Benchmark Electronics Reports Third Quarter Results

ANGLETON, Texas, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015.

"In the third quarter, we were pleased to deliver a 30 basis point year-over-year and a 10 basis point quarter-over-quarter improvement in our non-GAAP operating margin as a result of continued focus on portfolio mix, lean and operational excellence initiatives, and working capital management," said Gayla Delly, Benchmark's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Benchmark's solid profitability results, evidenced by our 4.3% non-GAAP operating margin, were achieved despite lower-than-expected revenues. Notwithstanding our excellent operational achievements, headwinds in the industries we serve challenged our top line. Greater-than-expected demand from Computing customers partially offset end-market demand weakness in the Industrial, Test & Instrumentation and Telecom sectors. Medical revenues were pushed into the fourth quarter due to the timing of program qualifications."

"We expect our third quarter new program bookings to result in annualized revenue of $110 - $130 million when fully launched within the next 12-18 months. Bookings aligned again this quarter with our focus on early engineering engagement and long-term manufacturing solutions for customers in both higher growth and traditional markets."

Ms. Delly concluded, "Benchmark remains committed to creating shareholder value through a balanced approach to capital allocation, which consists of supporting our business, investing in strategic growth initiatives and continuing share repurchases. We returned $18 million to shareholders through share repurchases during the third quarter, and $71 million over the last 12 months. We also have a strong balance sheet and were excited to announce this morning our planned acquisition of Secure Technology. We remain confident that we are taking the right steps to drive growth and enhance value for our shareholders and our customers."

Third Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights

• Cash flows from operating activities were $78 million
• Cash and cash equivalents were $462 million at September 30, 2015
• Accounts receivable were $467 million at September 30, 2015, and calculated days sales outstanding were 67 days compared to 68 days at June 30, 2015
• Inventories were $422 million at September 30, 2015; inventory turns were 5.5 times for both the second and third quarters

The cash conversion cycle improved by one day from the previous quarter — which was four days less than forecasted due to lower than expected revenues. Benchmark continues to execute on improvement initiatives in receivables, payables and inventory, and the Company expects to make further progress in the coming quarters.

Third Quarter 2015 Industry Sector Update
The following table sets forth revenue by industry sector for the referenced quarters.

Our performance varied by sector in the third quarter, resulting in lower-than-expected revenues across the Company's primary end-markets. Telecommunications revenue declines were greater than expected, while customer revenues in Computing were better than expected. Strength in Computing and new program introductions in Industrial Controls and Test & Instrumentation did not offset the headwinds associated with slower capital spending in the Company's end-markets. Additionally, slower-than-expected new product qualifications impacted revenues in Medical.

Third Quarter 2015 Bookings Update

• New program bookings in the third quarter were $110 to $130 million
• 16 engineering awards supporting early engagement opportunities
• 21 manufacturing wins across all market sectors

Margin Improvement Initiatives
Benchmark continues to diversify its portfolio into higher-margin business sectors and pursue lean and operational excellence initiatives. The programs drove higher operating margins, and the Company expects further benefits to accrue over time. Benchmark remains committed to achieving its goal of a non-GAAP 4.5% operating margin.

Capital Allocation

• Third quarter 2015 common share repurchases totaled $18 million or 0.8 million shares
• Amount remaining on current share repurchase program is $51 million
• Over the past three years, more than 50% of free cash flow has been returned to shareholders through share repurchases

In addition to ongoing share repurchases, Benchmark spent $8 million in the third quarter and has spent $33 million year-to-date on capital expenditures related to improving operations and expanding capabilities for customers. For the full year, capital expenditures excluding acquisitions are expected to range from $40-$50 million.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Outlook

• Revenue between $620-$640 million
• Diluted earnings per share between $0.39-$0.43 (excluding restructuring charges)

Secure Technology Acquisition
Benchmark also announced today that is has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Secure Communication Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Secure Technology"), a leading engineered products and solutions provider to industrial, defense and aerospace customers, for approximately $230 million in cash, on a debt-free, cash-free basis subject to a working capital adjustment.

Third 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, as well as the Secure Technology acquisition. 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 control 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," "anticipate," "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, the statement "[w]e expect our third quarter new program bookings to result in annualized revenue of $110 - $130 million when fully launched within the next 12-18 months", and projections relating to full year capital expenditures, projections of fourth quarter revenues and diluted earnings per share, the planned acquisition of Secure Technology 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.

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