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Griffon Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual ResultsGriffon Corporation ("Griffon" or the "Company") (NYSE:GFF) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Earlier today, Griffon announced it entered into a definitive agreement to sell Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. ("PPC") to Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE:BERY) for $475 million in cash. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2018. Griffon has classified PPC as a discontinued operations and accordingly our continuing operations results include Home and Building Products ("HBP") and Telephonics Corporation ("Telephonics"). On October 2, 2017, Griffon completed the acquisition of ClosetMaid, a market leader of home storage and organization products, for approximately $200 million, or $175 million inclusive of the net present value of tax benefits. ClosetMaid adds to Griffon's HBP segment, complementing and diversifying our portfolio of leading consumer brands and products. ClosetMaid is expected to generate approximately $300 million in revenue in the first twelve months after the acquisition. Ronald J. Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, commented "2017 has been a transformational year for Griffon. We have significantly grown our HBP segment through the acquisitions of ClosetMaid, Hills, La Hacienda, Tuscan Path and Harper and will unlock value and strengthen our capital position through the divestiture of Clopay Plastics. These strategic initiatives will build on our proven track record of increasing operating margins and improving our financial performance. We are poised to enhance our free cash flow and continue to deliver superior shareholder returns through organic growth and further acquisitions. I am very excited about Griffon's future." Fourth quarter revenue from continuing operations of $431 million increased 15% compared to the prior year quarter revenue of $374 million. HBP and Telephonics revenue increased 17% and 11%, respectively. Inclusive of PPC, fourth quarter revenue of $550 million increased 10% compared to the prior year quarter of $501 million. Fourth quarter net loss totaled $12.0 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to net income of $5.5 million, or $0.13 per share, in the prior year quarter. Current quarter results included acquisition costs of $9.6 million ($6.1 million net of tax, or $0.14 per share), Telephonics contract settlement charge of $5.1 million ($3.3 million, net of tax, or $0.08 per share), environmental and warranty reserves totaling $5.7 million ($3.7 million, net of tax, or $0.09 per share) and discrete and certain other tax provisions of $14.5 million or $0.34 per share. The prior year quarter included discrete tax provisions, net of $6.0 million, or $0.14 per share. Excluding these items from both periods, current quarter adjusted net income was $15.7 million, or $0.36 per share increasing 36% from $11.5 million, or $0.27 per share, in the prior year quarter. Income from continuing operations was $4.3 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to $4.1 million, or $0.10 per share, in the prior year quarter. Adjusted income from continuing operations was $12.0 million, or $0.28 per share compared to $6.4 million, or $0.15 per share in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter Segment adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations totaled $54 million, increasing 13% from the prior year quarter of $47 million. Inclusive of PPC, Segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $67 million, increasing 11% from the prior year quarter of $60 million. Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unallocated amounts (mainly corporate overhead), restructuring charges, loss on debt extinguishment and acquisition related expenses, as well as other items that may affect comparability, as applicable ("Segment adjusted EBITDA", a non-GAAP measure). For the full year 2017, revenue from continuing operations totaled $1,525 million, increasing 3% from the prior year. HBP increased 7% and Telephonics decreased 6%, all in comparison to the prior year. Revenue inclusive of PPC totaled $1,986 million increasing 1.5% from the prior year. For the full year 2017, net income totaled $14.9 million, or $0.35 per share, compared to $30.0 million million, or $0.68 per share, in the prior year. Current year results included acquisition costs of $9.6 million ($6.1 million net of tax, or $0.14 per share), Telephonics contract settlement charges of $5.1 million ($3.3 million, net of tax, or $0.08 per share), environmental and warranty reserves totaling $5.7 million ($3.7 million, net of tax, or $0.09 per share) and discrete and certain other tax provisions of $9.4 million or $0.22 per share. The prior year included restructuring costs of $5.9 million ($4.2 million net of tax, or $0.10 per share) and discrete and certain other tax provisions $2.7 million or $0.06 per share. Excluding these items, current year adjusted net income was $37.4 million, or $0.87 per share, compared to $36.9 million, or $0.84 per share, in the prior year. Income from continuing operations was $17.8 million or $0.41 per share compared to $19.8 million or $0.45 per share in the prior year. Adjusted income from continuing operations was $19.0 million or $0.44 per share compared to $18.9 million or $0.43 per share in the prior year. For the full year 2017, Segment adjusted EBITDA, inclusive of PPC, totaled $225 million, increasing 3% compared to $218 million in the prior year. Segment adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations totaled $173 million, increasing 3% from the prior year of $168 million. Segment Operating Results Home & Building Products Revenue in the current quarter totaling $287 million increased 17% from the prior year quarter. The AMES Companies, Inc. ("AMES") revenue increased 17% compared to the prior year quarter, due to increased U.S. garden tool and wheelbarrow sales, improved Canadian snow tool sales, UK market expansion and contribution from the La Hacienda and Hills acquisitions. Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. ("CBP") revenue increased 17%, due to increased volume, pricing, and favorable mix. Fourth quarter Segment adjusted EBITDA was $34 million, increasing 28% from the prior year quarter due to the benefit of increased sales and favorable product mix, partially offset by increased steel and resin costs. Revenue in 2017 totaled $1,113 million, increasing 7% from the prior year. AMES revenue increased 6%, primarily due to increased UK market expansion and contributions from the La Hacienda and Hills acquisitions, and increased Canadian snow and lawn tools sales. CBP revenue increased 8% from the prior year period, primarily due to increased volume, pricing and favorable mix. Segment adjusted EBITDA for 2017 was $127 million, increasing 10% compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the benefit from increased revenue and favorable product mix, partially offset by increased steel and resin costs. On November 6, 2017, AMES acquired Harper Brush Works ("Harper"), a division of Horizon Global, for approximately $5 million. Harper is a leading U.S. manufacturer of cleaning products for professional, home, and industrial use. The acquisition will broaden AMES' long-handle tool offering in North America to include brooms, brushes, and other cleaning tools and accessories. The acquisition is expected to contribute approximately $10 million in revenue in the first twelve months after the acquisition. On September 29, 2017, AMES Australia completed the acquisition of Tuscan Landscape Group Pty, Ltd. ("Tuscan Path"), a leading Australian provider of pots, planters, pavers, decorative stone, and garden decor products, for approximately $18 million (AUD 22 million). The acquisition of Tuscan Path broadens AMES' outdoor living and lawn and garden business, and will strengthen AMES' industry leading position in Australia. Tuscan Path is expected to generate approximately AUD 25 million of revenue in the first twelve months after the acquisition. On July 31, 2017, The AMES Companies, Inc. acquired La Hacienda Limited ("La Hacienda"), a leading United Kingdom outdoor living brand of unique heating and garden decor products, for approximately $11 million (GBP 9 million). The acquisition of La Hacienda broadens AMES' global outdoor living and lawn and garden business and supports AMES' UK expansion strategy. La Hacienda is expected to generate approximately GBP 14 million of revenue in the first twelve months after the acquisition. Telephonics Revenue in the current quarter totaled $144 million, increasing 11% from the prior year quarter, primarily due to increased revenue from multi-mode radar ("MMR") and dismounted electronic countermeasure systems. Fourth quarter Segment adjusted EBITDA was $19 million, decreasing 6% from the prior year quarter, primarily driven by program mix. Revenue in 2017 totaled $412 million, decreasing 6% compared to the prior year due to decreased multi-mode radar revenue and certain ground surveillance systems, partially offset by favorable performance on electronic countermeasure systems revenue. Segment adjusted EBITDA for 2017 was $46 million, compared to $53 million in the prior year primarily due to the decrease in revenue, program mix and the impact of revised estimates to complete remaining performance obligations on certain radar and communication programs. Contract backlog totaled $351 million at September 30, 2017, compared to $420 million at September 30, 2016, with approximately 70% expected to be fulfilled within the next twelve months. The decrease in backlog reflects the timing of various U.S. and international contract awards associated with radar and surveillance opportunities. Plastic Products Revenue in the current quarter totaled $119 million, decreasing 6% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to reduced volume across all regions of 10%, partially offset by favorable mix of 1%, resin pricing of $1.9 million or 2%, and foreign currency of 1%. PPC adjusts selling prices based on underlying resin costs on a delayed basis. Segment adjusted EBITDA was $13 million, increasing 1% from the prior year quarter due to improved operations and resin pricing of $1.2 million, being partially offset by reduce volume and unfavorable mix. Revenue in 2017 totaled $461 million, decreasing 4% compared to the prior year, primarily due to unfavorable volume of 4% driven by Europe, partially offset by increased volume in North America and Brazil, as well as unfavorable mix of 2%. These decreases were partially offset by a favorable resin impact of $3,600, or 1% and favorable foreign currency of 1%. PPC adjusts selling prices based on underlying resin costs on a delayed basis. Segment adjusted EBITDA for 2017 was $53 million, increasing 5% from the prior year primarily due to improved operations, partially offset by reduced volume, unfavorable mix and a resin impact of $2.1 million or 4%. Taxes The Company reported pretax income from continuing operations for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and recognized a tax (benefit) provision of (6.5)% and 38.6%, respectively. The 2017 and 2016 tax rates included $8.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of net discrete tax benefits and certain other items. Excluding these tax items and other items that affect comparability, the effective tax rates for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 39.8% and 41.3%, respectively. The tax provisions on all pre-tax income inclusive of discontinued operations for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 resulted in tax rates of 61.7% and 43.6%, respectively. These 2017 and 2016 tax rates included $9.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of net discrete tax provisions and certain other tax items. Excluding these tax items and other items that affect comparability, the effective tax rates for the year ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 37.0% and 37.5%, respectively. Balance Sheet and Capital Expenditures At September 30, 2017, the Company had cash and equivalents of $48 million, total debt outstanding of $979 million, net of discounts and deferred costs, and $192 million available for borrowing under its revolving credit facility. Capital expenditures inclusive of PPC, net of equipment sales, in 2017 were $80 million; capital expenditures from continuing operations were $35 million. Share Repurchases In each of July 2015 and August 2016, Griffon's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of Griffon's outstanding common stock. Under these programs, the Company may purchase shares in the open market, including pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan, or in privately negotiated transactions. During 2017, Griffon purchased an aggregate of 129,000 shares of common stock for a total of $2.2 million or $17.06 per share. At September 30, 2017, $49.4 million in the aggregate remains under the July 2015 and August 2016 Board authorized repurchase programs. Since August 2011 through September 30, 2017, Griffon repurchased 20,429,298 shares of its common stock, for a total of $262 million or $12.81 per share. Conference Call Information The Company will hold a conference call today, November 16, 2017, at 8:30 AM ET. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-800-239-9838 (U.S. participants) or 1-323-794-2551 (International participants). Callers should ask to be connected to the Griffon Corporation teleconference or provide conference ID number 3213047. A replay of the call will be available starting on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:30 AM ET by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (U.S.) or 1-412-317-6671 (International), and entering the conference ID number: 3213047. The replay will be available through Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 11:59 PM ET. Forward-looking Statements "Safe Harbor" Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All statements related to, among other things, income (loss), earnings, cash flows, revenue, changes in operations, operating improvements, industries in which 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; Griffon'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 supplies products, including as a result of defense budget cuts or other government actions; the ability of the federal government to fund and conduct its operations; increases in the cost of raw materials such as resin, wood and steel; changes in customer demand or loss of a material customer at one of Griffon's operating companies; 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 Griffon'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 and environmental matters; unfavorable results of government agency contract audits of Telephonics Corporation; 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 of 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. Griffon 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 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 two reportable segments:
Classified as a discontinued operation, Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc., incorporated in 1934, is a global leader in the development and production of embossed, laminated and printed specialty plastic films for hygienic, health-care and industrial products and sells to some of the world's largest consumer products companies. For more information on Griffon and its operating subsidiaries, please see the Company's website at www.griffon.com. Griffon evaluates performance and allocates resources based on each segment's operating results from continuing operations before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unallocated amounts (mainly corporate overhead), restructuring charges, loss on debt extinguishment and acquisition related expenses, as well as other items that may affect comparability, as applicable ("Segment adjusted EBITDA", a non-GAAP measure). Griffon believes this information is useful to investors. The following table provides a reconciliation of Segment adjusted EBITDA to Income before taxes from continuing operations:
The following is a reconciliation of each segment's operating results to Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Unallocated amounts typically include general corporate expenses not attributable to any reportable segment.
Griffon evaluates performance based on Earnings per share and Net income excluding restructuring charges, loss on debt extinguishment, acquisition related expenses, discrete and certain other tax items, as well other items that may affect comparability, as applicable. Griffon believes this information is useful to investors. The following tables provides a reconciliation of Income from continuing operations to Adjusted income from continuing operations and Earnings per common share from continuing operations to Adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations, as well as, Net income to Adjusted net income and Earnings per common share to Adjusted earnings per common share:
(1) On basic weighted average shares outstanding of 41,726. Note: Due to rounding, the sum of earnings per common share and adjusting items, net of tax, may not equal adjusted earnings per common share.
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