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Graham Corp. reports fiscal 2021 fourth-quarter and full-year results

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the energy, defense and chemical/petrochemical industries, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31(“fiscal 2021”).

The Company separately announced that today it has completed the acquisition of Barber-Nichols Inc. (“BNI”), a specialty turbomachinery designer and manufacturer for total consideration of $70 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. 

James R. Lines, Graham’s president and chief executive officer, said, “Overall, we had a solid year, slightly exceeding our expectations as short cycle sales were stronger than expected in the quarter. As we look back at fiscal 2021, I believe that the results of our persistent efforts to diversify our business as we continue to focus on becoming a more significant defense industry supplier were apparent, with 25 percent of revenue generated by sales to the U.S. Navy.

"While orders still indicate a weak environment in our energy and petrochemical markets, our strong backlog reflects $69.2 million of U.S. Navy orders received in fiscal 2021. We now have $104 million of firm backlog related to the U.S. Navy. This strong backlog, combined with the acquisition of Barber-Nichols, significantly advances our diversification strategy into the defense industry.

"BNI will be immediately accretive to fiscal 2022 earnings and expand our top line by 50 percent. We are excited to welcome the BNI team to Graham and look forward to working together for continued growth.”

  • Orders were for the year were $121.6 million including $69.2 million from the defense industry.
  • Backlog at fiscal year-end was $137.6 million; 76 percent of backlog was for the defense industry.
  • Graham furthers strategic diversification into defense industry with $70 million acquisition of Barber-Nichols Inc., a specialty turbomachinery company.

Click here to view the entire release, including financial statements.
Click here to view the teleconference slides.

To participate in today's Earnings teleconference call at 11 a.m. ET, dial (201) 689-8560.

Or click here to listen to the webcast.

Graham Corp. acquires Barber-Nichols Inc. for $70M

By Press Release

Press release:

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment to the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of management-owned Barber-Nichols Inc. (“BNI”) for $70.1 million in a combination of 87 percent cash and 13 percent stock.

The Company also announced it has entered into new credit facilities including a 5-year term loan to finance a portion of the purchase price.

With $56 million in revenue and low-double digit EBITDA margins, BNI designs and manufactures specialty turbomachinery including highly specialized pumps, compressors and fans, and rocket engine turbopumps for critical applications, primarily in the defense and space industries.

Leading Supplier of Engineered Equipment to the Defense and Aerospace/Space Industries

  • Barber-Nichols is a premier supplier of specialty turbomachinery, pumps and electronic drives that address critical applications for the defense and aerospace/space industries.
  • Highly engineered products and solutions include advanced propulsion systems and integrated fluid, thermal and power generation systems for extreme environments.
  • Acquisition accelerates Graham’s diversification strategy; more than 80 of combined backlog now in the defense industry.
  • Proven track record of growth with multiyear visibility; current backlog of $100 million with approximately $40 million to convert into revenue in fiscal 2022.
  • Provides a scalable platform for organic and acquisitive growth in the defense, aerospace, advanced power generation, cryogenic and energy storage markets.
  • Expected to be immediately accretive to EPS, including shares issued for purchase.
  • Daniel J. Thoren, formerly president and CEO of Barber-Nichols, appointed to Graham’s executive team as president and chief operating officer.
  • Management to discuss the acquisition on today’s teleconference at 11 a.m. ET.

Click here to view the entire release.
Click here to view the slides for today's release.

Graham Corp. declares per common share quarterly cash dividend of 11 cents

By Press Release

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, announced Wednesday (May 26) that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share.

The dividend will be payable on June 23, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 9, 2021.

Click here to view the entire release (pdf).

Graham Corp. to hold fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021 financial results conference call & webcast June 1

By Press Release

Press release:

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, announced today that it will release its financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2021, before the opening of financial markets on Tuesday, June 1.

The Company will host a conference call and webcast to review its financial and operating results, strategy, and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results Conference Call

Tuesday, June 1
11 a.m. Eastern Time

Phone: (201) 689-8560
Internet webcast link and accompanying slide presentation:  http://www.graham-mfg.com

A telephonic replay will be available from 2 p.m. ET on the day of the teleconference through Tuesday, June 8. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13718347, or access the webcast replay via the Company’s website at http://www.graham-mfg.com, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

Graham Corp. gifts pricey welding simulator, a 'huge bonus' for Metal Trades Program at Batavia CTE Center

By Press Release

Photo: Aaron Leone, right, practices his welding skills on the Miller LiveArc machine, as welding instructor Andrew Geyer, guides him.

Submitted photo and press release:

When Graham Corporation and the Genesee County Economic Development Center approached the executive principal of the Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia Campus about donating a welding simulator, Jon Sanfratello knew that this was a huge bonus for the Metal Trades Program.

“When businesses invest in our programs, our students are the true benefactors," Sanfratello said. "This welding simulator, that Graham Corporation has so generously donated,will provide our students with an additional training tool to test their skills.

"One of our top priorities here at GV BOCES is the integration of both applied and practical skills into curriculumso our students are college and career-ready. This training tool is another means of achieving our goal. We are so very appreciative of Graham’s investment in our program and students.”

At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, Graham Corp. provided them a Miller LiveArc Welding System. It provides a simulation scenario for a student to practice welds in a live-arc training mode.

Andrew Geyer is the welding instructor at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.

“The Miller LiveArc has cameras and infrared sensors that will read students’ welds and grade them accordingly based upon the parameters that are set,” Geyer said. “It is our hope that representatives from Graham can spend some time with us and program the machine with industry-based welds, so students can get a better understanding of what is expected in industry.” 

Geyer and Metal Trades students recently met with Graham Corp. representatives and Chris Suozzi, GCEDC vice president of Business & Workforce Development, via Zoom. During this online meeting, students asked many questions about employment opportunities at Graham Corporation.

Graham Corp. is well known for being a major employer in the region as well as a big supporter of schools especially, Genesee Valley BOCES. Graham has gifted other materials used in the Metal Trades Program at the GV BOCES Batavia Campus, too.

“The Welding Program at the Batavia CTE Center is very important to Graham Corporation and to our community," said Alan Smith, general manager of Graham Corp. "As Graham continues to grow, access to skilled welders is vital. Welders make up approximately 50 percent of Graham's skilled workforce.

"Graham has a long history of supporting the welding program at the Batavia CTE Center with donations of plate steel and weld wire. Graham's latest donation of the weld simulator will enable students to learn proper welding techniques by providing immediate feedback while saving the expensive cost of weld wire.”

Graham Corporation also has a track record of hiring welding students from the Batavia CTE Center and from other BOCES around New York State. Don Fonda, superintendent at Graham Corp., says this partnership goes back decades.

“We have close to 75 employees who went to a BOCES program, and add in some recent new hires, the total is over 80 employees," Fonda said. "We have 53 employees who came to Graham from the Batavia GV BOCES program.

“From what I could find out the Graham/Batavia GV BOCES connection goes back to the 1970s when GV BOCES was next to the industrial center. Bob Torrey was one of the first co-op students at Graham. He started at Graham working three days and Saturdays in January of 1974 while he was in school. He was hired full time in June 1974, 46 years ago.”

Suozzi says partnerships like this benefit the community.

"The Genesee County Economic Development Center applauds Graham Corporation for investing in equipment and experiences that will benefit every 11th- and 12th-grade student learning in GV BOCES' welding lab," Suozzi said. "This partnership strengthens the skills of our students for the great careers at Graham Corporation.”

Batavia's Graham Corp. declares 11-cents per share quarterly cash dividend

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Graham Corporation(NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share.

The dividend will be payable on Nov. 24 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 10.
Click here to view the entire release.

Graham Corp. to release financials of second quarter FY 2021 Oct. 28

By Press Release

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2021, before the opening of financial markets on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The company will host a conference call and webcast to review its financial and operating results, strategy and outlook.  A question-and-answer session will follow.

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results Conference Call
   Wednesday, Oct. 28
   11 a.m. Eastern Time
   Phone: (201) 689-8560
   Internet webcast link and accompanying slide presentation:  www.graham-mfg.com

A telephonic replay will be available from 2 p.m. ET on the day of the teleconference through Wednesday, Nov. 4. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13710948, or access the webcast replay via the Company’s website at www.graham-mfg.com, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

Click here to view the entire release.

Graham Corp. to hold annual stockholders meeting Aug. 11 virtually, due to COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Batavia-based Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM) announced Tuesday that due to the ongoing public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support the health and well-being of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees, the format of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of the Company has been changed.

As previously announced, the Annual Meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Eastern Time, however the Company has made the decision that this year's Annual Meeting will now be held solely by remote communication, in a virtual-only format.

The Annual Meeting will not be held at a physical location, and stockholders will not be able to physically attend the Annual Meeting. This does not represent a change in the Company’s stockholder engagement philosophy, and the Company expects to resume in-person stockholder meetings next year. 

In order to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 19, 2020 must sign-in via the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GHM2020.

To vote at the virtual Annual Meeting, stockholders will need their 16-digit control number included within their proxy card, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or voter instruction form.

Graham Corp. is a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries.

Collins tours Graham Corp. in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY-27) visited Graham Corporation in Batavia to see firsthand the skilled jobs and business that the production of Navy aircraft carriers brings to the region. Graham Corporation builds and supplies main condensers and air ejectors for Navy aircraft carriers.

Graham Corporation is part of a vital defense industrial base consisting of more than 2,000 small, mid-sized, and large businesses from 43 states that provides parts and services for Navy aircraft carriers.

During his tour, Congressman Collins met with the employees at Graham Corporation to discuss the unique skills they contribute to the industrial base that supplies parts to the Navy aircraft carrier program.

“It was an honor meeting the employees at Graham and learning about their vital work constructing components for our Navy’s aircraft carriers,” Congressman Collins said. “Local businesses like Graham are essential to maintaining economic growth and good-paying job opportunities here in Western New York, while ensuring our nation’s national security. It was great to see firsthand how the skilled work happening here in Batavia contributes to our Navy’s strength around the world.”

“Building new carriers every five years and undertaking maintenance on a regular schedule preserves the fleet at its required operational level of 11 carriers and keeps the industrial base sustainable and strong. Today we got the opportunity to talk with Congressman Collins about why it is so critical to our local jobs and businesses and our national security,” said Ken Salphine, manager of Marine & Nuclear Products at Graham Corporation.

Photo: Graham employee headed toward retirement after 43 1/2 years with company

By Howard B. Owens

Tonight at T.F. Brown's I met Howard Johns, who retires after five more days of work from a 43 1/2-year career at Graham's. Johns was at Brown's with a group of coworkers celebrating his career as a set-up helper, supervisor and manufacturing engineer. Pictured with Johns, at the front of the picture are, from left, Justin Stramitis, Carrie Bell, Pete Corbelli, Pete Brade and Steve Censak.

GCEDC to vote on two projects at Thursday meeting

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider two projects at its Aug. 1 board meeting. The board anticipates reviewing two revolving loan fund applications at this meeting as well.

Graham Corporation is seeking sales and property tax abatement for an expansion of its existing facilities. A new bay will be constructed (12,439 square feet) that will enclose the area between two manufacturing bays facing Harvester Avenue along with renovations of office and manufacturing areas. In addition, a new building (3,800 square feet) will be constructed on the 20 Florence St. property. This new building will be used for X-ray inspections of welds done during the fabrication process.

The total capital investment of the project is estimated to be approximately $5,500,000, with the proposed tax incentives contributing $483,396. Graham currently has 311 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and expects to add 30 more over three years after the certificate of occupancy is obtained for these renovations.

The estimated economic impact of the project is 17.30:1. For every dollar of tax relief granted, the company will invest $17.30 into the local economy. Because the proposed incentives exceed $100,000, the board will first consider an initial resolution to be followed by a public hearing.   

The last expansion project that Graham undertook – also with assistance from the GCEDC – was in 2011. At the time Graham had 278 FTEs and pledged 30 new jobs in three years for a total of 308 FTEs. According to its 2013 application, the company has exceeded its employment goals and plans to continue growing.

Guthrie Heli-Arc, a federally certified repair facility for transportation vehicles, is seeking sales and mortgage tax exemption and property tax abatement for an expansion and relocation project. For the past 22 years, the company has operated out of a rented facility in Bergen. That facility has been sold, and their lease will terminate. CLR Industries, LLC, a real estate holding company, has purchased a facility at 6276 Clinton Street Road in Stafford. Guthrie Heli-Arc plans on moving into the Stafford facility after a 7200-square-foot addition to the existing structure is completed. The addition is necessary to accommodate workflow.

The total capital investment of the project is estimated to be approximately $300,000, with the proposed tax incentives contributing $77,052. Guthrie Heli-Arc estimates that the project will allow the company to create two new jobs while retaining six others. The estimated economic impact of the project is 9.4:1. For every dollar of tax relief granted, the company will invest $9.40 into the local economy. 

All GCEDC Board meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held on the second floor of the Dr. Bruce A. Holm Upstate Med & Tech Park, located at 99 MedTech Drive in the Town of Batavia, across from Genesee Community College. The meeting is anticipated to convene at 4 p.m.

Photos: Beer pong tournament at Polish Falcons to help fight leukemia

By Howard B. Owens

Beer pong was the name of the game at the Polish Falcons clubhouse on Saturday as a couple of dozen people joined in a competition as part of a fundraiser for WNY Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

A group of Graham employees are trying to raise more than $20,000 for the charity and to finance their participation in a charity marathon in San Francisco in October.

Saturday's event also included a 50/50 raffle and a chance auction.

According to the group's fundraising page, the effort is halfway to its goal.

The team: Arlene Hall, Ashley Lashure, Elaine Harding, Nina Stevens, Andrew Haupt and Brian Ellingham.

Graham Corp. puts high premium on small community and its workers

By Billie Owens

Pictured above is Tom Ronan, who has worked at Graham Corp. nearly five decades. This is the third story in a series about the 2011 honorees of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

 

The Graham Corp. is the only publicly traded company currently operating in Genesee County. What began as a small business in 1936 is now a global enterprise, with offices in Suzhou China, Michigan and Houston. The headquarters are still at 20 Florence Ave. in the City of Batavia.

This employer of about 350 people (around 285 locally) is a leading designer and builder of vacuum and heat transfer equipment for process industries. And it’s the Industry of the Year chosen by the chamber of commerce for 2011, Graham’s 75-year Jubilee.

One of the most remarkable things about Graham, in addition to its ability to expand internationally and grow its U.S. customer base, is its steadfast allegiance to Batavia and its employees.

President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Lines put it this way: “We think ‘This is where our founding was.’ We really enjoy the small community. We find the work force … is very committed, very loyal to the company and has just become a tremendous asset to us.

“And I can’t envision another location providing the wealth of strong employees that we’ve been able to pull from this community and I’m just very fortunate to have that as a benefit.”

There are quite a number of longtime employees at Graham, and Lines is one of them, joining the ranks in 1984.

The longest-serving employees presently are Tom Ronan and Roger Becker.

Tom’s been around for a whopping 48 years, thus has never drawn unemployment, and put his two kids through college with his steady paycheck. In addition to his inarguable work ethic, he’s known for being a bit of a jokester. He’s certainly straightforward.

Here’s a sampling from a recent Q & A:

So what’s kept you around here for 48 years? “It just went day by day and the years went by.”

What do you do now? “I do a multitude of things.”

How have you liked working here? “There’s been good days and there’ve been bad days. Hopefully there weren’t too many of the bad ones in a row.”

You used to work for Mr. (Duncan) Berkeley (the son of one of the co-founders who ran the company from 1968 to 1995). What did you do for him? “I did whatever he wanted me to – he was the boss.”

The former Marine and Vietnam vet expounded a little more when asked about the chamber award.

“It’s nice to see a company that I’ve spent my life with is appreciated by the community that they help support. Many times people thought we made crackers, you know.”

Actually, the equipment that Graham Corp. creates is used in the processing of everyday products used by people everywhere – from synthetic fibers and electric power, paper and steel, food and fertilizer, to pharmaceuticals, chemicals and petroleum-based goods.

During World War II, it supplied steam ejectors, surface condensers and heat exchangers for shipboard applications.

Harold M. Graham first incorporated the business as Graham Manufacturing Co. in 1936 and since 1942, the company has grown its clientele far and wide. In 1983, it became the Graham Corp. Today, about half of its sales are outside the United States.

It is overseen by a seven-member board of directors, which includes Jim Lines. The others are President and Chairman of the Board Jerald D. Bidlack, and James J. Barber, Ph.D., Helen H. Berkeley, Alan Fortier, James J. Malvaso and Gerard T. Mazurkiewicz.

Its stocks, with the ticker symbol GHM, are traded on the NYSE Amex and on Tuesday one common share was $20.64.

The ongoing success story is rooted, according to Lines, in management practices put in place long before he took the helm as CEO.

“There’s a fairness the management team and the leaders have to the employees and, in exchange, the employees have tremendous support for the management team, enabling us to do what the business needs to do.

“We look at it really as a mutual responsibility to grow our company, to serve our customers. … We want our employees to recognize us as a place to build a career, not just a business to come work at.”

In addition to Mr. Graham and Mr. Berkeley, he gives a lot of credit for building a remarkable company to Al Cadena, who ran the business from 1995 to 2004.

When asked if the rap against New York for having high taxes and too much regulation has been a hindrance for Graham, Lines said “We’re choosing to be in New York State and we’re choosing to be in Batavia.

“Is it easier in other locations? Perhaps. But I would place my money, and I do, behind the workers we have in this location. They outweigh the challenges that we face. … There’s no assurance that if we were to relocate somewhere else we would have the same strength and that strength is our people.”

Looking forward, part of Graham’s plan is to: expand sales to businesses in China; increase nuclear power operations; and to focus on opportunities with the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program.

But this week, right here in Batavia, the folks at Graham are delighted to be honored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

“I think that’s tremendous,” Lines said, “that’s a great recognition of a wonderful company that really thrives globally. … it’s a recognition of 75 years of commitment to our customers, 75 years of commitment to our employees and then a recognition that we’re of good service to the community as well.

“We’re very proud to have our company acknowledged in this way.”

Graham Corps awarded $9.5 million in new orders for nuclear energy and oil sands markets

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia-based Graham Corp. -- a designer and manufacturer of critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and power industries, including the supply of components and raw materials to nuclear energy facilities -- announced this week that it has been awarded $9.5 million in orders for nuclear energy facilities and an oil sands upgrader.

The two orders received from Westinghouse Electric Company were awarded to Graham’s wholly owned subsidiary Energy Steel, which will supply structural supports and assemblies for two nuclear power plant sites in the Southeastern United States where four AP1000® pressurized water reactor units are under construction. The equipment is planned to be delivered throughout fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The second order is for replacement parts for an ejector system originally supplied by Graham that is operating at an oil sands upgrader in Alberta, Canada. The parts are planned to be delivered in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

James R. Lines, Graham’s president and chief executive officer, commented, “We believe that our attention to detail, the high quality of our products, our engaged and responsive customer service and our demonstrated capability to execute complex orders were all critical in our selection as a Westinghouse AP1000 supplier. We consider the orders awarded to us over the last two quarters for the new nuclear energy facilities under construction in the Southeastern United States to be an affirmation both of our reputation for consistently delivering high quality products as well as our exceptional customer service.

“We believe our recent order activity is a solid indication that customers are becoming more likely to place orders. Bidding activity continues to be strong, and although we cannot predict when such activity will convert to orders, we have become more optimistic in the recovery of our markets.”

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