DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a leading global commodity and specialty chemical and ingredient distributor, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

First Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Record net income of $180.8 million was 173.1 percent higher than the $66.2 million reported in the prior-year first quarter. Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $183.4 million compared to $73.6 million in the prior-year first quarter.
• Earnings per diluted share improved to $1.06 compared to $0.39 per diluted share in the prior-year first quarter. Adjusted earnings per diluted share⁽¹⁾ increased to $1.07 from $0.43 in the prior-year first quarter.
• Record Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ was $319.3 million compared to $182.2 million in the prior-year first quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin⁽¹⁾ of 11.1 percent improved from 8.5 percent in the prior-year first quarter.
• Net cash used in operating activities increased to $134.4 million from $92.3 million in the prior year first quarter.
• Leverage ratio⁽¹⁾ was 2.4x at March 31, 2022, compared to 2.5x at December 31, 2021.
• Share repurchases returned $24 million of capital to shareholders during the first quarter.

Full-year Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ guidance increased to the range of $1,000 million to $1,050 million.

"Coming off a tremendous 2021, I am truly delighted with our record financial performance in the first quarter, despite the ongoing challenges of constrained supply, transport and the pandemic," said David Jukes, president and chief executive officer. "This is a testament to our agile, resilient business model and dedicated team of professionals who put the customer at the centre of all we do, everyday. Despite an uncertain world, we believe investments in our installed asset base, owned trucking fleet and digital backbone, along with our robust supplier relationships and strong commercial execution will continue to deliver profitable share growth and shareholder value. In 2022, we remain focused on factors we can control and expect an outstanding full-year Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1,000 million to $1,050 million. Looking further ahead to 2023, whilst not giving firm guidance at this point, we expect to accelerate the targets laid out at last November's Analyst Day, and deliver a full-year ahead of schedule."

Company Performance

Univar Solutions operating performance results are described below and, unless otherwise indicated, are a comparison of first quarter 2022 results with first quarter 2021 results.

Consolidated Results

Univar Solutions reported net sales of $2.9 billion, an increase of 33.7 percent on a reported basis and 36.6 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾ compared to the prior-year first quarter. Higher sales were attributable to chemical price inflation, higher industrial demand, and market share gains.

Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation) of $729.5 million increased 34.5 percent on a reported basis and 37.2 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾. Higher gross profit was driven primarily by chemical price inflation, higher industrial demand, operational execution, and market share gains, and partially offset by higher input cost inflation. Gross margin increased 10 basis points to 25.3 percent compared to the prior-year first quarter, primarily due to chemical price inflation, partially offset by higher input cost inflation.

Univar Solutions reported net income of $180.8 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of $66.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the prior year first quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit (exclusive of depreciation), partially offset by higher Warehousing, Selling and Administrative (WS&A) costs as well as higher taxes.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share⁽¹⁾ of $1.07 in the quarter increased from $0.43 in the prior-year first quarter primarily due to higher net income.

Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $319.3 million increased $137.1 million, or 75.2 percent, compared to the prior-year first quarter, or an increase of 79.6 percent on a constant currency basis(1). The increase was primarily driven by higher gross profit, partially offset by higher WS&A.

Net cash used in operating activities increased to $134.4 million from $92.3 million in the first quarter last year, primarily driven by higher net working capital use due to chemical price inflation and timing of the 2021 variable compensation payments. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was partially offset by higher net income.

Liquidity was $1,098.6 million as of March 31, 2022, inclusive of $245.4 million of cash on hand and  availability under committed, asset-based credit facilities.

Segment Results

USA: 

• USA external sales increased 42.6 percent during the quarter, primarily due to chemical price inflation, higher industrial demand, and market share gains.
• Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation) increased by 45.2 percent, primarily driven by chemical price inflation, higher industrial demand, operational execution, and market share gains, partially offset by input cost inflation. Gross margin increased 50 basis points to 25.7 percent, primarily driven by chemical price inflation, partially offset by input cost inflation.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ increased 105.5 percent to $209.2 million, primarily driven by higher gross profit, partially offset by higher WS&A. The increase in WS&A was primarily due to higher operating costs and variable compensation, partially offset by an environmental recovery and net synergies. Adjusted EBITDA margin⁽¹⁾ increased by 340 basis points to 11.3 percent, primarily due to operating leverage and higher gross margins.

EMEA: 

• EMEA external sales increased 11.1 percent, or 23.8 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾. The increase was primarily due to chemical price inflation and market share gains, partially offset by the effects of the Distrupol divestiture.
• Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation) increased 10.5 percent, or 22.6 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾, primarily driven by chemical price inflation, operational execution, and market share gains. Gross margin decreased 10 basis points to 25.2 percent, driven by input cost inflation, partially offset by chemical price inflation.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ increased 26.1 percent to $63.8 million on a reported basis, or 42.5 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾, compared to the prior-year first quarter. This increase was primarily driven by higher gross profit, partially offset by the effects of the Distrupol divestiture. Adjusted EBITDA margin⁽¹⁾ increased 130 basis points to 11.3 percent, primarily due to operating leverage.

CANADA: 

• Canada external sales increased by 31.7 percent, or 31.8 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾, primarily due to chemical price inflation and market share gains.
• Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation) increased by 32.3 percent on a reported and constant currency basis⁽¹⁾. The increase was primarily driven by chemical price inflation, operational execution, and market share gains, partially offset by input cost inflation. Gross margin increased 10 basis points to 25.4 percent, primarily driven by chemical price inflation, partially offset by input cost inflation.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ increased 39.5 percent to $36.7 million on a reported and constant currency basis⁽¹⁾ compared to the prior year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ was primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher WS&A, which was impacted by higher operating costs and variable compensation. Adjusted EBITDA margin⁽¹⁾ increased by 70 basis points to 12.5 percent, primarily due to operating leverage.

LATAM: 

• LATAM external sales increased by 37.4 percent, or 35.4 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾, largely due to chemical price inflation and the Sweetmix acquisition.
• Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation) increased by 25.8 percent, or 23.3 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾, primarily due to chemical price inflation and the Sweetmix acquisition, partially offset by input cost inflation. Gross margin decreased 210 basis points to 22.0 percent, primarily driven by product mix.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ increased 3.8 percent to $16.2 million on a reported basis, or 1.9 percent on a constant currency basis⁽¹⁾. Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ increased primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher WS&A. Adjusted EBITDA margin⁽¹⁾ decreased 290 basis points to 8.8 percent, primarily due to lower gross margin and higher WS&A given increased corporate cost allocation as a result of the SAP implementation and higher operating costs.

Outlook

The Company expects Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ to be between $270 million and $290 million for the second quarter of 2022 as compared to $197.5 million for the second quarter of 2021. For full-year 2022, Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ is expected to increase to a range of $1,000 million to $1,050 million, as compared to $797.7 million for full year 2021. Our forecast versus the prior-year reflects anticipated continued strong business conditions, market share growth and benefits from Nexeo net synergies. Net Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ in 2022 is expected to be in a range of $400 million to $450 million.

The Company reaffirms its commitment to its objectives and expects:

• Ingredients & Specialties (I&S) organic growth of greater than 200 basis points above economic consensus
• Chemicals & Services (C&S) organic growth above economic consensus
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ margins to greater than 9 percent
• 50 percent Net Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ conversion
• Maintain leverage between 2.0x and 2.5x
• Average annual capital return to shareholders of 20 percent to 30 percent of Adjusted Net Income⁽¹⁾

The majority of the Company's debt obligations mature in 2026 and beyond and the Company is in full compliance with the covenants under its credit agreements as of March 31, 2022.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a webcast with investors to discuss first quarter 2022 results at 9:00 a.m. ET on May 10, 2022, which can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of its website at http://investors.univarsolutions.com. After the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the same website until May 10, 2024.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In this press release, the Company's financial results are provided both in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, the Company presents the non-GAAP financial measures of gross profit (exclusive of depreciation), gross margin (defined as gross profit (exclusive of depreciation) divided by net sales on a consolidated basis and by external sales on a segment level, as applicable), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin (defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales on a consolidated basis and by external sales on a segment level, as applicable), Adjusted net income, Adjusted earnings per diluted share, leverage ratio, net free cash flow and results on a constant currency basis. The non-GAAP financial measures are included as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help investors' ability to analyze underlying trends in the Company's business, evaluate its performance relative to other companies in its industry and provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company's core operating results. Additionally, the Company has used, and may continue to use, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted earnings per diluted share in setting performance incentive targets to more closely align management compensation with operational performance.

The Company evaluates its results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation is a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes providing information on a constant currency basis provides valuable supplemental information regarding its results of operations, consistent with how it evaluates its performance. The Company calculates constant currency percentages and other information by converting its financial results in local currency for a period using the average exchange rate for the prior period to which it is comparing.

The non-GAAP financial measures noted above are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA and other such metrics differently than the Company does, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. For further information related to the Company's use of non-GAAP financial measures, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, see the schedules attached hereto.

About Univar Solutions

Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR) is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at www.univarsolutions.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and outlook for the future, which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the impacts of the effects of COVID-19 on the Company, the Company's anticipated future results and financial performance, liquidity position and cash flows, actions regarding expense control and cost reductions, expected net synergies from the Nexeo acquisition, capital expenditures and other statements regarding the Company's Streamline 2022 Program and other initiatives. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and assumptions. A detailed discussion of these factors and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Potential factors that could affect such forward-looking statements include, among others: general economic conditions, particularly fluctuations in industrial production and consumption and the timing and extent of economic downturns and potential recoveries the sustained geographic spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; current and new actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and our employees, customers, vendors and suppliers; and the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition; significant changes in the business strategies of producers or in the operations of our customers; increased competitive pressures, including as a result of competitor consolidation; significant changes in the pricing, demand and availability of chemicals; our indebtedness, the restrictions imposed by and costs associated with our debt instruments, and our ability to obtain additional financing; the broad spectrum of laws and regulations that we are subject to, including extensive environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; potential business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents; an inability to generate sufficient working capital; increases in transportation and fuel costs and changes in our relationship with third party providers; accidents, safety failures, environmental damage, product quality issues; delivery failures or potential hazards and risks related to our operations and the hazardous materials we handle, potential inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; ongoing litigation; potential product liability claims and recalls and other environmental, legal and regulatory risks; challenges associated with international operations; exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations; risks associated with integration of legacy business systems; possible impairment of goodwill and intangible assets; an inability to integrate the business and systems of the companies we acquire, including failure to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; negative developments affecting our pension plans and multi-employer pensions; labor disruptions associated with the unionized portion of our workforce; and the other factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek, "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Univar Solutions Inc.