• Fourth quarter net sales were , up 15% from the prior year fourth quarter
• Operating income percent improved to 4.1% for the quarter from 3.5% in the prior year quarter 
• Strong cash flow provided by operations of  for the quarter
• Returned  to Share Owners in stock repurchases during the quarter

 JASPER, Ind., Aug. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kimball Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KE), is a leading global electronic manufacturing services provider of high-quality, durable electronic products, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.

* A reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures is included below.

Donald D. Charron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Very strong growth in our automotive and medical end market verticals helped us achieve double-digit year-over-year growth for the fourth consecutive quarter and exceed our long-time stated goal of $1 billion in annual sales in fiscal year 2018."

Mr. Charron continued, “We are pleased to have improved our operating income margin by 60 basis points from the prior year quarter and 20 basis points sequentially when compared to the third quarter.  Partially offsetting the improved operating performance in the fourth quarter were expenses directly associated with our pending acquisition of GES, which we believe is still on track to close in this first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The much-anticipated progress in Romania came through in the fourth quarter helping to drive the improved overall performance, and we look forward to their continued growth and positive contributions in fiscal year 2019.  We remain focused on achieving our mid-range goal of 4.5% operating income.”

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Overview:

• Consolidated net sales increased 15% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.  Net sales for the quarter includes a 4% favorable impact from foreign currency movements compared to the prior year quarter.
• Costs incurred and included in operating income during the quarter related to the pending acquisition of GES were approximately $0.6 million, $0.4 million net of tax, or $0.01 per diluted share.
• The current quarter results include non-operating expense of  related to pre-tax net losses from foreign currency movements, which was a fluctuation of  from pre-tax net gains related to foreign currency movements of  recognized in the same quarter of the prior year.
• Adjusted Net Income excludes income tax expense of $1.4 million ($0.05 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter for measurement period adjustments to estimated provisions related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) and subsequent guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service.  See below for additional information and a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
• Operating activities provided cash flow of $19.3 million during the quarter, which compares to cash flow provided by operating activities of  in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.
• Cash conversion days (“CCD”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 were 63 days, up from 60 days in the same quarter last year, and up sequentially from 62 days in the prior quarter.  CCD is calculated as the sum of days sales outstanding plus production days supply on hand less accounts payable days.
• Investments in capital expenditures were $4.4 million during the quarter.
• Cash and cash equivalents were $46.4 million and borrowings outstanding on credit facilities were $8.3 million at June 30, 2018.

Net Sales by Vertical Market:

Fiscal Year 2018 Overview:

• Net sales increased 15% from the prior fiscal year, setting a new annual net sales record of $1.072 billion, which includes a 4% favorable impact from foreign currency movements compared to fiscal year 2017.
• Adjusted net income in fiscal year 2018 of $34.6 million ($1.28 per diluted share), adjusted for the recording of estimated provisions related to Tax Reform, compares to adjusted net income in fiscal year 2017 of $30.8 million ($1.12 per diluted share), adjusted for proceeds from a lawsuit settlement and a bargain purchase gain. See below for additional information and a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
• Cash flow provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2018 was $40.2 million, which compares to $46.8 million for fiscal year 2017.
• Capital expenditures were  in fiscal year 2018, which were down from prior year expenditures of .
• Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) was 10.3% for fiscal year 2018, down slightly from 10.4% for the prior year (see reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures for ROIC calculation).
• During the year, $9.4 million was returned to Share Owners in the form of common stock repurchases.

Outlook

• Net sales goal of 8% annual organic growth rate.
• Operating income percent goal remains 4.5%.
• ROIC long-term goal remains 12.5%.
• Fiscal year 2019 capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, are expected to approximate between $25 and $30 million.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained within this release are considered forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, successful integration of acquisitions and new operations, global economic conditions, geopolitical environment, significant volume reductions from key contract customers, loss of key customers or suppliers, financial stability of key customers and suppliers, availability or cost of raw materials, impact related to tariffs and other trade barriers, and increased competitive pricing pressures reflecting excess industry capacities.  Additional cautionary statements regarding other risk factors that could have an effect on the future performance of the Company are contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended .

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures.  A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in  in the statement of income, statement of comprehensive income, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, or statement of equity of the Company.  The non-GAAP financial measures contained herein include adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, and ROIC.  These measures include adjustments in the three months and fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 for the provisional tax items related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) enacted in  and adjustments in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 related to proceeds from a lawsuit settlement and a bargain purchase gain on the acquisition of Aircom Manufacturing, Inc.  Reconciliations of the reported GAAP numbers to these non-GAAP financial measures are included in the financial highlights table below.  Management believes it is useful for investors to understand how its core operations performed without the effects of the provisional tax items related to Tax Reform, proceeds from the lawsuit settlement, and the bargain purchase gain.  Excluding these amounts allows investors to meaningfully trend, analyze, and benchmark the performance of the Company’s core operations.  Many of the Company’s internal performance measures that management uses to make certain operating decisions exclude these items to enable meaningful trending of core operating metrics.

The live webcast of the conference call can be accessed at investors.kimballelectronics.com.  For those unable to participate in the live webcast, the call will be archived at investors.kimballelectronics.com.

About 
Recognized with a reputation for excellence, Kimball Electronics is committed to a high performance culture that values personal and organizational commitment to quality, reliability, value, speed, and ethical behavior. Kimball Electronics employees know they are part of the company culture that builds lasting relationships and global success for customers while enabling employees to share in the Company's success through personal, professional, and financial growth.

Kimball Electronics trades under the symbol "KE" on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Kimball Electronics is a global contract manufacturing services ("EMS") company that specializes in durable electronics for the automotive, medical, industrial, and public safety end markets. Kimball Electronics is well recognized by customers and industry trade publications for its excellent quality, reliability, and innovative service. From its manufacturing operations in the United States, China, Mexico, Poland, Romania, and Thailand, Kimball Electronics provides electronic manufacturing services, including engineering and supply chain support, which utilize common production and support capabilities to a variety of industries globally. Kimball Electronics is headquartered in Jasper, Indiana. 

To learn more about Kimball Electronics, visit: www.kimballelectronics.com.

Lasting relationships. Global success.