Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 29, 2024
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)
N/A
(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 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 ☒ 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 the 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 ☒
As of July 26, 2024, there were 20,165,853 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited):
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
22
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
31
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
32
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
33
Signatures
34
2
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen weeks ended
Twenty-six weeks ended
June 29,
July 1,
2024
2023
Product sales
$
928,479
945,873
1,803,157
1,903,881
Service sales
111,258
100,423
214,408
204,896
Net sales
1,039,737
1,046,296
2,017,565
2,108,777
Product cost of sales
651,731
651,413
1,256,946
1,333,203
Service cost of sales
67,724
65,486
134,121
137,592
Total cost of sales
719,455
716,899
1,391,067
1,470,795
Gross profit
320,282
329,397
626,498
637,982
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
172,974
195,664
347,637
385,783
Operating income
147,308
133,733
278,861
252,199
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense
(15,846)
(14,917)
(32,067)
(28,022)
Interest income
1,499
563
3,278
1,393
Gain on deferred compensation investments
525
941
1,956
2,135
Gain on divestiture
—
2,994
Other
(1,250)
(2,382)
(1,355)
(4,758)
Total other income (expenses)
(15,072)
(12,801)
(28,188)
(26,258)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
132,236
120,932
250,673
225,941
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current
40,961
37,791
60,605
62,147
Deferred
(9,894)
(5,856)
450
1,631
Total income tax expense
31,067
31,935
61,055
63,778
Earnings before equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
101,169
88,997
189,618
162,163
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
(19)
(199)
(39)
(1,020)
Net earnings
101,150
88,798
189,579
161,143
Loss (earnings) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
(1,434)
578
(2,041)
2,773
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
99,716
89,376
187,538
163,916
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. per share:
Basic
4.94
4.25
9.29
7.75
Diluted
4.91
4.21
9.24
7.67
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)
(18,768)
11,967
(40,186)
20,156
Hedging activities:
Unrealized loss on commodity hedges
(1,498)
(1,339)
(2,059)
(2,815)
Realized loss (gain) on commodity hedges included in earnings
298
925
(419)
3,797
Unrealized gain (loss) on cross currency swaps
816
(760)
1,011
(1,351)
Amortization cost included in interest expense
(12)
(24)
(28)
Total hedging activities
(396)
(1,186)
(1,491)
(397)
Net gain on defined benefit pension plan
381
95
762
186
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(18,783)
10,876
(40,915)
19,945
Comprehensive income
82,367
99,674
148,664
181,088
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
(1,269)
233
(1,719)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
81,098
99,907
146,945
183,223
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except par value)
December 30,
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
163,142
203,041
Receivables, net
703,255
657,960
Inventories
633,232
658,428
Contract assets
191,846
175,721
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
92,560
92,479
Total current assets
1,784,035
1,787,629
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost
1,524,355
1,513,239
Less accumulated depreciation
(920,029)
(895,845)
Property, plant, and equipment, net
604,326
617,394
Goodwill
630,232
632,964
Other intangible assets, net
142,527
150,687
Defined pension benefit asset
33,853
15,404
Other non-current assets
262,229
273,370
Total assets
3,457,202
3,477,448
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS,AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt
569
719
Notes payable to banks
1,876
3,205
Accounts payable
353,729
358,311
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
108,009
130,861
Contract liabilities
68,811
70,978
Other accrued expenses
139,515
146,903
Income taxes payable
20,427
Dividends payable
12,098
12,125
Total current liabilities
705,034
723,102
Deferred income taxes
18,675
21,205
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
1,017,543
1,107,885
Operating lease liabilities
154,247
162,743
Deferred compensation
32,550
32,623
Other non-current liabilities
11,423
12,818
Total liabilities
1,939,472
2,060,376
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
46,249
62,792
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 27,900,000 shares
27,900
Additional paid-in capital
5,135
Retained earnings
2,806,933
2,643,606
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(313,829)
(273,236)
Treasury stock
(1,054,658)
(1,043,990)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,471,481
1,354,280
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, 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
46,526
48,792
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
(18,009)
(15,259)
(2,994)
Stock-based compensation
14,108
19,856
Net periodic pension cost
317
122
Loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment
315
1,297
39
1,020
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables
(62,930)
(38,147)
14,800
6,402
(16,141)
20,052
Prepaid expenses and other assets (current and non-current)
(9,784)
(26,001)
1,224
(20,750)
(47)
(53,728)
Accrued expenses
(28,388)
(11,202)
22,961
24,395
(877)
(7,083)
Net cash flows from operating activities
154,143
109,546
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
(33,328)
(45,393)
Proceeds from divestitures, net of cash divested
6,369
Proceeds from sale of assets
226
1,261
Proceeds from property damage insurance claims
4,844
Other, net
(3,402)
(1,127)
Net cash flows from investing activities
(36,504)
(34,046)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
6,093
14,905
Repayments on short-term borrowings
(7,368)
(19,598)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
15,009
165,012
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
(105,349)
(84,105)
Proceeds from settlement of financial derivatives
2,711
Dividends paid
(24,239)
(24,376)
Dividends to redeemable noncontrolling interests
(664)
(662)
Purchases of redeemable noncontrolling interests
(17,745)
Repurchases of common stock
(14,941)
(135,115)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans
4,333
5,201
Tax withholdings on exercises under stock plans
(8,715)
(15,416)
Net cash flows from financing activities
(150,875)
(94,154)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(6,663)
155
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(39,899)
(18,499)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period
185,406
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
166,907
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Accumulated
Additional
other
Total
Redeemable
Common
paid-in
Retained
comprehensive
Treasury
shareholders’
noncontrolling
stock
capital
earnings
loss
equity
interests
Balance as of December 30, 2023
87,822
607
Other comprehensive loss
(21,975)
(157)
Cash dividends declared ($0.60 per share)
(12,113)
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests
(147)
(17,598)
Repurchases of common stock; 96,224 shares acquired
21,074
(21,124)
(50)
Stock option and incentive plans
16,733
1,474
Balance as of March 30, 2024
5,668
2,719,315
(295,211)
(1,048,381)
1,409,291
44,980
1,434
(18,618)
(165)
(12,098)
Repurchases of common stock; 59,186 shares acquired
(15,061)
(533)
8,784
8,251
Balance as of June 29, 2024
Balance as of December 31, 2022
2,593,039
(274,909)
(765,183)
1,580,847
60,865
Net earnings (loss)
74,540
(2,195)
Other comprehensive income
8,776
293
(12,634)
Repurchases of common stock; 356,887 shares acquired
(111,115)
(19,317)
19,002
(315)
Balance as of April 1, 2023
2,635,628
(266,133)
(857,296)
1,540,099
58,301
(578)
10,531
345
(12,607)
Repurchases of common stock; 85,300 shares acquired
(25,132)
(2,015)
11,972
9,957
Balance as of July 1, 2023
2,710,382
(255,602)
(870,456)
1,612,224
58,068
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Income, Cash Flows, and Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 have been prepared by Valmont Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) without audit. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all necessary adjustments, which include normal and recurring adjustments, have been made to present fairly the financial statements as of June 29, 2024 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 30, 2023. The results of operations for the period ended June 29, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year.
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or net realizable value. Finished and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and the related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to finished and manufactured goods.
Inventories as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 consisted of the following:
Raw materials and purchased parts
233,957
217,134
Work in process
42,716
37,826
Finished and manufactured goods
356,559
403,468
Total inventories
Geographical Markets
Earnings before income taxes and equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 were as follows:
United States
94,731
77,066
180,943
108,924
Foreign
37,505
43,866
69,730
117,017
Pension Costs
The Company incurs costs 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 who are active employees. In order to measure the cost and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including the discount rates used to value the obligation, the expected return on plan assets used to fund the costs, and the 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 cost and liability associated with pension benefits.
The components of the net periodic pension cost for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 were as follows:
Interest cost
5,242
5,414
10,484
10,670
Expected return on plan assets
(5,591)
(5,477)
(11,183)
(10,794)
Amortization of prior service costs
127
124
254
246
Amortization of net actuarial loss
159
61
Stock Plans
The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resources 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. As of June 29, 2024, 1,466,563 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans.
Stock options granted under the plans call for the exercise price of each option to equal the closing market price as of the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date in equal amounts over three years or on the grant’s fifth-anniversary date. The expiration of grants is seven to ten years from the date of the award. 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 stock-based compensation (included in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options and restricted stock awards for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 were as follows:
6,925
11,167
Income tax benefits
1,731
2,792
3,527
4,964
Fair Value
The Company applies the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement (“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.
9
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 when 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:
The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Deferred Compensation Investments: The Company’s deferred compensation investments include mutual funds invested in debt and equity securities held in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market. The investments are included in “Other non-current assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair values of foreign currency, commodity, and cross currency swap derivative contracts are based on valuation models that use market observable inputs including forward and spot prices for commodities and currencies.
Mutual Funds: The Company has short-term investments in various mutual funds.
Carrying Value
Fair Value Measurement Using:
June 29, 2024
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Deferred compensation investments
26,493
Derivative financial instruments, net
(1,613)
Cash and cash equivalents—mutual funds
4,425
December 30, 2023
26,803
2,860
6,258
Long-Lived Assets
The Company’s other non-financial assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, which are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs. See Note 5 for further information.
Leases
The Company’s operating lease right-of-use assets are included in “Other non-current assets” and the corresponding lease obligations are included in “Other accrued expenses” and “Operating lease liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings, foreign currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity, and changes in prior service costs and net actuarial losses from the pension plan. Results of operations for
10
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) (“AOCI”) consisted of the following as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(276,554)
(236,690)
Hedging activities
19,498
20,989
Defined benefit pension plan
(56,773)
(57,535)
Revenue Recognition
The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition model for 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 sales” when the performance obligation is related to the manufacture and sale of goods. Contract revenues are classified as “Service sales” when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the Coatings product line and Technology Products and Services product line.
Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products (on a limited basis, the Company may agree to other acceptance terms), and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before manufacturing commences and the product is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is generally not entitled to any compensation solely based on the design of the product and does not recognize this service as a separate performance obligation, therefore, no revenue is recognized for design services. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered, and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties.
Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded within cost of sales. 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 (“TD&S”), Solar, and Telecommunications product lines, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company has elected not to 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 one year of transfer of control of goods or services.
Most of the Company’s customers are invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer’s specified location. As revenue is recognized over time, contract assets are recorded, and such contract assets are relieved when the customer is invoiced. As of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, total contract assets were $191,846 and $175,721, respectively, and were recorded as “Contract assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Certain customers are also invoiced by advanced billings or progress billings. When progress on performance obligations is less than the amount the customer has been billed, a contract liability is recognized. As of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, total contract liabilities were $68,811 and $70,978, respectively, and were recorded as “Contract liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additional details are as follows:
11
Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition
Infrastructure Segment
Steel and concrete structures within the TD&S and Telecommunications product lines are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structures 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 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 transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress toward completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress toward completion requires judgment. For the structures manufactured within the TD&S and Telecommunications product lines, the Company generally recognizes revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to complete the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of sales, and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Depending on the product sold, revenue from the Solar product line is recognized 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 product line 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 the Lighting and Transportation product line and for the majority of Telecommunications 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. Some large regional customers 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 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 the Technology Products and Services product line are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period.
The disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in Note 9.
Supplier Finance Program
During fiscal 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party financial institution to facilitate a supplier finance program that allows qualifying suppliers to sell their receivables from the Company to the financial institution. These participating suppliers negotiate their outstanding receivable arrangements directly with the financial
12
institution and the Company’s rights and obligations to suppliers are not impacted. The Company has no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to enter into these agreements. Once a qualifying supplier elects to participate in the supplier finance program and reaches an agreement with a financial institution, they elect which individual Company invoices they sell to the financial institution. The Company’s obligation is to make payment in the invoice amount negotiated with participating suppliers to the financial institution on the invoice due date, regardless of whether the individual invoice is sold by the supplier to the financial institution. The financial institution pays the supplier on the invoice due date for any invoices that were not previously sold under the supplier finance program. The invoice amounts and scheduled payment terms are not impacted by the suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under these arrangements. The payment of these obligations is included in “Net cash flows from operating activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Included in “Accounts payable” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were $41,509 and $41,916 of outstanding payment obligations, respectively, that were sold to the financial institution under the Company’s supplier finance program.
Confirmed obligations outstanding as of December 30, 2023
41,916
Invoices confirmed during the period
108,504
Confirmed invoices paid during the period
(108,911)
Confirmed obligations outstanding as of June 29, 2024
41,509
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the period ended July 1, 2023, the Company identified an error in the presentation of “Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries” of $60,865 as of December 31, 2022, $58,301 as of April 1, 2023, and $58,068 as of July 1, 2023 that has been corrected in the current period. Such amounts were previously reported within “Total shareholders’ equity” and have been revised in the July 1, 2023 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests to be presented as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” outside of “Total shareholders’ equity”. The Company has evaluated the materiality of this error based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors and concluded it was not material to the prior period financial statements, individually or in aggregate.
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within the Company’s control are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests. The Company has redeemable noncontrolling interests in certain entities. The seller can require the Company to purchase their remaining ownership, known as a put right, for an amount and on a date specified in the applicable operating agreement. Likewise, the Company can require the seller to sell the Company their remaining ownership based on the same amount and timing, known as a call option.
As a result of these redemption features, the Company records the noncontrolling interests as redeemable and classifies the balances in temporary equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets initially at its acquisition-date fair value. The Company adjusts the redeemable noncontrolling interests each reporting period for the net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests and any redemption value adjustments. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is accreted to the future redemption value using the effective interest method up to the date on which the put right becomes effective. Any accretion adjustment in the current reporting period of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is offset against retained earnings and impacts earnings used in the calculation of earnings per share in the reporting period.
As of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the redeemable noncontrolling interests were $46,249 and $62,792, respectively. The ultimate amount paid for the redeemable noncontrolling interests could be significantly different because the redemption amounts depend on the future results of the operations of the businesses.
13
Treasury Stock
Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ equity” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. When treasury shares are re-issued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional paid-in capital”.
In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy that covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 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. In February 2015 and again in October 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. In February 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount remaining under the program by an additional $400,000, with no stated expiration date, bringing the total authorization to $1,400,000. As of June 29, 2024, the Company has acquired 8,051,134 shares for $1,278,832 under this share repurchase program.
In November 2023, the Company entered into an accelerated purchase agreement to repurchase $120,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock (“November 2023 ASR”) with CitiBank, N.A. as counterparty. The November 2023 ASR was entered into under the Company’s previously announced share repurchase program described above. The Company pre-paid $120,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and received an initial delivery of 438,917 shares of common stock. The agreement was settled with the delivery of an additional 96,224 shares of common stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The total number of shares ultimately delivered under the November 2023 ASR, and therefore the average purchase price paid per share of $224.24, was determined based on the volume-weighted average market price of the Company’s common stock during the term of the agreement, less a discount.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves the disclosures about reportable segments including more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. This guidance will be effective for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2024 and the interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related. The Company has elected not to early adopt.
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This guidance will be effective on a prospective basis for the fiscal year ending December 27, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related. The Company has elected not to early adopt.
(2) ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition of Business
On August 31, 2023, the Company acquired HR Products for $58,044 Australian dollars ($37,302 United States (“U.S.”) dollars) in cash (net of cash acquired) and subject to working capital adjustments. Of this amount, $7,200 Australian dollars ($4,626 U.S. dollars) was withheld by the Company at closing as a retention fund, to be settled in two equal payments at 12 and 24 months from the acquisition date for contingencies and disagreements. HR Products provides a broad range of irrigation products to serve the agriculture and landscaping industries and its operations are reported in the Agriculture segment. The acquisition strengthens the Company’s value proposition to customers in the key agriculture market of Australia by expanding its geographic footprint and accelerating its aftermarket parts presence. The customer relationships will be amortized over 13 years. The amount allocated to goodwill is attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition and is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company is currently completing its fair value assessment and expects to finalize the purchase price allocation by the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
14
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of HR Products as of the date of acquisition:
August 31,
Current assets
24,153
Property, plant, and equipment
1,397
9,912
Customer relationships
11,503
3,997
Total fair value of assets acquired
50,962
Current liabilities
4,183
3,450
Total fair value of liabilities assumed
10,425
Net assets acquired
40,537
Proforma disclosures were omitted for this acquisition as it does not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial results.
Acquisition-related costs incurred for the above acquisition were insignificant for all periods presented.
Acquisitions of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company acquired approximately 9% of ConcealFab for $7,227 and acquired the remaining portion of Valmont Substations, LLC for $10,518. These transactions were for the acquisitions of portions of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiaries with no changes in control.
(3) DIVESTITURES
On April 30, 2023, the Company completed the sale of Torrent Engineering and Equipment, an integrator of prepackaged pump stations in Indiana, reported in the Agriculture segment, for net proceeds of $6,369. In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, a pre-tax gain of $2,994 was reported in “Other income (expenses)” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(4) REALIGNMENT ACTIVITIES
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, management initiated a plan to streamline segment support across the Company and reduce costs through an organizational realignment program (the “Realignment Program”). The Realignment Program provided for a reduction in force through a voluntary early retirement program and other headcount reduction actions, which were completed as of December 30, 2023. The Board of Directors authorized the incurrence of cash charges up to $36,000 in connection with the Realignment Program.
During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company recorded the following cumulative pre-tax expenses for the Realignment Program:
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Corporate
Severance and other employee benefit costs
17,260
9,101
8,849
35,210
15
Changes in liabilities recorded for the Realignment Program were as follows:
Balance as of
Recognized
Costs Paid or
Realignment
Otherwise
Expense
Settled
12,514
(10,625)
1,889
(5) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 was as follows:
Gross balance as of December 30, 2023
478,663
323,683
802,346
Accumulated impairment losses
(49,382)
(120,000)
(169,382)
429,281
203,683
Acquisition measurement period adjustment
735
Foreign currency translation
(2,801)
(666)
(3,467)
426,480
203,752
Gross balance as of June 29, 2024
475,862
323,752
799,614
Other Intangible Assets
The components of other intangible assets as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were as follows:
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Amortization
Amortizing intangible assets:
232,263
162,853
233,852
157,873
Patents & proprietary technology
59,273
46,158
59,311
45,416
Trade names
2,870
1,265
1,056
4,410
4,263
4,787
4,538
Non-amortizing intangible assets:
58,250
58,750
357,066
214,539
359,570
208,883
Amortizing intangible assets carry a remaining weighted-average life of approximately four years. Amortization expenses were $3,356 and $7,071 for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024, respectively, and $5,225 and $10,415 for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2023, respectively. Based on amortizing intangible assets recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 29, 2024, amortization expense is estimated to average $10,164 for each of the next five fiscal years.
16
(6) 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 twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 were as follows:
Interest
31,528
27,387
Income taxes
41,071
42,504
(7) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation between the net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. and weighted average share amounts used to compute both basic and diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding (000s):
20,175
21,029
20,182
21,149
Dilutive effect of various stock awards
117
200
125
221
20,292
21,229
20,307
21,370
(0.03)
(0.04)
(0.05)
(0.08)
As of June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, there were 56,261 and 40,564 outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the average market price of common stock during the applicable period excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.
(8) 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 Condensed 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 AOCI until the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
17
The fair value of derivative instruments as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 was as follows:
Condensed Consolidated
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Balance Sheets location
Commodity contracts
526
2,520
(2,580)
(1,586)
Cross currency swap contracts
441
1,938
Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 were as follows:
Statements of Earnings
location
(1,078)
559
(5,063)
Foreign currency forward contracts
Other income (expenses)
80
177
Interest rate hedge amortization
(16)
(32)
306
449
686
895
(107)
(565)
1,213
(4,023)
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company enters into commodity forward, swap, and option contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges of the variability in cash flows attributable to future purchases. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement for each will be recorded in “Product cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period consumed. Notional amounts, purchase quantities, and maturity dates of these contracts as of June 29, 2024 were as follows:
Notional
Commodity Type
Purchase Quantity
Maturity Dates
Hot-rolled coil steel
22,178
26,500 short tons
June 2024 to December 2024
Natural gas
2,747
639,825 MMBtu
June 2024 to March 2026
Diesel fuel
689
2,898,000 gallons
June 2024 to December 2025
Net Investment Hedges
In order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company’s Euro investments and to reduce interest expense, the Company enters into 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 in 2044 for foreign-currency‑denominated payments. Interest is exchanged twice per year on April 1 and October 1.
The Company designated the initial full notional amounts as hedges of the net investment in certain 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) 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.
18
Key terms of the CCS net investment hedges as of June 29, 2024 were as follows:
Swapped
Set Settlement
Currency
Termination Date
Interest Rate
Euro
80,000
April 1, 2029
3.461%
€
74,509
In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a Euro net investment hedge entered into in fiscal 2019 was early settled and the Company received proceeds of $2,711, which will remain in AOCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
(9) BUSINESS SEGMENTS & RELATED REVENUE INFORMATION
The Company has two reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global with a manager responsible for operational performance and the allocation of capital. Corporate expense is net of certain service-related expenses that are allocated to business units generally based on employee headcounts and sales dollars.
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, solar, lighting and transportation, and telecommunications, along with coatings services to protect metal products.
Agriculture: This segment consists of the manufacture of center pivot and linear irrigation equipment components for agricultural markets, including aftermarket parts and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture.
The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on operating income and return on invested capital. The Company’s operating income for segment purposes excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expenses, non-operating income and deductions, and income taxes.
Summary by Business Segment
SALES:
762,742
770,595
1,486,356
1,506,701
281,703
279,933
540,438
612,096
Total sales
1,044,445
1,050,528
2,026,794
2,118,797
INTERSEGMENT SALES:
(2,312)
(2,437)
(5,193)
(6,403)
(2,396)
(1,795)
(4,036)
(3,617)
Total intersegment sales
(4,708)
(4,232)
(9,229)
(10,020)
NET SALES:
760,430
768,158
1,481,163
1,500,298
279,307
278,138
536,402
608,479
Total net sales
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):
133,581
115,950
251,445
210,302
39,971
49,251
80,944
102,574
(26,244)
(31,468)
(53,528)
(60,677)
Total operating income
19
Thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2024
Intersegment
Consolidated
Geographical market:
North America
582,143
161,310
(4,686)
738,767
International
180,599
120,393
(22)
300,970
Product line:
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation
323,087
Lighting and Transportation
243,562
Coatings
91,574
(2,294)
89,280
Telecommunications
58,400
Solar
46,119
(18)
46,101
Irrigation Equipment and Parts
254,310
251,914
Technology Products and Services
27,393
Twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024
1,150,715
321,225
(9,152)
1,462,788
335,641
219,213
(77)
554,777
648,343
465,658
178,664
(5,120)
173,544
112,361
81,330
(73)
81,257
487,430
483,394
53,008
Thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2023
587,313
140,981
(3,613)
724,681
183,282
138,952
(619)
321,615
314,307
246,123
91,120
(1,818)
89,302
67,738
51,307
50,688
252,457
250,662
27,476
20
Twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2023
1,171,396
323,850
(8,987)
1,486,259
335,305
288,246
(1,033)
622,518
629,127
475,259
181,234
(5,370)
175,864
135,875
85,206
84,173
551,638
548,021
60,458
A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in time for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 was as follows:
Point in Time
Over Time
430,252
330,178
820,187
660,976
271,011
8,296
521,771
14,631
701,263
338,474
1,341,958
675,607
451,885
316,273
863,102
637,196
270,811
7,327
595,017
13,462
722,696
323,600
1,458,119
650,658
21
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Valmont Industries, Inc. (the “Company”, “Valmont”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is a global leader that provides vital infrastructure and advances agricultural productivity while driving innovation through technology.
Forward-Looking Statements
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, 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, 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 30, 2023. Segment net sales in the table below and elsewhere are presented net of intersegment sales. See Note 9 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on segment sales and intersegment sales.
Executive Overview
Results of Operations
Percent
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts
Change
1,039.7
1,046.3
(0.6)
%
2,017.6
2,108.8
(4.3)
320.3
329.4
(2.8)
626.5
638.0
(1.8)
as a percent of net sales
30.8
31.5
31.1
30.3
173.0
195.7
(11.6)
347.6
385.8
(9.9)
16.6
18.7
17.2
18.3
147.3
133.7
10.2
278.9
252.2
10.6
14.2
12.8
13.8
12.0
Net interest expense
14.3
14.4
(0.0)
28.8
26.6
8.1
Effective tax rate
23.5
26.4
24.4
28.2
99.7
89.4
11.6
187.5
163.9
Diluted earnings per share
20.5
760.4
768.2
(1.0)
1,481.2
1,500.3
(1.3)
232.3
224.8
3.3
450.0
425.3
5.8
98.8
108.9
(9.3)
198.6
215.0
(7.6)
133.5
115.9
15.2
251.4
210.3
19.6
279.3
278.1
0.4
536.4
608.5
(11.8)
88.0
104.6
(15.9)
176.5
212.7
(17.0)
48.0
55.3
(13.3)
95.5
110.1
40.0
49.3
(18.8)
81.0
102.6
(21.1)
26.2
(16.6)
53.5
60.7
Operating loss
(26.2)
(31.5)
(53.5)
(60.7)
Overview, Including Items Impacting Comparability
On a consolidated basis, net sales were similar in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, with lower net sales in the Infrastructure segment and slightly higher net sales in the Agriculture segment. On a consolidated basis, net sales decreased in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, with lower net sales in both the Infrastructure and Agriculture segments.
On a consolidated basis, gross profit and gross profit margin decreased in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, driven by a decrease in gross profit in the Agriculture segment partially offset by an increase in gross profit in the Infrastructure segment. Gross profit decreased in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, while gross profit margin increased. Favorability from steel deflation, strong commercial execution, and pricing strategies in the Infrastructure segment was more than offset by lower volumes and pricing in Brazil in the Agriculture segment.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, management initiated a plan to streamline segment support across the Company and reduce costs through an organizational realignment program (the “Realignment Program”). The Realignment Program provided for a reduction in force through a voluntary early retirement program and other headcount reduction actions, which were completed by the end of fiscal 2023. The Board of Directors authorized the incurrence of cash charges up to $36.0 million in connection with the Realignment Program of which $35.2 million were incurred in fiscal 2023 which included severance and other employee benefit costs totaling approximately $17.3 million within the Infrastructure segment, $9.1 million within the Agriculture segment, and $8.8 million within Corporate expense.
Consolidated selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, primarily driven by decreased compensation costs largely attributable to the Realignment Program in fiscal 2023.
In the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2023, SG&A in the Agriculture segment included amortization of identified intangible assets of $1.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively, from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in fiscal 2021. Prospera intangible asset amortization was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and stock-based compensation expense was $1.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024.
Consolidated operating income for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, was impacted by the lower SG&A as a result of the Realignment Program partially offset by decreased gross profit.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
In the third quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company acquired HR Products, a leading wholesale supplier of irrigation parts in Australia, included in the Agriculture segment.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company divested Torrent Engineering and Equipment, an integrator of prepackaged pump stations in Indiana, included in the Agriculture segment.
Macroeconomic Impacts on Financial Results and Liquidity
We continue to monitor several macroeconomic trends and geopolitical uncertainties that have impacted or may impact our business, including inflationary cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the United States (“U.S.”) dollar, rising interest rates, ongoing international armed conflicts, and labor shortages.
Net Interest Expense
Consolidated net interest expense was flat in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023. The increase in average outstanding borrowings on the revolving line of credit along with higher average interest rates resulted in higher consolidated net interest expense in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023.
23
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024 was 23.5% and 24.4%, respectively, as compared to 26.4% and 28.2% in the same periods of fiscal 2023. The change in the effective tax rate was primarily the result of the reduction of a valuation allowance on a tax loss carryforward in a foreign subsidiary totaling approximately $3.0 million in addition to a change in the mix of foreign earnings.
Dollar
Dollars in millions
323.0
314.4
8.6
2.8
243.6
246.1
(2.5)
91.6
91.1
0.5
58.4
67.7
(13.8)
46.1
51.3
(5.2)
(10.1)
762.7
770.6
(7.9)
17.6
648.3
629.1
19.2
3.1
465.7
475.3
(9.6)
(2.0)
178.7
181.2
(1.4)
112.4
135.9
(23.5)
(17.3)
81.3
85.2
(3.9)
(4.5)
1,486.4
1,506.7
(20.3)
41.1
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation sales increased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to strategic pricing initiatives and increased sales volumes. These increases occurred amid strong utility market demand, driven by ongoing investments in the global energy transition and grid hardening. However, a greater mix of distribution and substation structures and the unfavorable contractual pricing impact of steel index deflation limited overall sales growth.
Lighting and Transportation sales decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to lower sales volumes along with unfavorable currency translation effects totaling approximately $3.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2024.
Coatings sales increased slightly in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, due to increased average selling prices more than offsetting decreased sales volumes. Coatings sales decreased slightly in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, due to lower sales volumes more than offsetting increased average selling prices. The decrease was also impacted by unfavorable currency translation effects totaling approximately $1.6 million.
Telecommunications sales decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to much lower sales volumes as a result of a softer market environment.
Solar sales decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to decreased sales volumes primarily driven by project timing.
Infrastructure gross profit and gross profit margin increased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to commercial and pricing strategies contributing to increased average selling prices along with lower overall costs of goods sold from declining steel costs. These items, partially offset by decreased sales volumes primarily in the Telecommunications product line, resulted in an overall increase in the amount of gross profit.
24
Infrastructure SG&A decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, primarily due to decreased compensation costs primarily as a result of the Realignment Program.
Infrastructure operating income increased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, as decreased sales volumes were more than offset by gross profit improvements along with decreased SG&A.
161.3
140.9
20.4
120.4
139.0
(18.6)
(13.4)
281.7
279.9
1.8
0.6
321.2
323.9
(2.7)
(0.8)
219.2
288.2
(69.0)
(23.9)
540.4
612.1
(71.7)
(11.7)
(21.6)
In North America, the increase in Agriculture sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, was driven by a large increase in replacement sales due to severe weather impacts in the midwestern and southern U.S., partially offset by decreased average selling prices due to targeted regional pricing actions. Sales in the first half of fiscal 2024 were comparable to the same period of fiscal 2023.
International sales decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to significantly lower sales in Brazil due to normalizing backlog levels and lower grain prices impacting growers’ buying behavior, partially offset by higher project sales in the Middle East and incremental sales from the HR Products acquisition.
Sales of Technology Products and Services decreased in the first quarter and second half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023.
Our Agriculture business is cyclical and is impacted by changes in net farm income, commodity prices, weather volatility, geopolitical factors, and farmer sentiment related to future economic uncertainty. We continue to monitor the potential impacts of these factors on our financial results including estimated U.S. net farm income, as released annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Brazil, we also actively track changes in grain prices and projected farm input costs to evaluate grower sentiment. Irrigation Equipment and Parts sales in North America are expected to remain below prior-year levels for the remainder of fiscal 2024.
Agriculture segment gross profit decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, primarily due to decreased sales volumes in Brazil and decreased average selling prices both in North America and internationally, partially offset by increased sales volumes in North America.
Agriculture segment SG&A decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, primarily due to decreased compensation costs, largely attributable to the Realignment Program, along with lower intangible asset amortization expense as a result of the third quarter of fiscal 2023 impairment of certain Prospera amortizing proprietary technology.
Agriculture operating income decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, primarily due to decreased sales volumes and pricing in Brazil partially offset by decreased SG&A.
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Corporate SG&A decreased for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, due to decreased compensation costs primarily as a result of the Realignment Program in fiscal 2023.
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 intend to manage our capital structure to maintain our investment-grade debt rating. Our most recent ratings were Baa3 (positive outlook) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., BBB- (stable outlook) by Fitch Ratings, Inc., and BBB+ (stable outlook) by S&P Global Ratings. We expect to maintain a ratio of debt to invested capital which will support our current investment-grade debt rating.
In May 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500.0 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, including accelerated purchase agreements. The Board of Directors authorized an additional $250.0 million of share purchases in February 2015 and again in October 2018, and authorized an additional $400.0 million of share repurchases in February 2023. These authorizations have no expiration date. 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 June 29, 2024, we have acquired approximately 8.1 million shares for approximately $1,278.8 million under this share repurchase program.
We have a supplier finance program agreement with a financial institution that allows qualifying suppliers, at their election and on terms they negotiate directly with the financial institution, to sell their receivables from the Company. A supplier’s voluntary participation in the program does not change our payment terms, amounts paid, or payment timing, or impact our liquidity, and we have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to participate. As of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, our accounts payable on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included $41.5 million and $41.9 million, respectively, of our payment obligations under this program.
Sources of Financing
Our debt financing as of June 29, 2024 consisted primarily of senior unsecured notes and borrowings on our revolving credit facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
Our senior unsecured notes as of June 29, 2024 were:
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.
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Revolving Credit Facility
Our revolving credit facility with JPMorgan 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 $800.0 million of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400.0 million in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $300.0 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 S&P Global Ratings 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 S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., on the average daily unused portion of the commitments under the revolving credit agreement.
As of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings of $287.4 million and $377.9 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant that may limit our additional borrowing capability under the agreement. As of June 29, 2024, we had the ability to borrow $512.4 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 $38.1 million, $36.2 million of which were unused as of June 29, 2024.
Our senior unsecured notes and revolving credit facility 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 or less. The leverage ratio is the ratio of (a) interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50.0 million (but not exceeding $500.0 million) to (b) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted for non-cash stock-based compensation and non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature, subject to certain limitations (“Adjusted EBITDA”). The leverage ratio is permitted to increase from 3.50 to 3.75 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters after certain material acquisitions.
The 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 revolving credit agreement also provides for the acceleration of the obligations thereunder and the exercise
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of other enforcement remedies upon the occurrence of customary events of default (subject to customary grace periods, as applicable).
As of June 29, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants related to these debt agreements.
The calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and the leverage ratio are presented 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 the 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 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, our senior unsecured notes, and our history of positive operational cash flows, we believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs for fiscal 2024 and beyond.
We had cash balances of $163.1 million as of June 29, 2024 with approximately $141.7 million held in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. If we distributed our foreign cash balances, certain taxes would be applicable. As of June 29, 2024, we had a liability for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $1.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
Cash Flows
The following table includes a summary of our cash flow information for the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023:
Dollars in thousands
Operating Cash Flows and Working Capital – Cash provided by operating activities totaled $154.1 million in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to $109.5 million in the same period of fiscal 2023. The change in operating cash flows was primarily the result of the increase in net earnings as well as the favorable impact of lower steel prices on our working capital. This was partially offset by payments of severance and other employee benefit costs related to the Realignment Program totaling $10.6 million and a reduction of our sold trade accounts receivable balance totaling $40.0 million in the first half of fiscal 2024.
Investing Cash Flows – Cash used in investing activities totaled $36.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to $34.0 million in the same period of fiscal 2023. Investing activities in the first half of fiscal 2024 primarily included capital spending of $33.3 million. Investing activities in the first half of fiscal 2023 primarily included capital spending of $45.4 million, partially offset by proceeds from a divestiture of $6.4 million and proceeds from property damage insurance claims of $4.8 million. We expect our capital expenditures to be in the range of $95.0 million to $110.0 million for fiscal 2024.
Financing Cash Flows – Cash used in financing activities totaled $150.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to $94.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2023. Our total interest-bearing debt was $1,046.0 million as of June 29, 2024 and $1,138.1 million as of December 30, 2023. Financing activities in the first half of fiscal 2024 primarily consisted of borrowings on the revolving credit agreement and short-term notes of $21.1 million offset by principal payments on our long-term debt and short-term borrowings of $112.7 million, dividends paid of $24.2 million, the purchase of treasury shares of $14.9 million, the purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests of $17.7 million, and the net activity from stock option and incentive plans of $4.4 million. Financing activities in the first half of fiscal 2023 primarily consisted of borrowings on the revolving credit agreement and short-term notes of $179.9 million offset by principal payments on our
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long-term debt and short-term borrowings of $103.7 million, dividends paid of $24.4 million, the purchase of treasury shares of $135.1 million, and the net activity from stock option and incentive plans of $10.2 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 the sale of the subsidiary guarantor, or the 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 of the Guarantors.
The financial information of the Issuer and the Guarantors is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between the Issuer and the Guarantors eliminated. The Issuer’s or the Guarantors’ amounts due from, amounts due to, and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries are separately disclosed.
Combined financial information for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 was as follows:
701,017
685,778
1,383,179
1,401,249
214,564
210,310
424,204
401,805
101,506
86,175
194,084
158,007
61,753
52,945
121,222
73,156
52,497
72,540
Combined financial information as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 was as follows:
812,682
777,539
Non-current assets
845,273
872,016
337,910
361,211
Non-current liabilities
1,371,762
1,436,131
10,518
Included in non-current assets is a due from non-guarantor subsidiaries receivable of $104,757 and $136,904 as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. Included in non-current liabilities is a due to non-guarantor subsidiaries payable of $238,144 and $216,633 as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively.
Selected Financial Measures
We are including the following financial measures for the Company.
Adjusted EBITDA – 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 3.50 times Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75 times Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions), calculated on a rolling four fiscal quarter basis. The bank credit agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods in which we did not own the acquired businesses. The bank credit agreements also outline adjustments for non-cash stock-based compensation and non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature, subject to certain limitations, to be included in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. 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 a non-generally accepted accounting principles (“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.
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The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ended June 29, 2024 was as follows:
Four Fiscal
Quarters Ended
351,372
60,852
Income tax expense
87,399
Impairment of long-lived assets
(140,844)
Deferred income tax benefit
19,830
1,123
Defined benefit pension plan cost
(444)
20,095
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
53,681
(1,546)
EBITDA
451,518
140,844
Realignment charges
Proforma acquisition adjustment
1,130
Adjusted EBITDA
628,702
174,471
60,853
87,398
Depreciation and amortization expense
95,325
33,471
Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Leverage Ratio – The leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50.0 million (but not exceeding $500.0 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 3.50 (or 3.75 after certain material acquisitions), calculated on a rolling four fiscal quarter basis. If those covenants are violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. The 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 the leverage ratio as of June 29, 2024, was as follows:
Interest-bearing debt, excluding origination fees and discounts of $25,965
1,045,953
Less: Cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50,000
113,142
Net indebtedness
932,811
Leverage ratio
1.48
The leverage ratio, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
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Financial Obligations and Commitments
There were no material changes in the Company’s financial obligations and commitments during the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024. For additional information on the Company’s financial obligations and commitments, refer to the “Cash Uses” section in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.
Critical Accounting Estimates
There were no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting estimates during the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024. For additional information on the Company’s critical accounting policies, refer to the “Critical Accounting Policies” section in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There were no material changes in the Company’s market risk during the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024. For additional information on the Company’s market risk, refer to Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure 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 as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 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 were effective in providing 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 periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 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 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There were no material changes in the Company’s legal proceedings during the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024. For additional information on the Company’s legal proceedings, refer to Part I, Item 3 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There were no material changes in the Company’s risk factors during the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2024. For additional information on the Company’s risk factors, refer to Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Total Number of
Approximate Dollar
Shares Purchased
Value of Shares That
Total Number
Average
as Part of Publicly
May Yet Be Purchased
of Shares
Price Paid
Announced Plans
Under the Plans
Periods
Purchased
per Share
or Programs
or Programs (1)
March 31, 2024 to April 27, 2024
136,108,000
April 28, 2024 to June 1, 2024
59,186
252.38
121,168,000
June 2, 2024 to June 29, 2024
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Separation and Release Agreement between Aaron M. Schapper and Valmont Industries, Inc. dated June 7, 2024. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated June 7, 2024 and is incorporated by reference.
22.1
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 June 29, 2024, 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 and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests, (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 thereunto duly authorized.
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
/s/ TIMOTHY P. FRANCIS
Timothy P. Francis
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Dated the 31st day of July 2024