St. Louis, Nov. 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) (ESCO, or the Company) today reported its operating results for the fourth quarter (Q4 2021) and fiscal year (2021) ended September 30, 2021.

Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our committed team worked diligently throughout 2021 to manage through the continuing economic impacts associated with COVID-19. 2021 presented challenges related to global supply chain management, labor shortages, and a delayed return to normal travel patterns. Despite these challenges, our focus on cost structure optimization, cash flow management, and program execution enabled us to deliver solid results across each of our three business segments. The quarter was highlighted by revenue growth in USG and Test, strong cash flow generation, a double-digit increase in entered orders, and record ending backlog.

"Our strong balance sheet and substantial liquidity enabled us to fund capital investments, new product development, and acquisitions during 2021. We continued to expand our product portfolio through the launch of a number of new products and two new acquisitions, the Altanova Group (Altanova) and the assets of Phenix Technologies (Phenix), which broaden our product offerings and geographic footprint."

Earnings Summary

Q4 2021 GAAP EPS was $0.78 per share (GAAP net earnings of $20.4 million) and included the net earnings impact of the Q4 2021 Discrete Items described below. Excluding the net earnings impact of the Discrete Items, Q4 2021 Adjusted EPS was $0.85 per share.

2021 GAAP EPS was $2.42 per share (GAAP net earnings of $63.5 million) and included the net earnings impact of the 2021 Discrete Items described below. Excluding the net earnings impact of the Discrete Items, 2021 Adjusted EPS was $2.59 per share.

Q4 2020 GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations was ($0.93) per share with a GAAP net loss from Continuing Operations of ($24.4) million, and included the net earnings impact of the Q4 2020 Discrete Items described below. Excluding the net earnings impact of the Discrete Items, Q4 2020 Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations was $0.80 per share.

2020 GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations was $0.88 per share with GAAP net earnings from Continuing Operations of $22.9 million, and included the net earnings impact of the 2020 Discrete Items described below. Excluding the net earnings impact of the Discrete Items, 2020 Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations was $2.67 per share.

Discrete Items

The financial results presented include certain non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted SG&A, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS, as defined within the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" described below. Any non-GAAP financial measures presented are reconciled to their respective GAAP equivalents. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in assessing the ongoing operational profitability of the Company's business segments, and therefore, allow shareholders better visibility into the Company's underlying operations. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" described below.

During Q4 2021, the Company incurred $1.8 million ($0.07 per share) of after-tax charges mainly consisting of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Phenix and Altanova acquisitions ($0.03 per share), acquisition costs at Corporate ($0.02 per share), and restructuring costs primarily within the USG segment ($0.02 per share). These costs are excluded from the calculation of Q4 2021 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.

In 2021, the Company incurred $4.6 million ($0.17 per share) of after-tax charges mainly consisting of one-time compensation and acquisition costs at Corporate ($0.12 per share), restructuring costs primarily within the USG segment ($0.08 per share), and purchase accounting adjustments related to the Phenix and Altanova acquisitions ($0.03 per share), partially offset by the final settlement from the sale of the Doble Watertown facility ($0.06 gain per share). These costs are excluded from the calculation of 2021 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.

During Q4 2020, the Company incurred $40.6 million ($1.55 per share) of after-tax charges related to the pension plan termination and $4.8 million ($0.18 per share) of after-tax charges primarily within the USG segment due to facility consolidation, asset impairment, and severance. These costs are excluded from the calculation of Q4 2020 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.

In 2020, the Company incurred $40.6 million ($1.55 per share) of after-tax charges related to the pension plan termination and $6.3 million ($0.24 per share) of after-tax charges primarily within the USG segment related to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance, and incremental costs associated with COVID-19. These costs are excluded from the calculation of 2020 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.

Operating Highlights – Q4 & 2021

Q4 sales of $205 million were in line with Q4 2020. Excluding the impact of Altanova and Phenix, sales declined $5 million (2 percent) in the quarter. Full year 2021 sales decreased $15 million (2 percent) to $715 million, compared to $730 million in 2020, primarily related to softness in the commercial aerospace market.
Gross margin increased to 37.6 percent in Q4 2021 from 36.4 percent in Q4 2020, driven by higher sales volume in USG and the implementation of cost reduction actions across the company. Full year 2021 gross margin increased to 37.8 percent from 37.3 percent in 2020.
G&A expenses increased $4.4 million in Q4 2021 compared to Q4 2020. This was primarily due to the acquisition of two new companies during the quarter, the moderate return of travel and other expenses, and the Q4 Discrete Items previously described. Full year SG&A expenses increased by $8.0 million compared to 2020 due to the above and the full year Discrete Items previously described, partially offset by lower spending (headcount, travel and pension) in the first half of the year.
Interest expense decreased $0.7 million in Q4 2021 and $4.5 million in 2021 compared to the prior year periods due to lower debt outstanding and lower average interest rates.
The Q4 2021 effective income tax rate of 18.7 percent was favorably impacted by state tax provision adjustments.
Q4 2021 Entered orders were $259 million (book-to-bill of 1.26x). Full year 2021 entered orders were $796 million (book-to-bill of 1.11x). Ending backlog increased $81 million (16 percent) in 2021 to $592 million, with ending backlog increasing for the quarter and year in all three business segments.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $48 million in Q4 and a record $123 million for the full year, resulting from solid earnings and favorable working capital management. Net debt (total borrowings less cash on hand) was $98 million with a 1.03x leverage ratio at September 30, 2021.

Segment Performance

A&D

Sales decreased $15 million (16 percent) to $80 million in Q4 2021 from $95 million in Q4 2020, due to lower commercial aerospace and Navy sales. The impact of COVID-19 on sales demand in commercial aerospace continued throughout the year, but strong Q4 orders and ending backlog are encouraging signs for 2022. Q4 2020 was an exceptionally strong quarter for Navy sales ($27 million or 34 percent of Navy revenue in 2020). Full year 2021 Navy sales grew by 4 percent to $84 million and were spread more evenly over the course of the year.
Adjusted EBIT decreased $4.0 million in Q4 2021 to $14.7 million from $18.7 million in Q4 2020, with an 18 percent Adjusted EBIT margin, due to the continued softness in the commercial aerospace market and the lower Navy sales in the quarter.
Entered Orders were $89 million in Q4 2021 (book-to-bill of 1.11x) compared to $69 million in Q4 2020. It was the second consecutive quarter of solid order growth in aerospace, and overall A&D orders increased 28 percent in the quarter compared to the prior year and resulted in ending backlog of $367 million.

USG

Sales increased $8 million (16 percent) to $61 million in Q4 2021 from $53 million in Q4 2020. Doble's sales increased $6 million (14 percent), driven by growth from utility customers ($2 million) and the initial impact of acquisitions made during the quarter ($4 million). NRG sales increased $2 million (29 percent) in the quarter and $8 million (29 percent) for the full year due to new product introductions and renewed strength in the wind and solar markets.
Adjusted EBIT increased $5.0 million in Q4 2021 to $14.9 million from $9.9 million in Q4 2020, with a 24 percent EBIT margin versus 19 percent in the prior year. The increase in profitability was driven by leverage on higher revenue, favorable mix on instrument sales and contract renewals, as well as continued cost containment.
Q4 Entered Orders were $67 million (excluding $29 million of acquired backlog in the quarter) compared to $50 million in Q4 2020. The $17 million (34 percent) increase in Q4 orders combined with the acquired backlog resulted in record ending backlog of $92 million.

Test

Sales increased $6 million (11 percent) to $64 million in Q4 2021 from $58 million in Q4 2020, due to higher electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) chamber projects in Asia and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) filter sales in the Americas.
EBIT increased $0.2 million in Q4 2021 to $9.9 million from $9.7 million in Q4 2020, with a 15 percent EBIT margin. Higher earnings related to volume were partially offset by higher material prices (primarily steel and foam which is utilized in absorber manufacturing).
Entered Orders were a record $74 million in Q4 2021 (book-to-bill of 1.15x) compared to $54 million in Q4 2020. For the year, Test orders were also a record $215 million (book-to-bill of 1.09x), an increase of $40 million (23 percent) over the prior year and resulted in record ending backlog of $133 million. The order growth came from all end-markets and regions, with significant strength in EMC test chambers and EMP filter orders.

Summary Commentary

In Q4 2021 we continued to see positive signs of recovery across our end-markets most affected by COVID. Entered orders were up $86 million (50 percent) over the prior Q4 to $259 million, led by growth in our aerospace, electric utility and Test end-markets. With record ending backlog, we are entering 2022 with confidence in the long-term growth potential of the end-markets across our portfolio.

Q4 sales were flat to the prior year, with solid organic growth in Test and renewables and the initial impact from Altanova and Phenix, offset by lower commercial aerospace and Navy sales. From a margin perspective, our Q4 Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 19.5 percent from 18.9 percent in the prior year, primarily driven by the rebound to pre-pandemic margins in USG related to their revenue strength in the quarter.

Driven by our continuing focus on working capital management and cash conversion, our cash flow from operations increased $15 million (13 percent) over the prior year. Including the impacts of recent acquisitions, our leverage ratio of 1.03x and $587 million in liquidity at year-end, leave us well-positioned to continue to fund capital investments, new product development, and acquisition opportunities.

On November 4, 2021, the Company acquired Networks Electronic Company, LLC (NEco). NEco provides miniature electro-explosive components and subsystems supporting mission, flight, and life-critical applications to the aerospace and defense end-markets. Their products are used in aircraft and missiles to perform a variety of functions including aircrew escape, stores release, fire suppression, and device ignition and detonation. NEco is based in Chatsworth, CA and will become part of the A&D segment. Their 2022 sales are expected to be approximately $7 million with operating margins in line with the A&D segment. NEco is a nice extension of our A&D product offerings and we continue to evaluate a solid pipeline of M&A opportunities with the intent to further expand our portfolio.

Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I want to thank our entire team for their continuing hard work, as we have successfully navigated numerous challenges over the past two years. Despite significant headwinds, our revenue, Adjusted earnings, and entered orders increased sequentially each quarter throughout the year. We delivered solid results in 2021 and have positioned the company for future success. It was truly a team effort, and I am confident that our hard work has prepared us to deliver profitable growth as our end-markets continue to recover."

Dividend Payment

The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share will be paid on January 19, 2022 to stockholders of record on January 4, 2022.

2022 Annual Meeting

The 2022 Annual Meeting of the Company's Shareholders will be held on February 3, 2022.

Business Outlook – 2022

Management expects meaningful growth in sales, Adjusted EBIT, and Adjusted EBITDA across each of the Company's business segments in 2022. These projections exclude the impact of any additional M&A contributions throughout the year.

Management's expectations for growth in 2022 compared to 2021:

Net sales are expected to be in the range of $810 to $ 830 million (an increase of 13 to 16 percent) on a consolidated basis, with A&D growing 10 to 12 percent, USG growing 28 to 32 percent (3 to 5 percent organically) and Test growing 3 to 5 percent;
Adjusted EBIT is expected to increase approximately 20 to 25 percent with Adjusted EBIT margins increasing to 13.0 to 13.5 percent of sales;
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to increase approximately 20 to 25 percent with Adjusted EBITDA margins increasing to 19.0 to 19.5 percent of sales;
Interest expense is expected to increase to approximately $4 million in 2022, excluding the impact of any future acquisitions;
Non-cash depreciation and amortization of intangible assets is expected to increase approximately $6 million, or $0.18 per share after-tax, related to previous acquisitions and capital spending.
The effective income tax rate is expected to increase to 23 to 24 percent in 2022.
Management projects 2022 Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $3.10 to $3.20 per share (compared to 2021 Adjusted EPS of $2.59 per share). This increase reflects meaningful sales and earnings growth, partially offset by the additional depreciation and amortization charges and incremental tax expense as noted above.
Given the quarterly variability in the recovery of the aerospace and electric utility end-markets, we expect flat to slightly down EPS in Q1 2022 compared to the prior year. Consistent with prior years, Management expects 2022 revenues and Adjusted EPS to be more back half weighted resulting in the second half growth being stronger than the first half.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today, November 18, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time, to discuss the Company's Q4 and 2021 results. 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 on the Company's website noted above or by phone (dial 1-855-859-2056 and enter the pass code 5194808).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the timing and magnitude of recovery in the Company's end markets, the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on the Company's results, sales, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, cash flow, results of cost reduction efforts, margins, growth, the financial success of the Company, the strength of its end markets, the outlook for the A&D, Test and USG segments, the ability to increase shareholder value, the timing and success of acquisition efforts, internal investments in new products and solutions, 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 them 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 those described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors", of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020; the availability and acceptance of viable COVID-19 vaccines by enough of the U.S. and world's population to curtail the pandemic; the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of known or unknown COVID-19 variants including labor shortages, facility closures, shelter in place policies or quarantines, material shortages, transportation delays, termination or delays of Company contracts, and the inability of our suppliers or customers to perform; the impacts of Executive Order 14042 and other vaccine mandates on our employees and businesses; the impacts of natural disasters on the Company's operations and those of the Company's customers and suppliers; the timing and content of future contract awards or customer orders; the appropriation, allocation and availability of Government funds; the termination for convenience of Government and other customer contracts or orders; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company's competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; the success of the Company's acquisition efforts; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; labor disputes; changes in U.S. tax laws and regulations; other changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and foreign taxation; changes in interest rates; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration; and the integration of recently acquired businesses.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measures Adjusted SG&A, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are presented in this press release. The Company defines "Adjusted SG&A" as the corresponding GAAP amounts excluding the net impact of the items described above in Discrete Items and reconciled in the attached Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, "EBIT" as earnings before interest and taxes, "EBITDA" as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, "Adjusted EBIT" and "Adjusted EBITDA" as excluding the net impact of the items described above in Discrete Items, and "Adjusted EPS" as GAAP earnings per share (EPS) excluding the net impact of the items described above which were ($0.07) per share in Q4 2021.

Adjusted SG&A, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are not recognized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Management believes that Adjusted SG&A is useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company as it excludes certain one-time charges. Management believes EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company's business segments because they exclude interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, 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 presentation of Adjusted SG&A, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS 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, Missouri: Manufactures highly-engineered filtration and fluid control products for the aviation, Navy, space and process markets worldwide, as well as composite-based products and solutions for Navy, defense and industrial customers; is the industry leader in RF shielding and EMC test products; and provides diagnostic instruments, software and services for the benefit of industrial power users and the electric utility and renewable energy industries. Further information regarding ESCO and its subsidiaries is available on the Company's website at www.escotechnologies.com.

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

						Three Months Ended September 30, 2021			Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

Net Sales					$	205,478			205,586
Cost and Expenses:
		Cost of sales				128,260			130,656
		Selling, general and administrative expenses				44,906			40,467
		Amortization of intangible assets				6,100			5,247
		Interest expense				802			1,466
		Other expenses (income), net				371			47,548
			Total costs and expenses			180,439			225,384

Earnings before income taxes						25,039			(19,798	)
Income tax expense						4,674			4,579

			Earnings (loss) from continuing operations			20,365			(24,377	)

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit)
		expense of $(502)				-			502

			Net earnings		$	20,365			(23,875	)

			Diluted EPS:
			Diluted - GAAP
				Continuing operations	$	0.78			(0.93	)
				Discontinued operations		0.00			0.02
				Net earnings	$	0.78			(0.91	)

			Diluted - As Adjusted Basis
				Continuing operations	$	0.85	(1	)	0.80		(2	)

			Diluted average common shares O/S:			26,232			26,163

(1	)	Q4 2021 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.07 per share of after-tax charges mainly consisting of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Phenix & Altanova acquisitions, acquisition costs at Corporate, and restructuring costs primarily with the USG segment.

(2	)	Q4 2020 Adjusted EPS excludes $1.55 per share of after-tax charges related to the pension plan termination and $0.18 per share of after-tax charges incurred primarily within the USG segment due to facility consolidation, asset impairment and severance.

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

						Year Ended September 30, 2021				Year Ended September 30, 2020

Net Sales					$	715,440				730,471
Cost and Expenses:
		Cost of sales				445,045				458,311
		Selling, general and administrative expenses				167,534				159,490
		Amortization of intangible assets				20,829				21,812
		Interest expense				2,255				6,730
		Other (income) expenses, net				(894	)			47,722
			Total costs and expenses			634,769				694,065

Earnings before income taxes						80,671				36,406
Income tax expense						17,175				13,510

			Earnings from continuing operations			63,496				22,896

(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
		expense of $269				-				(601	)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of
		tax expense of $23,232				-				77,116

			Earnings from discontinued operations			-				76,515

			Net earnings		$	63,496				99,411

			Diluted EPS:
			Diluted - GAAP
				Continuing operations	$	2.42				0.88
				Discontinued operations		0.00				2.93
				Net earnings	$	2.42				3.81

			Diluted - As Adjusted Basis
				Continuing operations	$	2.59		(1	)	2.67		(2	)

			Diluted average common shares O/S:			26,225				26,135

(1	)	FY 21 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.17 per share of after-tax charges mainly consisting of one-time compensation and acquisition costs at Corporate, restructuring costs primarily within the USG segment, and purchase accounting adjustments related to the Phenix & Altanova acquisitions, partially offset by the final settlement from the sale of the Doble Watertown facility.

(2	)	FY 20 Adjusted EPS excludes $1.55 per share of after-tax charges related to the pension plan termination and $0.24 per share of after-tax charges primarily within the USG segment related to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance, and incremental costs associated with COVID-19.

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

				GAAP				As Adjusted
				Q4 2021		Q4 2020		Q4 2021		Q4 2020
Net Sales
	Aerospace & Defense		$	80,105		95,169		80,105		95,169
	USG			61,107		52,524		61,107		52,524
	Test			64,266		57,893		64,266		57,893
		Totals	$	205,478		205,586		205,478		205,586

EBIT
	Aerospace & Defense		$	14,557		18,218		14,657		18,738
	USG			13,264		4,058		14,874		9,884
	Test			9,855		9,718		9,855		9,718
	Corporate			(11,835	)	(50,326	)	(11,181	)	(9,718	)
		Consolidated EBIT		25,841		(18,332	)	28,205		28,622
		Less: Interest expense		(802	)	(1,466	)	(802	)	(1,466	)
		Less: Income tax expense		(4,674	)	(4,579	)	(5,218	)	(6,104	)
		Net earnings from cont ops	$	20,365		(24,377	)	22,185		21,052

Note 1: Adjusted net earnings of $22.2 million in Q4 2021 exclude $1.8 million ($0.07 per share) of after-tax charges mainly consisting of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Phenix & Altanova acquisitions, acquisition costs at Corporate, and restructuring costs primarily within the USG segment.

Note 2: Adjusted net earnings of $21.1 million in Q4 2020 exclude $40.6 million (or $1.55 per share) of after-tax charges related to the pension plan termination and $4.8 million (or $0.18 per share) of after-tax charges incurred primarily within the USG segment due to facility consolidation, asset impairment and severance.

EBITDA Reconciliation to Net earnings from continuing operations:
								Adjusted		Adjusted
				Q4 2021		Q4 2020		Q4 2021		Q4 2020
Consolidated EBITDA			$	37,631		(8,060	)	39,995		38,894
Less: Depr & Amort				(11,790	)	(10,272	)	(11,790	)	(10,272	)
Consolidated EBIT				25,841		(18,332	)	28,205		28,622
Less: Interest expense				(802	)	(1,466	)	(802	)	(1,466	)
Less: Income tax expense				(4,674	)	(4,579	)	(5,218	)	(6,104	)
Net earnings from cont ops			$	20,365		(24,377	)	22,185		21,052

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

				GAAP				As Adjusted
				FY 2021		FY 2020		FY 2021		FY 2020
Net Sales
	Aerospace & Defense		$	314,824		351,876		314,824		351,876
	USG			202,908		191,703		202,908		191,703
	Test			197,708		186,892		197,708		186,892
		Totals	$	715,440		730,471		715,440		730,471

EBIT
	Aerospace & Defense		$	56,536		69,876		57,021		71,281
	USG			40,948		24,368		42,427		30,974
	Test			27,636		27,201		27,636		27,270
	Corporate			(42,194	)	(78,309	)	(38,167	)	(37,510	)
		Consolidated EBIT		82,926		43,136		88,917		92,015
		Less: Interest expense		(2,255	)	(6,730	)	(2,255	)	(6,730	)
		Less: Income tax		(17,175	)	(13,510	)	(18,553	)	(15,497	)
		Net earnings from cont ops	$	63,496		22,896		68,109		69,788

Note 1: Adjusted net earnings of $68.1 million in FY 21 exclude $4.6 million ($0.17 per share) of after-tax charges mainly consisting of one-time compensation and acquisition costs at Corporate, restructuring costs primarily within the USG segment, and purchase accounting adjustments related to the Phenix & Altanova acquisitions, partially offset by the final settlement from the sale of the Doble Watertown facility.

Note 2: Adjusted net earnings of $69.8 million in FY 20 exclude $40.6 million (or $1.55 per share) of after-tax charges related to the pension plan termination and $6.3 million (or $.24 per share) of after-tax charges primarily within the USG segment related to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance, and incremental costs associated with COVID-19.

EBITDA Reconciliation to Net earnings from continuing operations:
								Adjusted		Adjusted
				FY 2021		FY 2020		FY 2021		FY 2020
Consolidated EBITDA			$	124,975		84,474		130,966		133,353
Less: Depr & Amort				(42,049	)	(41,338	)	(42,049	)	(41,338	)
Consolidated EBIT				82,926		43,136		88,917		92,015
Less: Interest expense				(2,255	)	(6,730	)	(2,255	)	(6,730	)
Less: Income tax expense				(17,175	)	(13,510	)	(18,553	)	(15,497	)
Net earnings from cont ops			$	63,496		22,896		68,109		69,788

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

				September 30, 2021	September 30, 2020

Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	56,232	52,560
	Accounts receivable, net			146,341	144,082
	Contract assets			93,771	94,302
	Inventories			147,148	135,296
	Other current assets			22,662	17,053
		Total current assets		466,154	443,293
	Property, plant and equipment, net			154,265	139,870
	Intangible assets, net			409,250	346,632
	Goodwill			504,853	408,063
	Operating lease assets			31,846	21,390
	Other assets			10,977	10,938
			$	1,577,345	1,370,186

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
	Current maturities of long-term debt & short-term borrowings		$	20,000	22,368
	Accounts payable			56,669	50,525
	Contract liabilities			108,814	100,551
	Other current liabilities			92,281	82,040
		Total current liabilities		277,764	255,484
	Deferred tax liabilities			73,560	60,715
	Non-current operating lease liabilities			28,032	16,785
	Other liabilities			44,293	38,176
	Long-term debt			134,000	40,000
	Shareholders' equity			1,019,696	959,026
			$	1,577,345	1,370,186

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

		Year Ended September 30, 2021		Year Ended September 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	63,496		99,411
Earnings from discontinued operations		-		(76,515	)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		42,049		41,338
Stock compensation expense		6,914		5,550
Changes in assets and liabilities		15,671		26,585
Gain on sale of building and land		(1,950	)	-
Effect of deferred taxes		(3,041	)	(2,785	)
Pension plan termination charge		-		40,600
Pension contributions related to terminated pension plan		-		(25,650	)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations		123,139		108,534
Net cash used by operating activities - discontinued operations		-		(26,254	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		123,139		82,280

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(168,903	)	-
Proceeds from sale of building and land		1,950		-
Capital expenditures		(26,705	)	(32,108	)
Additions to capitalized software		(8,783	)	(9,023	)
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations		(202,441	)	(41,131	)
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations		-		183,812
Capital expenditures - discontinued operations		-		(1,728	)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations		-		182,084
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities		(202,441	)	140,953

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt and short-term borrowings		216,000		12,368
Principal payments on long-term debt and short-term borrowings		(124,368	)	(235,000	)
Dividends paid		(8,336	)	(8,323	)
Other		(1,823	)	(3,125	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities - continuing operations		81,473		(234,080	)
Net cash used by financing activities - discontinued operations		-		(2,140	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		81,473		(236,220	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1,501		3,739

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		3,672		(9,248	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		52,560		61,808
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	56,232		52,560

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Other Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

Backlog And Entered Orders - Q4 2021			Aerospace & Defense		USG		Test		Total
	Beginning Backlog - 7/1/21	$	358,734		56,715		123,538		538,987
	Entered Orders		88,587		96,023		73,904		258,514
	Sales		(80,105	)	(61,107	)	(64,266	)	(205,478	)
	Ending Backlog - 9/30/21	$	367,216		91,631		133,176		592,023



Backlog And Entered Orders - FY 2021			Aerospace & Defense		USG		Test		Total
	Beginning Backlog - 10/1/20	$	344,661		50,688		115,854		511,203
	Entered Orders		337,379		243,851		215,030		796,260
	Sales		(314,824	)	(202,908	)	(197,708	)	(715,440	)
	Ending Backlog - 9/30/21	$	367,216		91,631		133,176		592,023

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)


Adjusted Basis Reconciliation - Q4 2021		SG&A		EPS
	GAAP Basis	44,906		$	0.78

	Adjustments
	Purchase Accounting Adjustments - Phenix & Altanova	-		$	0.03
	Acquisition Costs at Corporate	(654	)	$	0.02
	Restructuring Costs Primarily within USG	-		$	0.02
	Total Adjustments	(654	)	$	0.07

	As Adjusted Basis	44,252		$	0.85

	The $0.07 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $2.3 million of pre-tax charges offset by $.5 million of tax benefit for a net impact of $1.8 million.

Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – 2021		SG&A		EPS
	GAAP Basis	167,534		$	2.42

	Adjustments
	Management Transition & Acquisition Costs	(4,027	)	$	0.12
	Restructuring Costs Primarily within USG	-		$	0.08
	Purchase Accounting Adjustments - Phenix & Altanova	-		$	0.03
	Settlement from Doble Watertown Facility Sale	-		($	0.06	)
	Total Adjustments	(4,027	)	$	0.17

	As Adjusted Basis	163,507		$	2.59

	The $0.17 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $6.0 million of pre-tax charges offset by $1.4 million of tax benefit for a net impact of $4.6 million.

Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – Q4 2020		SG&A		EPS
	Continuing Ops – GAAP Basis	40,467		($	0.93	)
	Adjustments (defined below)	(112	)	$	1.73
	Continuing Ops – As Adjusted Basis	40,355		$	0.80

	Adjustments exclude $1.55 per share of charges related to the pension plan termination and $0.18 per share of charges primarily within the USG segment related to facility consolidation, asset impairment and severance charges. The $1.73 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $46.9 million of pre-tax charges offset by $1.5 million of tax benefit for a net impact of $45.4 million.

Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – 2020		SG&A		EPS
	Continuing Ops – GAAP Basis	159,490		$	0.88
	Adjustments (defined below)	(1,332	)	$	1.79
	Continuing Ops – As Adjusted Basis	158,158		$	2.67

	Adjustments exclude $1.55 per share of charges related to the pension plan termination and $0.24 per share of charges primarily within the USG segment related to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance charges and incremental costs associated with COVID-19. The $1.79 of EPS adjustments per share consists of $48.9 million of pre-tax charges offset by $2.0 million of tax benefit for a net impact of $46.9 million.

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

ESCO Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2021 Results