Nordson Reports Strong Results for Q2 FY 2017

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Nordson Corporation has reported results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. For the quarter ending April 30, 2017, sales were $496 million, a 13 percent increase from the prior year’s second quarter. This change in sales included a 9 percent increase in organic volume, a 6 percent increase related to the first-year effect of acquisitions, and a negative 2 percent impact related to the unfavorable effects of currency translation as compared to the prior year’s second quarter.

Reported operating profit was $104 million, net income was $65 million, and GAAP diluted earnings per share were $1.11. Prior year second quarter sales, operating profit, net income and diluted earnings per share were $438 million, $102 million, $71 million and $1.23, respectively.   

"These results demonstrate the underlying strength of our base business, the strategic fit of our recent acquisitions, and strong execution across the enterprise by our global team," said Nordson President and Chief Executive Officer Michael F. Hilton. "Excluding the Vention Medical AT acquisition which was not included in our quarterly guidance, our performance exceeded the high end of our revenue expectations, and operating margin expanded by one percentage point above the prior year second quarter. Second quarter organic sales growth of 9 percent is against a very challenging prior year comparison and is the result of organic growth in all segments and geographies. We’re also pleased with the four acquisitions we have added fiscal year to date, including Vention which closed during the quarter, all of which are performing as expected and where integration efforts are proceeding as planned."

Diluted earnings per share as adjusted grew 13 percent to $1.35 as compared to last year’s second quarter. Through the first six months of the fiscal year, EBITDA increased 13 percent compared to the prior year to $217 million, and free cash flow before dividends increased 13 percent to $116 million, representing strong cash conversion of 101 percent of net income. Adjusted EBITDA increased 20 percent and adjusted free cash flow before dividends increased 23 percent compared to the prior year. 

Second Quarter Segment Results

Adhesive Dispensing Systems sales volume increased 5 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter. “This is excellent organic growth for the segment against a challenging comparison, where organic growth was 9 percent in the same period last year,” said Hilton. “Packaging, general product assembly and polymer processing product lines drove the current quarter’s growth, with Asia Pacific and the Americas being the strongest areas geographically.” Reported operating margin in the segment was 29 percent in the quarter.  

Advanced Technology Systems sales volume increased 34 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter, including a 18 percent increase in organic volume and a 16 percent increase related to the first year effect of acquisitions. “The 18 percent organic volume growth is a very strong level against a very challenging prior year comparison where organic volume growth was 20 percent,” said Hilton. “The current quarter’s organic growth was broad based and increased by double digits across our product lines serving electronics, medical and industrial end markets and in all geographies except the Americas.”

Reported operating margin in the segment improved 2 percentage points from the prior year to 26 percent in the quarter, or 27 percent when excluding short-term purchase accounting charges for the step-up in value of acquired inventory.  

Industrial Coating Systems sales volume increased 3 percent compared to the prior year’s second quarter. “The sales volume increase was driven by our liquid painting and container coating product lines, with the U.S., Japan and Asia Pacific being strongest regionally,” says Hilton. Reported operating margin in the segment was 17 percent in the quarter.     

Order Rates and Backlog

Order rates for the 12-week period ending May 14, 2017, measured in constant currency, increased by 13 percent over the same period a year ago. Order rates by segment and geography are provided in the accompanying financial tables, with pro-forma growth in order rates calculated as though fiscal year 2016 and 2017 acquisitions were owned in both years.

Backlog for the quarter ended April 30, 2017 was approximately $403 million, an increase of 37 percent compared to the same period a year ago, and inclusive of 18 percent organic growth and 19 percent growth due to acquisitions. Backlog amounts are calculated at April 30, 2017 exchange rates.

Outlook

For the third quarter of fiscal 2017, sales are expected to increase 15 percent to 19 percent as compared to the third quarter a year ago. This growth includes organic volume up 6 percent to up 10 percent, 10 percent growth from the first year effect of acquisitions, and a negative currency effect of 1 percent based on the current exchange rate environment.

At the midpoint of this outlook, operating margin is expected to be approximately 24 percent, and GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.51 to $1.65. This range of GAAP diluted earnings per share includes a charge of approximately $0.03 per share for previously announced restructuring related to facility consolidation within the Adhesive Dispensing segment, a charge of approximately $0.02 per share for short-term purchase accounting related to the step-up in value of acquired inventory, and an estimated corporate charge of $0.01 cent per share for acquisition transaction costs. EBITDA is expected to be approximately $164 million, an increase of 18 percent over the prior year.

“We are forecasting strong third quarter organic sales volume growth in each of our segments given the strength of our current backlog, recent order rates and project activity,” says Hilton. “Our recent acquisitions add to our profitable growth opportunities, particularly Vention AT, which significantly expands our medical platform and remains on track to deliver $0.05 to $0.10 cents EPS accretion this fiscal year, excluding transaction costs. At the midpoint of our third quarter guidance, operating margin is expected to be approximately 24 percent, or 25 percent excluding the third quarter charges highlighted above. This is an excellent outlook that builds on our record first half performance. Our global team remains focused on creating shareholder value by offering customers the best technology solutions and outstanding support across the diverse end markets we serve.”

About Nordson Corporation

Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures and markets differentiated products and systems used for the precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, polymers, plastics and other materials, fluid management, test and inspection, UV curing and plasma surface treatment, all supported by application expertise and direct global sales and service.  Nordson serves a wide variety of consumer non-durable, durable and technology end markets including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, construction, and general product assembly and finishing. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the company has operations and support offices in more than 35 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at www.nordson.com.