Fay West
Analyst · Colliers Securities
Thank you, Dave. Hello, everyone. I'm excited to be here, particularly at this point in Tennant's journey, and I look forward to the opportunities we have ahead. For the first quarter of 2021, Tennant reported net sales of $263.3 million, up 4.4% year-over-year, which included a favorable foreign currency effect of 3% and a divestiture impact of negative 1.7%. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of currency and divestitures, increased 3.1%. Tennant group sales into 3 geographies: the Americas, which includes all of North America and Latin America, EMEA, which covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific, which includes China, Japan, Australia and other Asian markets. In the first quarter, sales in the Americas declined 3%, reflecting the divestiture of the coatings business earlier this year, which impacted results by negative 2.6%, along with a foreign currency effect of negative 0.8%. Organically, the region grew 0.4%, reflecting the limited impact that the pandemic had on the prior year period as well as solid growth in the direct and distribution channels in North America, along with growth in Brazil. Sales for strategic accounts were down from the prior year period due to the lapping of some large orders in Q1 of last year. Sales in the EMEA region increased 12.4% or 2.3% organically, driven by performance in France, Italy and Germany and also benefited from a foreign currency effect of 10.1%. However, pandemic-related restrictions did continue to have an impact in some markets, particularly in the United Kingdom, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sales in the Asia Pacific region rose 40.6%, with a foreign currency effect of positive 8.8%. On an organic basis, sales in the region rose 31.8%. Tennant recorded organic growth across all APAC countries, product categories and channels as the region rebounded strongly from the pandemic related slowdown of last year. Turning to margins. Gross margin in the first quarter of 2021 was 43% compared to 40.8% in the prior year period. Adjusted gross margin was 43% compared to 41.5% in Q1 of last year. This increase was attributed to increased productivity, product mix and actions related to the company's enterprise strategy, including pricing and cost reduction initiatives. This more than offset commodity and freight cost pressures we experienced in the quarter. As far as expenses, during the first quarter, our adjusted S&A expenses were 30.2% of net sales compared to 31.8% in the year ago period. In addition to careful expense management, this improvement included some temporary savings related to the suspension of most business travel and in-person trade shows and customer events. Net income increased to $25.7 million or $1.37 per diluted share compared to $5.2 million or $0.28 per diluted share in the year ago period. Adjusted EPS, which excluded nonoperational items and amortization expense, was $1.17 per share compared to $0.57 per share in the year ago period. Adjusted results in the quarter excluded the gain on sale from the divestiture of the coatings business. Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2021 increased to $40.7 million or 15.5% of sales compared to $26.1 million or 10.4% of sales in the first quarter of 2020. As for our tax rate in the first quarter, Tennant had an adjusted effective tax rate, excluding the amortization expense adjustment of 21.4% compared to 20.5% in the year ago period, which increased primarily due to the mix in full year taxable earnings by country and a decrease in certain discrete tax benefit items. Turning to cash flow and balance sheet items. Tennant generated $18.4 million in cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2021, mainly due to strong business performance. As of March 31, 2021, the company had $175.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. In April, after the close of the first quarter, the company restructured its credit agreement to optimize its debt structure. This restructure allows for enhanced flexibility with minimal covenants and no prepayment penalties, while also reducing future interest expense by approximately $1 million per month. Lastly, turning to guidance. As Dave mentioned, our raised guidance reflects our optimism regarding the pace of a continued and broad economic recovery and in Tennant's ability to implement its long term growth strategy. As included in today's earnings announcement, our guidance for full year 2021 is as follows. Net sales of $1.09 billion to $1.11 billion, with organic sales rising 9% to 11%. GAAP EPS of $3.45 to $3.85 per share. Adjusted EPS of $4.10 to $4.50 per share, which excludes certain nonoperational items and amortization expense. Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $140 million to $150 million, capital expenditures of $20 million to $25 million and an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 20%, which excludes the amortization expense adjustment. With that, we will open the call to questions. Operator, please go ahead.