Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 17, 2012

 

 

A. O. Smith Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-475   39-0619790

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

11270 West Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(414) 359-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 204.14a-12)

 

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

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13-e4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On October 17, 2012, A. O. Smith Corporation (“the Company”) issued a news release announcing the Company’s results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. A copy of the Company’s news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

The following exhibit is being filed herewith:

(99.1) News Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated October 17, 2012.

 

2


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 by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
Date: October 17, 2012     By:   /s/ James F. Stern
      James F. Stern
      Executive Vice President, General
      Counsel and Secretary

 

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A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 17, 2012

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

99.1    News Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated October 17, 2012

 

4

News Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated October 17, 2012

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

October 17, 2012

A. O. Smith reports higher sales and earnings from continuing operations

Milwaukee, Wis.—Water technology company A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS) reported third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $37.0 million or $.79 per share on a 12.2 percent increase in revenue.

The company’s 2012 third quarter performance included a full quarter of Lochinvar’s results, which was acquired in late August last year, as well as a non-cash, pre-tax gain of $6.4 million or $.08 per share resulting from a change to the company’s estimate of the Lochinvar earn-out, which is based on revenue targets.

Prior-year third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $26.9 million or $.58 per share included a net pre-tax gain of $16.4 million related to shares of Regal Beloit Corporation (NYSE:RBC) and an equity collar, as well as pre-tax professional fees and expenses totaling $4.4 million related to the purchase of Lochinvar. The net favorable impact to earnings from these items in last year’s third quarter was $.19 per share.

Sales for the three-month period ended Sept. 30 were $462.2 million, more than $50 million higher than third quarter 2011 sales of $412.0 million, driven by incremental Lochinvar sales and strong organic growth in China.

“The factors that have been influencing our business throughout 2012 continued during the third quarter,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Jones commented. “Our A. O. Smith branded sales in China grew over 20 percent in the quarter driven by new distribution, market share gains and new products, despite the slowdown in that country’s economy.”


“The Lochinvar acquisition continues to meet the high end of our profit expectations,” he observed. “Lochinvar’s new line of CREST ® high-efficiency, higher BTU input condensing boilers, which was introduced last year, has received excellent market acceptance; and we plan to launch new, larger input models of this product later this year.”

North America segment

Third quarter sales of the North America segment, which includes U. S. and Canadian water heaters and boilers, increased to $335.7 million compared with third quarter 2011 sales of $310.2 million. The company benefited from sales of $60.1 million of Lochinvar products, compared with last year’s partial quarter contribution of $20.8 million. Additionally, higher commercial water heater volumes were more than offset by lower residential water heater and tankless volumes.

Operating earnings from the segment of $50.7 million included a gain of $6.4 million related to the adjustment to the company’s estimate of the Lochinvar earn-out, compared with $30.9 million earned during the third quarter of 2011. Profits from the Lochinvar acquisition contributed $14.9 million to quarterly earnings compared with $3.0 million last year. In addition, the segment benefited from higher commercial volumes and material costs that were lower than their relatively high levels last year. These benefits more than offset the volume decline in residential water heaters. As a result, third quarter operating margin of 15.1 percent was higher than third quarter 2011 margin of 10.0 percent.

Under the terms of the Lochinvar purchase agreement, Lochinvar’s shareholders could earn up to an additional $35 million if certain revenue objectives are achieved from Dec. 1, 2011, to Nov. 30, 2012. At the time of the closing, the company projected the earn-out to be $16.8 million due to an estimated 16 percent increase in sales. Based on the current estimate of a 12 percent increase in sales, the earn-out is projected to be $10.4 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $6.4 million that has been recorded in the third quarter.

 

6


Rest of World segment

Third quarter sales of this segment, which includes China, India, and Europe, increased more than $23 million to $133.8 million compared with sales of $110.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. Sales of A. O. Smith branded products in China increased approximately 22 percent in the quarter due to continued distribution expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, greater acceptance of gas tankless and water treatment systems, and continued market share gains.

Third quarter operating profit increased approximately 41 percent to $12.7 million compared with $9.0 million earned in the prior year’s quarter. Increased sales of A. O. Smith branded products in China and reduced losses from the company’s China water treatment business contributed to the improved third quarter earnings. Operating margin of 9.5 percent improved compared with the third quarter 2011 operating margin of 8.1 percent.

Leverage and Cash

Long-term debt totaled $279.6 million at the end of September 2012, resulting in leverage of 19.0 percent, measured by the ratio of total debt to total capital. Cash and investments, located largely outside the United States, totaled $482.2 million at the end of the 2012 third quarter.

Outlook for 2012

“A. O. Smith continues to make progress as it pursues its strategy to become a global water technology company,” Jones said. “The integration of the Lochinvar acquisition is essentially complete, and our pipeline of possible acquisition candidates remains active. We continue to pursue water heater and water treatment investments all over the world, and we are committed to investments that increase shareholder value. With more than $400 million in cash and an additional $400 million in borrowing capacity, we believe we have more than enough resources to take advantage of the right opportunities when they come along.”

 

7


“Our businesses continue to perform well in a challenging global economy,” he said. “Our focus on customers, combined with disciplined cost management, is paying off throughout the organization. We expect this strong performance to carry through to the end of the year. Consequently, we are raising our earnings guidance for the full year to between $2.85 and $2.95 per share. This does not include the potential impact from any future acquisitions, the first quarter gain from the sale of the RBC shares, or adjustments to the estimate of the calculation of the Lochinvar earn-out.”

Forward-looking statements

This release contains statements that the company believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the following: difficulties in achieving the disclosed global expansion opportunities related to the Lochinvar acquisition; weakening in the high efficiency boiler segment in the United States; the ability to execute our acquisition strategy; significant volatility in raw material prices; competitive pressures on the company’s businesses; inability to implement pricing actions; instability in the company’s replacement markets; further weakening in U. S. residential or commercial construction; timing of any recoveries in U. S. residential or commercial construction; a further slowdown in the Chinese economy; foreign currency fluctuations; and adverse general economic conditions and capital market deterioration.

 

8


Forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release, and the company is under no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to the company, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified entirely by these cautionary statements.

A. O. Smith Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, offering a comprehensive line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China, as well as water purification products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., employs approximately 10,500 people at operations in the U. S., Canada, Mexico, India, China, and the Netherlands.

 

9


A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

(condensed consolidated financial statements -

dollars in millions, except per share data)

Statement of Earnings

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30     September 30  
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Net sales

   $ 462.2      $ 412.0      $ 1,415.0      $ 1,234.7   

Cost of products sold

     305.4        293.3        948.6        877.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     156.8        118.7        466.4        357.6   

Selling, general and administrative

     111.5        92.2        325.7        266.6   

Contingent consideration adjustment

     (6.4     —          (6.4     —     

Settlement income

     —          —          —          (11.2

Interest expense

     1.9        2.5        7.1        6.4   

Other income—net

     (2.2     (15.8     (32.5     (18.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     52.0        39.8        172.5        114.5   

Provision for income taxes

     15.0        12.9        53.1        34.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

     37.0        26.9        119.4        79.7   

Earnings from discontinued EPC operations, net of tax

     —          5.1        —          43.6   

Gain on sale of discontinued EPC operations, net of tax

     —          150.3        —          150.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 37.0      $ 182.3      $ 119.4      $ 273.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share of common stock

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.79      $ 0.58      $ 2.57      $ 1.71   

Discontinued operations

     —          3.33        —          4.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

   $ 0.79      $ 3.91      $ 2.57      $ 5.87   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding (000's omitted)

     46,569        46,643        46,544        46,611   


A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

Balance Sheet

(dollars in millions)

 

     (unaudited)         
     September 30      December 31  
     2012      2011  

ASSETS:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 279.6       $ 463.4   

Marketable securities

     202.6         —     

Receivables

     369.1         368.4   

Inventories

     178.2         168.4   

Deferred income taxes

     32.5         24.6   

Investments

     —           162.4   

Other current assets

     26.4         21.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     1,088.4         1,208.7   

Net property, plant and equipment

     331.1         315.3   

Goodwill and other intangibles

     778.5         786.5   

Other assets

     37.3         38.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 2,235.3       $ 2,349.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

     

Trade payables

   $ 289.4       $ 302.5   

Accrued payroll and benefits

     44.1         41.9   

Accrued liabilities

     62.5         74.1   

Product warranties

     43.9         43.7   

Long-term debt due within one year

     18.6         18.6   

Current liabilities—discontinued EPC operations

     4.3         31.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     462.8         512.3   

Long-term debt

     261.0         443.0   

Pension liabilities

     153.7         139.5   

Other liabilities

     157.5         159.7   

Long-term liabilities—discontinued EPC operations

     8.9         8.7   

Stockholders’ equity

     1,191.4         1,085.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 2,235.3       $ 2,349.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

Statement of Cash Flows

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30  
     2012     2011  

Operating Activities

    

Net earnings

   $ 119.4      $ 273.6   

Less earnings from discontinued operations

     —          (193.9

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation & amortization

     40.4        33.2   

Loss on disposal of assets

     0.8        0.7   

Gain on investments

     (27.2     (20.1

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Current assets and liabilities

     (45.3     (65.8

Noncurrent assets and liabilities

     12.6        (95.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities—continuing operations

     100.7        (67.9

Cash Used in Operating Activities—discontinued operations

     (27.0     (1.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities

     73.7        (69.4

Investing Activities

    

Capital expenditures

     (44.5     (36.7

Acquisition of businesses

     —          (418.1

Investment in marketable securities

     (237.8     —     

Net proceeds from sale of securities

     227.8        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Used in Investing Activities—continuing operations

     (54.5     (454.8

Cash Provided by Investing Activities—discontinued operations

     —          727.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash (Used In) Provided by Investing Activities

     (54.5     273.0   

Financing Activities

    

Long-term debt (retired) incurred

     (183.1     134.4   

Common stock repurchase

     (9.7     (5.7

Net proceeds from stock option activity

     13.8        9.8   

Dividends paid

     (24.0     (20.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities—continuing operations

     (203.0     118.1   

Cash Provided by Financing Activities—discontinued operations

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

     (203.0     118.1   

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (183.8     321.7   

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

     463.4        118.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—End of Period

   $ 279.6      $ 440.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

Business Segments

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30     September 30  
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Net sales

        

North America

   $ 335.7      $ 310.2      $ 1,054.9      $ 935.5   

Rest of World

     133.8        110.5        385.3        326.1   

Inter-segment sales

     (7.3     (8.7     (25.2     (26.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 462.2      $ 412.0      $ 1,415.0      $ 1,234.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings

        

North America (1)(2)(3)

   $ 50.7      $ 30.9      $ 144.1      $ 107.3   

Rest of World

     12.7        9.0        39.2        30.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     63.4        39.9        183.3        138.1   

Corporate (expense) income (4)

     (9.5     2.4        (3.7     (17.2

Interest expense

     (1.9     (2.5     (7.1     (6.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     52.0        39.8        172.5        114.5   

Tax provision

     15.0        12.9        53.1        34.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 37.0      $ 26.9      $ 119.4      $ 79.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)        includes settlement income of:

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 11.2   

(2)        includes Canadian warranty expense of:

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 8.2   

(3)        includes contingent consideration adjustment of:

   $ 6.4      $ —        $ 6.4      $ —     

(4)        includes net gain on investments of:

   $ —        $ 16.4      $ 27.2      $ 20.1