Wednesday
April 18, 2007
Valmont Reports First Quarter
Results
Source: PRNewswire
First Quarter Review:
"Favorable conditions in most of our markets and steady progress on our company-wide performance initiatives led to strong sales and earnings gains for the quarter," said Mogens C. Bay, Valmont's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are off to a good start in 2007, and have a positive outlook for the rest of the year.
"Sales in the Engineered Support Structures Segment reflected the strong demand in both North American and international markets.
"Utility Support Structures sales were very strong, responding to the expanding investment in the electrical transmission grid by utility companies.
"Gains in Coatings Segment sales reflect improved demand and increased pricing to recover higher zinc costs than last year.
"In the Irrigation Segment, North American sales were up slightly. International sales gains were the result of higher grain prices and new business in emerging markets.
"Sales in the Tubing Segment improved as customers replenished inventories anticipating higher steel prices and due to higher sales demand from agricultural equipment manufacturers.
"The key drivers behind the 42% increase in operating income were increased volumes and associated operating leverage, and better pricing."
First Quarter Summary -- Infrastructure Markets: (66% of 1st Quarter Net Sales)
Engineered Support Structures Segment (34% of 1st Quarter Net Sales) Structures and specialty structures for lighting and traffic, wireless communication and overhead signs, worldwide. Includes utility support structures outside of North America.
Sales were $125.2 million, an increase of 8% from first quarter 2006 levels. In North America, sales increased primarily due to higher demand from the commercial construction markets. Sales related to highway funding programs, while significant, are ramping up at a slower rate than expected. Since funding levels for the current highway bill in the U.S. are higher than prior bills, the Company expects sales to increase accordingly over time. North American specialty structures sales were lower due to weather related shipment delays. In international markets, sales improved primarily due to strong demand in China for utility and wireless communication structures.
Segment operating income increased 24% to $8.7 million, and was 6.9% of segment sales. The improvement in operating profits was due to a strong performance in China and better results in North America. North American results were impacted by continued poor performance in North American specialty structures.
Utility Support Structures Segment (24% of 1st Quarter Net Sales)
Steel and concrete structures for electric power delivery in North America.
Sales increased 22% to $80.5 million compared with $66.2 million in 2006. The improvement in sales reflects increased utility investment in transmission structures for electrical power delivery. Utility investment in the electric transmission grid has grown since the passage of the U.S. energy bill in June 2005. Provisions in the bill support utility spending to improve reliability and promote greater interconnectivity between utilities.
Operating income increased 20% to $9.6 million and was 11.9% of segment sales. The increase in operating income was mostly due to higher volumes. Operating income was negatively impacted by several days of shut-downs in key plants due to winter weather conditions.
Coatings Segment (8% of 1st Quarter Net Sales)
Hot-dip galvanizing and other coatings services to protect against corrosion of steel and aluminum in North American markets.
Sales of $33.6 million were 33% above last year's $25.3 million. The sales increase reflects higher pricing to recover zinc costs above last year's first quarter levels. Additionally, improved conditions in the industrial economy and strong internal demand drove sales increases.
Segment operating income more than doubled to $5.2 million, or 15.5% of segment sales. The improvement in operating income reflects improved pricing compared to the first quarter of 2006, when zinc costs were rising faster than price actions to recover costs.
First Quarter Summary -- Agricultural Markets: (33% of 1st Quarter Net Sales)
Irrigation Segment (27% of 1st Quarter Net Sales)
Center pivot and linear move mechanized irrigation equipment and related service parts for agriculture in global markets.
Sales improved 7% to $93.0 million compared with $86.9 million in 2006. In North America, order flow lagged expectations early in the quarter and sales increased only marginally. Late in the quarter, Valmont ran a special sales promotion. In response to this initiative, order flow and sales improved and the Company entered the second quarter with strong order flow and a larger backlog than last year.
In international markets, sales increased both in traditional and emerging markets for mechanized irrigation equipment. Higher grain prices in global markets and increased concern about water availability for irrigation are the primary drivers for growth in the market worldwide.
Segment operating income increased 10% to $12.3 million and was 13.2% of segment sales. The improved operating income was the result of manufacturing leverage on increased volumes.
Tubing Segment (6% of 1st Quarter Net Sales)
Custom steel tubing for mechanical and structural applications.
Sales were 11% higher at $26.0 million. At the end of 2006, many customers lowered inventories in anticipation of lower steel prices in 2007. When steel costs started to increase in the first quarter, demand rose. Demand was especially strong from agricultural equipment manufacturers driven by the increased need for grain handling and storage.
Segment operating income increased 25% to $4.5 million as a result of higher volumes and a favorable sales mix, and was 17.4% of segment sales.
2007 Outlook:
"We are expecting solid results in 2007, Mr. Bay said, "We are off to a strong start with good order flow and backlogs in most of our businesses and positive market trends.
"In light of the strong start to the year, we expect high single digit revenue increases over last year, and about a one percentage point improvement in operating income as a percent of sales for the year.
"We have had good success in growing our structural business in China. Our new plant in southern China is performing well. Based on the outlook for continued strong infrastructure development in China, Valmont's board has approved the construction of a third plant in China, which should start operations during the second half of 2008.
"We believe our current businesses offer excellent platforms for growth going forward. Many opportunities remain for us to leverage our products, markets and capabilities around the world. Our core businesses have excellent fundamentals and continue to offer good returns on invested capital. We will maintain our focus on improving operating income as a percent of sales and on return on invested capital in 2007."
An audio discussion of Valmont's first quarter results by Mogens C. Bay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Terry J. McClain, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be available live by telephone by dialing 1-877-493-2981 and entering Conference ID#: 2633727 or via the Internet at 8:00 a.m. April 19, 2007 CDT, by pointing browsers to: http://www.valmont.com/asp/investor_relations/ir6.asp After the event you may listen by accessing the above link or by telephone. Dial 1-800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291, and enter the Conference ID#:2633727 beginning April 19, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. CDT through 12:00 p.m. CST on April 26, 2007.
Valmont is the global leader in designing and manufacturing poles, towers and structures for lighting and traffic, wireless communication and utility markets, and a provider of protective coating services. Valmont also leads the world in mechanized irrigation equipment for agriculture, enhancing food production while conserving and protecting natural water resources. In addition, Valmont produces a wide variety of tubing for commercial and industrial applications.
