10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______ TO ______

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-10596

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MISSOURI	43-1554045
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
9900A CLAYTON ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI	63124-1186
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(314) 213-7200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x   No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x   No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨   No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Shares outstanding at January 31, 2017
Common stock, $.01 par value per share	25,723,161

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Net sales	$	146,368			132,833
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		92,914			80,049
Selling, general and administrative expenses		33,762			33,291
Amortization of intangible assets		3,649			2,694
Interest expense, net		684			229
Other (income) expenses, net		(766	)		3,602
Total costs and expenses		130,243			119,865
Earnings before income taxes		16,125			12,968
Income tax expense		5,398			4,139
Net earnings	$	10,727			8,829
Earnings per share:
Basic -  Net earnings	$	0.42			0.34
Diluted - Net earnings	$	0.41			0.34

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2 

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Net earnings	$	10,727			8,829
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(4,363	)		(1,138	)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments		(133	)		63
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		(4,496	)		(1,075	)
Comprehensive income	$	6,231			7, 754

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3 

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	December 31, 2016			September 30, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,755			53,825
Accounts receivable, net		127,231			121,486
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $33,851 and $31,129, respectively		25,165			28,746
Inventories		116,896			105,542
Other current assets		11,669			13,884
Total current assets		332,716			323,483
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $89,209 and $84,454, respectively		111,946			92,405
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $60,604 and $56,955, respectively		266,408			231,759
Goodwill		353,303			323,616
Other assets		5,123			7,108
Total assets	$	1,069,496			978,371
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	20,000			20,000
Accounts payable		37,310			42,074
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $41,760 and $35,266, respectively		24,756			16,187
Accrued salaries		18,403			28,769
Current portion of deferred revenue		26,868			27,212
Accrued other expenses		22,054			23,834
Total current liabilities		149,391			158,076
Pension obligations		40,128			39,842
Deferred tax liabilities		84,498			69,562
Other liabilities		14,842			5,782
Long-term debt		160,000			90,000
Total liabilities		448,859			363,262
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares		–			–
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 30,364,183 and 30,364,183 shares, respectively		304			304
Additional paid-in capital		291,883			290,588
Retained earnings		479,942			471,272
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(43,779	)		(39,283	)
		728,350			722,881
Less treasury stock, at cost: 4,643,722 and 4,647,322 common shares, respectively		(107,713	)		(107,772	)
Total shareholders’ equity		620,637			615,109
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,069,496			978,371

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4 

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	10,727			8,829
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		7,088			5,360
Stock compensation expense		1,437			1,329
Changes in assets and liabilities		(2,053	)		(16,935	)
Effect of deferred taxes		(1,393	)		1,259
Change in deferred revenue and costs, net		(333	)		1,290
Other		263			208
Net cash provided by operating activities		15,736			1,340
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business, net of cash  acquired		(75,000	)		(12,408	)
Additions to capitalized software		(1,433	)		(1,713	)
Capital expenditures		(6,989	)		(2,749	)
Net cash used by investing activities		(83,422	)		(16,870	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt		90,000			33,000
Principal payments on long-term debt		(20,000	)		(13,000	)
Dividends paid		(2,057	)		(2,065	)
Debt issuance costs		-			(950	)
Other		(134	)		-
Net cash provided by financing activities		67,809			16,985
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(2,193	)		(1,041	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(2,070	)		414
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		53,825			39,411
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	51,755			39,825

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5 

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required for annual financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

The Company’s results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 2017 fiscal year. References to the first quarters of 2017 and 2016 represent the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2. ACQUISITION

On November 7, 2016, the Company acquired aerospace suppliers Mayday Manufacturing Co. and its affiliate, Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (collectively referred to as Mayday), which share a 130,000 square foot facility in Denton, Texas, for a purchase price of $75 million in cash. Mayday Manufacturing Co. is a leading manufacturer of mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads, engine mounts, flight controls, and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. is a full-service metal processor offering aerospace OEM’s, Tier 1 suppliers, a large portfolio of processing services including anodizing, cadmium and zinc-nickel plating, organic coatings, non-destructive testing, and heat treatment. Mayday has annual sales of approximately $40 million. Since the date of acquisition the consolidated operating results for Mayday have been included in the Company’s Filtration segment. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $7.4 million of accounts receivable, $11.0 million of inventory, $16.6 million of property, plant and equipment (including a capital lease), $9.5 million of lease liability, $15.7 million of deferred tax liabilities, $30.1 million of goodwill (non-deductible for tax purposes), $4.8 million of trade names and $32.8 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships with a weighted-average life of approximately 20 years.

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares) by using the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016		2015
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		25,720		25,820
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		259		224
Adjusted Shares - Diluted		25,979		26,044

4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan.

6 

Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards

Compensation expense related to the restricted share awards was $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were 526,260 non-vested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

Non-Employee Directors Plan

Compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in the results of operations and included within selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) was $1.4 million and $1.3 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, there was $8.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

(In thousands)	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Finished goods	$	25,464		19,451
Work in process		41,837		37,922
Raw materials		49,595		48,169
Total inventories	$	116,896		105,542

6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are the following intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:

(Dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Goodwill	$	353,303		323,616
Intangible assets with determinable lives:
Patents
Gross carrying amount	$	917		917
Less: accumulated amortization		738		726
Net	$	179		191
Capitalized software
Gross carrying amount	$	55,438		54,003
Less: accumulated amortization		28,504		26,737
Net	$	26,934		27,266
Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount	$	144,288		111,887
Less: accumulated amortization		30,972		28,633
Net	$	113,316		83,254
Other
Gross carrying amount	$	3,176		2,777
Less: accumulated amortization		968		859
Net	$	2,208		1,918
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	123,771		119,128

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The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is as follows:

(Dollars in millions)	USG		Test		Filtration		Packaging			Total
Balance as of September 30, 2016		226.2		34.1		43.9		19.4			323.6
Adjustments		-		-		30.4		(0.7	)		29.7
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	226.2		34.1		74.3		18.7			353.3

7. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers, and classifies its business operations in four segments for financial reporting purposes: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility Solutions Group (USG) and Technical Packaging. The Filtration segment’s operations consist of PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc. (Crissair), Westland Technologies Inc. (Westland), Mayday and its affiliate Hi-Tech. The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned and unmanned aircraft; manufacture elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions for the U.S. Navy; and manufacture landing gear components for the aerospace and defense industry. The Test segment’s operations consist of ETS-Lindgren Inc. and related subsidiaries (ETS-Lindgren). ETS-Lindgren is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. The USG segment’s operations consist of Doble Engineering Company and related subsidiaries (Doble). Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading supplier of partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high voltage power delivery equipment. The Technical Packaging segment’s operations consist of Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ) and Plastique Limited and Plastique Sp. Z o.o (together, Plastique). The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and commercial markets for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a wide variety of thin gauge plastics and pulp.

Management evaluates and measures the performance of its operating segments based on “Net Sales” and “EBIT”, which are detailed in the table below. EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and taxes.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
NET SALES
Filtration	$	58,785			42,317
Test		33,827			42,773
USG		35,556			34,522
Technical Packaging		18,200			13,221
Consolidated totals	$	146,368			132,833
EBIT
Filtration	$	10,726			8,284
Test		2,425			2,338
USG		9,674			8,249
Technical Packaging		1,031			1,813
Corporate (loss)		(7,047	)		(7,487	)
Consolidated EBIT		16,809			13,197
Less: Interest expense		(684	)		(229	)
Earnings before income taxes	$	16,125			12,968

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measure “EBIT” is presented in the above table and elsewhere in this Report. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that EBIT is useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because it excludes interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. A reconciliation of EBIT to net earnings is set forth in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – EBIT, below.

The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies’ non-GAAP financial performance measures. Furthermore, the use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

8 

8. DEBT

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	December 31, 2016			September 30, 2016
Total borrowings	$	180,000			110,000
Current portion of long-term debt		(20,000	)		(20,000	)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	160,000			90,000

The Company’s existing credit facility maturity date is December 21, 2020. The credit facility includes a $450 million revolving line of credit as well as provisions allowing for the increase of the credit facility commitment amount by an additional $250 million, if necessary, with the consent of the lenders. The bank syndication supporting the new facility is comprised of a diverse group of nine banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

At December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $265 million available to borrow under the Credit Facility, and a $250 million increase option, in addition to $51.8 million of cash on hand. At December 31, 2016, the Company had $180 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $4.6 million. The Company classified $20.0 million as the current portion of long-term debt as of December 31, 2016, as the Company intends to repay this amount within the next twelve months; however, the Company has no contractual obligation to repay such amount during the next twelve months.

The Credit Facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 12.5 to 27.5 basis points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the Credit Facility include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The weighted average interest rates were 1.61% and 1.41% for the three-month periods ending December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

9. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The first quarter 2017 effective income tax rate was 33.5% compared to 31.9% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in the effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2017 was mainly due to the income tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 being favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act reducing the 2016 first quarter effective tax rate by 6.6%. In addition, income tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 was unfavorably impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recorded increasing the 2016 first quarter effective tax rate by 5.7%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2017 effective tax rate will be approximately 34%. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2016, there was no material change in the unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

10. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The change in shareholders’ equity for the first three months of 2017 is shown below (in thousands):

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	615,109
Net earnings		10,727
Other comprehensive loss		(4,496	)
Cash dividends		(2,057	)
Stock compensation plans		1,354
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	620,637

9 

11. RETIREMENT PLANS

A summary of net periodic benefit expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is shown in the following table. Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	965			963
Expected return on assets		(1,094	)		(1,093	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3			3
Actuarial loss		505			486
Net periodic benefit cost	$	379			359

12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. During 2016, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling (GBP) to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. The Company expects hedging gains or losses to be essentially offset by losses or gains on the related underlying exposures. All derivative instruments are reported in accrued expenses on the balance sheet at fair value. The derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item.

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments by risk category and instrument type as of December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)	Notional amount (GBP)		Fair Value (US$)
Forward contracts		1,859		(348	)

13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:

·   Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

·   Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

·   Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

10 

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventories, payables, debt and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-		(348	)	$	-		(348	)

Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments.

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as property, plant and equipment, and other intangible assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. No impairments were recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2016.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References to the first quarters of 2017 and 2016 represent the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

OVERVIEW

In the first quarter of 2017, sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share were $146.4 million, $10.7 million and $0.41 per share, respectively, compared to $132.8 million, $8.8 million and $0.34 per share in the first quarter of 2016.

NET SALES

Net sales increased $13.6 million, or 10.2%, to $146.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $132.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in net sales in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2016 was due to a $16.5 million increase in the Filtration segment, a $5.0 million increase in the Technical Packaging segment, a $1.0 million increase in the USG segment, partially offset by an $8.9 million decrease in the Test segment.

11 

- Filtration

In the first quarter of 2017, net sales of $58 million were $16.5 million, or 38.9%, higher than the $42.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. The sales increase in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was mainly due to: the sales contributions from the Company’s recent acquisitions of Westland ($6.7 million) and Mayday ($6.2 million); and a $3.3 million increase in net sales at VACCO due to higher shipments of its space and defense products.

-Test

In the first quarter of 2017, net sales of $33.8 million were $8.9 million, or 20.9%, lower than the $42.8 million recorded in the first quarter of 2016. The sales decrease in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in net sales from the segment’s U.S. operations and European operations due to the timing of projects and lower sales volumes of domestic shielding products.

- Utility Solutions Group (USG)

Net sales increased $1.0 million, or 3.0%, to $35.6 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $34.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. The sales increase in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was mainly due to additional software and service revenue at Doble.

-Technical Packaging

Net sales increased $5.0 million, or 37.7%, to $18.2 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $13.2 million in the first quarter of 2016. The sales increase in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was primarily due to the $7.1 million sales contribution from Plastique (acquired January 29, 2016), partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in net sales from TEQ due to lower shipments to medical customers.

ORDERS AND BACKLOG

Backlog was $368.9 million at December 31, 2016 compared with $332.4 million at September 30, 2016. The Company received new orders totaling $182.9 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $142.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Of the new orders received in the first quarter of 2017, $67.5 million related to Filtration products, $56.0 million related to Test products, $39.5 million related to USG products and $19.9 million related to Technical Packaging products. Of the new orders received in the first quarter of 2016, $56.8 million related to Filtration products, $38.9 million related to Test products, $31.2 million related to USG products and $15.8 million related to Technical Packaging products.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were $33.8 million (23.1% of net sales), compared with $33.3 million (25.1% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2016. The increase in SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was mainly due to an increase in SG&A expenses in the Filtration and Technical Packaging segments due to the Company’s recent acquisitions (Westland, Mayday and Plastique) partially offset by a decrease in SG&A expenses in the Test segment (as a result of the 2016 restructuring activities) and Corporate (lower professional fees related to M&A activities).

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Amortization of intangible assets was $3.6 million and $2.7 million for the first quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization expenses consist of amortization of acquired intangible assets from recent acquisitions and other identifiable intangible assets (primarily software, patents and licenses). The increase in amortization expense in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was mainly due to an increase in amortization of intangibles related to the Plastique, Westland and Mayday acquisitions.

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME), NET

Other income, net, was $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to other expenses, net, of $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2016. The principal component in other income, net, in the first quarter of 2017 was $0.4 million of income related to death benefit insurance proceeds from a former employee. The principal components in other expenses, net, in the first quarter of 2016 were $2.3 million of restructuring costs related to the Test segment facility consolidation and $1.3 million of costs related to the USG segment restructuring activities. The restructuring costs mainly related to severance and compensation benefits, professional fees and asset impairment charges related to abandoned assets.

EBIT (Earnings before interest and taxes)

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT, and provides EBIT on a consolidated basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, above. EBIT was $16.8 million (11.5% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2017 compared to $13.2 million (9.9% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2016.

12 

The following table presents a reconciliation of consolidated EBIT to net earnings.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Consolidated EBIT	$	16,809			13,197
Less: Interest expense, net		(684	)		(229	)
Less: Income tax expense		(5,398	)		(4,139	)
Net earnings	$	10,727			8,829

- Filtration

EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 was $10.7 million (18.2% of net sales) compared to $8.3 million (19.6% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was due to the EBIT contribution from Westland (September 2, 2016 acquisition) and an increase at PTI due to changes in product mix.

- Test

EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 was $2.4 million (7.2% of net sales) compared to $2.3 million (5.5% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2016. EBIT increased in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 mainly due to the $2.5 million of restructuring charges incurred in the first quarter of 2016 related to closing the operating facilities in Taufkirchen, Germany and Stevenage, England; partially offset by decrease in EBIT due to the lower sales volumes in the first quarter of 2017.

- Utility Solutions Group

EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 was $9.7 million (27.2% of net sales) compared to $8.2 million (23.9% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was primarily due to $1.3 million of restructuring charges incurred in the first quarter of 2016 related to the closing of the Brazil office consisting mainly of employee severance and compensation benefits and asset write downs.

-Technical Packaging

EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 was $1.0 million (5.7% of net sales) compared to $1.8 million (13.7% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in EBIT in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was mainly due to the lower sales volumes at TEQ and higher SG&A expense.

- Corporate

Corporate costs included in EBIT were $7.0 million and $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in Corporate costs in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was due to lower professional fees mainly related to M&A activities.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

Interest expense was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in interest expense in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2016 was due to higher average interest rates (1.6% vs 1.4%) and higher average outstanding borrowings ($160.3 million vs. $70.3 million) as a result of the additional borrowings to fund the Company’s recent acquisitions.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2017 was $5.4 million compared to $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. The first quarter 2017 effective income tax rate was 33.5% compared to 31.9% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in the effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2017 was mainly due to the income tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 being favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act reducing the 2016 first quarter effective tax rate by 6.6%. In addition, the income tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 was unfavorably impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recorded increasing the 2016 first quarter effective tax rate by 5.7%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2017 effective tax rate will be approximately 34%. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2016, there was no material change in the unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries had accumulated unremitted earnings of $47.4 million and cash of $42.4 million at December 31, 2016. No deferred taxes have been provided on the accumulated unremitted earnings because these funds are not needed to meet the liquidity requirements of the Company’s U.S. operations and it is the Company’s intention to reinvest these earnings indefinitely. In the event these foreign entities’ earnings were distributed, it is estimated that U.S. taxes, net of available foreign tax credits, of approximately $7.7 million would be due, which would correspondingly reduce the Company’s net earnings. 

13 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

The Company’s overall financial position and liquidity remains strong. Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) increased to $183.3 million at December 31, 2016 from $165.4 million at September 30, 2016. The $11.4 million increase in inventories at December 31, 2016 was mainly due to: a $10.8 million increase within the Filtration segment primarily related to the acquisition of Mayday in the first quarter of 2017. Accounts receivable increased $5.7 million at December 31, 2016 primarily related to the acquisition of Mayday. Accounts payable decreased $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2017 primarily due to a $4.3 million decrease within the Test segment due to timing of payments.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in the net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2016 was mainly due to higher net earnings and lower operating working capital requirements.

Capital expenditures were $7.0 million and $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in the first quarter of 2017 was mainly due an increase in machinery and equipment additions at VACCO ($1.7 million) and Plastique ($1.3 million). In addition, the Company incurred expenditures for capitalized software of $1.4 million and $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Credit Facility

At December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $265 million available to borrow under its bank credit facility, a $250 million increase option, and $51.8 million cash on hand. At December 31, 2016, the Company had $180 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $4.6 million. Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s credit facility are expected to meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

Acquisition

On November 7, 2016, the Company acquired aerospace suppliers Mayday Manufacturing Co. and its affiliate, Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (collectively referred to as Mayday), located in Denton, Texas, for a purchase price of $75 million in cash. Since the date of acquisition the consolidated operating results for Mayday have been included in the Company’s Filtration segment.

Dividends

A dividend of $0.08 per share was paid on October 17, 2016 to stockholders of record as of October 3, 2016, totaling $2.1 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2016, the next quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, or $2.1 million, was paid on January 19, 2017 to stockholders of record as of January 4, 2017.

OUTLOOK

On a quarterly basis, Management continues to expect 2017 revenues and EPS to reflect a profile similar to 2016, including EPS being more second-half weighted. Second quarter 2017 EPS is expected to be in the range of $0.37 to $0.42 per share. Management expects 2017 to be in the range of $2.16 - $2.26 per share.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and related notes and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate. Certain of these accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by Management in selecting appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on historical experience, trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. The most significant areas involving Management judgments and estimates may be found in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

OTHER MATTERS

Contingencies

As a normal incident of the business in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against the Company. Additionally, the Company is currently involved in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. In the opinion of Management, the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters, and final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against the Company, are adequately reserved, are covered by insurance, or would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results from operations, capital expenditures, or competitive position.

14 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this Form 10-Q regarding future events and the Company’s future results that reflect or are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections or assumptions about the Company’s performance and the industries in which the Company operates are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Federal securities laws. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements about: the amount and timing of future sales, revenues, cash flows, EBIT and EPS; the adequacy of the Company’s credit facility and the Company’s ability to increase it; the outcome of current litigation, claims and charges; continued reinvestment of foreign earnings and U.S. income tax liabilities in the event that foreign earnings were distributed; future income tax liabilities and effective tax rate; changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits; the recognition and timing of costs related to share-based compensation arrangements; returns on retirement plan assets; estimates or projections made in connection with the Company’s accounting policies; market risks relating to the Company’s operations and changes in interest rates and the Company’s ability to hedge against or otherwise manage them through the use of derivative financial instruments; and any other statements contained herein which are not strictly historical. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment, including but not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, and the following: the impacts of natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; the timing and content of future contract awards or customer orders; termination for convenience of customer contracts or orders; financial exposure in connection with Company guarantees of certain Aclara contracts; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; the availability of selected acquisitions; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs of certain raw materials; labor disputes; changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; changes in interest rates; costs relating to environmental matters; litigation uncertainty; and the Company’s successful execution of internal restructuring plans.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. During 2016, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling (GBP) to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. All derivative instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item. There has been no material change to the Company’s market risks since September 30, 2016. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Report for a summary of the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2016. Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 for further discussion about market risk.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

15 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number
3.1(a)	Restated Articles of Incorporation	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 (File No. 1-10596)
3.1(b)	Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Registrant	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2000 (File No. 1-10596)
3.1(c)	Articles of Merger effective July 10, 2000	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 1-10596)
3.2	Bylaws	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to Form 8-K filed May 7, 2014 (File No. 1-10596)
4.1	Specimen revised Common Stock Certificate	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10596)
4.2	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2015 among the Registrant, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., BMO Harris Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Co-Documentation Agents	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated December 23, 2015 (File No. 1-10596)
4.3	Amendment No. 1 to December 21, 2015 Credit Agreement, effective September 30, 2016	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 1-10596)
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer relating to Form 10-Q for period ended December 31, 2016	Filed herewith
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer relating to Form 10-Q for period ended December 31, 2016	Filed herewith
32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer relating to Form 10-Q for period ended December 31, 2016	Filed herewith
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document*	Submitted herewith
101.SCH	XBRL Schema Document*	Submitted herewith
101.CAL	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document*	Submitted herewith
101.DEF	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document*	Submitted herewith
101.LAB	XBRL Label Linkbase Document*	Submitted herewith
101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document*	Submitted herewith

*Exhibit 101 to this report consists of documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The financial information contained in the XBRL – related documents is “unaudited” or “unreviewed”.

16 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

/s/ Gary E. Muenster

Gary E. Muenster

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(As duly authorized officer and principal accounting and financial officer of the registrant)

Dated: February 8, 2017

17 

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Victor L. Richey, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ESCO Technologies Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 8, 2017

/s/ Victor L. Richey

Victor L. Richey

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Gary E. Muenster, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ESCO Technologies Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 8, 2017

/s/ Gary E. Muenster

Gary E. Muenster

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of ESCO Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Victor L. Richey, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, and Gary E. Muenster, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of our knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 8, 2017

/s/ Victor L. Richey

Victor L. Richey

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

ESCO Technologies Inc.

/s/ Gary E. Muenster

Gary E. Muenster

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

ESCO Technologies Inc.

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000866706
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	ESE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,723,161

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 146,368	$ 132,833
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	92,914	80,049
Selling, general and administrative expenses	33,762	33,291
Amortization of intangible assets	3,649	2,694
Interest expense, net	684	229
Other (income) expenses, net	(766)	3,602
Total costs and expenses	130,243	119,865
Earnings before income taxes	16,125	12,968
Income tax expense	5,398	4,139
Net earnings	$ 10,727	$ 8,829
Diluted:
Basic - Net earnings	$ 0.42	$ 0.34
Diluted - Net earnings	$ 0.41	$ 0.34

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net earnings	$ 10,727	$ 8,829
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(4,363)	(1,138)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(133)	63
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(4,496)	(1,075)
Comprehensive income	$ 6,231	$ 7,754

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,755	$ 53,825
Accounts receivable, net	127,231	121,486
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $33,851 and $31,129, respectively	25,165	28,746
Inventories	116,896	105,542
Other current assets	11,669	13,884
Total current assets	332,716	323,483
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $89,209 and $84,454, respectively	111,946	92,405
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $60,604 and $56,955, respectively	266,408	231,759
Goodwill	353,303	323,616
Other assets	5,123	7,108
Total Assets	1,069,496	978,371
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	20,000
Accounts payable	37,310	42,074
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $41,760 and $35,266, respectively	24,756	16,187
Accrued salaries	18,403	28,769
Current portion of deferred revenue	26,868	27,212
Accrued other expenses	22,054	23,834
Total current liabilities	149,391	158,076
Pension obligations	40,128	39,842
Deferred tax liabilities	84,498	69,562
Other liabilities	14,842	5,782
Long-term debt	160,000	90,000
Total liabilities	448,859	363,262
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 30,364,183 and 30,364,183 shares, respectively	304	304
Additional paid-in capital	291,883	290,588
Retained earnings	479,942	471,272
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(43,779)	(39,283)
Total stockholders' equity before Treasury Stock	728,350	722,881
Less treasury stock, at cost: 4,643,722 and 4,647,322 common shares, respectively	(107,713)	(107,772)
Total shareholders’ equity	620,637	615,109
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,069,496	$ 978,371

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, progress billings	$ 33,851	$ 31,129
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	89,209	84,454
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	60,604	56,955
Advance payments on long-term contracts, costs incurred	$ 41,760	$ 35,266
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	30,364,183	30,364,183
Treasury stock, shares	4,643,722	4,647,322

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 10,727	$ 8,829
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,088	5,360
Stock compensation expense	1,437	1,329
Changes in assets and liabilities	(2,053)	(16,935)
Effect of deferred taxes	(1,393)	1,259
Change in deferred revenue and costs, net	(333)	1,290
Other	263	208
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,736	1,340
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(75,000)	(12,408)
Additions to capitalized software	(1,433)	(1,713)
Capital expenditures	(6,989)	(2,749)
Net cash used by investing activities	(83,422)	(16,870)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	90,000	33,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(20,000)	(13,000)
Dividends paid	(2,057)	(2,065)
Debt issuance costs	0	(950)
Other	(134)	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	67,809	16,985
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,193)	(1,041)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,070)	414
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	53,825	39,411
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 51,755	$ 39,825

XML

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required for annual financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

The Company’s results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 2017 fiscal year. References to the first quarters of 2017 and 2016 represent the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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ACQUISITION

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

ACQUISITION

2. ACQUISITION

On November 7, 2016, the Company acquired aerospace suppliers Mayday Manufacturing Co. and its affiliate, Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (collectively referred to as Mayday), which share a 130,000 square foot facility in Denton, Texas, for a purchase price of $75 million in cash. Mayday Manufacturing Co. is a leading manufacturer of mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads, engine mounts, flight controls, and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. is a full-service metal processor offering aerospace OEM’s, Tier 1 suppliers, a large portfolio of processing services including anodizing, cadmium and zinc-nickel plating, organic coatings, non-destructive testing, and heat treatment. Mayday has annual sales of approximately $40 million. Since the date of acquisition the consolidated operating results for Mayday have been included in the Company’s Filtration segment. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $7.4 million of accounts receivable, $11.0 million of inventory, $16.6 million of property, plant and equipment (including a capital lease), $9.5 million of lease liability, $15.7 million of deferred tax liabilities, $30.1 million of goodwill (non-deductible for tax purposes), $4.8 million of trade names and $32.8 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships with a weighted-average life of approximately 20 years.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares) by using the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended  December 31,
	2016		2015
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		25,720		25,820
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		259		224
Adjusted Shares - Diluted		25,979		26,044

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan.

Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards

Compensation expense related to the restricted share awards was $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were 526,260 non-vested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

Non-Employee Directors Plan

Compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in the results of operations and included within selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) was $1.4 million and $1.3 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, there was $8.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

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INVENTORIES

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventories [Abstract]

INVENTORIES

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

(In thousands)	December 31,  2016		September 30,  2016
Finished goods	$	25,464		19,451
Work in process		41,837		37,922
Raw materials		49,595		48,169
Total inventories	$	116,896		105,542

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are the following intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:

(Dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Goodwill	$	353,303		323,616
Intangible assets with determinable lives:
Patents
Gross carrying amount	$	917		917
Less: accumulated amortization		738		726
Net	$	179		191
Capitalized software
Gross carrying amount	$	55,438		54,003
Less: accumulated amortization		28,504		26,737
Net	$	26,934		27,266
Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount	$	144,288		111,887
Less: accumulated amortization		30,972		28,633
Net	$	113,316		83,254
Other
Gross carrying amount	$	3,176		2,777
Less: accumulated amortization		968		859
Net	$	2,208		1,918
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	123,771		119,128

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is as follows:

(Dollars in millions)	USG		Test		Filtration		Packaging		Total
Balance as of September 30, 2016		226.2		34.1		43.9		19.4		323.6
Adjustments		-		-		30.4		(0.7)		29.7
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	226.2		34.1		74.3		18.7		353.3

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

7. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers and classifies its business operations in four segments for financial reporting purposes: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility Solutions Group (USG) and Technical Packaging. The Filtration segment’s operations consist of PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc. (Crissair), Westland Technologies Inc. (Westland), Mayday and its affiliate Hi-Tech. The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned and unmanned aircraft; manufacture elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions for the U.S. Navy; and manufacture landing gear components for the aerospace and defense industry. The Test segment’s operations consist of ETS-Lindgren Inc. and related subsidiaries (ETS-Lindgren). ETS-Lindgren is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. The USG segment’s operations consist of Doble Engineering Company and related subsidiaries (Doble). Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading supplier of partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high voltage power delivery equipment. The Technical Packaging segment’s operations consist of Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ) and Plastique Limited and Plastique Sp. Z.o.o (together, Plastique). The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and commercial markets for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a wide variety of thin gauge plastics and pulp. 

 

Management evaluates and measures the performance of its operating segments based on “Net Sales” and “EBIT”, which are detailed in the table below. EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and taxes.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016		2015
NET SALES
Filtration	$	58,785		42,317
Test		33,827		42,773
USG		35,556		34,522
Technical Packaging		18,200		13,221
Consolidated totals	$	146,368		132,833
EBIT
Filtration	$	10,726		8,284
Test		2,425		2,338
USG		9,674		8,249
Technical Packaging		1,031		1,813
Corporate (loss)		(7,047)		(7,487)
Consolidated EBIT		16,809		13,197
Less: Interest expense		(684)		(229)
Earnings before income taxes	$	16,125		12,968

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measure “EBIT” is presented in the above table and elsewhere in this Report. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that EBIT is useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because it excludes interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. A reconciliation of EBIT to net earnings is set forth in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – EBIT, below.

The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies’ non-GAAP financial performance measures. Furthermore, the use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

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DEBT

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt [Abstract]

DEBT

8. DEBT

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Total borrowings	$	180,000		110,000
Current portion of long-term debt		(20,000)		(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	160,000		90,000

The Company’s existing credit facility maturity date is December 21, 2020. The credit facility includes a $450 million revolving line of credit as well as provisions allowing for the increase of the credit facility commitment amount by an additional $250 million, if necessary, with the consent of the lenders. The bank syndication supporting the new facility is comprised of a diverse group of nine banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. 

At December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $265 million available to borrow under the Credit Facility, and a $250 million increase option, in addition to $51.8 million of cash on hand. At December 31, 2016, the Company had $180 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $4.6 million. The Company classified $20.0 million as the current portion of long-term debt as of December 31, 2016, as the Company intends to repay this amount within the next twelve months; however, the Company has no contractual obligation to repay such amount during the next twelve months. 

The Credit Facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 12.5 to 27.5 basis points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the Credit Facility include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The weighted average interest rates were 1.61% and 1.41% for the three-month periods ending December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

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INCOME TAX EXPENSE

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Expense [Abstract]

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

9. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The first quarter 2017 effective income tax rate was 33.5% compared to 31.9% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in the effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2017 was mainly due to the income tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 being favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act reducing the 2016 first quarter effective tax rate by 6.6%. In addition, income tax expense in the first quarter of 2016 was unfavorably impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recorded increasing the 2016 first quarter effective tax rate by 5.7%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2017 effective tax rate will be approximately 34%. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2016, there was no material change in the unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

10. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

The change in shareholders’ equity for the first three months of 2017 is shown below (in thousands):

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	615,109
Net earnings		10,727
Other comprehensive loss		(4,496)
Cash dividends		(2,057)
Stock compensation plans		1,354
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	620,637

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RETIREMENT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

RETIREMENT PLANS

11. RETIREMENT PLANS

A summary of net periodic benefit expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is shown in the following table. Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended  December 31,
(In thousands)	2016		2015
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	965		963
Expected return on assets		(1,094)		(1,093)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3		3
Actuarial loss		505		486
Net periodic benefit cost	$	379		359

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. During 2016, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling (GBP) to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. The Company expects hedging gains or losses to be essentially offset by losses or gains on the related underlying exposures. All derivative instruments are reported in accrued expenses on the balance sheet at fair value. The derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item.

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments by risk category and instrument type as of December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)	Notional amount (GBP)		Fair Value (US$)
Forward contracts		1,859		(348)

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:

·   Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

·   Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

·   Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventories, payables, debt and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-		(348)	$	-		(348)

Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments.

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as property, plant and equipment, and other intangible assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. No impairments were recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2016.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares

The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended  December 31,
	2016		2015
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		25,720		25,820
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		259		224
Adjusted Shares - Diluted		25,979		26,044

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INVENTORIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventories [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

(In thousands)	December 31,  2016		September 30,  2016
Finished goods	$	25,464		19,451
Work in process		41,837		37,922
Raw materials		49,595		48,169
Total inventories	$	116,896		105,542

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are the following intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:

(Dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Goodwill	$	353,303		323,616
Intangible assets with determinable lives:
Patents
Gross carrying amount	$	917		917
Less: accumulated amortization		738		726
Net	$	179		191
Capitalized software
Gross carrying amount	$	55,438		54,003
Less: accumulated amortization		28,504		26,737
Net	$	26,934		27,266
Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount	$	144,288		111,887
Less: accumulated amortization		30,972		28,633
Net	$	113,316		83,254
Other
Gross carrying amount	$	3,176		2,777
Less: accumulated amortization		968		859
Net	$	2,208		1,918
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	123,771		119,128

Schedule of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is as follows:

(Dollars in millions)	USG		Test		Filtration		Packaging		Total
Balance as of September 30, 2016		226.2		34.1		43.9		19.4		323.6
Adjustments		-		-		30.4		(0.7)		29.7
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	226.2		34.1		74.3		18.7		353.3

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax

Management evaluates and measures the performance of its operating segments based on “Net Sales” and “EBIT”, which are detailed in the table below. EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and taxes.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2016		2015
NET SALES
Filtration	$	58,785		42,317
Test		33,827		42,773
USG		35,556		34,522
Technical Packaging		18,200		13,221
Consolidated totals	$	146,368		132,833
EBIT
Filtration	$	10,726		8,284
Test		2,425		2,338
USG		9,674		8,249
Technical Packaging		1,031		1,813
Corporate (loss)		(7,047)		(7,487)
Consolidated EBIT		16,809		13,197
Less: Interest expense		(684)		(229)
Earnings before income taxes	$	16,125		12,968

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DEBT (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt [Abstract]

Schedule Of Debt

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Total borrowings	$	180,000		110,000
Current portion of long-term debt		(20,000)		(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	160,000		90,000

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule Of Change In Equity

The change in shareholders’ equity for the first three months of 2017 is shown below (in thousands):

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	615,109
Net earnings		10,727
Other comprehensive loss		(4,496)
Cash dividends		(2,057)
Stock compensation plans		1,354
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	620,637

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RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans

A summary of net periodic benefit expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is shown in the following table. Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended  December 31,
(In thousands)	2016		2015
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	965		963
Expected return on assets		(1,094)		(1,093)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3		3
Actuarial loss		505		486
Net periodic benefit cost	$	379		359

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments by risk category and instrument type as of December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)	Notional amount (GBP)		Fair Value (US$)
Forward contracts		1,859		(348)

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-		(348)	$	-		(348)

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ACQUISITION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 07, 2016 USD ($) ft²	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 353,303		$ 323,616
Revenue, Net		$ 146,368	$ 132,833
Mayday Manufacturing Co [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 75,000
Goodwill	30,100
Revenue, Net	40,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	16,600
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities	$ 15,700
Area of Land | ft²	130,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables	$ 7,400
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory	11,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Capital Lease Obligation	9,500
Mayday Manufacturing Co [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total	4,800
Mayday Manufacturing Co [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill, Total	$ 32,800

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Number Of Shares Used In The Calculation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earning Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic	25,720	25,820
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares	259	224
Adjusted Shares - Diluted	25,979	26,044

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation cost	$ 1.4	$ 1.3
Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share (PARS) Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 1.2	1.1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	526,260
Non-Employee Directors Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total income tax benefit recognized	$ 0.5	0.5
Pretax compensation expense	0.2	$ 0.2
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements	$ 8.8
Remaining weighted-average period for recognition of total unrecognized compensation cost	1 year 4 months 24 days

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INVENTORIES (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$ 25,464	$ 19,451
Work in process	41,837	37,922
Raw materials	49,595	48,169
Total inventories	$ 116,896	$ 105,542

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule Of Intangible Assets Gross Carrying Amounts And Accumulated Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 353,303	$ 323,616
Less: accumulated amortization	60,604	56,955
Patents [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	917	917
Less: accumulated amortization	738	726
Net	179	191
Capitalized Software [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	55,438	54,003
Less: accumulated amortization	28,504	26,737
Net	26,934	27,266
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	144,288	111,887
Less: accumulated amortization	30,972	28,633
Net	113,316	83,254
Other [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	3,176	2,777
Less: accumulated amortization	968	859
Net	2,208	1,918
Trade names [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trade names	$ 123,771	$ 119,128

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill Attributable To Business Segment) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 323,616
Adjustments	29,700
Goodwill, Ending Balance	353,303
Utility Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	226,200
Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	226,200
Test [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	34,100
Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	34,100
Filtration [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	43,900
Adjustments	30,400
Goodwill, Ending Balance	74,300
Technical Packaging [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	19,400
Adjustments	(700)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 18,700

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 146,368	$ 132,833
Consolidated EBIT	16,809	13,197
Less: Interest expense	(684)	(229)
Earnings before income taxes	16,125	12,968
Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	58,785	42,317
Consolidated EBIT	10,726	8,284
Test [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	33,827	42,773
Consolidated EBIT	2,425	2,338
Utility Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	35,556	34,522
Consolidated EBIT	9,674	8,249
Technical Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	18,200	13,221
Consolidated EBIT	1,031	1,813
Corporate (loss) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated EBIT	$ (7,047)	$ (7,487)

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DEBT (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total borrowings	$ 180,000	$ 110,000
Current portion of long-term debt	(20,000)	(20,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$ 160,000	$ 90,000

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DEBT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Available to borrow under the credit facility	$ 265,000
Cash on hand	$ 51,755	$ 39,825	$ 53,825	$ 39,411
Percentage of foreign subsidiaries' share equity	65.00%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 4,600
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	180,000
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	20,000		$ 20,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 450,000
Weighted average interest rates	1.61%	1.41%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount	$ 250,000
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility fees	12.50%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Incremental term loan	$ 250,000
Credit facility fees	27.50%

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INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	33.50%	31.90%
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent			34.00%
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Percent	6.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation,Other Reconciling Items, Percent	5.70%

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule Of Change In Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Balance	$ 615,109
Net earnings	10,727	$ 8,829
Other comprehensive loss	(4,496)	(1,075)
Cash dividends	(2,057)	$ (2,065)
Stock compensation plans	1,354
Ending Balance	$ 620,637

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RETIREMENT PLANS (Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$ 965	$ 963
Expected return on assets	(1,094)	(1,093)
Amortization of Prior service cost	3	3
Amortization of Actuarial loss	505	486
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 379	$ 359

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) - Dec. 31, 2016 - Forward Contracts [Member] £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	USD ($)	GBP (£)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount | £		£ 1,859
Derivative, Fair Value | $	$ (348)

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details) - Forward Contracts [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	$ (348)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	(348)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	$ 0