Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 24, 2022
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 1-31429
Valmont Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
47-0351813
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
15000 Valmont Plaza,
Omaha, Nebraska
68154
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(402) 963-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock $1.00 par value
VMI
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non‑accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
21,333,058
Outstanding shares of common stock as of October 27, 2022
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited):
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine
weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and
thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2022 and
December 25, 2021
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine weeks
ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the thirteen
and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021
7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
26
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
37
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
38
Item 6.
Exhibits
39
Signatures
40
2
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen weeks ended
Thirty-nine weeks ended
September 24,
September 25,
2022
2021
Product sales
$
999,131
782,694
2,926,290
2,283,460
Services sales
98,251
86,088
287,444
254,837
Net sales
1,097,382
868,782
3,213,734
2,538,297
Product cost of sales
739,353
585,986
2,193,846
1,712,721
Services cost of sales
72,551
55,392
192,623
163,971
Total cost of sales
811,904
641,378
2,386,469
1,876,692
Gross profit
285,478
227,404
827,265
661,605
Selling, general and administrative expenses
175,506
151,209
503,732
425,574
Operating income
109,972
76,195
323,533
236,031
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense
(11,629)
(11,031)
(34,278)
(31,466)
Interest income
507
397
1,019
894
Gain (loss) on investments - unrealized
(901)
488
(4,306)
1,556
Other
2,822
2,644
8,537
10,297
(9,201)
(7,502)
(29,028)
(18,719)
Earnings before income taxes
100,771
68,693
294,505
217,312
Income tax expense:
Current
33,278
21,109
83,311
55,069
Deferred
(5,455)
(5,029)
(2,780)
(8,747)
27,823
16,080
80,531
46,322
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
72,948
52,613
213,974
170,990
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
(18)
(360)
(931)
(1,079)
Net earnings
72,930
52,253
213,043
169,911
Less: earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
(818)
(603)
(2,512)
(1,137)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
72,112
51,650
210,531
168,774
Earnings per share:
Basic
3.38
2.44
9.88
7.97
Diluted
3.34
2.40
9.77
7.86
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
Thirteen Weeks Ended
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation loss
(46,000)
(15,018)
(78,050)
(16,961)
Gain (loss) on hedging activities:
Cash flow hedges
—
307
16
Amortization cost included in interest expense
(16)
(48)
Commodity hedges
(2,233)
(5,754)
(1,185)
20,500
Realized (gain) loss on commodity hedges recorded in earnings
1,546
(9,870)
1,048
(10,140)
Cross currency swaps
5,592
2,530
10,873
4,041
Defined Benefit Pension Plan:
Actuarial loss
115
163
371
1,838
Other comprehensive loss
(40,996)
(27,658)
(66,991)
(754)
Comprehensive income
31,934
24,595
146,052
169,157
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
242
268
(514)
(819)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
32,176
24,863
145,538
168,338
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 25,
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
166,221
177,232
Receivables, net
614,411
571,593
Inventories
746,282
728,834
Contract assets
215,684
142,643
Prepaid expenses and other assets
107,476
83,646
Refundable income taxes
8,815
Total current assets
1,850,074
1,712,763
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
1,426,883
1,422,101
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
830,033
823,496
Net property, plant and equipment
596,850
598,605
Goodwill
728,587
708,566
Other intangible assets, net
182,796
175,364
Other assets
263,422
251,951
Total assets
3,621,729
3,447,249
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt
2,106
4,884
Notes payable to banks
4,935
13,439
Accounts payable
376,508
347,841
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
125,565
144,559
Contract liabilities
200,341
135,746
Other accrued expenses
136,335
108,771
Income taxes payable
10,668
Dividends payable
11,733
10,616
Total current liabilities
868,191
765,856
Deferred income taxes
48,542
47,849
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
935,129
947,072
Defined benefit pension liability
536
Operating lease liabilities
156,860
147,759
Deferred compensation
28,754
35,373
Other noncurrent liabilities
11,502
89,207
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value -
Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued
27,900
Additional paid in capital
13,251
1,479
Retained earnings
2,569,641
2,394,307
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(328,120)
(263,127)
Treasury stock
(769,941)
(773,712)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity
1,512,731
1,386,847
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
60,020
26,750
Total shareholders’ equity
1,572,751
1,413,597
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization
72,803
67,764
Stock-based compensation
29,998
17,895
Defined benefit pension plan benefit
(7,597)
(11,051)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
(17,155)
(970)
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment
790
(1,250)
Equity in loss in nonconsolidated subsidiaries
931
1,079
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables
(60,450)
(30,709)
(31,143)
(211,273)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (current and non-current)
6,738
(21,589)
(76,887)
(33,199)
37,787
76,916
Accrued expenses
10,904
15,523
(10,051)
6,768
(9,312)
10,228
Income taxes payable/refundable
26,107
14,533
Net cash flows from operating activities
183,726
61,829
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(67,122)
(80,509)
Proceeds from sale of assets
71
1,655
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(39,287)
(312,500)
Other, net
(108)
1,891
Net cash flows from investing activities
(106,446)
(389,463)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
4,137
3,191
Payments on short-term borrowings
(12,366)
(23,654)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
235,470
236,710
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
(251,155)
(66,128)
Settlement of financial derivatives
2,243
Dividends paid
(34,080)
(30,794)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
(7,338)
Purchase of treasury shares
(20,491)
(24,101)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans
8,778
22,747
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises
(4,341)
(16,955)
Net cash flows from financing activities
(79,143)
101,016
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(9,148)
(4,313)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(11,011)
(230,931)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year
400,726
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
169,795
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accumulated
Noncontrolling
Additional
other
interest in
Total
Common
paid-in
Retained
comprehensive
Treasury
consolidated
shareholders’
stock
capital
earnings
loss
subsidiaries
equity
Balance at June 26, 2021
2,337,015
(283,435)
(786,857)
26,861
1,321,484
603
(26,787)
(871)
Cash dividends declared ($0.50 per share)
(10,617)
Purchase of treasury shares; 10,759 shares acquired
(2,500)
Stock plan exercises; 144 shares acquired
(33)
Stock options exercised; 20,749 shares issued
(2,194)
27
5,023
2,856
Stock option expense
618
Stock awards; 494 shares issued
8,244
85
8,329
Balance at September 25, 2021
6,668
2,378,075
(310,222)
(784,282)
26,593
1,344,732
Balance at June 25, 2022
4,321
2,509,262
(288,184)
(764,917)
64,768
1,553,150
818
(39,936)
(1,060)
Cash dividends declared ($0.55 per share)
(11,733)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
1,410
(4,456)
(3,046)
Addition of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition
(50)
Purchase of treasury shares; 38,606 shares acquired
(10,715)
Stock plan exercises; 507 shares acquired
(136)
Stock options exercised; 20,448 shares issued
(2,859)
5,791
2,932
749
Stock awards; 270 shares issued
9,630
36
9,666
Balance at September 24, 2022
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Balance at December 26, 2020
335
2,245,035
(309,786)
(781,422)
25,774
1,207,836
1,137
(436)
(318)
Cash dividends declared ($1.50 per share)
(31,848)
Purchase of treasury shares; 103,056 shares acquired
(24,100)
Stock plan exercises; 71,412 shares acquired
Stock options exercised; 164,872 shares issued
(10,294)
(3,886)
36,927
1,885
Stock awards; 9,554 shares issued
14,742
1,268
16,010
Balance at December 25, 2021
2,512
(64,993)
(1,998)
Cash dividends declared ($1.65 per share)
(35,197)
1,599
(8,937)
41,693
Purchase of treasury shares; 77,410 shares acquired
Stock plan exercises; 19,282 shares acquired
Stock options exercised; 69,025 shares issued
(4,946)
13,724
2,301
Stock awards; 80,163 shares issued
12,818
14,879
27,697
8
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 24, 2022, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Income, and Shareholders’ Equity for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021, and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine weeks then ended have been prepared by Valmont Industries, Inc. (the “Company”), without audit. In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) have been made to present fairly the financial statements as of September 24, 2022 and for all periods presented.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. The results of operations for the period ended September 24, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
Change in Reportable Segments
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), made changes to the Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources, and evaluate performance under the new structure. As a result, the Company has realigned its reportable segment structure. All prior period segment information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments. Refer to Note 7 for additional information.
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method or net realizable value. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods.
Inventories consisted of the following:
Raw materials and purchased parts
274,713
278,107
Work-in-process
77,806
63,628
Finished goods and manufactured goods
393,763
387,099
Total Inventory
Income Taxes
Earnings before income taxes for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021, were as follows:
United States
41,146
47,784
164,177
156,028
Foreign
59,625
20,909
130,328
61,284
Pension Benefits
The Company incurs expenses in connection with the Delta Pension Plan (“DPP”). The DPP was acquired as part of the Delta plc acquisition in fiscal 2010 and has no members that are active employees. In order to measure expense and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and liability associated with pension benefits.
The components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021 were as follows:
Net periodic (benefit) expense:
Interest cost
2,930
2,479
9,452
7,508
Expected return on plan assets
(5,400)
(6,957)
(17,420)
(21,061)
Amortization of actuarial loss
827
2,502
Net periodic benefit
(2,355)
(3,651)
Stock Plans
The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At September 24, 2022, 1,881,267 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans.
Under the plans, the exercise price of each option equals the closing market price at the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three years or on the grant’s fifth anniversary. Expiration of grants is seven years to ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over three or four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant.
The Company’s compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options and restricted stock for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021, respectively, were as follows:
Compensation expense
10,415
8,947
Income tax benefits
2,604
2,237
7,500
4,474
Fair Value
The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
10
ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Trading Securities: The majority of the Company’s trading securities represent the investments held in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DCP”). The assets and liabilities of the DCP at September 24, 2022 of $23,757 ($29,982 at December 25, 2021) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as trading securities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 320, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, considering the employee’s ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any time.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward contracts, and cross currency contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.
Marketable Securities: The Company's marketable securities consist of short-term investments in certificates of deposit.
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Quoted Prices in
Significant Other
Significant
Active Markets
Observable
Unobservable
Carrying Value
for Identical
Inputs
September 24, 2022
Assets (Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Assets:
Trading securities
23,839
Derivative financial instruments, net
8,690
Marketable securities
6,292
Assets (Liabilities):
30,076
(4,007)
Long-Lived Assets
The Company’s other non-financial assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, which are classified as Level 3 items. These assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as part of annual impairment testing.
11
Leases
The Company’s operating leases are included in other assets and operating lease liabilities.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following at September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021:
Currency
Gain on
Defined
Translation
Hedging
Benefit
Comprehensive
Adjustments
Activities
Pension Plan
Loss
(243,350)
15,777
(35,554)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)
(76,052)
10,688
(319,402)
26,465
(35,183)
Revenue Recognition
The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue, and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Contract revenues are classified as product when the performance obligation is related to the manufacturing of goods. Contract revenues are classified as service when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the Coatings and Technology Products and Services product lines.
Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the project is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize this service as a separate performance obligation and, therefore, no revenue is recognized with the design stage. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products.
Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the transmission, distribution, and substation structures ("TD&S") product line, the renewable energy product lines, and the telecommunication structures product line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company has elected to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. In addition, the Company does not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services.
The Company’s contract asset as of September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 was $215,684 and $142,643, respectively. While most of the Infrastructure segment customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer’s specified location, certain customers are also invoiced by advanced billings or progress billings.
12
At September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, total contract liabilities were $200,488 and $213,203, respectively. At September 24, 2022, $200,341 was recorded as contract liabilities and $147 was recorded as other noncurrent liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Additional details are as follows:
Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition
Infrastructure Segment
Steel and concrete utility structures within the TD&S product line are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For our TD&S and telecommunication structure product lines, we generally recognize revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Depending on the product sold, revenue from renewable energy is recognized both upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, or by using an inputs method, based on the ratio of costs incurred to-date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain TD&S sales and the Company has chosen to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are manufactured.
For the structures sold for lighting and transportation and for the majority of telecommunication products, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. There are also large regional customers who have unique product specifications for telecommunication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a percent of total estimated hours to complete production.
The Coatings product line revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed.
Agriculture Segment
Revenue recognition from the manufacture of irrigation equipment and related parts and services (including tubular products for industrial customers) is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services recognized as part of technology services product line are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months.
13
Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the Business Segments and Related Revenue Information footnote (see note 7).
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (not yet adopted)
In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-04: Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 450-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations, which requires all buyers that use supplier finance programs to enhance the transparency of such programs to allow financial statement users to understand the effect on working capital, liquidity and cash flows. The new guidance requires disclosure of key terms of the program, including a description of the payment terms, payment timing and assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees provided to the finance provider or intermediary. Other requirements include the disclosure of the amount that remains unpaid as of the end of the reporting period, a description of where these obligations are presented in the balance sheet and a rollforward of the obligation during the annual period. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2023, except for the rollforward, which is effective in 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this accounting guidance.
In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 (ASU 2020-04), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which clarified that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 apply to derivative instruments that are affected by the discounting transition due to reference rate reform. The Company has not used any of the accommodations to date but may use them up until December 31, 2022.
(2) ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions of Businesses
On June 1, 2022, the Company acquired approximately 51% of ConcealFab for $39,287 in cash (net of cash acquired) and subject to working capital adjustments. Approximately $1,850 of the purchase price is contingent on seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 18 months of the acquisition date. ConcealFab is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and its operations are reported in the Infrastructure segment. The acquisition was made to allow the Company to incorporate innovative 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions into our advanced infrastructure portfolio. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation early in the first quarter of 2023.
14
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of ConcealFab as of the date of acquisition:
As of June 1,
Current assets
21,133
Customer relationships
26,200
Trade name
5,000
Property, plant & equipment
3,813
9,108
42,465
Total fair value of assets acquired
107,719
Current liabilities
6,658
Long-term debt
2,038
7,812
Deferred taxes
5,464
Total fair value of liabilities assumed
21,984
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
Net assets acquired
44,042
On May 12, 2021, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of Prospera, an artificial intelligence company focused on machine learning and computer vision in agriculture, for $300,000 in cash (net of cash acquired). The acquisition of Prospera, located in Tel Aviv, Israel, was made to allow the Company to accelerate innovation with machine learning for agronomy and is reported in the Agriculture segment. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes, the trade name will be amortized over 7 years, and the developed technology asset will be amortized over 5 years. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Prospera as of the date of acquisition:
As of May 12,
647
Developed technology
32,900
2,850
1,063
273,453
310,913
2,690
8,223
10,913
300,000
15
On April 20, 2021 the Company acquired the assets of PivoTrac for $12,500 in cash. The agreed upon purchase price was $14,000, with $1,500 being held back for seller representations and warranties. The acquisition of PivoTrac, located in Texas, was made to allow the Company to advance its technology strategy and increase its number of connected agricultural devices and will be reported in the Agriculture segment. The fair values assigned were $10,800 for goodwill, $2,627 for customer relationships, and the remainder is net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and the customer relationship will be amortized over 8 years. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the second quarter of 2022.
Proforma disclosures were omitted for these acquisitions as the they do not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial results.
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests
On August 10, 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 9% of Convert Italy S.p.A. for $3,046. As this transaction was for the acquisition of all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, it was recorded within shareholders’ equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
On May 10, 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 20% of Valmont West Coast Engineering Ltd. for $4,292. As this transaction was for the acquisition of all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, it was recorded within shareholders’ equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
(3) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortized Intangible Assets
The components of amortized intangible assets as of September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 were as follows:
Gross
Weighted
Carrying
Average
Amount
Amortization
Life
Customer Relationships
241,049
160,896
13 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology
57,202
19,572
8 years
Trade Name
543
7 years
4,415
4,091
6 years
305,516
185,102
224,597
160,626
58,699
13,955
9 years
183
4,534
3,959
290,680
178,723
Amortization expense for intangible assets for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021, respectively was as follows:
Amortization expense
5,386
6,137
16,766
15,551
Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:
Estimated
Expense
22,021
2023
20,631
2024
18,703
2025
17,269
2026
12,743
The useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets included consideration of factors such as the Company’s past and expected experience related to customer retention rates, the remaining legal or contractual life of the underlying arrangement that resulted in the recognition of the intangible asset and the Company’s expected use of the intangible asset.
Non-amortized intangible assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and consist solely of trade names. The carrying value of trade names at September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 are as follows:
Year
Acquired
Newmark
11,111
2004
Convert Italia S.p.A
7,266
8,479
2018
Webforge
6,375
7,877
2010
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products
6,181
7,637
Valmont SM
5,209
6,082
2014
ConcealFab
Shakespeare
4,000
Walpar
3,500
13,741
14,721
Various
62,383
63,407
In its determination of these intangible assets as indefinite-lived, the Company considered such factors as its expected future use of the intangible asset, legal, regulatory, technological and competitive factors that may impact the useful life or value of the intangible asset and the expected costs to maintain the value of the intangible asset. The Company expects that these intangible assets will maintain their value indefinitely. Accordingly, these assets are not amortized.
The Company’s trade names were tested for impairment as of August 27, 2022. The values of each trade name were determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, no trade names were determined to be impaired.
17
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 was as follows:
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Segment
Gross Balance December 25, 2021
456,876
313,512
770,388
Accumulated impairment losses
(61,822)
395,054
Acquisitions
Foreign currency translation
(22,726)
282
(22,444)
414,793
313,794
Gross Balance September 24, 2022
476,615
790,409
The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed as of August 27, 2022, using primarily the discounted cash flow method. The estimated fair value of all our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying value, so no goodwill impairments were recorded. During fiscal 2022, no goodwill impairments have been recorded.
(4) CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021 were as follows:
Interest
23,678
20,716
Income taxes
61,551
40,113
18
(5) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):
Dilutive
Effect of
Stock
Basic EPS
Options
EPS
Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2022:
Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s)
21,332
273
21,605
Per share amount
(0.04)
Thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2021:
21,175
377
21,552
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022
.
21,308
238
21,546
(0.11)
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 25, 2021:
21,182
301
21,483
As of September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021, there were no outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.
19
(6) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company manages interest rate risk, commodity price risk, and foreign currency risk related to foreign currency denominated transactions and investments in foreign subsidiaries. Depending on the circumstances, the Company may manage these risks by utilizing derivative financial instruments. Some derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings, while others may be accounted for as fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedges. Derivative financial instruments have credit and market risk. The Company manages these risks of derivative instruments by monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that can be taken, and by entering into transactions with counterparties who are recognized, stable multinational banks. Any gains or losses from net investment hedge activities remain in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
Fair value of derivative instruments at September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 are as follows:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Balance sheet location
Commodity forward contracts
(5,938)
(5,802)
Foreign currency forward contracts
149
(946)
(118)
Cross currency swap contracts
15,664
1,764
(100)
Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021 are as follows:
Statements of earnings
location
(1,545)
9,870
(1,047)
10,140
Other income
(94)
187
(177)
123
Interest rate hedge amortization
793
691
2,300
2,060
(862)
10,732
1,028
12,275
Cash Flow Hedges
During 2021, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (“HRC”) commodity forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $93,498 for the total purchase of 86,100 short tons. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company entered into additional steel HRC forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $14,010 for the total purchase of 15,000 short tons. As of September 24, 2022, the forward contracts had a notional amount of $27,290 for the total purchase of 28,200 short tons from October 2022 to March 2023. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in product cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings over average inventory turns.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company entered into natural gas commodity forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future natural gas purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $5,211 for the total purchase of 770,000 mmBtu from October 2022 to October 2023. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in product cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings in the period consumed.
20
During the third quarter of 2022, a subsidiary with a Euro functional currency entered into a foreign currency forward contract to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contract, which qualifies as a fair value hedge, matures in February 2023 and has a notional amount to sell $1,800 in exchange for a stated amount of Euros.
Net Investment Hedges
In 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps (“CCS”), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish krone (“DKK”) and Euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company’s Euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. Interest is exchanged twice per year on April 1 and October 1.
The Company designated the initial full notional amount of the two CCS ($130,000) as a hedge of the net investment in certain Danish and European subsidiaries under the spot method, with all changes in the fair value of the CCS that are included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to spot foreign exchange rates) are recorded as cumulative foreign currency translation within AOCI. Net interest receipts will be recorded as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the CCS.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company partially settled the DKK CCS and received proceeds of $2,243, which will remain in AOCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
Key terms of the remaining two CCS are as follows:
Notional
Swapped
Set Settlement
Termination Date
Interest Rate
Danish Krone
20,000
April 1, 2024
2.68%
DKK 133,450
Euro
80,000
2.825%
€ 71,550
(7) BUSINESS SEGMENTS & RELATED REVENUE INFORMATION
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s CODM changed the Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources and evaluate performance based on the new structure. As a result, the Company has realigned to a two reportable segment structure organized by market dynamics (Infrastructure and Agriculture). Three operating segments resulted from the new management structure and two are aggregated into the Agriculture reportable segment. The Company considers gross profit margins, nature of products sold, nature of the production processes, type and class of customer, and methods used to distribute products when assessing aggregation of operating segments. The Infrastructure segment includes the previous reportable segments of Utility Structures, Engineered Support Structures, and Coatings. All prior period segment information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments.
Both reportable segments are global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and the allocation of capital within the segment. Net corporate expense is net of certain service-related expenses that are allocated to business units generally on the basis of employee headcounts.
Reportable segments are as follows:
INFRASTRUCTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of products and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, renewable energy, lighting, transportation, and telecommunications, and coatings services to preserve metal products.
AGRICULTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture of center pivot and linear irrigation equipment for agricultural markets, including parts and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture.
21
The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based upon operating income and invested capital. The Company does not allocate interest expense, non-operating income (expense), or income taxes to its reportable segments.
Summary by Business
SALES:
778,353
634,283
2,224,029
1,801,533
327,261
240,331
1,011,606
751,960
1,105,614
874,614
3,235,635
2,553,493
INTERSEGMENT SALES:
(5,112)
(1,826)
(12,413)
(7,823)
(3,120)
(4,006)
(9,488)
(7,373)
(8,232)
(5,832)
(21,901)
(15,196)
NET SALES:
773,241
632,457
2,211,616
1,793,710
324,141
236,325
1,002,118
744,587
OPERATING INCOME:
93,572
71,422
255,722
187,421
43,258
27,735
138,779
108,467
Corporate
(26,858)
(22,962)
(70,968)
(59,857)
Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2022
Intersegment Sales
Consolidated
Geographical market:
North America
579,628
178,626
(7,114)
751,140
International
198,725
148,635
(1,118)
346,242
Product line:
Transmission, Distribution and Substation
304,781
Lighting and Transportation
241,590
Coatings
91,969
(3,994)
87,975
Telecommunications
92,830
Renewable Energy
47,183
46,065
Irrigation Equipment and Parts, excluding Technology
303,003
299,883
Technology Products and Services
24,258
22
1,645,472
564,369
(20,316)
2,189,525
578,557
447,237
(1,585)
1,024,209
882,216
701,009
264,266
(11,295)
252,971
232,765
143,773
142,655
928,622
919,134
82,984
Thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2021
439,610
116,308
550,086
194,673
124,023
318,696
239,572
217,962
76,761
74,935
63,088
36,900
218,892
214,886
21,439
23
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 25, 2021
1,246,512
395,096
1,626,412
555,021
356,864
911,885
668,474
609,725
231,900
224,077
162,830
128,604
679,600
672,227
72,360
A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and at a point in time for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021 is as follows:
Point in Time
Over Time
Thirteen
weeks ended
434,839
338,402
317,669
6,472
752,508
344,874
Thirty-nine
1,233,320
978,296
983,450
18,668
2,216,770
996,964
September 25, 2021
359,017
273,440
230,273
6,052
589,290
279,492
24
997,482
796,228
729,813
14,774
1,727,295
811,002
25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management has made in light of experience in the industries in which the Company operates, as well as management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. Many factors could affect the Company’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, the continuing and developing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic including the effects of the outbreak on the general economy and the specific effects on the Company’s business and that of its customers and suppliers, risk factors described from time to time in the Company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as future economic and market circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, operating efficiencies, availability and price of raw materials, availability and market acceptance of new products, product pricing, domestic and international competitive environments, geopolitical risks, and actions and policy changes of domestic and foreign governments.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto, and the management’s discussion and analysis included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. Segment net sales in the table below and elsewhere are presented net of intersegment sales. See Note 7 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on segment realignment, segment sales, and intersegment sales.
Results of Operations (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
% Incr. (Decr.)
1,097.4
868.8
26.3
%
3,213.7
2,538.3
26.6
285.5
227.4
25.5
827.3
661.6
25.0
as a percent of sales
26.0
26.2
25.7
26.1
SG&A expense
175.5
151.2
16.1
503.7
425.6
18.4
16.0
17.4
15.7
16.8
110.0
76.2
44.4
323.5
236.0
37.1
10.0
8.8
10.1
9.3
Net interest expense
11.1
10.6
4.7
33.3
30.6
Effective tax rate
27.6
23.4
27.3
21.3
72.1
51.7
39.5
210.5
168.8
24.7
Diluted earnings per share
39.2
24.3
773.2
632.4
22.3
2,211.6
1,793.7
23.3
190.9
156.3
22.1
539.8
440.0
22.7
97.3
84.9
14.6
284.1
252.6
12.5
93.6
71.4
31.1
255.7
187.4
36.4
324.1
236.4
1,002.1
744.6
34.6
94.6
70.7
33.8
287.4
220.9
30.1
51.3
42.9
19.6
148.6
112.4
32.2
43.3
27.8
55.8
138.8
108.5
27.9
Net corporate expense
0.3
NM
0.6
SG&A
26.9
15.5
71.0
60.5
Operating loss
(26.9)
(23.0)
17.0
(71.0)
(59.9)
18.5
Overview, Including Items Impacting Comparability
On a consolidated basis, net sales were higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to the same periods of 2021, with higher sales in both reporting segments.
Average steel prices for both hot rolled coil and plate have been very volatile over the past two years, especially in North America. While hot rolled coil steel recently decreased in price, the steel consumed during fiscal 2022 within cost of sales was at a much higher average cost than the steel consumed during fiscal 2021. This resulted in higher net sales and cost of sales during the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, when compared to the same period of 2021, as customer pricing mechanisms and product selling price practices allowed for the recovery of that inflation for both reportable segments.
The Company acquired the following businesses:
There were no items of note impacting comparability of results from net earnings in the third quarter of 2022. Items of note impacting comparability of results from net earnings in the first three quarters of 2022 included amortization of identified intangible assets of $3.6 million ($2.4 million after-tax) and stock-based compensation expense of $5.0 million ($4.6 million after-tax) for the employees from the Prospera subsidiary. These items were recognized within SG&A for the Agriculture segment. These items were $1.6 million ($1.3 million after-tax) and $2.5 million ($1.8 million after-tax), respectively, for the third quarter of 2022, and $1.9 million ($1.5 million after-tax) and $2.3 million ($ 2.1 million after-tax), respectively, for the third quarter of 2021.
There were no items of note impacting comparability of results from net earnings in the third quarter of 2021. Items of note impacting comparability of results from net earnings in the first three quarters of 2021 included:
Macroeconomic Impacts on Financial Results and Liquidity
We continue to monitor several macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, that impacted our business, including inflationary cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, the strengthened U.S. dollar, the on-going Russia-Ukraine conflict, changing conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and labor shortages.
The ultimate magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent of its impact on the Company’s financial and operational results will be determined by the length of time the pandemic continues, its effect on the demand for the Company’s products and services and supply chain, as well as the effect of governmental regulations imposed in response to the pandemic.
On December 26, 2021, the Company’s CODM began to manage the business, allocate resources and evaluate performance based on changes made to the Company’s management structure. As a result, the Company has realigned its reportable segment structure. The Company reorganized from a four segment structure previously organized by product category (Utility Structures, Engineered Support Structures, Coatings, and Irrigation) to a two segment reporting structure
28
organized by market dynamics (Infrastructure and Agriculture). All prior period information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments. See Note 7 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Backlog
The backlog of unshipped orders at September 24, 2022 was approximately $2.0 billion compared with approximately $1.6 billion at December 25, 2021. The increase is primarily attributed to the receipt of a large purchase order of approximately $200 million for a large project within our renewable energy product line and $135 million for a large project within our transmission, distribution, and substation product line. Both of these projects are within the Infrastructure reporting segment. We expect approximately $1.8 billion of the backlog to be fulfilled within the subsequent 12 months.
Currency Translation
In the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, we realized an increase in operating income, as compared with 2021, despite negative currency translation effects. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:
Third quarter
(1.9)
(1.5)
(0.5)
0.1
Year-to-date
(1.8)
(4.0)
1.9
Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income
At a consolidated level, gross profit as a percent of sales was relatively flat in the third quarter of 2022 and decreased slightly in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared with the same periods in 2021, but the amount of gross profit increased due to the higher average selling prices across all product lines more than offsetting higher costs of goods sold across the Company. Amounts of gross profit increased for both reportable segments.
The increase in the third quarter of 2022 SG&A expense over the same period of 2021 was due to higher incentives attributed to improved financial results, salary merit increases, and higher travel costs. The increase in the first three quarters of 2022 SG&A expense over the same period of 2021 was due to the incremental SG&A from the May 2021 acquisition of Prospera (including intangible asset amortization, stock-based compensation, and research and development costs), higher incentives attributed to improved financial results, salary merit increases, and higher travel costs.
The increase in consolidated operating income in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to the same periods of 2021, is primarily due to the increase in average selling prices more than offsetting higher costs of goods sold. This was partially offset by the increase in SG&A year over year.
Net Interest Expense
Interest expense increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to the same periods in 2021, due to borrowing on the revolving line of credit.
Other Income/Expenses (including Gain (loss) on Investments - Unrealized)
The change in other income/expenses in the third quarter of 2022, as compared to 2021, was primarily due to a lower pension benefit of $1.3 million and the change in the valuation of deferred compensation assets, shown as "Gain (loss) on investments - unrealized" on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, which resulted in lower other income of $1.4 million. The change in other income/expenses in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021, was primarily due to a lower pension benefit of $3.5 million and the change in the valuation of deferred compensation assets which resulted in lower other income of $6.0 million. The change related to deferred compensation assets is offset by an opposite change of the same amount in SG&A expense.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 was 27.6% and 27.3% compared to 23.4% and 21.3% in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a change in geographical earnings and the finalization of U.S. tax regulations related to foreign tax credits during 2022. In
29
addition, there was an incremental tax benefit in 2021 driven by a change in the United Kingdom tax rate which did not recur in 2022.
Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests were higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 as compared to 2021 due to higher net earnings of the subsidiaries Valmont does not own 100%.
Cash Flows from Operations
Our cash flows provided by operations were $183.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, as compared with $61.8 million provided by operations in the first three quarters of 2021. The increase in operating cash flows in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared with 2021, was primarily the result of the increase in net earnings and a smaller increase in working capital levels, partially offset by a significant increase in the contribution to the defined benefit pension plan of approximately $17 million.
Infrastructure segment
Dollar
Q3 2022
Q3 2021
Change
% Change
Sales, gross of intercompany eliminations:
304.8
239.6
65.2
27.2
Lighting & Transportation
241.6
218.0
23.6
10.8
92.0
76.8
15.2
19.8
92.8
63.1
29.7
47.1
47.2
36.9
10.3
778.4
634.4
144.0
Operating Income
22.2
882.2
668.5
213.7
32.0
701.0
609.7
91.3
15.0
264.3
231.9
32.4
14.0
232.8
162.8
70.0
43.0
143.8
128.6
11.8
2,224.1
1,801.5
422.6
23.5
68.3
Net sales in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021, increased for this segment across all of the product lines primarily due to higher average selling prices partially offset by $17.6 million in third quarter of 2022 and $40.8 million in the first three quarters of 2022 of unfavorable foreign currency translation effects. From a geography perspective, the increase in sales within North America was much higher than within international markets. The lower reported international sales in 2022, versus 2021, is partially attributed to currency translation effects (appreciation of the U.S. dollar).
Transmission, distribution, and substation sales increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 as compared with 2021, primarily due to substantially higher average selling prices. This increase in average selling prices is due to a number of our sales contracts in North America containing mechanisms that tie the sales price to published steel
30
index pricing at the time our customer issues their purchase order. Sales volumes increased modestly in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021.
Lighting and transportation sales increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2021, due to meaningfully higher average selling prices, primarily in North America, from the continuation of realized pricing actions. Sales volumes increased in North America for both the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 while volumes decreased within international markets during the first three quarters of 2022. Reported international sales also decreased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 due to unfavorable foreign currency translation effects.
Telecommunication sales increased in the third quarter of 2022, as compared with the same periods in 2021, due primarily to higher average selling prices and sales generated by the recent acquisition. Sales volumes increased in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared with the same period of 2021 as 5G deployments continue to increase market opportunities across all regions. Average selling prices were higher in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021.
Coatings sales increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to the same periods in 2021, due to higher average selling prices. Coating sales also increased in the third quarter of 2022, as compared to 2021, due to improved sales volume. Renewable energy sales increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021, due to improved sales volumes partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation effects.
Gross profit was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021. The customer contractual pricing mechanisms and selling price management led to a large increase in average selling prices while maintaining gross profit margins in a highly inflationary environment. The increase in operating income for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared with 2021, is due to a 22% increase in gross profit versus an approximately 15% increase in SG&A. The operating income margin increased to 12% in the third quarter of 2022, from 11% in third quarter of 2021, due to the higher average selling prices.
Agriculture segment
178.6
116.3
62.3
53.6
124.0
24.6
327.2
240.3
86.9
36.2
27.7
15.6
56.3
564.4
395.1
169.3
42.8
447.2
356.9
90.3
25.3
1,011.6
752.0
259.6
34.5
30.3
The increase in Agriculture segment net sales in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021, was primarily due to much higher average selling prices of irrigation equipment globally. In North America, higher sales volumes for irrigation systems and parts in 2022, as compared to 2021, were driven by improved agricultural commodity prices. The International irrigation product line experienced a slightly lower sales volume for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 as compared to 2021. Overall lower project sales to Egypt for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 more than offset the sales volume increases in most foreign markets. Partially offsetting that decrease was a sales volume increase in the third quarter of 2022 versus 2021 due to robust demand for irrigation equipment and agriculture
31
solar products in Brazil. Sales of technology-related products increased as growers continued adoption of technology to reduce costs and enhance profitability.
The increase in gross profit in 2022, as compared to 2021, was primarily attributed to the meaningfully higher average selling prices which more than offset the amount of inflation within cost of goods sold, as well as increased volume in North America. SG&A was higher in the third quarter of 2022, as compared to 2021, primarily due to higher compensation and travel costs, as well as increased research and development spending. SG&A was higher in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared to 2021, due to higher overall compensation cost and the SG&A from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in the third quarter of 2021, including the amortization of identified intangible assets, research and development costs, and stock-based compensation expense. Operating income for the segment was higher in 2022, versus 2021, due to an increase in gross profit, attributed primarily to the higher average selling prices, partially offset by the higher SG&A.
Corporate SG&A expense was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, as compared to the same periods in 2021, primarily due to higher incentive accruals related to business performance, an increase in rent expense, and higher compensation expense due to salary merit increases. These increases were partially offset by $1.4 million and $6.0 million of lower expense from the change in valuation of the deferred compensation plan assets in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Allocation Philosophy
We have historically funded our growth, capital spending and acquisitions through a combination of operating cash flows and debt financing. The following are the capital allocation/priorities for cash generated:
We also announced our intention to manage our capital structure to maintain our investment grade debt rating. Our most recent ratings were Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., BBB- by Fitch Ratings, and BBB+ by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services. We would be willing to allow our debt rating to fall to BBB- to finance a special acquisition or other opportunity. We expect to maintain a ratio of debt to invested capital which will support our current investment grade debt rating.
The Board of Directors in May 2014 authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. The Board of Directors authorized an additional $250 million of share purchases, without an expiration date in both February 2015 and again in October 2018. The purchases will be funded from available working capital and short-term borrowings and will be made subject to market and economic conditions. We are not obligated to make any repurchases and may discontinue the program at any time. As of September 24, 2022, we have acquired approximately 6.6 million shares for approximately $898.6 million under this share repurchase program.
On February 22, 2022, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly cash dividend on the common stock to $0.55 per share, or a rate of $2.20 per share on an annualized basis, an increase of 10% from the prior quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share.
32
Sources of Financing
Our debt financing at September 24, 2022 consisted primarily of long‑term debt and borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Our long‑term debt as of September 24, 2022, principally consisted of:
We are allowed to repurchase the notes subject to the payment of a make-whole premium. Both tranches of these notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.
Our revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, has a maturity date of October 18, 2026.
The revolving credit facility provides for $800 million of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400 million in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $300 million at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., are authorized borrowers under the credit facility. The obligations arising under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Valmont Telecommunications, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.
The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our option, either:
plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; or
A commitment fee is also required under the revolving credit facility which accrues at 10 to 25 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured long-term debt published by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., on the average daily unused portion of the commitments under the revolving credit agreement.
At September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, we had outstanding borrowings of $205.6 million and $218.9 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2026 and contains a financial covenant that may limit our additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At September 24, 2022, we had the ability to borrow $594.4 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $0.2 million associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short‑term bank lines of credit totaling $130.1 million; $125.1 million of which was unused at September 24, 2022.
33
Our senior, unsecured notes and revolving credit agreement each contain cross-default provisions which permit the acceleration of our indebtedness to them if we default on other indebtedness that results in, or permits, the acceleration of such other indebtedness.
The revolving credit facility requires maintenance of a financial leverage ratio, measured as of the last day of each of our fiscal quarters, of 3.50:1 or less. The leverage ratio is the ratio of: (a) interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million); to (b) adjusted EBITDA. The debt agreements provide a modification of the definition of “EBITDA” to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. The leverage ratio is permitted to increase from 3.50:1 to 3:75:1 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters after certain material acquisitions.
The amended and restated revolving credit agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants or credit facilities of this type, including, among others, limitations on us and our subsidiaries with respect to indebtedness, liens, mergers and acquisitions, investments, dispositions of assets, restricted payments, transactions with affiliates and prepayments of indebtedness. The amended and restated revolving credit agreement also provides for acceleration of the obligations thereunder and exercise of other enforcement remedies upon the occurrence of customary events of default (subject to customary grace periods, as applicable).
At September 24, 2022, we were in compliance with all covenants related to these debt agreements.
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters and the Leverage ratio are presented in the tables below in Selected Financial Measures.
Cash Uses
Our principal cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, payments of principal and interest on our debt, payments of taxes, contributions to pension plan, and, if market conditions warrant, occasional investments in, or acquisitions of, business ventures. In addition, we regularly evaluate our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock, all consistent with the terms of our debt agreements.
Our businesses are cyclical, but we have diversity in our markets, from a product, customer and a geographical standpoint. We have demonstrated the ability to effectively manage through business cycles and maintain liquidity. We have consistently generated operating cash flows in excess of our capital expenditures. Based on our available credit facilities, recent issuance of senior unsecured notes and our history of positive operational cash flows, we believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs.
We have cash balances of $166.2 million at September 24, 2022, approximately $136.6 million is held in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. If we distributed our foreign cash balances certain taxes would be applicable. At September 24, 2022, we have a liability for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $3.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
Cash Flows
The following table includes a summary of our cash flow information for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021:
Dollars in thousands
Cash flow data:
Working Capital and Operating Cash Flows- Net working capital was $981.9 million at September 24, 2022, as compared to $946.9 million at December 25, 2021. The increase in net working capital in 2022 is attributed to an increase in inventory due to higher average steel costs, an increase in accounts receivables, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable. Cash flow provided by operations was $183.7 million in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared with $61.8 million in the first three quarters of 2021. The increase in operating cash flows in the first three quarters of 2022, as compared
34
with 2021, was primarily the result of the increase in net earnings partially offset by a significant increase in the contribution to the defined benefit pension plan.
Investing Cash Flows- Cash used in investing activities totaled $106.4 million in the first three quarters of 2022, compared to $389.5 million in the first three quarters of 2021. Investing activities in 2022 primarily included capital spending of $67.1 million and the acquisition of ConcealFab for $39.3 million. For the first three quarters of 2021, investing activities primarily included capital spending of $80.5 million and the acquisition of two businesses for $312.5 million. We expect our capital expenditures to be in the range of $95 million to $105 million for fiscal 2022.
Financing Cash Flows- Our total interest-bearing debt was $942.2 million at September 24, 2022 and $965.4 million at December 25, 2021. Cash used in financing activities totaled $79.1 million in 2022, compared to cash provided of $101.0 million in 2021.
The financing cash used in the first three quarters of 2022 was primarily the result of borrowings on the revolving credit agreement and short-term notes of $239.6 million; offset by principal payments on our long-term debt and short-term borrowings of $263.5 million, and dividends paid of $34.1 million, the purchase of treasury shares of $20.5 million, and the purchase of non-controlling interests of $7.3 million. The financing cash provided for the first three quarters of 2021 was primarily due to borrowings on the revolving credit agreement and short-term borrowings of $239.9 million; somewhat offset by the principal payments on our long-term debt and short-term borrowings of $89.8 million, dividends paid of $30.8 million, and the purchase of treasury shares of $24.1 million
Guarantor Summarized Financial Information
We are providing the following information in compliance with Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X with respect to our two tranches of senior unsecured notes. All of the senior notes are guaranteed, jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally (subject to certain customary release provisions, including sale of the subsidiary guarantor, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets) by certain of the Company’s current and future direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries (collectively the “Guarantors”). The Parent is the Issuer of the notes and consolidates all Guarantors.
The financial information of Issuer and Guarantors is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between Issuer and Guarantors eliminated. The Issuer’s or Guarantors’ amounts due from, amounts due to, and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries are separately disclosed.
Combined financial information is as follows:
Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2022 and September 25, 2021
716,429
520,188
2,112,678
1,551,701
Gross Profit
165,323
143,724
510,591
426,167
59,496
49,166
201,633
159,994
35,791
26,125
124,128
92,200
33,708
26,098
124,233
92,090
September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021
803,504
801,797
Noncurrent assets
904,481
807,294
470,927
383,394
Noncurrent liabilities
1,226,321
1,305,756
1,738
1,844
35
Included in noncurrent assets is a due from non-guarantor subsidiaries receivable of $185,795 and $93,613 at September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021. Included in noncurrent liabilities is a due to non-guarantor subsidiaries payable of $169,899 and $236,577 at September 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021.
Selected Financial Measures
We are including the following financial measures for the company.
Adjusted EBITDA. Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is one of our key financial ratios in that it is the basis for determining our maximum borrowing capacity at any one time. Our bank credit agreements contain a financial covenant that our total interest‑bearing debt not exceed 3.50x Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75x Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions) for the most recent four quarters. These bank credit agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we did not own the acquired businesses. The bank credit agreements also provide for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain specified limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. If this financial covenant is violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Adjusted EBITDA is non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters (September 25, 2021 to September 24, 2022) is as follows:
Last four quarters Q3 2022
Net cash flows from operations
187,835
45,423
Income tax expense
94,910
Impairment of long-lived assets
(27,911)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit
(5,326)
Noncontrolling interest
(3,470)
Pension plan benefit
11,113
Contribution to pension plan
18,109
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
198,063
(1,875)
EBITDA
516,871
27,911
Adjusted EBITDA
544,782
237,387
95,623
Stock based compensation
40,823
Depreciation and amortization expense
97,615
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. In October 2021, our revolving credit facility was amended to allow the Company to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature.
Leverage ratio. Leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million); divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The leverage ratio is one of the key financial ratios in the covenants under our major debt agreements and the ratio cannot exceed 3.5 (or 3.75x after certain material acquisitions) for any reporting period (four quarters). If those covenants are violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity.
The calculation of this ratio at September 24, 2022 is as follows:
Interest-bearing debt
942,170
Less: Cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50 million
116,221
Net indebtedness
825,949
Leverage Ratio
1.52
Leverage ratio, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Financial Obligations and Financial Commitments
There have been no material changes to our financial obligations and financial commitments as described on page 29 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies
There were no changes in our critical accounting policies as described on pages 34-37 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021 during the nine months ended September 24, 2022.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There were no material changes in the Company’s market risk during the quarter ended September 24, 2022. For additional information, refer to the section "Risk Management" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
No changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. See the discussion of the Company’s risk factors under Part I, Item 1A in each of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Approximate Dollar
as Part of
Value of Maximum
Total Number
Publicly
Number of
of
Announced Plans
Shares that may yet
Shares
Average Price
be Purchased under the
Period
Purchased
paid per share
Programs
Program (1)
June 26, 2022 to July 23, 2022
112,086,000
July 24, 2022 to August 27, 2022
38,606
277.54
101,371,000
August 28, 2022 to September 24, 2022
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
List of Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries. This document was filed as Exhibit 22.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 001-31429) for the quarter ended September 25, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.
31.1*
Section 302 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer
31.2*
Section 302 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
Section 906 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
101
The following financial information from Valmont’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 24, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and (vii) document and entity information.
104
Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*
Filed herewith
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 and by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/ AVNER M. APPLBAUM
Avner M. Applbaum
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dated the 2nd day of November, 2022