• Fiscal third quarter 2017 revenue of $619 million
• GAAP diluted EPS of $0.74
• Initiates fiscal fourth quarter 2017 revenue guidance of $660 to $700 million with GAAP diluted EPS of $0.77 to $0.87

NEENAH, Wis., July 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plexus (NASDAQ:PLXS) today announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended July 1, 2017, and guidance for its fiscal fourth quarter ending September 30, 2017.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2017 Information

• Won 32 Manufacturing Solutions programs during the quarter representing approximately $220 million in annualized revenue when fully ramped into production
• Trailing four quarter Manufacturing Solutions wins total approximately $839 million in annualized revenue when fully ramped into production
• Purchased $10 million of our shares at an average price of $52.40 per share

Todd Kelsey, President and CEO, commented, “I am pleased we delivered fiscal third quarter revenue and GAAP EPS above the midpoint of our guidance range.  Our continued strong operating performance enabled us to achieve our fifth consecutive quarter within or above our target operating margin range of 4.7% to 5.0%.”

Patrick Jermain, Senior Vice President and CFO, commented, “Our fiscal third quarter ROIC was 16.1%, a result that is 560 basis points above our weighted average cost of capital and exceeds our 500 basis point Economic Return goal.  Consistent with our expectations, fiscal third quarter working capital requirements increased to support new program ramps occurring during the fiscal fourth quarter.  Despite the additional working capital requirements, we delivered approximately $7 million of free cash flow during the quarter and expect to improve on this result during the fiscal fourth quarter.”

Mr. Kelsey concluded, “We expect fiscal fourth quarter revenue to increase significantly as a result of ramping previously reported program wins.  Consequently, we are guiding fiscal fourth quarter revenue in the range of $660 to $700 million.  At this revenue level, in conjunction with continued strong operating performance, we anticipate GAAP EPS in the range of $0.77 to $0.87.  Our wins momentum and qualified funnel of opportunities remain robust, giving us confidence that we can achieve meaningful growth in fiscal 2018.”

Business Segment and Market Sector Revenue
The Company measures operational performance and allocates resources on a geographic segment basis. Plexus also reports revenue based on the market sector breakout set forth in the table below, which reflects the Company’s global market sector focused business development strategy.  Top 10 customers comprised 54% of revenue during the quarter, consistent with the fiscal second quarter of 2017.

Non-GAAP Supplemental Information
Plexus provides non-GAAP supplemental information, such as ROIC, Economic Return, and free cash flow, because such measures are used for internal management goals and decision making, and because they provide management and investors additional insight into financial performance.  In addition, management uses these and other non-GAAP measures, such as adjusted net income and adjusted operating margin, to provide a better understanding of core performance for purposes of period-to-period comparisons.  For a full reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP measures, please refer to the information below and the Non-GAAP Supplemental Information Tables.

ROIC and Economic Return
ROIC for the fiscal third quarter of 2017 was 16.1%.  The Company defines ROIC as tax-effected annualized adjusted operating profit divided by average invested capital over a four-quarter period for the third quarter.  Invested capital is defined as equity plus debt, less cash and cash equivalents.  The Company’s weighted average cost of capital for fiscal 2017 is 10.5%.  ROIC for the quarter less the Company’s weighted average cost of capital resulted in an Economic Return of 5.6%. 

Free Cash Flow Calculation
The Company defines free cash flow as cash flows provided by operations less capital expenditures.  For the three months ended July 1, 2017, cash flows provided by operations was $16.3 million, less capital expenditures of $9.8 million, resulting in free cash flow of $6.5 million.  For the nine months ended July 1, 2017, cash flows provided by operations was $121.9 million, less capital expenditures of $24.4 million, resulting in free cash flow of $97.5 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

About Plexus – The Product Realization Company 
Plexus (www.plexus.com) delivers optimized Product Realization solutions through a unique Product Realization Value Stream service model.  This customer-focused services model seamlessly integrates innovative product conceptualization, design, commercialization, manufacturing, fulfillment and sustaining services to deliver comprehensive end-to-end solutions for customers in the America, European and Asia-Pacific regions.

Plexus is the industry leader in servicing mid-to-low volume, higher complexity customer programs characterized by unique flexibility, technology, quality and regulatory requirements.  Award-winning customer service is provided to over 140 branded product companies in the Healthcare/Life Sciences, Industrial/Commercial, Communications and Defense/Security/Aerospace market sectors.

Safe Harbor and Fair Disclosure Statement
The statements contained in this press release that are guidance or which are not historical facts (such as statements in the future tense and statements including believe, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, goal, target and similar terms and concepts), including all discussions of periods which are not yet completed, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk of customer delays, changes, cancellations or forecast inaccuracies in both ongoing and new programs; the lack of visibility of future orders, particularly in view of changing economic conditions; the economic performance of the industries, sectors and customers we serve; the effects of the volume of revenue from certain sectors or programs on our margins in particular periods; our ability to secure new customers, maintain our current customer base and deliver product on a timely basis; the particular risks relative to new or recent customers, programs or services, which risks include customer and other delays, start-up costs, potential inability to execute, the establishment of appropriate terms of agreements, and the lack of a track record of order volume and timing; the risks of concentration of work for certain customers; the effect of start-up costs of new programs and facilities; possible unexpected costs and operating disruption in transitioning programs, including as a result of a facility closure; the risk that new program wins and/or customer demand may not result in the expected revenue or profitability; the fact that customer orders may not lead to long-term relationships; our ability to manage successfully and execute a complex business model characterized by high product mix, low volumes and demanding quality, regulatory, and other requirements; the ability to realize anticipated savings from restructuring or similar actions, as well as the adequacy of related charges as compared to actual expenses; increasing regulatory and compliance requirements; the potential effects of regional results on our taxes and ability to use deferred tax assets and net operating losses; risks related to information technology systems and data security; the effects of shortages and delays in obtaining components as a result of economic cycles or natural disasters; the risks associated with excess and obsolete inventory, including the risk that inventory purchased on behalf of our customers may not be consumed or otherwise paid for by the customer, resulting in an inventory write-off; the weakness of areas of the global economy; the effect of changes in the pricing and margins of products; raw materials and component cost fluctuations; the potential effect of fluctuations in the value of the currencies in which we transact business; the effects of changes in economic conditions, political conditions, trade protection measures, and tax matters in the United States and in the other countries in which we do business (including as a result of the United Kingdom's pending exit from the European Union); the potential effect of other world or local events or other events outside our control (such as changes in energy prices, terrorism and weather events); the impact of increased competition; changes in financial accounting standards; and other risks detailed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings (particularly in "Risk Factors" in our fiscal 2016 Form 10-K).

Investor and Media Contact
Susan Hanson

+1.920.751.5491
susan.hanson@plexus.com