Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (NYSE:ZWS) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

As far as investment goes, again H1 weighted given some things we’re trying to get in front of around safe drinking water, marketing campaigns getting pretty aggressive with that early in the year. So, think about that is something that we’re going to be again weighted heavier in the first half and in Q1 probably being the heaviest overweight quarter of all of them. And that will slowly reduce as the year progresses. And Elkay synergies, think about relatively flat over the course or I should say consistent — with the course about $25 million, let’s start with that $6 plus million in Q1, a couple of things got to get done in this quarter, but then kind of getting back to that little over $6 million cadence over the balance of the year to equal of the $25 million.

So, I think a long-winded answer to your question, but hopefully I covered, and then you’re trying to touch on.

Jeff Hammond: No. That’s very helpful. And then just on some of the non-operating items, just can you walk through what’s driving the higher tax rate and the interest rate looks hardly high for $540 million of debt? So, just maybe hit those two items?

Mark Peterson: Yes, interesting, we’ve just kind of use the forward curve assume interest rates stay high for the balance of the year. So, we were hopefully, a little sooner than that. But we’re assuming that they stay elevated over the balance of the year using the forward curve for 2023. Tax rate, tax is really a functional some timing of compensation that ties in this adjustment as effectively a fixed tax item that this year just increases for us for numerous reasons. So, it’s not a variable element to deal with. I’ll also say too, Jeff and our tax rate, we don’t assume any equity exercises of the year to the extent that our equity exercises that would drive the rate down, people exercise any form of equity. So, we assume that doesn’t happen in our base rate. So hopefully, there’s a chance to do a little bit better than that over the course of the year.

Jeff Hammond: Okay. Thanks, guys.

Operator: Our next question will come from Mike Halloran with Baird. Please go ahead.

Mike Halloran: Thanks. Good morning, everyone.

Todd Adams: Good morning.

Mark Peterson: Good morning, Mike.

Mike Halloran: I just want to make sure I understand the dynamic and how you’re thinking about the cadence or the growth cadencing through the year on the non-res, it seems like the first quarter is simply sellout still strong but selling a little softer as the order patterns normalize. But beyond the first quarter, the expectation is to have sell-out sell-in be more aligned. And therefore the commentary on the end market strength coming through more fully in your numbers, right? I mean it’s just as simple as that.

Mark Peterson: That’s it, Mike.

Mike Halloran: Good. So, Mark touched on some of the growth initiatives, talking about some of the promotional activities. Maybe just highlight some of the other things you guys are working on the growth side of things, on the Elkay piece that you think you’re going to gain traction as we work through the area?