GlobeNewswire Inc | Feb 16, 2021 08:00AM EST

February 16, 2021

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights

-- Record sales of $321.1 million -- Organic sales growth for Distribution (21%) and Water Systems (4%) -- Gross profit margin as a percent of sales increased 300 basis points -- Record GAAP operating income of $34.4 million, increasing 20% from the prior year -- Successful completion of the Gicon Pumps and Equipment acquisition; expected to drive meaningful growth for Distribution

Full Year 2020 Highlights

-- Full year 2020 Sales were $1,247.3 million. -- GAAP earnings per share of $2.14, a 5% increase from the prior year -- Full year 2020 cash flow from operating activities was a record of $212 million and free cash flow conversion of net income was 187%

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co. Inc. today announced fourth quarter and full year financial results for fiscal year 2020.

Fourth quarter 2020 sales were $321.1 million, compared to fourth quarter 2019 sales of $320.1 million. Fourth quarter 2020 operating income was $34.4 million, compared to fourth quarter operating income in 2019 of $28.6 million.

Fourth quarter 2020 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.57, versus GAAP fully diluted EPS in the fourth quarter 2019 of $0.42. Fourth quarter 2020 EPS before the impact of restructuring expenses was $0.57 compared to fourth quarter 2019 EPS before restructuring of $0.43 (see table below for a reconciliation of GAAP EPS to EPS before restructuring).

Full year 2020 sales were $1,247.3 million, compared to full year 2019 sales of $1,314.6 million. Full year 2020 operating income was $130.5 million, compared to full year 2019 operating income of $127.1 million.

Full year 2020 GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $2.14, versus a GAAP fully diluted EPS in 2019 of $2.03. Full year 2020 EPS before the impact of restructuring expenses was $2.18 compared to 2019 EPS before restructuring of $2.07 (see table below for a reconciliation of GAAP EPS to EPS before restructuring).

We ended 2020 strong, delivering record fourth quarter 2020 sales and earnings. Our Water Systems business continued to rebound from the slowdown driven by the pandemic earlier in the year to post 4 percent organic sales growth in the fourth quarter, alongside record operating income and operating income margin. Further, our Distribution business achieved profitability in the fourth quarter for the first time in its history supported by organic sales growth of 21 percent. We also continued to advance our acquisition strategy with the completion of two strategic acquisitions in the fourth quarter, one in the Water Treatment space in Canada and another with a critical groundwater distribution entity in central Texas. We are confident that each offers a great new growth platform for 2021, commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electrics Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.

Given the incredible challenges we faced in 2020, I am extremely proud of the dedication and execution of our global team. We gained momentum towards the end of 2020 and are poised to capitalize on the strong tailwinds that have materialized in the Water end markets we serve. Our strategy to grow as a global provider of water and fuel systems, through geographic expansion and product line extensions, leveraging our global platform and competency in system design, is working. We see many growth opportunities ahead of us and look forward to continuing to drive strong performance in the years ahead, concluded Sengstack.

Segment Summaries

Water Systems sales were $189.3 million in the fourth quarter 2020, an increase of $1.1 million versus the fourth quarter 2019. Water Systems sales, excluding acquisitions and the impact of foreign currency translation, were up about 4 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019. Sales of groundwater pumping equipment and sales of surface pumping equipment increased due to strong end market demand. These increases were partially offset by lower sales of dewatering equipment, which were down by about 24 percent, due to lower sales in the rental channel. In 2020, Water Systems operating income was a record for any fourth quarter at $30.4 million driven by price realization, product sales mix and cost management. Fourth quarter 2019 Water Systems operating income was $24.5 million.

Fueling Systems sales were $65.5 million in the fourth quarter 2020, a decrease of $11.8 million versus the fourth quarter 2019. Fueling Systems sales in the U.S. and Canada decreased by about 13 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019. The decrease was due to declining demand for new filling stations. Outside the U.S. and Canada, Fueling Systems revenues declined by about 21 percent, driven primarily by lower sales in China. Fueling Systems operating income was $18.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $20.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 driven almost entirely by lower revenues.

Distribution sales were a record at $77.9 million in the fourth quarter 2020. The Distribution segment organic sales increased 21 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Favorable weather conditions versus last year contributed to the revenue growth. The Distribution segment operating income was a record at $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Cash Flow

Full Year 2020 Free Cash Flow from Operations was $189 million and 187 percent of Net Income versus $157 million and 163 percent of net income in 2019. Free cash flow increased primarily due to a 200-basis point improvement in working capital as a percent of trailing twelve-month sales. Free Cash Flow is Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities, less net additions to property, plant, and equipment.

2021 Guidance

The Company expects its full year 2021 sales to be in the range of $1.365 billion to $1.395 billion and full year 2021 earnings per share before restructuring expenses to be in the range from $2.50 to $2.75. The Company expects full year 2021 free cash flow conversion to exceed 115 percent of net income.

Earnings Conference Call

A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/dn9qs2nn

If you intend to ask questions during the call, please dial in using 877.643.7158 for domestic calls and 914.495.8565 for international calls. The conference ID is: 2573897.

A replay of the conference call will be available Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 12:00 noon ET through noon ET on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, by dialing 855.859.2056 for domestic calls and 404.537.3406 for international calls. The replay passcode is: 2573897.

Forward Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Companys financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Companys business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Companys accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Companys Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

About Franklin Electric

Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and fuel. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications.

Franklin Electric Contact:

John J. HainesFranklin Electric Co., Inc.260-824-2900Email: jhaines@fele.com

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(Unaudited) (In thousands,except per share amounts) Fourth Quarter Ended Fiscal Year End December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net sales $ 321,106 $ 320,107 $ 1,247,331 $ 1,314,578 Cost of sales 209,703 218,851 814,192 886,475 Gross profit 111,403 101,256 433,139 428,103 Selling,general, and 76,713 71,870 300,122 298,451 administrativeexpenses Restructuring 317 784 2,506 2,519 expense Operating 34,373 28,602 130,511 127,133 income Interest (1,131 ) (1,571 ) (4,627 ) (8,245 )expenseOther income/ 267 (109 ) (795 ) (412 )(expense), netForeignexchange (1,308 ) (3,807 ) (1,392 ) (1,641 )income/(expense) Income before 32,201 23,115 123,697 116,835 income taxes Income tax(benefit)/ 5,213 3,130 22,540 20,836 expense Net income $ 26,988 $ 19,985 $ 101,157 $ 95,999 Less: Netincomeattributable (194 ) (210 ) (697 ) (516 )tononcontrollinginterests Net incomeattributableto Franklin $ 26,794 $ 19,775 $ 100,460 $ 95,483 Electric Co.,Inc. Income per share:Basic $ $ $ $ 0.58 0.42 2.16 2.04Diluted $ $ $ $ 0.57 0.42 2.14 2.03

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(Unaudited) (In thousands) December 31 December 31, 2020 2019ASSETS Cash and equivalents $ $ 130,787 64,405Receivables (net) 159,827 173,327 Inventories 300,932 300,246 Other current assets 27,708 29,466 Total current assets 619,254 567,444 Property, plant, and 209,021 201,328 equipment, netRight-of-Use Asset, 31,954 27,621 netGoodwill and other 412,078 398,350 assetsTotal assets $ 1,272,307 $ 1,194,743 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ $ 95,903 82,593Accrued expenses andother current 94,160 71,454 liabilitiesCurrent lease 11,090 9,838 liabilityCurrent maturitiesof long-term debt 2,551 21,879 and short-termborrowingsTotal current 203,704 185,764 liabilities Long-term debt 91,966 93,141 Long-term lease 20,866 17,785 liabilityIncome taxes payable 11,965 11,965 non-currentDeferred income 25,671 27,598 taxesEmployee benefit 44,443 38,288 plansOther long-term 23,988 21,769 liabilities Redeemablenoncontrolling (245 ) (236 )interest Total equity 849,949 798,669 Total liabilities $ 1,272,307 $ 1,194,743 and equity

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(Unaudited)(In thousands) 2020 2019Cash flows from operating activities:Net income $ $ 101,157 95,999Adjustments to reconcile net income to netcash flows from operating activities:Depreciation and amortization 36,488 36,977 Non-Cash Lease Expense 11,699 11,699 Share-based compensation 10,066 8,957 Other (1,635 ) (34 )Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables 22,053 1,076 Inventory 13,144 17,228 Accounts payable and accrued 20,519 6,770 expensesOperating Leases (11,698 ) (11,698 )Other 10,061 10,702 Net cash flows from operating 211,854 177,676 activities Cash flows from investing activities:Additions to property, plant, and (22,856 ) (21,855 )equipmentProceeds from sale of property, 34 866 plant, and equipmentAcquisitions and investments (55,915 ) (20,827 )Other investing activities (74 ) 10 Net cash flows from investing (78,811 ) (41,806 )activities Cash flows from financing activities:Change in debt (21,073 ) (90,943 )Proceeds from issuance of common 3,721 3,194 stockPurchases of common stock (19,553 ) (10,741 )Dividends paid (29,675 ) (27,671 )Purchase of redeemable - (487 )non-controlling sharesNet cash flows from financing (66,580 ) (126,648 )activities Effect of exchange rate changes on (81 ) (3,990 )cashNet change in cash and equivalents 66,382 5,232 Cash and equivalents at beginning 64,405 59,173 of periodCash and equivalents at end of $ $ period 130,787 64,405

Key Performance Indicators Earnings Per Share Calculations

For the Fourth Quarter For the Full Year ofEarnings Beforeand After 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 ChangeRestructuring(in millions) Net Incomeattributable to $ $ 35 % $ 100.5 $ 5 %FE Co., Inc. 26.8 19.8 95.5ReportedAllocated $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Earnings (0.2 (0.2 (0.7 (0.7Earnings for EPS $ 26.6 $ 19.6 36 % $ 99.8 $ 94.8 5 %Calculations Restructuring $ $ $ $ (before tax): 0.3 0.8 2.5 2.5 Restructuring, $ $ $ $ net of tax: 0.2 0.6 2.0 2.0 Earnings before $ $ 33 % $ 101.8 $ 5 %Restructuring 26.8 20.2 96.8 For the Fourth Quarter For the Full Year ofEarnings Per 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 ChangeShareBefore andAfter Restructuring(in millionsexcept Earnings Per Share) Average FullyDiluted Shares 46.8 46.8 0 % 46.7 46.8 0 %Outstanding Fully DilutedEarnings Per $ $ 36 % $ $ 5 %Share ("EPS") 0.57 0.42 2.14 2.03Reported Restructuring Per Share, net $ - $ 0.01 $ 0.04 $ 0.04 of tax Fully Diluted EPS before $ 0.57 $ 0.43 33 % $ 2.18 $ 2.07 5 %Restructuring

Key Performance Indicators:Sales Summary

Net Sales For the Fourth Quarter United Latin Europe, Asia Total States Middle(in millions) & Canada America East & Pacific Water Fueling Distribution Other/ Consolidated Africa Elims Q4 2019 $92.5 $33.7 $38.1 $23.9 $188.2 $77.3 $64.4 ($9.8 ) $320.1 Q4 2020 $94.1 $36.0 $41.3 $17.9 $189.3 $65.5 $77.9 ($11.6 ) $321.1 Change $1.6 $2.3 $3.2 ($6.0 ) $1.1 ($11.8 ) $13.5 ($1.8 ) $1.0 % Change 2 % 7 % 8 % -25 % 1 % -15 % 21 % 0 % Foreign currency $0.1 ($8.0 ) ($2.5 ) $0.6 ($9.8 ) $0.9 $0.0 translation% Change 0 % -24 % -7 % 3 % -5 % 1 % 0 % Acquisitions $4.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $4.1 $0.0 $0.0 Volume/Price ($2.6 ) $10.3 $5.7 ($6.6 ) $6.8 ($12.7 ) $13.5 % Change -3 % 31 % 15 % -28 % 4 % -16 % 21 %

Net Sales For the Full Year United Latin Europe, Asia Total States Middle(in millions) & Canada America East & Pacific Water Fueling Distribution Other/ Consolidated Africa Elims FY 2019 $419.9 $124.2 $155.6 $81.8 $781.5 $293.6 $291.8 ($52.3 ) $1,314.6 FY 2020 $388.5 $118.5 $156.8 $70.9 $734.7 $245.1 $328.4 ($60.9 ) $1,247.3 Change ($31.4 ) ($5.7 ) $1.2 ($10.9 ) ($46.8 ) ($48.5 ) $36.6 ($8.6 ) ($67.3 )% Change -7 % -5 % 1 % -13 % -6 % -17 % 13 % -5 % Foreign currency ($0.7 ) ($28.3 ) ($10.8 ) ($0.2 ) ($40.0 ) $0.4 $0.0 translation% Change 0 % -23 % -7 % 0 % -5 % 0 % 0 % Acquisitions $12.8 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $12.8 $0.0 $0.0 Volume/Price ($43.5 ) $22.6 $12.0 ($10.7 ) ($19.6 ) ($48.9 ) $36.6 % Change -10 % 18 % 8 % -13 % -3 % -17 % 13 %

Key Performance Indicators: Operating Income and Margin Summary

OperatingIncome and Margins(in millions) For the Fourth Quarter 2020 Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims ConsolidatedOperating Income / $ 30.4 $ 18.8 $ 0.5 $ (15.3 ) $ 34.4 (Loss)% OperatingIncome To Net 16.1 % 28.7 % 0.6 % 10.7 %Sales Restructuring $ 0.3 $ - $ - $ - $ 0.3 OperatingIncome/(Loss) $ 30.7 $ $ $ ) $ before 18.8 0.5 (15.3 34.7Restructuring% OperatingIncome to Net 16.2 % 28.7 % 0.6 % 10.8 %Sales BeforeRestructuring OperatingIncome and Margins(in millions) For the Fourth Quarter 2019 Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims ConsolidatedOperating Income / $ 24.5 $ 20.2 $ (2.5 ) $ (13.6 ) $ 28.6 (Loss)% OperatingIncome To Net 13.0 % 26.1 % -3.9 % 8.9 %Sales Restructuring $ $ - $ - $ - $ 0.8 0.8 OperatingIncome/(Loss) $ $ $ ) $ ) $ before 25.3 20.2 (2.5 (13.6 29.4Restructuring% OperatingIncome to Net 13.4 % 26.1 % -3.9 % 9.2 %Sales BeforeRestructuring

OperatingIncome and Margins(in millions) For the Full Year of 2020 Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims ConsolidatedOperating Income / $ 114.4 $ 63.4 $ 11.5 $ (58.8 ) $ 130.5 (Loss)% OperatingIncome To Net 15.6 % 25.9 % 3.5 % 10.5 %Sales Restructuring $ $ $ $ - $ 2.3 0.1 0.1 2.5 OperatingIncome/(Loss) $ 116.7 $ $ $ ) $ 133.0 before 63.5 11.6 (58.8Restructuring% OperatingIncome to Net 15.9 % 25.9 % 3.5 % 10.7 %Sales BeforeRestructuring OperatingIncome and Margins(in millions) For the Full Year of 2019 Water Fueling Distribution Other/Elims ConsolidatedOperating Income / $ 103.0 $ 75.8 $ 3.6 $ (55.3 ) $ 127.1 (Loss)% OperatingIncome To Net 13.2 % 25.8 % 1.2 % 9.7 %Sales Restructuring $ $ - $ $ - $ 1.7 0.8 2.5 OperatingIncome/(Loss) $ 104.7 $ $ $ ) $ 129.6 before 75.8 4.4 (55.3Restructuring% OperatingIncome to Net 13.4 % 25.8 % 1.5 % 9.9 %Sales BeforeRestructuring