Author: TSX Stocks

(Dollar amounts are in thousands, in Canadian currency unless otherwise specified)

GUELPH, Ontario, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hammond Power Solutions Inc. (“HPS” or the “Company”) (TSX: HPS.A) a leading manufacturer of dry-type transformers, power quality products and related magnetics, today announced its financial results for the third quarter 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sales of $192 million in the quarter, a 6.9% increase versus 2023.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $34,377 in the quarter, or 17.9% of sales.
• Gross margin of 33.8% for the quarter.
• Net earnings of $16.3 million in the quarter. Earnings per share of $1.37 for the quarter, significantly impacted by share-based compensation.
• Backlog increased by 4% over the second quarter of 2024.

“We have continued to make significant strides in progressing our strategic goals and developing capacity for the future. In the quarter, we saw the product mix continue to shift towards custom products, a trend we have been experiencing for several quarters now, mainly driven by increasing activity in emerging sectors such as data centres. A more acute driver for this shift in the third quarter was the result of a slower overall market for standard products in the US, mainly driven by broad weakness in commercial construction and industrial markets over the summer. This trend was prevalent throughout the quarter, resulting in slightly lower shipments as compared to the second quarter. Canada saw similar market dynamics in commercial construction, but activity in healthcare, infrastructure and data centres continued to remain robust. Booking momentum continued through the third quarter with an increase in backlog driven primarily by custom products related to project activity,” said Adrian Thomas, CEO of HPS. “Our continued confidence in long-term demand for our products, combined with sustained high project quotation activity, led us to announce an additional $20 million investment in our capital program late this summer. This investment will focus on further building out our large custom power transformer capacity. We also announced the agreement to purchase the assets of Micron Industries, which has since closed. The addition of Micron will improve our ability to serve US and North American customers from the facility in Sterling, IL, as well as provide us with access to a broader set of OEM customers where we can look to expand our sales of power quality products and other products in our portfolio. Finally, we were honored to be recognized in September by the Toronto Stock Exchange by being named to the top spot of the TSX30, which recognized our significant and consistent 3-year total shareholder return of 928%.”

The U.S. distribution channel was up year-over-year, but down from the second quarter of 2024. The decline was due to weaker commercial construction and industrial markets over the summer, and primarily affected standard products while shipments of custom products remained resilient. Sales in the OEM and private label channels were slightly lower in the quarter compared to the prior year. The Canadian market was also lower versus the second quarter of 2024, but still achieved significant growth versus the prior year quarter through the distribution channel in both stock and flow product and large projects in commercial construction, electric vehicle charging, data centres, public infrastructure, mining, and utilities. As anticipated, Mesta sales increased in the quarter versus the second quarter of 2024 as a large order for induction heating products began to ship. India sales increased year-over-year in the quarter and were up by 10% versus the second quarter of 2024.

The Company’s Quarter 3, 2024 backlog increased by 0.7% as compared to Quarter 3, 2023. Sequentially, the Company’s backlog increased by 4.2% from Quarter 2, 2024 value even as our quarterly shipments continued at strong levels.

“We believe that slowing sales in standard, stocked product is a result of weaker economic conditions over the summer that affected electrical components markets broadly. We are pleased that margins continued to expand in the quarter, mainly due to a favourable product mix in both low voltage distribution and induction heating products. As a result, adjusted EBITDA reached a record 17.9% of sales in the quarter and 16.8% on a year-to-date basis,” said Richard Vollering, Chief Financial Officer of HPS. “Our cash position remained strong in the quarter, even with capital expenditures exceeding $13 million to support our capacity expansion programs. Inventory levels increased in the quarter partially as a result of slower standard product shipments, and partially due to higher carrying levels as we transition to a new consolidated warehousing strategy. We were pleased to announce that the acquisition of Micron assets was completed as of the second week of October, and are expected to contribute to the fourth quarter results.”

The Company saw an increase in its gross margin rate for the three months of Quarter 3, 2024 which was 33.8% compared to Quarter 3, 2023 margin rate of 31.7%, an increase of 220 basis points. The year-to-date gross margin rate has increased from 31.5% in 2023 to 32.8% in 2024, an increase of 130 basis points. Gross margins improved in the quarter due to a more favourable product mix.

Total selling and distribution expenses were $20,252 in Quarter 3, 2024 or 10.5% of sales versus $19,856 in Quarter 3, 2023 or 11.1% of sales, an increase of $396 or a decrease of 60 basis points. The quarter and year-to-date increase in selling and distribution expenses is a result of higher variable freight and commission expenses attributed to the increase in sales.

General and administrative expenses were $21,024 or 11.0% of sales for Quarter 3, 2024 compared to Quarter 3, 2023 expenses of $16,504 or 9.2% of sales, an increase of $4,520 or 180 basis points. The increase is mainly due to higher share-based compensation costs, but also due to our ongoing strategic investments in people and resources to support our growth strategies as well as supporting higher levels of general business activity.

Net earnings for Quarter 3, 2024 finished at $16,311 compared to net earnings of $14,437 in Quarter 3, 2023, an increase of $1,874. The increase in the quarterly and year-to-date earnings is a result of higher sales and gross margin dollars, offset by an increase in share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses, selling and distribution expenses and income tax expense.

EBITDA for Quarter 3, 2024 was $27,229 versus $23,657 in Quarter 3, 2023, an increase of $3,572 or 15.1%. Adjusted for foreign exchange loss/gain and share-based compensation expenses Adjusted EBITDA for Quarter 3, 2024 was $34,377, or 17.9% of sales, versus $25,688, or 14.3% of sales in Quarter 3, 2023, an increase of $8,689 or 33.8%.

Basic earnings per share was $1.37 for Quarter 3, 2024 versus $1.21 in Quarter 3, 2023, an increase of $0.16.

The Board of Directors of HPS declared a quarterly cash dividend of twenty-seven and a half cents ($0.275) per Class A Subordinate Voting Share of HPS and a quarterly cash dividend of twenty-seven and a half cents ($0.275) per Class B Common Share of HPS paid on September 27, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 20, 2024.

THREE MONTHS ENDED:

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NINE MONTHS ENDED:

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* EBITDA adjusted for foreign exchange gain or loss and share based compensation

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements that relate to among other things, Hammond Power Solutions Inc.’s (the “Company” or “HPS”) strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, in connection with general economic and business outlook, prospects and trends of the industry, expected demand for products and services, product development and the Company’s competitive position. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified, but not limited to, the use of words such as “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “likely”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “objective” and “continue” and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to: general business and economic conditions (including but not limited to risks related to foreign currency fluctuations and changing interest rates); risks associated with the Company’s business environment (such as risks associated with the financial condition of the oil and gas, mining and infrastructure project business); geopolitical risks; climate related risks; changes in laws and regulations; operational risks (such as risks related to existing and developing new products and services); doing business with partners and suppliers; product sales and performance; legal and regulatory proceedings; dependence on certain customers and suppliers; costs associated with raw materials, products and services; human resources; and the ability to execute strategic plans. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

This forward-looking information represents our views as of the date of this press release and such information should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. We have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those current expectations or estimated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. However, there may be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as expected or estimated and that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those expected or estimated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

ABOUT HAMMOND POWER SOLUTIONS INC.

Hammond Power Solutions Inc. (“HPS” or the “Company”) enables electrification through its broad range of dry-type transformers, power quality products and related magnetics. HPS’ standard and custom-designed products are essential and ubiquitous in electrical distribution networks through an extensive range of end-user applications. The Company has manufacturing plants in Canada, the United States (U.S.), Mexico and India and sells its products around the globe. HPS shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol HPS.A.

Hammond Power Solutions – Energizing Our World

For further information, please contact:

David Feick

Investor Relations

519-822-2441 x453

ir@hammondpowersolutions.com

The UK government has emphasised the importance of ‘levelling the playing field’ for responsible companies to mitigate environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks affecting the mining and processing of minerals needed for the energy transition. Yet there is little research into the levers available to the UK to realise this ambition. This paper examines the UK’s role as a financial and trading hub for the mining industry, and a centre of sustainability and international development expertise, assessing how far these have been, and could be, leveraged to improve standards.

The paper finds that the UK has yet to establish a strong policy programme to promote ESG standards. Notably, the government is not yet working to leverage the benefits brought by the confluence of the UK’s position as home of the City of London, its status as host of the London Metal Exchange (LME), its expert sustainability community, and its international development expertise.

London remains an attractive place for mining companies to access financial and other professional services, with ESG an ever-higher priority for UK-based investors. Yet public listings are declining, with significant risk perceived on the potential for ‘knee-jerk reactions’ by domestic investors. A lack of action to resolve this tension risks undermining both the UK’s sustainable sourcing ambitions and its role as a financial hub for mining.

Meanwhile, the LME has global reach, and its standards are a benchmark for transactions worldwide. Efforts have been made to engage with the sustainability agenda, but action is constrained by the LME’s need to compete with rival exchanges that have not imposed responsible sourcing rules.

In parallel, with a range of world-leading research institutions and consultancies, the UK enjoys unrivalled ESG expertise, as well as an established international development record. While the UK government retains the capability to directly support ESG initiatives in mineral-rich developing countries, it does not currently prioritise this.

Across all these areas, the UK has yet to engage actively with China – the dominant player in the transition minerals sector – to a sufficient extent. Key options remain unexploited around domestic UK standards and regulation; direct bilateral engagement with China; and work with Chinese companies operating in official development assistance (ODA)-eligible countries.

To realise the potential of the levers available to advance ESG standards for transition minerals, this paper makes the following recommendations:

• The UK government should improve the domestic regulatory environment to encourage investment in responsible mining companies. It should ensure alignment with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and Conflict Minerals Regulation, and move quickly to develop a version of the EU Batteries Regulation.
   
• The UK government has indicated its interest in regulatory alignment with Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) approaches. It should move rapidly to integrate these approaches into policy, thereby improving perceptions of the UK’s consistency and reliability as an investment hub.
   
• The UK government should support prioritisation of responsible transition minerals mining operations among the UK ESG investment community. It should include criteria for responsible transition minerals mining and processing in a green taxonomy, in alignment with International Council on Mining and Metals Position Statements and TNFD approaches.
   
• Consideration should be given to strengthening responsible sourcing criteria in public procurement programmes to boost demand for sustainably sourced minerals and processed products.
   
• The UK government should adopt a more muscular use of ODA to strengthen ESG standards in the sector. Building on the recognition of this potential shown in the UK’s 2023 White Paper on International Development, detailed plans should be elaborated, with relevant timelines and levels of investment specified.
   
• In elaborating options for ODA use, the government should leverage previous UK experience supporting minerals governance in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noting the long-term approach required to engage with a sector at the heart of local political economies. It should draw on the experience of countries such as Germany to produce a more ambitious Critical Minerals Strategy, with greater detail on ODA use in this area.
   
• The UK government should consider whether its existing portfolio of international development agencies and companies could support mining sustainability. These platforms offer a wealth of experience that could be brought to bear on improving ESG performance internationally.
   
• The UK government should work to leverage the benefits brought by the confluence of the UK’s expert sustainability community, and its status as host of the LME and the City of London, to develop a coherent vision for its approach to ESG in transition minerals supply chains. Proactive government leadership is urgently required to ensure cross-fertilisation between these areas.
   
• The UK government should instigate consultations between the major mining exchanges to facilitate alignment on ESG performance. This could cover exchanges such as AIM (formerly the Alternative Investment Market), the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange.
   
• The UK government should support uptake by Chinese investors of International Finance Corporation Performance Standards, notably 5, 6 and 7, as well as TNFD-aligned approaches. Efforts to this end could leverage UK relationships across Chinese financial hubs, alongside engagement as part of global meetings such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16).
   
• Amid geopolitical tensions over green technology supply chains, the UK government should invest in trust-building efforts with China, strengthening technical dialogue on mutual interests in mineral-rich countries. This should be undertaken with the proviso that many Chinese stakeholders fear that sustainability measures aim to disadvantage Chinese companies, rather than improve ESG performance.