HEICO Corporation Reports Record Net Sales, Operating Income and Net Income for the Six Months Ended April 30, 2013

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. and MIAMI, May 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HEICO CORPORATION (NYSE:HEI.A) (NYSE:HEI) today reported that net income increased 24% to $23.7 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $19.0 million, or 36 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. For the first six months of fiscal 2013, net income increased 14% to a record $43.7 million, or $.82 per diluted share, up from $38.2 million, or $.72 per diluted share, for the first six months of fiscal 2012.

Operating income increased 19% to $44.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $37.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. For the first six months of fiscal 2013, operating income increased 6% to a record $79.6 million, up from $75.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012.

The Company’s consolidated operating margin improved to 18.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from 17.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The Company’s consolidated operating margin was 17.5% for both the first six months of fiscal 2013 and 2012.

Net sales increased 10% to $237.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $216.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. For the first six months of fiscal 2013, net sales increased 6% to a record $454.2 million, up from $429.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012.

Consolidated Results

Laurans A. Mendelson, HEICO’s Chairman and CEO, commented on the Company’s second quarter results stating, "Our second quarter fiscal 2013 results exceeded expectations and contributed to record six month net sales, operating income and net income. These record results were driven by strong second quarter organic growth in both our Flight Support and Electronic Technologies segments. Additionally, we are extremely excited about our acquisition of Reinhold Industries, which we expect to complete within the next 10 to 30 days. As previously reported, we anticipate Reinhold Industries to be accretive to HEICO’s earnings within the first 12 months.

Cash flow provided by operating activities was $44.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2013 as compared to $45.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012. We continue to expect strong cash flow provided by operating activities totaling approximately $140 million for fiscal 2013.

Our net debt to shareholders’ equity ratio was 32.1% as of April 30, 2013, with net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) of $211.7 million principally incurred to fund certain fiscal 2012 acquisitions and the payment of a one-time special and extraordinary cash dividend totaling $116.6 million in December 2012. We have no significant debt maturities until fiscal 2018. We plan to fund the Reinhold Industries acquisition through our existing credit facility. Subsequent to the acquisition, even after paying a special dividend in December 2012, we expect our trailing twelve month leverage ratio (EBITDA to debt ratio) to initially be less than 1.75x and decrease to less than 1.0x by the end of fiscal 2014 (excluding the impact of any additional acquisitions during this period). Our financial flexibility will continue to allow us to aggressively pursue high quality acquisition opportunities.

Consistent with previous guidance, we remain confident in the outlook for the commercial airline industry and expect increases in airline capacity and maintenance spending to yield moderate organic growth within the Flight Support Group for the remainder of fiscal 2013. Uncertainty surrounding the impact of governmental budget reductions has continued to soften the market for certain defense products and remained a contributing factor to the decline in sales for certain defense products within the Electronic Technologies Group during the first six months of fiscal 2013. Despite these market conditions, we continue to anticipate that healthy demand for non-defense products will drive moderate organic growth within the Electronic Technologies Group for the remainder of fiscal 2013.

Based on current economic visibility, we are increasing our estimates for fiscal 2013 year-over-year growth in net sales to 8% – 10% and growth in net income to 11% – 13%, up from our prior growth estimates of 6% – 8% in net sales and 9% – 11% in net income. Approximately 60% of the aforementioned sales growth is expected to be organic. For fiscal 2013, we anticipate capital expenditures to approximate $20 million and depreciation and amortization expense to approximate $38 million. Additionally, we continue to estimate consolidated operating margins to approximate 18% for fiscal 2013. These estimates include the impact of the Reinhold Industries acquisition, but exclude any other potential acquisition opportunities during the remainder of fiscal 2013. HEICO remains committed to acquiring profitable businesses at fair prices, and we are actively pursuing opportunities within both our segments."

Flight Support Group

Eric A. Mendelson, HEICO’s Co-President and President of HEICO’s Flight Support Group, commented on the Flight Support Group’s second quarter results stating, "Our records in net sales and operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 were driven by organic growth and the successful integration of our fiscal 2012 acquisitions.

The Flight Support Group’s net sales increased 10% to a record $155.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $141.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The increase reflects organic growth of approximately 7% as well as additional net sales of $3.9 million from fiscal 2012 acquisitions. The organic growth principally reflects an increase in demand from improving market conditions resulting in net sales increases within our aftermarket replacement parts and repair and overhaul services product lines as well as within our specialty products lines.

The Flight Support Group’s net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2013 increased 5% to a record $294.2 million, up from $279.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 2012. The increase reflects additional net sales of $7.4 million from fiscal 2012 acquisitions as well as organic growth which averaged approximately 2% for the six-month period. The organic growth principally reflects an increase in demand from improving market conditions resulting in net sales increases within our aftermarket replacement parts and repair and overhaul services product lines as well as within our specialty products lines.

The Flight Support Group’s operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 increased 14% to a record $30.3 million as compared to $26.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 and increased 5% to a record $54.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2013, up from $52.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012. The increase for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2013 mainly reflects the previously mentioned higher net sales.

The Flight Support Group’s operating margin improved to 19.5% for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from 18.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The increase principally reflects margin improvements from the higher net sales.

The Flight Support Group’s operating margin for the first six months of fiscal 2013 was 18.5%, comparable to the 18.6% reported for the first six months of fiscal 2012."

Electronic Technologies Group

Victor H. Mendelson, HEICO’s Co-President and President of HEICO’s Electronic Technologies Group, commented on the Electronic Technologies Group’s second quarter results stating, "The Electronic Technologies Group reported another strong quarter, with year-over-year quarterly increases in net sales, operating income and operating margins driven mostly by strong organic growth.

The Electronic Technologies Group’s net sales increased 10% to $83.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $76.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The increase results from organic growth of approximately 9% as well as additional net sales of $.7 million from fiscal 2012 acquisitions. The organic growth in the Electronic Technologies Group principally reflects an increase in demand for certain space products partially offset by a small decrease in demand for certain defense products.

The Electronic Technologies Group’s net sales increased 8% to a record $162.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2013, up from $150.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012. The increase reflects organic growth, which averaged approximately 5% for the six-month period, as well as additional net sales of $4.9 million from fiscal 2012 acquisitions. The organic growth in the Electronic Technologies Group principally reflects an increase in demand for certain space products partially offset by a small decrease in demand for certain defense products.

The Electronic Technologies Group’s operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 increased by 32% to $20.2 million, up from $15.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 and increased by 14% to a record $35.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2013, up from $31.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012. The increases in operating income for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2013 were driven mainly by the previously mentioned increases in net sales.

The Electronic Technologies Group’s operating margin improved to 24.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from 20.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The increase is principally attributed to higher net sales and a more favorable product mix for certain of our space products partially offset by a combination of lower net sales and a less favorable product mix for certain of our defense products.

The Electronic Technologies Group’s operating margin improved to 22.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2013, up from 20.9% for the first six months of fiscal 2012. The increase is principally attributed to higher net sales and a more favorable product mix for certain of our space products partially offset by lower net sales and a less favorable product mix for certain of our defense products."