Commenting on the first quarter results, Patrick S. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, said,
“This was an excellent quarter for Innospec. Despite sustained inflationary and supply-chain pressures, we achieved 39 percent sales growth, maintained gross margins and delivered a 57 percent increase in operating income. We anticipate strong demand to continue in all end-markets, and in coordination with our customers we are managing additional price actions as required to offset inflationary impacts. Managing ongoing supply and logistical challenges will continue to be a key focus for our global team to meet customer requirements and ensure product availability.
In Performance Chemicals, strong sales and margins drove a 38 percent increase in operating income over the prior year. The majority of this growth came from personal care which now comprises over 75 percent of Performance Chemicals operating income. We believe strong demand continues to support our outlook for high single-digit volume growth.
In Fuel Specialties, operating income grew by 49 percent over the prior year as recovering volumes and continued price action drove strong quarterly sales. Gross margins improved significantly over the fourth quarter and returned to the lower end of our target 32 to 35 percent range. We expect gross margins to remain on the lower end of our target range until cost inflation moderates. We anticipate further gross margin improvement when inflation slows, and activity increases in areas like jet travel that still remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
In Oilfield Services, sales grew by 19 percent sequentially. However, shipment delays led to a sequential quarter decline in operating income. We expect sequential operating income and margin improvement to resume in the coming quarters.”
In Performance Chemicals, revenues of $167.1 million were up 33 percent from $125.9 million in the first quarter last year. Volume growth of 7 percent and a positive price/mix of 32 percent were partially offset by an adverse currency impact of 6 percent. Gross margins reduced by 0.5 percentage points from the same quarter last year to 24.4 percent. Operating income for the quarter of $25.3 million was up 38 percent on the prior year.
Revenues in Fuel Specialties were $191.8 million for the quarter, a 38 percent increase from $139.3 million a year ago. Volume growth of 23 percent and a positive price/mix of 21 percent were partially offset by an adverse currency impact of 6 percent. Gross margins of 31.6 percent were 0.6 percentage points below the same quarter last year. Operating income for the quarter of $35.5 million was up 49 percent on last year.
Revenues in Oilfield Services were $113.5 million for the quarter, up 53 percent from $74.4 million in the first quarter last year. Gross margins improved by 0.4 percentage points from the same quarter last year to 33.3 percent. Operating income of $2.5 million was approximately double the $1.2 million in the prior year.
Corporate costs for the quarter were $19.0 million, compared with $15.1 million a year ago, due mainly to higher personnel-related expenses driven by increased share-based compensation accruals.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.3 percent compared to 24.0 percent in the same period last year.
Due to strong sequential sales growth, net cash used in operating activities after capital expenditure was $37.4 million for the quarter, as net working capital increased. As of March 31, 2022, Innospec had $105.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt.
Mr. Williams concluded,
“We are very pleased with our start to the year. Volume growth and disciplined price management drove strong sales and double-digit operating income increases in Performance Chemicals and Fuel Specialties. Excellent results in these two businesses more than offset the lagging results in Oilfield Services. We expect Oilfield Services to resume its sequential operating income improvement in the coming quarters. In all three businesses, end-market demand continues to be strong.
We believe that our debt-free balance sheet, broad mix of daily-use consumable products and relentless focus on customer service positions us well for continued growth in all our businesses.
We repurchased $0.9 million of stock in the quarter under our previously announced $50.0 million share buyback facility, and our Board has approved an 11 percent increase in our semi-annual dividend to 63 cents per share, continuing our record of returning value to shareholders.”