LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tower International, Inc. [NYSE: TOWR], a leading global manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies, today announced third quarter 2014 results and updated its outlook for the full year.




    --  Revenue for the third quarter was $523 million, up 6 percent from $495
        million in the third quarter 2013.


    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $50.4 million, compared with $48.4
        million a year ago.  Volume and mix was net favorable versus a year ago,
        with good news in North America and Europe and bad news in Brazil. 
        Higher launch cost to support customer new-model programs was a partial
        offset.


    --  Net income was $11.2 million, compared with $3.3 million a year ago.  As
        detailed below, this year's third quarter included certain items that
        adversely impacted results by $4.5 million.  Excluding these items and
        comparable items in the third quarter of 2013, diluted adjusted earnings
        were 73 cents per share, up 52% from 48 cents a year ago.


    --  For full year 2014, Tower is reducing the revenue outlook to $2.175
        billion from the prior guidance of $2.20-$2.225 billion, reflecting
        lower customer production in Europe and Brazil and unfavorable currency
        translation.  Despite these revenue changes, the outlook for adjusted
        EBITDA, at $217 million, remains within the range of the previous
        guidance of $217-$220 million.  Including other anticipated net
        improvements, Tower is raising its forecasts for adjusted earnings per
        share (to $3.10, up 5-15 cents from prior guidance) and adjusted free
        cash flow (to $25-$30 million versus prior $25 million).
    --  Tower also recently completed two financing enhancements that further
        strengthen the company's financial position and reduce long-term balance
        sheet risk.  In September, a $150 million asset-backed revolver was
        replaced by a $200 million cash-flow revolver; Tower's liquidity at
        September 30 was a record $354 million.  In October, the company swapped
        $200 million of its $450 million Term Loan B maturing in 2020 from
        variable-rate U.S. Dollar to 4% fixed-rate Euro; this action locked in
        an attractive long-term interest rate, reduced the company's exposure to
        future variable-rate increases, and provided an enterprise-value hedge
        against changes in the value of the Euro.

"With our Third Quarter performance, Tower's earnings have now met or beat the consensus in all 17 quarters since our IPO in 2010," said President and CEO Mark Malcolm. "In addition, providing full year earnings and cash-flow guidance within and above the range of prior guidance conveys Tower's view that the adverse macro developments in Europe and Brazil should be kept in context relative to what we believe is continuing strong total Company performance and a positive future outlook."

Tower to Host Conference Call Today at 1 p.m. EDT

Tower will discuss its third quarter 2014 results and other related matters in a conference call at 1 p.m. EDT today. Participants may listen to the audio portion of the conference call either through a live audio webcast on the Company's website or by telephone. The slide presentation and webcast can be accessed via the investor relations portion of Tower's website www.towerinternational.com. To dial into the conference call, domestic callers should dial (866) 393-4576, international callers should dial (706) 679-1462. An audio recording of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call. To access this recording, please dial (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and reference Conference I.D. #89247262. A webcast replay will also be available and may be accessed via Tower's website.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted earnings per share (EPS)", "free cash flow", "adjusted free cash flow" and "net debt." We define adjusted EBITDA as net income / (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring items and other adjustments described in the reconciliations provided in this presentation. Adjusted earnings per share exclude certain income and expense items described in the reconciliation provided in this presentation. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant and equipment. Adjusted free cash flow is free cash flow excluding cash received or disbursed for customer tooling. Net debt represents total debt less cash and cash equivalents. We use adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow and net debt as supplements to information provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in evaluating our business and they are included in this press release because they are principal factors upon which our management assesses performance. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are set forth below. The non-GAAP measures presented above are not measures of performance under GAAP. These measures should not be considered as alternatives for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies in our industry may define these non-GAAP measures differently than we do and, as a result, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry; and certain of our non-GAAP financial measures exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance. Given the inherent uncertainty regarding special items and other expense in any future period, a reconciliation of forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP is not feasible. The magnitude of these items, however, may be significant.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's projected revenue, adjusted EBITDA, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted free cash flow and statements regarding interest rate exposure, new sources of profitable growth, future financial results and the Company's future business outlook. The forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "project," "target," and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are based upon management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The following important factors, as well as risk factors described in our reports filed with the SEC, could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements:


    --  global automobile production volumes;
    --  the financial condition of our customers and suppliers;
    --  our ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest on our
        indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in
        the instruments governing our indebtedness;
    --  our ability to refinance our indebtedness;
    --  risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including foreign
        exchange risks and economic uncertainty in some regions;
    --  any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and
        other postretirement benefits;
    --  our customers' ability to obtain equity and debt financing for their
        businesses;
    --  our dependence on our largest customers;
    --  pricing pressure from our customers;
    --  work stoppages or other labor issues affecting us or our customers or
        suppliers;
    --  our ability to integrate acquired businesses;
    --  risks associated with business divestitures; and

    --  costs or liabilities relating to environmental and safety regulations.

We do not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Contact:
Derek Fiebig
Executive Director, Investor & External Relations
(248) 675-6457
fiebig.derek@towerinternational.com



                                                                                                        TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                          (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts - unaudited)



                                                                                                         Three Months Ended September 30,                      Nine Months Ended September 30,

                                                                                                                                         2014                                                  2013       2014       2013
                                                                                                                                         ----                                                  ----       ----       ----


    Revenues                                                                                                                         $522,645                                              $495,197 $1,647,586 $1,585,215

    Cost of sales                                                                                                                     469,930                                               439,222  1,468,684  1,401,713
                                                                                                                                      -------                                               -------  ---------  ---------

    Gross profit                                                                                                                       52,715                                                55,975    178,902    183,502

    Selling, general, and administrative expenses                                                                                      34,336                                                31,290    100,494     98,235

    Amortization expense                                                                                                                  220                                                   646      1,544      2,134

    Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net                                                                                     1,392                                                 1,575      7,497     18,906
                                                                                                                                        -----                                                 -----      -----     ------

      Operating income                                                                                                                 16,767                                                22,464     69,367     64,227

    Interest expense                                                                                                                    7,418                                                 9,410     22,010     44,375

    Interest income                                                                                                                       356                                                   283        946        898

    Other expense / (income)                                                                                                          (5,549)                                                7,490    (5,462)    48,418
                                                                                                                                       ------

    Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture                                              15,254                                                 5,847     53,765   (27,668)

    Provision for income taxes                                                                                                          2,107                                                 1,423      8,009      8,557

    Equity in loss of joint venture, net of tax                                                                                         (245)                                                (208)     (626)     (373)
                                                                                                                                         ----                                                  ----       ----       ----

            Net income / (loss)                                                                                                        12,902                                                 4,216     45,130   (36,598)

      Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests                                                                     1,741                                                   898      3,018      2,647
                                                                                                                                        -----                                                   ---      -----

    Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                                     $11,161                                                $3,318    $42,112  $(39,245)
                                                                                                                                      =======                                                ======    =======   ========


    Weighted average common shares outstanding

    Basic                                                                                                                          20,733,785                                            20,449,920 20,632,688 20,358,641

    Diluted                                                                                                                        21,457,369                                            21,106,471 21,364,800 20,358,641


    Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:

    Basic                                                                                                                               $0.54                                                 $0.16      $2.04    $(1.93)

    Diluted                                                                                                                              0.52                                                  0.16       1.97     (1.93)


                                                                                                                 TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                                            (Amounts in thousands, except share data - unaudited)



                                                                                                                                                                  September 30, 2014            December 31, 2013
                                                                                                                                                                  ------------------            -----------------


                                                                          ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                          $126,427                     $134,880

    Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,763 and $2,071                                                                                                                          329,284                      255,674

    Inventories                                                                                                                                                                          91,991                       81,278

    Deferred tax asset - current                                                                                                                                                          8,454                        8,649

    Prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other                                                                                                                                         53,136                       44,896
                                                                                                                                                                                         ------                       ------

    Total current assets                                                                                                                                                                609,292                      525,377
                                                                                                                                                                                        -------                      -------


    Property, plant, and equipment, net                                                                                                                                                 535,957                      549,605

    Goodwill                                                                                                                                                                             61,672                       66,976

    Investment in joint venture                                                                                                                                                           7,767                        8,624

    Deferred tax asset - non-current                                                                                                                                                      3,405                        3,732

    Other assets, net                                                                                                                                                                    26,124                       28,679
                                                                                                                                                                                         ------                       ------

    Total assets                                                                                                                                                                     $1,244,217                   $1,182,993
                                                                                                                                                                                     ==========                   ==========


                                                           LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations                                                                                                                 $42,730                      $39,704

    Accounts payable                                                                                                                                                                    306,693                      262,425

    Accrued liabilities                                                                                                                                                                 129,137                      129,167
                                                                                                                                                                                        -------                      -------

    Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                           478,560                      431,296
                                                                                                                                                                                        -------                      -------


    Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                                                                                                           463,714                      454,073

    Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities                                                                                                                           8,361                       10,013

    Deferred tax liability - non-current                                                                                                                                                 14,045                       14,381

    Pension liability                                                                                                                                                                    41,999                       54,915

    Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                                                        79,265                       81,446
                                                                                                                                                                                         ------                       ------

    Total non-current liabilities                                                                                                                                                       607,384                      614,828
                                                                                                                                                                                        -------                      -------

      Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                               1,085,944                    1,046,124
                                                                                                                                                                                      ---------                    ---------



    Stockholders' Equity:

    Tower International, Inc.'s stockholders' equity

    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized and 0 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013                                                          -                           -

    Common stock, $0.01 par value, 350,000,000 authorized, 21,391,844 issued and 20,750,478 outstanding at September 30, 2014 and
     21,079,027 issued and 20,472,637 outstanding at December 31, 2013                                                                                                                      214                          211

    Additional paid in capital                                                                                                                                                          334,172                      327,998

    Treasury stock, at cost, 641,366 shares at September 30, 2014 and 606,390 shares at December 31, 2013                                                                               (9,516)                     (8,594)

    Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                                                               (215,375)                   (257,487)

    Accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)                                                                                                                                    (13,470)                      12,247

    Total Tower International, Inc.'s stockholders' equity                                                                                                                               96,025                       74,375
                                                                                                                                                                                         ------                       ------

    Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries                                                                                                                                             62,248                       62,494

    Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                          158,273                      136,869
                                                                                                                                                                                        -------                      -------


    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                       $1,244,217                   $1,182,993
                                                                                                                                                                                     ==========                   ==========



                                                                             TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                 (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)



                                                                                                                           Nine Months Ended September 30,

                                                                                                                                              2014               2013
                                                                                                                                              ----               ----


    OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net income / (loss)                                                                                                                    $45,130          $(36,598)


    Adjustments required to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:

    Asset impairment charges                                                                                                                     -            11,006

    Gain on sale of Chinese facility                                                                                                       (5,549)                 -

    Term Loan re-pricing fees                                                                                                                   87                  -

    Premium on notes redemption and other fees                                                                                                   -            48,418

    Deferred income tax provision                                                                                                              155                373

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                           72,597             70,933

    Non-cash share-based compensation                                                                                                        3,566              3,660

    Pension income, net of contributions                                                                                                  (12,916)          (13,354)

    Change in working capital and other operating items                                                                                   (61,333)          (34,669)

    Net cash provided by continuing operating activities                                                                                   $41,737            $49,769
                                                                                                                                           -------            -------


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment                                                                       $(70,164)         $(47,224)

    Proceeds from the sale of Chinese facility                                                                                              13,817                  -

    Investment in joint venture                                                                                                              (760)           (6,293)

    Net proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment                                                                                     -            12,040

    Net cash used in continuing investing activities                                                                                     $(57,107)         $(41,477)
                                                                                                                                          --------           --------


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    Proceeds from borrowings                                                                                                              $102,920           $457,352

    Repayments of  borrowings                                                                                                            (122,323)         (484,847)

    Proceeds from borrowings on Additional Term Loans                                                                                       33,145                  -

    Debt financing costs                                                                                                                   (2,561)           (9,437)

    Secondary stock offering transaction costs                                                                                                (75)                 -

    Proceeds from stock options exercised                                                                                                    2,608              2,067

    Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                                               (922)             (297)

    Noncontrolling interest dividends                                                                                                      (2,529)           (6,748)

    Proceeds from borrowings on Term Loan Credit Facility                                                                                        -           417,900

    Redemption of notes                                                                                                                          -         (361,992)

    Premium paid on redemption of notes and other fees                                                                                           -          (43,078)

    Premium paid on re-pricing of Term Loan and other fees                                                                                       -           (4,378)

    Net cash provided by / (used in) continuing financing activities                                                                       $10,263          $(33,458)
                                                                                                                                           -------           --------


    Discontinued operations:

    Net cash from discontinued investing activities                                                                        $                     -           $15,694

    Net cash from discontinued operations                                                                                  $                     -           $15,694
                                                                                                                           -----------------------           -------


    Effect of exchange rate changes on continuing cash and cash equivalents                                                               $(3,346)            $1,877
                                                                                                                                           -------             ------


    NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                                               $(8,453)          $(7,595)


    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

    Beginning of period                                                                                                                   $134,880           $113,943
                                                                                                                                          --------           --------


    End of period                                                                                                                         $126,427           $106,348
                                                                                                                                          ========           ========


                                                                                TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                        SEGMENT DATA AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS

                                                                                    (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)




    Segment Data                                                                  Three Months Ended September 30,

                                                                                                               2014                                                   2013
                                                                                                               ----                                                   ----

                                                                                         Revenues                                           Adjusted EBITDA                   Revenues              Adjusted EBITDA
                                                                                         --------                                           ---------------                   --------              ---------------

    International                                                                                          $222,081                                                $13,284                 $219,250                     $12,795

    Americas                                                                                                300,564                                                 37,126                  275,947                      35,617

    Consolidated                                                                                           $522,645                                                $50,410                 $495,197                     $48,412
                                                                                                           ========                                                =======                 ========                     =======


                                                                                 Nine Months Ended September 30,

                                                                                                               2014                                                   2013
                                                                                                               ----                                                   ----

                                                                                         Revenues                                           Adjusted EBITDA                   Revenues              Adjusted EBITDA
                                                                                         --------                                           ---------------                   --------              ---------------

    International                                                                                          $728,859                                                $55,396                 $706,253                     $56,791

    Americas                                                                                                918,727                                                108,324                  878,962                     105,902

    Consolidated                                                                                         $1,647,586                                               $163,720               $1,585,215                    $162,693
                                                                                                         ==========                                               ========               ==========                    ========




    Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation                                           Three Months Ended September 30,                       Nine Months Ended September 30,

                                                                                                               2014                                                   2013                     2014                        2013
                                                                                                               ----                                                   ----                     ----                        ----

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                         $50,410                                                $48,412                 $163,720                    $162,693

    Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net                                                         (1,392)                                               (1,575)                 (7,497)                   (18,906)

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                          (23,064)                                              (22,296)                (72,597)                   (70,933)

    Acquisition costs and other                                                                               (102)                                                 (335)                   (311)                      (904)

    Long-term compensation expense                                                                          (3,076)                                               (1,742)                 (7,939)                    (4,888)

    Interest expense, net                                                                                   (7,062)                                               (9,127)                (21,064)                   (43,477)

    Other (expense) / income                                                                                  5,549                                                (7,490)                   5,462                    (48,418)

    Commercial settlement related to 2010-13 scrap                                                          (6,009)                                                     -                 (6,009)                          -

    Closure of Tower Defense & Aerospace                                                                          -                                                     -                       -                    (2,835)

    Provision for income taxes                                                                              (2,107)                                               (1,423)                 (8,009)                    (8,557)

    Equity in loss of joint venture, net of tax                                                               (245)                                                 (208)                   (626)                      (373)

    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests                                                       (1,741)                                                 (898)                 (3,018)                    (2,647)

    Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                           $11,161                                                 $3,318                  $42,112                   $(39,245)
                                                                                                            =======                                                 ======                  =======                    ========




    Adjusted Free Cash Flow Reconciliation                                   Three Months Ended September 30,                       Nine Months Ended September 30,

                                                                                                               2014                                                   2013                     2014                        2013
                                                                                                               ----                                                   ----                     ----                        ----

    Net cash provided by continuing operating activities                                                    $18,984                                                $37,967                  $41,737                     $49,769

    Cash disbursed for purchases of PP&E                                                                   (35,902)                                              (17,032)                (70,164)                   (47,224)

    Proceeds from the sale of Chinese facility                                                                    -                                                     -                  13,817                           -

    Free cash flow                                                                                         (16,918)                                                20,935                 (14,610)                      2,545

    Less:  Cash disbursed for customer-owned tooling                                                        (9,932)                                               (1,508)                (26,136)                    (9,858)

    Adjusted free cash flow                                                                                $(6,986)                                               $22,443                  $11,526                     $12,403
                                                                                                            =======                                                =======                  =======                     =======




    Net Debt Reconciliation                                                                                                                                                September 30,             December 31,

                                                                                                                                                                                             2014                        2013
                                                                                                                                                                                             ----                        ----

    Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations                                                                                                                   $42,730                     $39,704

    Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                                                                                                             463,714                     454,073

    Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities                                                                                                                             8,361                      10,013

    Total debt                                                                                                                                                                            514,805                     503,790

    Less: Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                       126,427                     134,880

    Net debt                                                                                                                                                                             $388,378                    $368,910
                                                                                                                                                                                         ========                    ========


                                                                                                                                      TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                                                         CERTAIN ITEMS INCLUDED IN NET INCOME

                                                                                                                             (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)



                                                                                                                                                           Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                             September 30,                  September 30,

                                                                                                                                                                                2014                           2013       2014           2013
                                                                                                                                                                                ----                           ----       ----           ----


    Expense items included in net income / (loss), net of tax:

    Cost of sales

    Commercial settlement related to 2010-13 scrap                                                                                                                          $(6,009)             $               -  $(6,009)   $         -

    Closure of Tower Defense & Aerospace                                                                                                                                           -                             -         -       (4,414)

    Selling, general, and administrative expenses

    One-time CEO compensation awards                                                                                                                                           (884)                             -     (884)             -

    Acquisition costs and other                                                                                                                                                    -                             -         -         (327)

    Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net

    One-time restructuring actions                                                                                                                                             (349)                         (425)     (962)       (1,025)

    Severance costs in Europe *                                                                                                                                                (103)                             -     (296)             -

    Lease buyout of previously closed facility                                                                                                                                     -                             -   (3,448)             -

    Asset impairment charges                                                                                                                                                       -                             -         -      (10,705)

    Facility closure                                                                                                                                                               -                             -         -       (3,575)

    Interest expense

    Acceleration of the amortization of debt issue costs and OID                                                                                                                   -                       (1,195)         -      (11,342)

    Other expense

    Gain on sale of Chinese facility **                                                                                                                                        2,829                              -     2,829              -

    Secondary stock offering transaction costs                                                                                                                                     -                         (800)      (87)         (800)

    Premium on redemption of Senior Secured Notes                                                                                                                                  -                       (2,150)         -      (42,470)

    Premium and other fees for re-pricing of Term Loan                                                                                                                             -                       (4,540)         -       (4,540)

    Breakage of Letter of Credit Facility                                                                                                                                          -                             -         -         (608)

    Provision for income taxes

    Foreign subsidiary tax audit                                                                                                                                                   -                         2,300          -         2,300

    Total items included in net income / (loss)                                                                                                                             $(4,516)                      $(6,810)  $(8,857)     $(77,506)
                                                                                                                                                                             =======                        =======    =======       ========


    Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                                                                            $11,161                         $3,318    $42,112      $(39,245)


    Memo:  Average shares outstanding (in thousands)

    Basic                                                                                                                                                                     20,734                         20,450     20,633         20,359

    Diluted                                                                                                                                                                   21,457                         21,106     21,365         20,359


    Income / (loss) per common share (GAAP)

    Basic                                                                                                                                                                      $0.54                          $0.16      $2.04        $(1.93)

    Diluted                                                                                                                                                                     0.52                           0.16       1.97         (1.93)


    Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) ***                                                                                                                          0.73                           0.48       2.39           1.83


    *       Amount is net of tax of $44K and $127K, respectively.

    **      Amount is net of tax of $832K and noncontrolling interest of $1.9M.

    ***    Excludes the certain items shown above.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, diluted share count of 20.9 million

             was used to calculated diluted adjusted earnings per share.

SOURCE Tower International, Inc.