Overview, Including Items Impacting Comparability
On a consolidated basis, net sales were lower in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2023, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2022, with lower sales in the Agriculture segment partially offset by higher sales in the Infrastructure segment. Both quarters of fiscal 2023 were also impacted by the decrease in sales in the Other segment due to the divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
Steel prices for both hot rolled coil and plate have remained volatile over the past two fiscal years, especially in North America. Decreases in the average cost of consumed steel combined with recent customer pricing strategy mechanisms more than offset overall decreases in volumes in both the Infrastructure and Agriculture segments on a consolidated basis for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2023.
In July 2023, subsequent to the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire HR Products, a leading wholesale supplier of irrigation parts in Australia, for approximately $60 million Australian dollars ($40 million United States (“U.S.”) dollars), subject to working capital adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 and will be funded with cash on-hand. Its operations will be reported in the Agriculture segment.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company acquired approximately 51% of ConcealFab, a telecommunications technology company that offers 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions in Colorado, reported in the Infrastructure segment.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company divested Torrent Engineering and Equipment, an integrator of prepackaged pump stations in Indiana, reported in the Agriculture segment.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company divested Valmont SM, an offshore wind energy structures business in Denmark, reported in the Other segment.
Non-cash items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2023 included amortization of identified intangible assets of $1.6 million ($1.3 million after-tax) and $3.3 million ($2.5 million after-tax), respectively, and stock-based compensation expense for the employees from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, totaling $2.3 million ($2.1 million after-tax) and $4.3 million ($3.9 million after-tax), respectively. These items were recognized within selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) in the Agriculture segment.
Non-cash items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2022 included amortization of identified intangible assets of $1.6 million ($1.3 million after-tax) and $3.3 million ($2.5 million after-tax), respectively, and stock-based compensation expense for the employees from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, totaling $2.5 million ($2.3 million after-tax) and $5.0 million ($4.6 million after-tax), respectively. These items were recognized within SG&A in the Agriculture segment.
Macroeconomic Impacts on Financial Results and Liquidity
We continue to monitor several macroeconomic and geopolitical trends that impacted our business, including inflationary cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, rising interest rates, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, changing conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and labor shortages.
Reportable Segments
In addition to the two reportable segments, the Company had a business and related activities in fiscal 2022 that were not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This comprised the offshore wind energy structures business and was reported in the Other segment until its divestiture in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. All prior period information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments. See Note 8 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.