Watts Water (WTS) 9 Aug 202020 Q2 Earnings call transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to the Watts Water Technologies' Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions]. I would now like to turn the call over to Timothy MacPhee, Vice President of Investor Relations. ahead. go Please

Bob good XXXX And Bob Welcome our our to President Thank business conference outlook an call turning quarter. for morning, address call. financial quarter CFO. Patel, the Shashank over earnings CEO, of are provide With detail second and more will the results who you. third and before everyone. will me Pagano, in overview Shashank, and aspects concerning the various our to offer our today

will we during our remarks, in prepared questions webcast related accompanied covered the Following section slide website. found information the address can the is of to the Investors be Today's call. presentation, by a which

relevant presentation. We prepared will is Any our GAAP reference the reference the remarks. measure to appendix slides financial in to the these throughout non-GAAP to information reconciled

risks we These like I'd of constitute call, we during remind comments to differ are be that, statements forward-looking cause subject uncertainties this materially. everyone that begin, Before certain numerous that making could and may actual statements. results the course to to

concerning these risks, company as filings The result whether SEC. or forward-looking information, information any new events or any publicly future Watts' of intention revise the to disclaims with obligation a available statements, otherwise. update see or For

to will turn the Now, I call Bob. over

I'd Tim. Thanks, like quarter. in an to And COVID-XX the with slide of turn to overview start everyone. Please presentation the good X morning, provide and I'll update. the

safety the and be continues of employees. highest Our to health our priority

continued, enhanced government during started the our been protocols established The locations quarter open. low. have Fortunately, have have safety cases confirmed Since early workforce COVID-XX manufacturing requirements and April, measures all our very easing. within actually has we as we've first remained

implemented policies phase move travel new the recovery. pandemic as recently next we back-to-the-office have We of the into and

and into who is customer transition safety I exceeded as focus quarter manufactured fashion. We products of employees dedicated we want our the ensuring delivered second top workplace expectations. the priority. to our remain diligent in internal new we to essential delivered team, again that Thanks timely our continue maintain to in ensuring acknowledge the a efforts will normal, are our a in results a

sequentially, The in operating second expected and Overall, Shashank was financial and from focus cash substantially than improved reduction quarter for recovering July. as rates will were on Europe we can. as as decrements June, in came we through a minutes. Monthly profits few May, but trended sales second rate softer Americas, the and in April April prior cost in had with quarter Europe the orders order as less management, down declines in more more quarter declined lower year and maintained and we positively June. on well. anticipated controlling quarter into our to to the than the but during provide average compared the compared Order details in productivity Orders what preserving progressed.

provide Now, the let view me a markets. on

ease. part, improvements performed During the in the gradual to Europe and as markets end the US lockdowns as with anticipated second had for most the sequential began we quarter,

a likely which the market channel to third return, Destocking to COVID-XX slow softness in at sites already the see strong. longer is replacement other little and normal. channels see in push the most subsided, and while to appear does from causing to term by DIY on as The in as There Restrictions market adapt to job across a especially delays companies retail also into than are quarter. get distancing new remain in demand The process was Americas tempered will near impact. the least repair continue performed the at We construction verticals. to marine be to partners Europe, slowdown has due US markets, taking completed. jobs destocking is social expected a in better mostly

in Some lower Europe we is non-residential Dodge markets and total US the at AIA consensus construction high made last discussed digits In the than Momentum majority of predicting construction have Index, with programs eased. we XXXX. the digits restrictions progress, pandemic. a continuing the steady and before new we to outlook instituted East stabilized, mid-single improved much single indices as July albeit XXXX the APMEA, spending languish. ABI in will decrease as in China's levels cost-out and of for have both The the such Middle June quarter. important follow, PMI Operationally, have indices

recorded During $X.X the the charge we initiatives, In primarily second and million. total second quarter, cost-out costs the quarter, estimate $XX the severance. for restructuring to of most approximated million, special savings being a of total we related

cost additional support and special operational fourth items asset when other these book occurred. efficiency. to in cost and the exit also write-offs as relate asset will costs to expect to we They We for additional that quarters relocation, be programs. review actions continue to third classified Further,

operating on our in me in portfolio comment let changes Next, some APMEA.

in AVG acquisition to control First, I'm an We and in to marketplace happy access million region colleagues end distributes enforced of new with tightly the that for valves was welcome and Australian all-cash the early the are coats. Watts. commercial our Valve residential plumbing Group, AVG sold $XX product both markets. a in company consummated This into AVG, sales or is July. broadens that heating offering well-established Australian transaction acquisition designs in channel announce our and that a

made heating to moving Korea a as favor management which distribution in model. some The changed marketplace. exclusive have to market owned interest products how our go addressable effected and the change. in will The regulations entity our a by in distribution a the future market as to products this water locally We have we sales local our from enterprises, certifications new is and we Korean well complementary to limited organization hot why rights sell is government we and change selling July. Korea, Watts direct subsidiary Secondly, in

SG&A will be second sales and minimal the sale a in few words of margin loss A our third XXXX. on quarter recorded expect on costs. reduced outlook. on better proceeds half We were due now and to product The

the operating through sales to about especially improve in margins Obviously, and order of both with We the second we the in line concerned the US. July. be relative spread to to expect we COVID-XX, saw continue trends quarter,

impacted Our depending ultimate on results its may course. be

Now, I'd like our to to update Please offerings. on turn and slide connected product you smart X.

were in a INVITA systems. tekmar thermostat HVAC Control tekmar their is water for been upgrading The business system wired the Our systems includes difficulty system hot many and to has control connections their because having enables Wi-Fi The homeowners episode House. Systems systems. Ask they also and snow recognized hydronic was The wire upgrade of leader melting market recently homeowners INVITA Old value control their monitor team homes. system to without having connected that system This from of rewire were your leaks The two heater. an highlighted older in INVITA to water

Once ballast HF to monitor technology begin port ways been and help instruments a ensure the performance. kill oxidants waters treat launched Scientific oxidants through the safety monitor which easier Our ensure not filtration Scientific one and and into treatment oxidant these our business local any ballast return team essential service treated of The the to performance of ships this to scientific level it supplier has of recently the injection SSR-Ex systems, levels water ballast local proper most then which instruments, the into organisms. common treatment invasive key the to market, makes HF water during system the instrument, increase HF water the to again, environment. the of control to of to more treatment that deballast, the remaining system, harm easily to connect ballast is will levels systems.

around is in important us. very X, Finally, our like Sustainability slide number I'd of sustainability. discuss on a to to accomplishments XXXX

the sustainability June and Our at this the has quality of significantly end content report year issued was been improved. and of

of consumption continued usage in XXXX, and to XX% to manage taking and including flow a reduction During discharge by water we responsibly. water natural resources, reduce conserve measures its our

products than our X of water boilers product COX than company. customers, This sales what our continues. tons reduced year, of for and past Our as eco-friendly to a times generated shift more XXX,XXX more condensing solutions Watts and heaters portfolio

have and as one the different disadvantaged water systems Newsweek funding impacted eight We we positively on in have recognized Planet with the safe purification with and resources our of of responsible of education people date, for countries, importance providing To maintained drinking water Water, regards XX,XXX proper partnership areas world. by America's ESG over companies to we were efforts. providing most our And hand sanitation. to install

call to third our the discuss operating who performance over Shashank, outlook. Now, on me our more provide will details Shashank? turn and second quarter let quarter

primarily were XX% Please by turn basis million comparative consolidated review a were reported organic and and to Bob. to quarter COVID-XX. slide results. impact $XXX the of Sales by X second both on down Thanks, from driven

revenue which a relates The points adjusted discrete incremental higher-than-anticipated earnings corporate effective $X the acquisitions down loss, was to exchange The million primarily decrement. to foreign operating share year-over-year. operating second inflation. of impact productivity was incentives. incremental margin, points investments was were tax reduction and to The margin was reduction quarter approximately impact during year-over-year. and one-time and XXX sales repatriations rate our volume, booked Foreign of XX.X% improvement volume compared in operating of of basis a XX.X% adjusted price, adjusted were the XX% and in than made recent decrement and the reduction by than cost Adjusted more per Adjusted is as XX% by last to quarter. and resulted XX% offset XXX the as lower we XX% down is better to driven actions year. The basis minimal both sales exchange in for long-term expected accounted profit

same more spending. free $XX $X and due higher accounts and for offsetting to last year-to-date as compared The inventory than million the cash improvements increase was capital to in receivable, million increase flow year. lower Our was income period

million Our free interest twice borrowings. XXX% on net revolver income balance both debt. rate goal additional the We for of or revolver cash conversion approximately remains of to The pay year. the now $XX retired at placement more existing and cash on we using retired remains The sheet notes strong. notes rate the flow private achieve was

and net of at times, end June leverage X.X times ratios the X.X gross respectively. Our were and

at June debt quarter-end net ratio XX.X%. to Our was capitalization

program. XX,XXX the we During common approximately repurchase of $X.X temporarily shares of before million cost suspending share at the our a purchased quarter, stock

primarily have the quarter, starting resumed third dilution. repurchases again on offsetting We focused in

China's of XX% that regional and Turning as lagged quarter countries strictly the and XX% participate we in some as the Europe experienced return. APMEA of and, X declines during year. Europe last COVID-XX. to saw Europe key lockdowns sales mid-single second regions all and slower economy regions lines compared recovering were enforced The regions were of to organic ahead broad as markets more product slide sales was key to therefore, down in from Americas only results. had our most were digits within the declines within China between and in soft. most, other

was due actions. project and lockdown. were points increase last of margin in anticipated cost East driven suffering in reduction on lower more margin lower operating on in impact productivity third-party adjusted East decrements funding. government in which down affiliate XXX Price, volume sales XX% of the incremental Middle the XX.X% was cost Europe's than from was to both New the points cost a However, basis for a loss double offset XX% and on volume due as offset operating more decrements was is the of by lower expectations. similar Zealand and our The sales better actions also below volume. XX% weak Americas reasons basis and than last markets actions than productivity increased oil XX.X%, line XX% basis digits and volume investments. subsidies volume, the adjusted were APMEA's Adjusted Middle than Europe's operating to margin to Americas by points major XXX XXX Americas. year. with of year

slide to X about and third Moving outlook. our operating general quarter assumptions

better As month activity continue to quarter results improve will Bob operating anticipate mentioned, we month. compared expect gradually and that to to second the

The anticipate state decrements third the below volume the expected XX%. responses This to the drive change estimating organic be in to by sales a for of quarter margin third to second and margin X% approximate that line to COVID-XX. at drop with quarter federal operating are quarter for in XXXX. We is the to We assumption impacted could individual quarter. will be XX% XX% third global,

of true-up As that quarter European second the did long-term one-time subsidies from benefit government mentioned, a don't plans incentive and repeat.

noted XX.X%. that sequentially quarter interest debt quarter $XXX,XXX as should be refinancing higher before, third will The costs by about we approximately second as won't interest effective drop rate had the adjusted the second the We expect well. additional We in tax related quarter paid to expense cost And the repeat. I versus debt in second quarter. off

Foreign from persist with this as to rates inhibit year positive our continue we Consistent exchange quarter, should giving to that the current would last ability beyond last uncertainties guidance full many to quarter. be be slightly throughout quarter. year, there concerning coming are refraining reasonably forecast COVID-XX

let Bob Q&A. with the So, that, call Bob? turn to me before begin we over

To Shashank. few key Thanks, themes today's summarize, call. are from here a

to safety We have continue as expanded to more take and employees seriously the employee our return very protocols office.

Second quarter returning during and the improved our slowly. review implemented better activity we're cost for aggressively quarter. continuing opportunities. than discussed to other are actions were last cost results expected as We Markets the quarter, base

in growth our strategy. facilities our in to invest continue smart productivity-enhancing acquisitions long-term that support opportunities, connected and in technology bolt-on and long-term manufacturing especially We solutions,

providing which while we us Our balance remains the sheet flexibility navigate strong, through is pandemic.

improvement third we our that, of remains quarter. With and developments the could COVID-XX watching open questions. path so to The results, a We sequential expect line closely. concern the see operator, were in for please impact

[Operator Instructions].

comes from with Jones question first Stifel. Nathan Your

Just the starting top here. on line

XX% US construction to at as down down got industry XX%, back. that to XX% XX% You XQ took to started the the guide up

XX% I May. you that Europe it primarily the seen they're up hadn't in coming in down think better than sounds and like opening was

or the to that end end get talk for the the either surprise that you XX% view of top worse You've or or third got upside X% lower kinds are quarter. you could the you at moment? markets better as the about the the or downside Can to the you what could things

Northeast, Nathan. look to sure going even Pennsylvania the quarter York, weren't Sure, changed New we Coast and were When it, you if they the Massachusetts, recall, start-up. West the – you at we – particularly when when

to ended up and they things started mid-May So, starting progress.

surprised us strong, So in with digits double May. quarter. were We up very retail. that the was was Retail in for

the opening of up. So, stores we contractors wholesalers our don't than to while to big going be to expect that get were still to continue the because products, beginning some were closed box

So, if moving kept your construction markets the continued before. faster discussion, than they high end guess, of be on and were would the retail I

business, where the quarter our a We were partners more ordered because efficiency in in got of also products OEM surprise second energy subsidies more that German some happening ordered Germany.

of some our German OEM. HVAC So, strong we out had performance

the in So, that was positive quarter. second

end. that it to we're continued, as expecting be at be balanced. we're we not think high again, So, But that as that would was, but more higher the if

time We we clarity have a we frame little guidance. bit more when than gave had at the April originally

up. us have concerning, opening states. go stay there's more a are things shutdown, various to things So, COVID to – concerns in that outbreaks long even as as and/or and where what begins open if back more are countries really they lockdowns And is

looking at So, how we're that's kind it. of

It was go out a tough time in April. to

is I think the business connected the solutions interesting moment. at

you customers, that But interest quotes lead maybe of people, of concrete that. of a have you those coming early in from say relative might remote kinds the previously? been connected orders in You're I'm solutions the probably what want from of like things. to increased a were those folks industries hear capabilities, lot for of requests monitoring starting that, anything that it's accelerate lot to out or too penetration [indiscernible] seen here think to a you thinking lot to would of sure

our decreased, tell our connected the we're sales percentage as expected a did our running business. and a too that said, products And that. lot we lower. But on April, in we in early at decrease you substantially it's think, of what's around – some you, I as of I Like there see think mid-teens is I look would to inquiries early. happen of is in actually we

a So, a our percentage and more know, XXXX. of lot towards higher towards by sales as you as goal XX%,

important monitoring clearly, So, be for future. remote is to really the going

any revenue? Do orders, of to you into some might you into be kind idea that you have of interest think able that convert when

you products of see When already of just introduced, we've some of our about, I seeing we – talked key we're some think ones growth markets. the I are. those the that in some new

I and forward. expand to the continue only to portfolio we our that as think will go connect I continue systems, think

I this QX just retrofit everybody in the through you're and went go cycle. time a seeing is, into of think takes to materialize as what shock we some

more it. of will people more pushing think be our will I it, team be because of And thinking of this. sales obviously,

question next & Your comes Scattergood. from Connors Boenning with Ryan

My question with do actually had to margins. the operating

there about the line does the seem remarkable, given talk did You of the magnitude resiliency bit, a little but the you hits took top it quarter. in pretty

on you drivers, bit? kind without discuss out down and you the forward? going maybe little were into So, margins of a sustain fixed laid few you I to versus getting know structure of What cost drill that can pretty variable kind cut to but bone just a of able the well exactly

that I'll our job of The great just let commend took I cost detail. and Shashank But a in seriously controlling conscious. we're answer teams want to really very it costs. team for

some Shashank, the if into could So, details. get of

even early. talked in we as actions look, call, we QX earnings took Ryan, right,

So, we saw period. time think implemented the actions because we March of And that. early I results in

you think was XX% the the million. the half of and supplies, when that And mar/com, like additional million the the that. spend. T&E, about breakdown That's things we variable, about of manufacturing – people So, $XX XXX% of about targeted, $XX XX% balance, things then discretionary, cost-out is of about cost then of of like was kind

about what of headcount XX% term, is is to said i.e. restructuring. long-term, structural, short As that had long-term we

million, which year, forward. that see is million the $XX And of cost is annualized, in the of $XX million XX% $X $X about of a go million. $XX benefit $XX included million million. So, it's as we'll reduction we This people

was the of end et at cuts, Some of pay ended temporary September. cetera, which that

Okay.

we will forward? start sequentially, think rebound in going view we some to of on do are leverage to or take continue if some back get and a going things cost to creep So, relatively bullish that that you

Yes.

Some quarter. in the creep of But mostly in trajectory. the then, in back is fourth continue positive a that volumes do come that progressing does our and back hope obviously,

but less Although negative, negative.

is balance a at And there on the now, look look we then, Things I very But is one, early debt, the doing last it government paying corporate of more the interest at environment, in Fed a were on you practically and companies Would for crisis. buying at that things if where about point terms bit? direction on sheet. now just now we for some actually one debt balance opposite debt uncertain are, into this the obviously the up. seems the appreciate in down in rates what time. think rationale going like on some the actually of levering taking stabilized goading have kind sheet

it's that. I've Shashank our we obviously, on while, for said low look, at. but continue you an sheet rates balance stay healthy, believe option a funny It's interest going But, certainly been that. to look to we'll are is challenging

Blair from question Oppenheimer. Your next comes Bryan with

down I about of specifically little organic decline terms bit. we rates on last in if tighter little trailed than how a sales was a a of hoping think by you you should your band quarter, although guide, Europe the actually It's region. could drill outlook more QX mentioned we expected order

in expect little QX So, should region? more we a by disparity decline

looking In our those planning to XX%. XX%; you down Right now, Americas give Europe, XX% I'll ranges. to XX%; down at XX% to APMEA, and assumptions. X% we're

consolidated region and remain to the corporate the to It in a sounds attractive margin XX% decrementals expected And guide? netting pretty range how like for will by quarter. expense about XX%

shakes curious out region. that how Just by

not the helped in there. margins in government of in margin we roughly than, the the noted, similar second better which we quarter, example, second quarter, had APMEA from as subsidies good but second to you and for APMEA, are Europe, did reasons. what a won't Europe margins be quarter, XX%. higher And be in a as we quarter, good. get were the low still the intercompany volume they will consolidated experienced double-digits, Americas in decrementals then, APMEA couple as performance but for in second As the the

as far versus be margins versus other will as Americas QX. the So, regions performance better

on would helpful. offer current the then, any that range. And detail deal? know We Any expected accretion margin rate run $XX business, revenue, color be the additional AVG you can paid, profile million multiple on of

subject in over the Because we acquisition certain the actually the to hitting of XX% put next COVID, purchase price milestones middle years. made performance couple of we of

based couple million money is net $XX be additional of next how a perform they There over that number. So, could on years. the

So, there's about at there. risk money $X of million

X as times As multiples, EBITDA. far it's a times to X

the And So, almost is it's on. pretty multiple accretion to for It's be EPS then that paid and we'll in X. decent get close one year going accretion a year X. EPS to we business. two

Lee Your Goldman next Sachs. question with comes from Brian

bit by Brian. trends. over on And it is you segment Wondering incrementally few could provide past This more there? a on for order the if the just trended Alex you detail months? how bifurcate has recent Can

every and better every into continued month Well, every of single one got month, regions, it in the July.

So, that's what the QX give confidence gave you to our guidance. us

was far the April worst. by overall, So,

and in steeper in As to was in my and declines rebounding but May, We comments, I rebound. April July. June said prepared in Europe slower started had

improvement in sequential one the much in regions. pretty So, of every

full-year you're quarter not fourth how this recent as Obviously, backlog guidance, into much the now? creeps of of but providing

much We're business. book-and-ship pretty a

seeing fourth have third any to fourth have we have behind us. from we the And now. we gave especially we're the right? sales the a and into the don't of quarter July ship detail, don't QX gives what in range from into the In give of team visibility So, quarter, book in and quarter, you as what the we the confidence guidance. our hearing So, we're lot right us

Your Cowen Giordano and next Joe with from Company. question comes

for Robert Joe. is in This

Just on end a couple the markets.

socially driving with more housing wondered move your you COVID-XX a multifamily? of in forward? urban exodus recently, is? it's tailwind we on think And how been what of Just view you performance what's this think kind been sustainable with we've additionally, just Do and I world some challenged the seeing distanced that's as

down, market the unfortunately. market whether tailwind I'm now tailwind. not every in right is sure mentioned because you any Well, there's

shortage residential family, there's right in but a So, also there's single I now. think tailwind some

– said out City So, going guess at is look movement in – And came X/XX, York right, multifamily, in city. everybody at as back. I the in a Everybody that that of New look what? they to move

So, inventory it there's homes out to single-family availability, not And we there multi-generations. takes right as all do just know, I think now, the enough that.

longer marketplace in we behind So, is here. right in any moving is What because if the transition in started seeing trying the of now going anything, we're them as new that of and I to the some and a so market lockdowns schedule key fast Northeast they're it's can. construction as And has areas think they're the continuing. the West Coast, get

So, at I of said, rest look for like We we're it QX. have visibility have for multifamily think we future, as and the closely. the visibility don't very the watching I to year, we

Can the that from to the market, [indiscernible] your like you about little things office like impact bit commercial talk business? a universities,

of buildings, business office our the retail construction about company, overall and stores, represents Watts. malls, overall So, in lodging, XX% total, whole for for in – that our new

a and you are time. and haven't the transpire sure key said, customers just what's And year. watching a watching those going being of It's what happen. Like is the where So, the and like started finished. areas ground, making they next the I that's broken to and we're where question our we're But for what's just trends. rest – all less going quarter fourth visibility lot keeping close and of to at into watching we have with the this watching

Instructions]. [Operator

question comes with Jones from next Your Nathan Stifel.

with follow-up on to want growth question investments. a just I

of makes balance can year. about thinking demand, long you between no how where talk those Bob, cut you some short-term which term, certainly in You Middle sense. East about investing the protecting know this growth margins. I for investments you're deferred there's were the

where and about So, makes it to moment? maybe at reduce just you why talk the sense them reduced been can they've

products voice feeling and where very because needed You and been on they're But connected. to doing new to locations my is especially in very want that. smart know longer continue, new paranoid of and install customer. the long-term prudent of difficult been move where voice customer we've term get It's I in about investments. forward we've

us you So, forward. That make we're we to that. plan. original in want East, focused being Middle with expanding the efficiently doesn't require given implementations, on do very which cut remotely, just new we've to be said, spend in-person was some security allow around like like that everybody in moving versus and investments. – et on Again, a Same – our America, we of would lot force working sales that that investments training, on-site, IT areas our cetera. Latin and and sense, back ERP And would

So, we pushed that out.

capability facility and We're We continue boxes running that just that. in right core and have Franklin our excited our invest our leveraging now. we technology. new up Recently, and pretty automated in foundry. to about manufacturing They're getting

improve we make prudent again, not But we're can. So, to efficiency to investing being cost-effective sure in technology it's and where wasting money.

growth any that connected say to cut of Fair to investments you into haven't and planning solutions? not are the

That's correct.

it continue we that sense. and all to at focus that where done makes on not have We

delays wanted as just those of as – Now, some as couldn't a we from get to. fast there's that test some It's soon been point of we installed view investments. products on as

spending, focus again, So, continues. on the the that general

turn up further no time. closing for to the over are the I'll Pagano remarks. call Bob at queuing There back Okay. questions

call everyone, second taking rest quarter summer speaking our you Enjoy you. us call. you, time in earnings Well, earnings your Thank our and and we the in today your forward safe. quarter thank join for for continued of to November. We with third look early to stay Watts again interest appreciate in the

today's This call. concludes conference

now disconnect. may You