COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) today reported net sales of $703.4 million and net earnings of $35.9 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for its fiscal 2017 third quarter ended February 28, 2017. For the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company reported net sales of $647.1 million and net earnings of $29.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. 

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

(U.S. dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
 3Q 2017 2Q 2017 3Q 2016 9M 2017 9M 2016
Net sales$  703.4 $  727.8 $  647.1 $  2,168.8 $  2,105.0
Operating income   34.3    43.0    25.1    142.3    68.0
Equity income   22.7    27.1    25.0    84.4    80.8
Net earnings   35.9    46.6    29.8    148.0    85.2
Earnings per diluted share$  0.55 $  0.72 $  0.47 $  2.29 $  1.31

“We had a very good third quarter performance with Steel Processing contributing near record earnings and overall, we produced year-over-year growth, which remains our focus,” Chairman and CEO John McConnell said.  “Sales growth, higher steel pricing and higher tolling volume helped drive Steel Processing results. In Pressure Cylinders, demand improved for our helium and camping cylinders, while oil & gas markets remained soft, however, volumes have stabilized and certain markets are showing some increased demand.”  McConnell added, “The Company’s joint ventures also contributed steady earnings.” 

Consolidated Quarterly Results

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 were $703.4 million, up 9% from the comparable quarter in the prior year, when net sales were $647.1 million. The increase was the result of higher average direct selling prices in Steel Processing and higher tolling volume due to the consolidation of the Worthington Specialty Processing (WSP) joint venture effective March 1, 2016.

Gross margin increased $15.1 million from the prior year quarter to $111.0 million on a favorable pricing spread in Steel Processing, which benefited from lower inventory holding losses and improvements in the consumer products business within Pressure Cylinders.

Operating income for the current quarter was $34.3 million, an increase of $9.2 million from the prior year quarter, as the improvement in gross margin was partially offset by higher SG&A expense, up $5.1 million from the prior year quarter on higher profit sharing and bonus expense and the consolidation of WSP.

Interest expense was $7.7 million for the current quarter, compared to $7.9 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was due to lower short-term borrowings.

Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $2.3 million from the prior year quarter to $22.7 million, as lower contributions from ArtiFlex and Serviacero more than offset improvements at ClarkDietrich.  The Company received cash distributions of $21.4 million from unconsolidated joint ventures during the quarter, a cash conversion rate of 94% on equity income.

Income tax expense was $11.1 million in the current quarter compared to $11.3 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was due to favorable discrete items recorded in the current quarter, which more than offset the impact of higher earnings.  Tax expense in the current quarter reflects an estimated annual effective rate of 27.2% compared to the estimated annual rate of 29.6% for the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet

At quarter-end, total debt was $577.0 million, down $0.4 million from November 30, 2016, due to lower short-term borrowings.  The Company had $227.3 million of cash at quarter-end.

Quarterly Segment Results

Steel Processing’s net sales of $478.2 million were up 14%, or $59.1 million, from the comparable prior year quarter on higher average direct selling prices and higher tolling volume due to the consolidation of WSP.  Operating income of $26.0 million was $4.7 million higher than the prior year quarter due to a favorable pricing spread, including a benefit from lower inventory holding losses, and contributions from WSP, partially offset by an increase in allocated corporate costs and higher manufacturing expenses.  The mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 52% to 48% in the current quarter, compared to 60% to 40% in the prior year quarter.  The change in mix was primarily the result of the consolidation of WSP effective March 1, 2016.

Pressure Cylinders’ net sales of $198.4 million were down 1%, or $2.3 million, from the comparable prior year quarter on declines in the industrial products and oil & gas equipment businesses, partially offset by improvements in consumer products.  Operating income of $10.1 million was $1.1 million higher than the prior year quarter driven by higher profitability in the consumer products business, partially offset by higher restructuring charges.   

Engineered Cabs’ net sales of $23.5 million were down $2.0 million, or 8%, from the prior year quarter due to declines in market demand.  The operating loss of $2.0 million was $2.1 million less than the prior year quarter driven by higher gross margin and lower SG&A expense.  A favorable pricing spread combined with lower manufacturing costs drove the margin improvements.

The “Other” category includes the energy innovations business, as well as non-allocated corporate expenses.  Net sales in the “Other” category were $3.3 million, an increase of $1.5 million over the prior year quarter on higher volume in the energy innovations business.  The operating income of $0.2 million for the quarter was driven by improvements in the energy innovations business, partially offset by an increase in non-allocated corporate expenses.

Recent Business Developments

  • On March 29, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share payable on June 29, 2017 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2017.

Outlook

“There is great energy around our Lean Transformation efforts as we accelerate the deployment of more teams, expanding our abilities, moving more quickly and reaching deeper in our Company,” McConnell said.  “We believe the economy continues to strengthen though unevenly, with certain markets not as robust as others.  After a record first and second quarter and a strong third, we anticipate finishing our fiscal year well.”

Conference Call

Worthington will review fiscal 2017 third quarter results during its quarterly conference call on March 30, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight 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 2016 fiscal year sales of $2.8 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 & gas equipment, and 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 80 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; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods and the impact of pricing changes; demand trends for us or our markets; additions to product lines and opportunities to participate in new markets; expected benefits from Transformation efforts; 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; projected profitability potential, capacity, and working capital needs; 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; 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 global economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including an economic downturn; the effect of conditions in national and worldwide financial markets; lower oil prices as a factor in demand for products; product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of our 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 we participate; 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 we do 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 industries 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, civil unrest, international conflicts, 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 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 us in the application of our significant accounting policies; level of imports and import prices in our 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; cyber security risks; 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, 2016.

 
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
Net sales$703,436  $647,080  $2,168,765  $2,105,043 
Cost of goods sold 592,446   551,157   1,787,690   1,786,925 
Gross margin 110,990   95,923   381,075   318,118 
Selling, general and administrative expense 75,276   70,149   232,819   218,822 
Impairment of long-lived assets -   -   -   25,962 
Restructuring and other expense 1,394   702   5,994   5,294 
Operating income 34,320   25,072   142,262   68,040 
Other income (expense):       
Miscellaneous income, net 749   3,305   2,484   3,723 
Interest expense (7,674)  (7,886)  (23,202)  (23,539)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates 22,697   24,994   84,365   80,822 
Earnings before income taxes 50,092   45,485   205,909   129,046 
Income tax expense 11,141   11,342   48,555   34,157 
Net earnings 38,951   34,143   157,354   94,889 
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 3,062   4,296   9,333   9,698 
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest$35,889  $29,847  $148,021  $85,191 
        
Basic       
Average common shares outstanding 62,750   61,747   62,325   62,810 
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest$0.57  $0.48  $2.37  $1.36 
        
Diluted       
Average common shares outstanding 64,977   63,871   64,758   64,923 
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest$0.55  $0.47  $2.29  $1.31 
        
        
Common shares outstanding at end of period 62,776   61,285   62,776   61,285 
        
Cash dividends declared per share$0.20  $0.19  $0.60  $0.57 


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
 February 28, May 31,
  2017  2016
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$227,281 $84,188
Receivables, less allowances of $3,134 and $4,579 at February 28, 2017   
and May 31, 2016, respectively 466,689  439,688
Inventories:   
Raw materials 164,295  162,427
Work in process 98,683  86,892
Finished products 77,226  70,016
Total inventories 340,204  319,335
Income taxes receivable 15,554  10,535
Assets held for sale 13,617  10,079
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 53,596  51,290
Total current assets 1,116,941  915,115
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 205,008  191,826
Goodwill 244,941  246,067
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $59,577 and   
$49,532 at February 28, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively 85,289  96,164
Other assets 24,976  29,254
Property, plant and equipment:   
Land 16,543  18,537
Buildings and improvements 257,190  256,973
Machinery and equipment 1,001,232  945,951
Construction in progress 26,403  48,156
Total property, plant and equipment 1,301,368  1,269,617
Less: accumulated depreciation 731,348  686,779
Total property, plant and equipment, net 570,020  582,838
Total assets$2,247,175 $2,061,264
    
Liabilities and equity   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$351,998 $290,432
Short-term borrowings 167  2,651
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and   
related taxes 75,618  75,105
Dividends payable 13,557  13,471
Other accrued items 45,054  45,056
Income taxes payable 2,508  2,501
Current maturities of long-term debt 878  862
Total current liabilities 489,780  430,078
Other liabilities 64,441  63,487
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 67,722  52,983
Long-term debt 576,002  577,491
Deferred income taxes, net 27,183  17,379
Total liabilities 1,225,128  1,141,418
Shareholders' equity - controlling interest 898,468  793,371
Noncontrolling interests 123,579  126,475
Total equity 1,022,047  919,846
Total liabilities and equity$2,247,175 $2,061,264
    


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
Operating activities:       
Net earnings$38,951  $34,143  $157,354  $94,889 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:       
Depreciation and amortization 21,677   20,761   65,154   62,748 
Impairment of long-lived assets -   -   -   25,962 
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes 7,609   9,322   9,946   (6,069)
Bad debt (income) expense (41)  187   110   195 
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions (1,256)  (622)  (182)  (16,524)
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets 1,875   (3,385)  3,358   (7,633)
Stock-based compensation 4,304   3,627   11,264   11,284 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:       
Receivables (44,719)  10,688   (34,920)  76,791 
Inventories (2,346)  37,211   (20,869)  61,032 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (13,379)  (19,309)  (7,954)  9,324 
Other assets (423)  (1,216)  1,987   (4,019)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 89,736   13,756   66,849   (17,464)
Other liabilities 718   1,052   2,813   5,352 
Net cash provided by operating activities 102,706   106,215   254,910   295,868 
        
Investing activities:       
Investment in property, plant and equipment (21,128)  (14,973)  (52,174)  (75,465)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired -   (31,256)  -   (34,206)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates -   (3,683)  -   (5,596)
Proceeds from sale of assets 2   431   958   9,887 
Net cash used by investing activities (21,126)  (49,481)  (51,216)  (105,380)
        
Financing activities:       
Net repayments of short-term borrowings (330)  (16,716)  (2,484)  (57,728)
Proceeds from long-term debt -   -   -   921 
Principal payments on long-term debt (218)  (216)  (655)  (644)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of tax withholdings (12,197)  2,747   (9,225)  5,811 
Payments to noncontrolling interests (3,360)  (4,206)  (10,141)  (9,106)
Repurchase of common shares -   (28,352)  -   (99,848)
Dividends paid (13,374)  (11,913)  (38,096)  (35,529)
Net cash used by financing activities (29,479)  (58,656)  (60,601)  (196,123)
        
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 52,101   (1,922)  143,093   (5,635)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 175,180   27,354   84,188   31,067 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$227,281  $25,432  $227,281  $25,432 
        


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 Nine Months Ended
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
Volume:       
Steel Processing (tons) 943,821   800,567   2,995,466   2,495,151 
Pressure Cylinders (units) 17,842,457   17,056,706   53,067,142   52,987,098 
        
Net sales:       
Steel Processing$478,174  $419,026  $1,492,654  $1,377,638 
Pressure Cylinders 198,433   200,721   598,303   626,288 
Engineered Cabs 23,547   25,553   71,591   92,869 
Other 3,282   1,780   6,217   8,248 
Total net sales$703,436  $647,080  $2,168,765  $2,105,043 
        
Material cost:       
Steel Processing$324,282  $284,402  $975,985  $955,154 
Pressure Cylinders 83,826   84,868   243,056   269,430 
Engineered Cabs 10,769   12,329   32,189   43,747 
        
Selling, general and administrative expense:       
Steel Processing$34,422  $30,018  $107,110  $95,858 
Pressure Cylinders 35,185   35,389   107,705   106,178 
Engineered Cabs 3,582   4,049   11,202   14,257 
Other 2,087   693   6,802   2,529 
Total selling, general and administrative expense$75,276  $70,149  $232,819  $218,822 
        
Operating income (loss):       
Steel Processing$26,026  $21,294  $116,256  $71,574 
Pressure Cylinders 10,071   8,969   35,480   15,479 
Engineered Cabs (2,001)  (4,053)  (7,225)  (17,634)
Other 224   (1,138)  (2,249)  (1,379)
Total operating income$34,320  $25,072  $142,262  $68,040 
        
Equity income (loss) by unconsolidated affiliate:       
WAVE$18,412  $18,678  $57,878  $59,838 
ClarkDietrich 2,753   1,265   15,682   10,289 
Serviacero 481   1,673   4,472   2,854 
ArtiFlex 1,068   2,995   6,095   7,153 
WSP -   191   -   1,665 
Other (17)  192   238   (977)
Total equity income$22,697  $24,994  $84,365  $80,822 
        


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
(In thousands, except volume)
 
The following provides detail of Pressure Cylinders volume and net sales by principal class of products.
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
Volume (units):       
Consumer products 10,818,423   10,478,006   33,291,082   32,979,643 
Industrial products 6,923,044   6,481,937   19,403,628   19,709,251 
Alternative fuels 100,509   96,123   370,761   295,200 
Oil & gas equipment 481   640   1,671   3,004 
Total Pressure Cylinders 17,842,457   17,056,706   53,067,142   52,987,098 
        
Net sales:       
Consumer products$54,302  $51,103  $170,363  $155,545 
Industrial products 105,809   110,144   305,037   324,572 
Alternative fuels 22,971   22,298   81,903   71,070 
Oil & gas equipment 15,351   17,176   41,000   75,101 
Total Pressure Cylinders$198,433  $200,721  $598,303  $626,288 
 
 
The following provides detail of impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring and other expense included in operating income (loss) by segment.
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
 February 28,
2017
 February 29,
2016
Impairment of long-lived assets:       
Steel Processing$-  $-  $-  $- 
Pressure Cylinders -   -   -   22,962 
Engineered Cabs -   -   -   3,000 
Other -   -   -   - 
Total impairment of long-lived assets$-  $-  $-  $25,962 
        
Restructuring and other expense (income):       
Steel Processing$212  $1,068  $1,496  $3,788 
Pressure Cylinders 1,056   (1,031)  3,165   (316)
Engineered Cabs 169   416   1,379   3,059 
Other (43)  249   (46)  (1,237)
Total restructuring and other expense$1,394  $702  $5,994  $5,294 
        


 

Contacts:
CATHY M. LYTTLE
VP, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
AND INVESTOR RELATIONS
614.438.3077 | cathy.lyttle@WorthingtonIndustries.com

SONYA L. HIGGINBOTHAM
DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
614.438.7391 | sonya.higginbotham@worthingtonindustries.com

200 Old Wilson Bridge Rd. | Columbus, Ohio 43085
WorthingtonIndustries.com