GORMAN-RUPP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Mansfield, Ohio – April 23, 2026 – The Gorman-Rupp Company (NYSE: GRC) reports financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
Net sales for the first quarter of 2026 were $176.6 million compared to net sales of $163.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 7.7%, or $12.7 million. The increase was driven by volume growth as well as pricing increases. Sales increased in the majority of our markets, including increases of $6.3 million in the construction market due to increased demand in mining and sales of rental equipment, $4.4 million in the agriculture market due to broad based improvement across Fill-Rite's sale channels, $3.5 million in the industrial market due to increased domestic investment, $2.9 million in the municipal market due to increased water and wastewater projects related to infrastructure investment, and $1.7 million in the OEM market due to increased demand related to data centers. These increases were partially offset by a sales decrease of $5.5 million in the fire suppression market primarily due to reduced international shipments. Sales also decreased $0.3 million in the petroleum market and $0.3 million in the repair market.
Gross profit was $57.4 million for the first quarter of 2026, resulting in gross margin of 32.5%, compared to gross profit of $50.3 million and gross margin of 30.7% for the same period in 2025. The 180 basis point increase in gross margin was driven by a 100 basis point improvement in labor and overhead leverage from increased sales and an 80 basis point improvement in cost of material due in part to favorable product mix.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $26.8 million and 15.2% of net sales for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $25.1 million and 15.3% of net sales for the same period in 2025. SG&A expenses increased due to higher advertising expenses related to trade show activity as well as increased freight out costs driven by increased sales.
Operating income was $27.5 million for the first quarter of 2026, resulting in an operating margin of 15.6%, compared to operating income of $22.1 million and an operating margin of 13.5% for the same period in 2025. The 210 basis point increase in operating margin was driven by improved leverage on labor, overhead, and SG&A expenses due to increased sales and favorable product mix.
Interest expense was $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $6.2 million for the same period in 2025. The decrease in interest expense was due primarily to a decrease in outstanding debt.
The Company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2026 was 19.8% compared to 21.9% for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in the effective tax rate was driven by a favorable discrete adjustment recorded during the first quarter of 2026. The Company expects the effective tax rate for the full year 2026 to be between 22.0% and 23.0%.
Net income was $17.8 million, or $0.68 per share, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to net income of $12.1 million, or $0.46 per share, in the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $35.5 million and 20.1% of sales for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $29.7 million and 18.1% of sales for the first quarter of 2025.
