Benchmark Electronics Reports Fourth Quarter And FY 2015 Results

ANGLETON, Texas, Feb. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015.

"2015 marked a year of continued progress on Benchmark's key strategic initiatives.  Through focused and consistent execution, we achieved 55% revenue contribution from customers in our Industrial, Medical and Test & Instrumentation sectors," said Gayla Delly, Benchmark's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Continued emphasis in these strategic markets, coupled with our focus on operational excellence, is a key driver of our ongoing margin expansion strategy.  In the fourth quarter, we delivered a 50 basis point year-over-year and a 20 basis point quarter-over-quarter improvement in operating margin and achieved our target of exiting 2015 with a 4.5% non-GAAP operating margin."

"The acquisition of Secure Technology in the fourth quarter of 2015 was another key milestone, although it did not significantly impact our results for the quarter.  As expected, the transaction is advancing our business transformation and penetration of targeted higher-value markets.  Integration is well underway and progressing according to schedule.  In the near term, we are focused on customer care and expanding current relationships.  Looking forward, we expect to realize the strategic benefits of the acquisition beginning in 2016."

Ms. Delly concluded, "During the last 12 months, Benchmark returned $68 million to shareholders through share repurchases, and we plan to continue these repurchases against the $135 million that remains available under our Board authorizations.  We will continue our balanced approach to capital allocation through investments in organic initiatives, external growth opportunities and share repurchases as we execute our long-term strategy to drive increasing value for our shareholders and enhanced service for our customers."

The Company projects new program bookings for the fourth quarter to result in annualized revenue of $115 - 135 million when fully launched within the next 12-18 months.  The new program bookings are aligned with Benchmark's strategic focus in higher-value markets.  For the full year, 85% of new bookings came from Benchmark's targeted growth markets.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights

• Operating margin (non-GAAP) of 4.5%.  The GAAP margin was 3.5%.
• Cash flows from operating activities were $28 million.
• Accounts receivable were $479 million at December 31, 2015, and calculated days sales outstanding were 69 days compared to 67 days at September 30, 2015.
• Inventories were $412 million at December 31, 2015; inventory turns were 5.6 times compared to 5.5 times at September 30, 2015.

Don Adam, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, stated, "The cash conversion cycle increased by two days sequentially due to shipments occurring later than expected in the fourth quarter.  Benchmark remains focused on working capital improvement initiatives and is targeting a 15-20% reduction in cash cycle days exiting 2016."

Revenue was consistent with the Company's fourth quarter expectations.  Growth in the higher-value markets – which include our Secure Technology group – was as anticipated.  In our traditional markets, seasonal demand was better than expected in Computing, which offset continued Telecommunications softness related to weak capital spending.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Bookings Update

• New program bookings in the fourth quarter were $115 to $135 million.
• 12 engineering awards supporting early engagement opportunities.
• 23 manufacturing wins across all market sectors.

Margin Improvement Initiatives 
The Company's strategic decision to transform its portfolio toward higher-value markets is driving positive results.  Further portfolio diversification into higher-margin sectors, increased emphasis on engineering-led solutions and intense focus on operational excellence initiatives are expected to increase operating margins in the future.  Benchmark remains committed to achieving a 5.0% operating margin on a non-GAAP basis over the longer term.

Capital Allocation

• Fourth quarter 2015 common share repurchases totaled $16 million or 770,000 shares.
• $135 million remains available under the current share repurchase program.
• Over the past three years, more than 57% of free cash flow has been returned to shareholders through share repurchases.
• Capex totaled $5 million in the fourth quarter and $38 million for the full year.

First Quarter 2016 Outlook

• Revenue between $565-$590 million.
• Diluted earnings per share between $0.29-$0.33 (excluding restructuring charges and integration costs).

Fourth Quarter 2015 Results Conference Call Details 
A conference call hosted by Benchmark management will be held today at 10:00 am CT (11:00 am ET) to discuss the Company's financial results and outlook.  This call will be broadcast via the internet and may be accessed by logging on to the Company's website at www.bench.com.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc. 
Benchmark provides integrated manufacturing, design and engineering services to original equipment manufacturers of industrial equipment (including equipment for the aerospace and defense industries), telecommunication equipment, computers and related products for business enterprises, medical devices, and test and instrumentation products.  Benchmark's global operations include facilities in seven countries, and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 
This press release includes financial measures for earnings and earnings per share that exclude certain items and therefore do not follow U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  A detailed reconciliation between the GAAP results and results excluding special items (non-GAAP) is included at the end of this press release.  Management discloses non-GAAP information to provide investors with additional information to analyze the Company's performance and underlying trends.  Management uses non-GAAP measures of net income and earnings per share that exclude certain items in order to better assess operating performance and help investors compare results with our previous guidance.  Our non-GAAP information is not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP information used by other companies.  Non-GAAP information should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, net income or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP as measures of our profitability or liquidity. Users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions for which adjustments have been made.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the scope of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The words "expect," "estimate," "plan," "anticipate," "project," "predict," "goals" and similar terms, and the negatives thereof, often identify forward-looking statements, which are not limited to historical facts.  Our forward-looking statements include, among other things, projections regarding the benefit of the Secure acquisition, the Company's  ability to continue share repurchases or a balanced capital allocation, the statement "the Company projects new program bookings for the fourth quarter to result in annualized revenue of $115 - $135 million when fully launched within the next 12-18 months ", projections relating to working capital improvements, increasing operating margins and first quarter 2016 revenues and diluted earnings per share, and other statements, express or implied, concerning: future operating results or the ability to generate sales, income or cash flow; and Benchmark's business and growth strategies, including expected internal growth and performance goals.  Although Benchmark believes these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they involve risks and uncertainties relating to our operations, markets and business environment generally.  If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.

All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Benchmark as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update them.  Readers are advised to consult further disclosures on related subjects, particularly in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its press releases.

SOURCE Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

Related Links

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