Helios Technologies Drives Execution of Augmented Strategy to Deliver Net Sales Growth of 8% in the Second Quarter 2022 and 13% Year-to-Date with Top-Tier Operating Margins

• Achieved 5% organic growth in 2Q22 and 9% YTD as strategy to diversify end markets and geographic breadth provides greater stability
• Manufacturing and operating strategy focused on improving efficiencies and leveraging global operating footprint delivering top-tier margins through tough macro conditions
• Achieved diluted EPS of $0.92 in the quarter; Diluted Non-GAAP Cash EPS of $1.18; Earnings hold steady sequentially despite rapid inflationary environment
• Strong financial flexibility with net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio down to 1.68x¹
• 2022 outlook reaffirmed, factoring in foreign currency exchange rates and macroeconomic conditions, expecting lower end of revenue and earnings ranges; Remain on path to achieve strategic goal of at least $1 billion in revenue by 2023

Helios Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: HLIO) (“Helios” or the “Company”), a global leader in highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technology for diverse end markets, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended July 2, 2022.

Josef Matosevic, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The Helios team brought its ‘A’ game once again to deliver a solid quarter against rapidly evolving macroeconomic conditions. We are making great strides with all our strategic pillars to leverage our global footprint as we closer align certain manufacturing processes geographically. These moves provide greater efficiencies by building ’in the region for the region’, to reduce logistics costs and provide a natural currency hedge contributing to our ability to protect our margins. It also creates greater operating leverage as we maximize facilities, take advantage of best practices, and gain further efficiencies from operational overhead.”

He went on to say, “Longer term, we continue to position ourselves extremely well through our differentiated new product innovations and enhancements to our team to create aggressive go-to-market approaches focused on system sales partnering with the Helios Center for Engineering Excellence (HCEE). We still see strong demand in various markets driven by our product innovations, while other markets and regions are being affected by macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical issues. Our focus on providing systems and solutions that solve our customers most pressing requirements gives us a prime leadership position through all market conditions. Market and geographic diversity also provide us a degree of stability in uncertain conditions.” He concluded, “We recently closed on the Taimi R&D, Inc. flywheel acquisition and given our solid balance sheet and significant financial flexibility, we continue to identify more opportunities to leverage our expertise as a pure play in hydraulics and electronics to build a lasting, growing enterprise with significant earnings power.”

_________________________________

¹ On a pro-forma basis for NEM and Joyonway

Second Quarter 2022 Consolidated Results

See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Helios’s use of non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other charges) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales) as well as reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP adjusted operating income and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and GAAP net income to non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Helios believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the non-GAAP measures described above help improve the understanding of its operating performance.

Sales

• Sales in several end markets improved over the second quarter of 2021, with the industrial machinery, mobile equipment and recreational end markets leading the growth, while the health and wellness end market started to contract. Sales included $6.6 million in revenue from acquisitions. Organic growth in the quarter was 5%. (See the table in this release that provides acquired revenue by segment by quarter).
• Organic sales improved in the Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") regions compared to the second quarter of 2021; meanwhile, organic sales for the Asia Pacific ("APAC") region declined from softening demand for electronics products as well as government actions to lockdown operations due to COVID-19, all excluding effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
• Foreign currency translation adjustment on sales: $7.5 million unfavorable.

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit was comparable with the prior-year period although changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the second quarter of 2021 reduced gross profit by $2.2 million. Gross margin declined by 270 basis points, driven by higher raw material costs partially offset by the impact of price increases.
• Selling, engineering and administrative (“SEA”) expenses: as a percentage of sales, decreased 100 basis points to 13.5% compared with the 2021 second quarter. Improved leverage of our SEA level fixed cost base on the higher sales volume coupled with the benefits we are capturing from our operating strategies led to the favorable result.
• Amortization of intangible assets: $6.8 million down from $7.7 million in the prior year reflecting timing related to the Company’s acquisitions.

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $3.8 million in the quarter, down $0.6 million compared with the prior-year period due to lower debt balances.
• Effective tax rate: 22.5% compared with 17.6% in the prior-year period reflecting levels of income in varying tax jurisdictions and the 2021 rate benefited from the resolution of transfer pricing disputes.

Net income, earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share: $30.0 million and $0.92 per share.
• Diluted Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: $1.18 compared with $1.20 last year, due to margin contraction related to rising material costs along with a higher tax rate.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: maintaining top-tier levels at 24.4% during inflationary environment, nearly flat sequentially.

First Half 2022 Consolidated Results

See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Helios’s use of non-GAAP adjusted operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other charges) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales) as well as reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP adjusted operating income and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and GAAP net income to non-GAAP cash net income, non-GAAP cash earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Helios believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the non-GAAP measures described above help improve the understanding of its operating performance.

Sales

• Sales were driven by strong demand regionally in the Americas and solid growth in EMEA offset by declines in Asia. End market demand saw strength in industrial, mobile, construction equipment and recreation. Results included $13.8 million in sales related to acquisitions. (See the table in this release that provides acquired revenue by segment by quarter).
• Foreign currency translation adjustment on sales: $12.2 million unfavorable.

Profits and margins

• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit increased 5% to $166.0 million compared with the same period of 2021 from pricing and increased sales volumes. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the first six months of 2021 reduced year-to-date gross profit by $3.9 million. Gross margin declined 240 basis points driven by higher raw material costs partially offset by the impact of price increases.
• SEA expenses: 13.8% as a percentage of sales, improving 90 basis points compared with the prior-year period, reflecting improved leverage of our fixed cost base on the higher sales and continued cost containment initiatives.
• Amortization of intangible assets decreased $4.1 million to $13.8 million from the prior year reflecting timing related to the Company’s acquisitions.

Non-operating items

• Net interest expense: $1.6 million decrease to 7.6 million compared with the prior-year period reflecting lower debt balances.
• Effective tax rate: 22.4% compared with 20.1% in the prior-year period reflecting levels of income in varying tax jurisdictions and the 2021 benefit from the resolution of transfer pricing disputes.

Net income, earnings per share, non-GAAP cash earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA

• GAAP net income and earnings per share: $60.5 million and $1.86 per share, up 13%.
• Non-GAAP cash earnings per share: $2.35 compared with $2.18 in the prior-year period, up 8% driven by strong demand across several regions and markets and operational efficiencies being achieved through execution of the manufacturing and operating strategies.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: maintaining top-tier levels at 24.5% while down 90 basis points compared with the prior-year period due to inflationary environment.

Hydraulics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

Second Quarter Hydraulics Segment Review

• Sales increased 7% to $142.8 million (13% in constant currency), driven by demand in the Americas and EMEA regions, which offset a slight decline in the APAC region. Higher sales were driven by improved demand in industrial and mobile equipment markets partially offset by supply chain constraints. Foreign currency exchange rates had a $7.0 million unfavorable adjustment on sales.
• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit decreased $1.4 million, or 3%, compared with the same quarter of the prior year primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange. Gross margin reflects the impact of material cost increases, product mix and labor cost increases from higher wages and overtime.
• Operating income decreased $1.2 million, or 4%, while operating margin of 21.8% declined 250 basis points reflecting the flow through of gross margin partially offset by fixed cost leverage on higher sales and cost management.

Electronics Segment Review

(Refer to sales by geographic region and segment data in accompanying tables)

Second Quarter Electronics Segment Review

• Sales increased 9% to $98.9 million (10% in constant currency), with higher demand in the Americas and EMEA offsetting a decline in the APAC region. Higher sales were driven by improved demand in recreational and industrial machinery markets partially offset by supply chain constraints and a softening health and wellness market. Foreign currency exchange rates had a $0.5 million unfavorable adjustment on sales.
• Gross profit and margin drivers: gross profit increased $1.6 million, or 5%, compared with the same quarter of the prior year primarily due to sales volume and pricing. Gross margin declined 130 basis points to 33.2%, reflecting increases in raw material.
• Operating income increased $0.7 million to $20.3 million, or 4%, while operating margin declined 120 basis points to 20.5% reflecting flow through of gross margin offset by fixed cost leverage on higher sales and cost management.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

• Total debt at quarter-end was $419.1 million compared with $438.1 million at end of the first quarter of 2022. For the six-month period, repayments, net of borrowings, on our credit facilities amounted to $16.8 million.
• Cash and cash equivalents at July 2, 2022 were 41.3 million, up $8.3 million from the end of the first quarter of 2022, and up $12.8 million from the end of 2021.
• Inventory decreased $1.4 million to $178.9 million from the first quarter of 2022 but remained 8% higher than the end of 2021 driven by the macro issues in the supply chain. These issues include the Company purchasing parts ahead of material shortages, holding some inventory for past due orders where one or two components have been delayed in the supply chain, along with customers changing shipping schedules once the Company has already manufactured the products.
• Pro-forma net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA declined to 1.68x at the end of the second quarter of 2022 (pro-forma for NEM and Joyonway) compared with 1.89x (pro-forma for the NEM and Balboa acquisitions) at the end of 2021, further demonstrating the Company’s ability to de-lever the balance sheet. At the end of second quarter 2022, the Company had $174.2 million available on its revolving lines of credit.
• Net cash provided by operations was $29.5 million in the second quarter 2022 compared with $34.4 million in the prior-year period, bringing the six-month cash flow from operations to $44.2 million compared with $49.5 million for the comparable period in 2021.
• Capital expenditures were $7.9 million in the second quarter 2022, or approximately 3% of sales. This compares with $5.3 million, or approximately 2% of sales, in the year-ago period.
• Paid 102^nd sequential quarterly cash dividend on July 20, 2022.

2022 Outlook

The Company reaffirms its expectations for 2022, which assumes constant currency using quarter end rates. Factoring in foreign currency exchange rates and macroeconomic conditions, expecting lower end of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, earnings and capex ranges and higher end of effective tax rate range based on expected regional mix. Guidance is based on organic growth only and assumes that markets served are not further impacted by the global pandemic or the geo-political environment.

Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast tomorrow, August 9, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial and operating results and discuss its corporate strategies and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow. The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8573. The audio webcast will be available at www.heliostechnologies.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from approximately 12:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Tuesday, August 16, 2022. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13731270. The webcast replay will be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.heliostechnologies.com, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

About Helios Technologies

Helios Technologies is a global leader in highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technology for diverse end markets, including construction, material handling, agriculture, energy, recreational vehicles, marine and health and wellness. Helios sells its products to customers in over 90 countries around the world. Its strategy for growth is to be the leading provider in niche markets, with premier products and solutions through innovative product development and acquisition. The Company has paid a cash dividend to its shareholders every quarter since becoming a public company in 1997. For more information please visit: www.heliostechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward‐looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. They include statements regarding current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, our beliefs, and assumptions made by Helios Technologies, Inc. (“Helios” or the “Company”), its directors or its officers about the Company and the industry in which it operates, and assumptions made by management, and include among other items, (i) the Company’s strategies regarding growth, including its intention to develop new products and make acquisitions; (ii) the effectiveness of creating the Center of Engineering Excellence; (iii) the Company’s financing plans; (iv) trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; (v) the Company’s ability to continue to control costs and to meet its liquidity and other financing needs; (vi) the declaration and payment of dividends; and (vii) the Company’s ability to respond to changes in customer demand domestically and internationally, including as a result of standardization. In addition, we may make other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward‐looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) supply chain disruption and the potential inability to procure goods; (ii) conditions in the capital markets, including the interest rate environment and the availability of capital; (iii) inflation (including hyperinflation) or recession; (iv) changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect the Company’s revenue and/or cost bases, such as increased competition, lack of qualified engineering, marketing, management or other personnel, and increased labor and raw materials costs; (v) risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks and similar outbreaks, including, without limitation, the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may among other things, adversely affect our supply chain, material costs, and work force and may have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows; (vi) risks related to our international operations, including the potential impact of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; and (vii) new product introductions, product sales mix and the geographic mix of sales nationally and internationally. Further information relating to factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated is included but not limited to information under the heading Item 1. “Business” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2022.

This news release will discuss some historical non-GAAP financial measures, which the Company believes are useful in evaluating its performance. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income recognized in a given period. You should not consider the inclusion of this additional information in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

This news release also presents forward-looking statements regarding non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Diluted non-GAAP cash EPS. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, the Company believes that such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company’s 2022 financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the Company’s actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.

Financial Tables Follow: