Published 07.20.17

Cintas Corporation Announces Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter Results

CINCINNATI - July 20, 2017 - Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today reported results for its fiscal 2017 fourth quarter and full fiscal year which ended May 31, 2017.

Revenue for the fourth quarter was $1.53 billion, an increase of 23.1% over last year’s fourth quarter. The organic growth rate, which adjusts for the impacts of acquisitions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, was 8.1%. The organic growth rates for the Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segments were 8.0% and 9.2%, respectively.

Scott D. Farmer, Cintas’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our strong finish to the fiscal year helped us to achieve a seventh consecutive year of organic growth in the mid to high single digits. We continue to grow revenue in multiples of gross domestic product and employment growth. I thank our employees, whom we call partners, for the solid execution that enables us to achieve our vision of increasing the number of businesses we help get Ready for the Workday® and of adding greater value to our existing customers by providing them with more of our industry-leading products and services.”

Operating income for the fourth quarter of $177.3 million decreased 11.2% from last year’s fourth quarter operating income of $199.8 million. Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter operating income was negatively impacted by $63.7 million of transaction and integration expenses related to the G&K Services, Inc. (G&K) acquisition.

Net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) from continuing operations for the fourth quarter were $82.2 million and $0.75, respectively, compared to $115.7 million and $1.06, respectively, in last year’s fourth quarter. Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter EPS included a positive impact of $0.02 from a change in the accounting for equity compensation as required under ASU 2016-09 which was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter EPS included a negative impact of $0.50 from transaction and integration expenses and certain incremental non-recurring financing fees included in interest expense related to the G&K acquisition.

The following table provides summary financial information including revenue, operating income, net income and EPS from continuing operations for the fourth quarters of fiscal years 2017 and 2016. This information is presented to provide details of consolidation and thus transparency to financial performance because of the significant impacts to the financial results in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 from the G&K acquisition. Note that we will not be able to provide this detail going forward because the G&K business will increasingly be integrated and thus inseparable from Cintas consolidated financial results.

(1) Figures represent reported results less the details of consolidation provided in the table related to the G&K acquisition and ASU 2016-09. See notes (2), (3) and (4) for more information.

(2) Figures represent the G&K financial results from the closing of the acquisition on March 21, 2017 to the quarter ended May 31, 2017. These results include in SG&A amortization expense of $9.6 million resulting from the purchase price accounting (i.e., establishment of intangible assets) for G&K. They also include interest expense on the debt to finance the G&K acquisition.

(3) These expenses relate to the G&K acquisition and include employee separation costs, planned facility reduction activities, and certain incremental non-recurring financing fees included in interest expense.

(4) Figures represent the impact from a change in the accounting for equity compensation as required under ASU 2016-09 which was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

(5) On July 11, 2017, Cintas sold a business that was reported as discontinued operations for the quarters ended May 31, 2017 and 2016. Revenue and EPS for the sold business were $26.5 million and $0.01, respectively, in Q4 fiscal 2017 and $27.9 million and $0.02, respectively, in Q4 fiscal 2016.

Revenue for the full fiscal year ending May 31, 2017 was $5.32 billion, an increase of 11.0% over last fiscal year. The organic growth rate, which adjusts for the impacts of acquisitions, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and workday differences, was 6.7%. Operating income for the full fiscal year of $773.7 million increased 0.6% from last fiscal year operating income of $768.9 million. Fiscal 2017 operating income was negatively impacted by $79.2 million of transaction and integration expenses related to the G&K acquisition. Net income and EPS from continuing operations for fiscal 2017 were $457.3 million and $4.17, respectively, compared to $448.6 million and $4.02, respectively, last fiscal year. Fiscal 2017 EPS included a positive impact of $0.19 from a change in the accounting for equity compensation as required under ASU 2016-09. Fiscal 2017 EPS also included a negative impact of $0.60 from transaction and integration expenses and certain incremental non-recurring financing fees included in interest expense related to the G&K acquisition.

The following table provides summary financial information including revenue, operating income, net income and EPS from continuing operations for the full fiscal years 2017 and 2016. This information is presented to provide details of consolidation and transparency to financial performance.

(1) Figures represent reported results less the details of consolidation provided in the table related to the G&K acquisition and ASU 2016-09. See notes (2), (3) and (4) for more information.

(2) Figures represent the G&K financial results from the closing of the acquisition on March 21, 2017 to the year ended May 31, 2017. These results include in SG&A amortization expense of $9.6 million resulting from the purchase price accounting (i.e., establishment of intangible assets) for G&K. They also include interest expense on the debt to finance the G&K acquisition.

(4) Figures represent the impact from a change in the accounting for equity compensation as required under ASU 2016-09 which was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

(5) On July 11, 2017, Cintas sold a business that was reported as discontinued operations for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017 and 2016. Revenue and EPS for the sold business were $105.6 million and $0.07, respectively, in fiscal year 2017 and $109.7 million and $0.07, respectively, in fiscal year 2016.

Mr. Farmer continued, “The financial results of fiscal 2017 were affected by items including a change in accounting standard related to equity compensation and transaction and integration expenses related to the largest acquisition in our history. At the core, however, is a consistently growing and profitable company with a record of success that includes 46 of the past 48 years of growing both revenue and net income and achieving double-digit growth in EPS for 7 consecutive years. We are proud of our accomplishments, but our focus remains on the bright future. Significant opportunities exist in all of our businesses. In addition, long-term investments such as the G&K acquisition and the implementation of an enterprise resource planning system contribute to a long runway for continued growth.”

Mr. Farmer concluded, “Looking ahead to fiscal 2018, we expect revenue to be in the range of $6.27 billion to $6.36 billion and fiscal 2018 EPS from continuing operations to be in the range of $5.15 to $5.25.”

Fiscal 2018 guidance includes the following assumptions related to the acquired G&K business:

No transaction and integration expenses
Revenue of approximately $870 million to $900 million, compared to a prior year annualized amount of $965 million;
Synergies of approximately $50 million to $55 million;
Purchase price amortization (specifically related to intangible assets) of $50 million;
Interest expense on G&K acquisition debt of approximately $65 million; and EPS contribution of 15 cents to 17 cents, inclusive of all items above.

The table below provides a comparison of fiscal 2017 revenue and EPS to our fiscal 2018 guidance.

Fiscal 2018 EPS guidance does not include any G&K transaction and integration expenses. However, we expect that these expenses will be incurred in fiscal 2018 as we continue to integrate this significant acquisition. We estimate that these expenses will range from $50 million to $65 million.

About Cintas Corporation

Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, floor care, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “target,” “forecast,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “should,” “may” and “will” or the negative versions thereof and similar words, terms and expressions and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of Cintas and speak only as of the date made. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. These statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in or implied by this Press Release. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, risks inherent with the G&K transaction in the achievement of cost synergies and the timing thereof, including whether the transaction will be accretive and within the expected timeframe; the possibility of greater than anticipated operating costs including energy and fuel costs; lower sales volumes; loss of customers due to outsourcing trends; the performance and costs of integration of acquisitions, including G&K; fluctuations in costs of materials and labor including increased medical costs; costs and possible effects of union organizing activities; failure to comply with government regulations concerning employment discrimination, employee pay and benefits and employee health and safety; the effect on operations of exchange rate fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; uncertainties regarding any existing or newly-discovered expenses and liabilities related to environmental compliance and remediation; the cost, results and ongoing assessment of internal controls for financial reporting required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; costs of our SAP system implementation; disruptions caused by the inaccessibility of computer systems data, including cybersecurity risks; the initiation or outcome of litigation, investigations or other proceedings; higher assumed sourcing or distribution costs of products; the disruption of operations from catastrophic or extraordinary events; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common stock, if any; changes in federal and state tax and labor laws; and the reactions of competitors in terms of price and service. Cintas undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements or to otherwise update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or to reflect events, circumstances or any other unanticipated developments arising after the date on which such statements are made. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2016 and in our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not the only ones we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties presently not known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also harm our business.

For additional information, contact:

J. Michael Hansen, Sr. VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer - 513-701-2079

Paul F. Adler, Vice President and Treasurer - 513-573-4195