INVESTOR NEWS

ESCO Announces Fiscal 2013 Results from Continuing Operations

ST. LOUIS, November 11, 2013 - ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE) (ESCO or the "Company") today reported its results from Continuing Operations for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

Throughout 2013, the Company provided its operating results and earnings guidance (EPS) on an adjusted basis, which excludes certain costs associated with the Test segment facility consolidation and the Doble - Lemke facility closure in Germany.

In this release, and consistent with earlier guidance, the Company is reporting its fourth quarter and fiscal year results from Continuing Operations -- As Adjusted.

Management believes EPS As Adjusted is more representative of the Company's 2013 ongoing performance and allows shareholders better visibility into the Company's underlying operations.

On August 8, 2013, the Company announced that its board of directors, working together with its executive management team, authorized a sale process for the divestiture of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara). Beginning with the June 30, 2013 financial statements, the Company reported Aclara as "Discontinued Operations" and "Assets Held for Sale" in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). All references to Continuing Operations exclude Aclara.

As communicated in the August 8, 2013 release, the Company does not plan to disclose or comment on developments regarding the Aclara sale process until further disclosure is deemed appropriate or required, and there can be no assurances that the transaction will be successfully consummated. The results from Discontinued Operations will be announced with the filing of the Company's Form 10-K on, or about, November 29, 2013.

Vic Richey, ESCO Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Selling a business typically takes longer than originally anticipated and this process is no exception. We remain confident in our ability to complete this divestiture."

EPS Summary

During the fourth quarter, EPS from Continuing Operations -- As Adjusted was $0.59 per share and reflects the add-back of $0.07 per share of non-operating charges related to the Doble - Lemke facility closure which was completed September 30, 2013. This compares to EPS from Continuing Operations of $0.35 per share in the fourth quarter of 2012.

For 2013, EPS from Continuing Operations -- As Adjusted was $1.47 per share and reflects the add-back of $0.30 per share of non-operating charges related to the Test restructure ($0.08) completed earlier in the year, and the Doble - Lemke facility closure ($0.22). This compares to EPS from Continuing Operations of $1.29 per share in 2012.

Management had provided EPS guidance from Continuing Operations - As Adjusted in the range of $1.35 to $1.45 per share for 2013.

Continuing Operations Highlights

• Q4 2013 sales from Continuing Operations increased $21 million, or 17 percent to $145 million compared to $124 million in Q4 2012. During Q4, Filtration sales increased $9 million (17 percent), Test sales increased $10 million (22 percent), and Utility Solutions Group (USG, or Doble) sales increased $3 million (10 percent) compared to prior year Q4; 

• Q4 2013 gross margin from Continuing Operations increased to 40.0 percent compared to 37.7 percent in Q4 2012 as all three operating segments reported higher margins; 

• SG&A from Continuing Operations increased in Q4 2013 compared to prior year as a result of the addition of Canyon Engineering and higher professional fees incurred at Corporate; 

• Other income / expense increased as Q4 2013 includes the restructuring costs noted above ($2.0 million pretax charge, or $0.07 per share), while Q4 2012 was favorably impacted by the non-cash revaluation of an earn-out liability related to a previous acquisition; 

• The effective tax rate in Q4 2013 was 32 percent compared to 35 percent in Q4 2012, and the annual effective tax rates were 37 percent in 2013 compared to 33 percent in 2012; 

• Q4 2013 GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations was $0.52 per share, compared to $0.35 per share in Q4 2012. For 2013, GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations was $1.17 per share compared to $1.29 in 2012; 

• At September 30, 2013, the Company had $43 million of cash and $172 million of debt outstanding for a net debt position of $129 million; 

• Orders from Continuing Operations were $128 million in Q4 2013, and $517 million for the year, resulting in an annual book-to-bill ratio of 1.05x, and a resulting backlog of $272 million at September 30, 2013. Backlog from Continuing Operations increased $26 million, or 11 percent, from Continuing Operations backlog of $246 million at September 30, 2012; 

• Segment book-to-bill ratios for 2013 were: Filtration 1.08x, Test 1.07x, and USG (Doble) 0.98x. 

Discontinued Operations

Considering the ongoing status of the Aclara sale process, Management cannot estimate with certainty the financial statement impact expected on disposition if completed, which would be recorded in Discontinued Operations, until more detailed information surrounding the specifics of the transaction is available. Management's best estimate of a potential pretax write-down of Aclara's intangible assets, primarily goodwill, is expected to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million, and would be recorded in Discontinued Operations for the year ended September 30, 2013.

The expected sale of Aclara is anticipated to generate significant after-tax cash proceeds which will allow the Company to accelerate the realization of shareholder value through the pay-down of existing debt, while providing additional liquidity for acquisitions around its core businesses. While executing the sale process, the Company remains focused on executing its current operating plan to maximize performance.

Chairman's Commentary - FY 2013

Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I'm very pleased with the way 2013 wrapped up from a Continuing Operations basis. Our sales, EBIT, EPS, cash flow and orders all came in above our earlier expectations with all operating units contributing to this success.

"While ESCO would be smaller without Aclara in the mix, during the fourth quarter, the Company has shown it can be more profitable on a percentage basis and more predictable on an outlook basis. While it was a difficult decision to initiate the process to divest Aclara, we continue to feel strongly that it is the right course of action both for today and the future as our remaining businesses are expected to have a more predictable revenue and earnings profile.

"I'm very pleased to have successfully completed our Test business restructure on time and on budget, with the corresponding savings being reflected in our results. The Doble - Lemke closure also was completed on time and on budget and now the Doble team can again focus on its core business. We continue to see Test's recently announced electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) interference market developing on plan and we remain excited about this new market's growth prospects. Filtration continued its outstanding performance on both the top and bottom line.

"We feel that as we go forward into 2014, we will continue to see solid growth in our Filtration, Test and Doble businesses, as our market leadership positions across the three segments, along with the breadth of our new product offerings, will allow us to grow organically at a meaningful level. We intend to supplement this growth through disciplined acquisitions around our core. We plan to continue to invest in new products and solutions which will allow us to retain and expand our leadership positions in our remaining operations.

"I continue to maintain a favorable view of our future and our goal remains the same - to increase long-term shareholder value."

Dividend Payment

The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share will be paid on January 17, 2014 to stockholders of record on January 3, 2014.

Business Outlook - Fiscal Year 2014       

Consistent with the 2013 presentation, the outlook for 2014 will be presented on a Continuing Operations -As Adjusted basis, and will exclude approximately $2 million, or $0.05 per share, of anticipated charges to complete the exit and relocation of Crissair's Palmdale, California (Filtration segment) operation into the Canyon Engineering facility in Valencia, California. This move is expected to be completed by September 30, 2014.

Management continues to see strong growth in 2014 across the business. Based on projected revenue growth of approximately 8 to 10 percent, and growth in EBIT of 10 to 13 percent, Management expects 2014 EPS from Continuing Operations - As Adjusted in the range of $1.50 to $1.60 per share, which excludes the above noted Filtration segment charges. The 2014 annual effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 35 percent.

  The revenue growth for 2014 is presented here in summary fashion:

• Filtration is expected to grow 8 to 10 percent with related EBIT margins consistent with 2013;  

• Test is expected to grow mid-to-high single digits with a significant increase in EBIT, both in dollars and as a percent of sales resulting in an approximate EBIT margin of 13 percent; 

• Doble is expected to grow mid-to-high single digits  with an EBIT margin percentage in the low 20's similar to 2013; and, 

• Aclara will continue to be presented as Discontinued Operations up through and including the date of the sale. 

On a quarterly basis, Management expects 2014 revenues and EPS to be slightly more balanced than in years past, but still more second half weighted. First quarter 2014 EPS from Continuing Operations - As Adjusted is expected to be in the range of $0.24 to $0.29 per share.  

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today, November 11, at 4 p.m. Central Time, to discuss the Company's fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 results from Continuing Operations. A live audio webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.escotechnologies.com. Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days on the Company's website noted above or by phone (dial 1-888-843-7419 and enter the pass code 35804099).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the success, results, benefits, use of proceeds and timing of the Aclara divestiture process, repayment of the Company's debt, the amount and timing of the Company's expected 2013 and beyond revenues, the character and amount of any write-down of Aclara's intangible assets, growth, margins, tax rates, and EPS from Continuing Operations - "As Adjusted", EPS, EBIT, sales, orders, earnings, the costs, benefits and timing of the exit and relocation of Crissair's operations, the Company's ability to increase shareholder value, the success of acquisition efforts, the success of new products, the size, number and timing of growth opportunities in the future, the long-term success of the Company, and any other statements which are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company's actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment including, but not limited to: the risk factors described in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012; and the following: the price and terms of offers submitted by potential buyers of Aclara; the Company's ability to negotiate acceptable terms and conditions of sale with respect to potential buyers of Aclara; the final determination of various factors calculated at the time of a disposition and utilized in arriving at the amount of any write-down of Aclara's intangible assets; the ability of potential buyers of Aclara to obtain necessary financing; necessary third parties', including the U.S. Government's approval of the sale of Aclara to the selected buyer; the success of the Company's competitors; site readiness issues with Test segment customers; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; unforeseen charges impacting corporate operating expenses; delivery delays or defaults by customers; the performance of the Company's international operations; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; termination for convenience of customer contracts; timing and content of future contract awards and customer orders; containment of engineering and development costs; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; labor disputes; the impacts of natural disasters on the Company's operations and those of the Company's customers and suppliers; changes in laws and regulations, including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration; the Company's successful execution of profit improvement initiatives and restructuring activities; and the Company's ability to successfully integrate newly-acquired businesses.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measures EBIT, EBIT margin, EPS - "As Adjusted" and EPS - from Continuing Operations "As Adjusted" are presented in this press release. The Company defines EBIT as earnings before interest and taxes from continuing operations, EBIT margin as a percent of net sales, EPS - "As Adjusted" and EPS - from Continuing Operations "As Adjusted" as GAAP EPS less the Test segment and Doble-Lemke restructuring charges (representing $0.07 per share during the fourth quarter of 2013, and $0.30 per share during the year ended September 30, 2013). EBIT, EBIT margin, EPS - "As Adjusted" and EPS - from Continuing Operations "As Adjusted" are not recognized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Management believes that EBIT and EBIT margin are useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company's business segments because they exclude interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by Management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT, EBIT margin, EPS - "As Adjusted" and EPS - from Continuing Operations "As Adjusted" provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

ESCO, headquartered in St. Louis, is a proven supplier of special purpose utility solutions for electric, gas, and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications and fully automated intelligent instrumentation. In addition, the Company provides engineered filtration products to the aviation, space, and process markets worldwide and is the industry leader in RF shielding and EMC test products. Further information regarding ESCO and its subsidiaries is available on the Company's website at www.escotechnologies.com.
   
   

   
   
SOURCE ESCO Technologies Inc.
Kate Lowrey, Director, Investor Relations, ESCO Technologies Inc., (314) 213-7277