COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Sep 23, 2015) - Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported net sales of $758.1 million and net earnings of $31.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for its fiscal 2016 first quarter ended August 31, 2015, which included pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges totaling $6.1 million, reducing earnings per diluted share by $0.06. In last year's first quarter, the Company reported net sales of $862.4 million and net earnings of $44.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted share. Net earnings in the first quarter of the prior year included pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges totaling $2.1 million, which reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.02.

Financial highlights for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

(U.S. dollars in millions, except per share data)

   1Q 2016  4Q 2015  1Q 2015
Net sales   $ 758.1   $ 846.0   $ 862.4
Operating income     31.0     27.2     52.2
Equity income     26.6     18.4     27.9
Net earnings     31.4     28.9     44.2
Earnings per share   $ 0.48   $ 0.44   $ 0.63
                   

"The Company generated solid earnings and free cash flow in our first quarter despite some challenging end markets," said John McConnell, Chairman and CEO. "Declining steel prices continued to hamper our earnings in Steel Processing but our team performed well generating steady volume led by the heavy-duty truck market. Cylinders saw good results in Industrial and Consumer Products, while Oil and Gas Equipment sales were weak resulting in aggressive cost reductions to maintain profitability. Our joint ventures continued to perform well." McConnell added, "The consolidation plan in Engineered Cabs will be completed by the end of this month positioning it for better results."

Consolidated Quarterly Results

Net sales for the first quarter were $758.1 million, down 12% from the comparable quarter in the prior year, when net sales were $862.4 million. The decrease was driven by lower volume in all business segments, combined with lower average selling prices in Steel Processing driven by the decline in steel prices.

Gross margin declined $16.5 million from the prior year quarter to $113.0 million on lower volume and the unfavorable impact of inventory holding losses in Steel Processing in the current quarter due to the decline in steel prices.

Operating income for the current quarter was $31.0 million, a decrease of $21.2 million from the prior year quarter. In addition to lower gross margin, operating income in the current quarter was negatively impacted by higher impairment and restructuring charges. Impairment and restructuring charges in the current quarter totaled $6.1 million and were driven primarily by the pending closure of the Engineered Cabs facility in Florence, SC.

Interest expense was $7.9 million for the current quarter, compared to $9.5 million in the comparable period of the prior year. The decrease was driven by lower average debt levels.

The Company's portion of equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $1.3 million from the prior year quarter to $26.6 million on total joint venture sales of $404.5 million. Higher contributions from WAVE and ClarkDietrich were more than offset by lower earnings at Serviacero, which was negatively impacted by lower steel prices, and $1.7 million of product development expenses related to the Alternative Fuels business. The Company received cash distributions of $21.1 million from our unconsolidated joint ventures during the quarter.

Income tax expense was $14.7 million in the current quarter compared to $22.1 million in the comparable quarter in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower earnings. The current quarter tax expense reflected an estimated annual effective rate of 31.8% compared to 32.8% for the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet

At quarter end, total debt was $603.8 million, down $66.9 million from May 31, 2015, due to lower short-term borrowings. As of August 31, 2015, $18.7 million was drawn on the Company's $500 million revolving credit facility. The Company had $18.8 million of cash at quarter end.

Quarterly Segment Results

Steel Processing's net sales of $490.8 million were down 11%, or $61.5 million, from the comparable prior year quarter on lower toll volume and lower average selling prices. Operating income of $23.6 million was $12.3 million lower than the prior year quarter due primarily to the unfavorable impact of inventory holding losses in current quarter compared to gains in the prior year quarter and lower toll volume. The Rome Strip Steel facility acquired in January 2015 continues to perform well providing additional volume and operating income.

Pressure Cylinders' net sales of $224.4 million were down 10%, or $24.6 million, from the comparable prior year quarter driven primarily by lower volume in Oil and Gas Equipment. Operating income of $16.8 million was $2.8 million lower than the prior year quarter as declines in Oil and Gas Equipment more than offset improvements in Industrial and Consumer Products.

Engineered Cabs' net sales of $38.6 million were $11.0 million, or 22% below the prior year quarter due to the January 2015 sale of the assets of Advanced Component Technologies, Inc. and lower volume in the construction and agriculture markets. Operating loss in the current quarter increased $7.2 million to $9.3 million due to higher impairment and restructuring charges and the unfavorable impact of lower volume. Impairment and restructuring charges of $4.9 million in the current quarter related to the pending closure of the Engineered Cabs facility in Florence, SC.

The "Other" category includes the Construction Services and Energy Innovations businesses, as well as non-allocated corporate expenses. Operations in the "Other" category reported net sales of $4.3 million, a decrease of $7.3 million from the prior year quarter on lower volume in Construction Services, which the Company is exiting. The operating loss of $0.2 million was driven primarily by the loss within the Construction Services business.

Recent Business Developments

  • During the quarter, the Company repurchased a total of 1,000,000 common shares for $27.6 million at an average price of $27.58.

  • On September 23, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share payable on December 29, 2015 to shareholders of record on December 15, 2015.

Outlook

"In the face of challenging markets, we are pleased with the Company's performance and we are optimistic about our momentum going into the next quarter," McConnell said. "However, we are mindful of the uncertainty of the macro economic issues and we remain focused on the things we can control. We re-launched our lean Transformation process across the Company and we have already seen a positive impact from several Kaizen events. Our innovation teams are helping us launch new consumer products in Cylinders with more in development."

Conference Call

Worthington will review first quarter results during its quarterly conference call on September 24, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company web site at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com.

About Worthington Industries

Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2015 fiscal year sales of $3.4 billion. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington is North America's premier value-added steel processor providing customers with wide ranging capabilities, products and services for a variety of markets including automotive, construction and agriculture; a global leader in manufacturing pressure cylinders for industrial gas and cryogenic applications, CNG and LNG storage, transportation and alternative fuel tanks, oil and gas equipment, and brand consumer products for camping, grilling, hand torch solutions and helium balloon kits; and a manufacturer of operator cabs for heavy mobile industrial equipment; laser welded blanks for light weighting applications; automotive racking solutions; and through joint ventures, complete ceiling grid solutions; automotive tooling and stampings; and steel framing for commercial construction. Worthington employs approximately 10,000 people and operates 84 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 the basis for an unwavering commitment to the customer, supplier, and shareholder, and 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 outlook, strategy or business plans; the ability to correct performance issues at operations; future or expected growth, forward momentum, performance, sales, volumes, cash flows, earnings, balance sheet strengths, debt, financial condition or other financial measures; projected profitability potential, capacity, and working capital needs; demand trends for the Company or its markets; additions to product lines and opportunities to participate in new 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 and the results thereof; the ability to make acquisitions and the projected timing, results, benefits, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions, newly-created joint ventures, 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 maintain margins and capture and maintain market share and to develop or take advantage of future opportunities, customer initiatives, new businesses, new products and new 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 increasing volatility or improving and sustainable earnings, earnings potential, 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 recurrent slowing economy; 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 the pricing, quality or availability of raw materials (particularly steel), 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, oil and gas, 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 headcount 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 joint ventures, maintain and develop their customers, and achieve synergies and other expected benefits and cost savings therefrom; capacity levels and efficiencies, within facilities, within major product markets 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 doing business internationally, including economic, political and social instability, foreign currency exposure and the acceptance of our products in these markets; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; the outcome of adverse claims experience with respect to workers' compensation, product recalls or product 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, including those adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other governmental agencies as contemplated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; the effect of changes to healthcare laws in the United States which may increase our healthcare and other costs and negatively impact our operations and financial results; and other risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in "Part I – Item 1A. – Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015.

   
   
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)  
   
           
           
 Three Months Ended  
 August 31,  
 2015    2014  
Net sales $ 758,147     $ 862,414  
Cost of goods sold   645,131       732,907  
  Gross margin   113,016       129,507  
Selling, general and administrative expense   75,951       75,255  
Impairment of long-lived assets   3,000       1,950  
Restructuring and other expense   3,069       100  
  Operating income   30,996       52,202  
Other income (expense):              
  Miscellaneous income (expense)   (578 )     323  
  Interest expense   (7,854 )     (9,516 )
  Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates   26,581       27,924  
  Earnings before income taxes   49,145       70,933  
Income tax expense   14,708       22,113  
Net earnings   34,437       48,820  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests   3,027       4,652  
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest $ 31,410     $ 44,168  
               
Basic              
Average common shares outstanding   63,993       67,567  
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest $ 0.49     $ 0.65  
               
Diluted              
Average common shares outstanding   65,729       69,738  
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest $ 0.48     $ 0.63  
               
               
Common shares outstanding at end of period   63,343       67,424  
               
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.19     $ 0.18  
               
               
               
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
 
 August 31,  May 31,
 2015  2015
Assets          
Current assets:          
  Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,772   $ 31,067
  Receivables, less allowances of $2,909 and $3,085 at August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2015, respectively   431,586     474,292
  Inventories:          
    Raw materials   195,695     181,975
    Work in process   104,775     107,069
    Finished products   82,329     85,931
      Total inventories   382,799     374,975
  Income taxes receivable   2,868     12,119
  Assets held for sale   23,450     23,412
  Deferred income taxes   21,731     22,034
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   53,630     54,294
    Total current assets   934,836     992,193
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates   201,383     196,776
Goodwill   239,632     238,999
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $51,831 and $47,547 at August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2015, respectively   114,799     119,117
Other assets   24,500     24,867
Property, plant & equipment:          
  Land   15,842     16,017
  Buildings and improvements   218,809     218,182
  Machinery and equipment   889,290     872,986
  Construction in progress   59,061     40,753
    Total property, plant & equipment   1,183,002     1,147,938
    Less: accumulated depreciation   652,242     634,748
Property, plant and equipment, net   530,760     513,190
Total assets $ 2,045,910   $ 2,085,142
           
Liabilities and equity          
Current liabilities:          
  Accounts payable $ 317,552   $ 294,129
  Short-term borrowings   22,039     90,550
  Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and related taxes   63,823     66,252
  Dividends payable   12,712     12,862
  Other accrued items   67,250     56,913
  Income taxes payable   11,217     2,845
  Current maturities of long-term debt   846     841
    Total current liabilities   495,439     524,392
Other liabilities   56,575     58,269
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate   58,728     61,585
Long-term debt   580,901     579,352
Deferred income taxes   15,376     21,495
      Total liabilities   1,207,019     1,245,093
Shareholders' equity - controlling interest   749,884     749,112
Noncontrolling interests   89,007     90,937
      Total equity   838,891     840,049
Total liabilities and equity $ 2,045,910   $ 2,085,142
           
           
           
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(In thousands)  
   
           
 Three Months Ended  
 August 31,  
 2015    2014  
Operating activities              
Net earnings $ 34,437     $ 48,820  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:              
  Depreciation and amortization   21,440       20,367  
  Impairment of long-lived assets   3,000       1,950  
  Provision for deferred income taxes   (5,540 )     (535 )
  Bad debt expense (income)   10       (203 )
  Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions   (5,513 )     (6,990 )
  Net loss (gain) on sale of assets   1,606       (2,830 )
  Stock-based compensation   3,777       4,355  
  Excess tax benefits - stock-based compensation   (824 )     (5,132 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:              
  Receivables   42,629       12,752  
  Inventories   (7,824 )     (51,217 )
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   11,166       (2,872 )
  Other assets   442       121  
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses   42,184       41,890  
  Other liabilities   (3,187 )     (5,991 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   137,803       54,485  
               
Investing activities              
  Investment in property, plant and equipment   (38,497 )     (23,873 )
  Investment in notes receivable   -       (5,000 )
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired   -       (36,550 )
  Investments in unconsolidated affiliates   (1,687 )     (3,800 )
  Proceeds from sale of assets and insurance   131       265  
Net cash used by investing activities   (40,053 )     (68,958 )
               
Financing activities              
  Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings   (68,511 )     555  
  Proceeds from long-term debt   921       -  
  Principal payments on long-term debt   (208 )     (302 )
  Payments for issuance of common shares   (602 )     (1,020 )
  Excess tax benefits - stock-based compensation   824       5,132  
  Payments to noncontrolling interest   (3,336 )     (2,867 )
  Repurchase of common shares   (27,582 )     (20,071 )
  Dividends paid   (11,551 )     (10,112 )
Net cash used by financing activities   (110,045 )     (28,685 )
               
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (12,295 )     (43,158 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   31,067       190,079  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 18,772     $ 146,921  
   
   
   
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.  
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA  
(In thousands, except volume)  
           
           
This supplemental information is provided to assist in the analysis of the results of operations.  
   
 Three Months Ended  
 August 31,  
 2015    2014  
Volume:              
  Steel Processing (tons)   866,376       905,461  
  Pressure Cylinders (units)   19,219,410       20,370,385  
               
Net sales:              
  Steel Processing $ 490,800     $ 552,331  
  Pressure Cylinders   224,394       248,959  
  Engineered Cabs   38,617       49,554  
  Other   4,336       11,570  
    Total net sales $ 758,147     $ 862,414  
               
Material cost:              
  Steel Processing   348,245       394,892  
  Pressure Cylinders   99,064       118,437  
  Engineered Cabs   17,981       22,022  
               
Selling, general and administrative expense:              
  Steel Processing $ 32,915     $ 31,900  
  Pressure Cylinders   36,874       35,013  
  Engineered Cabs   5,408       6,824  
  Other   754       1,518  
    Total selling, general and administrative expense $ 75,951     $ 75,255  
               
Operating income (loss):              
  Steel Processing $ 23,638     $ 35,869  
  Pressure Cylinders   16,819       19,606  
  Engineered Cabs   (9,291 )     (2,145 )
  Other   (170 )     (1,128 )
    Total operating income $ 30,996     $ 52,202  
               
               
The following provides detail of Pressure Cylinders volume and net sales by principal class of products.  
   
 Three Months Ended  
 August 31,  
 2015    2014  
Volume (units):              
  Consumer Products   11,977,945       12,346,630  
  Industrial Products   7,147,952       7,916,492  
  Alternative Fuels   91,956       104,089  
  Oil and Gas Equipment   1,320       2,987  
  Cryogenics   237       187  
    Total Pressure Cylinders   19,219,410       20,370,385  
               
Net sales:              
  Consumer Products $ 54,958     $ 55,600  
  Industrial Products   105,106       109,091  
  Alternative Fuels   24,818       21,779  
  Oil and Gas Equipment   32,884       57,336  
  Cryogenics   6,628       5,153  
    Total Pressure Cylinders $ 224,394     $ 248,959  
               
               
               
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.  
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA  
(In thousands)  
           
           
           
The following provides detail of impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring and other expense included in operating income by segment.  
           
 Three Months Ended  
 August 31,  
 2015    2014  
Impairment of long-lived assets:              
  Steel Processing $ -     $ 1,950  
  Pressure Cylinders   -       -  
  Engineered Cabs   3,000       -  
  Other   -       -  
    Total impairment of long-lived assets $ 3,000     $ 1,950  
               
Restructuring and other expense (income):              
  Steel Processing $ 462     $ (30 )
  Pressure Cylinders   731       23  
  Engineered Cabs   1,878       -  
  Other   (2 )     107  
    Total restructuring and other expense $ 3,069     $ 100