|
LEICESTER, New York, June 4, 1998 CPAC, Inc.
(Nasdaq NNM: CPAK) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998.
For the fiscal fourth quarter, sales advanced 22% to a
record $27.2 million compared to $22.3 million for last years fourth quarter. Net
income for the quarter was $1.25 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $1.49
million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the same period last year.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, sales for CPACs
Cleaning and Personal Care segment grew 51% to $16.6 million compared to $11.0 million for
the same period last year. Operating income for the segment was up 34% to $1.96 million
compared to $1.46 million for the same period last year. For the quarter just
concluded, Imaging segment sales were $10.6 million versus $11.3 million last year. Fourth
quarter operating profits for the Imaging segment were $663,600 compared with $991,700 for
the same period a year ago.
Commenting on the fourth quarter, Thomas N. Hendrickson,
President and Chief Executive Officer of CPAC, Inc., said, "We are quite pleased with
the performance of our Cleaning and Personal Care operation, which has benefited from a
number of initiatives we put in place last year. These included our expanded programs to
develop national accounts within industry sectors such as food service and hospital
supply. Profitability in our Imaging segment was adversely impacted by additional
non-recurring costs related to a plant consolidation, and a delay in the signing of a
major contract for black-and-white chemicals. This contract was subsequently finalized at
the end of March. We are committed to improving the performance of our Imaging segment. To
remain competitive on the domestic front, we have initiated a number of cost control
programs. Additionally, to accommodate the growth we are experiencing on the international
front, we are expanding in selected markets such as Belgium and Italy."
For its fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, CPAC,
Inc.s sales reached record levels with a 14% increase to $106.0 million from $92.9
million last year. Contributing to the improvement in sales was the acquisition of certain
assets of IVAX Industries on July 23, 1997. These assets now constitute the Cleaning
Technologies Group, which operates as a division of Fuller Brush. Net income for the year
was $6.82 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, compared to $7.52 million, or $1.02 per
diluted share, for the same period last year. A number of non-recurring events affected
net earnings for the year. These included certain one-time expenses associated with the
acquisition of the assets from IVAX and the impact of the UPS strike on the Cleaning &
Personal Care segment. Earnings were also impacted by the margin erosion experienced by
the Imaging business.
On a segment basis, sales in Cleaning and Personal Care,
which now account for 60% of the companys sales, were up 31% for the fiscal year to
$61.8 million, versus $47.2 million last fiscal year. Operating income for the segment was
$7.48 million compared to $7.61 million last year. For the year, sales in the Imaging
segment were $44.3 million versus $45.8 million for last fiscal year. Operating income for
the Imaging segment for the fiscal year just closed was $4.38 million compared to $5.24
million last year.
In reviewing the results for the fiscal year, Mr.
Hendrickson said, "We added to our infrastructure with the strategic acquisition of
certain assets from IVAX. The acquisition of these assets -- which now constitute our
Cleaning Technologies Group -- position our company in the commercial/janitorial market.
This is a niche we had targeted and one that is demonstrating a strong annual growth rate
in the 7% range. Through this acquisition, we obtained very stable, nationally
recognizable brands and possess the marketing power to move those products through new
distribution channels. The development of national accounts is a top priority for this
group where our extensive product line and low-cost manufacturing are attractive to large
distribution companies. We began moving manufacturing into the Fuller Brush plant at the
end of the fourth quarter, and expect to benefit from the projected $1.5 million savings
from plant consolidation in the second quarter of fiscal 1999."
Mr. Hendrickson continued, "In the Imaging segment,
the domestic side has been marked by a pricing war among the major competitors, which
resulted in margin erosion in both the color and black-and-white chemical markets. In
addition, foreign currency translation adjustments impacted profits from the European
subsidiaries. To improve profitability, we focused on widespread cost reduction
initiatives, including the consolidation of our Irwindale, California facility into our
Georgia operation to reduce expenses and gain benefit through the economies of
scale."
Founded in 1969, CPAC, Inc. owns The Fuller Brush Company
in Great Bend, Kansas, as well as five imaging chemical facilities in the U.S. and Europe.
In July 1997, the Company acquired a portion of IVAX Industries with $25 million in sales,
and formed the Cleaning Technologies Group as a division of Fuller Brush. CPAC has over
250 registered trademarks for chemical and non-chemical products in the cleaning and
personal care industry and imaging market. Shares are traded over the Nasdaq National
Market System under the ticker symbol "CPAK." Additional information is
available on the Company's website (www.cpac-fuller.com).
Except for the historical matters contained herein,
statements in this press release are forward looking and are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned
that forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may affect CPAC's
business and prospects, including economic, competitive, governmental, technological, and
other factors discussed in CPAC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CPAC, Inc.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
MARCH 31, 1998, AND MARCH 31, 1997
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
Three
months ended |
|
Twelve
months ended |
|
|
1998 |
|
1997 |
%
change |
|
1998 |
|
1997 |
%
change |
Net sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cleaning & Personal Care |
$ |
16,585,463 |
$ |
10,991,320 |
50.9 |
$ |
61,796,024 |
$ |
47,152,431 |
31.1 |
| Imaging |
|
10,598,897 |
|
11,340,902 |
(6.5) |
|
44,302,190 |
|
45,813,721 |
(3.3) |
| Total Sales: |
$ |
27,184,360 |
$ |
22,332,222 |
21.7 |
$ |
106,098,214 |
$ |
92,966,152 |
14.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income |
$ |
1,251,049 |
$ |
1,486,125 |
(15.8) |
$ |
6,820,174 |
$ |
7,528,269 |
(9.4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per common share
(diluted): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income |
$ |
0.18 |
$ |
0.20 |
(10.0) |
$ |
0.95 |
$ |
1.02 |
(6.9) |
| Operating cash flows * |
$ |
3,164,331 |
$ |
3,109,910 |
1.7 |
$ |
14,960,371 |
$ |
15,155,572 |
(1.3) |
Weighted average number
of common shares
outstanding diluted |
|
7,014,464 |
|
7,296,142 |
|
|
7,148,028 |
|
7,349,705 |
|
* Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and minority interest
(EBITDA)
CPAC, Inc.
SUPPLEMENTAL SEGMENT DATA
MARCH 31, 1998, AND MARCH 31, 1997
(UNAUDITED)
|
Three months ended
|
Twelve
months ended
|
|
1998 |
1997 |
1998 |
1997 |
| CLEANING
& PERSONAL CARE |
|
|
|
|
| Net
sales |
$16,585,463
|
$10,991,320
|
$61,796,024 |
$47,152,431
|
| Cost of
sales |
8,837,286 |
5,045,806 |
32,497,874 |
21,841,670 |
|
Gross margins |
7,748,177 |
5,945,514 |
29,298,150 |
25,310,761 |
Selling,
administrative and
engineering expenses |
5,667,856 |
4,384,639 |
21,398,400 |
17,298,309 |
Research
and development
expense |
115,948 |
104,609 |
421,819 |
405,736 |
| Operating
income |
$
1,964,373 |
$
1,456,266 |
$
7,477,931 |
$7,606,716
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| IMAGING |
|
|
|
|
| Net
sales |
$10,598,897
|
$11,340,902 |
$44,302,190 |
$45,813,721 |
| Cost of
sales |
7,016,792 |
6,955,557 |
27,181,917 |
27,180,326 |
| Gross
margins |
3,582,105 |
4,385,345 |
17,120,273 |
18,633,395 |
Selling,
administrative and
engineering expenses |
2,837,264 |
3,315,132 |
12,469,225 |
13,111,760 |
Research
and development
expense |
81,258 |
78,498 |
274,582 |
284,327 |
| Operating
income |
$663,583 |
$ 991,715 |
$ 4,376,466 |
$5,237,308 |
# # #
|
|