HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Victor Mendelson: Yes, I would €“ this is Victor. I would think that’s probably right, low to mid single digits organic growth. I think it’s a little early to tell with certainty. I mean again, when the defense budget €“ defense recovery moves in for us is really a little bit up in the air. Not that it’s been bad by the way. I mean, our businesses are doing well in absolute terms. But I would expect that and later this year, possibly into next year, we would see it. I mean, I just €“ on timing, I just don’t know. Supply chain by the way for us, from our vendors like I think a lot of other people, still not easy. But as I mentioned in my comments definitely improving. And our companies kind of across the board are saying either it’s improving or at least not deteriorating. So that’s a good sign.

Ken Herbert: Okay. And even when I do the add backs for the ETG margins, it still seems like it’s obviously a little bit lower than it’s been. Was there anything structurally different in the segment or maybe higher costs associated with maybe some investments in prebuys ? Or how should we think about sort of the core ETG margins, obviously excluding the amortization and of course the Exxelia impact?

Victor Mendelson: Sure, and that’s what I was alluding to in my remarks is that over time people have said to me, look, on these calls in particular, where do you think the margins are going to be. And I would say, listen, I don’t know exactly. But I then give you kind of think of where we are €“ where we were, which is kind of the origin of the cash margin, right? Low 30s, 32%, 31%, 33%, bouncing around in that range. And I’ve always said, listen, I think within 10% of that is probably reasonable, and that’s where we’re finding ourselves more or less before transaction expenses, et cetera. So I do think that’s reasonable and that is mix sensitive. I mean, that is definitely mix sensitive. In defense, we have some higher margin products of which we’re selling less right now. And that tends to shift over time. But it’s definitely mix sensitive.

Carlos Macau: Ken, this is Carlos. Just to be clear because we didn’t include this in the $5.1 million. If you add in to the ETG margin, if you add in the $5.1 million and then throw another $1 million in there for amortization costs related to the deal that’s new. You get back to a margin that’s very similar to what we had last year to what Victor was trying €“ was pointing out.

Ken Herbert: Perfect. Thanks, Carlos. Appreciate the color.

Carlos Macau: You’re welcome.

Operator: The next question comes from Gautam Khanna with Cowen. Please go ahead.

Gautam Khanna: Hey, thank you. Good morning, guys.

Victor Mendelson: Good morning.

Gautam Khanna: I just first follow-up on Carlos’ last point of clarification. So in terms of onetime items at ETG in the quarter, was it the 5.1 million plus 1 million of amortization or was it were there other things related to the Exxelia transaction that flowed through there?

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