Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: LVB) has announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.
Net sales for the second quarter of 2013 totaled $92.4 million compared to $85.7 million for the prior-year quarter. The Company reported net income of $20.2 million, or $1.60 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2013 compared to $2.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012.
During the second quarter of 2013, the Company recognized a net $22.7 million gain on the sale of its West 57th Street office building and $0.5 million in impairment charges related to its online music business. Before giving effect to those items, second quarter net income was $4.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.
CEO Michael Sweeney commented on the quarter, "We delivered solid results, improving total revenues by 8% while boosting gross margin by 200 basis points and Adjusted EBITDA by 42%. We're especially pleased with our double-digit increase in piano sales. Both our band and piano divisions turned in strong operating performances this quarter.
"At the end of June, we achieved a major objective with the sale of Steinway Hall. Shortly thereafter, we redeemed our Senior Notes, paying down all of the Company's long-term debt. With these actions completed, we can now concentrate all our efforts on achieving our operational objectives and continuing our heritage of offering the world's finest musical instruments."
SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Piano Operations
Second quarter revenue increased to $56.8 million, or 12.7%, over the prior-year quarter due to strong wholesale piano sales. Worldwide, unit shipments of Steinway grand pianos increased 20.7% and Boston and Essex piano shipments rose 21.0%. In the Americas and Europe, revenue increased 18.2% and 19.6%, respectively, while exchange rate changes negatively impacted revenue in the Asia-Pacific region. Without these changes, revenue from the region would have been stable.
On a combined basis, production at the Company's New York and Hamburg factories rose approximately 25% over the prior-year quarter, helping meet the increased demand for Steinway pianos. Overall gross margin increased 80 basis points over the prior year. The gross margin improvement that results from higher production levels was somewhat offset by lower revenue from the Company's retail operations during the quarter. Training processes in the Company's Hamburg factory progressed during the second quarter, resulting in gross margin improvement of 160 basis points over the first quarter of 2013.
Band Operations
Revenues for the second quarter totaled $35.6 million, an increase of 0.7% over the prior-year period. Results were mixed, with a 2.2% increase in student unit shipments and a 2.7% decrease in professional unit sales. Strong sales of background brass instruments and higher sales of drum outfits offset lower sales of accessories.
Gross margin improved 310 basis points over the second quarter of 2012. Firm control over manufacturing costs allowed price increases to directly benefit gross profit. A higher mix of brass instruments and more efficient production also contributed to the improvement.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the quarter increased $1.3 million over the prior-year period. For the second quarter, legal and consulting fees associated with the Company's evaluation of strategic alternatives were $2.4 million in 2013 and $1.9 million in 2012. Excluding these costs and $0.5 million and $0.2 million in impairment charges from each period, respectively, operating expenses were up 2.7%.
YTD RESULTS
Piano Operations
Year-to-date, revenue increased 8.1% over the prior-year period, to $102.2 million. Sales in the Americas were robust, up 18.5%, while sales in the Company's Europe and Asia-Pacific regions were on par with prior year. Worldwide, unit shipments of Steinway grand pianos increased 9.2% and Boston and Essex piano shipments increased 22.2%. Overall gross margin improved 90 basis points over the prior-year period, somewhat less than expected due to the higher mix of lower-margin pianos.
Band Operations
Year-to-date, revenue decreased 3.1% from the prior-year period, to $67.0 million. Increased revenue from brass instruments mitigated lower sales of accessories and percussion instruments. Relatively stable manufacturing costs, coupled with price increases, contributed to an increase in gross margin of 450 basis points over the prior-year period. A higher mix of professional instruments and more efficient production also contributed to the increase.
Capitalization
As of June 30, 2013, the Company's cash balance totaled $106.5 million. This amount included net cash proceeds of approximately $43.3 million from the sale of the Company's interest in the West 57th Street building, which closed on June 28, 2013. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $22.7 million on the sale. On July 15, 2013, the Company completed its redemption of $67.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7% Senior Notes due 2014. As a result, the Company has no remaining long-term debt.
Merger Agreement with Kohlberg & Company
On June 30, 2013, Steinway entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Kohlberg & Company ("Kohlberg"), a global private equity investment firm, in a transaction valued at approximately $438 million. Upon the completion of the transaction, the Company will become a privately held company. The agreement provides for a 45-day "go-shop" period, which will end on August 14, 2013, during which time the Company may solicit alternative proposals to the transaction with Kohlberg. Any shares not tendered in the offer will be acquired in a second-step merger at the same cash price as paid in the tender offer. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.
Upon the successful closing of the tender offer, stockholders of the Company who tender their shares in the tender offer will receive $35.00 per share, in cash, payable without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. This represents a premium of approximately 33% based on the average closing price of the Company's common stock during the 90 trading days ended June 28, 2013.
