0000038725false00000387252024-02-132024-02-13

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 13, 2024

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Indiana 0-362 35-0827455
(State of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS employer identification no.)
9255 Coverdale Road
Fort Wayne,Indiana46809
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)

(260) 824-2900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.10 par valueFELENASDAQGlobal Select Market
(Title of each class)(Trading symbol)(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 13, 2024, Franklin Electric Co., Inc. issued a press release announcing its earnings for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023. A copy of the release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. This Current Report on Form 8-K and the press release attached hereto are being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits:
Exhibit NumberDescription
99.1
101Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
104The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as Inline XBRL



SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
(Registrant)
Date: February 13, 2024
By/s/ Jeffery L. Taylor
Jeffery L. Taylor
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)




Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION


FRANKLIN ELECTRIC REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2023 AND FULL YEAR 2023 RESULTS


Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
•Consolidated net sales of $473.0 million, a decrease of 3% to the prior year
•Water Systems and Distribution net sales decreased by 1% each, while Fueling Systems net sales decreased 23%
•Operating income was $50.8 million with operating margin of 10.7%
•GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.82
Full Year 2023 Highlights
•Full Year record net sales of $2.1 billion, an increase of 1% over the prior year
•Water Systems and Distribution both set new net sales records with increases of 4% and 1%, respectively, while Fueling Systems net sales decreased 11%
•Operating income for 2023 was a record at $262.4 million with operating margin of 12.7%
•GAAP fully diluted EPS was a record at $4.11, an increase of 4% over the prior year
•Record cash flows from operating activities of $315.7 million increased $214.0 million over the prior year

Fort Wayne, IN – February 13, 2024 – Franklin Electric Co., Inc. today announced its fourth quarter and full year financial results for fiscal year 2023.

Fourth quarter 2023 net sales were $473.0 million, compared to fourth quarter 2022 net sales of $489.4 million. Fourth quarter 2023 operating income was $50.8 million, compared to fourth quarter 2022 operating income of $56.2 million. Fourth quarter 2023 EPS was $0.82, versus EPS in the fourth quarter 2022 of $0.84.

Full Year 2023 net sales were $2.1 billion, compared to full year 2022 net sales of $2.0 billion. Full year 2023 operating income was $262.4 million, compared to full year 2022 operating income of $257.2 million. Full year 2023 EPS was $4.11, versus EPS in 2022 of $3.97.

“The Franklin Electric team delivered another solid quarter to end a record year overall for the Company with new full year records for net sales, operating income, earnings per share, and operating cash flows. Strong execution drove healthy margins for both the quarter and year, led by record full-year operating income in our Water Systems segment while commodity price headwinds in our Distribution business and destocking activity in Fueling continued to weigh on our results,” commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.

“The breadth and durability of our global portfolio has proven resilient and positions us well entering 2024 where we expect demand to gain momentum as we move further into the year. I’m confident our healthy financial position and commitment to remain focused on meeting our customers’ growing requirements for water and energy solutions provides a solid foundation to enhance shareholder value”, concluded Mr. Sengstack.







Segment Summaries

Water Systems net sales were $279.6 million in the fourth quarter, a decrease of $1.7 million or 1 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2022. Sales decreases were driven by lower sales of groundwater pumping and water treatment products, partially offset by strong end market demand for large pumps. Water Systems operating income in the fourth quarter 2023 was $44.1 million. Fourth quarter 2022 Water Systems operating income was $44.6 million.

Distribution net sales were $148.0 million in the fourth quarter 2023, a decrease of $0.9 million or 1 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2022. The Distribution segment operating income was $1.0 million in the fourth quarter 2023 compared to fourth quarter 2022 operating income of $2.9 million. Distribution segment sales and operating income were negatively impacted by adverse weather and margin compression from declining pricing of commodity-based products sold through the business.

Fueling Systems net sales were $65.7 million in the fourth quarter 2023, a decrease of $19.8 million or 23 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2022. Sales decreases were driven by customer inventory destocking driving lower volumes and higher interest rates, labor constraints, and permitting delays causing some new station build plans to move into 2024. Fueling Systems operating income in the fourth quarter 2023 was $19.4 million. Fourth quarter 2022 Fueling Systems operating income was $24.3 million.

Cash Flow

Net cash flows from operating activities for 2023 were $315.7 million versus $101.7 million in the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to actions the Company took to improve working capital including inventory reductions as its supply chain resiliency and lead times improved during the back half of the year.

2024 Guidance

The Company expects its full year 2024 sales to be in the range of $2.10 billion to $2.17 billion and full year 2024 EPS to be in the range of $4.22 to $4.40.


Earnings Conference Call

A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/y88zfrpv

For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI7028d9118f904de0860c8fee5c50244a

All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, February 13, 2024, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.



Forward Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.



About Franklin Electric

Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies and Most Trustworthy Companies for 2023 and America’s Climate Leaders 2023 by USA Today.

Franklin Electric Contact:

Sandy Statzer
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
InvestorRelations@fele.com











FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Fourth Quarter EndedFiscal Year End
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Net sales$472,970 $489,431 $2,065,133 $2,043,711 
Cost of sales312,961 323,213 1,368,125 1,352,276 
Gross profit160,009 166,218 697,008 691,435 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses108,825 109,724 433,476 432,076 
Restructuring expense356 272 1,091 2,170 
Operating income50,828 56,222 262,441 257,189 
Interest expense(1,481)(4,033)(11,790)(11,525)
Other income/(expense), net1,831 (414)3,696 (3,201)
Foreign exchange expense(4,026)(2,946)(12,124)(7,236)
Income before income taxes47,152 48,829 242,223 235,227 
Income tax expense8,322 8,872 47,489 46,416 
Net income$38,830 $39,957 $194,734 $188,811 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(281)(378)(1,462)(1,479)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.$38,549 $39,579 $193,272 $187,332 
Earnings per share:
Basic$0.83 $0.85 $4.17 $4.02 
Diluted$0.82 $0.84 $4.11 $3.97 



FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents$84,963 $45,790 
Receivables (net)222,418 230,404 
Inventories508,696 544,980 
Other current assets37,718 36,916 
Total current assets853,795 858,090 
Property, plant, and equipment, net229,739 215,154 
Lease right-of-use assets, net57,014 48,948 
Goodwill and other assets587,574 572,009 
Total assets$1,728,122 $1,694,201 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable$152,419 $139,266 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities104,949 123,788 
Current lease liability17,316 15,959 
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings12,355 126,756 
Total current liabilities287,039 405,769 
Long-term debt88,056 89,271 
Long-term lease liability38,549 32,858 
Income taxes payable non-current4,837 8,707 
Deferred income taxes29,461 29,744 
Employee benefit plans35,973 31,889 
Other long-term liabilities33,914 25,209 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest1,145 620 
Total equity1,209,148 1,070,134 
Total liabilities and equity$1,728,122 $1,694,201 



FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$194,734 $188,811 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization52,260 50,374 
Non-cash lease expense18,852 17,406 
Share-based compensation10,133 10,973 
Other10,259 7,291 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables19,150 (44,800)
Inventory48,176 (101,080)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(23,085)(12,283)
Operating leases(18,874)(17,406)
Income taxes-U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act(2,902)(355)
Other7,007 2,743 
Net cash flows from operating activities315,710 101,674 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment(41,415)(41,903)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment1,494 6 
Acquisitions and investments(34,831)(1,186)
Other investing activities463 9 
Net cash flows from investing activities(74,289)(43,074)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in debt(115,529)28,936 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock9,193 3,859 
Purchases of common stock(43,332)(40,490)
Dividends paid(41,723)(36,991)
Deferred payments for acquisitions(802)(3,786)
Net cash flows from financing activities(192,193)(48,472)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(10,055)(4,874)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents39,173 5,254 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period45,790 40,536 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$84,963 $45,790 









Key Performance Indicators: Net Sales Summary

Net Sales For the Fourth Quarter
(in millions)United States & CanadaLatin AmericaEurope, Middle East & AfricaAsia PacificTotal WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Q4 2022$171.0 $38.4 $46.0 $25.9 $281.3 $85.5 $148.9 $(26.3)$489.4 
Q4 2023$161.2 $46.6 $45.5 $26.3 $279.6 $65.7 $148.0 $(20.3)$473.0 
Change$(9.8)$8.2 $(0.5)$0.4 $(1.7)$(19.8)$(0.9)$6.0 $(16.4)
% Change(6)%21 %(1)%2 %(1)%(23)%(1)%(3)%
Foreign currency translation$(0.1)$(6.9)$(5.8)$(0.1)$(12.9)$0.1 $— $(12.8)
% Change— %(18)%(13)%— %(5)%— %— %(3)%
Volume/Price$(9.7)$15.1 $5.3 $0.5 $11.2 $(19.9)$(0.9)$6.0 $(3.6)
% Change(6)%39 %12 %2 %4 %(23)%(1)%(23)%(1)%

Net Sales For the Full Year
(in millions)United States & CanadaLatin AmericaEurope, Middle East & AfricaAsia PacificTotal WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
FY 2022
$712.9 $159.3 $192.8 $92.5 $1,157.5 $334.1 $668.1 $(116.0)$2,043.7 
FY 2023
$744.4 $174.2 $198.3 $86.8 $1,203.7 $296.5 $673.3 $(108.4)$2,065.1 
Change$31.5 $14.9 $5.5 $(5.7)$46.2 $(37.6)$5.2 $7.6 $21.4 
% Change4 %9 %3 %(6)%4 %(11)%1 %1 %
Foreign currency translation$(3.3)$(22.1)$(23.6)$(3.3)$(52.3)$(0.8)$— $(53.1)
% Change— %(14)%(12)%(4)%(5)%— %— %(3)%
Volume/Price$34.8 $37.0 $29.1 $(2.4)$98.5 $(36.8)$5.2 $7.6 $74.5 
% Change5 %23 %15 %(3)%9 %(11)%1 %(7)%4 %










Key Performance Indicators: Operating Income and Margin Summary

Operating Income and Margins
(in millions)
For the Fourth Quarter 2023
WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income/(Loss)$44.1 $19.4 $1.0 $(13.7)$50.8 
% Operating Income To Net Sales15.8 %29.5 %0.7 %10.7 %
Operating Income and Margins
(in millions)
For the Fourth Quarter 2022
WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income/(Loss)$44.6 $24.3 $2.9 $(15.6)$56.2 
% Operating Income To Net Sales15.9 %28.4 %1.9 %11.5 %
Operating Income and Margins
(in millions)
For the Full Year 2023
WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income/(Loss)$196.6 $92.7 $34.3 $(61.2)$262.4 
% Operating Income To Net Sales16.3 %31.3 %5.1 %12.7 %
Operating Income and Margins
(in millions)
For the Full Year 2022
WaterFuelingDistributionOther/ElimsConsolidated
Operating Income/(Loss)$172.3 $96.8 $54.5 $(66.4)$257.2 
% Operating Income To Net Sales14.9 %29.0 %8.2 %12.6 %

v3.24.0.1
Cover
Feb. 13, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Feb. 13, 2024
Entity Registrant Name FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code IN
Entity File Number 0-362
Entity Tax Identification Number 35-0827455
Entity Address, Address Line One 9255 Coverdale Road
Entity Address, City or Town Fort Wayne,
Entity Address, State or Province IN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 46809
City Area Code 260
Local Phone Number 824-2900
Entity Information, Former Legal or Registered Name Not Applicable
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $0.10 par value
Trading Symbol FELE
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Entity Central Index Key 0000038725
Amendment Flag false
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