Herman Miller, Inc. Wednesday announced results for its fourth quarter ended June 3, 2017. Net sales in the quarter totaled $577.2 million, a decrease of 0.9% from the same quarter last fiscal year. New orders in the fourth quarter of $568.1 million were 6.3% below the prior year level.
Last quarter, the company estimated its most recent price increase, which became effective on February 6, 2017, had the effect of accelerating approximately $21 million of orders that would have otherwise been entered in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. On an organic basis, which includes the impact of that order acceleration as well as foreign currency translation and dealer divestitures, net sales in the fourth quarter increased by 2.7%, while orders were essentially flat from the same quarter last fiscal year.
Herman Miller reported net earnings of $0.55 per share on a diluted basis in the fourth quarter compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.67 in the same quarter last fiscal year. Excluding the impact of restructuring and impairment charges recognized in the period, adjusted earnings per share in the fourth quarter totaled $0.64, an increase of 14.3% over adjusted earnings per share of $0.56 in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year.
For the full fiscal year, net sales were $2.28 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 0.6%. On an organic basis, net sales increased by 1.4% compared to last fiscal year. Diluted earnings per share for the full year totaled $2.05 compared to $2.26 last year. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share totaled $2.16 in fiscal 2017 compared to $2.17 in fiscal 2016.
The company also announced an increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.18 per share payable in October 2017. This change represents an increase of 6% from the previous dividend payout of $0.17 per share.
Brian Walker, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "While order levels across our contract businesses remained mixed this quarter, we were pleased to see continued net sales and order acceleration within our Consumer business segment. This growth reflects improved momentum in all areas of this segment and highlights the opportunity we see to leverage growth through our multi-channel business strategy. Better than expected gross margins and well-managed operating expenses combined to deliver adjusted earnings per share above the expectations that we provided at the start of the quarter and reflected adjusted earnings growth of 14% over the same quarter last year. As a result of strong cash flow generation and a well-positioned balance sheet, the Board of Directors approved an increase in our quarterly dividend payout - an action that reflects the confidence of the Board and our leadership team in the power of our long-term strategy."
Consolidated gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 totaled 38.3%, representing a 40 basis point decrease from the level reported in the same quarter of last fiscal year.
Operating expenses in the current year fourth quarter were $162.3 million compared to $168.6 million in the same quarter a year ago. This represents a year-over-year decrease of $6.3 million.
The Company recognized pre-tax restructuring expenses totaling $1.7 million in the fourth quarter. These costs relate to severance and outplacement benefits associated with targeted workforce reductions implemented during the period. During the fourth quarter, the company also recognized pretax asset impairment expenses totaling $7.1 million associated with the Nemschoff trade name intangible. This non-cash charge was determined based upon Herman Miller's annual impairment review process.
Herman Miller's effective income tax rate in the fourth quarter was 29.9%. Excluding the impact from asset impairment expenses of 100 basis points, the adjusted effective rate in the quarter was approximately 30.9%, compared to 24.9% in the same quarter last fiscal year. The prior year included the full year benefit of a favorable transfer pricing adjustment.
Jeff Stutz, Chief Financial Officer, noted, "While relatively high commodity costs and a challenging pricing environment persisted this quarter, our recently implemented price increase and favorable channel mix combined to help mitigate those pressures. Operating expenses were well managed in the quarter, and our results demonstrate progress in the early stages of the cost savings initiative we announced last quarter. The initiative targets achieving between $25 million and $35 million of gross annualized cost savings over the next three fiscal years. We still have a lot of work in front of us as we move toward this goal, and the timing of necessary investments for the future will make the path uneven. With that said we feel good about our progress this quarter and were very pleased to deliver improved adjusted operating margins in every segment compared to last year."
The company ended the fourth quarter with total cash and cash equivalents of $96.2 million, an increase of $17.8 million from the balance at the end of the third quarter. Cash flow generated from operations in the fourth quarter and full fiscal year was $80.0 millionand $202.1 million, respectively. This compared to $84.5 million and $210.4 million in the respective periods last fiscal year.
Segment Sales and Orders
The following tables summarize reported and organic segment sales and orders for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017:
First Quarter Fiscal 2018 Guidance
Looking forward, Herman Miller expects net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 to be in the range of $570 million to $590 million. On an organic basis, adjusted for the impact of a dealer divestiture and foreign currency translation, this forecast implies organic sales growth of 5.0% compared to the first quarter of the prior year at the mid-point of the range. Diluted earnings per share in the quarter are expected to range from $0.55 to $0.59 per share.