James Hardie Industries Announces Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Results

James Hardie Industries plc (“James Hardie” or the “Company”), the world’s #1 producer and marketer of high- performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions, today announced results for its third quarter fiscal year 2023, the three-month period ending 31 December 2022.

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights, Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022, as applicable:

• Global Net Sales declined 4% as Global Volumes declined 11%, partially offset by Price/Mix growth in all three regions as we delivered value added solutions to our customers
• Global Adjusted EBIT decreased 19% to US$165.4 million, with an Adjusted EBIT margin of 19.2%
• North America Fiber Cement Segment Net Sales remained flat at US$645.4 million and EBIT declined 5% to US$174.1 million, with an EBIT margin of 27.0%
• Asia Pacific Fiber Cement Segment Net Sales decreased 13% to A$171.2 million and EBIT decreased 21% to A$42.3 million, with an EBIT margin of 24.7%
• Europe Building Products Segment Net Sales increased 4% to €101.2 million and EBIT decreased 86% to €1.5 million, with an EBIT margin of 1.5%

Speaking to the results, James Hardie CEO Aaron Erter said, “Our team executed in the face of significant challenges to deliver strong financial results in fiscal year 2023. The team’s performance is reflected in strong Price/Mix growth in all three regions, including North America Price/Mix growth of +10%, Asia Pacific Price/Mix growth of +6% and Europe Price/Mix growth of +14%. The team’s success in driving high value product growth is underpinned by our superior value proposition. We are homeowner focused, customer and contractor driven, providing the entire value chain with world class products and services.”

Speaking to adjusting to the dynamic market conditions, Mr. Erter stated, “We are managing quickly and decisively to accelerate our competitive advantages through this market downturn and we view this time as an opportunity. We are focused on five key areas: (i) continued strong execution of our strategy, (ii) driving profitable volume share gain, (iii) effectively balancing our manufacturing network, (iv) optimizing SG&A for the current market environment and (v) continuing to invest in profitable growth.

We have made adjustments to our manufacturing networks in all three regions. We did this by reducing our shifts and changing shift patterns. We believe we will achieve a lower unit cost based on our adjustments while providing flexibility to ramp up as we see signs of housing market recovery.

We also reduced SG&A headcount to ensure alignment with our strategic needs. In addition, we have lowered our discretionary SG&A spend in the second half of FY23 compared to the first half. We continue to significantly invest in strategic growth initiatives, and believe we are entering FY24 at the appropriate SG&A spend level. We will continue to strategically invest in growth initiatives, including adding the right talent, and investing in marketing to all members of our value chain. Regarding marketing, the adjustments we have made are to better balance our investments across our various mediums and audiences with a focus on targeted conversions and share gain, while continuing to increase brand awareness.

Most importantly we remain aggressive, and we are laser focused on driving profitable volume share gain in every region and segment we do business in.

We are being agile and adaptive in responding to significant changes in market conditions, but we are also being thoughtful and focused on where we can accelerate our competitive advantages. We have the right solutions that our customers are seeking coupled with a team dedicated to delivering differentiated results.”

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Results Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Results

Global: Global Net Sales declined 4% to US$860.8 million, while Global Adjusted EBIT decreased 19% to US$165.4 million. Global Adjusted Net Income decreased 16% to US$129.2 million. Global Adjusted EBIT margin of 19.2% was achieved through continued operational improvements and the delivery of a high value product mix offset by high input costs, reduced volumes and our ongoing investment in growth initiatives.

North America Fiber Cement Segment: Net Sales remained flat at US$645.4 million. Volumes declined 10%, adversely impacted by the new construction housing market slowing sharply as well as a softer repair and remodel market. However, this was offset by ongoing execution of our high value product mix strategy that delivered Price/Mix growth of +10%, which was underpinned by robust ColorPlus™ volume growth of +18%. LEAN manufacturing initiatives continued to generate improved performance across the North American manufacturing network. However, lower volumes and high input costs led to a 5% decline in EBIT to US$174.1 million. The EBIT margin contracted 140 basis points to 27.0%.

Asia Pacific Fiber Cement Segment: Net sales decreased 13% to A$171.2 million. Volumes declined by 19% and were adversely impacted by softening demand as well as customers reducing inventory levels in Australia and New Zealand. Execution of our high value product mix strategy led to Price/Mix growth of +6%. EBIT decreased 21% to A$42.3 million, at an EBIT margin of 24.7%.

Europe Building Products Segment: Net Sales increased +4% to €101.2 million. Volumes declined 10%, as the housing market remained weak throughout our European markets. However, this was more than offset by strong Price/Mix growth of +14%. EBIT decreased 86% to €1.5 million, with an EBIT margin of 1.5%. The EBIT margin declined by 920 basis points, primarily due to restructuring costs, the impact of inflation on key input costs as well as reduced volumes.

Capital Resources

Operating cash flow generation of US$432.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2023 was driven by profitable organic sales growth, partially offset by an increase in working capital. Working capital increased by US$54.2 million primarily due to increased inventory levels globally and lower accounts payable balances, partially offset by lower accounts receivable.

James Hardie Chief Financial Officer, Jason Miele, stated, “Our Capital Allocation Framework was updated in November 2022 and matches who we are: a growth company. The number one and primary focus of our Capital Allocation Framework is to invest in organic growth; our 5-year average Adjusted ROCE of 36% is proof that investing in our growth should be our number one use of capital. As announced in November, we return excess capital to shareholders via a share buyback rather than a dividend as it provides a growth company the optimal flexibility to ensure investment in organic growth is prioritized, while maintaining financial strength and flexibility through cycles. Through these cycles we will target an average leverage ratio below 2.0x. In December, we commenced our share buyback program, and during the quarter we bought back 1.6 million shares for total consideration of US$31.2 million.”

Sustainability

At James Hardie, we are all committed to Building Sustainable Communities and we recognize that keeping environmental and social considerations at the core of everything we do is fundamental to our success.

Commenting on sustainability, Mr. Erter said: “The decisions we make each day must be environmentally and socially responsible to create sustainable value for homeowners, our customers and our investors. The Company’s sustainability progress reflects the efforts of our global team, whose passion and commitment drives the success of our business outcomes in a sustainable way.”

For more on our commitment to Sustainability including our goals, see our FY22 Sustainability Report at https://www.jameshardie.com/why-hardie/sustainability

Outlook and Earnings Guidance

Based on our lower than expected second half volume results in both North America and APAC and restructuring charges incurred in the second half, management has lowered the fiscal year 2023 Adjusted Net Income guidance range. The updated 2023 Adjusted Net Income guidance range is US$600 million to US$620 million, changed from the prior range of US$650 million and US$710 million. The comparable prior year Adjusted Net Income for fiscal year 2022 was US$620.7 million.

James Hardie’s guidance is based on current estimates and assumptions and is subject to several known and unknown uncertainties and risks.

Further Information

Readers are referred to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Analysis of Results for the third quarter ended 31 December 2022 for additional information regarding the Company’s results, including information regarding income taxes, the asbestos liability and contingent liabilities.

For the full third quarter results, click here.

About James Hardie Industries

James Hardie Industries plc is a limited liability company incorporated in Ireland with its registered office at Europa House, 2nd Floor, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, D02 WR20, Ireland

Source: James Hardie Industries plc