Company News
February 8, 2022
Highlights from the L&P Investors Call
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (LEG) Management on Q4 2021 Results – Earnings Call Transcript
Feb. 08, 2022 10:39 AM ETLeggett & Platt, Incorporated (LEG)
Q4: 2022-02-07 Earnings Summary
EPS of $0.77 beats by $0.04 | Revenue of $1.33B (12.77% Y/Y) beats by $47.39M
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG) Q4 2021 Earnings Conference Call February 8, 2022 8:30 AM ET
Company Participants
Susan McCoy – Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
Mitch Dolloff – President & Chief Operating Officer
Jeff Tate – Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Steve Henderson – Executive Vice President & President, Specialized Products & Furniture, Flooring and Textile Products
Tyson Hagale – Senior Vice President & President, Bedding Products
Mitch Dolloff
Good morning and thank you all for participating in our fourth quarter call. First, I’d like to welcome Tyson Hagale, President of our Bedding Products segment. Tyson is joining us today to participate in Q&A and will be a regular participant on these calls. Tyson has been with the company for over 20 years and previously served in various roles of increasing responsibility in our bedding, furniture and corporate development areas.
In 2021, Leggett & Platt achieved several milestones. We attained record sales and EPS. We increased our dividend for the 50th consecutive year. We issued our inaugural sustainability report. We promoted Tyson Hagale to lead our Bedding Products segment and Sonia Smith to lead our automotive business, two outstanding long-tenured employees.
And added newly created positions including our first Chief Human Resources Officer, our first Inclusion Diversity and Equity Director, and our first Sustainability Manager, all demonstrating our commitment to ESG. Those achievements would not be possible without our 20,000 employees who are dedicated to creating innovative sustainable products for our customers ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace and driving value for our shareholders. I want to thank our employees for their tremendous contributions in another challenging year. Your collaboration, agility, dedication and commitment to our values drive our success.
Yesterday, we reported record quarterly sales from continuing operations of $1.33 billion EBIT of $152 million and earnings per share of $0.77. Sales in the quarter were up 13% versus fourth quarter of 2020 and reflect the pass-through of significant inflation in 2021 partially offset by lower volume in several of our businesses. When comparing to the pre-pandemic results of fourth quarter 2019, trade sales grew 16%, adjusted EBITDA increased 15% and adjusted EPS increased 31%.
For the full year 2021 sales increased 19% to $5.07 billion from a combination of raw material-related price increases, volume gains and currency benefits. EBIT increased 46% and adjusted EBIT increased 25% primarily from volume recovery from pandemic-related sales declines in 2020, expanded metal margins in our rod mill and pricing discipline.
Full year EPS was $2.94. And adjusted EPS was $2.78 a 29% increase versus 2020 adjusted EPS of $2.16. When comparing to the pre-pandemic results of 2019, trade sales grew 7%, adjusted EBITDA increased 9% and adjusted EPS increased 16%.
While we continue to navigate a number of macro market challenges including supply chain constraints, inflation and a likely shift to tighter monetary policy, we expect to see improvements in 2022 as conditions stabilize and growth continues in our businesses most negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Moving on to the segments. Sales in our Bedding Products segment were up 18% versus the fourth quarter of 2020 and up 22% versus the fourth quarter of 2019 primarily from raw material-related selling price increases from inflation in steel, chemicals and non-woven fabrics.
Volume was down in both the one year and two year periods primarily due to challenges with chemical and labor availability in the US market early in the quarter and softness in the US and European market demand, which developed later in the quarter.
Supply of chemicals used in our specialty foam operations negatively impacted our production levels in October and November, but improved in December. Despite softening in recent months, we still expect reasonable demand in 2022.
EBITDA margins in the segment were lower versus fourth quarter 2020 primarily from lower volume, investments to maintain labor and higher transportation costs. Adjusted EBITDA margins improved over fourth quarter 2019 primarily from expanded metal margins in our Steel Rod business and fixed cost actions taken in 2020.
Sales in our Specialized Products segment were down 3% from the fourth quarter 2020 due to lower volume in automotive partially offset by growth in hydraulic cylinders and aerospace. Sales were down 2% from fourth quarter 2019 due to lower volume in automotive and aerospace partially offset by growth in hydraulic cylinders.
In our automotive business volume was down over the one year and two year periods. While industry production improved sequentially from the third quarter, semiconductor shortages negatively impacted vehicle production levels in the fourth quarter.
Consumer demand remains strong and vehicle inventory remains at record low levels. As supply chains begin to stabilize the industry should see improving production in the second half of 2022. Industry forecasts indicate recovery continuing through 2023.
In our aerospace business demand for fabricated debt assemblies continue to be at pre-pandemic levels and we began to see demand recovery for welded and seamless tube products in the fourth quarter. We expect to see continued recovery in 2022.
However with the lingering impact from pandemic-related disruption in the air travel, resulting buildup of aircraft and supply chain inventories the industry is not anticipated to return to 2020 — sorry 2019 demand levels until 2024.
End market demand in hydraulic cylinders is strong and order backlogs in the industry remain high. However, global supply chain constraints and labor availability has hampered the ability of our OEM customers to ramp-up production. We expect our sales to increase as OEM production increases. EBITDA margins in the segment declined over the one year and two year period primarily from lower volume partially offset by fixed cost actions taken last year.
Sales in our Furniture Flooring & Textile Products segment were up 17% versus fourth quarter 2020, primarily from raw material-related selling price increases and volume recovery in Work Furniture, partially offset by lower volume in Flooring products and Fabric Converting.
Sales were up 22% versus fourth quarter 2019, primarily from raw material-related selling price increases and volume growth in Geo Components and Home Furniture, partially offset by lower volume in Flooring products.
We expect continued strength in our Home Furniture business in 2022, as customer backlogs remained elevated. So far this year the Chinese market has slowed, as most manufacturers are taking early and longer Chinese New Year holidays to avoid anticipated COVID-related quarantines.
Work Furniture sales recovered to pre-pandemic levels with steady demand for products sold for residential use and improving demand in the contract market. We expect modest growth in 2022, as residential and hybrid work products remain relatively strong and the contract market continues to gradually improve as employees return to the office.
Volume in our Fabric Converting and Geo Components businesses have returned to a more normalized level after experiencing pandemic-related sales opportunities in the back half of 2020. In Flooring products, residential demand remained strong, while hospitality demand remains well below pre-pandemic levels. Volume was down in the quarter due to limited labor availability and transportation disruptions. EBITDA margins in the segment improved over the one and two-year periods, primarily from pricing discipline.
For the company overall, the fixed cost actions we took in 2020 reduced our fourth quarter cost by approximately $20 million versus the fourth quarter of 2019. For the full year 2021, we maintained approximately $80 million of the approximately $90 million of fixed cost actions taken in 2020. We remain focused on controlling our costs by only adding fixed costs as necessary to support future growth opportunities.
Leggett remains well positioned both competitively and financially, to capitalize on long-term opportunities in our various end markets. Our enduring fundamentals give us confidence in our ability to continue creating long-term value for our shareholders.
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February 8, 2022
Westlake Update
Westlake Completes Acquisition of Hexion’s Epoxy Business
Company completes acquisition of Hexion Inc.’s global epoxy business for approximately $1.2 billion.
02.07.22
Westlake Chemical Corporation has completed the acquisition of Hexion Inc.’s global epoxy business for approximately $1.2 billion in an all-cash transaction. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the epoxy business, which will be branded as Westlake Epoxy, is an industry leader in the manufacture and development of specialty resins, coatings and composites for a variety of industries, including high-growth and sustainability-oriented end-uses such as wind turbine blades and light-weight automotive structural components.
“With this transaction, Westlake will significantly expand its integrated business by adding a leading downstream portfolio of coatings and composite products,” said Westlake President and Chief Executive Officer Albert Chao. “Light-weighting is a critical feature for the manufacture of structural components for automobiles and for renewable energy, particularly the composite blades used by wind turbines, and epoxies are key ingredients for these sustainable products. The industries served by Westlake Epoxy are very attractive and the business is expected to be a synergistic addition to Westlake’s existing businesses. We welcome the epoxy employees to the Westlake family and look forward to realizing the tremendous opportunities to grow the combined businesses.”
Westlake Epoxy is a global leading producer of epoxy resins, modifiers and curing agents for high-performance materials, coatings and composites. The fully-integrated business includes upstream base epoxy resins and intermediates delivered as liquid or solid epoxy resins, as well downstream specialty epoxy resins used in coatings and composites. Westlake Epoxy serves numerous industries, including adhesives; aerospace; automotive; civil engineering and construction; composite and wind energy; electronics; electrical laminates; as well as marine and protective coatings.
The acquisition comes after Westlake closed in the third and fourth quarters of 2021 on its acquisitions of the building products businesses of Boral North America; Dimex LLC, which processes recycled plastic materials to manufacture home and lifestyle products, such as landscape edging, home and office matting, and marine deck edging; and LASCO Fittings LLC, a leading manufacturer of injected-molded PVC fittings.
February 8, 2022
Westlake Update
Westlake Completes Acquisition of Hexion’s Epoxy Business
Company completes acquisition of Hexion Inc.’s global epoxy business for approximately $1.2 billion.
02.07.22
Westlake Chemical Corporation has completed the acquisition of Hexion Inc.’s global epoxy business for approximately $1.2 billion in an all-cash transaction. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the epoxy business, which will be branded as Westlake Epoxy, is an industry leader in the manufacture and development of specialty resins, coatings and composites for a variety of industries, including high-growth and sustainability-oriented end-uses such as wind turbine blades and light-weight automotive structural components.
“With this transaction, Westlake will significantly expand its integrated business by adding a leading downstream portfolio of coatings and composite products,” said Westlake President and Chief Executive Officer Albert Chao. “Light-weighting is a critical feature for the manufacture of structural components for automobiles and for renewable energy, particularly the composite blades used by wind turbines, and epoxies are key ingredients for these sustainable products. The industries served by Westlake Epoxy are very attractive and the business is expected to be a synergistic addition to Westlake’s existing businesses. We welcome the epoxy employees to the Westlake family and look forward to realizing the tremendous opportunities to grow the combined businesses.”
Westlake Epoxy is a global leading producer of epoxy resins, modifiers and curing agents for high-performance materials, coatings and composites. The fully-integrated business includes upstream base epoxy resins and intermediates delivered as liquid or solid epoxy resins, as well downstream specialty epoxy resins used in coatings and composites. Westlake Epoxy serves numerous industries, including adhesives; aerospace; automotive; civil engineering and construction; composite and wind energy; electronics; electrical laminates; as well as marine and protective coatings.
The acquisition comes after Westlake closed in the third and fourth quarters of 2021 on its acquisitions of the building products businesses of Boral North America; Dimex LLC, which processes recycled plastic materials to manufacture home and lifestyle products, such as landscape edging, home and office matting, and marine deck edging; and LASCO Fittings LLC, a leading manufacturer of injected-molded PVC fittings.
February 8, 2022
Carlisle Acquisition of MBTechnology
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., February 01, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL) today announced the acquisition of MBTechnology, Inc., (MBT) a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient, styrene-butadiene-styrene modified bitumen roofing and underlayment systems for residential and commercial applications. The purchase of MBT is consistent with Carlisle’s Vision 2025 strategy to build scale in our highest returning businesses through synergistic acquisitions to drive in excess of $15 of earnings per share. MBT will become part of the Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM) operating segment and is a strategic bolt-on to Carlisle’s recent Henry Company acquisition.
Founded in 1983 and based in Fresno, California, MBTechnology, Inc. provides product line extensions, turnkey capacity to meet rolled goods demand and further expansion into West Coast markets over the coming years.
Chris Koch, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The acquisition of MBTechnology, Inc., together with our recent acquisition of Henry Company, is consistent with our stated strategy to invest in our building products platform, expand our presence throughout the building envelope and continue to provide our customers with energy-efficient solutions.”
Henry Company President, Frank Ready, stated, “We are excited to have MBT join CCM’s Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies (CWT) business where they will expand CWT’s modified bitumen roofing offerings and provide additional capacity for roofing underlayments. MBT also shares Carlisle’s commitment to improving the energy-efficiency of buildings in several ways. First, MBT manufactures systems to control the flow of water, vapor, air and energy in a building; second, more than half of MBT’s consumed energy is derived from on-site solar panels; and third, MBT’s Ecotorch product, a modified bitumen torch applied roofing membrane, is made partially from recycled tires, which complements our Ultimate RB business. Leveraging the Carlisle Experience and our culture of continuous improvement, I am confident this transaction will create significant value for all our stakeholders. We welcome MBTechnology’s experienced team to Carlisle.”
About Carlisle Companies Incorporated
Carlisle Companies Incorporated is a leading supplier of innovative Building Envelope products and energy-efficient solutions for customers creating sustainable buildings of the future. Through its Construction Materials (CCM) business and family of leading brands, Carlisle delivers innovative, labor-reducing and environmentally responsible products and solutions to customers through the Carlisle Experience. Over the life of a building, Carlisle’s products help drive lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy savings for building owners and operators, and increase a building’s resiliency to the elements. Driven by its strategic plan, Vision 2025, Carlisle is committed to generating superior shareholder returns and maintaining a balanced capital deployment approach, including investments in our businesses, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases and continued dividend increases. Carlisle also is a leading provider of products to the Aerospace, Medical Technologies and General Industrial markets through its Interconnect Technologies (CIT) and Fluid Technologies (CFT) business segments.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/carlisle-companies-acquire-mbtechnology-inc-210500521.html
February 8, 2022
Carlisle Acquisition of MBTechnology
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., February 01, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL) today announced the acquisition of MBTechnology, Inc., (MBT) a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient, styrene-butadiene-styrene modified bitumen roofing and underlayment systems for residential and commercial applications. The purchase of MBT is consistent with Carlisle’s Vision 2025 strategy to build scale in our highest returning businesses through synergistic acquisitions to drive in excess of $15 of earnings per share. MBT will become part of the Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM) operating segment and is a strategic bolt-on to Carlisle’s recent Henry Company acquisition.
Founded in 1983 and based in Fresno, California, MBTechnology, Inc. provides product line extensions, turnkey capacity to meet rolled goods demand and further expansion into West Coast markets over the coming years.
Chris Koch, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The acquisition of MBTechnology, Inc., together with our recent acquisition of Henry Company, is consistent with our stated strategy to invest in our building products platform, expand our presence throughout the building envelope and continue to provide our customers with energy-efficient solutions.”
Henry Company President, Frank Ready, stated, “We are excited to have MBT join CCM’s Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies (CWT) business where they will expand CWT’s modified bitumen roofing offerings and provide additional capacity for roofing underlayments. MBT also shares Carlisle’s commitment to improving the energy-efficiency of buildings in several ways. First, MBT manufactures systems to control the flow of water, vapor, air and energy in a building; second, more than half of MBT’s consumed energy is derived from on-site solar panels; and third, MBT’s Ecotorch product, a modified bitumen torch applied roofing membrane, is made partially from recycled tires, which complements our Ultimate RB business. Leveraging the Carlisle Experience and our culture of continuous improvement, I am confident this transaction will create significant value for all our stakeholders. We welcome MBTechnology’s experienced team to Carlisle.”
About Carlisle Companies Incorporated
Carlisle Companies Incorporated is a leading supplier of innovative Building Envelope products and energy-efficient solutions for customers creating sustainable buildings of the future. Through its Construction Materials (CCM) business and family of leading brands, Carlisle delivers innovative, labor-reducing and environmentally responsible products and solutions to customers through the Carlisle Experience. Over the life of a building, Carlisle’s products help drive lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy savings for building owners and operators, and increase a building’s resiliency to the elements. Driven by its strategic plan, Vision 2025, Carlisle is committed to generating superior shareholder returns and maintaining a balanced capital deployment approach, including investments in our businesses, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases and continued dividend increases. Carlisle also is a leading provider of products to the Aerospace, Medical Technologies and General Industrial markets through its Interconnect Technologies (CIT) and Fluid Technologies (CFT) business segments.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/carlisle-companies-acquire-mbtechnology-inc-210500521.html
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