Gibraltar Industries (NASDAQ: ROCK) reported Q4 EPS of $0.62, $0.04 better than the analyst estimate of $0.58. Revenue for the quarter came in at $258.1 million versus the consensus estimate of $256.1 million.

“We continued our momentum in operating performance from the third quarter, delivering solid results in the fourth quarter,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Bosway. “Revenue increased 7%, adjusted EPS increased 32%, and we generated $57 million of cash from operations. Our backlog continued to grow, up 35% to $218 million at the end of the fourth quarter as we further expanded participation in core end markets.”

“Within our segments, Renewable Energy & Conservation delivered growth and margin expansion as demand for our turnkey solutions continued to increase. Subsequent to quarter-end, we acquired Thermo Energy Systems, expanding our North American leadership position in commercial greenhouse solutions, and Delta Separations, continuing the buildout of our processing solutions platform. Our Residential Products performance remained consistent with the market, and Industrial & Infrastructure Products delivered continued margin expansion. Overall, our operating momentum, growing backlog, continued portfolio optimization and strong presence in solid end markets support our confidence as we head into 2020.”

GUIDANCE:

Gibraltar Industries sees Q1 2020 EPS of $0.37-$0.43, versus the consensus of $0.38.

Gibraltar Industries sees FY2020 EPS of $2.95-$3.12, versus the consensus of $2.82. Gibraltar Industries sees FY2020 revenue of $1.21-1.23 billion, versus the consensus of $1.13 billion.

Following four years of steady improvement in operational execution and financial results, Gibraltar delivered another year of solid performance in 2019, and has strong momentum going into 2020. Gibraltar is now taking the next step forward in its strategy with a focus on delivering sustainable growth and returns and strengthening its leadership positions in faster growing end markets.

Mr. Bosway commented, “Over the past twelve months, we have completed a thorough evaluation of the markets we participate in, as well as our position in each of our markets. This work has solidified our strategy and defined our plans to accelerate growth and further improve Gibraltar’s margin profile, both through organic and inorganic investment. We have improved our portfolio through the recent acquisitions of Apeks Supercritical, Thermo Energy Systems and Delta Separations. Our operating foundation is focused on excelling across three core tenets: Business Systems, Portfolio Management, and Organization Development.

Mr. Bosway concluded, “With this strategy in place, we are confident in our plans for 2020 and the opportunity for our business to deliver increasing returns. Our position in faster growing markets continues to expand, and we continue to build on our solid and growing backlog. A larger percentage of our business is now direct with end customers, our new products and services are resonating well, and we are building stronger positions through investments across our businesses. We expect to deliver another solid year of performance in 2020 with revenue in the range of $1.21 billion to $1.23 billion, up 15 – 17% from 2019, and with GAAP EPS in the range of $2.58 and $2.75, or $2.95 to $3.12 on an adjusted basis, compared with $1.99 and $2.58, respectively, in 2019.”

For the first quarter of 2020, the Company is expecting revenue in the range of $246 million to $256 million. GAAP EPS for the first quarter 2020 are expected to be between $0.27 and $0.33, or $0.37 to $0.43 on an adjusted basis.

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