Financial Performance - Net sales for 2024 were 659.7million,aslightincreaseof0.10.2 million from 659.5millionin2023[103]−Grossprofitfor2024was204.3 million, with a gross margin of 31.0%, up from 196.3millionand29.891.4 million in 2024, resulting in an operating margin of 13.9%[108] - Net income for 2024 was 40.1million,or1.53 per share, compared to 35.0million,or1.34 per share, in 2023, representing a 14.8% increase[111] - Reported net income for 2024 was 40.1million,anincreaseof15.834.9 million in 2023 and a significant rise from 11.2millionin2022[115]−Non−GAAPadjustedearningsfor2024reached46.0 million, up 28.3% from 35.8millionin2023and87.524.5 million in 2022[115] - Adjusted earnings per share for 2024 was 1.75,a27.71.37 in 2023 and a 86.2% increase from 0.94in2022[115]OrdersandBacklog−TheGorman−RuppCompany′sbacklogofordersdecreasedby5.6206.0 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to 218.1millionin2023[97]−IncomingordersfortheyearendingDecember31,2024,increasedby6.8659.3 million compared to 2023[98] Expenses and Cash Flow - Interest expense decreased by 18.5% to 33.6millionin2024,downfrom41.3 million in 2023 due to debt refinancing[109] - Net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was 69.8million,adecreasefrom98.2 million in 2023[121] - Rental expenses for operating and financing leases were 3.6millionin2024,upfrom2.8 million in 2023[128] Debt and Capital Management - The company had 340.8millionindebtoutstandingduein2029and30.0 million due in 2031, remaining compliant with debt covenants[118] - The Company had 340.8millioninborrowingsundertheSeniorTermLoanFacilityasofDecember31,2024[155]−TheBoardofDirectorshasauthorizedasharerepurchaseprogramofupto50.0 million, with approximately 48.1millionremainingtoberepurchased[127]DividendsandShareholderReturns−Thecompanydeclaredaquarterlydividendof0.185 per share, marking the 300th consecutive quarterly dividend payment[99] Pension and Employee Benefits - The company plans to contribute 2.9milliontoitsdefinedbenefitpensionplanin2025,followingacontributionof5.1 million in 2024[120] - The discount rates used to value pension plan obligations were 5.3% at December 31, 2024, compared to 4.7% at December 31, 2023[138] - The expected rate of return on pension assets was 7.2% for 2024 and 6.2% for 2023[138] Goodwill and Assets - Goodwill relating to the National reporting unit is 13.6million,or1.6230.7 million, or 26.9% of the Company's total assets as of December 31, 2024[147] Inventory and Contract Estimates - The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for the majority of its inventories[136] - The Company estimates profit on long-term contracts based on total estimated revenue and expected costs to complete[134] - The Company regularly reviews and updates its contract-related estimates to reflect significant changes[135] Market Conditions and Future Outlook - The company remains focused on benefiting from infrastructure spending and strong demand for flood control and storm water management[101] - A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in interest rates would increase interest expense by approximately 1.9millionannually[157]−Foreigncurrencytransactionlossesfor2024and2023were(0.4) million each, while gains for 2022 were $0.2 million[158]