Acuity Brands Achieves US$899.7 Million in Sales for Q3 Fiscal 2021

Acuity

July 15, 2021

Acuity Brands, Inc. announced net sales of US$899.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 ended May 31, 2021, an increase of $123.5 million or 15.9%, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020 (all figures in $US). Diluted earnings per share was $2.37, an increase of 55.9% over prior year, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $2.77 per share, an increase of 42.8% over prior year.

“I am proud of our team for returning the business to growth during the quarter, while also expanding our gross profit margin. The breakout of our newly formed business segments shows that both segments contributed to that improvement,” says Neil Ashe, Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands. “We continue to allocate capital effectively with the acquisition of ams OSRAM’s North American Digital Systems business which will contribute to innovation and long-term growth.”

Gross profit of $386.6 million increased $59.0 million, or 18.0 percent, as compared to the prior year. Gross profit was 43.0 percent of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 80 basis points from 42.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The improvement in gross profit and gross profit margin was primarily a result of the increase in sales volumes as well as product and productivity improvements, which were partially offset by higher input costs.

Operating profit of $118.1 million increased $35.1 million, or 42.3 percent as compared to prior year. Operating profit was 13.1 percent of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 240 basis points from 10.7 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The improvement in operating profit margin was largely a result of the increase in gross profit margin, in addition to the leveraging of the fixed costs base.

Adjusted operating profit of $136.8 million increased $31.9 million, or 30.4 percent, for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was 15.2 percent of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 170 basis points from 13.5 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Net income of $85.7 million increased $25.3 million, or 41.9 percent, as compared to prior year. Diluted earnings per share of $2.37 increased $0.85, or 55.9 percent, for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, as compared to $1.52 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Adjusted net income of $100.4 million increased $23.2 million, or 30.1 percent, as compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.77 increased $0.83, or 42.8 percent, as compared to $1.94 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Segment performance

Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) generated net sales of $850 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $108.4 million or 14.6 percent, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

 Net sales of $628.0 million in the Independent Sales Network and of $96.7 million in the Direct Sales Network increased 14.3 percent and 39.3 percent, respectively, as compared to prior year.

 Sales in the Corporate Accounts channel of $44.0 million increased 12.5 percent over prior year as retailers began to address previously deferred nonessential renovations.

 Retail sales of $36.1 million declined 25.9 percent. This was primarily due to an ongoing customer inventory rebalancing.

Operating profit was $126.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $27.9 million or 28.3 percent, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit was $135.5 million for the fiscal third quarter of 2021 an increase of $27.4 million or 25.3 percent, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) generated net sales of $55.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $17.7 million or 46.9 percent as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Operating profit was $7.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $7.4 million as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit was $11.1 million for the fiscal third quarter of 2021 an increase of $6.1 million or 122.0 percent, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Completion of OSRAM Acquisition

On June 4, 2021, the company announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase ams OSRAM’s North American Digital Systems (“DS”) business. This acquisition will enable the Company to enhance its LED driver and controls technology portfolio and accelerate innovation, expand our access to market through a more fulsome OEM product offering, and provide more control over its supply chain.

Pledge to 100 million metric tons of carbon reduction by 2030

At a sales conference during the third-quarter 2021, the company committed to a goal of 100 million metric tons of carbon reduction by 2030 through the sales of LED luminaires, controls, and building management systems, replacing older technologies in existing buildings and new construction.

On July 1, 2021, the company issued 2020 Acuity Brands EarthLIGHT Handprint Report: Lighting the Way Toward Net-Zero on its website. The report evaluates the net environmental impact of its products at the point of use, incorporating both the environmental costs of using its products and the environmental benefits of removing older, less-efficient technology.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • New Podcast Collaboration with Lighting Controls Association and NAILD

    March 24, 2023 The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) and the Lighting Controls Association have announced a collaboration on a new podcast seeking to raise awareness and expertise in lighting controls. About the Podcast Produced every two weeks for audio listening on popular apps or watching on a dedicated YouTube channel, it is hosted by… Read More…

  • DLC Non-Energy Benefits

    Evaluating the Non-Energy Benefits of Advanced Networked Lighting Controls

    March 24, 2023 The Benefits As energy efficient LED technology has become mainstream, the quantifiable gains from controlling smaller lighting loads may appear to have diminished at first glance. The truth is, while direct energy savings from controls alone represents a smaller portion of savings compared to the savings from LEDs, the use of networked… Read More…


Design

  • Light at Night and the Inequality Gap: Progress and Challenges

    Light at Night and the Inequality Gap: Progress and Challenges

    March 9, 2023 In December 2021, the DLC hosted a webinar that explored issues related to “Bridging the Inequality Gap” in outdoor nighttime lighting. The conversation introduced research on how lighting contributes to discrimination and inequity in underrepresented communities, and generated heightened interest among attendees. To follow up on the research and work presented, the DLC sat… Read More…

  • LIT Design Awards Light Art Project Winner: Integral Group

    LIT Design Awards Light Art Project Winner: Integral Group

    December 19, 2022 Prize(s) Winners in Light Art Project Company Integral Group Lead Designers Ellie Niakan + Catherine Chan Photo Credits Catherine Chan Completion Date December 21, 2021 Project Location New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada Although appearing as solitary, trees are connected to one another through vast underground systems known as mycorrhizal networks. Through these hidden systems—a symbiotic relationship between plants… Read More…


New Products

  • Introducing LED-integrated Wine Rack System from MP Lighting

    Introducing LED-integrated Wine Rack System from MP Lighting

    March 23, 2023 Wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, and casual appreciators alike can all agree: wine is delicate. The naturally occurring chemicals in the wine can be disturbed by many environmental factors, mainly heat, lighting, and vibrations. To aid in the prevention of these factors spoiling the wine, wine racks can be installed. LED-integrated wine rack systems… Read More…

  • Punctuate with Hyphen. New architectural luminaire system by Fluxwerx

    Punctuate with Hyphen. New architectural luminaire system by Fluxwerx

    March 23, 2023 Fluxwerx makes a break from the ordinary with the launch of Hyphen—a family of discrete recessed and surface luminaires to design, define and leave your mark. With Portal, Fluxwerx pushed past conventional downlights and cylinders in our drive to give designers new and differentiated aesthetic options with innovative optics that maximize visual… Read More…