LEXINGTON - Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
All comparisons in this press release are made to the same prior-year period; however, comparisons to fiscal 2019 have also been included to show changes from pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods.
'Our Q4 results represent another strong quarter of performance, with operating income growing 26% and adjusted EBITDA increasing 20% versus our pre-pandemic performance in Q4 of 2019,' said Sam Mitchell, CEO. 'We continue to see robust global demand for our products and services, benefiting from ongoing improvements in miles driven and increasing number and age of vehicles in operation.
'The quarter marked the end of an exceptional fiscal year, with both segments generating strong results. In fiscal 2021, Retail Services system-wide same store sales increased for the 15th consecutive year and were up 21% compared to last year and up nearly 22% versus fiscal 2019, highlighting the superior stay-in-your-car consumer experience delivered by our store teams. This same store sales performance combined with unit growth of 9% year-over-year drove tremendous profitability improvement, cash generation and topline growth - with system-wide store sales of nearly $2 billion. Our Retail Services business is clearly a standout in the auto aftermarket services space.'
Mitchell continued, 'For the fiscal year, our Global Products segment delivered volume growth of 16% compared to fiscal 2020 and 7% versus fiscal 2019 as we continued to gain share in key international markets and expanded distribution in North America, leveraging the strength of our brand and technology. As expected, rising raw material costs did pressure margins in the fourth quarter. Sales growth again exceeded volume growth, demonstrating progress in passing through these cost increases and positioning us for cost recovery during fiscal 2022. The segment generated $213 million in discretionary free cash flow in fiscal 2021, highlighting the steady cash-generating nature of the business.
'The performance of both segments over the past few years demonstrates the solid foundation we have built across our businesses. Our transformation to a more service-driven business model has led to Retail Services contributing 54% of our total segment adjusted EBITDA this fiscal year. As we recently announced, we believe that now is the time for both segments to develop unique capital structures, capital allocation policies and operating strategies to best position themselves for an evolving global car parc. Our confidence in separating these two strong businesses reflects the tremendous progress we have made in our strategic transformation.'
Recent Developments
On October 12, 2021, the Company announced that it is pursuing a separation of its two business segments, Retail Services and Global Products. No timetable has been established for the completion of the separation, and Valvoline does not intend to disclose further developments with respect to this process, unless and until its Board approves a specific transaction or action. The separation will allow Retail Services to continue its growth and focus on leveraging its world class service model and Global Products to continue to grow its market leading, high-cash generating business.
About Valvoline
Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products for vehicles with electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. Established in 1866, the Company introduced the world's first branded motor oil and developed strong brand recognition and customer satisfaction ratings across multiple service and product channels over the years. The Company operates and franchises approximately 1,600 service center locations and is the No. 2 and No. 3 largest chain in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, by number of stores. With sales in more than 140 countries and territories, Valvoline's solutions are available for every engine and drivetrain, including high-mileage and heavy-duty vehicles, and are offered at more than 80,000 locations worldwide. Creating the next generation of advanced automotive solutions, Valvoline has established itself as the world's No. 1 supplier of battery fluids to electric vehicle manufacturers, offering tailored products to help extend vehicle range and efficiency.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, including estimates, projections and statements related to Valvoline's business plans and operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Valvoline has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'estimates,' 'is likely,' 'predicts,' 'projects,' 'forecasts,' 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' and 'intends,' and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on Valvoline's current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date such statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), including in the 'Risk Factors,' 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,' and 'Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk' sections of Valvoline's most recently filed periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available on Valvoline's website at http://investors.valvoline.com/sec-filings or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Valvoline assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future, unless required by law.
Contact:
Sean T. Cornett
Tel: +1 (859) 357-2798
Email: scornett@valvoline.com
VALVOLINE INC. 
