Increased Operating Income by 16% in 2019
Secured $1.5 Billion in Automotive Awards in 2019, including a Record Level in Q4
2020 Guidance EstablishedNORTHVILLE, Mich., Feb. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gentherm (NASDAQ:THRM), a global market leader and developer of innovative thermal management technologies, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.Fourth Quarter HighlightsProduct revenues of $230.4 million decreased 10.0% from $256.0 million in the 2018 fourth quarter. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and divested assets, product revenues declined 2.9% year over yearAutomotive revenues, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, decreased 4.6% year over yearGAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.32 as compared with earnings per share of $0.36 for the prior-year periodAdjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding impairments and net loss on divestures, restructuring expenses, and unrealized currency loss (see table herein), was $0.65.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the prior-year period was $0.50Secured record quarterly automotive new business awards totaling approximately $560 millionFull Year HighlightsProduct revenues of $971.7 million decreased 7.3% from $1,048.5 million in 2018.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and divested assets, product revenues declined 1.1% year over yearAutomotive revenues, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, decreased 1.9% year over yearGAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.13 as compared with $1.16 for the prior-year periodAdjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding impairments and net loss on divestures, restructuring expenses, and unrealized currency gain (see table herein), was $2.34.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the prior-year period was $2.12Secured automotive new business awards totaling $1.5 billionRepurchased $63 million of the Company’s stock“We delivered strong financial results despite macroeconomic and automotive industry challenges and consistently outperformed light vehicle production in our key markets. In Automotive, we secured $1.5 billion of new awards from automakers around the world in 2019. In Medical, we delivered double-digit revenue growth as a result of strong demand for Blanketrol®, UV Treo and the addition of Stihler products,” said Phil Eyler, Gentherm’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, we made significant progress in improving profitability through the ‘Fit-for-Growth’ program. In 2019, we increased our gross margin rate by 60 basis points and achieved a 130-basis point improvement in our Adjusted EBITDA margin rate. While we expect continued industry headwinds in 2020, the momentum in new awards, along with expanding demand for our new technologies and our continued focus on productivity, position us well to deliver significant long-term shareholder value.”2019 Fourth Quarter Financial ReviewProduct revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 decreased $25.6 million, or 10.0%, as compared with the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and divested assets, product revenues declined 2.9% year over year. Excluding the impact from the strike at General Motors, foreign currency translation and divested assets, product revenues increased 1.0% year over year.Automotive revenues declined 5.8% year over year. Revenue increases in Other Automotive, Battery Thermal Management (BTM) and Automotive Cables were more than offset by revenue declines in all other product categories. Adjusting for foreign currency translation, organic Automotive revenues decreased 4.6% year over year. Excluding the impact from the strike at General Motors and foreign currency translation, automotive revenues declined 0.5% year over year. According to IHS Markit’s mid-February forecast for the fourth quarter of 2019, actual light vehicle production declined by 4.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.The 53.8% revenue decline in the Industrial segment resulted from the absence of revenue in this year’s fourth quarter from the divested Cincinnati Sub-Zero (CSZ) industrial chamber and Global Power Technologies (GPT) businesses. Gentherm Medical revenue increased 53.6% year over year, primarily as a result of strength in both new and existing products, as well as a shift in timing of equipment orders from the third quarter to the fourth quarter.See the “Revenues by Product Category” table included below for additional detail.Gross margin rate increased to 28.5% in the current-year period, an 80-basis point improvement over the prior-year period, primarily as a result of higher labor productivity, supplier cost reductions and Fit-for-Growth cost reduction initiatives. These were partially offset by annual customer price reductions, decreased volume and wage inflation.Net research and development expenses of $15.5 million in the 2019 fourth quarter decreased $1.0 million, or 6.2%. R&D expenses declined year over year, as a direct result of the Company’s focused portfolio and Fit-for-Growth cost reduction initiatives.  Selling, general and administrative expenses of $27.0 million in the 2019 fourth quarter decreased $4.6 million, or 14.6%, versus the prior-year period. The year-over-year decline was primarily driven by the Industrial businesses and the impact of the Fit-for-Growth cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by higher incentive compensation.During the quarter, the Company recognized $1.1 million in restructuring expenses which resulted from actions associated with Fit-for-Growth initiatives, including its restructuring plan to improve manufacturing productivity. The Company has identified a total of $74 million of savings, essentially meeting its annualized target of $75 million by 2021. Total implemented actions to date are expected to deliver annualized savings of approximately $44 million.As described more fully in the “Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA” table included below, the Company recorded Adjusted EBITDA of $34.4 million in the 2019 fourth quarter compared with $34.5 million in the prior-year period, a decrease of $0.1 million or 0.4%.Income tax expense in the 2019 fourth quarter was $2.4 million, as compared with $6.4 million in the prior-year period. Adjusting for the $5.9 million non-deductible impairment loss associated with GPT, the effective tax rate for the quarter was 13.0%. This rate differed from the Federal statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to one-time benefits from certain transactions which disproportionately benefited lower tax rate jurisdictions.GAAP diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $0.32 compared with earnings per share of $0.36 for the prior-year period. Excluding impairments and net loss on divestures, restructuring expenses, and unrealized currency loss (see table herein), was $0.65.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the prior-year period was $0.50.Full Year Revenue and Earnings Per Share DiscussionFor full-year 2019, the Company reported product revenues of $971.7 million, a 7.3% decrease over the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and divested assets, the year-over-year decline was 1.1%.  Excluding the impact from the strike at General Motors, foreign currency translation and divested assets, product revenues was essentially flat year over year.In the Automotive segment, 2019 full-year revenues were $920.2 million, a 3.9% decrease compared to the prior year. Revenue increases in BTM and Other Automotive were more than offset by revenue declines in all other product categories. Adjusting for foreign currency translation, organic Automotive revenues decreased 1.9% year over year. Excluding the impact from the strike at General Motors and foreign currency translation, automotive revenues declined 0.6% year over year. According to IHS Markit’s mid-February forecast for full-year 2019, actual light vehicle production declined by 5.6% compared to of 2018.The Company’s Industrial Segment revenues were $51.5 million, a 43.3% decrease compared to the prior year. The year over year reduction was due to the divestitures of the CSZ industrial chambers and GPT businesses during 2019, partially offset by a 22.4% increase in Gentherm Medical revenue.Gross margin rate increased to 29.7% in 2019, a 60-basis point improvement over 2018, primarily as a result of higher labor productivity, supplier cost reductions and Fit-for-Growth cost reduction initiatives. These were partially offset by annual customer price reductions, decreased volume and wage inflation.Net research and development expenses of $72.5 million in 2019 decreased 9.3%. R&D expenses improved year over year, as a direct result of the Company’s focused portfolio and Fit-for-Growth cost reduction initiatives.  Selling, general and administrative expenses of $118.7 million in 2019 decreased $18.7 million, or 13.6%, versus the prior-year period. The year-over-year improvement was primarily driven by the divestiture of the Industrial businesses and the impact of the Fit-for-Growth cost reduction initiatives.As described more fully in the “Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA” table included below, the Company recorded Adjusted EBITDA of $142.5 million in 2019 compared with $140.2 million in the prior year, an increase of $2.2 million or 1.6%.GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.13, as compared with $1.16 for the prior year.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding impairments and net loss on divestures, restructuring expenses, and unrealized currency gain (see table herein), was $2.34.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the prior-year period was $2.12.GuidanceThe Company is providing the following guidance for full-year 2020, excluding divested assets:Product revenues are expected to change between down 1% and up 3%, excluding the impact of foreign currency, with year-over-year growth gradually increasing as the year progressesGross margin rate between 29% and 30%Adjusted operating expenses between 18% and 19% of product revenuesAdjusted EBITDA between 15% and 16% of product revenuesFull-year effective tax rate between 27% and 29%Capital expenditures between $40 and $50 millionThe Company plans to provide an updated longer-term outlook at an Investor event being planned for June 2020 around the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Conference CallAs previously announced, Gentherm will conduct a conference call today at 8:00 AM Eastern Time to review these results. The dial-in number for the call is 1-877-407-4018 (callers in the U.S.) or +1-201-689-8471 (callers outside the U.S.). The passcode for the live call is 13698373. A live webcast and one-year archived replay of the call can be accessed on the Events page of the Investor section of Gentherm’s website at www.gentherm.com.A telephonic replay will be available at approximately 2 hours after the call until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 4, 2020. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (callers in the U.S.), or +1-412-317-6671 (callers outside the U.S.). The passcode for the replay is 13698373.Investor Relations Contact
Yijing Brentano
[email protected]
248.308.1702Media Contact
Melissa Fischer
[email protected]
248.289.9702About GenthermGentherm (NASDAQ:THRM) is a global developer and marketer of innovative thermal management technologies for a broad range of heating and cooling and temperature control applications. Automotive products include variable temperature Climate Control Seats, heated automotive interior systems (including heated seats, steering wheels, armrests and other components), battery thermal management systems, cable systems and other electronic devices. Medical products include patient temperature management systems. The Company is also developing a number of new technologies and products that will help enable improvements to existing products and to create new product applications for existing and new markets. Gentherm has 12,000 employees in facilities in the United States, Germany, Canada, China, Hungary, Japan, Korea, North Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Vietnam. For more information, go to www.gentherm.com.Except for historical information contained herein, statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent Gentherm Incorporated’s goals, beliefs, plans and expectations about its prospects for the future and other future events. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein and are based on management’s reasonable expectations and beliefs. Such statements are subject to a number of important assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from that described in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Those risks include, but are not limited to, risks that: declines in automobile production may have an adverse impact; sales may not increase and the projected future sales volumes on which the Company manages its business may be inaccurate; new or improved competing products may be developed by competitors with greater resources; customer preferences may shift, including due to the evolving use of automobiles and technology; the Company may lose suppliers or customers; market acceptance of the Company’s existing or new products may decrease; currency exchange rates may change unfavorably; pricing pressures from customers may increase; the macroeconomic environment may present adverse conditions; new products may not be feasible; additional financing may not be available, if needed; work stoppages impacting the Company, its suppliers or customers, due to labor matters, civil or political unrest, infectious diseases and epidemics or other reasons, could harm the Company’s operations; free trade agreements may be altered or additional tariffs may be implemented; customers may not accept pass-through of tariff costs; the Company may be unable to protect its intellectual property in certain jurisdictions; there may be manufacturing or design defects or other quality issues with the Company’s products; the Company may be unable to effectively implement ongoing restructuring and other cost-savings measures or realize the full amount of estimated savings; the Company’s business may be harmed by security breaches and other disruptions to its IT systems; the Company may be unable to repurchase its shares of common stock at favorable prices or at all; the Company may not be able to comply with restrictions under the Company’s debt agreements; the Company may be unable to comply with or may incur increased costs associated with complying with domestic and international regulations, which could change in an unfavorable manner; and other adverse conditions in the industries in which the Company operates may negatively affect its results.The foregoing risks should be read in conjunction with the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including “Risk Factors”, in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. In addition, the business outlook discussed in this release does not include the potential impact of any business combinations,  acquisitions, divestitures, strategic investments and other significant transactions that may be completed after the date hereof, each of which may present material risks to the Company’s business and financial results.Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
GENTHERM INCORPORATEDCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)(1)   Certain reclassifications of prior year’s amounts have been made to conform with the current year’s presentation
GENTHERM INCORPORATED
REVENUE BY PRODUCT CATEGORY
(Unaudited, in thousands)(1)   Certain reclassifications of prior year’s amounts have been made to conform with the current year’s presentation
GENTHERM INCORPORATEDRECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)Use of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIn addition to the results reported in accordance with GAAP throughout this release, the Company has provided information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings per share or Adjusted EPS, and adjusted operating expenses (as a percentage of revenue), each a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, deferred financing cost amortization, and other gains and losses not reflective of the Company’s ongoing operations and related tax effects including transaction expenses, debt retirement expenses, impairment of assets held for sale, gain or loss on sale of business, restructuring expense, unrealized currency gain or loss and unrealized revaluation of derivatives. The Company defines Adjusted EPS as earnings per share on a diluted basis, adjusted by gains and losses not reflective of the Company’s ongoing operations and related tax effects including transaction expenses, debt retirement expenses, impairment of assets held for sale, gain or loss on sale of business, restructuring expense, unrealized currency gain or loss and unrealized revaluation of derivatives. The Company defines adjusted operating expenses (as a percentage of revenue) as operating expenses adjusted by restructuring expense and other matters that the Company believes is not reflective of its ongoing capital expenditures and related tax effects. The Company’s reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in this release. The Company’s Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS can be found in the supplemental materials furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated February 19, 2020 and also is included in the presentation entitled “Q4 2019 Gentherm Incorporated Earnings Conference Presentation,” which can be found on the Events page of the Investor section of Gentherm’s website at www.gentherm.com.In evaluating its business, the Company considers and uses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS and adjusted operating expenses (as a percentage of revenue) as supplemental measures of its operating performance. Management provides these non-GAAP measures so that investors will have the same financial information that management uses with the belief that it will assist investors in properly assessing the Company’s performance on a period-over-period basis. Other companies in our industry may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do and those calculations may not be comparable to our metrics. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing the Company’s operating performance, investors should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation, or as a substitute for net income or other consolidated income statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.Non-GAAP measures referenced in this release may include estimates of future performance. Such forward-looking non-GAAP measures may differ significantly from the corresponding GAAP measures, due to depreciation and amortization, tax expense, and/or interest expense, some or all of which management has not quantified for the future periods and therefore the Company has not provided a reconciliation for such forward-looking non-GAAP measures.
GENTHERM INCORPORATEDACQUISITION TRANSACTION EXPENSES, PURCHASE ACCOUNTING IMPACTS
AND OTHER EFFECTS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
GENTHERM INCORPORATEDCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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GENTHERM INCORPORATEDCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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