JBT Corporation Reports Strong Third Quarter 2024 Results and Reiterates Full Year 2024 Guidance for Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS

JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT), a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry, today reported results for the third quarter of 2024.

"We are pleased with our third quarter execution, which enabled record quarterly revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EPS from continuing operations," said Brian Deck, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, we experienced continued recovery in demand from our global poultry customers, and our solid orders and backlog benefited from our diverse end market solutions."

Comparisons in this news release are to the comparable period of the prior year, unless otherwise noted. An earnings presentation with supplemental information is also available on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://ir.jbtc.com/events-and-presentations/.

Third Quarter 2024 Results

The below paragraphs reflect JBT's results from continuing operations. AeroTech's financial results were transitioned to discontinued operations beginning in the second quarter of 2023, and prior period financial results have been recast accordingly.

"For the third quarter of 2024, we achieved our target of double-digit year-over-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth," said Matt Meister, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Additionally, we delivered excellent cash flow, which was primarily driven by sequential earnings growth and improved working capital management."

Third quarter 2024 revenue of $454 million increased 12 percent year over year. Income from continuing operations of $38 million increased 23 percent. The improvement in income from continuing operations was driven by volume growth, restructuring and supply chain cost savings, and lower net interest expense, which was partially offset by higher M&A costs and a higher tax rate. Adjusted EBITDA of $82 million increased 23 percent and adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.0 percent increased 160 basis points. Diluted EPS of $1.18 increased 22 percent, and adjusted EPS of $1.50 increased 35 percent. Third quarter 2024 backlog totaled $698 million, and orders of $440 million improved 10 percent.

JBT generated year-to-date operating cash flow from continuing operations of $104 million and free cash flow of $79 million. JBT's net leverage ratio was 0.4x net debt to trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA.

2024 Outlook

JBT is updating its full year 2024 guidance for income from continuing operations and GAAP EPS to account for JBT's plan to settle all outstanding obligations of its fully funded pension plan through the combination of voluntary lump sum payments and the purchase of an annuity contract. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2024, JBT anticipates incurring approximately $28 - $32 million in a non-cash, pre-tax charge.

JBT is reiterating its guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EPS.

Combination with Marel

Following completion of an in-depth preliminary review process, JBT received indication from the European Commission (E.C.) that the Company will be able to imminently notify the E.C. under the EU Merger Regulation of JBT's proposed acquisition of Marel (ICL: Marel). Upon submission of this notification, the E.C. will formally review the notification subject to its standard 25 working day Phase 1 review period.

In order to accommodate the E.C.'s formal review period, JBT and Marel will collaborate with the Financial Supervisory Authority of the Central Bank of Iceland to determine the corresponding extension of the voluntary takeover offer. The extension of the offer will provide an adequate amount of time following receipt of regulatory approvals for Marel shareholders to tender their shares, and JBT and Marel will issue public announcements regarding the extension of the offer. JBT expects to complete the remaining steps to close the transaction on or about the end of 2024.

During October 2024, JBT successfully secured commitments for its deal-contingent financing structure, consisting of a 5-year, amended and restated $1.8 billion revolving credit facility and a 7-year, $900 million Senior Secured Term Loan B. This is consistent with JBT's plan to establish a long-term financing structure. Upon the Marel transaction closing, JBT will terminate the €1.9 billion bridge financing facility.

The revolving credit facility will retain the same pricing grid as JBT's existing revolving credit facility. The Term Loan B was more than 3 times oversubscribed, and as a result, JBT secured pricing of SOFR plus 225 basis points. This pricing structure will step down to SOFR plus 200 basis points once leverage is below 3.25x. Additionally, the Term Loan B includes a ticking fee with no fees to be paid for the first 60 days following allocation of commitments, which occurred on October 9, 2024.

JBT expects to utilize its available cash, proceeds from the Term Loan B, and borrowings on its revolving credit facility to fund the cash portion of the Marel transaction, refinance Marel's existing debt, and pay transaction related fees and expenses. As a result, JBT expects to have ample liquidity at the time of the transaction close to support the ongoing operations of the combined company.

Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, to discuss third quarter 2024 results. Participants may access the conference call through online registration at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I7676635. A simultaneous webcast and audio replay of the call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.jbtc.com/events-and-presentations/.

JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT) is a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry. JBT designs, produces and services sophisticated products and systems for a broad range of end markets, generating roughly one-half of its annual revenue from recurring parts, service, rebuilds, and leasing operations. JBT employs approximately 5,100 people worldwide and operates sales, service, manufacturing and sourcing operations in more than 25 countries. For more information, please visit www.jbtc.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond JBT’s ability to control. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our business and our results of operations, a potential transaction with Marel, our strategic plans, our restructuring plans and expected cost savings from those plans, and our liquidity. The factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the following factors: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination or abandonment of the voluntary takeover offer ("the Offer"); the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction with Marel, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals for the Offer that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; the risk that Marel and/or JBT may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Offer in a timely manner or at all; the risk that the Offer and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of JBT and Marel to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of Marel and JBT, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or that it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies; fluctuations in our financial results; unanticipated delays or accelerations in our sales cycles; deterioration of economic conditions, including impacts from supply chain delays and reduced material or component availability; inflationary pressures, including increases in energy, raw material, freight and labor costs; disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions of the countries in which we conduct business; changes to trade regulation, quotas, duties or tariffs; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; changes in food consumption patterns; impacts of pandemic illnesses, food borne illnesses and diseases to various agricultural products; weather conditions and natural disasters; the impact of climate change and environmental protection initiatives; acts of terrorism or war, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; termination or loss of major customer contracts and risks associated with fixed-price contracts, particularly during periods of high inflation; customer sourcing initiatives; competition and innovation in our industries; our ability to develop and introduce new or enhanced products and services and keep pace with technological developments; difficulty in developing, preserving and protecting our intellectual property or defending claims of infringement; catastrophic loss at any of our facilities and business continuity of our information systems; cyber-security risks such as network intrusion or ransomware schemes; loss of key management and other personnel; potential liability arising out of the installation or use of our systems; our ability to comply with U.S. and international laws governing our operations and industries; increases in tax liabilities; work stoppages; fluctuations in interest rates and returns on pension assets; a systemic failure of the banking system in the United States or globally impacting our customers' financial condition and their demand for our goods and services; availability of and access to financial and other resource; the risk factors discussed in our proxy statement/prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (File No. 333-279438), on June 25, 2024, forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, initially filed by us on May 15, 2024 and declared effective on June 25, 2024; and other factors described under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in JBT’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and in any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. JBT cautions shareholders and prospective investors that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. JBT undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, subsequent events or changes in circumstances or otherwise.

JBT provides non-GAAP financial measures in order to increase transparency in our operating results and trends. These non-GAAP measures eliminate certain costs or benefits from, or change the calculation of, a measure as calculated under U.S. GAAP. By eliminating these items, JBT provides a more meaningful comparison of our ongoing operating results, consistent with how management evaluates performance. Management uses these non-GAAP measures in financial and operational evaluation, planning and forecasting.

These calculations may differ from similarly-titled measures used by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed are not intended to be used as a substitute for, nor should they be considered in isolation of, financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Important Notices

This release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In particular, this release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States, Iceland, the Netherlands or Denmark.

Note to U.S. Shareholders

It is important that U.S. shareholders understand that the Offer and any related offer documents are subject to disclosure and takeover laws and regulations in Iceland and other European jurisdictions, which may be different from those of the United States. The Offer will be made in compliance with the U.S. tender offer rules, including Regulation 14E under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any exemption available to JBT in respect of securities of foreign private issuers provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the Exchange Act.

Important Additional Information

No offer of JBT securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption from registration, and applicable European regulations, including the Icelandic Prospectus Act no. 14/2020 and the Icelandic Takeover Act no. 108/2007 on takeovers. In connection with the Offer, JBT filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-279438) (the “Registration Statement”) that included a proxy statement/prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 25, 2024. Additionally, JBT filed with the Financial Supervisory Authority of the Central Bank of Iceland (the “FSA”) an offer document and a prospectus, which have been approved by the FSA and which have been published.

SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE PROSPECTUS, AND THE OFFER DOCUMENT, AS APPLICABLE, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC OR THE FSA CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about JBT, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and on JBT’s website at https://ir.jbtc.com/overview/default.aspx. You may obtain a free copy of the prospectus on the FSA’s website at www.fme.is and on JBT’s website at https://www.jbtc.com/jbt-marel-offer-launch/ as well as a free copy of the offer document.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241022581618/en/