Richelieu Recorded Solid Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2024

7 acquisitions completed in North America for additional annual sales of $100 million

“Richelieu reports good results for its fourth quarter, with sales of $476.2 million, up 5.0% compared to the same period in 2023. This increase reflects the strong performance of the manufacturers’ market in Canada and the United States, where sales rose 7.2% to $421.6 million, while sales to retailer and renovation superstores market were down 9.7%. In Canada, our sales amounted to $275.4 million, up 2.9%, while in the United States, they reached US$145.9 million, up 7.1%. We are very pleased with our sales of $1.8 billion for the 12 months of 2024, even though the renovation market was marked by a significant slowdown.

Despite this environment and circumstantial factors that continued to put pressure on the EBITDA margin, we stayed on track to achieve our operating objectives, deliver good results, and maintain a solid financial position as of November 30, 2024,” said M. Lord.

Highlights of the fourth quarter ended November 30, 2024

• Sales of $476.2 million, an increase of 5.0%.
• EBITDA of $54.3 million – EBITDA margin of 11.4%.
• Net earnings attributable to shareholders of $24.4 million, or $0.44 per diluted share.
• Adjusted cash flows from operating activities of $43.0 million.

2024 fiscal year

• Sales of $1.8 billion, an increase 2.5%.
• EBITDA of $201.4 million – EBITDA margin of 11.0%.
• Net earnings attributable to shareholders of $85.8 million, or $1.53 per diluted share.
• Adjusted cash flows from operating activities of $165.7 million.
• Sound financial position as at November 30, 2024, with a working capital of $612.9 million (ratio 3.1 : 1).

Acquisitions

• Fiscal year 2024: 4 acquisitions (U.S. and Canada), including the acquisition of Panexel (QC) in the fourth quarter.
• Subsequent to November 30, 2024: 3 acquisitions completed, including one in Canada (NS and PEI) and two in the United States (Colorado and Minnesota).

2.2% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.1533 per share for the first quarter of 2025.

Acquisitions and Outlook

“We are also very pleased to have completed seven new acquisitions, which will contribute to approximately $100 million in additional annual sales. These acquisitions include Olympic Forest, Panexel, and Mill Supply in Canada, and Rapid Start, Allegheny Plywood, Darant Distributing, and Midwest Specialty Products in the US.

In addition, we will use our best strengths to take advantage of the growth opportunities presented by the current housing shortage in North America. It is also expected that the renovation market will regain momentum in 2025. The kitchen cabinets, closet, storage solutions, and commercial renovation sectors remain key to our growth. Our network of 112 strategically located centres in Canada and the United States, our customer-focused business model, and our innovation and business acquisition momentum consistently reinforce our North American leadership.”

Management Appointment

“I am pleased to announce that, following the Board of Directors’ approval, Mr. Antoine Auclair, Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation since 2011, will now also assume the function of Chief Operating Officer in addition to his current responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer”, added Richard Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Analysis of Operating Results for the Year Ended November 30, 2024 (Compared with the Year Ended November 30, 2023)

Consolidated Sales

Consolidated sales reached $1.8 billion, an increase of $44.4 million or 2.5% over last year, of which 2.2% from acquisitions and 0.3% from internal growth. In currency comparable to that of the 2023 financial year, the growth in consolidated sales for the year ended November 30, 2024, would have been 2.1%.

Earnings before interest, income taxes, and amortization (EBITDA) totalled $201.4 million, down by $29.0 million or 12.6% over 2023. This decrease is mainly due to the reduction in gross margin, caused by the cost of inventories purchased at higher prices than current levels, as well as by the decline in the selling prices of certain products. Additionally, temporary effects related to the ongoing consolidation and expansion projects have contributed to this decline. Therefore EBITDA margin stood at 11.0%, compared with 12.9% for 2023.

Amortization expenses amounted to $69.0 million, compared with $60.9 million for 2023, an increase of $8.1 million, caused by the rise in property, plant and equipment, and right-of-use assets, stemming mainly from recent business acquisitions and expansion and modernization projects completed in 2023 and early this year. Net financial costs were $11.7 million, compared to $13.3 million, down by $1.6 million due to the repayment of credit lines, offset by the impact of higher interest expenses resulting from the increase in lease obligations. Income taxes amounted to $31.3 million, a decrease of $11.0 million over 2023.

Net earnings were down 21.4%. Considering non-controlling interests, net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation totalled $85.8 million, a decrease of 23.1% compared to 2023. Net earnings per share amounted to $1.54 basic and $1.53 diluted, compared with $2.00 basic and $1.98 diluted for 2023, a decrease of 23.0% and 22.7% respectively.

Fourth Quarter Ended November 30, 2024

Consolidated Sales

Fourth-quarter consolidated sales amounted to $476.2 million, compared with $453.7 million for the corresponding quarter of 2023, an increase of $22.5 million or 5.0%, of which 2.3% resulted from internal growth and 2.7% from acquisitions. At comparable exchange rates to the fourth quarter of 2023, the consolidated sales growth would have been 4.6% for the quarter ended November 30, 2024.

Earnings before interest, income taxes, and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to $54.3 million compared with $58.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, down 7.7%. The gross margin is slightly lower than in 2023, and the EBITDA margin stood at 11.4%, compared to 13.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023. This decline was primarily due to lower sales prices for certain products, higher cost of goods sold in specific categories, as well as operational expenses related to the ongoing consolidation and expansion projects.

Amortization expenses amounted to $17.7 million compared with $16.4 million for the corresponding quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.3 million. Net financial costs are up $0.8 million. Income taxes amounted to $8.2 million compared with $10.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Net earnings were $25.4 million, down by 13.7% over the corresponding quarter of 2023. Considering non-controlling interests, net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation amounted to $24.4 million, down by 14.6% over the fourth quarter of 2023. Net earnings per share were $0.44 basic and diluted, compared with $0.51 basic and diluted for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Cash flows from operating activities (before net change in non-cash working capital balances) amounted to $43.0 million or $0.77 per share, compared with $49.3 million or $0.88 per share for the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 12.8% resulting primarily from net earnings decrease. The net change in non-cash working capital balances used cash flows of $15.8 million, reflecting the change in inventory and accounts receivable of $7.7 million, whereas the change in accounts payable and other items required cash flows of $8.1 million. Consequently, operating activities provided cash flows of $27.2 million, compared with $72.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Financing activities used cash flows of $41.8 million, compared with $14.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. This change primarily resulted from common share repurchases of $20.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 while no share repurchases were made in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Investing activities totaled $7.9 million in the fourth quarter including $2.7 million for business acquisitions completed during the quarter and $5.1 million for the acquisition of various capital assets, notably to increase production capacity at one centre and for leasehold improvements related to ongoing consolidation projects.

Financial Position as at November 30, 2024

Operating Activities

Cash flows from operating activities (before net change in non-cash working capital balances) reached $165.7 million or $2.95 diluted per share, compared with $190.5 million or $3.39 diluted per share for 2023, a decrease of 13.0% mainly reflecting the net earnings decrease. The net change in non-cash working capital balances used cash flows of $32.1 million, mainly representing changes in inventory of $10.0 million whereas accounts receivable, payable, and other items used cash flows of $22.1 million.

Consequently, operating activities generated a cash inflow of $133.6 million compared to a cash inflow of $270.7 million for 2023.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used cash flows of $117.9 million, compared with $72.4 million for 2023. During the year, Richelieu repaid long-term debt of $3.2 million, paid lease obligations of $41.1 million, and issued shares for $3.4 million, compared to a long-term debt repayment of $5.3 million, lease obligations payments of $34.1 million and a $8.6 million share issue in 2023. Dividends paid to shareholders of the Corporation amounted to $33.5 million compared to the same amount in 2023. The Corporation also repurchased common shares for an amount of $38.7 million compared with $0.8 million in 2023.

Investing Activities

Investing activities used cash flows of $50.8 million, including $20.3 million mainly for four business acquisitions completed in fiscal 2024 and $30.6 million primarily for the purchase of equipment aimed at maintaining and improving operational efficiency, as well as for distribution centre expansion projects, including investments related to the consolidation of the new Calgary centre.

Assets

Total assets amounted to $1.4 billion as at November 30, 2024, an increase of 6.0 %. Current assets increased by 4.9% or $42.3 million from November 30, 2023. Non-current assets increased by 8.1%, mainly due to the addition of right-of-use assets and property, plant and equipment related to lease renewals and expansion projects.

Shareholders’ Equity and Share Capital

Equity attributable to shareholders of the Corporation totalled $926.5 million as at November 30, 2024, compared with $904.9 million as at November 30, 2023, an increase of $21.6 million. This increase is mainly due to a rise of $6.9 million in retained earnings and of $5.0 million in share capital and contributed surplus, while accumulated other comprehensive income increased by $9.7 million. As at November 30, 2024, the book value per share was $16.78, up by 4.0% over November 30, 2023, and the return on average shareholders’ equity was 9.4%.

As at November 30, 2024, the Corporation’s share capital consisted of 55,218,678 common shares (56,088,365 shares as at November 30, 2023). In 2024, upon the exercise of stock options under the stock option plan, Richelieu issued 138,025 common shares at an average price of $24.96 (323,575 in 2023 at an average price of $26.43). The Corporation granted 289,000 stock options in fiscal 2024 (306,500 in 2023) and cancelled 37,375 (41,000 in 2023). Consequently, as at November 30, 2024, 1,734,525 stock options were outstanding (1,620,925 as at November 30, 2023).

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About Richelieu

Richelieu is a leading North American importer, manufacturer and distributor of specialty hardware and complementary products. Its products are targeted to an extensive customer base of kitchen and bathroom cabinet, storage and closet, home furnishing and office furniture manufacturers, residential and commercial woodworkers, door and window, and hardware retailers including renovation superstores. Richelieu offers its customers a broad mix of high-end products sourced from manufacturers worldwide. Its product selection consists of over 130,000 different items targeted to a base of more than 110,000 customers who are served by 113 centres in North America – 50 distribution centres in Canada, 60 in the United States and 3 manufacturing plants in Canada, specifically, Les Industries Cedan Inc., Menuiserie des Pins Ltée and USIMM/UNIGRAV, which manufacture a variety of veneer sheets and edge banding products, a broad selection of decorative mouldings and components for the window and door industry as well as custom products, including a 3D scanning centre.

Contact:

Antoine Auclair – Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer – (514) 832-4010

Source: Richelieu Hardware Ltd.