RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Financial results for the first three quarters of 2019 were adversely impacted by slowing global economic growth, especially within the automotive industry, and prolonged trade disputes. We experienced further weakening of demand in the fourth quarter that resulted in sales of $7,186,968 compared to $8,513,775 in the year earlier quarter, a decline of 15.6%. The decline in sales contributed to a net loss of $293,884, or $.30 per share, for the quarter compared to net income of $302,556, or $.31 per share in the fourth quarter of 2018. Full year net sales were $32,873,002 in 2019 compared to $37,174,249 in 2018, a decline of $4,301,247, or 11.6%. Full year net income in 2019 was $538,314, or $.56 per share, compared to $2,001,185, or $2.07 per share, in 2018.
2019 Compared to 2018
Fastener segment revenues were $6,286,948 in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $7,816,286 reported in the fourth quarter of 2018, a decline of $1,529,338, or 19.6%. Fastener segment revenues for the full year were $28,989,667 in 2019 compared to $33,712,458 in 2018, a decline of $4,722,791, or 14.0%. The automotive sector is the primary market for our fastener segment products and while North American light-vehicle production declined modestly in 2019, our sales to automotive customers declined 15.4% during the fourth quarter and 16.6% for the year. Sales tonon-automotive customers declined 26.9% in the fourth quarter and 8.9% for the full year after being down only 3.1% after three quarters. The decline in sales was the primary factor impacting gross margins in 2019. For the fourth quarter, the fastener segment gross margins were $794,076 compared to $1,468,690 in the year earlier quarter, a decline of $674,614. For the full year 2019, the fastener segment gross margins were $4,652,353 compared to $6,829,211 in 2018, a decline of $2,176,858.
Assembly equipment segment revenues were $900,020 in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of $202,531, or 29.0%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 when revenues were $697,489. The increase was due to a greater number of machines shipped in the current year quarter. For the full year 2019, assembly equipment segment revenues were $3,883,335, compared to $3,461,791 reported in 2018, an increase of $421,544, or 12.2%. The year to date increase was more broad-based and included improvements in parts and tool sales in addition to machines. Despite the increase in sales, gross margins declined during the fourth quarter from $171,396
to $90,954 due to the disposal of certain excess inventory items in the current year. For the full year, assembly equipment segment gross margins improved from $1,076,548 to $1,092,177, or 1.5%.
Selling and administrative expenses were $5,252,946 in 2019 compared to $5,503,111 in 2018, a decline of $250,165, or 4.5%. The reduction was primarily due to a $134,000 reduction in commission expense related to lower sales in 2019 and a $103,000 reduction in profit sharing expense related to lower operating profit in 2019. As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses were 16.0% in 2019 compared to 14.8% in 2018.
Other income was $191,730 in 2019 compared to $153,537 in 2018. Other income is primarily comprised of interest income which increased during the year due to higher interest rates.
The Company’s effective income tax rates were 21.2% and 21.7% in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
DIVIDENDS
In determining to pay dividends, the Board considers current profitability, the outlook for longer-term profitability, known and potential cash requirements and the overall financial condition of the Company. The Company paid four regular quarterly dividends totaling $.88 per share during 2019. In addition, an extra dividend of $.30 per share was paid during the first quarter, bringing the total distribution for the year to $1.18 per share. On February 17, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.22 per share, payable March 20, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2020. This continues the uninterrupted record of consecutive quarterly dividends paid by the Company to its shareholders that extends over 86 years.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Capital expenditures during 2019 totaled $1,802,914. The fastener segment accounted for $1,522,541 of the total, including cold heading and screw machine equipment additions of $567,963, secondary processing equipment of $631,089, quality control equipment additions of $268,468 and $46,066 for general plant equipment. The remainder of the fastener segment additions relate to technology equipment. Assembly equipment segment additions totaled $233,697, primarily for production equipment. Additional investments of $46,676 were made in 2019 for building improvements and office equipment that benefit both operating segments.