Atkore Announces 3Q 2021 Earnings

HARVEY, Ill. — Atkore Inc. (the “Company” or “Atkore”) announced earnings for its fiscal 2021 third quarter ended June 25, 2021.

“Atkore’s outstanding performance continued this quarter, as we delivered record earnings and solid volume growth across the business,” said Bill Waltz, Atkore President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are continuing to benefit from strong demand and outstanding execution amidst industry supply constraints. Atkore’s focus on delivering for our customers has enabled us to grow our business, expand margins and deliver value to our shareholders and customers. The volume growth was across many product categories, and we are optimistic about the continued end market demand across multiple verticals. During the quarter, we also successfully refinanced our debt and repurchased $75 million of Atkore common stock, further strengthening our balance sheet and demonstrating our diligent approach to deploying capital.”

Waltz continued, “Given current market dynamics and our strong performance year-to-date, we are raising our fiscal year 2021 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA to $855-$875 million. We expect these favorable market dynamics to continue and combined with our strategic investments, we are also raising our perspective on fiscal 2022. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in new products, marketing and business development to help improve Atkore’s position for the future.”

2021 Third Quarter Results

Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company renamed and redefined its reportable segments as “Electrical” and “Safety & Infrastructure.” See Segment Redefinition and Realignment discussion below.

Net sales increased by $468.8 million, or 121.8%, to $853.7 million for the three months ended June 25, 2021, compared to $384.9 million for the three months ended June 26, 2020. The increase in net sales is primarily attributed to increased average selling prices of $342.8 million which were mostly driven by the PVC electrical conduit and fittings product category within the Electrical segment and increased net sales of $26.7 million due to the acquisitions of Queen City Plastics and FRE Composites Group. Pricing for PVC products, as well as other parts of the business, are expected to return to more normal historical levels over time, but that time is uncertain. The increase in net sales was also driven by an increase in sales volume of $90.9 million across nearly all product categories within both the Electrical and the Safety & Infrastructure segments.

Gross profit increased by $243.5 million, or 254.1%, to $339.3 million for the three months ended June 25, 2021, as compared to $95.8 million for the prior-year period. Gross margin increased to 39.7% for the three months ended June 25, 2021, as compared to 24.9% for the prior-year period. Gross profit increased primarily due to higher average selling prices of $342.8 million, partially offset by higher input costs of steel, copper and PVC resin of $124.0 million.

Net income increased by $151.2 million, or 628.0%, to $175.3 million for the three months ended June 25, 2021 compared to $24.1 million for the prior-year period primarily due to higher gross profit and lower interest expense, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative costs, income tax expense and loss on extinguishment of debt.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $210.5 million, or 330.4%, to $274.3 million for the three months ended June 25, 2021 compared to $63.7 million for the three months ended June 26, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit.

Diluted earnings per share prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) was $3.64 for the three months ended June 25, 2021, as compared to $0.49 in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income per diluted share increased by $3.29 to $3.96 for the three months ended June 25, 2021, as compared to $0.67 in the prior year period. The increase in diluted earnings per share and adjusted net income per share is primarily attributed to higher net income.

Segment Results

Electrical

Net sales increased by $389.0 million, or 142.9%, to $661.2 million for the three months ended June 25, 2021 compared to $272.2 million for the three months ended June 26, 2020. The increase in net sales is primarily attributed to increased average selling prices of $290.6 million which was mostly driven by the PVC electrical conduit and fittings category and the metal electric conduit and fittings product categories and increased net sales of $26.5 million from the acquisitions of Queen City Plastics and FRE Composites Group. Pricing for PVC products, as well as other parts of the business, are expected to return to more normal historical levels over time, but that time is uncertain. Additionally, sales volume increased $64.1 million driven by increased volumes across all product categories.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 25, 2021 increased by $212.3 million, or 382.1%, to $267.8 million from $55.5 million for the three months ended June 26, 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margins increased to 40.5% for the three months ended June 25, 2021 compared to 20.4% for the three months ended June 26, 2020. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margins was largely due to higher average selling prices in relation to changes in input costs, operational efficiencies and contributions from the acquisitions of Queen City Plastics and FRE Composites Group.

Safety & Infrastructure

Net sales increased by $80.1 million, or 70.7%, for the three months ended June 25, 2021 to $193.5 million compared to $113.4 million for the three months ended June 26, 2020. The increase is primarily attributed to increased average selling prices of $52.2 million driven by higher input costs of steel, and by higher volumes of $26.8 million primarily driven by increases across all product categories.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $8.2 million, or 58.1%, to $22.4 million for the three months ended June 25, 2021 compared to $14.2 million for the three months ended June 26, 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margins decreased to 11.6% for the three months ended June 25, 2021 compared to 12.5% for the three months ended June 26, 2020. The Adjusted EBITDA increase is primarily due to the price and volume increases discussed above.

Segment Redefinition and Realignment

During the first quarter of 2021, Atkore made the decision to rename and reorganize its two reportable segments to better reflect each segment’s value proposition and go-to-market approach.

The Electrical Raceway segment, which was renamed as the Electrical segment, manufactures high quality products used in the construction of electrical power systems including conduit, cable, and installation accessories. This segment serves contractors in partnership with the electrical wholesale channel.

The Mechanical Products & Solutions segment, which was renamed as the Safety & Infrastructure segment, designs and manufactures solutions including metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security and cable management for the protection and reliability of critical infrastructure. These solutions are marketed to contractors, original equipment manufacturers and end users.

Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company also implemented the realignment of its segment financial reporting structure such that its domestic cable management and prefabrication modular businesses are now reflected in its Safety & Infrastructure segment. These businesses were previously reflected within the Electrical Raceway segment. Prior year results have been revised for the impact of the realignment for comparability.

Full-Year Outlook

Based on market trends and Atkore’s continued execution, the Company is increasing its outlook for Net sales, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per diluted share for fiscal year 2021. The Company expects Net Sales to be up approximately 60%, and Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $855 to $875 million. In addition, the Company expects Adjusted net income per diluted share to be in the range of $12.25 – $12.55. This updated outlook reflects Atkore’s expectation that the strong demand and industry supply constraints in the PVC electrical conduit business will continue through the rest of this fiscal year and that they will normalize in the next fiscal year.

In light of these trends and the current environment, the Company is also updating its perspective on fiscal year 2022. The Company expects fiscal year 2022 Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $500 million – $550 million. The Company notes that this perspective may vary due to changes in assumptions or market conditions and other factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Reconciliations of the forward-looking full-year 2021 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income per diluted share and full-year 2022 perspective for Adjusted EBITDA are not being provided as the Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliations.