Q2FY'13 revenues up 5.2% at uniform maker G&K Services

Second quarter net earnings per diluted share grew 33 percent to $0.68, from earnings of $0.51 per diluted share in the prior-year period. The company’s quarterly operating margin improved to 10.0 percent, up from 7.8 percent in last year’s second quarter, reaching the highest level in ten years.

“Achieving our 10 percent operating margin goal is a tremendous accomplishment for our entire team,” said Douglas A. Milroy, Chief Executive Officer. “We have now more than doubled the company’s operating margin since we initiated our game plan. We’re as excited as ever about G&K’s future and continue to see opportunities to drive further operating margin expansion, earnings growth, and improvements in return on invested capital.”

Income Statement Review

Second quarter revenue from rental operations grew 5.6 percent to $207.9 million, up from $196.8 million in the prior-year quarter. The rental organic growth rate, which adjusts for the impact of currency exchange rate differences, acquisitions and divestitures, was 4.5 percent. The impact of currency exchange rate differences and acquisitions added 1.1 percent to rental operations growth during the quarter. Second quarter direct sales grew by 5.4 percent to $21.3 million, from $20.2 million in the prior-year.

Operating margin expanded to 10.0 percent, a 220 basis point improvement from the 7.8 percent margin in last year’s second quarter. The operating margin increase was primarily driven by increased operating leverage from revenue growth, productivity improvements in rental production and delivery, and improved direct sales gross margin.

Selling and administrative costs were also lower as a percentage of revenue than in the prior-year. These improvements were partially offset by an expected increase in rental merchandise expense.

Net earnings also benefited from lower interest expense, which was $1.1 million, down from $1.6 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to a lower effective interest rate, partially offset by higher total debt. The effective tax rate was 39.2 percent, compared to 38.3 percent in last year’s second quarter. Diluted shares outstanding increased to 19.1 million, up from 18.7 million in the prior year.

About G&K Services, Inc.

G&K Services, Inc. is a service-focused market leader of branded uniform and facility services programs in the United States, and is the largest such provider in Canada. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, G&K Services has nearly 7,800 employees serving approximately 165,000 customers from 160 facilities in North America. 

G&K Services