ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gencor Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ: GENC) announced today net revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 decreased 27.8% to $10.5 million compared to $14.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues reflects a decline in orders from prior year as the impact of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, which was set to expire at the end of September 2020, has slowed. On the eve of its expiration, a one-year extension to the FAST Act was passed and signed into law. The one-year extension maintains current funding levels under the FAST Act through September 2021. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 18.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 from 19.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Gross profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 was negatively impacted due to the lower net revenues and reduced overhead absorption.

Operating loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 was ($1.7) million compared to an operating loss of $(0.5) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The Company had non-operating income of $0.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared to $0.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The Company’s tax benefit was $(0.4) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared to tax expense of $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 was $(0.6) million compared to breakeven for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Net revenue for the year ended September 30, 2020 decreased 4.8% to $77.4 million compared to $81.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2019. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 24.5% for the year ended September 30, 2020 from 27.6% for the year ended September 30, 2019. The Company had operating income for the year ended September 30, 2020 of $5.5 million compared to $9.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2019. The Company had non-operating income of $1.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2020 compared to $3.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2019.

The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2020 was 17.2% versus 20.5% in fiscal 2019.

Net income for the year ended September 30, 2020 was $5.5 million ($0.38 per basic and diluted share) versus net income of $10.2 million ($0.70 per basic share and $0.69 per diluted share) for the year ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in net income was primarily due to the lower net revenues, higher SG&A expenses and lower investment income.

At September 30, 2020, the Company had $125.1 million in cash and marketable securities, an increase of $9.5 million over the September 30, 2019 balance of $115.6 million. The Company’s working capital was $153.2 million at September 30, 2020 versus $150.4 million at September 30, 2019. The Company has no short- or long-term debt.

The Company’s backlog, which includes orders received through the date of this filing, was $24.9 million at December 1, 2020 compared to $27.3 million at December 1, 2019.

On October 1, 2020, the Company acquired the Blaw-Knox paver business and associated assets, including inventory, fixed assets and related intellectual property, from Volvo Construction Equipment North America, LLC (“Volvo CE”). The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” The purchase price of approximately $14.4 million, which is subject to post-closing adjustments, was funded by cash on hand. This acquisition provides the Company entry into the hot mix paver segment of the asphalt industry.

John E. Elliott, Gencor’s CEO, commented, “Fiscal 2020 was a challenging year that demonstrated Gencor’s resiliency and ability to manage through uncertainty. We quickly adjusted to changes to our customers’ schedules and availability of purchased parts from our vendors. We were able to react to customer and market needs in spite of domestic and international closures and interruptions although, increased sales volume that Gencor experienced in the third quarter did not carry over into the fourth quarter. The domestic highway construction industry continues to remain cautious on 2021 state budgets and long-term federal funding after the expiration of the FAST Act, even though a one year extension was approved.

To date the Company has not been materially impacted by the novel coronavirus “COVID-19” pandemic. Manufacturing experienced minor production challenges as some employees were required to quarantine. Currently, there is minimal workforce impact and production is operating as scheduled. Gencor continues to closely monitor impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on its employees, operations, financial results, and supply chain. Visibility into 2021 is challenging due to the uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a change in the Presidency which may bring increased focus on the need for incremental domestic infrastructure investment.

After the fiscal year ended, Gencor successfully closed on its acquisition of the Blaw-Knox paver business and associated assets from Volvo CE. The Company is in the process of transferring the paver manufacturing to a separate facility. We plan to continue to invest in the engineering, new product development, production and marketing of the Blaw-Knox product line.”

Gencor Industries is a diversified heavy machinery manufacturer for the production of highway construction materials, synthetic fuels and environmental control machinery and equipment used in a variety of applications.