Brady Corporation Reports Record Sales, Net Income and Cash Flow for Fiscal 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year

By: Brady Corporation via Business Wire News Releases

September 17, 2008 at 08:15 AM EDT

Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC) today reported record results for its fiscal 2008 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2008.

Sales in the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter rose 9 percent to $396.8 million compared to sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 of $362.8 million. The increase was comprised of acquisition growth adding 3 percent and foreign currency translation contributing 6 percent to sales growth. Organic growth was flat compared to the prior year’s quarter. Regionally, sales were up 16 percent in Europe and 20 percent in Asia/Pacific; sales in the Americas region were flat. The consolidation of the Brady Americas and Direct Marketing/People ID Americas businesses under single leadership was finalized in the fourth quarter and as such, segment results are reported accordingly beginning this quarter.

Net income for the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter was up 33 percent to $34.8 million or $0.64 per diluted Class A Common share, compared to $26.2 million or $0.48 per diluted Class A Common share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, which included cost reduction charges of $5.4 million after tax in the quarter or $0.10 per share.

Brady’s fiscal 2008 net sales rose 12 percent to $1.523 billion compared to $1.363 billion in sales in fiscal 2007. Organic growth was flat; acquisitions and foreign currency translation each added 6 percent to total sales results. Net income for fiscal 2008 rose 21 percent to $132.2 million or $2.41 per diluted Class A Common share, compared to $109.4 million or $2.00 per share in fiscal 2007. Net income results for fiscal 2007 included cost reduction charges of $8.3 million after tax or $0.15 per share.

“We are very pleased with our results in fiscal 2008, especially in light of the challenging economic environment. Of particular note is Asia’s return to core growth in the fourth quarter with total segment sales up 20 percent and profit up 40 percent following a deliberate re-focus on higher margin products and the success of our cost-control efforts put in place last fiscal year,” said Brady President and CEO Frank M. Jaehnert.

“Cash flow from operations was a solid $73 million in the fourth quarter, up 30 percent from the prior year fourth quarter; and $226 million for the year, up 66 percent from fiscal 2007,” said Brady Chief Financial Officer Thomas J. Felmer. “We see a challenging global economy in front of us this fiscal year and will continue to drive working capital improvements and look for ways to keep our cost structure in line. As a result of the recent material changes in currency markets and current economic conditions, we are revising our guidance for fiscal 2009 from sales of between $1.56 to $1.59 billion, to sales of between $1.52 and $1.55 billion; and from net income of between $145 and $152 million and earnings per diluted share of between $2.63 to $2.75, to net income of between $140 and $145 million and diluted earnings per share between $2.54 and $2.63. In keeping with prior practice, this guidance does not assume any future acquisitions.”

A Webcast regarding fiscal 2008 results will be available at www.investor.bradycorp.com beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time today.

Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Its products include high-performance labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Founded in 1914, the company has more than 500,000 customers in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, education, medical and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs more than 7,800 people at operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com.

Brady believes that certain statements in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements related to future, not past, events included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding Brady's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,”“will,” “expect,”“intend,” “estimate,”“anticipate,” “believe,”“should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from future financial performance of major markets Brady serves, which include, without limitation, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, laboratory, education, governmental, public utility, computer, transportation; difficulties in making and integrating acquisitions; risks associated with newly acquired businesses; Brady's ability to retain significant contracts and customers; future competition; Brady's ability to develop and successfully market new products; changes in the supply of, or price for, parts and components; increased price pressure from suppliers and customers; interruptions to sources of supply; environmental, health and safety compliance costs and liabilities; Brady's ability to realize cost savings from operating initiatives; Brady's ability to attract and retain key talent; difficulties associated with exports; risks associated with international operations; fluctuations in currency rates versus the US dollar; technology changes; potential write-offs of Brady's substantial intangible assets; risks associated with obtaining governmental approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance for new and existing products; business interruptions due to implementing business systems; and numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the "Risk Factors" section located in Item 1A of Part II of Brady's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended July 31, 2007. These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.


Information by regional segment for the three and twelve months ended July 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
(in thousands)	Americas		Europe		Asia-Pacific		Subtotals		Corporate and Eliminations		Total
SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS
Three months ended:
July 31, 2008	$169,303		$131,765		$95,781		$396,849		-		$396,849
July 31, 2007	169,063		114,037		79,665		362,765		-		362,765

Twelve months ended:
July 31, 2008	$667,106		$496,715		$359,195		$1,523,016		-		$1,523,016
July 31, 2007	609,855		416,514		336,262		1,362,631		-		1,362,631

SALES GROWTH INFORMATION
Three months ended July 31, 2008:
Base	-2.2	%	-3.1	%	11.5	%	0.6	%	-		0.6	%
Currency	1.7	%	10.9	%	8.7	%	6.1	%	-		6.1	%
Acquisitions	0.6	%	7.8	%	0.0	%	2.7	%	-		2.7	%
Total	0.1	%	15.6	%	20.2	%	9.4	%	-		9.4	%

Twelve months ended July 31, 2008:
Base	0.9	%	-0.4	%	-1.1	%	0.0	%	-		0.0	%
Currency	2.0	%	10.6	%	7.6	%	6.0	%	-		6.0	%
Acquisitions	6.5	%	9.1	%	0.3	%	5.8	%	-		5.8	%
Total	9.4	%	19.3	%	6.8	%	11.8	%	-		11.8	%

SEGMENT PROFIT (LOSS)
Three months ended:
July 31, 2008	$41,212		$38,214		$15,129		$94,555		($2,648	)	$91,907
July 31, 2007	39,659		32,573		10,844		83,076		(2,989	)	80,087
Percentage increase (decrease)	3.9	%	17.3	%	39.5	%	13.8	%	-11.4	%	14.8	%

Twelve months ended:
July 31, 2008	$157,523		$135,426		$58,234		$351,183		($9,048	)	$342,135
July 31, 2007	144,583		107,552		57,236		309,371		(10,485	)	298,886
Percentage increase (decrease)	8.9	%	25.9	%	1.7	%	13.5	%	-13.7	%	14.5	%



NET INCOME RECONCILIATION (in thousands)
	Three months ended:						Twelve months ended:
	July 31, 2008		July 31, 2007				July 31, 2008		July 31, 2007
Total profit for reportable segments	$94,555		$ 83,076				$351,183		$ 309,371
Corporate and eliminations	(2,648	)	(2,989	)			($9,048	)	(10,485	)
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs	(37,587	)	(39,068	)			(134,451	)	(126,899	)
Investment and other income	1,581		1,958				4,888		2,875
Interest expense	(5,956	)	(6,527	)			(26,385	)	(22,934	)
Income before income taxes	49,945		36,450				186,187		151,928
Income taxes	(15,170	)	(10,206	)			(53,999	)	(42,540	)
Net income	$ 34,775		$ 26,244				$ 132,188		$ 109,388

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

	(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended July 31,								Twelve Months Ended July 31,
		2008			2007		Percentage Change			2008			2007		Percentage Change
Net sales	$	396,849		$	362,765		9.4	%	$	1,523,016		$	1,362,631		11.8	%
Cost of products sold		204,920			189,161		8.3	%		778,821			705,587		10.4	%
Gross margin		191,929			173,604		10.6	%		744,195			657,044		13.3	%

Operating expenses:
Research and development		11,284			9,601		17.5	%		40,607			35,954		12.9	%
Selling, general and administrative		126,325			122,984		2.7	%		495,904			449,103		10.4	%
Total operating expenses		137,609			132,585		3.8	%		536,511			485,057		10.6	%

Operating income		54,320			41,019		32.4	%		207,684			171,987		20.8	%

Other income and (expense):
Investment and other income		1,581			1,958		-19.3	%		4,888			2,875		70.0	%
Interest expense		(5,956	)		(6,527	)	-8.7	%		(26,385	)		(22,934	)	15.0	%

Income before income taxes		49,945			36,450		37.0	%		186,187			151,928		22.5	%

Income taxes		15,170			10,206		48.6	%		53,999			42,540		26.9	%

Net income	$	34,775		$	26,244		32.5	%	$	132,188		$	109,388		20.8	%


Per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic net income	$	0.65		$	0.49		32.7	%	$	2.45		$	2.03		20.5	%
Diluted net income	$	0.64		$	0.48		33.3	%	$	2.41		$	2.00		20.5	%
Dividends	$	0.15		$	0.14		7.1	%	$	0.60		$	0.56		7.1	%

Per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic net income	$	0.65		$	0.49		32.7	%	$	2.43		$	2.01		20.9	%
Diluted net income	$	0.64		$	0.48		33.3	%	$	2.39		$	1.98		20.7	%
Dividends	$	0.15		$	0.14		7.1	%	$	0.58		$	0.54		7.4	%

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in Thousands):
Basic		53,790			54,047					54,168			53,907
Diluted		54,514			54,854					54,873			54,741


BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS)
		(Unaudited)
		July 31, 2008			July 31, 2007

ASSETS

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	258,355		$	142,846
Short term investments		-			19,200
Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses ($10,059 and		262,461			239,569
$9,109, respectively)
Inventories:
Finished products		75,665			80,486
Work-in-process		21,187			21,309
Raw materials and supplies		37,767			37,983
Total inventories		134,619			139,778
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		43,650			42,020

Total current assets		699,085			583,413

Other assets:
Goodwill		789,107			737,450
Other intangible assets, net		144,791			149,761
Deferred income taxes		25,943			32,508
Other		21,381			21,111

Total other assets		981,222			940,830

Property, plant and equipment:
Cost:
Land		6,490			6,332
Buildings and improvements		98,646			90,688
Machinery and equipment		282,232			248,356
Construction in progress		6,040			18,107

		393,408			363,483
Less accumulated depreciation		223,202			188,869

Net property, plant and equipment		170,206			174,614

Total	$	1,850,513		$	1,698,857

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	118,209		$	91,596
Wages and amounts withheld from employees		82,354			73,622
Taxes, other than income taxes		10,234			8,461
Accrued income taxes		21,523			24,677
Other current liabilities		54,810			60,254
Current maturities on long-term debt		21,431			21,444

Total current liabilities		308,561			280,054

Long-term obligations, less current maturities		457,143			478,575

Other liabilities		63,001			49,216

Total liabilities		828,705			807,845

Stockholders' investment:
Common stock:
Class A nonvoting common stock - Issued 51,261,487 and 50,586,524 shares, respectively and outstanding 50,005,296 and 50,586,524 shares, respectively		513			506

Class B voting common stock - Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares		35			35
Additional paid-in capital		292,769			266,203
Income retained in the business		639,059			540,238
Treasury stock - 1,046,191 and 0 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost		(33,234	)		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income		128,161			83,376
Other		(5,495	)		654

Total stockholders' investment		1,021,808			891,012

Total	$	1,850,513		$	1,698,857


BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)		(Unaudited)
		Twelve Months Ended
		July 31,

		2008			2007			2006
Operating activities:
Net income	$	132,188		$	109,388		$	104,175
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		60,587			53,856			35,144
Gain on foreign currency contract					-			(1,516	)
Deferred income taxes		(1,501	)		70			(1,843	)
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant & equipment		1,672			13			124
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense		10,228			6,907			5,568
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions):
Accounts receivable		(3,704	)		(17,021	)		(12,468	)
Inventories		16,224			(12,323	)		(16,961	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(629	)		(13,307	)		(2,163	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		18,641			8,058			10,421
Income taxes		(8,492	)		(6,821	)		58
Other liabilities		340			7,198			(5,643	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		225,554			136,018			114,896

Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(29,346	)		(159,475	)		(351,331	)
Payments of contingent consideration		(5,798	)		(10,906	)		-
Purchases of short-term investments		(10,350	)		(68,100	)		(150,900	)
Sales of short-term investments		29,550			60,400			146,500
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(26,407	)		(51,940	)		(39,410	)
Net settlement of foreign currency contract								1,516
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		880			2,166			546
Other		2,263			(9,184	)		(2,203	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(39,208	)		(237,039	)		(395,282	)

Financing activities:
Payment of dividends		(32,464	)		(30,141	)		(26,064	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		14,500			6,829			166,664
Principal payments on debt		(39,443	)		(110,870	)		(417,601	)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		18,000			259,300			615,730
Purchase of treasury stock		(42,175	)		-			(24,683	)
Excess income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options		4,638			4,303			4,912
Net (used in) provided by financing activities		(76,944	)		129,421			318,958
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		6,107			1,438			1,466

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		115,509			29,838			40,038
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		142,846			113,008			72,970

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		258,355			142,846			113,008

Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	26,308		$	19,842		$	8,991
Income taxes, net of refunds		51,834			49,233			37,661
Acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash	$	21,508		$	87,398		$	167,900
Liabilities assumed		(9,038	)		(33,248	)		(63,667	)
Goodwill		16,876			105,325			247,098
Net cash paid for acquisitions	$	29,346		$	159,475		$	351,331


RECONCILIATION OF GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in thousands)

			Fiscal 2007

			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
EBITDA (1)
	Net income		$ 34,448	$ 19,709	$ 28,987	$ 26,244	$ 109,388
		Interest expense	4,735	5,244	6,428	6,527	22,934
		Income taxes	13,396	7,665	11,273	10,206	42,540
		Depreciation and amortization	12,927	13,169	14,307	13,453	53,856

	EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)		$ 65,506	$ 45,787	$ 60,995	$ 56,430	$ 228,718

			Fiscal 2008

			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
EBITDA (1)
	Net income		$ 36,370	$ 26,690	$ 34,353	$ 34,775	$ 132,188
		Interest expense	6,720	6,747	6,962	5,956	26,385
		Income taxes	15,366	11,276	12,187	15,170	53,999
		Depreciation and amortization	14,168	15,501	16,013	14,905	60,587

	EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)		$ 72,624	$ 60,214	$ 69,515	$ 70,806	$ 273,159

(1)

Brady is presenting EBITDA because it is used by many of our investors and lenders, and is presented as a convenience to them. EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a calculation based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The amounts included in the EBITDA calculation, however, are derived from amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income data. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or operating income as an indicator of the company's operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of liquidity. The EBITDA measure presented may not always be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the components of the calculation.

Contacts:

Brady Corporation
Investor contact:
Barbara Bolens, 414-438-6940
or
Media contact:
Carole Herbstreit, 414-438-6882