Full Year 2023 net sales were $2.1 billion, compared to full year 2022 net sales of $2.0 billion. Full year 2023 operating income was $262.4 million, compared to full year 2022 operating income of $257.2 million. Full year 2023 EPS was $4.11, versus EPS in 2022 of $3.97.
The Franklin Electric team delivered another solid quarter to end a record year overall for the Company with new full year records for net sales, operating income, earnings per share, and operating cash flows. Strong execution drove healthy margins for both the quarter and year, led by record full-year operating income in our Water Systems segment while commodity price headwinds in our Distribution business and destocking activity in Fueling continued to weigh on our results, commented Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.
The breadth and durability of our global portfolio has proven resilient and positions us well entering 2024 where we expect demand to gain momentum as we move further into the year. I’m confident our healthy financial position and commitment to remain focused on meeting our customers’ growing requirements for water and energy solutions provides a solid foundation to enhance shareholder value, concluded Mr. Sengstack.
Segment Summaries
Water Systems net sales were $279.6 million in the fourth quarter, a decrease of $1.7 million or 1 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2022. Sales decreases were driven by lower sales of groundwater pumping and water treatment products, partially offset by strong end market demand for large pumps. Water Systems operating income in the fourth quarter 2023 was $44.1 million. Fourth quarter 2022 Water Systems operating income was $44.6 million.
Distribution net sales were $148.0 million in the fourth quarter 2023, a decrease of $0.9 million or 1 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2022. The Distribution segment operating income was $1.0 million in the fourth quarter 2023 compared to fourth quarter 2022 operating income of $2.9 million. Distribution segment sales and operating income were negatively impacted by adverse weather and margin compression from declining pricing of commodity-based products sold through the business.
Fueling Systems net sales were $65.7 million in the fourth quarter 2023, a decrease of $19.8 million or 23 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2022. Sales decreases were driven by customer inventory destocking driving lower volumes and higher interest rates, labor constraints, and permitting delays causing some new station build plans to move into 2024. Fueling Systems operating income in the fourth quarter 2023 was $19.4 million. Fourth quarter 2022 Fueling Systems operating income was $24.3 million.
Cash Flow
Net cash flows from operating activities for 2023 were $315.7 million versus $101.7 million in the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to actions the Company took to improve working capital including inventory reductions as its supply chain resiliency and lead times improved during the back half of the year.
2024 Guidance
The Company expects its full year 2024 sales to be in the range of $2.10 billion to $2.17 billion and full year 2024 EPS to be in the range of $4.22 to $4.40.
Source: Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
