Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	For more information, contact:
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015	Brad Pogalz               (952) 887-3753

 

DONALDSON REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND

FULL-YEAR 2015 EARNINGS

Fourth quarter adjusted EPS of 45 cents; full-year adjusted EPS of $1.58

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 1, 2015) — Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) today reported fourth quarter net earnings of $56.3 million, or 41 cents per share¹, and full-year net earnings of $208.1 million, or $1.49 per share. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted earnings by $5.4 million in fourth quarter and $14.3 million for the full year, or 7.5 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. Adjusted earnings per share² were 45 cents in fourth quarter and $1.58 in full-year 2015. In 2014, GAAP EPS was 50 cents in fourth quarter and $1.76 for the full year. The tables attached to this press release provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures.

 

“Our fourth quarter performance exceeded our guidance, driven by better-than-expected sales combined with expense discipline across our Company,” said Tod Carpenter, President and CEO. “Although some of our end markets became increasingly challenged and uncertain as the fiscal year progressed, we delivered local-currency sales growth of over 1 percent for the year.

 

During the year, we responded to reduced Customer demand by initiating restructuring actions, which we expect will generate annual savings of $35 million. At the same time, we continued investing for growth, including accelerating the expansion of our liquid filtration capabilities in Europe with our new plant in Poland, increasing our aftermarket distribution facilities in Latin America and Eastern Europe, and continuing the roll-out of our global ERP system.

 

Additionally, we are investing in acquisitions that support our strategy and growth plans. Early in fiscal 2015, we acquired Northern Technical, which expanded our product line and geographic reach in the Gas Turbine market. The acquisition of IFIL USA in June expands our Industrial filtration replacement filter product offering, while our recent acquisition of Engineered Products Company adds new products and technology to our Engine Products business. Later this fiscal year, we expect to complete the acquisition of Industrias Partmo in Colombia, which will provide additional products and distribution channels for our Engine Aftermarket business.

 

For full-year 2016, we expect to generate local-currency sales growth of 2 percent to 6 percent, as our investments in growth offset the expected continued weakness in many of our major end markets. This sales growth, combined with our Continuous Improvement initiatives and expense controls, are expected to contribute to an improvement in our operating margin and full-year EPS of $1.56 to $1.76."

 

 

¹ All earnings per share figures refer to diluted EPS.

 

² In second quarter of fiscal 2015, Donaldson began reporting adjusted operating margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share (“adjusted EPS”) measures, which are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of certain matters not related to the Company’s ongoing operations, including restructuring charges and expenses related to pension settlements. See the “Restructuring Charges and Other Adjusting Items” section of this release for more information.

 

Donaldson Company Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Earnings – Page 2 of 7

 

Sales Results

 

Compared with last year, fourth quarter sales declined 8.8 percent and full-year sales declined 4.1 percent. Foreign currency translation reduced fourth quarter sales by $51.8 million, or 7.8 percent, and full-year sales by $134.8 million, or 5.5 percent. The table below outlines the year-over-year percentage change for each business segment, with and without the impact of foreign currency translation.

 

Excluding the impact of currency translation, total sales decreased 1.1 percent in fourth quarter, reflecting a 5.7 percent decline in Engine Products, partially offset by an increase of 6.9 percent in Industrial Products.

 

Full-year 2015 sales in local currencies increased 1.3 percent, reflecting an increase in Industrial Products of 5.6 percent, partially offset by a decline of 1.1 percent in Engine Products.

 

		Three Months Ended July 31, 2015								Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2015
		Reported % Change				Constant Currency % Change				Reported % Change				Constant Currency % Change
Engine Products segment:
Off-Road			(30.8	)%			(24.1	)%			(23.7	)%			(18.7	)%
On-Road			0.9				7.9				6.4				12.1
Aftermarket			(12.5	)			(5.2	)			(3.1	)			2.1
Aerospace and Defense			24.0				32.2				4.2				8.7
Total Engine Products			(13.0	)%			(5.7	)%			(6.3	)%			(1.1	)%
Industrial Products segment:
Industrial Filtration Solutions			(3.9	)%			4.8	%			(4.4	)			1.9	%
Gas Turbine			20.2				30.8				19.2				25.6
Special Applications			(15.4	)			(10.1	)			(4.5	)			(0.6	)
Total Industrial Products			(1.5	)%			6.9	%			(0.3	)%			5.6	%
Total Company			(8.8	)%			(1.1	)%			(4.1	)%			1.3	%

 

 

 

 

 

Donaldson Company Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Earnings – Page 3 of 7

 

Operating Margin Results

 

Fourth quarter operating margin was 12.8 percent, which includes a negative impact from restructuring and impairment charges of 1.2 percentage points. Excluding this impact, adjusted operating margin was 14.0 percent in fourth quarter, compared with 14.9 percent last year.

 

Fourth quarter gross margin decreased 2.6 percentage points to 33.1 percent from 35.7 percent last year. The decrease was driven primarily by lower fixed-cost absorption and the mix of sales, which impacted gross margin by 2.0 percentage points. Additionally, restructuring and asset impairment charges reduced gross margin by 0.9 percentage points in fourth quarter. Donaldson’s Continuous Improvement initiatives partially offset these gross margin pressures.

 

As a percent of sales, fourth quarter operating expenses decreased 0.5 percentage points to 20.3 percent from 20.8 percent last year, reflecting lower compensation expenses and disciplined expense management, partially offset by a 0.3 percentage point impact related to restructuring charges.

 

Full-year 2015 operating margin was 12.2 percent, which includes 0.7 percentage points related to restructuring charges, asset impairments, and the lump-sum pension settlement recorded in second quarter. Excluding this impact, full-year adjusted operating margin was 12.9 percent in 2015, compared with adjusted operating margin of 14.5 percent in 2014.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 27.7 percent in fourth quarter and 27.9 percent for the full year, in line with the fourth quarter and full-year rates in fiscal 2014.

 

Capital Returned to Shareholders

 

In fourth quarter, Donaldson repurchased 1.57 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $35.05 for a total of $55.1 million.

 

During full-year 2015, the Company repurchased 6.68 million shares, or 4.7 percent of the total diluted outstanding shares, at an average price of $38.39 for a total of $256.3 million.

 

On May 29, 2015, Donaldson’s Board of Directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by 3 percent to 17 cents per share from 16.5 cents per share. In 2015, the Company distributed to its Shareholders dividends of $23.0 million and $91.2 million in fourth quarter and full-year 2015, respectively.

 

 

 

Donaldson Company Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Earnings – Page 4 of 7

 

Fiscal 2016 Outlook³

 

Donaldson expects full-year 2016 sales of $2.32 billion to $2.42 billion, or a decline of 2 percent to an increase of 2 percent versus fiscal 2015. In local currency, full-year sales are expected to increase 2 percent to 6 percent.

 

·

Based on a forecast of the euro at US$1.09 and 124 yen to the US$, foreign currency translation is expected to negatively impact full-year 2016 sales by approximately $85 million.

 

Fiscal 2016 GAAP EPS is expected to be $1.56 to $1.76, and Donaldson currently forecasts GAAP EPS will be approximately 1 cent lower than adjusted EPS⁴.

 

·

Full-year 2016 operating margin is expected to be between 12.9 percent and 13.7 percent, reflecting the benefits from completed restructuring actions and ongoing operational improvements, partially offset by an increase in compensation expenses and the foreign exchange rates.

 

·

Donaldson expects full-year interest expense to increase by approximately $4 million, reflecting the additional debt issued in fiscal 2015 associated with the Company’s stated goal of maintaining a leverage ratio of approximately 1.5 times debt-to-EBITDA.

 

·

Full-year 2015 effective tax rate is expected to be between 26.5 percent and 28.5 percent.

 

·

We expect to repurchase between 2 percent and 4 percent of its outstanding shares in fiscal 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

³ The fiscal 2016 outlook excludes the acquisition of Industrias Partmo, which is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 following customary regulatory approval in Colombia.

 

⁴ Fiscal 2016 GAAP EPS is expected to be lower than adjusted EPS by approximately 1 cent related to the final stages of closing the Company’s facility in Grinnell, Iowa. Donaldson expects to recognize all of these charges during first quarter.

 

 

Donaldson Company Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Earnings – Page 5 of 7

 

Engine Products: Full-year 2016 Engine Product sales are expected to be in a range between a 2 percent decline and a 2 percent increase compared with 2015. In local currency, sales are expected to increase 2 percent to 6 percent, reflecting:

 

·

Continued weakness in the global agriculture and mining equipment markets, partially offset by modest growth in on-road heavy truck and stable conditions in the construction equipment market.

 

·

Growing utilization of on-road heavy-duty trucks and construction equipment in the field, while utilization of agriculture and mining equipment is expected to be down slightly. Donaldson expects growth in replacement filter sales resulting from the continued expansion of its proprietary first-fit platforms, combined with continued geographic and product portfolio expansion initiatives.

 

·

Growing sales of commercial aerospace products are expected to be partially offset by a continued slowdown in U.S. defense spending.

 

Industrial Products: Full-year 2016 Industrial Product sales are forecast to be in a range between a 3 percent decline and a 1 percent increase compared with 2015. In local currency, sales are expected to increase 1 percent to 5 percent.

 

·

Industrial Filtration Solutions’ sales are expected to increase in the low-single-digit range, benefitting from the introduction of new products and growth in the Company’s aftermarket business.

 

·

Gas Turbine sales are expected to decline between 9 percent and 13 percent, reflecting an expected market decline led by Europe and Asia Pacific, partially offset by continued aftermarket market share gains and leveraging the Northern Technical acquisition.

 

·

Special Applications’ sales are expected to decline slightly due to the membrane and disk drive businesses, partially offset by growth in venting and semiconductor products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donaldson Company Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Earnings – Page 6 of 7

 

Restructuring Charges and Other Adjusting Items

 

Donaldson has taken numerous actions to align its operating and manufacturing cost structure with current and projected Customer and end-market demand. In fiscal 2015, these actions included:

 

·

Rebalancing and reducing the current salaried and production workforce globally,

 

·

Closing a production facility in Grinnell, Iowa, and

 

·

Write-off of a partially completed facility in Xuzhou, China.

 

For the above actions, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $7.1 million in fourth quarter and $13.0 million for the full year 2015, compared with $0.6 million and $3.0 million in fiscal 2014, respectively.

 

In second quarter 2015, the Company recorded a $3.9 million charge related to a lump-sum settlement of its U.S. pension plan.

 

Miscellaneous

 

The Company will webcast its fourth quarter and full-year 2015 earnings conference call at 9:00 a.m. CT today. To participate, go to IR.Donaldson.com and click on the webcast icon. The webcast replay will be available beginning at noon today through 12:00 p.m. CT Sept. 29, 2015, and a telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at noon today through 12:00 p.m. CT Sept. 8, 2015. The audio replay number is (888) 203-1112 (access code: 3679693).

 

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) and is making this cautionary statement in connection with such safe harbor legislation. This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts, plans, trends, and projections relating to our business and financial performance and global economic conditions, which involve uncertainties that could materially impact results. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donaldson Company Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Earnings – Page 7 of 7

 

The Company wishes to caution investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, including but not limited to risks associated with: world economic factors and the ongoing economic uncertainty, the reduced demand for hard disk drive products with the increased use of flash memory, currency fluctuations, commodity prices, political factors, the Company’s international operations, highly competitive markets, governmental laws and regulations, including the impact of the various economic stimulus and financial reform measures, the implementation of our new information technology systems, information security and data breaches, potential global events resulting in market instability including financial bailouts and defaults of sovereign nations, military and terrorist activities, including political unrest in the Middle East and Ukraine, health outbreaks, natural disasters, and all of the other risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

About Donaldson Company

 

Founded 100 years ago, Donaldson (NYSE: DCI) is a global leader in the filtration industry. The Company’s innovative filtration technologies improve people’s lives, enhance Customers’ equipment performance, and protect the environment. More than 12,500 employees support Customers at 140 sales, manufacturing, and distribution locations. For more information, visit www.Donaldson.com.

 

 

 

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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS

DONALDSON COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended
		July 31, 2015												July 31, 2015
		2015				2014				Change				2015				2014				Change
Net sales		$	609,746			$	668,226				(8.8	)%		$	2,371,213			$	2,473,466				(4.1	)%
Cost of sales			407,662				429,903				(5.2	)			1,562,629				1,595,640				(2.1	)
Gross profit			202,084				238,323				(15.2	)			808,584				877,826				(7.9	)
Operating expenses			123,961				139,173				(10.9	)			520,274				522,087				(0.3	)
Operating income			78,123				99,150				(21.2	)			288,310				355,739				(19.0	)
Other income, net			(3,664	)			(4,915	)			(25.5	)			(15,450	)			(15,164	)			1.9
Interest expense			4,000				3,213				24.5				15,157				10,200				48.6
Earnings before income taxes			77,787				100,852				(22.9	)			288,603				360,703				(20.0	)
Income taxes			21,525				27,896				(22.8	)			80,492				100,479				(19.9	)
Net earnings		$	56,262			$	72,956				(22.9	)%		$	208,111			$	260,224				(20.0	)%
Weighted average shares outstanding			136,203,158				142,742,659				(4.6	)%			137,750,158				145,594,300				(5.4	)%
Diluted shares outstanding			137,547,127				144,728,637				(5.0	)%			139,381,940				147,641,113				(5.6	)%
Net earnings per share		$	0.41			$	0.51				(19.2	)%		$	1.51			$	1.79				(15.5	)%
Net earnings per share assuming dilution		$	0.41			$	0.50				(18.9	)%		$	1.49			$	1.76				(15.3	)%
Dividends paid per share		$	0.170			$	0.165							$	0.665			$	0.575

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

Page 1 of 7

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DONALDSON COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

		July 31				July 31
		2015				2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	189,898			$	296,418
Short-term investments			27,470				127,201
Accounts receivable, net			460,027				474,157
Inventories, net			264,955				253,351
Prepaids and other current assets			88,366				74,150
Total current assets			1,030,716				1,225,277
Other assets and deferred taxes			308,207				265,469
Property, plant, and equipment, net			470,611				451,665
Total assets		$	1,809,534			$	1,942,411
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable		$	179,174			$	216,603
Employee compensation and other liabilities			192,304				205,936
Short-term borrowings			187,320				185,303
Current maturity of long-term debt			1,849				1,738
Total current liabilities			560,647				609,580
Long-term debt			389,218				243,726
Other long-term liabilities			81,018				86,622
Total liabilities			1,030,883				939,928
Equity			778,651				1,002,483
Total liabilities & equity		$	1,809,534			$	1,942,411

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

Page 2 of 7

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

DONALDSON COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

		Twelve Months Ended
		July 31
		2015				2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings		$	208,111			$	260,224
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			74,298				67,163
Changes in operating assets and liabilities			(91,843	)			(12,207	)
Tax benefit of equity plans			(6,780	)			(8,781	)
Stock compensation plan expense			10,694				11,640
Loss on sale of business			—				905
Other, net			18,363				(1,105	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			212,843				317,839
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net expenditures on property and equipment			(93,566	)			(96,815	)
Net change in short-term investments			87,474				(27,307	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(105,636	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities			(111,728	)			(124,122	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of treasury stock			(256,267	)			(279,395	)
Net change in debt and short-term borrowings			148,590				218,446
Dividends paid			(91,220	)			(83,070	)
Tax benefit of equity plans			6,780				8,781
Exercise of stock options			13,083				14,437
Net cash used in financing activities			(179,034	)			(120,801	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			(28,601	)			(636	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(106,520	)			72,280
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year			296,418				224,138
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year		$	189,898			$	296,418

 

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

Page 3 of 7

 

 

CONSOLIDATED RATE ANALYSIS

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		July 31								July 31
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Gross margin			33.1	%			35.7	%			34.1	%			35.5	%
Operating expenses rate			20.3				20.8				21.9				21.1
Operating income rate			12.8				14.8				12.2				14.4
Earning before income taxes margin			12.8				15.1				12.2				14.6

 

 

Note: Rate analysis metrics are computed by dividing the applicable amount by net sales.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

Page 4 of 7

 

 

SEGMENT DETAIL

(Thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended
		July 31												July 31
		2015				2014				Change				2015				2014				Change
NET SALES
Engine segment		$	368,256			$	423,079				(13.0	)%		$	1,484,132			$	1,584,027				(6.3	)%
Industrial segment			241,490				245,147				(1.5	)			887,081				889,439				(0.3	)
Total		$	609,746			$	668,226				(8.8	)		$	2,371,213			$	2,473,466				(4.1	)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (EBIT)
Engine segment		$	43,918			$	63,121				(30.4	)%		$	186,274			$	233,920				(20.4	)%
Industrial segment			35,090				42,296				(17.0	)			123,362				133,978				(7.9	)
Corp/Unallocated			(1,221	)			(4,565	)			—				(21,033	)			(7,195	)			—
Total		$	77,787			$	100,852				(22.9	)		$	288,603			$	360,703				(20.0	)
EBIT %
Engine Products segment			11.9	%			14.9	%			(3.0	)			12.6	%			14.8	%			(2.2	)
Industrial Products segment			14.5				17.3				(2.8	)			13.9				15.1				(1.2	)

 

Note: EBIT% is calculated by dividing EBIT $ by sales

 

 

NET SALES BY PRODUCT

(Thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended
		July 31												July 31
		2015				2014				Change				2015				2014				Change
Engine Products segment:
Off-Road		$	56,659			$	81,903				(30.8	)%		$	261,120			$	342,205				(23.7	)%
On-Road			34,930				34,631				0.9				138,405				130,029				6.4
Aftermarket			247,601				283,113				(12.5	)			980,756				1,012,165				(3.1	)
Aerospace and Defense			29,066				23,432				24.0				103,851				99,628				4.2
Total Engine Products segment		$	368,256			$	423,079				(13.0	)%		$	1,484,132			$	1,584,027				(6.3	)%
Industrial Products segment:
Industrial Filtration Solutions		$	145,813			$	151,715				(3.9	)%		$	528,917			$	553,356				(4.4	)%
Gas Turbine		$	56,204				46,753				20.2				186,919				156,860				19.2
Special Applications		$	39,473				46,679				(15.4	)			171,245				179,223				(4.5	)
Total Industrial Products segment		$	241,490			$	245,147				(1.5	)%		$	887,081			$	889,439				(0.3	)%
Total Company		$	609,746			$	668,226				(8.8	)%		$	2,371,213			$	2,473,466				(4.1	)%

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

Page 5 of 7

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		July 31								July 31
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	51,476			$	87,733			$	212,843			$	317,839
Net capital expenditures			(20,965	)			(30,769	)			(93,566	)			(96,815	)
Free cash flow		$	30,511			$	56,964			$	119,277			$	221,024
Net earnings		$	56,262			$	72,956			$	208,111			$	260,224
Income taxes			21,525				27,896				80,492				100,479
Interest expense			4,000				3,213				15,157				10,200
Depreciation and amortization			18,843				16,918				74,298				67,163
EBITDA		$	100,630			$	120,983			$	378,058			$	438,066
Operating income		$	78,123			$	99,150			$	288,310			$	355,739
Restructuring and impairment charges			7,120	(a)			583	(c)			12,955	(a)			3,017	(d)
Pension lump sum settlement charge			—				—				3,906	(b)			—
Adjusted Operating Income		$	85,243			$	99,733			$	305,171			$	358,756
Net earnings		$	56,262			$	72,956			$	208,111			$	260,224
Restructuring and impairment charges, net of tax			5,033	(a)			101	(c)			9,719	(a)			2,121	(d)
Pension lump sum settlement charge, net of tax			—				—				2,422	(b)			—
Tax audit settlement			—				—				—				(6,392	)(e)
Adjusted Net Earnings		$	61,295			$	73,057			$	220,252			$	255,953
Diluted EPS		$	0.41			$	0.50			$	1.49			$	1.76
Restructuring and impairment charges per share, net of tax			0.04	(a)			—	(c)			0.07	(a)			0.01	(d)
Pension lump sum settlement charge per share, net of tax			—				—				0.02	(b)			—
Tax audit settlement			—				—				—				(0.04	)(e)
Adjusted Diluted EPS		$	0.45			$	0.50			$	1.58			$	1.73

 

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

Page 6 of 7

 

 

(a) Current year restructuring and asset impairment charges include (1) actions related to rebalancing and reducing the current workforce (2) accrued severance, project management fees, warehousing costs, moving expenses, and supplies and equipment associated with the closing of our Grinnell, Iowa, facility, and (3) an asset impairment charge for our Xuzhou, China location.

 

(b) The pension lump sum settlement charge relates to the Company’s offer to settle liabilities with certain vested participants in our U.S. pension plans.

 

(c) The prior year quarter restructuring charges primarily include severance costs associated with a reduction in workforce in our Wuxi, China, facility due to decreased Customer demand.

 

(d) The prior year restructuring charges include severance costs associated with a reduction in workforce in our Wuxi, China, and Dulmen, Germany, facilities due to decreases in Customer demand and expenses associated with the sale of our Flensburg, Germany, facility in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014.

 

(e) The prior year tax audit settlement relates to favorable settlement of an audit in the prior year quarter.

 

Although free cash flow, EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted diluted EPS are not measures of financial performance under GAAP, the Company believes they are useful in understanding its financial results. Free cash flow is a commonly used measure of a company’s ability to generate cash in excess of its operating needs. EBITDA is a commonly used measure of operating earnings less non-cash expenses. We evaluate our results of operations both on an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our current period local currency financial results using the prior period exchanges rates and compared these adjusted amounts to our prior period reports results. A shortcoming of these financial measures is that they do not reflect the company’s actual results under GAAP. Management does not intend these items to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: All figures independently rounded.   Donaldson Company, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Earnings Press Release Schedules

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