Albany International Corp

NYSE:AIN

Earnings Call Analysis

Strong Performance with Heimbach Impacting Margins

The company exhibited a strong operational year, with consolidated revenues rising 11% to $1.15 billion in 2023, bolstered by growth in Engineered Composites and the Heimbach acquisition. However, adjusted EBITDA margins contracted slightly to just over 23%, from 24.5%. GAAP net income improved to $111 million, with EPS up to $3.55. Free cash flow doubled to $64 million. The Machine Clothing segment, excluding Heimbach, reported a modest revenue uptick, while the Heimbach acquisition added $51 million in revenue but was dilutive to earnings. Engineered Composites grew 12%, driven by commercial and government programs. For 2024, guidance anticipates $1.26 to $1.33 billion revenue, adjusted EBITDA of $260 to $290 million, and adjusted EPS between $3.55 and $4.05.

Strong Conclusion to 2023 with Optimism for Future Growth

Albany International closed out the year with an 11% increase in consolidated revenue, totaling $1.15 billion, with the Engineered Composites and Machine Clothing segments both experiencing double-digit top-line growth. The acquisition of Heimbach has expanded the company's footprint in European and Asian markets. Despite a marginal decrease in adjusted EBITDA margins due to the acquisition and growth expenses, the company witnessed a 5% growth in adjusted EBITDA to $265 million. Strong operational execution and technological innovation positioned Albany to navigate global economic challenges effectively, reflecting in the consistent performance of its Machine Clothing business and the 12% growth in Engineered Composites. Moreover, the 787 Boeing program and emerging platforms contributed to the segment's expansion.

Impressive Fourth Quarter Performance Signals Healthy Prospects

The fourth quarter performance boasted a significant 20.4% increase in net sales, reaching $324 million, largely buoyed by contributions from the recent acquisition of Heimbach. The Machine Clothing business, excluding Heimbach, noted a 2.8% lift due to higher sales in packaging and tissue, while Engineered Composites revenue expanded 1.6%. Robust growth in commercial and defense programs, along with the company's ability to deliver on backlog orders, facilitated a strong finish for 2023 with substantial improvements in gross margins across both major business segments.

Forward-Looking Guidance Illustrates Confidence in Sustained Performance

Management's outlook for 2024 reflects its confidence in Albany's ability to sustain its growth trajectory, with revenue projections ranging from $760 million to $790 million in Machine Clothing. Additionally, Engineered Composites is expected to maintain momentum with initial revenue guidance set at $540 million and adjusted EBITDA forecasted between $97 million and $107 million. The company's expectation of continued top-line growth accompanied by attractive margins highlights the integration success of Heimbach and the strategic positioning within the industry. Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $3.55 and $4.05 per share for the coming year, signaling a positive forecast for profitability.

Fiscal Discipline and Strategic Investments Underpin Long-Term Strategy

Albany's disciplined approach to its financial performance and strategic investments, such as the integration of Heimbach and investments in Engineered Composites, demonstrate a keen eye on maintaining fiscal discipline while aiming for growth. The company's commitment to R&D and dividends underscore its balanced capital management with capital expenditures expected to be in the range of $90 million to $95 million. This approach is designed to leverage the company's strong balance sheet to ensure high risk-adjusted returns for shareholders and support the long-term business strategy.

Earnings Call Transcript 2023-Q4

[Operator]

Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to Albany International Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.

I would now like to turn the conference over to your speaker for today, John Hobbs, Director Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

[John Hobbs, executive]

Thank you, Lisa, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to Albany International's Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call. As a reminder, for those listening on the call, please refer to our press release issued last night, detailing our quarterly financial results. Contained in the text of the release is a notice regarding our forward-looking statements and the use of certain non-GAAP financial measures and their reconciliation to GAAP.

For the purposes of the conference call, those same statements apply to our verbal remarks this morning. Today, we will make statements that are forward-looking and contain a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied. For a full discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please refer to both our earnings release of February 26 as well as our SEC filings, including our 10-K.

Now I turn the call over to Gunnar Kleveland, President and Chief Executive Officer, who will provide opening remarks. Gunnar?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Thank you, John. Good morning, and welcome, everyone. Thank you for joining our fourth quarter earnings call.

Before we begin this call, I want to take a moment and acknowledge John Hobbs, who's leading our Investor Relations functions for the past 5 years. John has been instrumental in communicating our story to the investment community and has taken the IR function at Albany to the next level. After a long career with nearly 3 decades in Investor Relations, John is retiring and he will transition his responsibilities to JC Chetnani. We wish John and his wife the best in his retirement, and we welcome JC to his new role.

Moving to our 2023 performance. I continue to be impressed with our operations and remain confident about the strengths of our company and our long-term growth potential. Technological innovation, material science know-how, operational execution, customer satisfaction and capital discipline are all key to the long-term success of Albany.

I'll provide an overview of 2023's financial performance. Rob will later discuss our fourth quarter results in detail and provide our outlook for 2024.

In 2023, our businesses remain focused on operational execution and delivered outstanding financial performance. This is a testament to the strong management team at Albany who have stayed a step ahead of global macroeconomic issues that allowed us to deliver our high-quality products on time with excellent financial results.

We closed the year with consolidated revenue of $1.15 billion, up 11%, primarily driven by 12% top line growth in our Engineered Composites business along with 10% top line revenue growth in Machine Clothing, largely resulting from our recent Heimbach acquisition. Importantly, we grew adjusted EBITDA to $265 million, up 5% over the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margins came in just over 23% versus the prior year of 24.5%. The margin compression was primarily driven by growth in sales at Engineered Composites and the acquisition of Heimbach.

GAAP net income for 2023 was $111 million or $3.55 per share, up from $96 million last year or $3.04 per share. Diluted adjusted EPS for 2023, after adjustments primarily driven by expenses related to the Heimbach acquisition was $4.06 versus $3.87 in the prior year. Free cash flow for the year increased to $64 million from $32 million.

Turning our focus to the segments. Our Machine Clothing business, excluding Heimbach, continues to be a strong, consistent performer. This year was no different. Our Machine Clothing business, excluding Heimbach, reported $620 million in revenue, up 2% versus prior year on a currency-neutral basis. Adjusted EBITDA was $229 million, up 3%, again at current -- on a currency-neutral basis. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 37%.

The segment finished 2023 very strong, completing backlog orders and posting better results than we had anticipated, especially in North America and Asia.

The Heimbach acquisition added $51 million to Machine Clothing's top line for the final 4 months of 2023 and was modestly dilutive to GAAP earnings. We continue to be pleased with the addition of Heimbach and expanded presence in both European and Asian markets. Integration remains on track, and we expect that it will be accretive on a GAAP basis in 2025.

Our Machine Clothing business is well positioned globally with an increased share of our customers serving the secularly growing packaging and tissue markets, all of which continued to grow for us on a global basis. This was offset somewhat by weaker engineered fabrics demand, particularly in Europe. Overall, we saw a positive impact on our bottom line results from both product and geographic mix. Machine Clothing continues to demonstrate world-class execution across its global markets.

Our Engineered Composites segment is executing on its long-term growth strategy. The segment reported revenue of $477 million, up 12% versus the prior year, while adjusted EBITDA margins expanded 60 basis points to 19% compared to 2022. Growth was driven by commercial programs, including Boeing 787 and new programs that kicked off in late 2022. ASC LEAP revenues was $175 million, up approximately $15 million year-over-year, in line with our most recent guidance.

Turning to U.S. government programs. We made first article delivery of the CH-53K as transition in the second quarter of the year ahead of schedule. The execution of the AEC operations team was exemplary and their ability to timely deliver on this program was noted by the industry.

Recurring production revenues on defense programs were up in aggregate year-over-year. This growth was masked by lower 2023 nonrecurring revenues associated with the standup of the CH-53K as transition production line. These nonrecurring efforts were largely completed in the first half of 2023.

We have a robust business development pipeline and have won significant new business in 2023, which will result in revenues in the short term. Notably, in 2023, we had significant growth in space programs and other emerging platforms. AEC's consistent ability to deliver a quality product on time to our customers is a significant competitive advantage when competing for new business.

Turning to our business strategy. Machine Clothing is a consumable aftermarket business that performs consistently year in and year out. Albany International Machine Clothing benefits from a long-standing reputation for reliability, technological leadership that our customers value. The business generates strong cash flows and provides an excellent return on capital. Successful integration of Heimbach will generate system-wide efficiency and enhanced customer service. The integration is designed to drive earnings and cash flow growth in the years to come.

Engineered Composites will continue to be an important source of growth, as we focus on building out our business by disciplined selection of strategic partners and program with a focus on capital efficiency.

From an operations perspective, we will continue to deliver world-class execution and to meet our customers' quality and delivery requirements. Our reputation in the marketplace continues to grow, and our business development pipeline will provide us with growth opportunities over the medium term.

Our continued investment in proprietary and differentiated technologies will translate into meaningful growth over the long term. Our balance sheet remains very strong, allowing us to pursue those investments that provide the highest risk-adjusted returns to our shareholders.

During 2023, the company executed on the acquisition of Heimbach, invested in organic growth at AEC, continue to invest significantly in R&D and increase our dividends to shareholders. This disciplined approach to capital management will continue to inform our business decisions.

With that, I will hand it over to Rob to provide more details on the quarter and our outlook for 2024. Rob?

[Robert Starr, executive]

Thank you, Gunnar, and good morning, everyone. I will review our fourth quarter results of 2023 and then provide our outlook for 2024.

During the quarter, a number of factors resulted in us delivering a result well ahead of our earlier expectations. At Machine Clothing, we successfully executed on a number of consumer orders, resulting in drawing down our backlog to more normalized levels. We also saw accelerated procurement savings as a result of the team's efforts to optimize our supply chain, [ a ancillary ] win from our Heimbach integration.

Additionally, Heimbach stand-alone results were better than expected for the quarter. Corporate expenses came in lower than expected as we were managing controllable expenses. Our favorable effective tax rate for the quarter is due to the impact of a few discreet items.

For the fourth quarter, we reported net sales of $324 million, up 20.4% from the fourth quarter of last year and 19.6% versus the prior year period on a currency neutral basis. The growth was primarily driven by Heimbach. Fourth quarter Machine Clothing net sales, excluding Heimbach, increased 2.8% on a currency neutral basis versus the fourth quarter of the prior year. Higher sales to the packaging and tissue industries were partially offset by contraction in our other end markets, most notably engineered fabrics.

In terms of geography, markets in the Americas are stronger year-over-year, Asian markets are slightly positive, while European markets remained soft. Engineered Composites net sales of $132 million increased 1.6% on a currency-neutral basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Our growth was driven by strength across our commercial and sales programs, partially offset by our defense programs.

I would like to highlight that our recurring production revenues on the defense programs increased year-over-year, driven by both CH-53K and JASSM.

During the fourth quarter of last year, there was significant onetime revenue generated by the standup of the CH-53K at transition production line. Fourth quarter gross profit for the company was $120 million, up $23 million or 22.5% from the same period last year.

Within Machine Clothing, excluding Heimbach, favorable product mix and lower procurement costs drove an increase in gross margins to 51.9%, up 270 basis points versus the same period last year. While at AEC, gross margin finished with a strong 20%, up 120 basis points versus the same period last year. Note that for the quarter, we recognized a net unfavorable change in the estimated profitability on our long-term contracts of $1.5 million compared to a net unfavorable change of $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of last year.

Net R&D expenses were in line with the prior year and represent approximately 3% of our revenues. SG&A expenses for the fourth quarter were largely unchanged on the base business from the prior year. The year-over-year growth in total SG&A is due to the addition of Heimbach.

GAAP net income attributable to the company for the quarter was $30.5 million compared to $18.1 million last year. Heimbach results reduced GAAP net income by approximately $5 million, largely the result of inventory step-up and initial integration expenses. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.97 per share in this quarter versus $0.58 in the same period last year. Actual adjustments primarily related to the Heimbach acquisition as detailed in our non-GAAP reconciliation, the adjusted EPS on a diluted basis was $1.22 compared to $0.75 in the same period last year. Please note that from this call going forward, EPS results will be reported on a diluted basis.

Adjusted EBITDA of $75 million for the fourth quarter increased 28% from the prior year period. Machine Clothing adjusted EBITDA, excluding Heimbach, increased 12% to $58.6 million. Segment adjusted EBITDA margins were 37.5%, an 80 basis point improvement from the prior year. Heimbach operations added $3 million of adjusted EBITDA. AEC adjusted EBITDA was $27.1 million, a 21% improvement over the prior year. Margins at AEC were 20.5% of sales, a 170 basis point improvement over the prior year period.

During the fourth quarter, the company generated $39 million of free cash flow with cash flow from operating activities at $74 million and capital expenditures at $35 million. Over the fourth quarter, we paid down debt of over $30 million.

Our balance sheet remains strong with a cash balance of $173 million and over $350 million of borrowing capacity under our committed credit facility. Our net leverage at the end of the year came in at approximately 1x, giving us the financial flexibility to execute our plans.

Finally, I want to touch upon Heimbach. Heimbach added $36 million to our top line for the quarter and was modestly dilutive to our GAAP earnings. I am impressed with their people and technology. Our integration efforts are on track and have confidence in our ability to meet the financial targets outlined at the time of the acquisition announcement.

Turning to our outlook on Slide 24. We are forecasting another strong year with double-digit top line growth and continued attractive EBITDA margins.

Moving to our Machine Clothing outlook. We expect the business to perform well in the coming year. We anticipate markets in Europe will remain soft by historic standards. However, Asian markets are showing early indications of improvement from the soft patch they saw in the first half of 2023. Markets in the Americas remain healthy.

For 2024, the Heimbach acquisition, as expected, will meaningfully add to our revenue outlook and will be dilutive to our GAAP results. The low end of our Machine Clothing guide assumes weaker-than-expected global market conditions and corresponding lower absorption.

The top end of our range assumes robust markets in the Americas, continued recovery in Asia and improvement in Europe. We expect revenues of $760 million to $790 million and adjusted EBITDA of $230 million to $250 million.

Turning to AEC. We are on high-demand programs and most are continuing to ramp to sustain production levels. Going forward, we expect our long-term growth to continue to be driven by increasing production across commercial, defense and space programs. We have a strong backlog, and we continue to see positive results from our ongoing business development efforts. We had one new business that we expect will add revenues through the second half of the year and set us up for continued growth into 2025.

As you think about our guide, the low end of our guide be on normal variability takes into account the potential for lower than planned LEAP component demand from our customer or delays in the award of new programs reflected in our plan. The high end of the range takes into account the potential for earlier-than-anticipated start on new wins and a higher-than-expected LEAP production. Overall for the segment, we are providing an initial revenue guide of $540 million.

From a profitability perspective, we expect to see a positive shift in product mix and a modest improvement in margins. Accordingly, we are guiding our adjusted EBITDA at $97 million to $107 million.

I would like to bring your attention to some headwinds impacting our 2024 adjusted EPS. We will see higher pension expense in our base business due to the expiration of prior accounting treatment relating to the amortization of prior service costs. This will result in a noncash expense of approximately $4 million or $0.09 per share.

Purchase accounting adjustments from the Heimbach transaction will increase depreciation and amortization by $2.7 million or approximately $0.08 per share. And finally, our previously placed interest rate swap arrangement will mature at the end of October 2024. We are exploring various alternatives to minimize the impact. For guidance purposes, we have estimated the full impact to our net interest cost at approximately $2.6 million or $0.06 per share, assuming current interest rate levels.

Together, these items represent a $0.23 headwind to our EPS guide for 2024. These impacts, excluding interest are noncash. At a consolidated level, our 2024 guidance is as follows. Revenue of $1.26 billion to $1.33 billion, adjusted EBITDA between $260 million and $290 million. Adjusted EPS between $3.55 and $4.05 per share. Depreciation and amortization between $85 million to $95 million and effective income tax rate of 29% to 31%, capital expenditures in the range of $90 million to $95 million.

Our goal with this guidance is to provide investors with a forecast, which including balances the risks and opportunities we see in the coming year.

Now I would like to open the call for questions. Operator?

[Operator]

[Operator Instructions] Our first question today is coming from Steve Tusa of JPMorgan.

[C. Stephen Tusa, analyst]

John, nice working with you. Congrats on retirement.

[John Hobbs, executive]

Thank you very much.

[C. Stephen Tusa, analyst]

Just maybe a little bit of color on the quarterly cadence for the year on sales and margins by segment for '24?

[Robert Starr, executive]

Yes. So Steve, we haven't provided a quarterly guidance. I think if you look historically, we tend to be a little bit lighter in Q1. But I would just say that when you look at the nature of our business, there really isn't a seasonality that is really significant. So I wouldn't overweight 1 quarter significantly over another at this point.

[C. Stephen Tusa, analyst]

Okay. And then just maybe your latest color on what's happening at Boeing and how you guys are kind of aligning with their production, which seems a little more volatile than expected maybe a few months ago?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Yes. Obviously, we're watching that with high interest, Steve. But our contract and relationship is with Safran. And they said it very succinctly in their earnings call that they are -- they have a plan for the year, and we'll continue on that until there are changes coming from Boeing. And that's kind of our position as well. We have a plan. We recognize there might be a reduction in that, that will have some revenue impact, but mostly revenue impact. So we'll wait and see. It will be -- the first quarter will probably be indicative to where the year goes with the LEAP going to vote.

[C. Stephen Tusa, analyst]

And then just one more quick one, just cash conversion for '24.

[Robert Starr, executive]

I'm sorry, say that again, Steve?

[C. Stephen Tusa, analyst]

Cash conversion.

[Robert Starr, executive]

Cash conversion will be an improvement over this year. That is what we're expecting. We haven't provided that level of detail. But we are -- if you look at our prior Investor Day materials, our long-term goal is to get net income conversion just like your net income. So we're not there yet. We're still in growth mode. So we still are ramping up in a number of programs, Steve, but it should be higher than this year for sure.

[Operator]

Our next question will be coming from Jan-Frans Engelbrecht of Baird.

[Jan-Frans Engelbrecht, analyst]

I guess I'll start with, can you just give us a sense if there's been any communication with Safran on the lead contract pricing structure? And could you see this transition from a cost plus to a fixed price in the near term? I would imagine that the fixed price would be quite attractive for your margin profile.

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Yes. We -- the structure remains the same. It is a cost-plus program. And coming into this role, I can tell you that I'm surprised to see that, that is the way that contract is constructed. And as we go forward, our goal -- our joint goal is to reduce the cost of 3D woven products so that it becomes more attractive in the market beyond LEAP and some of the other projects that we're doing. So we're looking at that structure, and we will update when we're ready.

[Jan-Frans Engelbrecht, analyst]

Perfect. That's helpful. And just a quick follow-up. On the integration of Heimbach, are there any additional lessons that you've maybe learned in terms of pricing that you could incorporate in the existing business or vice versa, that you could just share with us.

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Yes. You always learn something when you get to -- into the details of a new company. I've spent quite a bit of time there. I've been to 4 of the sites getting into the detail. I think the best way to describe this is we have a very strong Machine Clothing business. They're very good at what they do. What we are doing with the Machine Clothing business is what you should expect to see from the Heimbach integration. The bonus here is that we're getting new technology. We're getting a stronger presence both in Asia and in Europe and technology that is complementing. So we're seeing that. We're very confident with where we're going with this integration. It's a very good acquisition.

[Operator]

And our next question will be coming from Pete Osterland of Truist Securities.

[Peter Osterland, analyst]

I'm on for Mike Ciarmoli this morning. First, on Machine Clothing segment, what is your outlook for growth for the Heimbach business in 2024? Is there any meaningful difference between the growth you're expecting for the year there relative to your legacy Machine Closing business?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

No. I think we look at the whole business as a GDP growth business. We expect Heimbach to be relatively flat based on the concentration of European businesses, but they also have a business in Asia. So with that, we think the first year will be flat.

[Peter Osterland, analyst]

Great. And then just as a follow-up, with the step-up for capital expenditures and your guidance this year, if you could just provide some more detail there, how much of the year-over-year increase is related to the acquisition? And are there any areas within AEC, you could talk about where you're targeting increased capital spending this year to drive future growth?

[Robert Starr, executive]

Sure, Pete. This is Rob. We are going to see a higher level just with the addition of Heimbach. They are investing in their capacity as well and capabilities. So that's definitely an impact. As it relates to AEC, we continue to be in ramp mode in the number of programs, plus we've added some other wins that we're going to need to make some investment in this year to support the growth. With 10% growth, I mean that's really just fundamental is we're going to see some level of elevated CapEx for a little bit of time here. However, I would just say that the other people we're investing, and it shows up with purchase software is we do have some CMMC and other requirements. But overall, the investment level that we're reflecting for this year really just reflects the top line growth -- double-digit top line.

[Operator]

[Operator Instructions] And our next question will be coming from Jordan Lyonnais of Bank of America.

[Jordan Lyonnais, analyst]

I know you guys said that you're aligning with some front-end CFM's guide. Are you seeing any changes from their ability to take on excess inventory? And then also, too, for your production schedule this year. Are you doing anything different to avoid the excess inventory that they held through 2023?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Our plan with Safran has been set for the year. We've not seen any changes. There was some buildup of inventory last year because we kept it flat through the end of the year, but with a higher consumption expected this year, that inventory both with us, Safran will slowly be reduced. So our plan is on the program is relatively flat for the year, which will impact with a lower inventory.

[Jordan Lyonnais, analyst]

Okay. Got it. And then just one follow-up, too. On M&A, could you guys talk a little bit about the pipeline right now? Is there any specific area you guys are looking to increase exposure?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Yes. We -- there's a lot of activity. I think it's picked up. We get new opportunities in front of us on a weekly basis. So we are assessing everything that makes sense for us. The -- we just want to make sure that it's a good fit for us and also that the multiple makes sense. We've seen some of the multiples be pretty high. And with the cost of capital right now, we want to make sure that we make the right acquisition.

We're also looking at internal where do we spend. As the last caller said, we have relatively high capital expenditure, and that's because we see the opportunities there with the returns being very accretive. But we'll continue to look, and the market is active.

[Operator]

The next question is coming from Gautam Khanna of TD Cowen.

[Spencer Breitzke, analyst]

This is Spencer Breitzke on for Gautam Khanna. Could you just talk about your assumptions for CH-53K and F-35 for 2024?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

So CH-53K continues to grow in line with the plan from Sikorsky and the Marines. Good program, good growth, lots of work. We're actually here in Salt Lake City today during the call, and we'll be spending time later this week with Sikorsky. On the Joint Strike Fighter, I think we should expect to see some growth to relatively flat. We know what Lockheed Martin is saying that they will build and will support the build. We're ready to support that build rate. But last year, it remained below 100. We're hoping to see that it goes above 100, but we have planned for a rate right around the 100 in our numbers.

[Spencer Breitzke, analyst]

And then could you also talk about Europe demand for machine clothing and what you're seeing regarding destocking?

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

Yes. We've seen Europe being soft. We don't see it becoming softer, but we're keeping our eyes on Europe and the latest expectations of GDP growth there.

[Operator]

Thank you. That concludes today's Q&A session. I will now turn the call back over to Gunnar Kleveland for closing remarks. Please go ahead.

[Gunnar Kleveland, executive]

All right. Thank you, and thank you, everyone, for joining us on the call today. We appreciate your continued interest in Albany International. Thank you, and have a good day.

[Operator]

This concludes today's conference call. You may all disconnect.