Motorcar Parts of America Inc. has reported results for its fiscal 2023 third quarter ended Dec. 31, 2022 – reflecting the impact of ordering patterns by two customers, higher interest rates for customer vendor financing programs and lingering supply chain disruptions for critical components. 

Net sales for the fiscal 2023 third quarter were $151.8 million compared with $161.8 million in the prior year. MPA says fiscal third quarter results were sharply impacted by a certain customer reducing orders by approximately $14 million compared with the prior year, despite no market share loss with the customer, and delays with other customer orders for new business of approximately $17 million. The company said orders have resumed in the current fiscal 2023 fourth quarter and are expected to continue through fiscal 2024, as customers focus on building appropriate inventory levels to meet growing demand for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. 

Net income for the fiscal 2023 third quarter was $1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, a year ago. 

Results were impacted by $7.5 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, of increased interest expenses mostly due to higher market rates, primarily related to customer vendor financing programs, as well as by approximately $500,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, of non-cash items. Results also were impacted by approximately $2.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, primarily due to transitory costs related to supply chain disruptions. In addition to the above items, results for the quarter were impacted by inflationary costs not yet covered by price increases. 

Prior-year net income of $3.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, was impacted by approximately $4.8 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, of non-cash items. The company also was impacted by approximately $3.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, of other costs, including transitory costs related to supply chain disruptions for the prior year. 

Gross profit for the fiscal 2023 third quarter was $21 million compared with $32.6 million a year earlier. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal 2023 third quarter was 13.8 percent compared with 20.1 percent a year earlier. Gross margin for the fiscal 2023 third quarter was primarily impacted by inflationary costs not yet covered by price increases, temporary lower absorption of overhead costs due to lower production volume and changes in product mix. In addition to the above items, gross margin for the fiscal 2023 third quarter was also impacted by $3.9 million, or 2.6 percent, of non-cash items, and $2.4 million, or 1.6 percent, by the transitory supply chain disruptions, as detailed in Exhibit 3. Gross margin improvement is expected to be enhanced as the full benefit of certain price increases is realized, and with higher sales volume. A small portion of the price increases was realized late in the fiscal third quarter, with the balance taking effect in the current fiscal 2023 fourth quarter. 

“Results for the quarter were significantly impacted by reduced orders, representing approximately $35 million for the nine-month period, including approximately $14 million for the quarter, by one of our customers – despite no loss of our market share. In addition, anticipated results were impacted by delays with other customer orders for new business of approximately $17 million. Fortunately, the current fiscal fourth quarter is benefiting from resumption of order flow across the board. We also were impacted by sharply higher interest rates related to long-established vendor finance programs offered by our retail customers. Higher interest rates continue to be challenging for the entire industry. As a critical supplier of non-discretionary automotive parts, we are committed to arriving at a satisfactory solution to this issue. 

“We remain focused on achieving our near- and long-term financial targets by continuing to improve operating efficiencies. Despite recent challenges, we remain optimistic about our business including the current fourth quarter, supported by our leadership position and the opportunities we expect to realize from our investments in brake-related products and the emerging electric vehicle market,” said Selwyn Joffe, chairman, president, and CEO.

Nine-Month Results

Net sales for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period were $488.3 million – representing a 3.2 percent increase compared with $473.1 million in the prior year, which excludes $13.3 million in core revenue due to a realignment of inventory at customer distribution centers with sales benefits evolving as product mix changes. 

Net loss for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period was $5.7 million, or $0.29 per share, compared with net income of $7.7 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, a year ago. 

Results for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period were impacted by $16.2 million, or $0.63 per share, of increased interest expenses mostly due to higher market rates, primarily related to customer vendor financing programs, compared with the prior year. Results were also impacted by approximately $9.5 million, or $0.49 per share, of other costs, primarily transitory costs related to supply chain disruptions. In addition, results were impacted by approximately $9.6 million, or $0.50 per share, of non-cash items. Net loss for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period was also impacted by various other items discussed above for the quarter. 

Gross profit for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period was $77.8 million compared with $92.1 million a year earlier. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period was 15.9 percent compared with 18.9 percent a year earlier. Gross margin for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period was impacted by $11.9 million, or 2.4 percent, of non-cash items, and $8.6 million, or 1.8 percent, by the transitory supply chain disruptions, as detailed in Exhibit 4. In addition, gross margin for the fiscal 2023 nine-month period was also impacted by various items discussed above for the quarter. Gross margin improvement is expected to be enhanced as the full benefit of certain price increases is realized, and with higher sales volume. 

Fiscal 2023 Guidance Updated

Motorcar Parts of America said it expects net sales for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, to be between $672 million to $680 million, representing between 3.3 and 4.6 percent year-over-year growth. As highlighted above, net sales are expected to increase between 5.5 and 6.8 percent in fiscal year 2023, excluding $13.3 million of core revenue realized in fiscal year 2022 (which the company does not expect in fiscal 2023). Operating income is expected to be between $41 million and $46 million, before the non-cash foreign exchange impact of lease liabilities and forward contracts, the non-cash impact of revaluation of cores on customers’ shelves, and supply chain disruptions. The company estimates other non-cash items will be approximately $17 million, including core and finished goods premium amortization and share-based compensation, and cash expenses will be approximately $4 million for special EV-related research and development expenses and severance, impacting operating income. The company estimates depreciation and amortization will be approximately $13 million.