ESCO Technologies
ESE
#2486
Rank
$7.01 B
Marketcap
$271.08
Share price
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Change (1 year)

ESCO Technologies - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


(MARK ONE)

(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000

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 1-10596


ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


MISSOURI 43-1554045
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

8888 LADUE ROAD, SUITE 200 63124-2090
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(314) 213-7200


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 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 X No
--- ---

The number of shares of the registrant's stock outstanding at January 31, 2001
was 12,326,726.



















Page 1 of a total of 10
2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
December 31,
------------
2000 1999
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 82,871 65,865
-------- -------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 57,626 46,237
Selling, general and administrative expenses 16,765 13,752
Interest (income) expense 81 (151)
Other, net 1,911 1,591
Gain on sale of property - (2,239)
-------- -------
Total costs and expenses 76,383 59,190
-------- -------
Earnings before income taxes 6,488 6,675
Income tax expense 2,510 1,619
-------- -------
Net earnings $ 3,978 5,056
======== =======


Earnings per share:

Net earnings - Basic $ .32 .41
- Diluted .31 .40
======== =======

</TABLE>






See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3






ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, September 30,
2000 2000
------- -------
ASSETS (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,245 5,620
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $1,291 and $1,309, respectively 56,267 58,982
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term
contracts, less progress billings of
$18,256 and $15,139, respectively 6,209 6,141
Inventories 44,974 44,457
Other current assets 4,049 3,009
-------- --------
Total current assets 119,744 118,209
-------- --------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 101,576 99,407
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 39,695 36,844
-------- --------
Net property, plant and equipment 61,881 62,563
Excess of cost over net assets of purchased
businesses, less accumulated amortization
of $10,116 and $9,245, respectively 91,468 90,997
Deferred tax assets 37,923 37,903
Other assets 20,845 21,461
-------- --------
$331,861 331,133
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current
maturities of long-term debt $ 3,140 4,136
Accounts payable 27,380 31,206
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs
incurred of $2,414 and $3,364, respectively 3,562 2,903
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 24,753 24,246
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 58,835 62,491
-------- --------
Other liabilities 8,644 8,610
Long-term debt 613 610
-------- --------
Total liabilities 68,092 71,711
-------- --------
Commitments and contingencies -- --
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share,
authorized 10,000,000 shares -- --
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized
50,000,000 shares; issued 13,228,335 and
13,224,834 shares, respectively 132 132
Additional paid-in capital 205,560 205,514
Retained earnings since elimination of
deficit at September 30, 1993 73,518 69,542
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,520) (4,766)
-------- --------
274,690 270,422
Less treasury stock, at cost; 929,127
and 956,527 common shares, respectively (10,921) (11,000)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity 263,769 259,422
-------- --------
$331,861 331,133
======== ========
</TABLE>




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4



ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
December 31,
------------
2000 1999
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 3,978 5,056
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to net cash provided (used) by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 3,850 3,626
Changes in operating working capital (1,570) (18,721)
Other (854) (81)
------- --------
Net cash provided (used) by
operating activities 5,404 (10,120)
------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (1,533) (1,852)
------- --------
Net cash used by investing activities (1,533) (1,852)
------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net decrease in short-term borrowings (1,000) (12,506)
Proceeds from long-term debt - 80
Principal payments on long-term debt 7 (49,148)
Purchases of common stock into treasury (266) (4,613)
Other 13 2,182
------- --------
Net cash used by financing activities (1,246) (64,005)
------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,625 (75,977)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 5,620 87,709
------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 8,245 11,732
======= ========
</TABLE>




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5


ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of
management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim
periods presented. The consolidated financial statements are presented in
accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not
include all the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting
principles. For further information refer to the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2000. Certain prior year
amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2001 presentation.

The results for the three month period ended December 31, 2000 are not
necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 2001 fiscal year.


2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share
is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed
exercise of dilutive common share options and performance shares by using
the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation of
earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
December 31,
------------
2000 1999
---- ----

<S> <C> <C>
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding - Basic 12,291 12,343
Dilutive Options and
Performance Shares 389 246
------ ------
Adjusted Shares- Diluted 12,680 12,589
====== ======
</TABLE>


Options to purchase approximately 15,500 shares of common stock at a price
of $19.22 per share and options to purchase 395,000 shares of common stock
at approximately $11.44 - $19.22 were outstanding during the three month
periods ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively, but were not
included in the respective computations of diluted EPS because the
options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the
common shares. These options expire in various periods through 2010.
Approximately 136,000 performance shares were outstanding but unearned at
December 31, 1999, and therefore, were not included in the respective
computation of diluted EPS.
6


3. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, September 30,
2000 2000
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Finished goods $ 10,508 8,709
Work in process, including
long-term contracts 15,995 17,258
Raw materials 18,471 18,490
-------- -------
Total inventories $ 44,974 44,457
======== =======
</TABLE>


4. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2000
and 1999 was $4.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively. The Company's
comprehensive income and loss is impacted only by foreign currency
translation adjustments.

5. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers.
Under this organizational structure, the Company operates in four principal
segments: Filtration/Fluid Flow, Test, Communications and Other.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ in millions) Three Months ended
December 31,
------------
NET SALES 2000 1999
--------- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Filtration/Fluid Flow $44.2 43.2
Test 21.7 8.7
Communications 14.3 10.5
Other 2.7 3.5
----- ----
Consolidated totals $82.9 65.9
===== ====

OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)
-----------------------
Filtration/Fluid Flow $ 3.0 3.4
Test 2.4 .7
Communications 3.7 2.3
Other (.6) (.5)
----- ----
Consolidated totals $ 8.5 5.9
===== ====
</TABLE>


The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on
operating profit, which is defined as: net sales, less cost of sales, less
other charges related to cost of sales and less SG&A expenses. Operating
income as defined by generally accepted accounting principles would also
include certain costs which are included in Other costs and expenses, net,
as shown on the face of the consolidated statements of operations. These
items include approximately $.4 million of miscellaneous consolidation
costs related to the Filtration/Fluid Flow segment.
7


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION




RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Three months ended December 31, 2000 compared with
three months ended December 31, 1999.

NET SALES

Net sales increased $17.0 million or 25.8% to $82.9 million for the first
quarter of fiscal 2001 compared to net sales of $65.9 million for the first
quarter of fiscal 2000 primarily due to the acquisitions of Lindgren, Holaday
and the Eaton space products businesses in the second half of fiscal 2000.

Filtration/Fluid Flow

Net sales of $44.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 were $1 million
higher than prior year sales of $43.2 million. The increase is primarily the
result of the Eaton El Segundo, CA space products acquisition which contributed
$1.9 million to sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2001. In addition, sales
increases were seen in the aerospace aftermarket. Also, sales decreased by
approximately $1.8 million primarily resulting from accelerated deliveries in
the first quarter of fiscal 2000 in anticipation of Y2K computer issues.

Test

Net sales increased $13.0 million or 149% to $21.7 million in the first quarter
of fiscal 2001 from $8.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2000. The large
increase is primarily due to the Lindgren and Holaday acquisitions, which
contributed approximately $12 million and $1.4 million, respectively, to sales
in the first quarter of fiscal 2001.

Communications

Net sales of $14.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 were $3.8 million
or 36.2% higher than the $10.5 million of sales recorded in the first quarter of
fiscal 2000. The increase is the result of significantly higher shipments to the
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and electric utility Cooperatives
(Coops) to provide Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) systems.

Other

Sales were $2.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and $3.5 million in
the same period of fiscal 2000. The decrease is due to the sale of the Rantec
microwave antenna business which occurred in February 2000. Rantec's microwave
antenna business contributed approximately $1.5 million to sales during the
first quarter to fiscal 2000.

ORDERS AND BACKLOG

Firm order backlog was $195.3 million at December 31, 2000, compared with $145.4
million at September 30, 2000. Orders totaling $136.1 million were received in
the first quarter of fiscal 2001. In December 2000, the Company received a $50
million follow-on contract from PREPA. The deliveries under this contract begin
in June 2001 and will be substantially completed by June 2004.

GROSS PROFIT

The gross profit margin was 30.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and 29.8%
in the first quarter of fiscal 2000. The gross margin increased compared to the
2000 results primarily due to the fiscal 2000 acquisitions and favorable changes
in sales mix.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the first quarter of
fiscal 2001 were $16.8 million, or 20.2% of net sales, compared with $13.8
million, or 20.9% of net sales for the prior year period. The percentage
decrease in 2001 is the result of favorable sales leverage achieved on the
higher sales volume. The increase of $3 million in the first quarter of fiscal
2001 is mainly due to the fiscal 2000 acquisitions.
8



OPERATING PROFIT

Operating profit of $8.5 million (10.2% of sales) for the first quarter of
fiscal 2001 increased $2.6 million or 44.3% from operating profit of $5.9
million (8.9% of sales) for the first quarter of fiscal 2000, mainly due to the
acquisitions of Lindgren, Holaday and the Eaton El Segundo, CA space products
business in the second half of fiscal 2000.

Filtration/Fluid Flow

Operating profit was $3.0 million in fiscal 2001 and $3.4 million in fiscal
2000. The current year was impacted by costs related to the consolidation of the
El Segundo, CA Eaton space products business into the El Monte, CA facility,
manufacturing inefficiencies resulting from temporary shortages of electricity
in California, and significant price increases for electrical power. The
integration of the El Segundo, CA business into the El Monte, CA facility will
be completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2001.

Test

Operating profit of $2.4 million increased $1.7 million or 242.9% in fiscal 2001
over the $.7 million of operating profit in fiscal 2000. The increase is
primarily due to the acquisitions of Lindgren and Holaday in the second half of
fiscal 2000 which contributed approximately $1.3 million and $.3 million,
respectively, of operating profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2001.

Communications

Operating profit of $3.7 million in fiscal 2001 was $1.4 million (60.9%) higher
than the $2.3 million of operating profit in fiscal 2000. The large increase is
the result of significantly higher shipments to PREPA and the Coops as described
above.

Other

Operating loss was ($.6) million in fiscal 2001 and ($.5) million in fiscal
2000. The current period amount consists of $.3 million of operating profit
related to Rantec Power Systems, offset by Corporate operating charges.

INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)

Interest expense was $.1 million in fiscal 2001 versus interest income of $.2
million in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 due to the fluctuations in net cash
and net borrowings throughout the periods.

OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES, NET

Other costs and expenses, net, were $1.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal
2001 compared to $1.6 million in fiscal 2000. The current year amounts are
primarily comprised of goodwill amortization of $.9 million and patent
amortization of $.4 million. The balance relates to miscellaneous costs.
Amortization expense increased approximately $.4 million in the first quarter of
fiscal 2001 compared to the prior period due to the fiscal 2000 acquisitions.

GAIN ON THE SALE OF PROPERTY

The $2.2 million gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 related to the sale of
the Riverhead, New York property, used by the Company's former Hazeltine
subsidiary. The property was sold for $2.6 million, consisting of $.5 million in
cash and a $2.1 million interest-bearing, 18-month mortgage note receivable, due
June 2001.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The effective income tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 was 38.7%
compared to 24.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2000. The prior period
effective tax rate was favorably impacted by the $2.2 million gain on the sale
of the Riverhead property which was sheltered from taxes by capital loss
carryforwards. Excluding the gain on the sale of property, the effective income
tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 was 36.5%, and included a
settlement related to certain state tax liabilities. Management estimates the
annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2001 to be approximately 39%.
9


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Working capital increased to $61.0 million at December 31, 2000 from $55.7
million at September 30, 2000. During the first three months of fiscal 2001,
cash and cash equivalents increased by $2.6 million and accounts receivable
decreased by $2.7 million as a result of the timing of sales and collections
throughout the period. Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased by $3.3
million due to timing of payments throughout the quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.4 million in the first three
months of fiscal 2001 compared to net cash used by operating activities of $10.1
million in the same period of fiscal 2000. The cash used by operating activities
in fiscal 2000 was primarily due to payments related to the divestiture of the
former Systems & Electronics, Inc. subsidiary and other working capital
requirements.

Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the bank credit facility are
expected to provide adequate resources to meet the Company's capital
requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future.

Capital expenditures were $1.5 million in the first three months of fiscal 2001
compared with $1.9 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2000. Major
expenditures in the current period included manufacturing equipment used in the
filtration / fluid flow business.

On February 8, 2001, the Company approved a stock repurchase program. Under
this program, the Company is authorized to purchase up to 1.3 million shares of
its common stock in the open market, subject to market conditions and other
factors, through September 30, 2003.



FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this report that are not strictly historical are "forward looking"
statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the federal
securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only
predictions, and speak only as of the date of this report. Actual results may
differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, which are described in the
Company's Form 10-K for fiscal year 2000, and on page 45 of the 2000 Annual
Report to Shareholders.


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Market risks relating to the Company's operations result primarily from changes
in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Based on the
current debt structure, the exposure to interest rate risk is not material. The
Company is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk relating to receipts
from customers and payments to suppliers in foreign currencies. The Company
hedges certain foreign currency commitments by purchasing foreign currency
forward contracts.
10


PART II OTHER INFORMATION




ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

a) Exhibits.

10.1 1994 Stock Option Plan Amended and Restated Effective October 16,
2000
10.2 1999 Stock Option Plan Amended and Restated Effective October 16,
2000
10.3 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement
10.4 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement - Alternative
10.5 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement - Alternative
10.6 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement - Alternative
10.7 Form of Nonqualified Stock Agreement
10.8 Form of Nonqualified Stock Agreement - Alternative
10.9 Form of Nonqualified Stock Agreement - Alternative

b) Reports on Form 8-K.

The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 14, 2000,
during the quarter ended December 31, 2000 which reported "Item 7.
Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits" and
"Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure".




SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.


/s/ Gary E. Muenster
--------------------
Gary E. Muenster
Vice President and
Corporate Controller
(As duly authorized officer
and principal accounting
officer of the registrant)

Dated: February 9, 2001