KENOSHA, Wis. Snap-on Inc. has announced operating results for the first quarter of 2014.
The company reported sales of $787.5 million increased $45.8 million, or 6.2 percent, from 2013 levels; excluding $15.2 million of acquisition-related sales and $5.9 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation, organic sales increased 5 percent. Net earnings of $95.9 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $82.8 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, a year ago.
“Our first quarter results, including a 6.2 percent sales increase and a 15.7 percent rise in diluted earnings per share, represent an encouraging start for 2014,” said Nick Pinchuk, Snap-on chairman and CEO. “We believe that these results provide continued evidence that Snap-on’s value proposition of making work easier for serious professionals in workplaces of consequence is an ongoing strength as we continue to move forward along our clear runways for coherent growth: enhancing the franchise network, expanding in the vehicle repair garage, extending to critical industries and building in emerging markets. At the same time, our year-over-year 100 basis point improvement in operating margin further confirms the abundant potential of ‘Snap-on Value Creation,’ our suite of principles and processes we employ every day around safety, quality, customer connection, innovation and rapid continuous improvement. Finally, these results would not have been possible without significant contributions from our franchisees and associates worldwide; I thank them for their ongoing and extraordinary commitment and dedication.”
Outlook
In 2014, Snap-on expects to continue with the advancement of its strategic framework designed to enhance its mobile tool distribution network, expand in the vehicle repair garage, extend to critical industries and build in emerging markets. In pursuit of these initiatives, Snap-on anticipates that capital expenditures in 2014 will be in a range of $70 million to $80 million. Snap-on continues to expect that its full year 2014 effective income tax rate will be comparable to its 2013 rate.