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AZZ Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Full Year Results

Record Full Year Sales, Profitability and Cash Flow FORT WORTH, Texas, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --AZZ Inc. (NYSE:AZZ), the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America, today issued its audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2024.  Fiscal Year 2024 Overview (results from continuing operations as compared to prior year(1)(2)): Total Sales $1,537.6 million, up 16.2% Metal Coatings sales of $656.2 million, up 3.0% Precoat Metals sales of $881.4 million, up 28.4% Diluted EPS of $3.46, up 48.5% versus prior year, Adjusted EPS of $4.53, up 34.8% Net Income of $101.6 million, up 53.2%; Adjusted net income of $132.8 million, up 39.5% Adjusted EBITDA of $333.6 million or 21.7% of sales, versus prior year of $267.4 million or 20.2% of sales Segment EBITDA margin of 30.0% for Metal Coatings and 19.0% for Precoat Metals Cash from operations $244.5 million, up from $91.4 million in the prior year Reduced debt by $115.0 million for the year, resulting in net leverage of 2.9x Fourth Quarter 2024 Overview (results from continuing operations as compared to prior year(1)): Total Sales of $366.5 million, up 8.9% Metal Coatings sales of $154.4 million, up 3.3% Precoat Metals sales of $212.1 million, up 13.4% Diluted EPS of $0.56, up 273.3% versus prior year, Adjusted EPS of $0.93, up 210.0% Net Income of $17.9 million, up 140.5%; Adjusted net income of $27.5 million, up 260.3% Adjusted EBITDA of $73.9 million or 20.2% of sales, versus prior year of $57.2 million or 17.0% of sales Segment EBITDA margins of 28.6% for Metal Coatings and 17.8% for Precoat Metals ____________________ (1) Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures as defined and reconciled in the tables below. (2) Fiscal 2024 Precoat Metals included results for the full year compared to only 42 weeks of results for fiscal 2023. Tom Ferguson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of AZZ, commented, "Fiscal year 2024 was a pivotal year for AZZ, that reflects continued success in Metal Coatings and our first full fiscal year of results in Precoat Metals.  We are pleased with full-year sales growth of 16.2%, which includes strong results in both Metal Coatings and Precoat Metals.  For the year, our Metal Coatings segment delivered record sales of $656.2 million, and 30.0% EBITDA margin, while Precoat Metals delivered record sales results of $881.4 million and 19.0% EBITDA margin. "I want to express my gratitude to our entire AZZ team for their outstanding performance in fiscal 2024, a great building year for our company and the 37th consecutive year of profitability from continuing operations.  I am confident in our ability to create value and generate significant cash as we continue to leverage our strong market positions to meet the improving demand in our end markets — while actively pursuing initiatives to drive future growth and further enhance shareholder value.  We are excited about the opportunities ahead," Ferguson concluded. Segment Performance Full Year 2024 Metal CoatingsStrong sales of $656.2 million, up 3.0% from prior year.  Improved sales were driven by a continued focus on value pricing initiatives and an increase in volume for hot-dip galvanizing driven by continued strength within the renewables, utility and OEM construction markets. Segment adjusted EBITDA of $196.7 million was up 4.0% versus the prior year.  Adjusted EBITDA margin of 30.0% was at the upper end of our previously stated range of 25%-30%, and increased 30 basis points due to working capital improvement and increased price. Full Year 2024 Precoat MetalsSales of $881.4 million, including a full year for fiscal 2024, were up 28.4% on 6% lower volume. Segment adjusted EBITDA of $167.5 million or 19.0% of sales, was up 39.0%, on productivity, efficiency, and cost improvement initiatives. Fourth Quarter 2024 Metal CoatingsSales increased 3.3% to $154.4 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 9.2% to $44.2 million versus the prior quarter in fiscal 2023.  Sales were primarily driven by increased volume and value-pricing initiatives.  Segment  EBITDA margin increased to 28.6% of sales, or 150 basis points higher than the prior year fourth quarter EBITDA margin. The increase in EBITDA margin was a result of higher sales and improvements in working capital. Fourth Quarter 2024 Precoat Metals  Sales increased 13.4% to $212.1 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 41.4% to $37.7 million, versus the prior quarter in fiscal 2023. Sales were seasonally higher driven by volume growth as a result of improved end market conditions in both construction and appliance and share gain initiatives. Segment  adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 17.8% of sales, or 360 basis points higher than the prior year fourth quarter EBITDA margin.  The increase in EBITDA margin was a result of higher volume, price, and operations improvement initiatives. Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation The Company generated fiscal 2024 operating cash flow of $244.5 million compared to $91.4 million in the prior year 2023 with a full year inclusion of Precoat Metals.  At the end of the fourth quarter, net leverage was 2.9x LTM EBITDA, which improved approximately 0.7x since the first full quarter following the closing of the Precoat Metals acquisition on May 13, 2022.  Consistent with the capital allocation strategy, the Company paid down debt of $115.0 million and returned cash to shareholders through cash dividend payments totaling $31.4 million.  Capital expenditures were $95.1 million during the year.  Fiscal 2025 capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $100 - $120 million, which includes $50 - $60 million for the greenfield plant construction in Washington, Missouri (completion expected in FY25) and the balance to be allocated to maintenance, productivity enhancements, and environmental, health and safety initiatives.  In FY2025 we will continue to allocate our strong cash flow generated from operations to further deleverage the company by approximately $60 - $90 million. Financial Outlook - Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance Reiterating previously communicated guidance issued April 8, 2024. Reiterating FY25 Guidance(1) Sales $1.525 - $1.625 billion Adjusted EBITDA $310 - $360 million Adjusted Diluted EPS $4.50 - $5.00 ____________________ (1) FY2025 Revised Guidance Assumptions: a. Excludes the impact of any future acquisitions. b. Includes approximately $15 - $18 million of equity income from AZZ's minority interest in its unconsolidated subsidiary. c. Adjusted Diluted EPS guidance includes the addback of amortization related to the Company's intangible assets.    Conference Call Details AZZ Inc. will conduct a live conference call with Tom Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Philip Schlom, Chief Financial Officer, and David Nark, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Investor Relations to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2024, Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. ET. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 855-9499 or (412) 317-5497 (international). A webcast of the call will be available on the Company's Investor Relations page at http://www.azz.com/investor-relations.   A replay of the call will be available at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 (international), replay access code: 3060021, through April 29, 2024, or by visiting http://www.azz.com/investor-relations for the next 12 months. About AZZ Inc. AZZ Inc. is the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions to a broad range of end-markets. Collectively, our business segments provide sustainable, unmatched metal coating solutions that enhance the longevity and appearance of buildings, products and infrastructure that are essential to everyday life.  Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements herein about our expectations of future events or results constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "could," "should," "expects," "plans," "will," "might," "would," "projects," "currently," "intends," "outlook," "forecasts," "targets," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management's views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Certain factors could affect the outcome of the matters described herein. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changes in customer demand for our manufactured solutions, including demand by the construction markets, the industrial markets, and the metal coatings markets. We could also experience additional increases in labor costs, components and raw materials including zinc and natural gas, which are used in our hot-dip galvanizing process; supply-chain vendor delays; customer requested delays of our manufactured solutions; delays in additional acquisition opportunities; an increase in our debt leverage and/or interest rates on our debt, of which a significant portion is tied to variable interest rates; availability of experienced management and employees to implement AZZ's growth strategy; a downturn in market conditions in any industry relating to the manufactured solutions that we provide; economic volatility, including a prolonged economic downturn or macroeconomic conditions such as inflation or changes in the political stability in the United States and other foreign markets in which we operate; acts of war or terrorism inside the United States or abroad; and other changes in economic and financial conditions. AZZ has provided additional information regarding risks associated with the business, including in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in AZZ's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024, and other filings with the SEC, available for viewing on AZZ's website at www.azz.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  You are urged to consider these factors carefully when evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are based on information as of the date hereof and AZZ assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Company Contact:David Nark, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Investor RelationsAZZ Inc.(817) 810-0095www.azz.com Investor Contact:Sandy Martin / Phillip KupperThree Part Advisors(214) 616-2207www.threepa.com   AZZ Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (dollars in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three MonthsEnded February 29/28, Year Ended February 29/28, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Sales $       366,499 $       336,504 $    1,537,589 $    1,323,649 Cost of sales 285,452 275,251 1,174,128 1,027,706    Gross margin 81,047 61,253 363,461 295,943 Selling, general and administrative 38,774 25,058 141,861 122,305 Operating income 42,273 36,195 221,600 173,638 Interest expense (24,734) (27,061) (107,065) (88,800) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 4,271 1,591 15,407 2,597 Other income, net 152 658 161 1,240 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 21,962 11,383 130,103 88,675 Income tax expense 4,099 3,956 28,496 22,336 Net income from continuing operations (GAAP) 17,863 7,427 101,607 66,339 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (4,356) — 12,770 Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax — (2,010) — (132,083) Net loss from discontinued operations — (6,366) — (119,313) Net income (loss) 17,863 1,061 101,607 (52,974) Dividends on preferred stock (3,600) (3,600) (14,400) (8,240) Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $         14,263 $         (2,539) $         87,207 $       (61,214) Basic earnings (loss) per share Earnings per common share from continuing operations $              0.57 $              0.15 $              3.48 $              2.34 Loss per common share from discontinued operations $                 — $            (0.26) $                 — $            (4.81) Earnings (loss) per common share $              0.57 $            (0.10) $              3.48 $            (2.47) Diluted earnings (loss) per share Earnings per common share from continuing operations $              0.56 $              0.15 $              3.46 $              2.33 Loss per common share from discontinued operations $                 — $            (0.25) $                 — $            (4.78) Earnings (loss) per common share $              0.56 $            (0.10)