ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, May 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Colfax Corporation (NYSE: CFX), a leading diversified technology company, today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2019.
The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $(49) million or $(0.36) per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.22 per diluted share in the prior year quarter. Excluding strategic transaction costs, acquisition-related amortization costs, pension settlement losses and restructuring costs, adjusted earnings per share grew 10% to $0.53 despite over 6% reduction in reported sales from currency translation rates. In February 2019, Colfax completed its acquisition of DJO Global, Inc., the March results of which are reported as the Company’s new Medical Technology segment. DJO is a global leader in orthopedic solutions, providing orthopedic devices, software and services spanning the full continuum of patient care, from injury prevention to rehabilitation.
First quarter 2019 net sales of $1,008 million were 14% higher than the comparable period of 2018. Excluding acquisitions and foreign currency translation effects (FX), Fabrication Technology segment sales grew 5% from improved pricing, and Air & Gas Handling segment sales decreased 3% as expected. The new Medical Technology segment posted sales of $124 million in the month of March. First quarter 2019 Air & Gas Handling orders increased 18% to $384 million compared to the prior year period. Excluding acquisitions and FX, orders increased 21% on double digit growth across all end markets. 
First quarter adjusted EBITA was $127 million as compared with $91 million in the prior year quarter, with $26 million of the increase from the Medical Technology segment. Adjusted EBITA margins expanded 230 basis points to 12.6%, reflecting operating improvements and the acquisition of the higher-margin DJO business. Air & Gas Handling adjusted EBITA margins grew 160 basis points to 11.3% as a result of restructuring actions and improved project margins. Fabrication Technology adjusted EBITA margins increased 20 basis points to 14.2% in the quarter as a result of improved pricing.
“We are pleased to start the year with solid results in each of our businesses,” said Matt Trerotola, Colfax President and CEO. “Our Air & Gas Handling business drove its third consecutive quarter of double-digit order growth, and the strategic review of the business is progressing as expected. The Fab Tech segment delivered core sales growth for the ninth consecutive quarter, and margins improved 180 basis points sequentially on strong price and productivity versus cost inflation. Our new Med Tech segment contributed its first month of sales and profits since the acquisition, and both were in-line with expectations. The DJO integration is on track, with initial focus on operational improvement, growth acceleration, and transitioning to a CBS culture of continuous improvement.” The Company re-affirmed its 2019 adjusted EPS guidance of $2.55 to $2.65.
Conference Call and Webcast
Colfax will host a conference call to provide details about its results today at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The call will be open to the public by calling +1-877-303-7908 (U.S. callers) or +1-678-373-0875 (international callers) and referencing the conference ID number 8166689 or through webcast via Colfax’s website at www.colfaxcorp.com under the “Investors” section. Access to a supplemental slide presentation can also be found at the Colfax website under the same heading. Both the audio of this call and the slide presentation will be archived on the website later today and will be available until the next quarterly call.
About Colfax Corporation
Colfax Corporation is a leading diversified technology company that provides orthopedic, fabrication technology and air & gas handling products and services to customers around the world, principally under the DJO, ESAB and Howden brands. Colfax believes that its brands are among the most highly recognized in each of the markets that it serves. The Company uses its Colfax Business System (“CBS”), a comprehensive set of tools, processes and values, to create superior value for customers, shareholders and associates. Colfax is traded on the NYSE under the ticker “CFX.”
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Adjustments
Colfax has provided in this press release financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, adjusted EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization), organic sales growth, and organic order growth. Adjusted EBITA excludes restructuring and other such charges, acquisition-related intangibles amortization, and other non-cash acquisition-related charges and strategic transaction costs. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share exclude restructuring and other such charges, pension settlement loss, debt extinguishment charges, acquisition-related intangibles amortization, and other non-cash acquisition-related charges, strategic transaction costs, and gain or loss on short term investments related to the 2017 divestiture of its Fluid Handling business. The effective tax rate used to calculate adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share was 24.1% for the first quarter ended March 29, 2019 and 21.1% for the first quarter ended March 30, 2018. Organic sales growth and organic order growth (decline) exclude the impact of acquisitions and foreign exchange rate fluctuations. These non-GAAP financial measures assist Colfax management in comparing its operating performance over time because certain items may obscure underlying business trends and make comparisons of long-term performance difficult, as they are of a nature and/or size that occur with inconsistent frequency or relate to discrete restructuring plans that are fundamentally different from the ongoing productivity improvements of the Company. Colfax management also believes that presenting these measures allows investors to view its performance using the same measures that the Company uses in evaluating its financial and business performance and trends.
Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information calculated in accordance with GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures presented above to GAAP results has been provided in the financial tables included in this press release.