Thor Industries(THO) - 2024 Q1 - Quarterly Report

Market Performance - THOR's North American market share for travel trailers and fifth wheels was approximately 42.2%, and for motorhomes, it was approximately 49.0% as of September 30, 2023[67]. - North American RV independent dealer inventory decreased by 31.5% to approximately 83,800 units as of October 31, 2023, compared to 122,300 units a year earlier[72]. - THOR's North American RV backlog decreased by $2,398,793, or 54.1%, to$ 2,033,345 as of October 31, 2023, compared to $4,432,138 a year prior[73]. - North American wholesale unit shipments for THOR decreased by 47.4% to 94,603 units for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 180,020 units in the same period of 2022[78]. - North American retail unit registrations for THOR decreased by 16.8% to 131,974 units for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 158,556 units in the same period of 2022[80]. - The RVIA projects a 39.8% decrease in total annual wholesale unit shipments for 2023, estimating approximately 297,100 units[74]. - The RVIA's most likely forecast for 2024 anticipates a 24.4% increase in total annual towable and motorized unit shipments to approximately 369,700 units[75]. Economic Factors - Inflation and higher interest rates are expected to negatively impact demand for RVs in fiscal 2024, affecting both wholesale and retail levels[70]. - The overall effective income tax rate increased to 24.2% from 23.3% due to the jurisdictional mix of pre-tax income[109]. Company Strategy and Operations - The company’s growth strategy includes innovation, quality manufacturing, and strategic acquisitions to enhance profitability[68]. - The company does not directly finance independent dealers but provides repurchase agreements to their floor plan lenders[69]. - The company plans to expand its retail customer reach through data-based and digital marketing strategies targeting new consumer segments[94]. - The company continues to work closely with suppliers to minimize supply chain constraints and has identified alternative suppliers for certain components[85][100]. European Market Insights - The company's European RV backlog increased by$ 345,966, or 11.6%, to $3,331,171 as of October 31, 2023, compared to$ 2,985,205 in the previous year[89]. - Independent dealer inventory of European RV products as of October 31, 2023, was approximately 21,900 units, showing growth from previous low levels[88]. - European unit registrations for motorcaravans and campervans decreased by 6.6% to 22,415 units for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 24,005 units in 2022[93]. - The European RV market is facing supply chain challenges, including chassis supply constraints and labor shortages, which may impact production levels[98][101]. - The European RV market's long-term outlook remains positive as more consumers discover RVs for lifestyle independence and outdoor exploration[95]. Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2023 decreased by $607,325, or 19.5%, compared to the same period in 2022[105]. - Total North American recreational vehicle sales decreased by$ 784,712, or 32.1%, with North American Towable down 28.3% and North American Motorized down 36.7%[105]. - Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended October 31, 2023 decreased by $128,544, or 26.4%, with a gross profit margin of 14.3% compared to 15.7% in the prior year[106]. - Income before income taxes decreased by$ 106,689, or 59.5%, primarily driven by the decrease in consolidated net sales[108]. - The order backlog for North American Towable decreased by $772,031, or 49.2%, and for North American Motorized decreased by$ 1,626,762, or 56.8%[104]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $23,728, or 9.8%, due to lower sales and related commissions[107]. - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to$ 425,828 as of October 31, 2023, from $441,232 on July 31, 2023[138]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was$ 59,668 for the three months ended October 31, 2023, down from $94,016 in the prior year[144]. Product Performance - North American Towable net sales decreased by 28.3% to$ 945,454 for the three months ended October 31, 2023, compared to $1,317,806 in the same period last year[113]. - Unit shipments for North American Towable decreased by 13.0% to 28,107 units, down from 32,291 units year-over-year[113]. - North American Motorized net sales decreased by 36.7% to$ 711,159 for the three months ended October 31, 2023, compared to $1,123,519 in the prior year[121]. - Unit shipments for North American Motorized decreased by 31.5% to 5,582 units, down from 8,150 units year-over-year[121]. - The gross profit for North American Towable decreased by$ 77,855, primarily due to lower net sales and increased cost of products sold percentage[117]. - The gross profit for North American Motorized decreased by $106,343, driven by the decline in net sales and increased cost of products sold percentage[125]. - Cost of products sold for North American Towable decreased by$ 294,497 to $827,443, representing 87.5% of net sales[115]. - Cost of products sold for North American Motorized decreased by$ 306,017 to $631,767, representing 88.8% of net sales[123]. - The overall net price per unit for North American Towable decreased by 15.3% due to changes in product mix and elevated sales discounts[113]. - The overall net price per unit for North American Motorized decreased by 5.2%, influenced by higher discounting levels and a shift towards more moderately-priced units[121]. - European Recreational Vehicles net sales increased by 40.4% to$ 708,201 for the three months ended October 31, 2023, compared to $504,302 for the same period in 2022[129]. - The increase in net sales was driven by a 19.5% rise in unit shipments and a 20.9% increase in overall net price per unit[130]. - Motorcaravan net sales rose by 44.5% to$ 346,511, while Campervan sales increased by 59.2% to $221,609[129]. - Cost of products sold increased to$ 585,373, representing 82.7% of net sales, down from 86.3% in the prior year[133]. - Gross profit increased by $53,963, attributed to higher net sales and improved gross profit percentage due to lower cost of products sold[135]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses rose by$ 16,793, primarily due to increased sales-related costs[136]. - Income before income taxes increased by $35,235, driven by higher net sales and reduced cost percentages[137].