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SMP, an automotive replacement parts manufacturer and distributor, reported today its consolidated financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

Consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $241.3 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $247 million during the comparable quarter in 2018. Earnings from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $12.7 million or 56 cents per diluted share, compared to $12.2 million or 53 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2018. Excluding nonoperational gains and losses identified on the attached reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures, earnings from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $13.6 million or 59 cents per diluted share, compared to $11.8 million or 52 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Consolidated net sales for 2019 were $1,137.9 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $1,092.1 million during 2018. Earnings from continuing operations for 2019 were $69.1 million or $3.03 per diluted share, compared to $56.9 million or $2.48 per diluted share in 2018. Excluding non-operational gains and losses identified on the attached reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures, earnings from continuing operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $70.8 million or $3.10 per diluted share and $58.5 million or $2.55 per diluted share, respectively.

Mr. Eric Sills, Standard Motor Products’ Chief Executive Officer and President stated, “We are quite pleased with our 2019 results, as we set records for both sales and earnings. We achieved this despite some softness in sales in the fourth quarter, which was anticipated and previously announced.

“Engine Management sales were up 5.7% for the year. Excluding sales of $28 million from the Pollak acquisition, acquired on April 1, 2019, and wire and cable, a product line in secular decline, Engine Management sales were up 4.6% for the year.

“In the fourth quarter, Engine Management sales, excluding Pollak and wire and cable, were down 3.9%. As we stated in our third quarter release, for much of the year and for a variety of reasons, Engine Management sales ran ahead of the reported customer POS volume. As we know, these balance out over time. The drop in the fourth quarter represented a migration to our customers’ POS results and towards our long-term forecast for Engine Management of low single digit growth.

“Engine Management gross margins improved one percentage point for the year to 29.6% and 1.8 percentage points for the quarter to 30.6%. This reflects the completion of the integration of our wire operations in Mexico and a continued emphasis on cost reduction activities. We are quite pleased with the progress we have made, returning to our historic margin levels.

“Temperature Control sales were flat for the year, as we were up against a very warm 2018. However, in the fourth quarter sales were down 12%. Temperature Control sales can vary significantly quarter to quarter based on the timing and size of pre-season orders and how hot it gets during the short selling season. For this product line, it is far more meaningful to look at the year as whole.

“The improvement in Temperature Control SG&A expenses in 2019 of $3.2 million primarily reflects savings in distribution costs as we continue to refine and improve our new automated warehouse system in Lewisville, Texas.

“We completed one acquisition and one business investment during 2019. In April, we acquired Pollak, a long time and highly respected manufacturer of sensors, switches and connectors, primarily for the OE, heavy duty and commercial vehicle markets. We have just completed moving the operation from Canton, Massachusetts and Juarez, Mexico to existing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico and Independence, Kansas, which will improve our cost structure. We plan to grow this product line in the years ahead.

“In August, we acquired a minority interest in Cheyijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (CYJ), a manufacturer of air conditioning compressors for electric vehicles, located in Changzhou, China. While CYJ is less than four years old and is still in its early stages, we are pleased that we are now in a position to provide compressors for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.

“Our combined investment for these two businesses of less than $44 million was funded by the $77 million cash generated from operations in 2019. At year-end, our debt position was $57 million.”

Finally, on January 31, 2020, the Board of Directors of Standard Motor Products approved an increase in its quarterly dividend from 23 cents per share to 25 cents per share, payable on March 2, 2020.

View Consolidated Financial Statements

Conference Call

Standard Motor Products, Inc. will hold a conference call at 11:00 AM, Eastern Time, on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. The dial-in number is 877-876-9176 (domestic) or 785-424- 1670 (international). The playback number is 800-727-6189 (domestic) or 402-220-2671 (international). The conference ID is STANDARD.

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Standard Motor Products cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the company, including those that may be made in this press release, are based on management’s expectations at the time they are made, but they are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those risks and uncertainties discussed in this press release are those detailed from time-to-time in prior press releases and in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. By making these forward-looking statements, Standard Motor Products undertakes no obligation or intention to update these statements after the date of this release.

For more information, contact:
James J. Burke
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(718) 392-0200