interest income or expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain (loss) from debt extinguishment, unallocated amounts, restructuring charges and acquisition-related expenses including the impact from the fair value of inventory acquired as part of a business combination ("Segment Adjusted EBITDA"). Griffon believes this information is useful to investors.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) before taxes:

The following is a reconciliation of each segment's operating results to Segment Adjusted EBITDA: