EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm NEWS RELEASE News Release

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

        CONTACT: GARRY O. RIDGE
        PHONE:   619-275-9324

WD-40 COMPANY REPORTS RECORD SALES AND EARNINGS FOR FISCAL 2007

SAN DIEGO, October 17, 2007 / — WD-40 Company (Nasdaq: WDFC) today announced record sales and earnings for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.

Net sales for the year were $307.8 million, an increase of 7.3% over the prior year. Net income for the year was $31.5 million up 12.2%. Earnings per share for the year grew 9.8% to $1.83 compared to $1.66 per share last year.

“We are pleased with our sales and profit growth,” said Garry O. Ridge, WD-40 Company president and chief executive officer. “The revenue growth was driven by strong achievement in Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America while we also benefited from an improved gross margin, a reduction in debt, and a lower effective tax rate.”

Net sales for the fourth quarter were $78.9 million, an increase of 5.0% from the fourth quarter last year. Net income for the fourth quarter was $9.3 million, an increase of 46.4% from the same period last year. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.54 compared to $0.37 for the prior year’s quarter, an increase of 44.7%. Also during the fourth quarter, the company acquired 500,000 shares under the share buyback plan at a total cost of $17.3 million.


Fiscal Year Guidance

In fiscal year 2008, WD-40 Company expects net sales to grow 7%-10% to $329-$339 million. The company expects net income of $31.1-$32.8 million in 2008, achieving earnings per share of $1.83 to $1.93 based on an estimated 17.0 million shares outstanding.

As previously announced, the board of directors of WD-40 Company declared a regular quarterly dividend on Thursday, October 4, 2007 of $0.25 per share, payable October 31, 2007 to stockholders of record on October 18, 2007.

Total sales for the year were 61% from the Americas, 31% from Europe and 8% from Asia/Pacific.

In the Americas, sales for the fourth quarter were $47.1 million, down 1.7% from a year ago, and on a year-to-date basis were $187.1 million up 0.2%.

“We had solid results in Canada and a great performance in Latin America in the quarter that were offset by a decline in U.S. sales,” Ridge said. “For the year, we grew our Americas lubricant business by more than 8% but showed declines in household products and hand cleaners in the region.”

In Europe, sales were $24.9 million, up 17.8% for the fourth quarter and $96.5 million, up 22.0% for the year.


“We had robust sales in our distributor markets in Europe, and had double digit sales growth in France, Germany, Spain and Italy for both the quarter and the year,” Ridge said. “We have continued our progress across Europe with sales growing at a compound annual rate of 19.9% since 2002.”

In the Asia/Pacific region, sales for the fourth quarter were $7.0 million, up 13.4% from the comparable period last year and sales for the year were $24.2 million, up 14.9% over last year.

“Australia continues to have strong growth across all brands and we are very pleased with our results in China,” Ridge said. “During the past year we had increased sales in China of 50.3% as a result of our new direct operations.”

Global sales of the lubricants WD-40 and 3-IN-ONE Oil(R) in the fourth quarter were $54.1 million, up 7.8%, and $216.3 million for the year, up 13.6%.

“We have grown our lubricant sales by a compound annual rate of 10% across the globe for the past five years,” Ridge said. “This long term trend stems from the success of our geographic expansion and brand development as well as new delivery systems for the WD-40 brand.”

“Due to the success of the WD-40 Smart Straw product in the market, we plan to convert many of our can sizes to that format exclusively in the United States in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.”

The WD-40 Smart Straw features a permanently attached straw that flips up to provide either a pinpoint stream or a wide spray that solves the number one complaint about WD-40 – losing the little red straw.


“The Smart Straw delivers extremely good value to our end users, and we have received favorable consumer response to this delivery system,” Ridge said.

WD-40 Company will begin the Smart Straw conversion in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. As a result, WD-40 Company will not see the full impact of this change in fiscal 2008.

Sales of household products X-14(R), Carpet Fresh(R), 2000 Flushes(R), Spot Shot(R) and 1001(R) were $23.0 million during the fourth quarter, down 0.3%, and were $85.1 million year to date, down 5.3% from last year.

“While sales were down from last year, our household products portfolio is cyclical but sustainable,” Ridge said. “The household products sector continues to be highly competitive, and an ongoing innovation program is an important factor in differentiating our brands.”

Sales of heavy-duty hand cleaners Lava(R) and Solvol(R) were down 4.4% to $1.8 million for the fourth quarter, and for the year were $6.4 million, down 3.3%.

“Our heavy-duty hand cleaners continue to be good for us as they are harvest brands and deliver good margins,” Ridge said.

WD-40 Company also reported that its return on invested capital in fiscal year 2007 was 20.1% compared to 17.1% for the prior year.

WD-40 Company’s 10-K will be filed on October 25, 2007.


WD-40 Company, with headquarters in San Diego, is a global consumer products company dedicated to building brand equities that are first or second choice in their respective categories. The company will leverage and build the fortress of brands of WD-40 Company by developing and acquiring brands that deliver a unique high value to end users and that can be distributed across multiple trade channels in one or more areas of the world. WD-40 Company produces multi-purpose lubricants, WD-40(R) and 3-IN-ONE(R), the Lava(R) and Solvol(R) brands of heavy-duty hand cleaners, and household products 2000 Flushes(R), X-14(R), Carpet Fresh(R), Spot Shot(R) and 1001(R). WD-40 Company markets its products in more than 160 countries worldwide and recorded sales of $307.8 million in 2007. Additional information about WD-40 Company can be obtained online at www.wd40.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning WD-40 Company’s outlook for sales, earnings, dividends and other financial results. These statements are based on an assessment of a variety of factors, contingencies and uncertainties considered relevant by WD-40 Company. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including changes in advertising and promotion expenditures, changes in product formats and the uncertainty of market conditions, both in the United States and internationally. The company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the company to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the company’s expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished.

The risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by WD-40 Company with the SEC, including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K, and readers are urged to carefully review these and other documents.


WD-40 Company

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,     Fiscal Year Ended August 31,  
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 78,948,000     $ 75,169,000     $ 307,816,000     $ 286,916,000  

Cost of products sold(1)

     40,464,000       38,778,000       158,954,000       148,516,000  
                                

Gross profit

     38,484,000       36,391,000       148,862,000       138,400,000  

Operating expenses:

        

Selling, general and administrative

     19,514,000       19,787,000       78,520,000       71,767,000  

Advertising and sales promotion

     4,867,000       5,982,000       20,743,000       20,079,000  

Amortization of intangible asset

     149,000       138,000       583,000       532,000  
                                

Income from operations

     13,954,000       10,484,000       49,016,000       46,022,000  

Other (expense) income:

        

Interest expense, net

     (323,000 )     (692,000 )     (2,018,000 )     (3,503,000 )

Other income (expense), net

     29,000       (65,000 )     177,000       339,000  
                                

Income before income taxes

     13,660,000       9,727,000       47,175,000       42,858,000  

Provision for income taxes

     4,403,000       3,405,000       15,641,000       14,746,000  
                                

Net income

   $ 9,257,000     $ 6,322,000     $ 31,534,000     $ 28,112,000  
                                

Earnings per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.54     $ 0.37     $ 1.85     $ 1.67  
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.54     $ 0.37     $ 1.83     $ 1.66  
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

     17,100,547       16,900,319       17,077,870       16,784,473  
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

     17,281,432       17,074,942       17,271,242       16,912,355  
                                

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.25     $ 0.22     $ 0.97     $ 0.88  
                                

(1)

Includes cost of products acquired from related party of $4,791,000 and $9,783,000 for the three months ended August 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively; and $19,067,000 and $41,004,000 for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


WD-40 Company

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

 

     August 31, 2007     August 31, 2006  
Assets     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 61,078,000     $ 45,206,000  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $369,000 and $762,000

     47,204,000       44,491,000  

Product held at contract packagers

     1,447,000       1,385,000  

Inventories

     13,208,000       15,269,000  

Current deferred tax assets, net

     4,145,000       4,331,000  

Other current assets

     3,489,000       4,858,000  
                

Total current assets

     130,571,000       115,540,000  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     8,811,000       8,940,000  

Goodwill

     96,409,000       96,118,000  

Other intangibles, net

     42,543,000       42,722,000  

Investment in related party

     1,015,000       972,000  

Other assets

     3,837,000       4,183,000  
                
   $ 283,186,000     $ 268,475,000  
                
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 10,714,000     $ 10,714,000  

Accounts payable

     21,854,000       11,287,000  

Accounts payable to related party

     1,506,000       463,000  

Accrued liabilities

     12,780,000       11,678,000  

Accrued payroll and related expenses

     6,906,000       7,485,000  

Income taxes payable

     97,000       2,040,000  
                

Total current liabilities

     53,857,000       43,667,000  

Long-term debt

     42,857,000       53,571,000  

Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities

     2,195,000       1,895,000  

Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net

     16,005,000       13,611,000  
                

Total liabilities

     114,914,000       112,744,000  
                

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $.001 par value, 36,000,000 shares authorized — 17,883,299 and 17,510,668 shares issued; and 16,848,601 and 16,975,970 shares outstanding

     18,000       17,000  

Paid-in capital

     74,836,000       62,322,000  

Retained earnings

     118,260,000       103,335,000  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     7,504,000       5,083,000  

Common stock held in treasury, at cost (1,034,698 and 534,698 shares)

     (32,346,000 )     (15,026,000 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     168,272,000       155,731,000  
                
   $ 283,186,000     $ 268,475,000  
                


WD-40 Company

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Fiscal Year Ended August 31,  
     2007     2006  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 31,534,000     $ 28,112,000  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     3,649,000       3,467,000  

Gains on sales and disposals of property and equipment

     (23,000 )     (38,000 )

Deferred income tax expense

     2,336,000       1,396,000  

Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options

     (741,000 )     (503,000 )

Distributions received and equity (earnings) losses from related party, net

     (43,000 )     140,000  

Stock-based compensation

     1,919,000       1,836,000  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (1,365,000 )     1,146,000  

Product held at contract packagers

     (62,000 )     429,000  

Inventories

     2,392,000       (6,889,000 )

Other assets

     1,362,000       1,976,000  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     10,388,000       (1,621,000 )

Accounts payable to related party

     1,043,000       (1,481,000 )

Income taxes payable

     (984,000 )     147,000  

Deferred employee benefits and other long term liabilities

     246,000       80,000  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     51,651,000       28,197,000  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of short-term investments

     (224,675,000 )     (31,675,000 )

Sales of short-term investments

     224,675,000       31,675,000  

Proceeds from collections on note receivable

     25,000       125,000  

Capital expenditures

     (2,561,000 )     (2,947,000 )

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     319,000       267,000  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,217,000 )     (2,555,000 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayments of long-term debt

     (10,714,000 )     (10,714,000 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     9,754,000       7,018,000  

Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options

     741,000       503,000  

Treasury stock purchases

     (17,320,000 )     —    

Dividends paid

     (16,609,000 )     (14,760,000 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (34,148,000 )     (17,953,000 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     586,000       397,000  
                

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     15,872,000       8,086,000  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     45,206,000       37,120,000  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 61,078,000     $ 45,206,000  
                


WD-40 Company

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

     Three Months Ended August 31,    Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
     2007    2006    2007    2006

Net income

   $ 9,257,000    $ 6,322,000    $ 31,534,000    $ 28,112,000

Other comprehensive income:

           

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

     776,000      1,387,000      2,510,000      2,845,000
                           

Total comprehensive income

   $ 10,033,000    $ 7,709,000    $ 34,044,000    $ 30,957,000
                           


WD-40 Company

Return on Invested Capital

In addition to GAAP measures, WD-40 Company management believes that the quality of business performance can also be illustrated by its Return on Invested Capital (ROIC).

Return on Invested Capital is important to investors because it provides an indication as to how well a company is utilizing the resources invested in a business. Long-term economic value is created by companies with Returns on Invested Capital that exceed the company’s weighted average cost of capital.

Return on Invested Capital is calculated as follows:

ROIC = Net Operating Profit After Tax ÷ Average Total Assets less other cash minus non-interest bearing liabilities

 

 

Net Operating Profit After Tax = Operating Income + Amortization – Tax

 

 

Average Total Assets = (Beginning Total Assets + Ending Total Assets) divided by 2

 

 

Other Cash = Total Cash – Transactional Cash representing 3% of Annual Net Sales

 

 

Non-interest bearing Liabilities = Accounts Payable + Accrued Liabilities + Accrued Payroll & Related + Income Tax Payable

The calculation is illustrated below.

 

Worldwide (dollar amounts in thousands)

   FY07     FY06     FY05  

Net Sales

   $ 307,816     $ 286,916     $ 263,227  

Operating Profit

   $ 49,016     $ 46,022     $ 47,420  

Net Income

   $ 31,534     $ 28,112     $ 27,798  

Amortization

   $ 583     $ 532     $ 552  

Tax Rate

     33.2 %     34.4 %     35.2 %

NOPAT = Op Inc + Amort after Tax

   $ 33,154     $ 30,536     $ 31,110  

Total Assets (beginning)

   $ 268,475     $ 254,253     $ 236,775  

Total Assets (ending)

   $ 283,186     $ 268,475     $ 254,253  

Total Assets (average)

   $ 275,831     $ 261,364     $ 245,514  

Cash

   $ 61,078     $ 45,206     $ 37,120  

Transactional cash 3% of net sales

   $ 9,234     $ 8,607     $ 7,897  

Other Cash

   $ 51,844     $ 36,599     $ 29,223  

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

      

Accounts Payable

   $ 23,360     $ 11,750     $ 15,616  

Accrued Liabilities

   $ 12,780     $ 11,678     $ 14,058  

Accrued Payroll & Related

   $ 6,906     $ 7,485     $ 3,828  

Income Tax Payable

   $ 97     $ 2,040     $ 2,484  

Long-term Deferred Tax

   $ 16,005     $ 13,611     $ 11,363  

Total Non-interest Bearing Liabilities:

   $ 59,148     $ 46,564     $ 47,349  
                        

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

     20.1 %     17.1 %     18.4 %