Q3 2026 Net Sales increased 7.7% to a record $457.5 million

Reiterates FY 2026 Adj. EBITDA and Free Cash Flow guidance; updates Net Sales outlook

CINCINNATI, Nov. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hillman Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq: HLMN) (the “Company” or “Hillman”), a leading provider of hardware and related products, reported financial results for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2026.

Third Quarter 2026 Highlights (Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2026)

  • Net sales increased 7.7% to $457.5 million compared to $424.9 million in the prior year quarter
  • Net income totaled $6.3 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $23.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter
  • Adjusted diluted EPS1 totaled $0.22 per diluted share compared to $0.22 in the prior year quarter
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 increased to $90.2 million compared to $88.0 million in the prior year quarter
  • Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $69.9 million compared to $26.2 million in the prior year quarter
  • Free Cash Flow1 increased to $51.1 million compared to $9.1 million in the prior year quarter
  • Repurchased approximately 0.6 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $7.75 per share, which totaled $5.0 million
  • Completed the acquisition of Kanebridge, a leading master distributor of industrial fasteners

Balance Sheet and Liquidity at September 26, 2026

  • Successfully refinanced its existing credit facilities, consisting of a new $735 million senior secured term loan B and a $375 million asset-based revolving credit facility; closed a $200 million add-on term loan B for the Kanebridge acquisition
  • Gross debt was $967.7 million compared to $693.1 million on December 27, 2025
  • Net debt1 was $932.6 million compared to $665.8 million on December 27, 2025
  • Liquidity available totaled $343.1 million; consisting of $308.0 million of available borrowing under the revolving credit facility and $35.1 million of cash and equivalents
  • Net debt1 to trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA was 3.4x at quarter end compared to 2.4x on December 27, 2025

Management Commentary

“The third quarter reflects the continued execution of Hillman’s Blueprint for Strategic Growth,” commented Hillman’s CEO, Jon Michael Adinolfi. “We continue to deliver net sales growth and strong free cash flow generation that give us the flexibility to invest into attractive opportunities, like our high-margin Robotics and Digital Solutions segment – which had a great quarter, up 19.2% – and accretive acquisitions, like Kanebridge.”

“We are winning in Pro, where our channel relationships, sourcing agility, and field sales team are driving new business wins. The Kanebridge acquisition, which is off to a great start, accelerates that momentum, establishing our position as a long-tail master distributor in the U.S. industrial market.”

“Given our performance through the first nine months, we are reaffirming our full-year Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow guidance while narrowing down our net sales range, given the macro environment. As we look to the rest of 2026 and beyond, we are well positioned to drive growth and create long-term value for our shareholders.”

Full Year 2026 Guidance – Updated

Based on year-to-date performance and its expectations for the remainder of the year, management updated its guidance most recently provided on August 3, 2026.

  Previous FY 2026 Guidance Updated FY 2026 Guidance
Net Sales $1.670 to $1.720 billion $1.660 to $1.680 billion
Adjusted EBITDA1 ~$285 million ~$285 million
Free Cash Flow1 $105 to $115 million $105 to $115 million
     
1) Denotes Non-GAAP metric. For additional information, including our definitions, use of, and reconciliations of these metrics to the most directly comparable financial measures under GAAP, please see the reconciliations toward the end of the press release.
     

Third Quarter 2026 Results Presentation

Hillman plans to host a conference call and webcast presentation on November 3, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results. President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Michael Adinolfi and Chief Financial Officer Rocky Kraft will host the results presentation.

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time

Listen-Only Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/diivckgp

A webcast replay will be available approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call using the link above.

Hillman’s quarterly presentation and Form 10-Q are expected to be filed with the SEC and posted to its Investor Relations website, https://ir.hillmangroup.com, prior to the webcast presentation.

About Hillman Solutions Corp.

Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Hillman is a leading provider of hardware and related products serving retail, pro distribution, and industrial customers. Over the last 60-plus years, Hillman has built a legacy of service and growth by forming strategic partnerships with North America’s leading home improvement, hardware, and farm and fleet retailers. Hillman differentiates itself from the competition with its dedicated field sales team of 1,200+ associates, direct-to-store distribution capabilities, and world class global sourcing and supply chain expertise. The company offers an extensive product portfolio of over 150,000 SKUs, including fasteners (power screws, nuts, and bolts), hardware (builder’s hardware, door locks, rope & chain, accessories), project gear & supplies (gloves, work gear, paint & cleaning sundries), and key and engraving services (key duplication, auto keys, and engraving). Hillman is committed to delivering exceptional customer service, innovative products, and dependable solutions to its customers and regularly earns vendor of the year recognition from top customers. For more information on Hillman, visit www.hillman.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements made in this press release that are considered to be forward-looking are made in good faith by the Company and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “goal,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s expectations with respect to future performance. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside the Company’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) unfavorable economic conditions that may affect our and our customers’, suppliers’ and other business partners’ operations, financial condition and cash flows including spending on home renovation or construction projects, inflation, recessions, instability in the financial markets or credit markets; (2) increased supply chain costs, including tariffs, raw materials, sourcing, transportation and energy; (3) the highly competitive nature of the markets that we serve; (4) the ability to continue to innovate with new products and services; (5) seasonality; (6) large customer concentration; (7) the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; (8) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; (9) adverse changes in currency exchange rates; or (10) regulatory changes and potential legislation that could adversely impact financial results. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, and readers should also refer to those risks that are included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2026. Given these uncertainties, current or prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this communication to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Contact:

Michael Koehler
Vice President – Corporate Development, Investor Relations, Treasury
513-826-5495
IR@hillmangroup.com

HILLMAN SOLUTIONS CORP.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Net Income, GAAP Basis
(dollars in thousands) Unaudited

  Thirteen
Weeks Ended
September 26,
2026
  Thirteen
Weeks Ended
September 27,
2025
  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended
September 26,
2026
  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended
September 27,
2025
 
Net sales $ 457,488     $ 424,939     $ 1,269,812     $ 1,187,085    
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization
shown separately below)
  225,203       205,378       660,861       604,456    
Selling, warehouse, general and administrative expenses   157,896       138,342       416,450       381,101    
Depreciation   22,308       20,100       66,842       59,343    
Amortization   15,649       15,265       46,148       45,937    
Other income, net   (1,457 )     (50 )     (6,525 )     (988 )  
Income from operations   37,889       45,904       86,036       97,236    
Interest expense, net   14,338       14,692       40,385       43,044    
Refinancing costs   13,505       —       13,505       906    
Income before income taxes   10,046       31,212       32,146       53,286    
Income tax expense   3,755       8,020       9,467       14,579    
Net income $ 6,291     $ 23,192     $ 22,679     $ 38,707    
                                 
Basic income per share $ 0.03     $ 0.12     $ 0.12     $ 0.20    
Weighted average basic shares outstanding   194,826       197,754       195,779       197,544    
                                 
Diluted income per share $ 0.03     $ 0.12     $ 0.11     $ 0.19    
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   196,058       199,849       197,349       199,454    
                                 

HILLMAN SOLUTIONS CORP.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)
Unaudited

  September 26,
2026
  December 27,
2025
 
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,078     $ 27,276    
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,431 ($1,944 – 2025)   168,151       114,926    
Inventories, net   479,310       485,938    
Other current assets   20,724       18,342    
               Total current assets   703,263       646,482    
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $485,923 ($428,726 –
2025)
  230,229       231,482    
Goodwill   936,011       830,747    
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $638,342 ($592,748 – 2025)   658,024       546,171    
Operating lease right of use assets   105,355       75,152    
Other assets   36,998       26,160    
               Total assets $ 2,669,880     $ 2,356,194    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable $ 149,298     $ 141,662    
Current portion of debt and financing lease liabilities   16,292       14,830    
Current portion of operating lease liabilities   21,414       17,947    
Accrued expenses:                
      Salaries and wages   16,106       35,790    
      Pricing allowances   14,255       8,098    
      Income and other taxes   9,014       9,466    
      Other accrued liabilities   44,567       29,766    
               Total current liabilities   270,946       257,559    
Long-term debt   940,512       668,337    
Deferred tax liabilities   129,529       131,870    
Operating lease liabilities   90,328       63,459    
Other non-current liabilities   5,702       6,462    
               Total liabilities $ 1,437,017     $ 1,127,687    
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)                
Stockholders’ equity:                
Common stock: $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 199,329,814
and 194,358,288 issued and outstanding in 2026, respectively, and 197,857,100 and
196,487,532 shares issued and outstanding in 2025, respectively
  20       20    
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,971,526 shares in 2026 and 1,369,568 shares in 2025   (40,774 )     (12,423 )  
Additional paid-in capital   1,469,227       1,457,422    
Accumulated deficit   (155,967 )     (178,646 )  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (39,643 )     (37,866 )  
               Total stockholders’ equity   1,232,863       1,228,507    
               Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,669,880     $ 2,356,194    
                 

HILLMAN SOLUTIONS CORP.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
Unaudited

  Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
September 26,
2026
  Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
September 27,
2025
 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income $ 22,679     $ 38,707    
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
               
    Depreciation and amortization   112,990       105,280    
    Deferred income taxes   (4,056 )     9,791    
    Deferred financing and original issue discount amortization   1,397       3,767    
    Stock-based compensation expense   11,727       10,739    
    Loss on debt restructuring, net of third party fees paid   1,488       —    
    Gain on acquisition, net of tax   (5,214 )     —    
    Gain on disposal of property and equipment   112       (135 )  
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration   (489 )     (500 )  
    Changes in operating items:                
               Accounts receivable, net   (38,772 )     (34,721 )  
               Inventories, net   62,269       (53,925 )  
               Other assets   (12,183 )     (19,691 )  
               Accounts payable   3,563       22,575    
               Accrued salaries and wages   (19,648 )     (1,217 )  
               Other accrued expenses   2,484       (6,381 )  
Net cash provided by operating activities   138,347       74,289    
Net cash from investing activities                
Acquisition of business, net of cash received   (314,503 )     —    
Capital expenditures   (51,390 )     (55,347 )  
    Other investing activities   (145 )     (154 )  
Net cash used for investing activities   (366,038 )     (55,501 )  
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Repayments of senior term loans   (636,960 )     (6,384 )  
Borrowings on senior term loans   935,000       —    
Financing fees   (3,751 )     —    
Borrowings on revolving credit loans   203,645       109,000    
Repayments of revolving credit loans   (230,617 )     (122,000 )  
Principal payments under finance lease obligations   (4,963 )     (4,156 )  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   2,392       1,177    
Repurchases of common stock   (28,351 )     (3,165 )  
Payments of contingent consideration   (207 )     (199 )  
Other financing activities   (587 )     142    
    Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities   235,601       (25,585 )  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (108 )     18    
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   7,802       (6,779 )  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   27,276       44,510    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 35,078     $ 37,731    
                 

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to the Most Directly Comparable GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures to analyze underlying business performance and trends. The Company believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures enhances the Company’s and investors’ ability to compare the Company’s past financial performance with its current performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial measures presented in this press release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s definitions of its non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Because GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis are not accessible, and reconciling information is not available without unreasonable effort, reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are not provided for forward-looking non-GAAP measures. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

Non-GAAP financial measures such as consolidated adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) exclude from the relevant GAAP metrics items that neither relate to the ordinary course of the Company’s business, nor reflect the Company’s underlying business performance.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the primary basis used to measure the operational strength and performance of our businesses as well as to assist in the evaluation of underlying trends in our businesses. This measure eliminates the significant level of noncash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of our businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations. It is also unaffected by our capital and tax structures, as our management excludes these results when evaluating our operating performance. Our management use this financial measure to evaluate our consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of our operating segments as well as to allocate resources and capital to our operating segments. Additionally, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the bases for comparing our operating performance with that of other companies in our industries, although our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies.

    Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 26,
2026
  Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 27,
2025
  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended

September 26,
2026
  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended

September 27,
2025
 
Net income $  6,291      $  23,192    $  22,679      $  38,707     
Income tax expense    3,755         8,020       9,467         14,579     
Interest expense, net    14,338         14,692       40,385         43,044     
Depreciation    22,308         20,100       66,842         59,343     
Amortization    15,649         15,265       46,148         45,937     
EBITDA $  62,341      $  81,269    $  185,521      $  201,610     
                                 
Stock compensation expense    4,365         3,904       11,727         10,739     
Restructuring and other (1)    1,469         749       2,903         2,860     
Litigation expense (2)    —         1,950       —         1,950     
Transaction and integration expense (3)    8,610         87       4,221         215     
Change in fair value of contingent
consideration
   (137 )      67       (489 )      (500 )  
Refinancing costs (4)    13,505         —       13,505         906     
Total adjusting items    27,812         6,757       31,867         16,170     
Adjusted EBITDA $  90,153      $  88,026    $  217,388      $  217,780     
                                 
(1)
Includes consulting and other costs associated with severance related to our distribution center relocations and corporate restructuring activities.
   
(2) Litigation expense includes an accrual for the preliminary settlement of a California wage-hour class action / Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claim.
   
(3) Transaction and integration expense includes professional fees and other costs related to acquisition activity, including the acquisitions of Campbell Chain and Fittings and Delaney Hardware in the second quarter of 2026, and the Kanebridge acquisition in the third quarter. Also included is a $5.2 million gain, net of deferred taxes, on the Campbell acquisition.
   
(4) In July of 2026 we entered into a new Term Loan B consisting of a $735 million senior secured Term Loan B and new $375 million senior secured asset based revolving credit facility. In August of 2026, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to provide for an additional $200.0 million of senior secured term loans. In the first quarter of 2025, we entered into a Repricing Amendment (2025 Repricing Amendment) on our existing Senior Term Loan due July 14, 2028.
   

Reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share 

(in thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited

We define Adjusted Diluted EPS as reported diluted EPS excluding the effect of one-time, non-recurring activity and volatility associated with our income tax expense. The Company believes that Adjusted Diluted EPS provides further insight and comparability in operating performance as it eliminates the effects of certain items that are not comparable from one period to the next. The following is a reconciliation of reported diluted EPS from continuing operations to Adjusted Diluted EPS from continuing operations:

      Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 26,
2026
  Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 27,
2025
  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended

September 26,
2026
  Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended

September 27,
2025
 
Reconciliation to Adjusted Net Income                                
Net Income $ 6,291     $ 23,192     $ 22,679     $ 38,707    
  Remove adjusting items (1)   27,812       6,757       31,867       16,170    
  Remove amortization expense   15,649       15,265       46,148       45,937    
  Remove tax benefit on adjusting items
and amortization expense
(2)
  (7,424 )     (1,967 )     (10,031 )     (4,864 )  
Adjusted Net Income $ 42,328     $ 43,247     $ 90,663     $ 95,950    
                                     
Reconciliation to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per
Share
                               
  Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.03     $ 0.12     $ 0.11     $ 0.19    
  Remove adjusting items (1)   0.14       0.03       0.16       0.08    
  Remove amortization expense   0.08       0.08       0.23       0.23    
  Remove tax benefit on adjusting items and
amortization expense
(2)
  (0.04 )     (0.01 )     (0.05 )     (0.02 )  
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.22     $ 0.22     $ 0.46     $ 0.48    
                                     
Diluted Shares, as reported   196,058       199,849       197,349       199,454    
                                     
Note: Adjusted EPS may not add due to rounding.
 
       
(1) Please refer to the “Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA” table above for additional information on adjusting items. See the “Per share impact of Adjusting Items” table below for the per share impact of each adjustment.  
     
(2) We have calculated the income tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments shown above at the applicable statutory rate of 25% for the U.S. and 26.2% for Canada except for the following items:  
     
  a. The tax impact of stock compensation expense was calculated using the statutory rates above, excluding certain awards that are non-deductible.  
       
  b. Amortization expense for financial accounting purposes was offset by the tax benefit of deductible amortization expense using the statutory rate of 25%.  
       

Per Share Impact of Adjusting Items

  Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 26,
2026
  Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 27,
2025
  Thirty-nine Weeks
Ended

September 26,
2026
  Thirty-nine Weeks
Ended

September 27,
2025
 
Stock compensation expense $ 0.02   $ 0.02   $ 0.06   $ 0.05  
Restructuring and other costs   0.01     0.00     0.01     0.01  
Litigation expense   0.00     0.01     0.00     0.01  
Transaction and integration expense   0.04     0.00     0.02     0.00  
Change in fair value of contingent
consideration
  0.00     0.00     0.00     0.00  
Refinancing costs   0.07     0.00     0.07     0.00  
Total adjusting items $ 0.14   $ 0.03   $ 0.16   $ 0.08  
                         
Note: Adjusting items may not add due to rounding.
 

Reconciliation of Net Debt 

We define Net Debt as reported gross debt less cash on hand. Net debt is not defined under U.S. GAAP and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company believes that Net Debt provides further insight and comparability into liquidity and capital structure. The following is the calculation of Net Debt:

  September 26, 2026   December 27, 2025  
Revolving loans $ 9,000   $ 36,000  
Senior term loan, due 2028   —     636,960  
Senior term loan, due 2033   935,000     —  
Finance leases and other obligations   23,718     20,090  
Gross debt $ 967,718   $ 693,050  
Less cash   35,078     27,276  
Net debt $ 932,640   $ 665,774  
             

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow

We calculate free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free cash flow is not defined under U.S. GAAP and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe free cash flow is an important indicator of how much cash is generated by our business operations and is a measure of incremental cash available to invest in our business and meet our debt obligations.

  Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 26, 2026
  Thirteen Weeks
Ended

September 27, 2025
  Thirty-nine Weeks
Ended

September 26, 2026
  Thirty-nine Weeks
Ended

September 27, 2025
 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 69,884     $ 26,237     $ 138,347     $ 74,289    
Capital expenditures   (18,795 )     (17,172 )     (51,390 )     (55,347 )  
Free cash flow $ 51,089     $ 9,065     $ 86,957     $ 18,942    
                                 

Source: Hillman Solutions Corp.


Primary Logo

Media gallery

About The Author