The Eastern Company Reports Results for the Second Quarter 2020 a 21% Decline in Net Sales to $48.8 Million; a Loss of $0.30 per Share, Primarily Due to $4.0 Million Goodwill Charge; and Adjusted Earnings of $0.38 per Share

NAUGATUCK, CT / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2020 / The Eastern Company (“Eastern” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:EML), an industrial manufacturer of unique engineered solutions serving niche industrial markets, today announced the results of operations for the second quarter ended June 28, 2020.

  • As a result of Eastern’s comprehensive program to maintain the health and safety of employees across all 21 operating locations, the Company temporarily suspended operations in three locations in the second quarter of 2020 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Second fiscal quarter of 2020 net sales of $48.8 million fell by 21% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of customer shutdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales to electric vehicle manufacturers and military equipment producers remained resilient. The Company also leveraged its production capabilities to manufacture emergency hospital bed frames to meet demand from field hospitals.

  • Earnings per fully diluted share in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 declined to a loss of $0.30. The Company incurred a $4.0 million goodwill impairment charge, related to Greenwald Industries, and a one-time restructuring charge of $280 thousand, related to the sale of the Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation. Adjusted for these charges, net income per share was $0.38 in the second fiscal quarter of 2020. (See below for reconciliation).
  • Cash flow from operations was $5.9 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 and the Company’s balance sheet continues to strengthen with a $3.5 million increase in cash and $1.4 million in debt payments during the second fiscal quarter of 2020.

  • The Company accelerated its portfolio optimization in the second fiscal quarter with the sale of its subsidiary, Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation, and is taking further actions to streamline its businesses, improve short-term results, and position its businesses for growth in the future.

President and CEO August Vlak commented, “Sales in the second quarter of 2020 were $48.8 million, a decrease of 21% compared to the second quarter of 2019. The decline in sales compared to the same period in 2019 was partly offset by the inclusion in the 2020 period of Big 3 Precision, which we acquired in August 2019. The reduction in sales was primarily due to the mandated and voluntary closure of many of our customers’ operations, primarily in April and May of 2020. Many of our customers closed their operations and stopped receiving shipments in response to concerns about employee health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate that we lost more than a cumulative 1,600 shipping days to approximately 80 customers in the second quarter due to these temporary closures.”

“In the second quarter, sales to electric vehicle manufacturers and military equipment producers provided a bright spot, as our investments in these markets continued to deliver growth. Similarly, sales to and orders from manufacturers of consumer sporting and recreational goods markets started to rebound towards the end of the second quarter,” said Mr. Vlak.

“The numerous actions that we have taken to control expenses have allowed our businesses to withstand a significant economic downturn. Among other savings, we reduced our budgeted spending on sales and administrative expenses by more than 20% in the second quarter of 2020. Actions include the suspension of all hiring of salaried positions, cessation of discretionary spending, temporary reduction in work hours, initiation of furloughs, cancellation of certain regularly scheduled merit-based salary increases, and a limitation on capital spending to critical maintenance, safety, and regulatory projects. We are sustaining these and other expense reductions and are taking further action to reduce structural costs across the Company, including further portfolio rationalization and planned facility consolidations,” added Mr. Vlak.

Mr. Vlak continued, “Our balance sheet remains strong. In the second quarter of 2020, we generated $5.9 million in cash from operations and grew our cash balance by $3.5 million to $20.0 million at the end of the second quarter 2020 compared to $16.5 million at the end of the first quarter in 2020. Based on our extensive scenario planning, we believe that Eastern has a solid balance sheet with ample resources to navigate the current business environment. As of June 27, 2020, our Current Ratio is 3.8x. Our net leverage ratio is 2.9x, and our fixed charge coverage ratio is 2.3x – both of which are well within with our bank covenants of 4.25x and 1.25x, respectively. Our net leverage ratio is based on adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our credit agreement, for the twelve months ended June 27, 2020.”

“In the past quarter, we accelerated our work on portfolio optimization. We divested our subsidiary, Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation, and, after reviewing our plans for Greenwald Industries, we concluded that we no longer believe that the carrying value of the goodwill from this acquisition in 2000 reflects the performance of the business. As a result, we posted a goodwill impairment charge of $4.0 million in the second quarter,” added Mr. Vlak.

Mr. Vlak concluded, “We are navigating a rapidly evolving economic environment, but this past quarter has demonstrated the resilience of our businesses. While managing the short-term operational and demand challenges, we remain committed to our vision to build long-term shareholder value. When we acquired Big 3 Precision, we shared our pro forma annual earnings of $3.09 per fully diluted share, reported our 10Q dated November 7, 2019, which we believe remains an appropriate performance goal for the Company when the domestic economy stabilizes.”

Second Quarter 2020 Segment Results

Sales in the Industrial Hardware segment fell by 10% to $33.9 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 from $37.5 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2019. Excluding Big 3 Precision, sales in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 decreased by 42% compared to the same period in 2019. Sales in the Security Products segment declined by 33% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019, primarily as a result of customer closures and a decline in demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales in the Metal Products segment decreased by 48% in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 compared to the second fiscal quarter of 2019, as mining sales in the second fiscal quarter were materially impacted by mine closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in natural gas prices and a rapid deterioration in energy markets.

Operating profits decreased in all segments in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019. Operating profits from the Industrial Hardware segment were down by 39% in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 compared to same period in 2019. Operating profit margin for the Industrial Hardware segment improved to 5.7% of sales in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 from 2.0% of sales in the second fiscal quarter of 2019, largely a result of the avoidance of significant restructuring costs and the addition of Big 3 Precision. Operating profits from the Security Products segment declined by 54% in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 compared to same period in 2019. Operating profit margin for the Security Products segment declined to negative 28.0% of sales in the second fiscal quarter 2020 from 11.5% of sales in the second fiscal quarter of 2019. The decline is primarily attributable to the goodwill impairment charge of $4.0 million, or 36% of sales. Metal Products generated an operating loss of $932 thousand in the second fiscal quarter of 2020.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Eastern Company will host a conference call to discuss its results for the second fiscal quarter of 2020 and other matters on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Participants can access the conference call by phone at (888) 669-0687 (toll free in US & Canada) or (862) 298-0702 (international). Participants can also join via the web at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1757/36298.

About The Eastern Company

The Eastern Company manages industrial businesses that design, manufacture and sell unique engineered solutions to niche markets, focusing on industries that offer long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities. The Company operates across three reporting segments — Industrial Hardware, Security Products and Metal Products — from locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Taiwan and China. More information on the Company can be found at www.easterncompany.com.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this document about our future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the rules, regulations and releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact, including statements containing the words “believes,” “intends”, “continues,” “reflects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” and similar expressions, should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based upon management’s current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of shutdowns and other restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19 on our supply chain and production and consumer demand for our products, changing customer preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of customers, cybersecurity breaches, changes in competition in our markets, and increased prices for raw materials resulting from tariffs on imported goods or otherwise. There are important, additional factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including those set forth in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP financial measures we provide in this report should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, results prepared in accordance U.S. GAAP.

We provide certain results excluding Big 3 Precision because we believe these allow for better comparability to the prior period.

To supplement the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have presented Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures in the same way. These measures are not substitutes for their comparable GAAP financial measures, such as net sales, net income (loss), diluted earnings (loss) per common share, or other measures prescribed by U.S. GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted earnings (loss) per share excluding, when they occur, the impacts of impairment losses and restructuring expenses. We believe that adjusted EPS provides important comparability of underlying operational results, allowing investors and management to access operating performance on a consistent basis.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation and amortization; in addition to these adjustments, we exclude, when they occur, the impacts of impairment losses and restructuring expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations.

Investor Relations Contacts

The Eastern Company
August Vlak or John L. Sullivan III 203-729-2255

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
 
  June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019     June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019  
Net sales
  $ 48,833,409     $ 61,439,929     $ 114,159,025     $ 122,323,077  
Cost of products sold
    (38,076,590)       (46,430,039 )     (88,308,972)       (93,504,144 )
Gross margin
    10,756,819       15,009,890       25,850,053       28,818,933  
 
                               
Product development expense
    (756,171)       (2,174,803 )     (1,531,615)       (4,414,579 )
Selling and administrative expenses
    (7,960,307)       (8,076,501 )     (17,858,438)       (16,474,766 )
Goodwill impairment loss
    (4,002,548)             (4,002,548)        
Restructuring costs
    (280,000)       (1,799,293 )     (280,000)       (2,635,987 )
Operating profit (loss)
    (2,242,207)       2,959,293       2,177,452       5,293,601  
 
                               
Interest expense
    (606,553)       (261,618 )     (1,434,217)       (554,158 )
Other income
    416,917       586,823       603,322       600,748  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (2,431,843)       3,284,498       1,346,556       5,340,191  
 
                               
Income taxes
    (543,061)       754,725       339,521       1,239,458  
Net income (loss)
  $ (1,888,782)     $ 2,529,773     $ 1,007,036     $ 4,100,733  
 
                               
Earnings (loss) per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ (.30)     $ .41     $ .16     $ .66  
 
                               
Diluted
  $ (.30)     $ .40     $ .16     $ .65  
 
                               
Cash dividends per share:
  $ .11     $ .11     $ .22     $ .22  
                                 

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS
  June 27, 2020     December 28, 2019  
 
  (unaudited)        
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,986,055     $ 17,996,505  
Marketable securities
    25,916       34,305  
Accounts receivable, less allowances: 2020 – $693,000;2019 – $556,000
    33,580,263       37,941,900  
Inventories
    55,908,740       54,599,266  
Current portion of note receivable
    221,348        
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    3,668,863       4,343,507  
Total Current Assets
    113,391,185       114,915,483  
 
               
Property, Plant and Equipment
    87,020,830       88,336,243  
Accumulated depreciation
    (47,313,479)       (46,313,630 )
 
    39,707,351       42,022,613  
 
               
Goodwill
    75,440,535       79,518,012  
Trademarks
    5,404,283       5,404,283  
Patents and other intangibles net of accumulated amortization
    25,012,787       26,460,110  
Long term note receivable, less current portion
    1,030,595        
Right of Use Assets
    11,384,763       12,342,475  
 
    118,272,963       123,724,880  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 271,371,499     $ 280,662,976  
 
               

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  June 27, 2020     December 28, 2019  
 
  (unaudited)        
Current Liabilities
           
Accounts payable
  $ 18,942,706     $ 19,960,507  
Accrued compensation
    2,044,562       3,815,186  
Other accrued expenses
    4,849,785       2,967,961  
Current portion of long-term debt
    5,187,689       5,187,689  
Total Current Liabilities
    31,024,742       31,931,343  
 
               
Deferred income taxes
    4,374,343       5,270,465  
Other long-term liabilities
    2,465,260       2,465,261  
Lease liability
    11,384,763       12,342,475  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    90,954,799       93,577,544  
Accrued postretirement benefits
    1,000,476       1,007,146  
Accrued pension cost
    27,388,381       28,631,485  
 
               
Shareholders’ Equity
               
 
               
Voting Preferred Stock, no par value:
               
Authorized and unissued: 1,000,000 shares
               
Nonvoting Preferred Stock, no par value:
               
Authorized and unissued: 1,000,000 shares
               
Common Stock, no par value, Authorized: 50,000,000 shares
    31,100,484       30,651,815  
Issued: 8,987,324 shares in 2020 and 8,975,434 shares in 2019
               
Outstanding: 6,237,595 shares in 2020 and 6,240,705 shares in 2019
               
Treasury Stock: 2,749,729 shares in 2020 and 2,734,729 shares in 2019
    (20,537,962)       (20,169,098 )
Retained earnings
    119,310,219       120,189,111  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
               
Foreign currency translation
    (2,564,356)       (2,037,952 )
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax
    (6,796)       (471 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap, net of tax
    (1,679,808)       167,489  
Unrecognized net pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax
    (22,843,046)       (23,363,637 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (27,094,006)       (25,234,571 )
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    102,778,735       105,437,257  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 271,371,499     $ 280,662,976  
 
               

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 
  Six Months Ended  
 
  June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019  
Operating Activities
           
Net income
  $ 1,007,036     $ 4,100,733  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    4,050,250       2,391,314  
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefits
    (962,094)       448,214  
Goodwill impairment loss
    4,002,548        
(Gain) loss on sale of equipment and other assets
    (420,536)       2,208,740  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    156,286       43,420  
Stock compensation expense
    448,669       293,726  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    3,408,873       (1,794,182 )
Inventories
    (2,330,448)       3,618,303  
Prepaid expenses and other
    616,300       (21,533 )
Other assets
    734,790       709,357  
Accounts payable
    (730,055)       (89,081 )
Accrued compensation
    (1,697,444)       (1,307,966 )
Other accrued expenses
    (927,178)       (1,893,440 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    7,356,997       8,707,605  
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Marketable securities
    8,389       (23,136 )
Business disposition
    1,378,602        
Proceeds from sale of equipment
    445,212        
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (1,183,419)       (1,261,942 )
Net cash provided by/used in investing activities
    648,784       (1,285,078 )
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Principal payments on long-term debt
    (2,622,745)       (6,275,000 )
Note Receivable
    (1,251,943)        
Purchase common stock for treasury
    (368,864)        
Dividends paid
    (1,372,673)       (1,373,700 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (5,616,225)       (7,648,700 )
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (400,006)       (31,690 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    1,989,550       (257,863 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    17,996,505       13,925,765  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 19,986,055     $ 13,667,902  
                 
 
Reconciliation of earnings (loss) per share from GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measure
For the Three and Six Months ended June 27, 2020
 
 
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
 
  June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019     June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019  
 
                       
Net Income (Loss) as reported per generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
  $ (1,888,782)     $ 2,529,773     $ 1,007,036     $ 4,100,733  
 
                               
 
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Share as reported under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP):
                               
Basic
  $ (0.30)     $ 0.41     $ 0.16     $ 0.66  
Diluted
  $ (0.30)     $ 0.40     $ 0.16     $ 0.65  
 
                               
Adjustments for one-time expenses
                               
Goodwill impairment loss (A)
  $ (4,002,548)             $ (4,002,548)          
 
                               
Restructuring costs
  $ (280,000)(B)     $ (1,799,293)(C)     $ (280,000)(B)     $ (2,635,987)(C)(D)  
 
  $ (4,282,548)     $ (1,799,293)     $ (4,282,548)     $ (2,635,987)  
 
                               
Adjusted Net Income (related to one-time expenses); (Non-GAAP)
  $ 2,393,766     $ 4,329,066     $ 5,289,584     $ 6,736,720  
 
                               
 
                               
Adjusted Earnings per share (related to one-time expenses); (Non-GAAP)
                               
Basic
  $ 0.38     $ 0.69     $ 0.85     $ 1.08  
Diluted
  $ 0.38     $ 0.69     $ 0.85     $ 1.08  

A) Goodwill impairment
B) Cost incurred on disposition of Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation
C) Cost incurred on closure of Road IQ in Bellingham, Washington
D) Cost incurred on the relocation of Composite Panels Technology

Reconciliation of EBITDA from GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measure
For the Three and Six Months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019

 
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
 
  June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019     June 27, 2020     June 29, 2019  
 
                       
Net Income(loss) as reported per generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
  $ (1,888,782 )   $ 2,529,773     $ 1,007,036     $ 4,100,733  
 
                               
Interest expense
    606,553       261,618       1,434,217       554,158  
 
                               
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (543,061 )     754,725       339,521       1,239,458  
 
                               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,994,468       952,515       4,050,250       2,391,314  
 
                               
Goodwill impairment loss
    4,002,548(A)               4,002,548          
 
                               
Restructuring costs
    280,000(B)       1,799,293(C)       280,000       2,635,987(C)(D)  
 
                               
Transaction costs
    17,182               17,182          
 
                               
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 4,468,908     $ 6,297,924     $ 11,130,754     $ 10,921,650  
 
                               

A) Goodwill impairment
B) Cost incurred on disposition of Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation
C) Cost incurred on closure of Road IQ in Bellingham, Washington
D) Cost incurred on the relocation of Composite Panels Technology

SOURCE: The Eastern Company

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