Lexmark International announced restructuring efforts that will see the company no longer develop and manufacture inkjet printing hardware.
No word yet on how this move will affect Primera Technology and Lexmark’s other OEM customers in the optical disc duplication, publishing and labelling business.
For more information visit: www.lexmark.com
Unedited press release follows:
Lexmark announces restructuring
– Exiting remaining business inkjet hardware to improve profitability
– Actions expected to result in ongoing annualized savings of $95 million
– Planning an additional $100 million in share repurchases during the remainder of 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 28, 2012 — Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) today announced restructuring actions, including the exiting of the development and manufacturing of the company’s remaining inkjet hardware, which are expected to result in annualized savings of $95 million once fully implemented. Lexmark will continue to provide service, support and aftermarket supplies for its inkjet installed base.
“Today’s announcement represents difficult decisions, which are necessary to drive improved profitability and significant savings,” said Paul Rooke, Lexmark chairman and chief executive officer. “Our investments are focused on higher value imaging and software solutions, and we believe the synergies between imaging and the emerging software elements of our business will continue to drive growth across the organization.
“As we move forward, we remain confident in our strategy, competitiveness and ability to create value for shareholders,” added Rooke.
Taking Actions to Improve Profitability
The restructuring actions announced today are expected to result in reductions primarily in inkjet-related infrastructure as well as positions in research and development, supply chain and other support functions.
The actions include closing the Cebu, Philippines, inkjet supplies manufacturing facility by the end of 2015. The actions also include eliminating inkjet development worldwide, including costs related to facilities, tooling, equipment, contract termination, and scrapping in process inventory, which are expected to be principally complete by the end of 2013.
These restructuring actions are expected to result in the elimination of approximately 1,700 positions worldwide, including 1,100 manufacturing positions.
The company is working with its strategic advisors to explore the sale of the company’s inkjet-related technology.
These actions are expected to generate $85 million savings in 2013, increasing to ongoing annualized savings of $95 million beginning in 2015. Savings should be split approximately 65 percent to operating expense, and 35 percent to cost of goods sold. The company expects the majority of these savings to favorably impact pre-tax earnings.
The total program pre-tax cost for these actions is expected to be $160 million, with $110 million incurred in 2012, $30 million incurred in 2013, and the remaining $20 million incurred in 2014 and 2015. The total program cash flow impact for these actions is expected to be $75 million, with $40 million impacting 2012, $30 million impacting 2013, and the remaining $5 million impacting 2014 and 2015.
Maintaining Capital Allocation Discipline to Deliver Shareholder Value
Lexmark is continuing to execute on its previously announced capital allocation framework of returning more than 50 percent of free cash flow(1) to shareholders, on average, through dividends and share repurchases, while building and growing its solutions and software business through expansion and acquisitions.
Lexmark today announced that it plans an additional $100 million of share repurchases in the third and fourth quarter of 2012. With this action completed, Lexmark will have returned, through paid and declared dividends and share repurchases, more than $500 million to shareholders since mid-2011.
Lexmark’s Board of Directors approved an additional $200 million of share repurchase authority. Total share repurchase authority remaining after the additional $100 million repurchases will be $251 million.
Conference Call Today
The company will be hosting a conference call with securities analysts today at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). A live broadcast and a complete replay of this call can be accessed from Lexmark’s investor relations website at http://investor.lexmark.com. If you are unable to connect to the Internet, you can access the call via telephone at 888-693-3477 (outside the U.S. by calling 973-582-2710) using access code 24616118.
Lexmark’s presentation and supplemental slides which provide additional information regarding today’s announcements will be available on Lexmark’s investor relations website prior to the live broadcast.
About Lexmark
Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) provides businesses of all sizes with a broad range of printing and imaging products, software, solutions and services that help customers to print less and save more. Perceptive Software, a Lexmark company, is a leading provider of process and content management software that helps organizations fuel greater operational efficiency. In 2011, Lexmark sold products in more than 170 countries and reported more than $4 billion in revenue.
To learn more about Lexmark, please visit www.lexmark.com. For more information on Perceptive Software, please visit www.perceptivesoftware.com.