Briggs & Stratton provides market update and revises fiscal 2013 guidance
Briggs & Stratton Corporation announced July 26 that it expects to report net sales and earnings below the guidance provided for fiscal 2013.
Consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 are expected to be approximately $475 million and $1.86 billion, respectively
Production levels lowered in response to OEM production schedules to control inventories
U.S. sales in line with industry estimates for engines and products; Europe market softness continues
Engine market share in line with original guidance
Excluding charges related to restructuring actions, legal settlements, and other non-cash charges, revised fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal 2013 adjusted diluted earnings per share is estimated to be approximately $0.17 to $0.21 per share and $0.88 to $0.92 per share, respectively
Outlook for an improved fiscal 2014 on a strengthening U.S. lawn and garden market, lower channel inventories, and continued expansion and growth in certain international markets; European outlook remains cautious
“An extremely slow start to the spring lawn and garden season and a cautious approach to managing inventories after last year’s drought has impacted the U.S. and European markets through the end of June,” commented Todd J. Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corporation. “In response to the lower retail sales, almost all channel participants, including mass retailers, dealers and equipment OEMs have been cautiously managing inventories, and therefore have been slow to re-order for the current season. Equipment OEMs have reduced production levels compared to last year, and thus we reduced our engine production in the quarter negatively impacting absorption of plant operating costs in the near term.
“On a positive note,” Teske continued, “we have seen the retail market strengthening in May and June and continuing into July as we compare to last year’s drought-impacted summer season, and we believe inventory levels at our dealers are in great shape heading into our next fiscal year.”
Engines Segment:
Fourth fiscal quarter 2013 Engines segment net sales are expected to be approximately $300 million
Total engines shipped in the quarter were approximately 1.9 million units compared to approximately 2.1 million units in the prior year
Production totaled approximately 1.6 million units in the quarter compared to approximately 2 million in the prior year
Ending engine unit inventories were approximately 1.4 million compared to approximately 1.3 million units last year
Through the end of June 2013, Briggs & Stratton estimates that the retail market for walk and riding mowing equipment has decreased by approximately 3-5 percent compared to the last season. The lower retail sales due to a late spring in the U.S. and Europe have not yet recovered in the current season. Estimates of U.S. industry shipments to retailers of walk mowers are consistent with last year through June, while shipments of riding mowers has increased by approximately 3 percent. Briggs & Stratton expects that by the end of the current season, retail sales of mowing equipment will be flat to slightly up for the season. Certain equipment OEMs have reduced inventories compared to the prior year in response to lower-than-anticipated retail sales.
Products Segment:
Fourth fiscal quarter 2013 Products segment net sales are expected to be approximately $203 million
Manufacturing throughput reduced 15 percent in the quarter compared to the prior year in order to control inventories
Domestic product inventories decreased by approximately $50 million compared to the prior year
Dealer inventories are below average of last several years
The majority of the decrease in net sales compared to the prior year is due to Briggs & Stratton’s previously announced decision to exit the sale of lawn and garden equipment to U.S. mass market retailers. This was partially offset by higher sales of lawn and garden equipment to Briggs & Stratton’s dealers in the U.S. and increased sales in Brazil due to the company’s acquisition of Branco in December 2012. Production levels in the products plants were also reduced to lower inventories, resulting in lower absorption of fixed manufacturing costs in the near term.
Financial Position:
Net debt at June 30, 2013, is anticipated to be approximately $37 million. Expected cash flows from operations for fiscal 2013 is approximately $160 million.
These results are preliminary, and therefore are subject to the completion of fiscal year end closing and auditing procedures including, but not limited to, the evaluation of goodwill and intangibles for potential impairment.
For more information, visit www.briggsandstratton.com.
