Pro Content

Black Diamond Owner Clarus Reports Record Third Quarter 2021 Results

Sales in the third quarter of 2021 increased 69% year-over-year to a record $109.0 million and upwardly, Clarus’ revised financial outlook expects 2021 sales and adjusted EBITDA to grow approximately 62% and 155% year-over-year to $362.5 million and $57 million, respectively. 

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Sales in the third quarter increased 69% to a record $109.0 million compared to $64.5 million in the same year‐ago quarter. The increase includes revenue contribution of approximately $13.2 million from Barnes, an acquisition Clarus completed on October 2, 2020, and $19.6 million from Rhino-Rack, an acquisition completed on July 1, 2021. Third quarter sales increased 18% on a pro forma basis compared to the same year-ago quarter.

Black Diamond sales were up 20% and Sierra sales were up 100%, or 13% excluding Barnes. The increase across both segments is attributed to continued strong consumer demand. On a constant currency basis, total sales increased 67% compared to the same year-ago quarter.

Gross margin in the third quarter improved 240 basis points to 36.0% compared to 33.6% in the year‐ago quarter due mostly to improvements in channel and product mix. Excluding a fair value inventory step-up associated with the Rhino-Rack acquisition, adjusted gross margin in the third quarter increased 520 basis points to 38.8%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter were $31.3 million compared to $18.7 million in the same year‐ago quarter, primarily due to the significant increase in sales and the inclusion of Rhino-Rack, which contributed $7.7 million, and Barnes, which contributed $1.7 million. The remaining increase was attributable to the Company’s investments in the brand related activities of sales, direct-to-consumer, marketing, and warehousing and logistics, focused on supporting its strategic initiatives around expanding distribution, elevating brand awareness and being easier to do business with. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of stock compensation of $1.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the prior year.

Net income in the third quarter improved to $4.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.2 million or $0.04 per diluted share, in the same year‐ago quarter.

Adjusted net income in the third quarter, which excludes non‐cash items and transaction costs, increased 97% to $18.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $9.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the same year‐ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter increased to a record $19.2 million, or an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.7%, compared to $9.1 million, or an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.1%, in the same year‐ago quarter.

Management Commentary

“As previously announced in our third quarter preliminary results, we’ve seen continued strong growth among our portfolio of well-diversified ‘Super Fan’ brands,” said Clarus President John Walbrecht. “For the second consecutive quarter, we reported record sales and Adjusted EBITDA with significant gross margin expansion. These results reflect the continued execution of our ‘Innovate and Accelerate’ strategy, underpinned by our focus on strong supplier partnerships and operational excellence.

“Our Black Diamond, Sierra, and Rhino-Rack segments all continue to benefit from the increase in the number of new and existing consumers spending more time outdoors – a trend we’ve termed ‘outdoorism.’ It is in the outdoors where our brands are uniquely positioned to deliver an enhanced consumer experience. Bookings remain strong and our team has done a tremendous job fulfilling orders and staying aligned with our retail and vendor partners despite the supply chain headwinds we have mitigated. This, along with our ease of doing business mentality, we continue to reap market share gains across all of our leading categories.”

Increased 2021 Outlook

As revised in the Company’s preliminary third quarter 2021 results, Clarus anticipates fiscal year 2021 sales to grow approximately 62% to $362.5 million ($350 million prior) compared to 2020. By brand, the Company expects sales for Black Diamond to increase 27% to $217.5 million ($215 million prior) and Sierra and Barnes combined to increase 99% to $105 million ($95 million prior) compared to 2020. The Company continues to expect sales for Rhino-Rack to be $40 million for the second half of 2021.

The Company expects adjusted EBITDA in 2021 to increase approximately 155% to $57 million ($52 million prior) compared to 2020. Included in this assumption is the continued expectation for Rhino-Rack to contribute approximately $6 million in adjusted EBITDA for the second half of 2021. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $8.5 million in 2021.