Douglas Dynamics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results

Delivered Significantly Improved Full Year 2022 Results

Full Year 2022 Highlights:

• Net Sales increased 13.8% to $616.1 million
• Net Income increased 25.8% to $38.6 million
• Diluted Earnings per Share increased 26.4% to $1.63
• Both segments produced improved year-over-year results
• Announced 1Q23 quarterly dividend increased to $0.295 per share
• Issued 2023 full year outlook

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE: PLOW), North America’s premier manufacturer and upfitter of work truck attachments and equipment, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022.

“Both of our segments produced improved results in 2022,” explained Bob McCormick, President and CEO. “While external headwinds persisted, demand remained strong during 2022 and our teams were able to find ways to deliver for our customers while controlling costs. Our Work Truck Attachments segment had a tremendous year overall, introducing innovative new products and taking advantage of changing industry dynamics. As expected, we did see some pull ahead of demand in the pre-season which, when combined with below average snowfall in core markets, impacted volumes and margins in the fourth quarter. It was particularly pleasing to see the improved results produced by the Work Truck Solutions segment in the fourth quarter as improved pricing realization and upfit velocity meant we delivered more trucks to our customers at higher profitability rates.”

Consolidated Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

• Financial performance improved across the board in the fourth quarter, driven by continued price realization at both segments and higher volumes at Work Truck Solutions.
  

Work Truck Attachments Segment Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

• Net Sales of $97.9 million were approximately the same as fourth quarter 2021 with pricing actions offsetting lower volumes, which were impacted by below average snowfall in core markets and demand pull ahead in previous quarters.
• Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margins were lower due to lower volumes, and increased labor and benefit costs.

Work Truck Solutions Segment Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

• Net Sales increased compared to the prior year due to price increase realization, ongoing positive demand and higher truck deliveries, which was partially offset by continued supply chain disruption and related inefficiencies.  
• The increase in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin was a result of pricing actions and improved truck deliveries compared to last year.

Consolidated Full Year 2022 Results

• 2022 Net sales increased 13.8% when compared to 2021, primarily due to pricing actions in both segments, as well as strong demand in Work Truck Attachments leading to increased volumes.
• Net Income increased by 25.8% to $38.6 million in 2022 when compared to full year Net Income of $30.7 million in 2021.
• Selling, general and administrative expense increased just 4.2% to $82.2 million for 2022 compared to $78.8 million for the prior year. The small increase was due to increased salaries and benefits, travel expenditures, and advertising costs, as spending was artificially low in 2021 due to the pandemic. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased from 14.6% in 2021 to 13.3% in 2022.
• Interest expense was $11.3 million for 2022 compared to $11.8 million in 2021, which was primarily due to lower interest paid on the term loan following the June 2021 refinancing. This was somewhat offset by an increase in interest expense on higher borrowings on the revolving line of credit.
• The effective tax rate for 2022 was 18.5% compared to 11.3% for 2021. The increase in 2022 was due to a discrete tax benefit of $3.3 million in 2021 related to favorable income tax audit results. The effective tax rate for 2022 was lower than historical averages due to higher tax credits and state income tax rate changes.
  

Work Truck Attachments Segment Full Year 2022 Results

• Net sales increased by 17.4% primarily due to pricing actions, as well as strong preseason order demand and volumes, despite below average snowfall in the season ended in March 2022 and below average snowfall in core markets in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased slightly based on increased preseason volumes, largely offset by increased labor and benefit costs.

Work Truck Solutions Segment Full Year 2022 Results

• Net sales increased 8.4% primarily based on price increase realization, as well as more stable and predictable Class 7-8 chassis supply, somewhat offset by component shortages leading to lower production volumes.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased significantly due to price increase realization, favorable sales mix, and cost savings initiatives, somewhat offset by inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints leading to manufacturing and upfit inefficiencies.
• Order backlog at the start of 2023 was a record $360.3 million, compared to $300.4 million a year ago.
  

Capital Allocation & Liquidity

• A quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share of the Company's common stock was declared on December 6, 2022, and paid on December 30, 2022, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 19, 2022.
• The Board of Directors also approved and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.295 per share for the first quarter of 2023. The declared dividend will be paid on March 31, 2023, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2023.
• Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities for 2022 decreased to $40.0 million from $60.5 million during 2021. Lower cash provided relates to an increase in inventory due to the pull forward of purchases as well as higher material costs due to inflation.  
• Free Cash Flow for full year 2022 decreased to $28.0 million from $49.3 million for full year 2021, primarily as a result of a decrease in cash provided by operating activities and a small increase in capital expenditures.
• As of December 31, 2022, liquidity comprised of approximately $20.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and borrowing availability of approximately $99.5 million under the revolving credit facility.
• On January 5, 2023, the Company exercised an option to expand its Revolving Credit commitment by $50.0 million to $150.0 million to allow additional flexibility following the impact of inflation in recent years.

Outlook

2023 financial outlook:

• Net Sales are expected to be between $620 million and $680 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA is predicted to range from $85 million to $115 million.
• Adjusted Earnings Per Share are expected to be in the range of $1.55 per share to $2.45 per share.
• The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 24% to 25%.
• The outlook assumes relatively stable economic conditions, slightly improving supply of chassis and components, and that Company’s core markets will experience average snowfall levels.
  

McCormick noted, “As we look at 2023, our teams continue to see opportunities to grow and improve our operations and we maintain a positive long-term outlook on both segments overall. Backlog and demand trends remain favorable. Demand for our Work Truck Attachments products is more influenced by snowfall than general economic activity. While our Work Truck Solutions segment is influenced by economic activity, we believe the potential for a mild to moderate recession will be more than offset by the record backlog of orders we have to work through in the coming years, and the need to replace aging trucks and equipment. Overall, we are not expecting significant near-term improvements in chassis supply but believe our teams can deliver improved results based on the macroeconomic and industry predictions, plus the positive customer sentiment we see today.”

With respect to the Company’s 2023 guidance, the Company is not able to provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP because it does not provide specific guidance for the various extraordinary, nonrecurring, or unusual charges and other certain items. These items have not yet occurred, are out of the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. As a result, reconciliation of the non-GAAP guidance measures to GAAP is not available without unreasonable effort and the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

Earnings Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time). To join the conference call, please dial (833) 634-5024 domestically, or (412) 902-4205 internationally. The call will also be available via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.douglasdynamics.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, replays will be available for one week following the call.

About Douglas Dynamics

Home to the most trusted brands in the industry, Douglas Dynamics is North America’s premier manufacturer and up-fitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment. For more than 75 years, the Company has been innovating products that not only enable people to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively, but also enable businesses to increase profitability. Through its proprietary Douglas Dynamics Management System (DDMS), the Company is committed to continuous improvement aimed at consistently producing the highest quality products, at industry-leading levels of service and delivery that ultimately drive shareholder value. The Douglas Dynamics portfolio of products and services is separated into two segments: First, the Work Truck Attachments segment, which includes commercial snow and ice control equipment sold under the FISHER®, SNOWEX® and WESTERN® brands. Second, the Work Truck Solutions segment, which includes the up-fit of market leading attachments and storage solutions under the HENDERSON® brand, and the DEJANA® brand and its related sub-brands.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information calculated other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).  The non-GAAP measures used in this press release are Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share, and Free Cash Flow.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and other external users of its consolidated financial statements in evaluating the Company’s operating performance as compared to that of other companies.  Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures can be found immediately following the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in this press release.

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as further adjusted for certain charges consisting of unrelated legal and consulting fees, stock-based compensation, severance, restructuring charges, impairment charges, loss on extinguishment of debt, and incremental costs incurred related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such COVID-19 related costs include increased expenses directly related to the pandemic, and do not include either production related overhead inefficiencies or lost or deferred sales. We believe these costs are out of the ordinary, unrelated to our business and not representative of our results. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating the Company’s operating performance because it provides the Company and its investors with additional tools to compare its operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect the Company’s core operations. The Company’s management also uses Adjusted EBITDA for planning purposes, including the preparation of its annual operating budget and financial projections, and to evaluate the Company’s ability to make certain payments, including dividends, in compliance with its senior credit facilities, which is determined based on a calculation of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” that is substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (calculated on a diluted basis) represents net income and earnings per share (as defined by GAAP), excluding the impact of stock based compensation, severance, restructuring charges, impairment charges, loss on extinguishment of debt, certain charges related to unrelated legal fees and consulting fees, incremental costs incurred related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and adjustments on derivatives not classified as hedges, net of their income tax impact. Such COVID-19 related costs include increased expenses directly related to the pandemic, and do not include either production related overhead inefficiencies or lost or deferred sales. We believe these costs are out of the ordinary, unrelated to our business and not representative of our results. Adjustments on derivatives not classified as hedges are non-cash and are related to overall financial market conditions; therefore, management believes such costs are unrelated to our business and are not representative of our results.  Management believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share are useful in assessing the Company’s financial performance by eliminating expenses and income that are not reflective of the underlying business performance.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures.  Free Cash Flow should be evaluated in addition to, and not considered a substitute for, other financial measures such as Net Income and Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Operating Activities.  We believe that free cash flow represents our ability to generate additional cash flow from our business operations.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation, product demand, the payment of dividends, and availability of financial resources.  These statements are often identified by use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "should," "could," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "will" and similar expressions and include references to assumptions and relate to our future prospects, developments, and business strategies.  Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, weather conditions, particularly lack of or reduced levels of snowfall and the timing of such snowfall, our ability to manage general economic, business and geopolitical conditions, including the impacts of natural disasters, pandemics and outbreaks of contagious diseases and other adverse public health developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, our inability to maintain good relationships with our distributors, our inability to maintain good relationships with the original equipment manufacturers with whom we currently do significant business, lack of available or favorable financing options for our end-users, distributors or customers, increases in the price of steel or other materials, including as a result of tariffs, necessary for the production of our products that cannot be passed on to our distributors, increases in the price of fuel or freight, a significant decline in economic conditions, the inability of our suppliers and original equipment manufacturer partners to meet our volume or quality requirements, inaccuracies in our estimates of future demand for our products, our inability to protect or continue to build our intellectual property portfolio, the effects of laws and regulations and their interpretations on our business and financial condition, our inability to develop new products or improve upon existing products in response to end-user needs, losses due to lawsuits arising out of personal injuries associated with our products, factors that could impact the future declaration and payment of dividends, our inability to compete effectively against competition, our inability to achieve the projected financial performance with the assets of Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment Company, Inc., which we acquired in 2016, and unexpected costs or liabilities related to such acquisitions or any future acquisitions, as well as those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and any subsequent Form 10-Q filings. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  In addition, the forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation, except as required by law, to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available in the future.

For further information contact:
Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
Nathan Elwell
847-530-0249
investorrelations@douglasdynamics.com

Released February 20, 2023