News Details

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Apr 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported net sales of $451.1 million and a net loss of $17.7 million, or $0.22 per share, for the fiscal 2010 third quarter ended February 28, 2010. In last year's third quarter, the Company reported net income of $1.6 million, or $0.02 per share. The current quarter included pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges totaling $35.5 million, or $0.28 per share, primarily related to the former Construction Services businesses, which has been reorganized. Also included were $4.9 million, or $0.04 per share, in charges and legal fees related to the litigation with BernzOmatic. The prior year third quarter included the impact of $16.3 million of pre-tax restructuring charges and an $8.3 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Aegis, which together reduced net income by $0.04 per share.

"Our third quarter is always challenging with the short shipping months of December and February. But we are pleased that even with the additional impact from severe weather this year, our results were in line with our expectations before restructuring and one-time charges," said John P. McConnell, Chairman and CEO. "We did see several positive signs during the quarter. Steel Processing has been rapidly and successfully integrating the Gibraltar strip steel acquisition, which strengthens our cold-rolled strip strategy and is already contributing to earnings. January was Steel's strongest shipping month since October of 2008. Pressure Cylinders had solid volumes in most product lines except for the industrial markets, particularly evident in Europe."

McConnell added, "The Metal Framing and Construction Services businesses continue to struggle as demand in the commercial construction market has not yet bottomed. The impairment charge is the result of those market conditions. We have reorganized the businesses to help drive synergies with Metal Framing when volume returns. Our WAVE joint venture was a steady contributor along with improving performances from our other joint ventures."

The financial highlights for the three- and nine-month periods are as follows:

In the first nine months of this fiscal year, sales were down 39% to $1,316.6 million, driven largely by the reduction in sales volumes, particularly in the automotive and construction markets. Sales have also been impacted by the decline in the market price of steel as compared to the prior year, when it had reached record levels. The fiscal year-to-date operating loss was $20.6 million, versus a $156.1 million loss in the prior year, which had included significant one-time charges.

Consolidated Results

Net sales for the third quarter ended February 28, 2010, were $451.1 million, down 10% from the comparable quarter last year, primarily due to lower average selling prices across all segments. Even though the market price of steel was higher in the current quarter, average selling prices last year were higher since they included some fixed contract pricing that was in place when the market price of steel was at record highs. This combined with a change in the mix of products sold, lowered the average selling prices and reduced sales by $58.0 million. An overall increase in volumes had an $8.0 million positive impact on net sales as both Steel Processing and Pressure Cylinders showed improvements, while Metal Framing's volumes declined.

Gross margin for the current quarter was $57.7 million, or 13% of net sales. This represents a $17.8 million increase over the prior year quarter's gross margin of $39.9 million, or 8% of net sales. An improved spread, primarily in Steel Processing, between the average selling price and the cost of steel improved the margin by $20.9 million. While volumes were up in both Steel Processing and Pressure Cylinders, the favorable impact was more than offset by declines in Metal Framing and Construction Services.

SG&A expenses were $9.7 million higher than the prior year quarter primarily due to $4.9 million in charges and legal fees related to the litigation with the Irwin Tool (d/b/a BernzOmatic) division of Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (BernzOmatic), in which contract damages were awarded to BernzOmatic. Also impacting the current quarter was $3.1 million in additional SG&A expenses related to the acquisitions of Piper, Structural Composite Industries (SCI) and Gibraltar. In addition, higher profit sharing and bonus expenses were only partially offset by lower bad debt expense.

Operating loss for the quarter was $35.3 million, driven primarily by impairment and restructuring charges. The loss in the prior year quarter was $24.2 million and included $16.3 million of restructuring charges. The charges in this year's quarter included a $24.7 million write-off of goodwill and an $8.0 million impairment of certain long-lived assets related to the Construction Services businesses. The results of these businesses have continued to deteriorate as the recovery in the commercial construction industry has been pushed further into the future. As a result, management revised its strategy and reorganized these businesses. The current quarter also includes $2.8 million of additional restructuring charges, primarily related to the ongoing Transformation effort within the Metal Framing segment. The restructuring charges in the prior year quarter related to the Transformation effort in Steel Processing and Metal Framing, and consisted of severance, facility closure, and consulting expenses.

Interest expense was $1.9 million in the quarter, down from $4.3 million in the prior year due to lower average borrowings and interest rates.

Equity in net income from unconsolidated joint ventures was $14.6 million, an increase of $10.7 million from the comparable year-ago quarter, on sales of $169.6 million. Worthington Armstrong Venture (WAVE) contributed $11.6 million of earnings, a 52% increase from last year's third quarter. Despite lower volumes, WAVE has done an excellent job of maintaining margins. Three other joint ventures, TWB Company, Worthington Specialty Processing, and Serviacero Worthington showed a combined improvement of $6.6 million over the prior year quarter.

For the quarter, there was an income tax benefit of $6.7 million compared to the income tax benefit of $21.2 million a year ago. The current year reflects an estimated annual effective tax rate of 35% prior to the impact of discrete tax adjustments.

Balance Sheet

At quarter end, total debt was $220.4 million, up $44.3 million from the previous quarter. A total of $120.0 million was drawn on the $435.0 million revolving credit facility, leaving $306.7 million available under that facility, after adjusting for outstanding letters of credit. The Company had also utilized $90.0 million of its $100.0 million trade accounts receivable securitization facility. The Company remains well within compliance on its debt covenants.

Cash used by operating activities for the quarter was $14.1 million, compared to cash provided by operations of $124.7 million in the year-ago quarter and $37.9 million from the previous quarter. The large inflow of cash in the year-ago quarter resulted from a reduction in working capital requirements. As volumes have grown in the current year, so has the need for additional inventory, which required an additional investment of $31.4 million in the current quarter. In addition, during the current quarter, the company spent $5.6 million on capital expenditures, primarily on upgrades to Pressure Cylinders' production lines, and $30.1 million on the acquisition of the Gibraltar steel processing assets.

Segment Results

Steel Processing's net sales of $232.2 million were up 21%, or $39.7 million, over the prior year quarter. Higher volumes increased sales by $69.4 million while lower average selling prices reduced sales by $29.7 million. Sales volumes grew 49% over the prior year quarter and 3% versus the previous quarter due to increased sales to the automotive, agriculture, and construction markets and the February contribution from the Gibraltar strip steel acquisition. The decrease in the average selling price of steel was primarily due to the impact of fixed contract pricing and the mix of tons shipped.

Steel Processing's mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 51% to 49% this quarter compared to 58% to 42% a year ago. Operating income improved $26.1 million to $7.5 million, from the prior year's operating loss of $18.6 million. The spread between average selling prices and material cost helped improve operating income by $19.0 million, while higher volumes, partially offset by increased variable manufacturing expenses, contributed $9.0 million. Margins continue to benefit from better inventory management and operating improvements implemented as part of the ongoing Transformation plan. SG&A expenses were higher due to increased profit sharing and bonus expenses and additional expenses related to Gibraltar strip steel, partially offset by a decrease in bad debt reserve and restructuring expenses in the current quarter.

Pressure Cylinders' net sales of $116.5 million were down 1% from the year ago quarter. A 30% increase in net sales in the North American operations was offset by a 58% decrease in European operations. The North American operations experienced volume increases in camping, refrigerant, and propane cylinders, in addition to being aided by the acquisitions of Piper and SCI, which increased sales by $11.8 million. Overall volumes for the European operations declined 34% as the industrial gas and automotive markets continued to be negatively impacted by the global economic downturn. Operating income decreased 69% from the prior year quarter to $4.1 million. The improvement in North America was more than offset by reduced volume in Europe, along with the $3.9 million increase in charges resulting from the BernzOmatic litigation, and an increased share of corporate profit sharing, bonus and other expenses.

Metal Framing's net sales of $67.5 million were down 51%, or $69.7 million, from the prior year quarter and volumes were down 40%, reducing net sales by $55.8 million. Average selling prices dropped 18% or $13.9 million. This segment has been negatively impacted by a dramatically weakened commercial construction market, pricing pressures, and extreme weather conditions. The operating loss was $9.1 million, 50% worse than the prior year, due to the impact of continued volume declines which were partially offset by reduced SG&A expenses and lower restructuring charges.

Company Outlook

"Markets have been slow to recover in most of our businesses. However, we remain very positive about the improvement efforts in operations, commercial sales and purchasing driven by our Transformation," McConnell stated. "Steel Processing has clearly seen results from the Transformation effort and Metal Framing is in the midst of Transformation. Pressure Cylinders has positioned itself well to grow its business lines and actively pursue additional acquisition opportunities. We believe we will see further improvements in the profitability of our Steel Processing business where demand is picking up and steel prices are on the rise. Pressure Cylinders expects to maintain strong volumes for camping, gas grill and propane heating cylinders, and we believe improving economic conditions will lead to moderate improvements in European volumes from current levels. In Metal Framing, we believe the business can return to profitability down the road while it remains cash neutral in the near term. Customers are responding favorably to Dietrich's new ProStud(TM) product and we believe they are starting to see improvements from the Transformation. This business has endured the downturn for an extended period and despite these ongoing challenges, the Metal Framing team remains committed to turning this business around."

Announcements

On February 1, 2010, the Company announced that its Steel Processing segment acquired the steel processing assets of Gibraltar Industries. This acquisition expands the capabilities of Worthington Steel's cold rolled strip business, positioning it as the market leader, and enhancing its ability to serve the needs of new and existing customers. The acquisition is expected to be accretive in the Company's current fiscal year.

Dividend Declared

On February 25, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable March 29, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 15, 2009.

Conference Call

Worthington will review third quarter results during its quarterly conference call today, April 1, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company web site at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com.

Corporate Profile

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metals manufacturing company with 2009 fiscal year sales of approximately $2.6 billion. The Columbus, Ohio based company is North America's premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as light gauge steel framing for commercial and residential construction; framing systems and stairs for mid-rise buildings; pressure cylinders products such as propane, oxygen and helium tanks, hand torches, camping cylinders, and scuba tanks; current and past model automotive service stampings; metal ceiling grid systems; steel pallets and racks; and laser welded blanks. Worthington employs approximately 6,300 people and operates 64 facilities in 11 countries.

Founded in 1955, the Company operates under a long-standing corporate philosophy rooted in the golden rule. Earning money for its shareholders is the first corporate goal. This philosophy serves as an unwavering commitment to the customer, supplier, and shareholder, and it serves as the Company's foundation for one of the strongest employee-employer partnerships in American industry.

Safe Harbor Statement

The Company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Statements by the Company relating to business plans or future or expected growth, performance, sales, volumes, cash flows, earnings, balance sheet strengths, debt, financial condition or other financial measures; projected working capital needs; demand trends for the Company or its markets; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods and the impact of pricing changes; anticipated capital expenditures and asset sales; anticipated improvements and efficiencies in costs, operations, sales, inventory management, sourcing and the supply chain; projected timing, results, benefits, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions, headcount reductions and facility dispositions, shutdowns and consolidations; the alignment of operations with demand; the ability to operate profitably and generate cash in down markets, the ability to capture and maintain margins and market share and to develop or take advantage of future opportunities, new products and markets; expectations for company and customer inventories, jobs and orders; expectations for the economy and markets or improvements therein; expected benefits from Transformation plans, cost reduction efforts and other new initiatives; expectations for improving earnings, margins or shareholder value; effects of judicial rulings and other non-historical matters constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Act. Because they are based on beliefs, estimates and assumptions, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Any number of factors could affect actual results, including, without limitation, the effect of national, regional and worldwide economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including a prolonged or substantial economic downturn; the effect of conditions in national and worldwide financial markets; product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of the Company's products; fluctuations in pricing, quality or availability of raw materials (particularlysteel), supplies, transportation, utilities and other items required by operations; effects of facility closures and the consolidation of operations; the effect of financial difficulties, consolidation and other changes within the steel, automotive, construction and other industries in which the Company participates; failure to maintain appropriate levels of inventories; financial difficulties (including bankruptcy filings) of original equipment manufacturers, end-users and customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and others with whom the Company does business; the ability to realize targeted expense reductions from head count reductions, facility closures and other cost reduction efforts; the ability to realize other cost savings and operational, sales and sourcing improvements and efficiencies, and other expected benefits from transformation initiatives on a timely basis; the overall success of, and the ability to integrate, newly-acquired businesses and achieve synergies therefrom; capacity levels and efficiencies, within facilities and within the industry as a whole; the effect of disruption in the business of suppliers, customers, facilities and shipping operations due to adverse weather, casualty events, equipment breakdowns, acts of war or terrorist activities or other causes; changes in customer demand, inventories, spending patterns, product choices, and supplier choices; risks associated with doingbusiness internationally, including economic, political and socialinstability, and foreign currency exposure; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; adverse claims experience with respect to workers compensation, product recalls or liability, casualty events or other matters; deviation of actual results from estimates and/or assumptions used by the Company in the application of its significant accounting policies; level of imports and import prices in the Company's markets; the impact of judicial rulings and governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad; and other risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: Worthington Industries, Inc.

Worthington Industries, Inc.
Cathy M. Lyttle, 614-438-3077
VP, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
E-mail: cmlyttle@WorthingtonIndustries.com
or
Sonya L. Higginbotham, 614-438-7391
Director, Corporate Communications
E-mail: slhiggin@WorthingtonIndustries.com