• Organic revenues increased 4.7 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.
• Earnings before income taxes increased 14.8 percent to $39.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $34.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
• Diluted EPS increased 18.4 percent to $0.58 in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $0.49 in the same quarter of the prior year.
• Diluted EPS guidance for the full year ending July 31, 2019 was increased to a range of $2.20 to $2.30 from the previous range of $2.15 to $2.25.

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brady Corporation (NYSE: BRC) (“Brady” or “Company”), a world leader in identification solutions, today reported its financial results for its fiscal 2019 first quarter ended October 31, 2018. 

Quarter Ended October 31, 2018 Financial Results:

Earnings before income taxes increased 14.8 percent to $39.9 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2018, compared to $34.8 million in the same quarter last year.

Net earnings for the quarter ended October 31, 2018, were $30.6 million compared to $25.8 million in the same quarter last year.

Net earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share were $0.58 for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $0.49 in the same quarter last year.

Sales for the quarter ended October 31, 2018 increased 1.0 percent, which consisted of organic sales growth of 4.7 percent, a decrease in sales of 2.0 percent from foreign currency translation, and a decrease in sales of 1.7 percent from the divestiture of a business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Sales for the quarter ended October 31, 2018 were $293.2 million compared to $290.2 million in the same quarter last year. By segment, sales increased 4.0 percent in Identification Solutions and decreased 6.6 percent in Workplace Safety, which consisted of organic sales growth of 5.7 percent in Identification Solutions and organic sales growth of 2.2 percent in Workplace Safety.

Commentary:

“Our investments to increase organic sales growth through the development of innovative new products and to provide increased value to our customers is paying off as we reported 4.7 percent organic growth this quarter, which marks our sixth consecutive quarter of organic sales growth,” said Brady’s President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Nauman. “This quarter also represents our thirteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year pre-tax earnings growth. We apply a consistent and balanced approach to generating organic sales growth while driving sustainable efficiency gains throughout our global operations and SG&A structure. We expect this positive organic sales trend to continue as we invest in new product development in our global businesses and as our Workplace Safety business returns to consistent organic sales growth.”

“We used our cash generation this quarter to increase our investments in research and development and capability-enhancing capital expenditures while returning funds to our shareholders through dividends and further strengthening our balance sheet. We finished in a net cash position of $137.8 million as of October 31, 2018,” said Brady’s Chief Financial Officer, Aaron Pearce. “We’re experiencing increased costs in certain areas, making our focus on driving efficiency improvements and making investments in equipment and machinery to increase automation our top operational priorities. Our balance sheet provides significant flexibility for ongoing investments in growth opportunities to drive long-term shareholder value.”

Fiscal 2019 Guidance:

The Company is increasing its full year fiscal 2019 earnings per diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share guidance from its previous range of $2.15 to $2.25 to a range of $2.20 to $2.30. Included in this guidance is organic sales growth of 3.0 percent to 5.0 percent, a full-year income tax rate in the mid-20 percent range, and depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $26 million. The Company expects to achieve efficiency gains in its manufacturing facilities and in selling, general and administrative expenses while continuing to increase investments in research and development. Capital expenditures are anticipated to be approximately $35 million during the year ending July 31, 2019. This guidance is based upon foreign currency exchange rates as of October 31, 2018.

A webcast regarding Brady’s fiscal 2019 first quarter financial results will be available at www.bradycorp.com/investors beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central Time today.

Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places. Brady’s products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software. Founded in 1914, the Company has a diverse customer base in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, medical, aerospace and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as of July 31, 2018, employed approximately 6,200 people in its worldwide businesses. Brady’s fiscal 2018 sales were approximately $1.17 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com.

In this news release, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.

The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from: our ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute our strategy; Brady’s ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands; difficulties in protecting our websites, networks, and systems against security breaches; decreased demand for our products; Brady’s ability to retain large customers; extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities; risks associated with the loss of key employees; divestitures and contingent liabilities from divestitures; Brady’s ability to properly identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies; litigation, including product liability claims; Brady’s ability to execute facility consolidations and maintain acceptable operational service metrics; foreign currency fluctuations; the impact of the Tax Reform Act and any other changes in tax legislation and tax rates; potential write-offs of Brady’s substantial intangible assets; differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders; Brady’s ability to meet certain financial covenants required by our debt agreements; numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of Brady’s Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2018.

These uncertainties may cause Brady’s actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. 

For More Information:
Investor contact: Ann Thornton 414-438-6887
Media contact: Kate Venne 414-358-5176