• Fourth Quarter Net Sales of $895.9 Million Up 23.6% YoY; Up 19.8% on an Organic Basis
• Fourth Quarter Net Income of $59.2 Million, or $1.51 Per Share; EBITDA of $94.8 Million
• Full-Year Net Sales of $3.2 Billion Down 0.3% YoY; Down 1.8% on an Organic Daily Basis
• Full-Year Net Income of $144.8 Million, or $3.68 Per Share
• Full-Year Adjusted Net Income of $186.4 Million, or $4.74 Per Share
• Full-Year Operating Cash Flow of $241.7 Million; Free Cash Flow of $225.8 Million 

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies, today reported results for its fiscal 2021 fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2021.

Net sales for the quarter increased 23.6% to $895.9 million from $725.1 million in the prior year. The change includes a 2.1% increase from acquisitions and a 1.7% increase from foreign currency translation. Excluding these factors, sales increased 19.8% on an organic basis with similar increases reported across both the Service Center segment and Fluid Power & Flow Control segment. The Company reported net income of $59.2 million, or $1.51 per share, and EBITDA of $94.8 million. Results include a LIFO layer liquidation benefit, which favorably impacted EPS by $0.07 and gross profit by $3.7 million on a net basis during the quarter.

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2021, sales were $3.2 billion, a decrease of 0.3% compared with the prior year, or down 1.8% on an organic daily basis. Net income was $144.8 million or $3.68 per share on a reported basis. Non-GAAP adjusted net income was $186.4 million, or $4.74 per share. Full-year operating cash flow was $241.7 million, while free cash flow was $225.8 million or 121.1% of adjusted net income.

Neil A. Schrimsher, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We ended fiscal 2021 on a strong note with fourth quarter performance exceeding our expectations and achieving record quarterly earnings. Underlying demand continued to strengthen across both segments during the quarter reflecting sustained recovery in our core end markets and momentum generated from our internal growth initiatives. We are managing inflation well and controlling costs, while benefiting from productivity enhancements. Overall, I am extremely proud of what we accomplished during a challenging year. Our ability to deliver strong operational and financial performance while remaining fully invested in our long-term strategy during an unprecedented period is a testament to the strength of our Applied team, business model, and industry position.”

Mr. Schrimsher added, “Entering early fiscal 2022, we are off to a positive start with organic sales through mid-August up by a high-teens percent over the prior year, and customer indications signaling sustained demand momentum. Our balance sheet is in a solid position, and we see favorable earnings potential beyond cycle fundamentals as we leverage our technical industry position and expanding addressable market. This includes supporting more of our customers’ industrial technology and operational requirements through our cross-selling efforts, as well as the expansion of faster growing and higher margin industrial solutions. While industry-wide supply chain constraints and macro uncertainty remain, we have multiple internal opportunities to drive solid earnings growth and stronger returns on capital in fiscal 2022 and beyond.”

Fiscal 2022 Guidance

The Company is reinstating its practice of providing formal full-year guidance. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, the Company is introducing EPS guidance in the range of $5.00 to $5.40 based on sales growth of 8% to 10% including 7% to 9% on an organic basis, as well as EBITDA margins of 9.7% to 9.9%. Guidance assumptions include a steady industrial demand environment relative to current trends, ongoing inflationary headwinds including greater LIFO expense, and lingering uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance does not assume contribution from potential future acquisitions.

Share Repurchases

During the quarter, the Company purchased 400,000 shares of its common stock in open market transactions for $40.1 million. At June 30, 2021, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase approximately 465,000 additional shares.

Conference Call Information

Applied will host its quarterly conference call for investors and analysts at 10 a.m. ET on August 17, 2021. Neil A. Schrimsher – President & CEO, and David K. Wells – CFO will discuss the Company's performance. A supplemental investor presentation detailing latest quarter results and the Company’s outlook is available for reference on the investor relations portion of the Company’s website at www.applied.com. To join the call, dial 877-311-4351 (toll free) or 614-999-9139 (for International callers) using conference ID 8056208. A live audio webcast can be accessed online through the investor relations portion of the Company's website at www.applied.com. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 855-859-2056 or 800-585-8367 (both toll free), or 404-537-3406 (International) using conference ID 8056208.

About Applied^®

Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO and OEM end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as “see,” “expect,” “will,” “guidance,” “assume”, and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends in the industrial sector of the economy, the effects of the health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on our business operations, results of operations, and financial condition, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, many of which risks are amplified by circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.

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