Northwest Pipe Co (NWPX) Q2 2024 Earnings: EPS of $0.86 Beats Estimates, Revenue Surpasses Expectations at $129.5 Million

Record Sales and Profitability Despite Weather Challenges

Summary
  • Net Sales: $129.5 million, up 11.3% year-over-year, surpassing estimates of $119.17 million.
  • Gross Profit: $25.8 million, a 14.8% increase year-over-year, setting a new record.
  • Net Income: $8.6 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to $7.4 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.
  • Free Cash Flow: $16.2 million, significantly up from the previous year's second quarter.
  • Backlog: $282 million, with backlog including confirmed orders at $348 million for the Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe segment.
  • Order Book: $62 million for the Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems segment, up from $52 million in the previous quarter.
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On July 31, 2024, Northwest Pipe Co (NWPX, Financial) released its 8-K filing for the second quarter of 2024, showcasing impressive financial results that exceeded analyst expectations. The company reported net sales of $129.5 million, an 11.3% increase year-over-year, and a net income of $0.86 per diluted share, surpassing the estimated earnings per share of $0.67. The revenue also exceeded the estimated $119.17 million.

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Company Overview

Northwest Pipe Co is a leading manufacturer of water-related infrastructure products. The company operates through two segments: the Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe (SPP) segment, which produces large-diameter, high-pressure steel pipeline systems for water infrastructure applications, and the Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems segment, which manufactures stormwater and wastewater technology products, high-quality precast and reinforced concrete products, and other environmental and engineered solutions.

Performance Highlights

Northwest Pipe Co's performance in Q2 2024 was marked by significant achievements and some challenges. The company reported record net sales of $89.5 million for the SPP segment, driven by a 56% increase in tons produced. Gross profit also reached a record $25.8 million, a 14.8% increase year-over-year. Despite weather-related disruptions in Texas, the company managed to maintain strong production and order intake.

“Our second quarter results were very strong despite the weather-related challenges we encountered in Texas which disrupted production, shipping, and order intake,” said Scott Montross, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Pipe Company.

Financial Achievements

Northwest Pipe Co's financial achievements are noteworthy, particularly in the context of the industrial products sector. The company generated strong net cash provided by operating activities of $22.3 million, a significant increase from $1.2 million in the same quarter last year. This robust cash flow underscores the company's effective working capital management and operational efficiency.

Segment Performance

Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe Segment (SPP):

Metric Q2 2024 Q2 2023
Net Sales $89.5 million $77.3 million
Gross Profit $17.0 million $12.6 million
Backlog $282 million $292 million

The SPP segment saw a 15.9% increase in net sales and a 35.1% increase in gross profit, primarily due to increased volume and changes in product mix.

Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems Segment (Precast):

Metric Q2 2024 Q2 2023
Net Sales $40.0 million $39.1 million
Gross Profit $8.8 million $9.9 million
Order Book $62 million $58 million

The Precast segment experienced a modest 2.2% increase in net sales, but gross profit decreased by 10.9% due to changes in product mix.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 30, 2024, Northwest Pipe Co had $75.9 million in outstanding revolving loan borrowings and an additional borrowing capacity of approximately $47 million. The company also repurchased approximately 18,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $31.81, totaling $0.6 million.

Analysis

Northwest Pipe Co's strong financial performance in Q2 2024 highlights its resilience and operational efficiency. The company's ability to generate significant cash flow and maintain a robust backlog in the SPP segment positions it well for future growth. However, challenges such as weather-related disruptions and changes in product mix in the Precast segment need to be addressed to sustain long-term profitability.

For more detailed insights and the full earnings report, visit the 8-K filing.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Northwest Pipe Co for further details.