Middleby Corp (MIDD) Tops Q4 EPS by 21c, Revenues Beat

Middleby Corp (NASDAQ: MIDD) reported Q4 EPS of $1.62, $0.21 better than the analyst estimate of $1.41. Revenue for the quarter came in at $729.3 million versus the consensus estimate of $694.89 million.

“While 2020 was a challenging year for our industry and customers, we have been proactive during this time of uncertainty. Our actions in 2020 have positioned Middleby to lead emerging trends and realize growth across all our platforms. We advanced our technology initiatives, expanded our sales capabilities, secured strategic acquisitions, reinforced our supply chain, expanded our global infrastructure, introduced new, innovative products and opened our state-of-the-art Middleby Innovation Kitchens. We have always been an innovative company, but our investments in technology are rapidly accelerating in this changing market. I am proud of our team and the quick and decisive actions taken in 2020, as these contributed to our strong financial performance in the fourth quarter and will carry us into 2021 with momentum. While COVID-19 vaccines are now available to many, safety precautions at our facilities remain in place, as the health and protection of our employees will always be a top priority,” said Tim FitzGerald, CEO of The Middleby Corporation.

"In Commercial Foodservice, orders have consistently improved since the initial impact of COVID-19. Restaurants continue to gain experience and proficiency as they perfect their procedures for delivery, carry out, drive-through and curbside pickup. Many chain restaurants who had fluid processes in place pre-pandemic have explored ways to shorten wait times, expand cooking throughput and reduce labor needs. Consumer demand has proven resilient and these operator needs continue to provide growth opportunities for our differentiated solutions. There is pent-up demand for indoor dining which has been consistently opening up across the country, as regulated by the states. This is benefiting our casual dining customers,” said Mr. FitzGerald.

“Our focus on innovation is not just equipment -- we are retooling the entire customer experience. Last week we were pleased to announce the official debut of the Middleby Innovation Kitchens in the Dallas area, which will allow us to best serve our customers and partners. The 40,000 square-foot facility has 15 live vignettes and 150 pieces of active Middleby equipment including IoT, automation, an extensive beverage offering, a full brewery and space where our customer can design and test their kitchen equipment and workflow. We believe the timing is right for this type of facility as customers want a hands-on experience as they re-invent their foodservice operations,” commented Mr. FitzGerald.

"At our Residential Kitchen businesses, we are seeing high interest in recently debuted product innovations across the portfolio of our premium brands. Favorable conditions continue in the housing market, with increased remodels and kitchen upgrades due to more time spent in the home. Our virtual sales experience and showroom tours have been in high demand. We plan to further the 2021 investments in this segment with the completion and opening of our Dallas showroom, targeted digital marketing initiatives and deeper engagement with the designer community.”

“At the Food Processing Group, travel restrictions continue to be a significant challenge with customer demonstrations and installations. Despite this, backlog levels remain strong along with customer interest in recent product introductions and full-line solutions. We remain focused on increasing our presence in fast-growing segments, such as cured meats and alternative protein. We are also positioned to support our customers growing requirements for automation solutions to address labor availability and increased employee safety concerns,” Mr. FitzGerald concluded.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Middleby Corp (MIDD) click here.

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