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Malibu Boats, Inc. (MBUU)

Q4 2014 Earnings Call· Thu, Sep 11, 2014

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Malibu Boats Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2014 Results. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later, we will conduct a question and answer session and instructions will follow at that time. Please be advised that the reproduction of this call in whole or in part is not permitted without written authorization of Malibu Boats. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. On the call today from management are Jack Springer, Chief Executive Officer and Wayne Wilson, Chief Financial Officer. I will turn the call over to Mr. Wilson to get started. Please go ahead, sir.

Wayne Wilson

Management

Thank you. Good morning. Welcome to Malibu's earnings call covering the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. Also, here with is, Ritchie Anderson, the company's Chief Operating Officer. Jack will provide commentary on the business and I will discuss the fourth quarter and fiscal year results. We will then provide some commentary on fiscal 2015 and open the call to question. Before we get started, I wanted to remind everyone that a press release covering the company's fourth quarter and fiscal 2014 financial results was issued this morning and a copy of that press release can be found in the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.malibuboats.com. I also want to remind everyone that management's remarks on this call may contain certain forward-looking statements including predictions, expectations, estimates or other information that may be considered forward-looking and that actual results could differ materially from those projected on today's call. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today and the company undertakes no obligation to update them for any new information or future events. Factors that might affect future results are discussed in our filings with SEC, and we encourage you to review our SEC filings for a more detailed description of these risk factors. Please note that we will be referring to certain non-GAAP financial measures on today's call, such as adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted fully distributed net income. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release. Now, let me turn the call over to Jack Springer.

Jack Springer

Management

Thank you, Wayne. Welcome, everyone, to our call. We had another very strong quarter which capped off a remarkable year for Malibu Boats. Our fourth quarter results are particularly noteworthy given the strength in the business last year and the challenging comparison that we were up against. Nonetheless, we delivered on every metric and we were very pleased with the way the business performed and for our momentum into the New Year. As we have discussed before, we are committed to driving profitable growth through a balanced approach to managing volume, mix, productivity, expenses and inventory. Our fourth quarter results were another example of this. We drove strong sales growth of 9% through solid increases in both, unit volume and average selling price. This also benefited our margins and drove the strong adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.4%, which remains at the top of our peer group. Both, our Malibu and Axis brands performed very well in the quarter and for the full year and our new product introductions continue to create a lot of excitement in the market. With the launch of two new Axis boats in fiscal 2014, the A24 and the T22, along with the offering of Surf Gate on all Axis products, we have seen significant growth in the Axis brand. Axis sales were phenomenal in the fourth quarter outperforming our expectations and driving a lot of momentum in the brand. In just three years from the period 2010 through 2012, Axis became the number six market share leader. We believe with the new models and Surf Gate, we will propel Axis to the number four or number five market leader position in the near future. Our dealers continue to tell us that the ability to offer both Malibu and Axis is a powerful combination, which allows…

Wayne Wilson

Management

Good morning, everyone. We had a very strong fourth quarter and fiscal year. Net sales in the quarter increased 9% to $53.4 million. The increase was again driven by solid increases in both, unit volume and net sales per unit. Unit volume increased 5.8% to 799 units and net sales per unit increased 3% to nearly $67,000 per unit. Both, Malibu and Axis performed well in the quarter. As we discussed previously, we expected Axis sales to make up 28% to 30% of unit volume mix in the back half of the year. Axis sales were very strong in the quarter and ran slightly ahead of the second half expectation at 247 units and 30.9% of unit volume mix. Strong demand for our two new Axis models and the introduction of Surf Gate as an optional feature to the Axis line continue to propel the Axis brand. In addition, as we mentioned on the last quarter's earnings call, we purposely limited shipment volumes on Axis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 to reduce channel inventories prior to the introduction of Surf Gate on Axis line. This skewed the unit volume mix towards Malibu in the fourth quarter last year and benefitted average selling prices and margins. Gross profit in the quarter increased 5.3% to $14.7 million and gross margin remained very strong at 27.5%. Gross margin was above our expectation and what we discussed on the third quarter earnings call. If you recall, we expected gross margin to be relatively flat with third quarter and down year-over-year on a year-over-year basis as a result of the difficult unit mix comparison the last year. Partially offsetting the negative impacts of the mixed shift were higher volumes and higher average selling prices in the quarter. Fourth quarter selling and marketing expense…

Jack Springer

Management

Thank you, Wayne. We have a couple of updates regarding our ongoing litigation with Nautique and PCMW. We are obviously very limited in what we can say here given the ongoing nature of both of these cases. In the Nautique litigation, there are a couple of summary judgment motions that are before the quarter this time. In addition to that, depositions are scheduled to begin in October and the trial is scheduled for February of 2015. Regarding the PCMW our [P] litigation as a part of the court order on August 22, denying the company's summary judgment motion, the District Court ruled that is successful at trials in proving that the company infringes on the design pattern PCMW would be allowed to seek recovery of Malibu's profits from the sale of the boats using the alleged infringing windshield and not merely the profits from the windshield. The company has estimated that its total profits on those sales were approximately $8.6 million, excluding prejudgment interest and PCMW has alleged that such profits or approximately $155 million including prejudgment interest. As of the 2014 modeled year introduced in mid-2013, the company's product lines no longer include boats using the alleged infringing windshield. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the company believes that PCMW's claims are without merit and intends to continue to vigorously defend the lawsuit. I know there may be some questions around these two cases, but we are not at liberty to comment on this any further and we appreciate your understanding to the sensitivity of this matter. As you know, at the end of each fiscal year, we go through an extensive planning and budgeting process for the upcoming fiscal year. This is where we look at the industry trends, inventory in the channel, new models and features, production capacity and a…

Wayne Wilson

Management

Thanks Jack. As you know, we do not provide detailed earnings guidance. Like Jack said, however, we do go through a rigorous planning process and look to execute throughout the year against the theory detailed operating plans. This plan is finalized and which preceding then to the fiscal year and may vary from materials we had initially laid out earlier this year with our IPO. Let me provide some basic commentary on few things that may be helpful in thinking through your models for this fiscal year. First, we are initially planning our annual production schedule around the mid-to-high single-digit increase in unit volume. As Jack mentioned, we will be launching four new remodeled boats this year. Two on Malibu brand and two on Axis brand. The Malibu 22 VLX and Axis A22 boats are both, in production now and we will begin production of the third and fourth boats later in the calendar year. For this reason, we expect unit volume growth to accelerate through the third fiscal quarter, peaking in the low-to-mid double digits. From a mix perspective, the split between new Malibu and Axis boats will not be as skewed this year and Axis should be in the low 30% range of our total volume. This year's mix combined with our standard price increases an increased selection of optional features like the G4 tower should continue to benefit average selling prices. We think net sales per unit will likely be up somewhere in the low-to-mid single-digit range this year. For the full year, we expect to see a modest improvement in gross margin, driven by productivity gains in the quarters with the highest year-over-year volume growth. On the expense side of the business, we are preparing to possibly to go to trial on two different core cases…

Operator

Operator

Thank You. (Operator Instructions). Our first question comes from the line of Joe Hovorka of Raymond James. Your line is now open.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Thanks, guys. A couple of quick questions. One, did you guys give a retail sales number for the June quarter, what the increase was?

Jack Springer

Management

Repeat the question, Joe?

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Did you give a retail sales increase number for the June quarter?

Jack Springer

Management

No. We did not.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Could you?

Wayne Wilson

Management

I don’t think that we have final numbers yet.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Okay.

Wayne Wilson

Management

The retails sales number for the quarter in terms of what you are seeing for registration perspective domestically is in the mid-double digit range.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Mid-double, like mid-teens?

Wayne Wilson

Management

Mid-teens, Yes.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Okay. The couple of the options that you have announced, the new tower which is you said it was an option. What’s going to be the price to the consumer and your idea on what percent uptake you will get on something like that?

Jack Springer

Management

Approximate retail price that the consumer is going to be about $5,000. We planned for fairly small uptake in the 25% range. I believe it's worth that just to go forward with that. So far the demand with the demand coming in has been about at that rate.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Okay. The Power Wedge II, is that also an option?

Jack Springer

Management

It is not. I mean, it is an option. The Power Wedge II is an option, but we expect that that take rate to be very, very high.

Wayne Wilson

Management

The Power Wedge II replaced the Power Wedge as the option and our take rate on the Power Wedge has historically has been in the high 90%.

Joe Hovorka - Raymond James

Analyst

Okay. I think that is what I had for now. That is all I got for now, guys. Thanks.

Jack Springer

Management

Thank you.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. (Operator Instructions) Our next question comes from the line of Mike Swartz of SunTrust. Your line is now open.

Mike Swartz - SunTrust

Analyst

Hey, good morning, guys.

Jack Springer

Management

Good morning, Mike.

Wayne Wilson

Management

Good Morning.

Mike Swartz - SunTrust

Analyst

I think you made some commentary in your prepared remarks about Axis and seeing that maybe go from the number six brand to number four or five over the next, I don't know what the time horizon was, but as you think about the business, I mean, what does that mean for incremental sales? Is that going to be cannibalistic at all to the Malibu business or are you planning for that to be entirely incremental - that additional unit base?

Jack Springer

Management

We are not planning for it to be cannibalistic. We have not seen that with Axis since its inception. There are some specific competitors that we have targeted and I will say that just based on the preliminary numbers, we are seeing that as Axis grows, those competitors are decreasing market share and number of units, which would be what we would want out of Axis.

Mike Swartz - SunTrust

Analyst

Okay. Great. Then just with the Australian acquisition, I know there is little you are going to say right now until that deal closes, but just as we think about that business and kind of its startup as you get in there, assuming it does go forward, is there any heavy lifting or investments that are needed in that market? I guess, how quickly can you start manufacturing some of the larger models out of that facility?

Jack Springer

Management

It's not really going to be around equipment or investment. They manufactured the 23 LSV today, so as we receive demand for those larger models, I think it is just a matter of training and doing things somewhat a little bit differently. Day one, this would be accretive for us. This is a business and this is one of the reasons that it makes so much sense, it's a business that manufactures our boats and does exactly what we do. From day one point of view, we can just go in and continue business as usual and that's very, very attractive.

Wayne Wilson

Management

From a capital investment standpoint, they have invested substantially in their infrastructure over the past 12 months and it's actually pretty impressive the amount of money that has been put into the infrastructure that exists and we have been pleasantly surprised by that capital investment.

Mike Swartz - SunTrust

Analyst

Just to clarify, your guidance or the general view of the fiscal year ’15 that you laid out for us at the end of the prepared remarks that does not include the Australian business. Correct?

Jack Springer

Management

Correct.

Mike Swartz - SunTrust

Analyst

Okay. Wonderful. Thanks, guys.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Tim Conder of Wells Fargo Securities. Your line is now open.

Tim Conder - Wells Fargo Securities

Analyst

Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen, for the good explanation during your preamble there. Just if you could revisit where - I know the final second quarter calendar numbers are not in from SSI for the industry, but revisit where you think your market share is specifically for Malibu and Axis. Then the closure date, are you still anticipating here at the end of September on the Australia acquisition?

Jack Springer

Management

The numbers are not in yet. Tim, we really don't want to share the difference between Malibu and Axis. What I will say based on the indication that we are seeing and we look at it again over the 12-month period. It's very important to look at it on that trailing 12 months. Malibu as a company has continued to grow its market share in that TTM scenario.

Tim Conder - Wells Fargo Securities

Analyst

Okay. Then the closure date on Australia, gentlemen?

Jack Springer

Management

Still projecting toward the beginning of the second quarter, so in the October 1st timeframe.

Tim Conder - Wells Fargo Securities

Analyst

Okay. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you guys early next week.

Jack Springer

Management

Thank you.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. (Operator Instructions) Our next question comes from the line of Gerrick Johnson of BMO Capital. Your line is now open.

Gerrick Johnson - BMO Capital

Analyst

Thank you. Good morning, guys. Just a quick question on payables, it looks little low. I wonder why are they low.

Wayne Wilson

Management

Payables were low, because of our capital investment projects here. We actually took - our plan was to have a longer shutdown this year in terms of the number of days that the factory was down, so that we could instead of trying to cohabitate with a production with a capital investment project. We took some days out of that production schedules, so we shutdown few production days earlier and what that resulted in was payables decreasing and you saw a little bit of same phenomenon on the AR side.

Gerrick Johnson - BMO Capital

Analyst

Okay. That makes sense. Thank you. Then, Wayne, if you could just comment on inventory in the channel. Where do we stand in the channel?

Wayne Wilson

Management

Inventory in the channel is when we look at compared to our historical levels, they are very consistent with prior year's that we think are healthy - not similar to other years and how we manage the business, there is always pockets of its strength and weakness and dealers that you are managing situations whether it's dealer performance something specific to their local economy or whatever but nothing out of the norm and consistent with what we have seen in the past couple of years.

Gerrick Johnson - BMO Capital

Analyst

Okay. Is your dealer count higher this year than it was last year at this time?

Jack Springer

Management

It is approximately the same number. We have added a couple of Axis dealers.

Gerrick Johnson - BMO Capital

Analyst

Okay. Just to squeeze one more in there. The June quarter still saw some weather-related issues that I am thinking rain in some markets in the Midwest. Did that have a big impact on your retail sales? Can you just talk about that real quick?

Jack Springer

Management

No. It didn't. I would put the weather-related impact more than April-May timeframe. Once the June period hit, we saw very strong retail demand in that June, July, August timeframe and we are very pleased with the sell-through.

Gerrick Johnson - BMO Capital

Analyst

Okay. Great. Thank you, guys.

Jack Springer

Management

Thank you.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. I am showing no further questions at this time. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in today's conference. This does conclude today's program. You may all disconnect. Have a great day, everyone.