HNI Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI) today announced net sales of $599.8 million and net income of $13.9 million for the first quarter ended March 29, 2025.

Highlights

• Solid start to 2025—revenue, margins, and earnings. Total net sales increased two percent year-over-year in the first quarter. Consolidated operating margin compressed 90 basis points on a GAAP basis but expanded 20 basis points on a non-GAAP basis versus the first quarter of 2024. The improvement was driven by profit transformation initiatives, synergy benefits, and volume growth. Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliations follow the financial statements in this release.
• Elevated earnings visibility in 2025 and 2026. The Corporation continues to realize significant savings from the Kimball International (“KII”) acquisition synergies and from the ramp-up of its Mexico facility. These two initiatives are expected to contribute an additional $0.70 to $0.80 of EPS in 2025 and 2026
• Recent demand activity supportive of outlook for net sales growth in 2025. Workplace Furnishings contract orders were up 15 percent year-over-year, excluding hospitality, which can be lumpy and where the year-ago comparison was challenging. Total segment orders were unchanged year-over-year, while quarter-ending backlog levels were up 16 percent versus the same period of 2024, further supporting continued net sales growth. First quarter Residential Building Products orders grew eight percent compared to the prior year.
• Strong balance sheet. Quarter-ending gross debt leverage was 1.3x, as calculated in accordance with the Corporation’s debt agreements. That ratio was up modestly from the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, consistent with normal seasonal borrowing patterns. The Corporation continued to deploy cash flow through $40 million of stock repurchase activity in the first quarter, while maintaining its longstanding quarterly dividend.

“Our members delivered an excellent start to 2025, despite tariff-driven volatility. Our first quarter results demonstrate the strength of our strategies, the benefits of our diversified revenue streams, and the merits of our customer-first business model.

“In the Workplace Furnishings segment, net sales increased slightly year-over-year, led by improving demand in our contract businesses. Orders accelerated and backlog levels are up, while return-to-office plans gained momentum. Each of these drivers points to continued year-over-year revenue growth over the remainder of 2025. Our profit transformation efforts and recognition of KII synergies continued to benefit first quarter results. However, stronger volume from large projects and from state and local government customers, which tend to carry higher discounts, was dilutive to segment operating margin. As a result, segment GAAP and non-GAAP operating profit margin compressed year-over-year in the first quarter. Despite elevated near-term uncertainty, we expect margin expansion in 2025, while we remain focused on our investments aimed at driving growth in this segment.

“In Residential Building Products, revenue growth returned, and segment operating profit margin expanded 130 basis points year-over-year in the quarter. While challenging housing market dynamics continued to pressure new construction demand, our remodel-retrofit business generated solid year-on-year revenue growth during the first quarter. Despite the current housing headwinds, we remain encouraged about the long-term opportunities tied to the broader housing market, and in the strength of our market-leading positions and profitable operating model. And, we continue to invest to drive future growth.

“Our first quarter results demonstrate our ability to manage through varying macroeconomic conditions, while remaining focused on the future. And while we expect macro headwinds and demand volatility over the near-term, based on our leading indicators—both external and internal, we expect strong results to continue, driven by our margin expansion efforts and a return of volume growth,” stated Jeff Lorenger, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

HNI Corporation — First Quarter Summary Comments

• Consolidated net sales increased 2.0 percent from the prior-year quarter to $599.8 million, driven by higher volume in Residential Building Products.
• Gross profit margin expanded 10 basis points compared to the prior-year quarter. This increase was driven by improved net productivity, partially offset by unfavorable price-cost and higher restructuring costs recorded in cost of sales associated with previously announced factory consolidation initiatives in Workplace Furnishings.
• Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 10 basis points compared to the prior-year quarter. The increase was driven by wage inflation and investments, partially offset by higher building products net sales volume.
• Restructuring and impairment charges of $6.4 million were incurred in the current quarter, primarily due to an impairment charge related to the HNI India business in connection with its classification as held for sale for accounting purposes as of the end of the first quarter of 2025.
• Net income per diluted share was $0.29 compared to $0.37 in the prior-year quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, net income per diluted share increased to $0.44 from $0.37 in the prior-year quarter, driven by improved net productivity, higher net sales volume in Residential Building Products, and reduced interest expense, partially offset by unfavorable price-cost.
• Income tax rate comparability versus the prior-year quarter was impacted by the treatment of the impairment charge related to the held-for-sale classification of HNI India.

Workplace Furnishings — First Quarter Summary Comments

• Workplace Furnishings net sales increased 0.3 percent from the prior-year quarter to $441.1 million.

• Workplace Furnishings operating margin of 4.1 percent compressed 190 basis points versus the prior-year quarter, driven by an impairment charge related to HNI India and higher restructuring costs in connection with previously announced factory consolidation initiatives. On a non-GAAP basis, segment operating profit margin of 5.8 percent decreased 20 basis points year-over-year, driven by unfavorable price-cost and customer mix, partially offset by improved net productivity.

Residential Building Products — First Quarter Summary Comments

• Residential Building Products net sales increased 7.1 percent from the prior-year quarter to $158.7 million. Remodel-retrofit net sales increased at a higher rate than new construction.
• Residential Building Products operating profit margin of 15.7 percent increased 130 basis points year-over-year driven by higher net sales volume.

First Quarter Order Rates

• In the Workplace Furnishings segment, orders in the first quarter were unchanged compared to the prior-year period. Orders from contract customers accelerated during the quarter and performed better than those from small-to-medium-sized customers.
• Orders in the Residential Building Products segment increased eight percent compared to the first quarter of 2024, partially driven by prior-year comparisons related to remodel-retrofit channel inventory correction in the year-ago period. Remodel-retrofit orders outperformed those from the new construction channel.

Outlook

• Second quarter net sales. The Corporation expects second quarter 2025 net sales in Workplace Furnishings to increase at a mid-single digit rate year-over-year, including the impact of tariff-related pricing actions. In Residential Building Products, second quarter 2025 net sales are expected to increase at a low-single digit rate compared to the same period in 2024, including the impact of tariff-related pricing actions.
• Second quarter non-GAAP earnings per share. Non-GAAP earnings per share in the second quarter of 2025 are expected to increase solidly from 2024 levels. This projected improvement is driven by productivity benefits, and volume growth, partially offset by investments and temporary price-cost pressure from tariffs.
• 2025 net sales. In Workplace Furnishings, the Corporation expects year-over-year mid single-digit net sales growth, excluding the benefit of an extra week in the fourth quarter. In Residential Building Products, the Corporation expects year-over-year low-to-mid single-digit net sales growth, after excluding the benefit of the extra week in the fourth quarter. These projections include the impact of pricing actions implemented to offset tariff pressures. The Corporation’s projection for 2025 net sales and non-GAAP earnings per share are based on current order patterns and leading external indicators, with an acknowledgement that they are subject to elevated levels of uncertainty given current macro conditions.
• Double-digit EPS growth in 2025 and elevated earnings growth visibility through 2026, including tariff impacts. The Corporation’s outlook for 2025 earnings is unchanged with double-digit percent EPS growth expected, driven by KII synergies, the ramp-up of the Mexico facility, and increased profits from volume growth. The remaining $0.70 to $0.80 of incremental EPS benefit from KII and Mexico are expected to be roughly evenly distributed between 2025 and 2026, providing strong earnings visibility over the next two years. For the full year, the Corporation expects to offset the majority of any tariff-driven pressures.
• Balance sheet. The Corporation’s low leverage and strong cash flow generation will provide substantial capacity for capital deployment. Current priorities for capital deployment are reinvesting in the business, funding dividends, pursuing share buybacks, and exploring M&A opportunities.

Concluding Remarks

“We delivered a strong start to 2025, with revenue growth returning—in both segments, and non-GAAP operating margin expanding to the strongest first quarter-level since 2007. As we look to the full year, our earnings outlook remains unchanged – demonstrating the benefits of our visibility story and our ability to manage through changing economic conditions. We expect solid mid-single digit revenue growth—in both segments, a mostly unchanged non-GAAP operating margin versus the year-ago period, and double-digit non-GAAP earnings per share growth for the fourth consecutive year. We had a strong start to the year and are optimistic about the remainder of 2025. While the macroeconomic environment remains dynamic, we remain prepared to manage through any demand challenges.

“Our members remain focused on driving growth and expanding margins. Our balance sheet is in great shape and our cash flow remains consistent and strong. We will continue to invest for the future with confidence,” concluded Mr. Lorenger.

The full text of HNI’s 1Q25 earnings release, including all tables, and a replay of the company’s May 7 conference call may be accessed at investors.hnicorp.com.

About HNI Corporation

HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI) has been improving where people live, work, and gather for more than 75 years. HNI is a manufacturer of workplace furnishings and residential building products, operating under two segments. The Workplace Furnishings segment is a leading global designer and provider of commercial furnishings, going to market under multiple unique brands. The Residential Building Products segment is the nation’s leading manufacturer and marketer of hearth products, which include a full array of gas, electric, wood, and pellet-burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings, and accessories. More information can be found on the Corporation’s website at www.hnicorp.com.