Atkore International Group Inc. Announces First Quarter 2021 Results

Atkore International Group Inc. (the "Company" or "Atkore") (NYSE: ATKR) announced earnings for its fiscal 2021 first quarter ended December 25, 2020 and plans to change its name to Atkore Inc.

“Atkore started fiscal year 2021 with another record quarter driven by strong performance across our businesses. In particular, we had better-than-expected results in our PVC electrical conduit business where we met increasing market demand amidst industry supply constraints through successful implementation of the Atkore Business System,” commented Bill Waltz, Atkore President and Chief Executive Officer. “Across Atkore, our teams continued to prioritize delivering excellent and reliable service to our customers, driving $511 million in net sales, while adhering to our health and safety policies. I want to thank them for their outstanding commitment to this level of operational execution."

“We raised our outlook for the fiscal year to reflect the results we achieved in the first quarter and the outsized growth in the PVC electrical conduit business we expect to continue through the second quarter. With a strong balance sheet and a focus on driving value creation, we will continue to prudently deploy capital through a combination of investing in our business, returning capital to our shareholders and paying down debt. Our new share repurchase authorization underscores our confidence in our ability to continue to grow earnings and generate strong cash flows.”

2021 First Quarter Results

Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company renamed and redefined its reportable segments as “Electrical” and “Safety & Infrastructure.” See Segment Redefinition and Realignment discussion below.

Net sales increased by $63.6 million, or 14.2%, to $511.1 million for the three months ended December 25, 2020, compared to $447.4 million for the three months ended December 27, 2019. The increase in net sales is primarily attributed to increased average selling prices of $81.2 million which was mostly driven by the PVC electrical conduit and fittings product category within the Electrical segment, partially offset by lower volume of $27.8 million primarily attributed to declines in the armored cable and fittings and the metal electrical conduit and fittings product categories within the Electrical segment.

Gross profit increased by $72.3 million, or 61.9%, to $189.2 million for the three months ended December 25, 2020, as compared to $116.8 million for the prior-year period. Gross margin increased to 37.0% for the three months ended December 25, 2020, as compared to 26.1% for the prior-year period. Gross profit increased primarily due to higher average selling prices of $81.2 million and favorable inventory valuation reserve adjustments, partially offset by higher input costs of steel, copper and resin of $22.9 million above the pass through impact of average selling prices.

Net income increased by $50.3 million, or 144.5%, to $85.1 million for the three months ended December 25, 2020 compared to $34.8 million for the prior-year period primarily due to higher gross profit and lower interest expense, partially offset by higher income tax expense.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $59.3 million, or 76.3%, to $137.0 million for the three months ended December 25, 2020 compared to $77.7 million for the three months ended December 27, 2019. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit.

Diluted earnings per share prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") was $1.75 for the three months ended December 25, 2020, as compared to $0.71 in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income per diluted share increased by $0.94 to $1.88 for the three months ended December 25, 2020, as compared to $0.94 in the prior year period. The increase in diluted earnings per share and adjusted net income per share is primarily attributed to higher gross profit and lower interest expense.

Segment Results

Electrical

Net sales increased by $62.6 million, or 19.3%, to $387.1 million for the three months ended December 25, 2020 compared to $324.5 million for the three months ended December 27, 2019. The increase in net sales is primarily attributed to increased average selling prices of $81.4 million which was mostly driven by the PVC electrical conduit and fittings product category, partially offset by lower volume of $29.4 million primarily attributed to declines in the armored cable and fittings and the metal electrical conduit and fittings product categories.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 25, 2020 increased by $65.2 million, or 95.6%, to $133.3 million from $68.1 million for the three months ended December 27, 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margins increased to 34.4% for the three months ended December 25, 2020 compared to 21.0% for the three months ended December 27, 2019. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was largely due to higher average selling prices in relation to changes in input costs and operational efficiencies.

Safety & Infrastructure

Net sales increased by $1.3 million, or 1.0%, for the three months ended December 25, 2020 to $124.8 million compared to $123.5 million for the three months ended December 27, 2019. The increase is primarily attributed to higher volume of $1.6 million primarily in the mechanical pipe product category.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $4.5 million, or 23.9%, to $14.3 million for the three months ended December 25, 2020 compared to $18.7 million for the three months ended December 27, 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margins decreased to 11.4% for the three months ended December 25, 2020 compared to 15.2% for the three months ended December 27, 2019. The Adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily due to the timing lag in reflecting the rising input costs of steel in average selling prices.

Share Repurchase Program

On January 28, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock over the next two years. The Company will conduct repurchases under the new program in the open market and through broker negotiated purchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, and other relevant factors. The share repurchase program will be funded from the company’s available cash balances. This share repurchase program does not obligate the company to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and it may be terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion.

Segment Redefinition and Realignment and Company Name Change

During the first quarter, Atkore made the decision to rename and reorganize its two reportable segments to better reflect each segment’s value proposition and go to market approach.

The Electrical Raceway segment, which was renamed as the Electrical segment, manufactures high quality products used in the construction of electrical power systems including conduit, cable, and installation accessories. This segment serves contractors in partnership with the electrical wholesale channel.

The Mechanical Products & Solutions segment, which was renamed as the Safety & Infrastructure segment, designs and manufactures solutions including metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security, and cable management for the protection and reliability of critical infrastructure. These solutions are marketed to contractors, original equipment manufacturers and end users.

Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company also implemented the realignment of its segment financial reporting structure such that its domestic cable management and prefabrication modular businesses are now reflected in its Safety & Infrastructure segment. These businesses were previously reflected within the Electrical Raceway segment. Prior year results have been revised for the impact of the realignment for comparability. Quarterly historical segment financial information for fiscal 2020 and annual historical segment financial information for fiscal 2020 and 2019 have been provided in the attached financial schedules.

Consistent with recent rebranding activities, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved implementation of a name change from Atkore International Group Inc. to Atkore Inc. The Company will continue to use the ticker symbol ATKR.

Full-Year Outlook

Based on market trends and Atkore’s continued execution, the Company is increasing its outlook for Net sales, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per diluted share for fiscal year 2021. The Company expects Net Sales to be up approximately 16% to 20%, and Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $440 to $460 million, up approximately $100 million dollars versus the prior outlook. In addition, the Company expects Adjusted net income per diluted share to be in the range of $5.65 - $5.95. This updated outlook reflects Atkore’s expectation that the strong demand and industry supply constraints in the PVC electrical conduit business will continue through the second quarter and that they will normalize in the back half of the year.

In light of these trends and the current environment, the Company is also providing its initial perspective on fiscal year 2022. The Company expects fiscal year 2022 Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $400 million, which is in line with historical double digit growth rates when compared to fiscal year 2020. The Company notes that this perspective may vary due to changes in assumptions or market conditions and other factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Reconciliations of the forward-looking full-year 2021 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per diluted share and full-year 2022 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA are not being provided as the Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliations.

Conference Call Information

Atkore management will host a conference call today, February 2, 2021, at 8 a.m. Eastern time, to discuss the Company's financial results. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (833) 968-2233 (domestic) or (825) 312-2056 (international). The call will be available for replay until February 16, 2021. The replay can be accessed by dialing (800) 585-8367 for domestic callers, or for international callers, (416) 621-4642. The passcode for the live call and the replay is 6669212.

Interested investors and other parties can also listen to a webcast of the live conference call by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.atkore.com. The online replay will be available on the same website immediately following the call.

To learn more about the Company, please visit the company's website at http://investors.atkore.com.

About Atkore International Group Inc.

Atkore is forging a future where our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and communities are building better together – a future focused on serving the customer and powering and protecting the world. With a network of manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide, Atkore is a leading provider of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions. To learn more, please visit www.atkore.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to financial outlook. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "shall," "should," "would," "could," "seeks," "aims," "projects," "is optimistic," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the market in which we operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and the development of the market in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

A number of important factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed or referenced under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 19, 2020 could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements include, without limitation: declines in, and uncertainty regarding, the general business and economic conditions in the United States and international markets in which we operate; weakness or another downturn in the United States non-residential construction industry; widespread outbreak of diseases, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; changes in prices of raw materials; pricing pressure, reduced profitability, or loss of market share due to intense competition; availability and cost of third-party freight carriers and energy; high levels of imports of products similar to those manufactured by us; changes in federal, state, local and international governmental regulations and trade policies; adverse weather conditions; increased costs relating to future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental, health and safety laws; reduced spending by, deterioration in the financial condition of, or other adverse developments, including inability or unwillingness to pay our invoices on time, with respect to one or more of our top customers; increases in our working capital needs, which are substantial and fluctuate based on economic activity and the market prices for our main raw materials, including as a result of failure to collect, or delays in the collection of, cash from the sale of manufactured products; work stoppage or other interruptions of production at our facilities as a result of disputes under existing collective bargaining agreements with labor unions or in connection with negotiations of new collective bargaining agreements, as a result of supplier financial distress, or for other reasons; changes in our financial obligations relating to pension plans that we maintain in the United States; reduced production or distribution capacity due to interruptions in the operations of our facilities or those of our key suppliers; loss of a substantial number of our third-party agents or distributors or a dramatic deviation from the amount of sales they generate; security threats, attacks, or other disruptions to our information systems, or failure to comply with complex network security, data privacy and other legal obligations or the failure to protect sensitive information; possible impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets as a result of future triggering events, such as declines in our cash flow projections or customer demand and changes in our business and valuation assumptions; safety and labor risks associated with the manufacture and in the testing of our products; product liability, construction defect and warranty claims and litigation relating to our various products, as well as government inquiries and investigations, and consumer, employment, tort and other legal proceedings; our ability to protect our intellectual property and other material proprietary rights; risks inherent in doing business internationally; changes in foreign laws and legal systems, including as a result of Brexit; our inability to introduce new products effectively or implement our innovation strategies; our inability to continue importing raw materials, component parts and/or finished goods; the incurrence of liabilities and the issuance of additional debt or equity in connection with acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures and the failure of indemnification provisions in our acquisition agreements to fully protect us from unexpected liabilities; failure to manage acquisitions successfully, including identifying, evaluating, and valuing acquisition targets and integrating acquired companies, businesses or assets; the incurrence of additional expenses, increase in complexity of our supply chain and potential damage to our reputation with customers resulting from regulations related to "conflict minerals"; disruptions or impediments to the receipt of sufficient raw materials resulting from various anti-terrorism security measures; restrictions contained in our debt agreements; failure to generate cash sufficient to pay the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due on our debt; challenges attracting and retaining key personnel or high-quality employees; future changes to tax legislation; failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to raise sufficient funds in the capital markets to satisfy existing obligations and support the development of our business; and other factors described from time to time in documents that we file with the SEC. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of the date hereof.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release includes certain financial information, not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Because not all companies calculate non-GAAP financial information identically (or at all), the presentations herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. Further, these measures should not be considered substitutes for the performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. See non-GAAP reconciliations below in this press release for a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin in evaluating the performance of our business and in the preparation of our annual operating budgets as indicators of business performance and profitability. We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin allow us to readily view operating trends, perform analytical comparisons and identify strategies to improve operating performance.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before: depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, income tax expense (benefit), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, certain legal matters, transaction costs, and other items, such as inventory reserves and adjustments, realized or unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency impacts of intercompany loans and related forward currency derivatives, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, insurance recovery related to damages of property, plant and equipment and release of indemnified uncertain tax positions. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net sales.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for investors because management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin in evaluating the performance of our business.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Share

We use Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share in evaluating the performance of our business and profitability. Management believes that these measures provide useful information to investors by offering additional ways of viewing the Company's results that, when reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measure provide an indication of performance and profitability excluding the impact of unusual and or non-cash items. We define Adjusted net income as net income before stock-based compensation, intangible asset amortization, certain legal matters and other items, and the income tax expense or benefit on the foregoing adjustments that are subject to income tax. We define Adjusted net income per share as basic and diluted net income per share excluding the per share impact of stock-based compensation, intangible asset amortization, certain legal matters and other items, and the income tax expense or benefit on the foregoing adjustments that are subject to income tax.

Leverage Ratio - Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA

We define leverage ratio as the ratio of net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) to Adjusted EBITDA on a trailing twelve-month ("TTM") basis. We believe the leverage ratio is useful to investors as an alternative liquidity measure.

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures. We believe that Free Cash Flow provides meaningful information regarding the Company’s liquidity.

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