H.B. Fuller Shares Details Regarding 2019 Financial Results and Business Realignment
Effective December 1, 2019, H.B. Fuller completed the realignment of its business from five to three operating segments.
H.B. Fuller recently announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2019. Net revenue of $739 million in the fourth quarter decreased 3.8% compared with the fourth quarter of 2018. Foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacted revenues by 2.1%, and the sale of the surfactants, thickeners and dispersants business negatively impacted revenues by 0.8%. Organic revenue, which excludes impacts from foreign currency and divestitures, was down 0.9% vs. last year. Organic revenue growth in Americas Adhesives, Asia Pacific, and Engineering Adhesives was offset by organic revenue declines in Construction Adhesives and EIMEA, primarily reflecting general industry and economic slowdowns in these areas.
“In the fourth quarter, we continued to gain share in strategic businesses including Engineering Adhesives and Hygiene, and our organic revenue trends improved sequentially compared with the third quarter,” said Jim Owens, president and CEO. “For the full year, adjusted EPS was within our guidance range of $2.95 to $3.05 and adjusted earnings and EBITDA improved year-over-year on a constant currency basis. These results were achieved in a weak external environment which impacted organic growth. Our cash flow conversion remained very strong as a result of solid earnings and working capital management and we significantly exceeded our debt paydown target.”