MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC
For the period ended Mar 2, 2024. Filed Mar 28, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 2, 2024 · Filed Mar 28, 2024
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2023-12-02; filed 2024-01-09.
0001003078-24-000008
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-03-02; filed 2024-03-28.
0001003078-24-000050
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 89 previous paragraphs and 116 current paragraphs.
46 unchanged; 36 reworded; 24 added; 7 removed; 0 previous and 10 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 6 previous and 8 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (24)
Current report
Our Business
Current report
•We acquired certain intellectual property assets from Schmitz Manufacturing Research & Technology LLC (“SMRT”) for aggregate consideration of $2.9 million.
Current report
•We acquired KAR Industrial Inc. (“KAR”) for aggregate consideration of $8.9 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.
Current report
•We incurred $7.1 million in restructuring and other costs, compared to $3.9 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year, consisting of voluntary and involuntary associate severance and separation costs and consulting-related costs.
Current report
(3)Includes a reclassification of certain customers during the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, primarily between national account customers and core and other customers.
Current report
Twenty-Six-Week Period Ended March 2, 2024 Compared to the Twenty-Six-Week Period Ended March 4, 2023
Current report
Net Sales
Current report
ADS Percentage Change
Current report
(3)Includes a reclassification of certain customers during the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, primarily between national account customers and core and other customers.
Current report
Gross Profit
Current report
Gross profit of $781.7 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024 decreased $12.8 million, or 1.6%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit margin was 41.4% for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 41.4% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in gross profit was primarily a result of lower sales volume, as described above. The consistent gross profit margin was positively impacted from gross margin countermeasures, including our category line reviews, which helped offset negative price-cost impacts during the quarter.
Current report
Operating Expenses
Current report
Operating expenses increased 3.8%, or $21.5 million, to $581.9 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $560.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Operating expenses were 30.8% of net sales for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 29.2% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to higher payroll and payroll-related costs, expenses from our recent acquisitions and investments supporting our digital initiatives and solutions growth, partially offset by a decrease in freight expense.
Current report
Freight expense was $73.9 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $80.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The primary driver of the decrease in freight expense was a decrease in sales volume.
Current report
Restructuring and Other Costs
Current report
Income from Operations
Current report
Income from operations decreased 16.3%, or $37.5 million, to $192.8 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $230.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10.2% for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 12.0% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in income from operations as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to, as described above, a higher level of restructuring and other costs and an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales during the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024.
Current report
Total Other Expense
Current report
Total other expense increased 32.1%, or $5.2 million, to $21.5 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $16.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates on our credit facilities and fees incurred associated with the RPA entered into during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Current report
Provision for Income Taxes
Current report
Net Income
Current report
•a smaller decrease in the change in accounts receivable primarily attributable to the RPA entered into during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023; partially offset by
Current report
Working capital and the current ratio as of March 2, 2024 declined slightly compared to both September 2, 2023 and March 4, 2023. The slight decrease in these metrics was primarily due to lower inventory and cash balances along with a higher balance in the Current portion of long term debt including finance leases, partially offset by a higher balance in Prepaid expenses and other current assets due to higher prepaid income taxes.
Current report
Inventory turnover as of March 2, 2024 increased compared to both September 2, 2023 and March 4, 2023. This improvement in inventory turnover was due to growth in cost of goods sold outpacing growth in inventory. Recent lower inventory balances were due to lower purchase volumes, category management efforts and supply chain efficiencies.
Removed paragraphs (7)
Previous report
Overview
Previous report
Recent Developments
Previous report
Moving Beyond Mission Critical
Previous report
Impact of Economic Trends
Previous report
On September, 15, 2023, the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”) engaged in a strike against major automakers and automotive part suppliers, which was resolved on October 30, 2023. The Company has some direct exposure to the automotive end market and is also indirectly impacted by customers who service the automotive industry. The company continues to broaden and diversify its customer base, however the impact of the UAW strike on automotive and related end markets was a headwind to overall net sales of the Company during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.
Previous report
Working capital and the current ratio both remained consistent to September 2, 2023. The slight decrease in working capital was primarily due to lower accounts receivable, inventory and cash balances, partially offset by a lower accounts payable balance. The decline in accounts payable was a result of recent lower purchase volume. Working capital and the current ratio both declined compared to December 3, 2022, primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable resulting from the RPA entered into during fiscal year 2023. The RPA reduced the accounts receivable balance by $300.0 million.
Previous report
Inventory turnover as of December 2, 2023 remained consistent with both September 2, 2023 and December 3, 2022.
Reworded paragraphs (36)
Previous wording
MSC is a leading North American distributor of a broad range of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products and services. We help our customers drive greater productivity, profitability and growth with inventory management and other supply chain solutions and deep expertise from more than 80 years of working with customers across industries. We offer approximately 2.4 million active, saleable stock-keeping units (“SKUs”) through our catalogs; our brochures; our E-commerce channels, including our website, www.mscdirect.com (the “MSC website”); our inventory management solutions; and our customer care centers, customer fulfillment centers, regional inventory centers and warehouses. We service our customers from six customer fulfillment centers, 10 regional inventory centers, 38 warehouses, and four manufacturing locations. We continue to implement our strategies to gain market share, generate new customers, increase sales to existing customers, and diversify our customer base.
Current wording
MSC is a leading North American distributor of a broad range of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products and services. We help our customers drive greater productivity, profitability and growth with inventory management and other supply chain solutions and deep expertise from more than 80 years of working with customers across industries. We offer approximately 2.4 million active, saleable stock-keeping units through our catalogs; our brochures; our E-commerce channels, including our website, www.mscdirect.com (the “MSC website”); our inventory management solutions; and our customer care centers, customer fulfillment centers, regional inventory centers and warehouses. We service our customers from six customer fulfillment centers, 10 regional inventory centers, 41 warehouses, and four manufacturing locations. We continue to implement our strategies to gain market share, generate new customers, increase sales to existing customers, and diversify our customer base.
Previous wording
We focus on offering inventory, process and procurement solutions that reduce MRO supply chain costs and improve plant floor productivity for our customers. We will seek to continue to achieve cost reductions throughout our business through cost-saving strategies and increased leverage from our existing infrastructure, and to continue to provide additional procurement cost-saving solutions to our customers through technology such as our Electronic Data Interchange (“EDI”) systems, vendor-managed inventory (“VMI”) systems and vending programs. Our field sales and service associate headcount was 2,619 at December 2, 2023, compared to 2,545 at December 3, 2022.
Current wording
We focus on offering inventory, process and procurement solutions that reduce MRO supply chain costs and improve plant floor productivity for our customers. We will seek to continue to achieve cost reductions throughout our business through cost-saving strategies and increased leverage from our existing infrastructure, and to continue to provide additional procurement cost-saving solutions to our customers through technology such as our Electronic Data Interchange (“EDI”) systems, vendor-managed inventory (“VMI”) systems and vending programs. Our vending machines in service totaled 25,854 as of March 2, 2024, compared to 23,286 as of March 4, 2023, and our In-Plant programs totaled 312 locations as of March 2, 2024, compared to 224 as of March 4, 2023. Our sales force, which focuses on a more complex and high-touch role, drives value for our customers by enabling them to achieve higher levels of growth, profitability and productivity. Our field sales and service associate headcount was 2,640 as of March 2, 2024, compared to 2,574 as of March 4, 2023.
Previous wording
Highlights during the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023 include the following:
Current wording
Highlights during the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024 include the following:
Previous wording
•We generated $81.2 million of cash from operations, compared to $76.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Current wording
•We generated $159.9 million of cash from operations, compared to $416.4 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decline was primarily due to the $300.0 million Receivables Purchase Agreement (the “RPA”) entered into during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Previous wording
•We had net borrowings of $83.0 million on our credit facilities, private placement debt and shelf facility agreements, compared to net payments of $15.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Current wording
•We had net borrowings of $95.0 million on our credit facilities, private placement debt and shelf facility agreements, compared to net payments of $245.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Previous wording
•We paid out an aggregate $47.2 million in regular cash dividends, compared to an aggregate $44.2 million in regular cash dividends for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Current wording
•We paid out an aggregate $94.0 million in regular cash dividends, compared to an aggregate $88.3 million in regular cash dividends for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Previous wording
•We repurchased $132.0 million of MSC’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), compared to $18.5 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The higher repurchase volume was primarily to offset the share dilution resulting from the Reclassification (as defined below).
Current wording
•We repurchased $148.7 million of MSC’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), compared to $31.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The higher share repurchase volume was primarily to offset the share dilution resulting from the Reclassification (as defined below).
Previous wording
•We completed our previously announced reclassification (the “Reclassification”) of our common stock to eliminate our Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class B Common Stock”). Pursuant to the Reclassification, each issued and outstanding share of Class B Common Stock was reclassified, exchanged and converted into 1.225 shares of Class A Common Stock. See Note 8, “Shareholders’ Equity” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Current wording
•In the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, we completed our previously announced reclassification (the “Reclassification”) of our common stock to eliminate our Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class B Common Stock”). Pursuant to the Reclassification, each issued and outstanding share of Class B Common Stock was reclassified, exchanged and converted into 1.225 shares of Class A Common Stock. See
Previous wording
Our Company-wide initiative, referred to as “Mission Critical,” which focused on market share capture and improved profitability came to a close at the end of fiscal year 2023. We successfully executed on our Mission Critical initiatives, which included solidifying our market-leading metalworking business, with an emphasis on selling our product portfolio, expanding our solutions, improving our digital and E-commerce capabilities and diversifying our customers and end markets. The next phase of our mission critical journey is anchored in three pillars: maintaining the momentum of the first phase of the Mission Critical program and our existing growth drivers, increasing our focus on both core customers and OEM fasteners, and driving productivity improvements and reducing operating expenses as a percentage of sales. To accomplish the next phase of our mission critical journey, we will leverage investments in advanced analytics to improve supply chain performance, maintain momentum from our category line reviews and upgrade our digital core to unlock productivity within our order-to-cash and procure-to-pay processes.
Current wording
Our Company-wide initiative, referred to as “Mission Critical,” which focused on market share capture and improved profitability came to a close at the end of fiscal year 2023. We successfully executed on our Mission Critical initiatives, which included solidifying our market-leading metalworking business, with an emphasis on selling our product portfolio, expanding our solutions, improving our digital and E-commerce capabilities and diversifying our customers and end markets. The next phase of our mission critical journey is anchored in three pillars: maintaining the momentum of the first phase of the Mission Critical program and our existing growth drivers, increasing our focus on both core customers and Original Equipment Manufacturer fasteners, and driving productivity improvements and reducing operating expenses as a percentage of sales. To accomplish the next phase of our mission critical journey, we will leverage investments in advanced analytics to improve supply chain performance, maintain momentum from our category line reviews and upgrade our digital core to unlock productivity within our order-to-cash and procure-to-pay processes. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, we launched web pricing changes and are in the process of rolling out our E-commerce enhancements.
Previous wording
The United States economy has experienced various macroeconomic pressures including an elevated inflationary environment, sustained high interest rates and general economic and political uncertainty. Such pressures have impacted, and may continue to impact in the future, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. During the first quarter, the Company experienced softening demand for the products and services it offers as evidenced by the decrease in the average IP Index (as defined below) during the quarter. High finished goods inventories from the auto industry disruption in conjunction with a year-end holiday pause further softened customer demand. This, in combination with lingering uncertainty as a result of the UAW strike (as defined below), led many of our customers to reduce inventory rather than purchase new products.
Current wording
The United States economy has experienced various macroeconomic pressures including an elevated inflationary environment, sustained high interest rates and general economic and political uncertainty. Such pressures have impacted, and may continue to impact in the future, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. During the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2024, the Company experienced softening demand for the products and services it offers as evidenced by the decrease in the average IP Index (as defined below) during the second quarter. High finished goods inventories in the auto industry, lingering impacts from the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America strike and an extended calendar year-end holiday shutdown further softened customer demand and led many of our customers to reduce inventory rather than purchase new products during the second quarter.
Previous wording
We utilize various indices when evaluating the level of our business activity, including the Industrial Production (“IP”) Index. Approximately 68% of our revenues came from sales in the manufacturing sector during the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023. Through statistical analysis, we have found that trends in our customers’ activity have correlated to changes in the IP Index. The IP Index measures short-term changes in industrial production. Growth in the IP index from month to month indicates growth in the manufacturing, mining and utilities industries. The IP index over the three months ended November 2023 and the average for the three- and 12-month periods ended November 2023 were as follows:
Current wording
We utilize various indices when evaluating the level of our business activity, including the Industrial Production (“IP”) Index. Approximately 69% and 68% of our revenues came from sales in the manufacturing sector during the thirteen- and twenty-six-week periods ended March 2, 2024, respectively. Through statistical analysis, we have found that trends in our customers’ activity have correlated to changes in the IP Index. The IP Index measures short-term changes in industrial production. Growth in the IP Index from month to month indicates growth in the manufacturing, mining and utilities industries. The IP Index over the three months ended February 2024 and the average for the three- and 12-month periods ended February 2024 were as follows:
Previous wording
The average IP Index for the three months ended November 2023 of 102.8 decreased from the adjusted average from the prior fiscal year quarter of 103.3, which indicates a decline in manufacturing output during the period. General economic uncertainty remains driven by an elevated inflationary environment, sustained high interest rates and political uncertainty. As we see the IP Index continue to fluctuate, we will monitor the current economic conditions for the impact on our customers and markets and assess both risks and opportunities that may affect our business and operations. See “Impact of Economic Trends” above.
Current wording
The average IP Index for the three months ended February 2024 of 102.4 improved relative to the adjusted average from the prior fiscal year quarter of 102.2 but declined relative to the adjusted average from the first fiscal quarter of 2024 of 102.9, which indicates a decline in manufacturing output during the period. General economic uncertainty remains driven by an elevated inflationary environment, sustained high interest rates and political uncertainty. As we see the IP Index continue to fluctuate, we will monitor the current economic conditions for the impact on our customers and markets and assess both risks and opportunities that may affect our business and operations.
Previous wording
Net sales decreased 0.4%, or $3.8 million, to $954.0 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to $957.7 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The $3.8 million decrease in net sales was comprised of $29.7 million of lower sales volume, partially offset by $15.5 million from improved pricing, inclusive of changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items, $7.8 million of net sales from fiscal year 2023 acquisitions and $2.6 million of favorable foreign exchange impact. Of the $3.8 million decrease in net sales during the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, sales to our core and other customers decreased by $30.3 million, partially offset by an increase in sales to our national account customers of $17.9 million and an increase in sales to our public sector customers of $8.6 million.
Current wording
Net sales decreased 2.7%, or $26.3 million, to $935.3 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $961.6 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The $26.3 million decrease in net sales was comprised of $43.6 million of lower sales volume, partially offset by $8.8 million from improved pricing, inclusive of changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items, $6.4 million of net sales from fiscal year 2023 and 2024 acquisitions and $2.1 million of favorable foreign exchange impact. Of the $26.3 million decrease in net sales during the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, sales to our core and other customers decreased by $30.5 million, partially offset by an increase in sales to our national account customers of $3.8 million and an increase in sales to our public sector customers of $0.4 million.
Previous wording
The table below shows, among other things, the change in our average daily sales (“ADS”) by total Company and by customer end-market for the thirteen-week periods ended December 2, 2023 and December 3, 2022, each as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year:
Current wording
The table below shows, among other things, the change in our average daily sales (“ADS”) by total Company, by customer end-market and by customer type for the thirteen-week periods ended March 2, 2024 and March 4, 2023, each as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year:
Previous wording
We believe that our ability to transact business with our customers directly through the MSC website as well as through various other electronic portals gives us a competitive advantage over smaller suppliers. Sales made through our E-commerce platforms, including sales made through EDI systems, VMI systems, Extensible Markup Language ordering-based systems, vending, hosted systems and other electronic portals, represented 63.3% of consolidated net sales for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to 61.9% of consolidated net sales for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Current wording
We believe that our ability to transact business with our customers directly through the MSC website as well as through various other electronic portals gives us a competitive advantage over smaller suppliers. Sales made through our E-commerce platforms, including sales made through EDI systems, VMI systems, Extensible Markup Language ordering-based systems, vending, hosted systems and other electronic portals, represented 63.2% of consolidated net sales for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 62.0% of consolidated net sales for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Previous wording
Gross profit of $393.1 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023 decreased $4.7 million, or 1.2%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit margin was 41.2% for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to 41.5% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in gross profit and gross profit margin was primarily a result of lower sales volume as described above and a headwinds between sales price and cost of goods sold.
Current wording
Gross profit of $388.6 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024 decreased $8.1 million, or 2.0%, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit margin was 41.5% for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 41.3% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in gross profit was primarily a result of lower sales volume, as described above. The increase in gross profit margin resulted primarily from the impact of our gross margin countermeasures, including our category line reviews, which more than offset negative price-cost impacts during the quarter.
Previous wording
Operating expenses increased 3.9%, or $10.9 million, to $290.6 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to $279.7 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Operating expenses were 30.5% of net sales for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to 29.2% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. These increases were primarily attributable to higher payroll and payroll-related costs and professional fees associated with the Reclassification, partially offset by a decrease in freight expense.
Current wording
Operating expenses increased 3.8%, or $10.6 million, to $291.2 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $280.6 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Operating expenses were 31.1% of net sales for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 29.2% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to higher payroll and payroll-related costs, expenses from our recent acquisitions and investments supporting our digital initiatives and solutions growth, partially offset by a decrease in freight expense.
Previous wording
Freight expense was $37.4 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to $40.5 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The primary drivers of the decrease in freight expense were decreased sales volume and dissipating fuel-related charges.
Current wording
Freight expense was $36.5 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $39.5 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The primary driver of the decrease in freight expense was a decrease in sales volume.
Previous wording
We incurred $0.9 million in restructuring and other costs for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to $2.1 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Restructuring and other costs primarily consist of consulting-related costs, associate severance and separation costs and equity award acceleration costs associated with severance related with the optimization of the Company’s operations and profitability improvement. See Note 9, “Restructuring and Other Costs” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Current wording
We incurred $6.2 million in restructuring and other costs for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $1.8 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Restructuring and other costs primarily consist of associate severance and separation costs, consulting-related costs and equity award acceleration costs associated with severance related to the Company’s associate voluntary termination program and the optimization of the Company’s operations and profitability improvement. See Note 10, “Restructuring and Other Costs” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Previous wording
Income from operations decreased 12.4%, or $14.4 million, to $101.6 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to $116.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10.6% for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to 12.1% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in income from operations as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to, as described above, a lower gross profit margin and an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales during the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023.
Current wording
Income from operations decreased 20.2%, or $23.1 million, to $91.2 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $114.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 9.7% for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 11.9% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in income from operations as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to, as described above, a higher level of restructuring and other costs and an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by a higher gross profit margin during the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024.
Previous wording
Total other expense increased 25.6%, or $2.1 million, to $10.3 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023, as compared to $8.2 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates on our credit facilities and fees incurred associated with the Receivables Purchase Agreement (the “RPA”) entered into during fiscal year 2023.
Current wording
Total other expense increased 38.7%, or $3.1 million, to $11.2 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $8.1 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates on our credit facilities and fees incurred associated with the RPA entered into during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Previous wording
The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023 was 24.3%, as compared to 24.7% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a higher tax benefit from stock-based compensation.
Current wording
The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024 was 23.0%, as compared to 25.3% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a higher tax benefit from stock-based compensation.
Previous wording
Payroll and payroll-related costs for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023 were 56.8% of total operating expenses, as compared to 56.2% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Payroll and payroll-related costs, which include salary, incentive compensation, sales commission, and fringe benefit costs, increased $7.8 million for the thirteen-week period ended December 2, 2023. The majority of this increase compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year was due to increased salary expense, primarily attributable to higher associate headcount to support our strategic growth investments and annual merit increases. Fringe benefit costs also increased, resulting from higher insurance-related healthcare reserves due to recent higher healthcare claims. These increases were partially offset by a lower incentive compensation accrual.
Current wording
Payroll and payroll-related costs for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024 were 56.9% of total operating expenses, as compared to 56.5% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Payroll and payroll-related costs, which include salary, incentive compensation, sales commission, and fringe benefit costs, increased $14.6 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024. The majority of this increase compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year was due to increased salary expense, primarily attributable to higher associate headcount to support our strategic growth investments and annual merit increases. Fringe benefit costs also increased, resulting from higher insurance-related healthcare reserves due to recent higher healthcare claims. These increases were partially offset by a lower incentive compensation accrual.
Previous wording
•We incurred $0.9 million in restructuring and other costs, compared to $2.1 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Restructuring and other costs primarily consist of consulting-related costs and associate severance and separation costs associated with the optimization of the Company’s operations and profitability improvement.
Current wording
We incurred $7.1 million in restructuring and other costs for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $3.9 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Restructuring and other costs primarily consist of associate severance and separation costs, consulting-related costs and equity award acceleration costs associated with severance related to the Company’s associate voluntary termination program and the optimization of the Company’s operations and profitability improvement. See Note 10, “Restructuring and Other Costs” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Previous wording
As of December 2, 2023, we had $25.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, substantially all with well-known financial institutions. Historically, our primary financing needs have been to fund our working capital requirements necessitated by our sales growth and the costs of acquisitions, new products, new facilities, facility expansions, investments in vending solutions, technology investments, and productivity investments. Cash generated from operations, together with borrowings under our credit facilities and net proceeds from the private placement notes, have been used to fund these needs, to repurchase shares of Class A Common Stock from time to time, and to pay dividends to our shareholders.
Current wording
As of March 2, 2024, we had $22.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, substantially all with well-known financial institutions. Historically, our primary financing needs have been to fund our working capital requirements necessitated by our sales growth and the costs of acquisitions, new products, new facilities, facility expansions, investments in vending solutions, technology investments, and productivity investments. Cash generated from operations, together with borrowings under our credit facilities and net proceeds from the private placement notes, have been used to fund these needs, to repurchase shares of Class A Common Stock from time to time, and to pay dividends to our shareholders.
Previous wording
As of December 2, 2023, total borrowings outstanding, representing amounts due under our credit facilities and notes, as well as all finance leases and financing arrangements, were $538.5 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.9 million, as compared to total borrowings outstanding of $454.3 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.0 million, as of the end of fiscal year 2023. The increase in total borrowings outstanding was driven by higher net borrowings under our credit facilities. See Note 7, “Debt” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about these balances.
Current wording
As of March 2, 2024, total borrowings outstanding, representing amounts due under our credit facilities and notes, as well as all finance leases and financing arrangements, were $552.3 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.8 million, as compared to total borrowings outstanding of $454.3 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.0 million, as of the end of fiscal year 2023. The increase in total borrowings outstanding was driven by higher net borrowings under our credit facilities to fund our recent higher share repurchase volume to offset the share dilution resulting from the Reclassification. See Note 8, “Debt” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about these balances.
Previous wording
Net cash provided by operating activities was $81.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023 compared to $76.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 3, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Current wording
Net cash provided by operating activities was $159.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024 compared to $416.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 4, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the following:
Previous wording
•a decrease in the change in accounts payable and accrued purchases as compared to the prior year period and a decrease in net income as described above.
Current wording
•a decrease in net income as described above; and
Previous wording
•a decrease in the change in accounts receivable and inventories primarily attributable to lower sales and purchase volume; partially offset by
Current wording
•a decrease in the change in inventories primarily attributable to lower sales and purchase volume.
Previous wording
The increase in days’ sales outstanding as of December 2, 2023 as compared to September 2, 2023 was primarily due to the receivables portfolio consisting of a greater percentage of our national account program sales, which typically have longer payment terms. The decrease in days’ sales outstanding as of December 2, 2023 as compared to December 3, 2022 was primarily due to the RPA entered into during fiscal year 2023.
Current wording
The increase in days’ sales outstanding as of March 2, 2024 as compared to both September 2, 2023 and March 4, 2023 was primarily due to the receivables portfolio consisting of a greater percentage of our national account program sales, which typically have longer payment terms.
Previous wording
Net cash used in investing activities for the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023 and December 3, 2022 was $18.4 million and $25.6 million, respectively. The use of cash for both periods was primarily due to expenditures for property, plant and equipment mainly related to vending programs and other infrastructure and technology investments.
Current wording
Net cash used in investing activities for the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024 and March 4, 2023 was $53.7 million and $61.1 million, respectively. The use of cash for both periods was primarily due to expenditures for property, plant and equipment mainly related to vending programs and other infrastructure and technology investments. The use of cash for the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024 and March 4, 2023 also included cash outflows due to the acquisition of KAR and SMRT in fiscal year 2024 and Buckeye Industrial Supply Co. and Tru-Edge Grinding, Inc. in fiscal year 2023. See Note 7, “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about the KAR and SMRT acquisitions.
Previous wording
Net cash used in financing activities was $87.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023 compared to $68.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 3, 2022, primarily due to the following:
Current wording
Net cash used in financing activities was $134.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024 compared to $349.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 4, 2023, primarily due to the following:
Previous wording
•$132.0 million in aggregate repurchases of Class A Common Stock during the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023, compared to $18.5 million in aggregate repurchases of Class A Common Stock during the thirteen weeks ended December 3, 2022;
Current wording
•$148.7 million in aggregate repurchases of Class A Common Stock during the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024, compared to $31.0 million in aggregate repurchases of Class A Common Stock during the twenty-six weeks ended March 4, 2023;
Previous wording
•$47.2 million of regular cash dividends paid during the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023, compared to $44.2 million of regular cash dividends paid during the thirteen weeks ended December 3, 2022; and
Current wording
•$94.0 million of regular cash dividends paid during the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024, compared to $88.3 million of regular cash dividends paid during the twenty-six weeks ended March 4, 2023; and
Previous wording
•net borrowings under our credit facilities, private placement debt and shelf facility agreements of $83.0 million during the thirteen weeks ended December 2, 2023, compared to net payments of $15.0 million during the thirteen weeks ended December 3, 2022.
Current wording
•net borrowings under our credit facilities, private placement debt and shelf facility agreements of $95.0 million during the twenty-six weeks ended March 2, 2024, compared to net payments of $245.0 million during the twenty-six weeks ended March 4, 2023.
Previous wording
In April 2017, the Company entered into a $600.0 million revolving credit facility, which was subsequently amended and extended in August 2021. As of December 2, 2023, the Company also had three uncommitted credit facilities, totaling $203.0 million of aggregate maximum uncommitted availability. As of December 2, 2023, we were in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of our credit facilities. The current unused balance of $474.7 million from the revolving credit facility, which is reduced by outstanding letters of credit, is available for working capital purposes if necessary. See Note 7, “Debt” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about these balances.
Current wording
In April 2017, the Company entered into a $600.0 million revolving credit facility, which was subsequently amended and extended in August 2021. As of March 2, 2024, the Company also had three uncommitted credit facilities, totaling $208.0 million of aggregate maximum uncommitted availability. As of March 2, 2024, we were in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of our credit facilities. The current unused balance of $423.7 million from the revolving credit facility, which is reduced by outstanding letters of credit, is available for working capital purposes if necessary. See Note 8, “Debt” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about these balances.
Rearranged current paragraphs (10)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Note 9, “Shareholders’ Equity” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Payroll and payroll-related costs for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024 were 57.1% of total operating expenses, as compared to 56.8% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Payroll and payroll-related costs, which include salary, incentive compensation, sales commission and fringe benefit costs, increased $6.8 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 2, 2024. The majority of this increase compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year was due to increased salary expense, primarily attributable to higher associate headcount to support our strategic growth investments and annual merit increases.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The table below summarizes the Company’s results of operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Net sales decreased 1.6%, or $30.1 million, to $1,889.3 million for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to $1,919.4 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The $30.1 million decrease in net sales was comprised of $73.3 million of lower sales volume, partially offset by $24.3 million from improved pricing, inclusive of changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items, $14.2 million of net sales from fiscal year 2023 and 2024 acquisitions and $4.7 million of favorable foreign exchange impact. Of the $30.1 million decrease in net sales during the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, sales to our core and other customers decreased by $51.6 million, partially offset by an increase in sales to our national account customers of $14.6 million and an increase in sales to our public sector customers of $6.9 million.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The table below shows, among other things, the change in our ADS by total Company, by customer end-market, and by customer type for the twenty-six-week periods ended March 2, 2024 and March 4, 2023, each as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year:
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
(1)ADS is calculated using the number of business days in the United States for the periods indicated. The Company believes ADS is a key performance indicator because it shows the effectiveness of the Company’s selling performance on a consistent basis between periods.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
(2)Percent reflects the change from the 2023 fiscal period to the 2024 fiscal period and the change from the 2022 fiscal period to the 2023 fiscal period, respectively.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
We believe that our ability to transact business with our customers directly through the MSC website as well as through various other electronic portals gives us a competitive advantage over smaller suppliers. Sales made through our E-commerce platforms, including sales made through EDI systems, VMI systems, Extensible Markup Language ordering-based systems, vending, hosted systems and other electronic portals, represented 63.2% of consolidated net sales for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to 61.9% of consolidated net sales for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The Company’s effective tax rate for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024 was 23.7%, as compared to 25.0% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a higher tax benefit from stock-based compensation.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The factors which affected net income for the twenty-six-week period ended March 2, 2024, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, have been discussed above.