WMS Advanced Drainage Systems Inc

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE: WMS) (“ADS” or the “Company”), a leading provider of innovative water management solutions in the stormwater and onsite septic wastewater industries today announced financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2024.

First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

• Net sales increased 4.8% to $815.3 million
• Net income decreased 6.7% to $162.3 million
• Net income per diluted share decreased 5.5% to $2.06
• Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) decreased 2.1% to $275.5 million
• Adjusted Earnings per share (Non-GAAP) of $2.06 was flat

Scott Barbour, President and Chief Executive Officer of ADS commented, “We are pleased with the fiscal first quarter results, which were right in line with the plan. Revenue growth was led by an 8% increase in Allied product sales and a 6% increase in sales from the Infiltrator business. Revenue in the domestic construction markets increased 6% overall, driven by volume growth in the non-residential, residential and infrastructure end markets at both ADS and Infiltrator. Infrastructure revenue remains a bright spot for the Company as we see the tailwind from the IIJA and ADS’ products gain market share in the segment.”

“This volume growth and increased sales mix from Infiltrator and Allied products helped drive an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 33.8%, one of the highest quarterly margins in Company history. Our strong profitability this quarter is a testament to the resiliency of our business model, in part due to better fixed cost absorption, but also supported by the investments we have made across the Company to increase safety, capacity, productivity and efficiency. We will continue to invest in these strategic priorities, as well as customer service initiatives and strategic inventory, to further strengthen ADS’ competitive advantages.”

Barbour concluded, “Success will continue to be driven by the secular growth trends underpinning ADS’ position as a pure-play water company. In July, we reaffirmed our commitment to providing sustainable water management solutions that safeguard the environment and build resiliency in communities with the release of our Fiscal 2024 Sustainability Report. In addition, we recently started to move into the world-class Engineering and Technology Center near ADS’ corporate headquarters in Hilliard, OH. ADS’ leadership position and scale support the advancement of the industry through highly engineered solutions that will help protect the world’s most precious resource, water, for generations to come.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

Net sales increased $37.3 million, or 4.8%, to $815.3 million, as compared to $778.0 million in the prior year quarter. Domestic pipe sales increased $10.6 million, or 2.5%, to $431.4 million. Domestic allied products & other sales increased $13.9 million, or 7.6%, to $196.0 million. Infiltrator sales increased $7.3 million, or 5.9%, to $130.2 million. The overall increase in domestic net sales was primarily driven by demand in the U.S. construction end markets. International sales increased $5.5 million, or 10.4%, to $57.7 million.

Gross profit increased $1.0 million, or 0.3%, to $332.5 million as compared to $331.5 million in the prior year. The increase in gross profit is primarily due to favorable demand as well as stronger sales mix, as Infiltrator and Allied product sales increased more than Pipe sales. This favorability was partially offset by unfavorable pricing, material cost and transportation costs.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $7.5 million, or 8.7% to $94.1, as compared to $86.5 million. This increase is primarily due to higher commissions from the increase in volume, as well as continued investments in talent to support strategic areas such as engineering and product development. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expense was largely flat at 11.5% as compared to 11.1% in the prior year.

Net income per diluted share decreased $0.12, or 5.5%, to $2.06, as compared to $2.18 per share in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the factors mentioned above and partially offset by an $0.14 gain from the sale of a non-core asset last year.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) decreased $5.8 million, or 2.1%, to $275.5 million, as compared to $281.3 million in the prior year, primarily due to the factors mentioned above. As a percentage of net sales, Adjusted EBITDA was 33.8% as compared to 36.2% in the prior year.

Segment sales results are based on Net sales to external customers. Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures for Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Earnings per Share have been provided in the financial statement tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities was $183.4 million, as compared to $244.0 million in the prior year. Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) was $125.7 million, as compared to $201.9 million in the prior year. Net debt (total debt and finance lease obligations net of cash) was $829.3 million as of June 30, 2024, a decrease of $31.6 million from March 31, 2024.

ADS had total liquidity of $1,131.2 million, comprised of cash of $541.6 million as of June 30, 2024 and $589.6 million of availability under committed credit facilities. As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s trailing-twelve-month leverage ratio was 0.9 times Adjusted EBITDA.

In the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $49.2 million. As of June 30, 2024, approximately $167.6 million of common stock may be repurchased under the Company's existing share repurchase authorization.

Fiscal 2025 Outlook

Based on current visibility, backlog of existing orders and business trends, the Company confirmed its financial targets for fiscal 2025. Net sales are now expected to be in the range of $2.925 billion to $3.025 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $940 million to $980 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $250 million to $300 million.

Conference Call Information

Webcast: Interested investors and other parties can listen to a webcast of the live conference call by logging in through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investors.ads-pipe.com/events-and-presentations. An online replay will be available on the same website following the call.

Teleconference: To participate in the live teleconference, participants may register at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I4578635 using Conference ID: 45786. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation through email, including dial in details and unique conference call codes for entry. Registration is open through the live call. To ensure participants are connected for the full call, please register at least 10 minutes before the start of the call.

About the Company

Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of innovative stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions that manages the world’s most precious resource: water. ADS and its subsidiary, Infiltrator Water Technologies, provide superior stormwater drainage and onsite septic wastewater products used in a wide variety of markets and applications including commercial, residential, infrastructure and agriculture, while delivering unparalleled customer service. ADS manages the industry’s largest company-owned fleet, an expansive sales team, and a vast manufacturing network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 40 distribution centers. The company is one of the largest plastic recycling companies in North America, ensuring over half a billion pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year. Founded in 1966, ADS’ water management solutions are designed to last for decades. To learn more, visit the Company’s website at www.adspipe.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Company’s business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements relating to our operations and business include: fluctuations in the price and availability of resins and other raw materials and our ability to pass any increased costs of raw materials on to our customers in a timely manner; disruption or volatility in general business and economic conditions in the markets in which we operate; cyclicality and seasonality of the non-residential and residential construction markets and infrastructure spending; the risks of increasing competition in our existing and future markets; uncertainties surrounding the integration and realization of anticipated benefits of acquisitions; the effect of weather or seasonality; the loss of any of our significant customers; the risks of doing business internationally; the risks of conducting a portion of our operations through joint ventures; our ability to expand into new geographic or product markets; the risk associated with manufacturing processes; the effect of global climate change; our ability to protect against cybersecurity incidents and disruptions or failures of our IT systems; our ability to assess and monitor the effects of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics on our business and operations; our ability to manage our supply purchasing and customer credit policies; our ability to control labor costs and to attract, train and retain highly qualified employees and key personnel; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; changes in laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations; our ability to appropriately address any environmental, social or governance concerns that may arise from our activities; the risks associated with our current levels of indebtedness, including borrowings under our existing credit agreement and outstanding indebtedness under our existing senior notes; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the Company’s expectations, objectives or plans will be achieved in the timeframe anticipated or at all. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Financial Statements

ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

   

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

2024

 

2023

Net sales

 

$

815,336

 

 

$

778,046

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

482,882

 

 

 

446,586

 

Gross profit

 

 

332,454

 

 

 

331,460

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

94,052

 

 

 

86,511

 

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities

 

 

292

 

 

 

(13,304

)

Intangible amortization

 

 

11,895

 

 

 

12,802

 

Income from operations

 

 

226,215

 

 

 

245,451

 

Other expense:

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

22,824

 

 

 

21,712

 

Interest income and other, net

 

 

(7,116

)

 

 

(3,549

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

210,507

 

 

 

227,288

 

Income tax expense

 

 

49,886

 

 

 

55,058

 

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(1,701

)

 

 

(1,675

)

Net income

 

 

162,322

 

 

 

173,905

 

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

920

 

 

 

253

 

Net income attributable to ADS

 

$

161,402

 

 

$

173,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

77,540

 

 

 

78,908

 

Diluted

 

 

78,282

 

 

 

79,634

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

2.08

 

 

$

2.20

 

Diluted

 

$

2.06

 

 

$

2.18

 

Cash dividends declared per share

 

$

0.16

 

 

$

0.14

 

ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

   

 

 

As of

(Amounts in thousands)

 

June 30, 2024

 

March 31, 2024

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

541,637

 

 

$

490,163

 

Receivables, net

 

 

369,256

 

 

 

323,576

 

Inventories

 

 

487,833

 

 

 

464,200

 

Other current assets

 

 

25,574

 

 

 

22,028

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,424,300

 

 

 

1,299,967

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

927,668

 

 

 

876,351

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

617,048

 

 

 

617,183

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

340,747

 

 

 

352,652

 

Other assets

 

 

137,775

 

 

 

122,760

 

Total assets

 

$

3,447,538

 

 

$

3,268,913

 

LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of debt obligations

 

$

11,486

 

 

$

11,870

 

Current maturities of finance lease obligations

 

 

22,642

 

 

 

18,015

 

Accounts payable

 

 

264,828

 

 

 

254,401

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

148,263

 

 

 

154,260

 

Accrued income taxes

 

 

45,708

 

 

 

1,076

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

492,927

 

 

 

439,622

 

Long-term debt obligations, net

 

 

1,257,320

 

 

 

1,259,522

 

Long-term finance lease obligations

 

 

79,521

 

 

 

61,661

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

155,763

 

 

 

156,705

 

Other liabilities

 

 

77,194

 

 

 

70,704

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,062,725

 

 

 

1,988,214

 

Mezzanine equity:

 

 

 

 

Redeemable common stock

 

 

103,766

 

 

 

108,584

 

Total mezzanine equity

 

 

103,766

 

 

 

108,584

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

11,687

 

 

 

11,679

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

1,241,525

 

 

 

1,219,834

 

Common stock in treasury, at cost

 

 

(1,199,469

)

 

 

(1,140,578

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(31,791

)

 

 

(29,830

)

Retained earnings

 

 

1,241,161

 

 

 

1,092,208

 

Total ADS stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,263,113

 

 

 

1,153,313

 

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

 

 

17,934

 

 

 

18,802

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,281,047

 

 

 

1,172,115

 

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity

 

$

3,447,538

 

 

$

3,268,913

 

ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

   

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2024

 

2023

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

162,322

 

 

$

173,905

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

41,098

 

 

 

37,240

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(942

)

 

 

573

 

Gain on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities

 

 

292

 

 

 

(13,304

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

6,977

 

 

 

6,903

 

Amortization of deferred financing charges

 

 

511

 

 

 

511

 

Fair market value adjustments to derivatives

 

 

45

 

 

 

(36

)

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(1,701

)

 

 

(1,675

)

Other operating activities

 

 

(3,754

)

 

 

501

 

Changes in working capital:

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

(46,991

)

 

 

(33,406

)

Inventories

 

 

(25,025

)

 

 

30,860

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(3,726

)

 

 

(3,699

)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

 

 

54,320

 

 

 

45,594

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

183,426

 

 

 

243,967

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(57,715

)

 

 

(42,078

)

Proceeds from disposition of assets

 

 

—

 

 

 

19,979

 

Other investing activities

 

 

498

 

 

 

155

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(57,217

)

 

 

(21,944

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

Payments on syndicated Term Loan Facility

 

 

(1,750

)

 

 

(1,750

)

Payments on Equipment Financing

 

 

(1,342

)

 

 

(2,256

)

Payments on finance lease obligations

 

 

(5,513

)

 

 

(2,769

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(49,245

)

 

 

(47,778

)

Cash dividends paid

 

 

(12,428

)

 

 

(11,084

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

6,978

 

 

 

867

 

Payment of withholding taxes on vesting of restricted stock units

 

 

(10,558

)

 

 

(8,742

)

Other financing activities

 

 

(37

)

 

 

—

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(73,895

)

 

 

(73,512

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(792

)

 

 

465

 

Net change in cash

 

 

51,522

 

 

 

148,976

 

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

495,848

 

 

 

217,128

 

Cash and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

547,370

 

 

$

366,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION TO BALANCE SHEET

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

541,637

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

 

5,733

 

 

 

Total cash and restricted cash

 

$

547,370

 

 

 

Selected Financial Data

The following tables set forth net sales by reportable segment for each of the periods indicated.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

June 30, 2023

(In thousands)

 

Net Sales

 

Intersegment Net Sales

 

Net Sales from External Customers

 

Net Sales

 

Intersegment Net Sales

 

Net Sales from External Customers

Pipe

 

$

446,179

 

 

$

(14,754

)

 

$

431,425

 

$

428,572

 

 

$

(7,759

)

 

$

420,813

Infiltrator

 

 

155,030

 

 

 

(24,812

)

 

 

130,218

 

 

141,486

 

 

 

(18,578

)

 

 

122,908

International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International - Pipe

 

 

43,927

 

 

 

(3,853

)

 

 

40,074

 

 

37,178

 

 

 

(515

)

 

 

36,663

International - Allied Products & Other

 

 

17,679

 

 

 

(48

)

 

 

17,631

 

 

15,598

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

15,586

Total International

 

 

61,606

 

 

 

(3,901

)

 

 

57,705

 

 

52,776

 

 

 

(527

)

 

 

52,249

Allied Products & Other

 

 

200,573

 

 

 

(4,585

)

 

 

195,988

 

 

183,445

 

 

 

(1,369

)

 

 

182,076

Intersegment Eliminations

 

 

(48,052

)

 

 

48,052

 

 

 

—

 

 

(28,233

)

 

 

28,233

 

 

 

—

Total Consolidated

 

$

815,336

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

815,336

 

$

778,046

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

778,046

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). ADS management uses non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP results available in the accompanying tables.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes references to Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Earnings per Share, non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures are not intended to be substitutes for those reported in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that comprise net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-cash charges and certain other expenses. The Company’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric used by management and the Company’s board of directors to assess financial performance and evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s business strategies. Accordingly, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as the Company’s management and board of directors. In order to provide investors with a meaningful reconciliation, the Company has provided a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that comprises cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow is a measure used by management and the Company’s board of directors to assess the Company’s ability to generate cash. Accordingly, management believes that Free Cash Flow provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our ability to generate cash flow from operations after capital expenditures. In order to provide investors with a meaningful reconciliation, the Company has provided a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to Free Cash Flow.

Adjusted Earnings per Share excludes (gains) losses on disposals of assets or business, restructuring expenses, impairment charges and transaction costs. Adjusted Earnings per Share is a measure used by management and may be useful for investors to evaluate the Company's operational performance.

The following tables present a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income, Free Cash Flow to Cash Flow from Operating Activities, and Adjusted Earnings per Share to Diluted Earnings per Share, the most comparable GAAP measures, for each of the periods indicated.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit to Gross Profit

   

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2024

 

2023

Segment Adjusted Gross Profit

 

 

 

 

Pipe

 

$

142,237

 

 

$

160,649

 

Infiltrator

 

 

86,415

 

 

 

74,264

 

International

 

 

19,663

 

 

 

16,029

 

Allied Products & Other

 

 

113,867

 

 

 

106,185

 

Intersegment Elimination

 

 

(1,175

)

 

 

(2,055

)

Total Segment Adjusted Gross Profit

 

 

361,007

 

 

 

355,072

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

27,212

 

 

 

22,799

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

1,341

 

 

 

813

 

Total Gross Profit

 

$

332,454

 

 

$

331,460

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2024

 

2023

Net income

 

$

162,322

 

 

$

173,905

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

41,098

 

 

 

37,240

 

Interest expense

 

 

22,824

 

 

 

21,712

 

Income tax expense

 

 

49,886

 

 

 

55,058

 

EBITDA

 

 

276,130

 

 

 

287,915

 

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities

 

 

292

 

 

 

(13,304

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

6,977

 

 

 

6,903

 

Transaction costs

 

 

10

 

 

 

1,972

 

Interest income

 

 

(6,565

)

 

 

(3,489

)

Other adjustments(a)

 

 

(1,346

)

 

 

1,316

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

275,498

 

 

$

281,313

 

(a)

 

Includes derivative fair value adjustments, foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, the proportionate share of interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization related to the South American Joint Venture, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and executive retirement expense.

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to Cash flow from Operating Activities

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2024

 

2023

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

$

183,426

 

 

$

243,967

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(57,715

)

 

 

(42,078

)

Free cash flow

 

$

125,711

 

 

$

201,889

 

Reconciliation of Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted Earnings per Share

The following table diluted presents earnings per share on an adjusted basis to supplement the Company's discussion of its results of operations herein.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

2024

 

2023

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

2.06

 

$

2.18

 

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities

 

 

—

 

 

(0.17

)

Transaction costs

 

 

—

 

 

0.02

 

Income tax impact of adjustments (a)

 

 

—

 

 

0.03

 

Adjusted Earnings per Share

 

$

2.06

 

$

2.06

 

(a)

 

The income tax impact of adjustments to each period is based on the statutory tax rate.

 

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