Gibraltar Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Gibraltar Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer and provider of products and services for the renewable energy, residential, agtech and infrastructure markets, today reported its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

“Gibraltar generated solid revenue and EPS growth in the quarter despite the continuation of supply issues impacting our solar customers, the solar industry, and our Renewables business, particularly early in the quarter,” Chairman and CEO Bill Bosway stated. “Our Residential business generated strong revenue and margin performance, our Agtech business continued to expand adjusted operating margin, and our Infrastructure business delivered strong revenue growth. Demand across the company remains very solid with our backlog up 23% during the quarter.”

First Quarter 2022 Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations

Net sales from continuing operations increased 10.5% to $317.9 million. Gibraltar made the decision during the first quarter of 2022 to sell its Agtech processing equipment business and, as adjusted to exclude this business’s revenue, adjusted revenue increased 11.8% to $316.0 million. This organic increase was driven by participation gains and price management in the Residential segment, partially offset by continued supply chain challenges in the Renewables segment.

GAAP earnings increased 47.6% to $15.5 million, or $0.47 per share, and adjusted earnings increased 9.4% to $19.7 million, or $0.60 per share. Profitability in the quarter was driven by Residential through participation gains, price management and 80/20 initiatives. While Agtech GAAP margin decreased year-over-year, adjusted segment margin improved through 80/20 and lean enterprise initiatives, supply chain optimization activities, and favorable business mix. As anticipated, the Renewables segment experienced a carryover of the supply challenges plaguing the industry in 2021 during the first quarter, and was also impacted by project inefficiencies due to severe winter weather. Infrastructure margin was impacted by steel inflation, labor availability, and 2^nd shift start-up inefficiencies to support demand in the fabrication business.

Adjusted measures exclude charges for restructuring initiatives, acquisition-related items, senior leadership transition costs, and the results of our Processing business, which has been classified as held for sale as further described in adjusted financial measures below.

First Quarter Segment Results

Renewables

As expected, the industry-wide supply chain challenges experienced in 2021 continued to delay and disrupt solar project schedules in the first quarter, and severe weather in the Northeast, particularly in January and February, also contributed to project delays and disruptions. While revenue decreased 7.8% for the quarter, end market demand remained robust with new bookings driving backlog up 41% during the quarter.

Adjusted operating loss was $4.3 million and operating margin contracted to (5.4)% on lower volume and field management inefficiencies related to project delays and disruptions. These factors began to abate in March and Gibraltar expects significant sequential margin improvement in the second quarter.

Residential

Revenue increased 28.0%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. Revenue was driven by market, price and participation gains both in the building products and mail and package businesses.

Adjusted operating income grew 46.5% and adjusted operating margin improved 240 basis points to 18.8% as price/cost management, segment mix, and 80/20 initiatives continue to drive year-over-year margin improvement.

Agtech

Gibraltar has classified the processing equipment business, which accounted for 10% of the Agtech segment’s 2021 revenue, as held-for-sale with first quarter 2022 results and has removed the related revenues and expenses of this business from its adjusted results. This market has been significantly impacted by industry conditions and the pandemic over the last two years, and its recovery projection no longer fits Gibraltar’s timetable for growth and return generation. This decision will enable the Agtech team to focus on accelerating in its more profitable greenhouse structures markets – Produce, Commercial, and Cannabis.

GAAP revenue decreased 9.2% and adjusted revenue decreased 2.9% as projects were delayed as states and local agencies continue to work through respective construction permit backlogs and scheduled timing of projects. Despite these delays, market demand in Produce, Commercial, and Cannabis continues to grow with order backlog increasing 18% in the quarter.

Adjusted operating margin improved 160 basis points versus last year on continued execution 80/20 and lean enterprise initiatives, integration activities, improved business mix, and supply chain optimization projects.

Infrastructure

Revenue increased 13.9%, driven by growth in fabricated products. While order backlog declined 7% on timing of orders and revenues, pipeline and bidding activity remain strong. Management continues to expect a positive impact of incremental government spending on infrastructure toward the end of 2022.

Adjusted operating margin decreased year-over-year but remained flat sequentially as steel inflation impacted fixed price projects booked in 2020 and early 2021. The fabrication business also experienced challenges with labor availability and inefficiencies related to adding second shift capacity to support increased demand. Margins are expected to improve through 2022 as incremental capacity becomes more efficient and orders for higher margin, non-fabricated product continue to improve.

Business Outlook

Gibraltar is reaffirming guidance for revenue and earnings for the full year 2022, with consolidated revenue expected to range between $1.38 billion and $1.43 billion. GAAP EPS is expected to be between $2.80 and $3.00, and adjusted EPS expected to be between $3.20 and $3.40.

“Given our solid start to the year and current demand across the business, our outlook for the year remains unchanged. We expect our Renewables segment to improve in the second quarter and are working closely with customers to assess potential exposure to the Department of Commerce’s solar panel anti-circumvention investigation. We expect solid performance in our Residential segment as we continue to execute on demand, manage price/cost, and gain additional participation. We look for the Agtech segment’s performance to continue to improve as it executes on higher margin backlog and benefits from 80/20 and lean initiatives. We expect Infrastructure to have a solid year with favorable business mix, good volume, and improved efficiency in its operations,” said Mr. Bosway.

Recast of 2021 Financial Information

Gibraltar has provided a recast of Consolidated and Agtech segment results reflecting the removal of the processing equipment business for the four quarters and full year of 2021 on the Quarterly Results page of its website, which can be accessed through the Investor section by clicking on Reports & Presentations.

For the complete press release, click here.

About Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a leading manufacturer and provider of products and services for the renewable energy, residential, agtech, and infrastructure markets. Gibraltar’s mission, to make life better for people and the planet, is fueled by advancing the disciplines of engineering, science, and technology. Gibraltar is innovating to reshape critical markets in comfortable living, sustainable power, and productive growing throughout North America. For more please visit www.gibraltar1.com.

Contact:

Jody Burfening/Carolyn Capaccio – LHA Investor Relations – rock@lhai.com – (212) 838-3777

Source: Gibraltar Industries, Inc.