Energy, Automobile, EV, Renewable News | Valmont Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Valmont Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

February 22, 2024

Provides 2024 Financial Outlook and New Long-Term Financial Targets

OMAHA, Neb.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE: VMI), a global leader that provides vital infrastructure and advances agricultural productivity while driving innovation through technology, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 30, 2023.

President and Chief Executive Officer Avner M. Applbaum commented, “The Valmont team delivered fourth-quarter results in line with our expectations. Despite lower sales volumes, we expanded gross profit margins year-over-year through successful pricing strategies and improved operational efficiencies in our facilities. In Infrastructure, our solid results reflect continued strong utility market demand, and we achieved another quarter of adjusted operating margin improvement year-over-year despite lower Telecommunications volumes. In Agriculture, as expected, North America sales were lower as backlog levels were more normalized this year compared to fourth quarter 2022. International sales growth was driven by Middle East project shipments and sales from our recent acquisition of HR Products, offset by lower sales in Brazil due to slowing market demand amid lower grain prices. Reflecting on the full year, our global teams performed extremely well in 2023, despite industry-wide demand challenges in North America agriculture and telecommunications markets that pressured the top line. I’m very pleased with our progress in reducing inventory, which helped deliver strong operating cash flows.”

Applbaum added, “Turning to 2024, we remain focused on what we can control. We are sustaining higher gross profit margins through ongoing improvement in operational efficiencies and commitment to our pricing strategies. We are reducing SG&A expense through the realignment program we announced last quarter. We expect these efforts to help mitigate the bottom-line impact of softer demand in agriculture and telecommunications markets, and to position our business for incremental profit when those markets normalize. Turning to the segments, in Infrastructure, demand for our products remains strong and we are making strategic capacity investments to meet the needs of our customers and take advantage of the visible opportunities ahead of us. In Agriculture, we expect lower sales this year amid more challenging global market conditions due to lower grain prices and farm income projections. Across both segments, we will continue to deliver operational efficiencies and benefit from our realigned organization. Our market leadership, combined with a relentless focus on strong cash flow generation, return on invested capital and a disciplined capital allocation framework gives us confidence in our actions to enhance shareholder value for years to come.”

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights (all metrics compared to Fourth Quarter 2022 unless otherwise noted)

Net Sales decreased 10.3% to $1.0 billion. Accounting for the 2022 divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business, reported in the “Other” segment, Net Sales decreased 7.5%¹
Operating Income decreased 42.1% to $63.5 million or 6.3% of net sales (decreased 11.9% to $100.2 million or 9.9% adjusted¹) compared to $109.7 million or 9.7% of net sales ($113.7 million or 10.4% adjusted¹)
Diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”) of $1.38 ($3.18 adjusted¹) compared to $1.86 ($3.57 adjusted¹)
Generated strong operating cash flows of $115.9 million; cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter were $203.0 million

Full Year 2023 Highlights (all metrics compared to Full Year 2022 unless otherwise noted)

Net Sales decreased 3.9% to $4.2 billion. Accounting for the 2022 divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business, reported in the “Other” segment, Net Sales decreased 1.7%¹
Operating Income decreased 32.7% to $291.6 million or 7.0% of net sales (increased 5.2% to $473.2 million or 11.3% adjusted¹) compared to $433.2 million or 10.0% of net sales ($449.7 million or 10.6% adjusted¹)
Diluted EPS of $6.78 ($14.98 adjusted¹) compared to $11.62 ($13.82 adjusted¹)
Generated strong operating cash flows of $306.8 million and free cash flow of $210.0 million¹, driven by net earnings and working capital management
Deployed $524.2 million of capital, including $129.4 million for capital expenditures and acquisitions, and $394.8 million was returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases
- Share repurchases include a $120.0 million Accelerated Share Repurchase program announced in the fourth quarter
Achieved Return on Invested Capital of 7.2% (14.0% adjusted¹)

Key Financial Metrics


Fourth Quarter 2023	GAAP								Adjusted¹
(000s except per share amounts)	13 weeks			14 weeks						13 weeks			14 weeks
	12/30/2023			12/31/2022						12/30/2023			12/31/2022
	Q4 2023			Q4 2022			vs. Q4 2022			Q4 2023			Q4 2022			vs. Q4 2022
Net Sales	$	1,015,526		$	1,131,516		(10.3	)%		$	1,015,526		$	1,098,244		(7.5	)%
Gross Profit		282,941			298,959		(5.4	)%			282,941			298,959		(5.4	)%
Gross Profit as a % of Net Sales		27.9	%		26.4	%					27.9	%		27.2	%
Operating Income		63,548			109,716		(42.1	)%			100,204			113,734		(11.9	)%
Operating Income as a % of Net Sales		6.3	%		9.7	%					9.9	%		10.4	%
Net Earnings¹		28,587			40,332		(29.1	)%			66,034			77,256		(14.5	)%
Diluted Earnings per Share		1.38			1.86		(25.8	)%			3.18			3.57		(10.9	)%
Average Shares Outstanding		20,764			21,656						20,764			21,656


Full Year 2023	GAAP								Adjusted¹
(000s except per share amounts)	52 weeks			53 weeks						52 weeks			53 weeks
	12/30/2023			12/31/2022						12/30/2023			12/31/2022
	FY 2023			FY 2022			vs. FY 2022			FY 2023			FY 2022			vs. FY 2022
Net Sales	$	4,174,598		$	4,345,250		(3.9	)%		$	4,174,598		$	4,245,031		(1.7	)%
Gross Profit		1,236,034			1,126,224		9.8	%			1,236,034			1,126,224		9.8	%
Gross Profit as a % of Net Sales		29.6	%		25.9	%					29.6	%		26.5	%
Operating Income		291,557			433,249		(32.7	)%			473,237			449,725		5.2	%
Operating Income as a % of Net Sales		7.0	%		10.0	%					11.3	%		10.6	%
Net Earnings¹		143,475			250,863		(42.8	)%			316,926			298,139		6.3	%
Diluted Earnings per Share		6.78			11.62		(41.7	)%			14.98			13.82		8.4	%
Average Shares Outstanding		21,159			21,580						21,159			21,580

Fourth Quarter 2023 Segment Review

Infrastructure (73.4% of Net Sales)

Products and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, solar, lighting, transportation, and telecommunications, along with coatings services to protect metal products

Sales of $748.3 million decreased 3.0% year-over-year. Higher volumes in the Transmission, Distribution and Substation (TD&S) and Solar product lines were driven by continued strong market demand led by ongoing investments in the global energy transition. These volume increases, and favorable pricing across the portfolio, were more than offset by lower Telecommunications and Coatings volumes.

Operating Income decreased to $82.6 million or 11.1% of net sales ($98.7 million or 13.2% adjusted¹) compared to $99.6 million or 13.0% of net sales in 2022. Favorable pricing and deliberate actions to improve overall cost of goods sold were more than offset by lower volumes.

Agriculture (26.6% of Net Sales)

Center pivot components and linear irrigation equipment for agricultural markets, including parts and tubular products; advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture

Sales of $271.6 million decreased 18.9% year-over-year. In North America, irrigation equipment volumes were lower as the fourth quarter of 2022 benefited from the ongoing delivery of elevated backlog. Average irrigation selling prices were comparable to last year.

International sales growth was driven by higher project sales and sales from the HR Products acquisition, offset by lower sales in Brazil, due to lower grain prices and the return of backlog to a more normalized level as compared to fourth quarter 2022.

Operating Income decreased to $13.9 million, or 5.2% of net sales ($27.8 million or 10.3% adjusted¹) compared to $40.5 million or 12.2% of net sales ($44.5 million or 13.4% adjusted¹) in 2022 driven by lower volumes and higher SG&A.

Other

Offshore wind energy structures business

As previously announced, the divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business was completed in December 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the subsequently divested business generated sales of $33.3 million and operating income was $1.4 million.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Allocation

The Company generated full-year 2023 free cash flow¹ of $210.0 million through earnings and effectively managing working capital. At the end of 2023, cash and cash equivalents were $203.0 million.

$178.6 million of Company stock was purchased in the fourth quarter, inclusive of the $120.0 million Accelerated Share Repurchase program executed during the quarter. $136.1 million remains on the authorized share repurchase program.

Organizational Realignment Program

As announced in October 2023, the Company initiated an organizational realignment program to better align the Company’s administrative support structure to its long-term growth strategy. The program affected both reportable segments and corporate, and was completed in 2023. Actions taken resulted in pre-tax cash expenses of $35.2 million in fiscal 2023, including $31.0 million in the fourth quarter, and are expected to be recovered through lower SG&A within 12 months.

Introducing 2024 Full Year Financial Outlook and Key Assumptions

The Company is introducing its 2024 full-year net sales and diluted earnings per share outlook and key assumptions for the year.

Net Sales Change (vs. prior year) of (3.0%) to flat
- Infrastructure sales growth expected to approach mid-single digits
- Agriculture sales expected to decrease 15-20%
Diluted Earnings per Share of $14.25 to $15.50
Effective tax rate of approximately 26%
Minimal expected foreign currency translation impact to net sales
Capital expenditures expected to be in the range of $125 to $140 million to support strategic growth initiatives

Providing New Long-Term Financial Targets

The Company is taking the opportunity to provide new long-term financial targets beyond 2024.


Metric	Target
Organic Net Sales Growth	Above Mid-Single Digits
Operating Margin	Approaching Mid-Teens
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)	High-Teens
Free Cash Flow Conversion	100% of Net Earnings

Applbaum continued, “I’m excited to share our long-term financial targets for Valmont beyond 2024. We are focusing on strategic initiatives that drive sustainable growth and profitability over the long term with an ongoing commitment to value creation. We are executing a focused and disciplined plan to leverage our diversified portfolio and deliver operating margin and ROIC improvements. As evidenced by these goals, we are demonstrating higher levels of through-cycle structural profitability while making our company more resilient. This drives our position as a market leader, enabling us to achieve greater performance and create sustainable value for our shareholders.”

A live audio discussion with Avner M. Applbaum, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Timothy P. Francis, Interim Chief Financial Officer, will be accessible by telephone on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. CT by dialing +1 877.407.6184 or +1 201.389.0877 (no Conference ID needed), or via webcast by pointing browsers to this link: Valmont Industries 4Q and Full Year 2023 Earnings Conference Call. A slide presentation will simultaneously be available for download on the Investors page of valmont.com. A replay of the event can be accessed three hours after the call at the above link or by telephone at +1 877.660.6853 or +1 201.612.7415. Please use access code 13742393. The replay will be available through 10:59 p.m. CT on February 29, 2024.

About Valmont Industries, Inc.

For over 75 years, Valmont^® has been a global leader in creating vital infrastructure and advancing agricultural productivity. Today, we remain committed to doing more with less by innovating through technology. Learn more about how we’re Conserving Resources. Improving Life.^® at valmont.com.

Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release 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 Valmont 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. As you read and consider this release, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond Valmont’s control) and assumptions. Although management believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Valmont’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include among other things, the continuing and developing effects of the pandemic including the effects of the outbreak on the general economy and the specific economic effects on the Company’s business and that of its customers and suppliers, risk factors described from time to time in Valmont’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 material, availability and market acceptance of new products, product pricing, domestic and international competitive environments, geopolitical risks, and actions and policy changes of domestic and foreign governments. The Company cautions that any forward-looking statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement.

Website and Social Media Disclosure

The Company uses its website and social media channels identified on its website as channels of distribution of Company information. The information that the Company posts through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following the Company’s press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of the Company’s website and social media channels are not part of this press release.

¹Please see Reg G reconciliation to GAAP measures at end of document

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	13 and 14 Weeks Ended						52 and 53 Weeks Ended
	December			December			December			December
	30, 2023			31, 2022			30, 2023			31, 2022
Net sales	$	1,015,526		$	1,131,516		$	4,174,598		$	4,345,250
Cost of sales		732,585			832,557			2,938,564			3,219,026
Gross profit		282,941			298,959			1,236,034			1,126,224
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		188,363			189,243			768,423			692,975
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			—			140,844			—
Realignment charges		31,030			—			35,210			—
Operating income		63,548			109,716			291,557			433,249
Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(15,314	)		(13,256	)		(56,808	)		(47,534	)
Interest income		1,651			996			6,230			2,015
Gain (loss) on investments – unrealized		1,773			932			3,564			(3,374	)
Loss from divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business		—			(33,273	)		—			(33,273	)
Other		(6,492	)		4,268			(8,091	)		12,805
Other income (expense), net		(18,382	)		(40,333	)		(55,105	)		(69,361	)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries		45,166			69,383			236,452			363,888
Income tax expense		10,882			28,156			90,121			108,687
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries		(200	)		(19	)		(1,419	)		(950	)
Net earnings		34,084			41,208			144,912			254,251
Loss (earnings) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests		1,877			(876	)		5,937			(3,388	)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		35,961			40,332			150,849			250,863
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests		(7,374	)		—			(7,374	)		—
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. including change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	28,587		$	40,332		$	143,475		$	250,863

Average shares outstanding (000s) – Basic		20,577			21,319			20,956			21,311
Earnings per share – Basic	$	1.39		$	1.89		$	6.85		$	11.77

Average shares outstanding (000s) – Diluted		20,764			21,656			21,159			21,580
Earnings per share – Diluted	$	1.38		$	1.86		$	6.78		$	11.62

Cash dividends per share	$	0.60		$	0.55		$	2.40		$	2.20

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OPERATING RESULTS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	13 and 14 Weeks Ended						52 and 53 Weeks Ended
	December 30,			December 31,			December 30,			December 31,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
Infrastructure
Net sales	$	745,713		$	765,077		$	2,999,637		$	2,909,746
Gross profit		201,968			201,978			842,081			736,611
as a percent of net sales		27.1	%		26.4	%		28.1	%		25.3	%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		103,227			102,387			424,997			382,112
as a percent of net sales		13.8	%		13.4	%		14.2	%		13.1	%
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			—			3,571			—
Realignment charges		16,191			—			17,260			—
Operating income		82,550			99,591			396,253			354,499
as a percent of net sales		11.1	%		13.0	%		13.2	%		12.2	%

Agriculture
Net sales	$	269,813		$	333,167		$	1,174,961		$	1,335,285
Gross profit		80,973			94,378			393,953			381,793
as a percent of net sales		30.0	%		28.3	%		33.5	%		28.6	%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		58,833			53,894			230,729			202,530
as a percent of net sales		21.8	%		16.2	%		19.6	%		15.2	%
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			—			137,273			—
Realignment charges		8,194			—			9,101			—
Operating income		13,946			40,484			16,850			179,263
as a percent of net sales		5.2	%		12.2	%		1.4	%		13.4	%

Other
Net sales	$	—		$	33,272		$	—		$	100,219
Gross profit		—			2,603			—			7,820
as a percent of net sales		NM			7.8	%		NM			7.8	%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		—			1,158			—			5,561
as a percent of net sales		NM			3.5	%		NM			5.5	%
Operating income		—			1,445			—			2,259
as a percent of net sales		NM			4.3	%		NM			2.3	%

Corporate
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	$	26,303		$	31,804		$	112,697		$	102,772
Realignment charges		6,645			—			8,849			—
Operating loss		(32,948	)		(31,804	)		(121,546	)		(102,772	)

NM = not meaningful

Valmont has aggregated its business segments into two global reportable segments as follows.

Infrastructure: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of products and solutions to serve infrastructure markets of utility, solar, lighting, transportation, and telecommunications, along with coatings services to protect metal products.

Agriculture: This segment consists of the manufacture of center pivot components and linear irrigation equipment for agricultural markets, including parts and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture.

In addition to these two reportable segments, the Company had a business and related activities that were not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This business, the offshore wind energy structures business, was reported in the “Other” segment until its divestiture in fiscal 2022.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OPERATING RESULTS

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

The backlog of orders for the principal products manufactured and marketed was $1,465.5 million as of December 30, 2023 and $1,656.4 million as of December 31, 2022. An order is reported in our backlog upon receipt of a purchase order from the customer or execution of a sales order contract. We anticipate that most of the fiscal 2023 backlog of orders will be filled during fiscal 2024. As of December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total backlog by segment was as follows:


	December 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Infrastructure	$	1,299.6	$	1,339.1
Agriculture		165.9		317.3
Total backlog	$	1,465.5	$	1,656.4

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OPERATING RESULTS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2023
	*Infrastructure*		*Agriculture*		*Intersegment*			*Consolidated*
Geographical Market:
North America	$	575,166	$	136,378	$	(4,240	)	$	707,304
International		173,124		135,266		(168	)		308,222
Total sales	$	748,290	$	271,644	$	(4,408	)	$	1,015,526

Product Line:
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation	$	316,674	$	—	$	—		$	316,674
Lighting and Transportation		236,210		—		—			236,210
Coatings		84,129		—		(2,409	)		81,720
Telecommunications		56,660		—		—			56,660
Solar		54,617		—		(168	)		54,449
Irrigation Equipment and Parts		—		244,148		(1,831	)		242,317
Technology Products and Services		—		27,496		—			27,496
Total sales	$	748,290	$	271,644	$	(4,408	)	$	1,015,526


	Fourteen weeks ended December 31, 2022
	*Infrastructure*		*Agriculture*		*Other*		*Intersegment*			*Consolidated*
Geographical Market:
North America	$	588,867	$	202,560	$	—	$	(5,932	)	$	785,495
International		182,470		132,506		33,272		(2,227	)		346,021
Total sales	$	771,337	$	335,066	$	33,272	$	(8,159	)	$	1,131,516

Product Line:
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation	$	302,444	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	302,444
Lighting and Transportation		239,453		—		—		—			239,453
Coatings		92,441		—		—		(4,032	)		88,409
Telecommunications		87,577		—		—		—			87,577
Solar		49,422		—		—		(2,228	)		47,194
Irrigation Equipment and Parts		—		302,965		—		(1,899	)		301,066
Technology Products and Services		—		32,101		—		—			32,101
Other		—		—		33,272		—			33,272
Total sales	$	771,337	$	335,066	$	33,272	$	(8,159	)	$	1,131,516

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OPERATING RESULTS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Fifty-two weeks ended December 30, 2023
	*Infrastructure*		*Agriculture*		*Intersegment*			*Consolidated*
Geographical Market:
North America	$	2,318,801	$	587,056	$	(16,282	)	$	2,889,575
International		691,266		595,167		(1,410	)		1,285,023
Total sales	$	3,010,067	$	1,182,223	$	(17,692	)	$	4,174,598

Product Line:
Transmission, Distribution, and Substation	$	1,243,768	$	—	$	—		$	1,243,768
Lighting and Transportation		964,072		—		—			964,072
Coatings		354,330		—		(9,020	)		345,310
Telecommunications		252,165		—		—			252,165
Solar		195,732		—		(1,410	)		194,322
Irrigation Equipment and Parts		—		1,069,425		(7,262	)		1,062,163
Technology Products and Services		—		112,798		—			112,798
Total sales	$	3,010,067	$	1,182,223	$	(17,692	)	$	4,174,598