Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts )
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read together with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
General
The Company is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of arc welding and cutting products, manufacturing a broad line of arc welding equipment, consumable welding products and other welding and cutting products. Welding products include arc welding power sources, computer numerical control and plasma cutters, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, integrated automation systems, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes, fluxes, welding accessories and specialty welding consumables and fabrication. The Company’s product offering also includes oxy-fuel cutting systems and regulators and torches used in oxy-fuel welding, cutting and brazing. In addition, the Company has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.
The Company’s products are sold in both domestic and international markets. In the Americas, products are sold principally through industrial distributors, retailers and directly to users of welding products. Outside of the Americas, the Company has an international sales organization comprised of Company employees and agents who sell products from the Company’s various manufacturing sites to distributors and product users.
The Company’s business units are aligned into three operating segments. The operating segments consist of Americas Welding, International Welding and The Harris Products Group. The Americas Welding segment includes welding operations in North and South America. The International Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Harris Products Group includes the Company’s global oxy-fuel cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as its retail business in the United States.
In March 2022, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Company announced it was ceasing operations in Russia and implementing plans to support its Russian employees. Although the Company’s Net sales and Total assets in Russia are less than 1% of consolidated Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 and less than 1% of consolidated Total assets as of December 31, 2021, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and sanctions imposed globally may result in economic and supply chain disruptions, the ultimate financial impact of which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The Company will continue to monitor the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its potential impacts.
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Results of Operations
The following table shows the Company’s results of operations:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Favorable (Unfavorable)
2022
2021
2022 vs. 2021
Amount
% of Sales
Amount
% of Sales
$
%
Net sales
$
925,448
$
757,021
$
168,427
22.2
%
Cost of goods sold
595,671
503,254
(92,417)
(18.4)
%
Gross profit
329,777
35.6
%
253,767
33.5
%
76,010
30.0
%
Selling, general & administrative expenses
166,686
18.0
%
145,676
19.2
%
(21,010)
(14.4)
%
Rationalization and asset impairment charges
1,885
0.2
%
4,163
0.5
%
2,278
54.7
%
Operating income
161,206
17.4
%
103,928
13.7
%
57,278
55.1
%
Interest expense, net
6,198
5,359
(839)
(15.7)
%
Other income (expense)
4,634
(1,416)
6,050
427.3
%
Income before income taxes
159,642
17.3
%
97,153
12.8
%
62,489
64.3
%
Income taxes
33,611
23,020
(10,591)
(46.0)
%
Effective tax rate
21.1
%
23.7
%
2.6
%
Net income including non-controlling interests
126,031
74,133
51,898
70.0
%
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries' loss
1
(44)
45
102.3
%
Net income
$
126,030
13.6
%
$
74,177
9.8
%
$
51,853
69.9
%
Diluted earnings per share
$
2.13
$
1.23
$
0.90
73.2
%
Net Sales:
The following table summarizes the impact of volume, acquisitions, price and foreign currency exchange rates on Net sales on a consolidated basis:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change in Net Sales due to:
Net Sales
Foreign
Net Sales
2021
Volume
Acquisitions
Price
Exchange
2022
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
$
757,021
$
24,122
$
34,829
$
143,131
$
(33,655)
$
925,448
% Change
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
3.2
%
4.6
%
18.9
%
(4.4)
%
22.2
%
Net sales increased in the three months ended March 31, 2022 driven by higher demand levels, increased product pricing as a result of higher input costs and the impact of acquisitions, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange
Gross Profit:
Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 30.0% driven by higher volumes, the impact of cost reduction initiatives and pricing actions taken to offset higher input costs. Last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) charges were $6,888 in the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared with charges of $3,854 in 2021.
Selling, General & Administrative ("SG&A") Expenses:
SG&A expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same 2021 period, primarily due to higher employee costs.
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Rationalization and Asset Impairment Charges:
The Company recorded charges of $1,885 ($1,836 after-tax) and $4,163 ($3,831 after-tax) in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily related to severance charges and gains or losses on the disposal of assets.
Other Income (Expense):
The increase in Other income (expense) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to March 31, 2021 was primarily due to the final settlement associated with the termination of a pension plan in the current year and non-cash pension settlement charges resulting from lump sum pension payments in 2021. Refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
Income Taxes:
The effective tax rate was lower for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to favorable discrete tax adjustments in 2022 and geographic mix of earnings.
Segment Results
Three Months Ended March 31,
Change in Net Sales due to:
Net Sales
Foreign
Net Sales
2021
Volume
Acquisitions (1)
Price (2)
Exchange (3)
2022
Operating Segments
Americas Welding
$
425,242
$
22,004
$
1,745
$
84,218
$
846
$
534,055
International Welding
223,079
(1,024)
17,632
52,190
(33,836)
258,041
The Harris Products Group
108,700
3,142
15,452
6,723
(665)
133,352
% Change
Americas Welding
5.2
%
0.4
%
19.8
%
0.2
%
25.6
%
International Welding
(0.5)
%
7.9
%
23.4
%
(15.2)
%
15.7
%
The Harris Products Group
2.9
%
14.2
%
6.2
%
(0.6)
%
22.7
%
(1) Increase for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were due to the acquisitions discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
(2) Increase for the three months ended March 31, 2022 in Americas Welding and International Welding reflects increased product pricing as a result of higher input costs. Increase for The Harris Products Group was also due to increased commodity costs.
(3) Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2022 in International Welding primarily due to the devaluation of the Turkish Lira.
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Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes:
Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary measure being the Adjusted EBIT profit measure. EBIT is defined as Operating income plus Other income (expense). EBIT is adjusted for special items as determined by management such as the impact of rationalization activities, certain asset impairment charges and gains or losses on disposals of assets.
The following table presents Adjusted EBIT by segment:
Favorable (Unfavorable)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022 vs. 2021
2022
2021
$
%
Americas Welding:
Net sales
$
534,055
$
425,242
$
108,813
25.6
%
Inter-segment sales
28,156
32,748
(4,592)
(14.0)
%
Total Sales
$
562,211
$
457,990
104,221
22.8
%
Adjusted EBIT (4)
$
111,568
$
76,617
34,951
45.6
%
As a percent of total sales (1)
19.8
%
16.7
%
3.1
%
International Welding:
Net sales
$
258,041
$
223,079
34,962
15.7
%
Inter-segment sales
6,228
4,285
1,943
45.3
%
Total Sales
$
264,269
$
227,364
36,905
16.2
%
Adjusted EBIT (5)
$
37,087
$
18,816
18,271
97.1
%
As a percent of total sales (2)
14.0
%
8.3
%
5.7
%
The Harris Products Group:
Net sales
$
133,352
$
108,700
24,652
22.7
%
Inter-segment sales
3,062
2,147
915
42.6
%
Total Sales
$
136,414
$
110,847
25,567
23.1
%
Adjusted EBIT
$
19,598
$
18,697
901
4.8
%
As a percent of total sales (3)
14.4
%
16.9
%
(2.5)
%
Corporate / Eliminations:
Inter-segment sales
$
(37,446)
$
(39,180)
1,734
4.4
%
Adjusted EBIT
(4,801)
(1,456)
(3,345)
(229.7)
%
Consolidated:
Net sales
$
925,448
$
757,021
168,427
22.2
%
Net income
$
126,030
$
74,177
51,853
69.9
%
As a percent of total sales
13.6
%
9.8
%
3.8
%
Adjusted EBIT (6)
$
163,452
$
112,674
50,778
45.1
%
As a percent of sales
17.7
%
14.9
%
2.8
%
(1) Increase for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to March 31, 2021 primarily driven by higher volumes, the impact of profit improvement initiatives and pricing actions taken to offset higher input costs, partially offset by higher employee costs.
(2) Increase for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to March 31, 2021 primarily driven by pricing actions taken to offset higher input costs and cost reduction initiatives.
(3) Decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to March 31, 2021 driven primarily by higher input costs, product mix and integration activities.
(4) The three months ended March 31, 2022 exclude a favorable adjustment related to the termination of a pension plan of $3,735. The three months ended March 31, 2021 exclude pension settlement charges of $4,440.
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(5) The three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 exclude Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $1,885 and $4,163, respectively, related to severance and gains or losses on the disposal of assets as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. The three months ended March 31, 2021 also excludes pension settlement charges of $446.
(6) See non-GAAP Financial Measures for a reconciliation of Net income as reported and Adjusted EBIT.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company reviews Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted effective tax rate, Adjusted diluted earnings per share, Return on invested capital, Cash conversion and Organic sales, all non-GAAP financial measures, in assessing and evaluating the Company’s underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of special items on the Company’s reported financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") financial measures, as non-GAAP measures are a supplement to, and not a replacement for, GAAP financial measures.
The following table presents the reconciliations of Operating income as reported to Adjusted operating income, Net income as reported to Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBIT, Effective tax rate as reported to Adjusted effective tax rate and Diluted earnings per share as reported to Adjusted diluted earnings per share:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Operating income as reported
$
161,206
$
103,928
Special items (pre-tax):
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (1)
1,885
4,163
Acquisition transaction costs (2)
—
1,113
Adjusted operating income
$
163,091
$
109,204
Net income as reported
$
126,030
$
74,177
Special items:
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (1)
1,885
4,163
Acquisition transaction costs (2)
—
1,113
Pension charges and other net gains (3)
(4,273)
4,886
Tax effect of Special items (4)
1,041
(1,561)
Adjusted net income
124,683
82,778
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries’ income (loss)
1
(44)
Interest expense, net
6,198
5,359
Income taxes as reported
33,611
23,020
Tax effect of Special items (4)
(1,041)
1,561
Adjusted EBIT
$
163,452
$
112,674
Effective tax rate as reported
21.1
%
23.7
%
Net special item tax impact
(0.4)
%
(0.8)
%
Adjusted effective tax rate
20.7
%
22.9
%
Diluted earnings per share as reported
$
2.13
$
1.23
Special items per share
(0.03)
0.14
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$
2.10
$
1.37
(1) Charges primarily related to severance and gains or losses on the disposal of assets as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(2) Costs related to acquisitions and are included in SG&A expenses.
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(3) Primarily includes the final settlement associated with the termination of a pension plan and settlement charges due to lump sum pension payments and are included in Other income (expense).
(4) Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods.
The tax effect of Special items impacting pre-tax income was calculated as the pre-tax amount multiplied by the applicable tax rate. The applicable tax rates reflect the taxable jurisdiction and nature of each Special item.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash flow from operations can be cyclical. Operational cash flow is a key driver of liquidity, providing cash and access to capital markets. In assessing liquidity, the Company reviews working capital measurements to define areas for improvement. Management anticipates the Company will be able to satisfy cash requirements for its ongoing businesses for the foreseeable future primarily with cash generated by operations, existing cash balances, borrowings under its existing credit facilities and raising debt in capital markets.
The Company continues to expand globally and periodically looks at transactions that would involve significant investments. The Company can fund its global expansion plans with operational cash flow, but a significant acquisition may require access to capital markets, in particular, the long-term debt market, as well as the syndicated bank loan market. The Company’s financing strategy is to fund itself at the lowest after-tax cost of funding. Where possible, the Company utilizes operational cash flows and raises capital in the most efficient market, usually the United States, and then lends funds to the specific subsidiary that requires funding. If additional acquisitions providing appropriate financial benefits become available, additional expenditures may be made.
The following table reflects changes in key cash flow measures:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
$ Change
Cash provided by operating activities (1)
$
43,090
$
45,262
$
(2,172)
Cash used by investing activities (2)
(40,116)
(2,852)
(37,264)
Capital expenditures
(18,672)
(9,936)
(8,736)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
(22,013)
—
(22,013)
Cash used by financing activities (3)
(40,597)
(55,371)
14,774
Net change in borrowings
96,308
1,307
95,001
Purchase of shares for treasury
(104,579)
(28,459)
(76,120)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
(33,361)
(30,999)
(2,362)
Decrease in Cash and cash equivalents (4)
(38,585)
(15,153)
(23,432)
(1) Cash provided by operating activities decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 , compared with the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to increased investment in working capital.
(2) Cash used by investing activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 , compared with the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to cash used in the acquisition of businesses. The Company currently anticipates capital expenditures of $70,000 to $80,000 in 2022. Anticipated capital expenditures include investments for capital maintenance and projects to increase efficiency, reduce costs, promote business growth or improve the overall safety and environmental conditions of the Company’s facilities.
(3) Cash used by financing activities decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2022 , compared with the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to higher proceeds from borrowings, partially offset by the increased purchase of shares for treasury.
(4) Cash and cash equivalents decreased 20.0%, or $38,585, to $154,373 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 , from $192,958 as of December 31, 2021. This decrease was predominantly due to cash used in the acquisition of businesses, purchases of common shares for treasury and cash dividends paid to shareholders,
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partially offset by higher proceeds from short-term borrowings. At March 31, 2022, $150,256 of Cash and cash equivalents was held by international subsidiaries.
In April 2022, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.56 per share, or $32,535, to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2022.
Working Capital Ratios
March 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
Average operating working capital to Net sales (1) (2)
18.6
%
16.3
%
17.7
%
Days sales in Inventories (2)
126.6
121.0
104.6
Days sales in Accounts receivable
53.6
50.3
55.6
Average days in Trade accounts payable
63.6
59.8
60.0
(1) Average operating working capital to net sales is defined as the sum of Accounts receivable, Inventories and contract assets less Trade accounts payable and contract liabilities as of period end divided by annualized rolling three months of Net sales.
(2) In order to minimize potential supply chain disruptions in serving customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased global demand, the Company increased inventories relative to expected Net sales resulting in higher Days sales in Inventories and had an unfavorable impact on Average operating working capital to Net sales.
Return on Invested Capital
The Company reviews return on invested capital ("ROIC") in assessing and evaluating the Company’s underlying operating performance. ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a meaningful metric to investors in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and may be different than the method used by other companies to calculate ROIC. ROIC is defined as rolling 12 months of Adjusted net income excluding tax-effected interest income and expense divided by invested capital. Invested capital is defined as total debt, which includes Short-term debt and Long-term debt, less current portions, plus Total equity.
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The following table presents ROIC:
Twelve Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Net income
$
328,319
$
224,730
Rationalization and asset impairment charges
7,549
43,110
Acquisition transaction costs
810
1,113
Pension settlement charges
117,343
13,005
Amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories
5,804
—
Tax effect of Special items (1)
(44,586)
(10,179)
Adjusted net income
$
415,239
$
271,779
Plus: Interest expense, net of tax of $6,178 and $5,904 in 2022 and 2021, respectively
18,364
17,550
Less: Interest income, net of tax of $376 and $396 in 2022 and 2021, respectively
1,113
1,184
Adjusted net income before tax effected interest
$
432,490
$
288,145
Invested Capital
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2021
Short-term debt
$
150,560
$
3,607
Long-term debt, less current portion
715,032
715,328
Total debt
865,592
718,935
Total equity
863,060
803,408
Invested capital
$
1,728,652
$
1,522,343
Return on invested capital
25.0
%
18.9
%
(1) Includes the net tax impact of Special items recorded during the respective periods.
The tax effect of Special items impacting pre-tax income was calculated as the pre-tax amount multiplied by the applicable tax rate. The applicable tax rates reflect the taxable jurisdiction and nature of each Special item.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.
Acquisitions
Refer to Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company’s recent acquisitions.
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Debt
Fair Value of Debt
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $693,298 and $776,655, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. The carrying value of this debt at such dates was $715,570 and $717,855, respectively. Since judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.
Revolving Credit Agreement
On April 23, 2021, the Company amended and restated the agreement governing its line of credit by entering into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement has a line of credit totaling $500,000, has a term of 5 years with a maturity date of April 23, 2026 and may be increased, subject to certain conditions including the consent of its lenders, by an additional amount up to $150,000. The interest rate on borrowings is based on LIBOR plus a spread based on the Company’s net leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, as well as customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants for credit facilities of this type (subject to negotiated baskets and exceptions), including limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets and transactions with affiliates. As of March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had $110,000 of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
The Company has other lines of credit totaling $108,048. As of March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had $40,022 outstanding at March 31, 2022.
Senior Unsecured Notes
On April 1, 2015 and October 20, 2016, the Company entered into separate Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured notes (the "Notes") through a private placement. The 2015 Notes and 2016 Notes each have an aggregate principal amount of $350,000, comprised of four different series ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with maturity dates ranging from August 20, 2025 through April 1, 2045, and interest rates ranging from 2.75% and 4.02%. Interest on the Notes is paid semi-annually. The Company’s total weighted average effective interest rate and remaining weighted average tenure of the Notes is 3.3% and 12.1 years, respectively. The proceeds of the Notes were used for general corporate purposes. The Notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants. As of March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants relating to the Notes.
Shelf Agreements
On November 27, 2018, the Company entered into seven uncommitted master note facilities (the "Shelf Agreements") that allow borrowings up to $700,000 in the aggregate. The Shelf Agreements have a term of 5 years and the average life of borrowings cannot exceed 15 years. The Company is required to comply with covenants similar to those contained in the Notes. As of March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under the Shelf Agreements.
Forward-looking Statements
The Company’s expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Actual results may differ materially from such statements due to a variety of factors that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results. The factors include, but are not limited to: general economic, financial and market conditions; the effectiveness of operating initiatives; completion of planned divestitures;
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interest rates; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that may limit our access to capital; currency exchange rates and devaluations; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation; actual costs of the Company’s rationalization plans; possible acquisitions, including the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; market risks and price fluctuations related to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory complexity; the effects of changes in tax law; tariff rates in the countries where the Company conducts business; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, such as the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, political unrest, acts of terror, natural disasters and pandemics, including the COVID- 19 pandemic, on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general. For additional discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk since December 31, 2021. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.