CLEVELAND, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- OM Group, Inc. (NYSE: OMG) today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015. For the quarter, the Company reported adjusted EBITDA of $16 million, excluding the results of its divested Advanced Materials cobalt business and charges related to its enterprise initiatives, including previously-announced competitive repositioning and cost optimization actions. The Company also reported a first quarter 2015 loss from continuing operations of $0.37 per diluted share, or a loss of $0.13 per diluted share before the special items noted above and $10 million of costs in connection with concluding the VAC acquisition arbitration process. Reconciliations of the Company's reported results to corresponding U.S. GAAP results are included in this press release.

"The year started off as planned, and first quarter results are in line with our expectations," said Joe Scaminace, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OM Group, Inc. "We are making progress on our enterprise initiatives and fully expect to see benefits from these actions ramp up beginning later this year. The integration of the Yardney acquisition is on track and the business is already accretive to our profitability. The benefits from our cost reduction and growth initiatives, along with the typical seasonality of our businesses, are expected to contribute to sequentially higher profits during the remainder of 2015 and to help mitigate negative EUR/USD translation pressures and operating cost inflation. We are reaffirming our previously-announced forecast of $105-$115 million of adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2015."

First quarter 2015 net sales were $248 million, or $219 million excluding the divested Advanced Materials business. Sales were lower in the 2015 period compared to the same period a year ago due primarily to the unfavorable translation impact of a lower EUR/USD exchange rate. Excluding both the Advanced Materials sales and the translation impact, consolidated net sales declined by 1%. In Magnetic Technologies, excluding the translation impact, net sales were down 2% due primarily to lower selling prices and two customer projects in permanent magnets that wound down in 2014. Net sales in Battery Technologies were 2% lower than last year's first quarter due primarily to the loss of a medical customer contract in the second half of 2014 and lower export sales for certain defense applications, partially offset by sales from the Yardney acquisition. Excluding translation impacts, net sales in Specialty Chemicals were 2% higher due to favorable mix and strength in memory disk applications.

Cash flows used in operating activities in the first quarter of 2015 were $15 million as compared with usage of $3 million in the prior year's first quarter. The 2015 cash flow includes $10 million of costs in connection with conclusion of the VAC acquisition arbitration process. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company also made a holdback payment of $42 million, resulting in total cash payments during the quarter related to the VAC acquisition of $52 million. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had $53 million of cash, $40 million of borrowings against its revolving credit facility, and a $4 million VAC acquisition holdback liability.

During the quarter, the Company made progress on its competitive repositioning and cost optimization initiatives that were announced in February. The repositioning process is progressing with the works council in Germany regarding proposed changes to improve competitiveness and performance, and opportunities for positive change continue to be refined. In Battery Technologies, integration of the Yardney acquisition, including realization of synergies identified during the due diligence process, is on track and already producing benefits. In Specialty Chemicals, actions were announced to consolidate operations, reduce headcount and reorganize to better serve customers with high-value added products. The actions taken in the first quarter are expected to deliver annualized savings of approximately $3 million, and the Company expects to announce additional actions in the second quarter. When fully implemented by the end of 2017, enterprise-wide initiatives are expected to deliver annualized savings of $30 million to $40 million, at an aggregate cash expense of approximately $50 million to $65 million over the three-year period.

Mr. Scaminace concluded, "We remain focused on executing our initiatives to improve operating performance, achieve our 2015 plan and take substantial strides toward our 2017 objective of expanding adjusted EBITDA margins by 350-450 basis points. With the VAC arbitration process behind us, we expect to amplify our focus on return of capital initiatives, subject to market and other conditions. In addition to returning additional capital to stockholders, we continue to pursue complementary acquisitions to build-out our platforms. Our path forward is clear, and we are taking decisive actions to create sustainable long-term value for our investors."

Webcast Information

OM Group has scheduled a conference call and live audio broadcast on the Web for 10 AM EDT today. Investors may access the live audio broadcast by logging on to http://investor.omgi.com. A copy of management's presentation materials will be available on OM Group's website before the call. The company recommends visiting the website at least 15 minutes prior to the webcast to download and install any necessary software. A webcast audio replay will be available on the "Investor Relations - Webcasts" page of the company's website three hours after the call.

About OM Group

OM Group is a technology-driven diversified industrial company serving attractive global markets, including automotive systems, electronic devices, aerospace and defense, industrial and medical. Its business platforms use innovation and technology to address customers' complex applications and demanding requirements. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.omgi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing discussion may include forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon specific assumptions and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the company's operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the company. These uncertainties and factors could cause actual results of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in the foregoing discussion. Such uncertainties and factors include: uncertainty in worldwide economic conditions; technological changes in our industry or in our customers' products; uncertainty with respect to U.S. Government spending levels or priorities; our ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions aligned with our strategy; failure to retain and recruit key personnel; the majority of our operations are outside the United States, which subjects us to risks that may adversely affect our operating results; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; fluctuations in the price and uncertainties in the supply of rare earth materials and other raw materials; costs incurred in connection with competitive repositioning and cost optimization opportunities and our ability to realize anticipated savings; level of returns on pension plan assets and changes in the actuarial assumptions; insurance that we maintain may not fully cover all potential exposures; changes in effective tax rates or adverse outcomes resulting from tax examinations; unanticipated costs of environmental regulation, including changes that could affect sales of our products; failure to maintain sufficient cash in the U.S.; failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights; disruptions in relationships with key customers or any material adverse change in their business; possible future indebtedness that may impair our ability to operate our business successfully; extended business interruption at our facilities; the timing and amount of common share repurchases, if any; and the risk factors set forth in Part 1, Item 1a of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.



                                         OM Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                March 31, 2015                   December 31,
                                                                                    2014
                                                --------------               -------------

    (in
     millions)

    ASSETS

    Current
     assets

    Cash and
     cash
     equivalents                                                     $53.1                         $91.7

    Accounts
     receivable,
     net                                                 152.2                            134.5

    Inventories                                          214.2                            228.4

    Other
     current
     assets                                               25.8                             21.5
                                                          ----                             ----

    Total
     current
     assets                                              445.3                            476.1

    Property,
     plant and
     equipment,
     net                                                 277.3                            308.3

    Goodwill                                             244.5                            252.6

     Intangible
     assets,
     net                                                 296.7                            324.8

    Other
     non-
     current
     assets                                               48.3                             57.7

    Total
     assets                                                       $1,312.1                      $1,419.5
                                                                  ========                      ========


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current
     liabilities

    Revolving
     credit
     facility                                                        $40.1                         $12.5

    Accounts
     payable                                              78.3                             74.7

    Accrued
     employee
     costs                                                34.9                             34.9

    Purchase
     price of
     VAC
     payable
     to
     seller                                                4.1                             46.2

    Other
     current
     liabilities                                          50.9                             57.4
                                                          ----                             ----

    Total
     current
     liabilities                                         208.3                            225.7

    Deferred
     income
     taxes                                                67.5                             74.8

    Pension
     liabilities                                         223.3                            244.4

    Other
     non-
     current
     liabilities                                          34.2                             37.7

    Total
     equity                                              778.8                            836.9
                                                                                         -----

    Total
     liabilities
     and
     equity                                                       $1,312.1                      $1,419.5
                                                                  ========                      ========

Certain financial data may have been rounded. As a result of such rounding, the totals of data presented in this document may vary slightly from the actual arithmetical totals of such data.



                                            OM Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                               Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

    (in millions, except per
     share data)                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                     March 31,
                                                                     ---------

                                                              2015                     2014
                                                              ----                     ----

    Net sales                                                           $247.8                      $261.7

    Cost of goods sold                                       197.5                           199.8
                                                             -----                           -----

    Gross profit                                              50.3                            61.9

    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses                                  54.8                            53.4
                                                              ----                            ----

    Operating profit                                         (4.5)                            8.5

    Other income (expense):

    Interest expense                                         (0.6)                          (0.7)

    Foreign exchange loss                                    (4.4)                          (0.3)

    Gain (loss) on divestiture
     of Advanced Materials
     business                                                  2.0                           (0.2)

    Charges associated with
     VAC arbitration
     conclusion                                             (10.4)                              -

    Other income (expense),
     net                                                       2.9                           (0.6)
                                                               ---                            ----

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations
     before income tax expense                              (15.0)                            6.7

    Income tax (benefit)
     expense                                                 (3.9)                            1.4
                                                              ----                             ---

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations,
     net of tax                                             (11.1)                            5.3

    Income (loss) from
     discontinued operations,
     net of tax                                                0.1                           (0.1)
                                                               ---                            ----

    Consolidated net income
     (loss)                                                 (11.0)                            5.2

    Earnings (loss) per common
     share -basic:

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations                                             $(0.37)                      $0.17

    Income (loss) from
     discontinued operations                                  0.01                               -
                                                              ----                             ---

    Net income (loss)                                                  $(0.36)                      $0.17
                                                                        ======                       =====

    Earnings (loss) per common
     share -assuming
     dilution:

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations                                             $(0.37)                      $0.16

    Income (loss) from
     discontinued operations                                  0.01                               -
                                                              ----                             ---

    Net income (loss)                                                  $(0.36)                      $0.16
                                                                        ======                       =====

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding

    Basic                                                     30.3                            31.5

    Assuming dilution                                         30.3                            31.9


    Dividends declared per
     common share                                                      $0.0825                     $0.0750



                                 OM Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                     March 31,
                                                     ---------

    (in millions)                              2015                    2014
                                               ----                    ----

    Operating
     activities

    Consolidated
     net income
     (loss)                                            $(11.0)                        $5.2

    Adjustments to
     reconcile
     consolidated
     net income
     (loss) to net
     cash used for
     operating
     activities:

    (Gain) loss
     from
     discontinued
     operations                               (0.1)                             0.1

    Depreciation
     and
     amortization                              14.9                             18.1

    Amortization of
     deferred
     financing fees                             0.3                              0.3

    Share-based
     compensation
     expense                                    3.2                              2.6

    Foreign
     exchange loss                              4.4                              0.3

    (Gain) loss on
     divestiture of
     Advanced
     Materials
     business                                 (2.0)                             0.2

    Deferred income
     tax benefit                              (0.7)                           (1.0)



    Other non-cash
     items                                    (1.2)                             1.0

    Changes in
     operating
     assets and
     liabilities,
     excluding the
     effect of
     divestitures:

    Accounts
     receivable                              (27.5)                           (0.8)

    Inventories                               (3.9)                           (4.0)

    Accounts
     payable                                    9.2                           (20.8)

    Other, net                                (0.8)                           (4.0)
                                               ----                             ----

    Net cash used
     for operating
     activities                              (15.2)                           (2.8)

    Investing
     activities

    Expenditures
     for property,
     plant and
     equipment                                (4.6)                           (3.2)

    Cash received
     from
     acquisition
     purchase price
     adjustments                                1.5                                -

    Proceeds from
     sale of
     property                                   1.2                                -
                                                ---                              ---

    Net cash used
     for investing
     activities                               (1.9)                           (3.2)

    Financing
     activities

    Payments
     related to VAC
     purchase price
     payable                                 (41.8)                               -

    Net proceeds
     from revolving
     credit
     facility                                  27.6                                -

    Dividends paid                            (2.5)                           (2.4)

    Proceeds from
     exercise of
     stock options                              0.1                              0.5

    Debt issuance
     costs                                    (0.1)                           (0.1)

    Payment related
     to surrendered
     shares                                   (0.5)                           (0.7)
                                               ----                             ----

    Net cash used
     for financing
     activities                              (17.2)                           (2.7)

    Effect of
     exchange rate
     changes on
     cash                                     (4.2)                           (0.1)
                                               ----                             ----

    Cash and cash
     equivalents

    Decrease from
     continuing
     operations                              (38.5)                           (8.8)

    Discontinued
     operations -
     net cash used
     for operating
     activities                               (0.1)                               -

    Balance at the
     beginning of
     the period                                91.7                            118.4
                                               ----                            -----

    Balance at the
     end of the
     period                                              $53.1                       $109.6
                                                         =====                       ======



                                        OM Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                         Unaudited Segment Information


                                              Three Months Ended March 31,

    (in millions)                                2015                    2014
                                                 ----                    ----

    Net sales

    Magnetic
     Technologies                                         $104.3                                          $129.2

    Battery Technologies                         39.7                                40.5

    Specialty Chemicals                          75.1                                76.9

    Advanced Materials                           28.7                                15.1
                                                 ----                                ----

                                                          $247.8                                          $261.7
                                                          ======                                          ======


    Operating profit (loss)

    Magnetic
     Technologies (a)                                     $(0.6)                                           $5.7

    Battery Technologies
     (b)                                          3.0                                 6.3

    Specialty Chemicals
     (a)                                          6.3                                 7.4

    Advanced Materials                          (0.8)                              (1.0)

    Corporate (a)                              (12.4)                              (9.9)

                                                          $(4.5)                                           $8.5
                                                           =====                                            ====


    (a) The first quarter of 2015 included costs related to enterprise initiatives, including fees related to a
     potential proxy contest and competitive repositioning and cost optimization opportunities announced on
     February 18, 2015 of $0.6 million in Magnetic Technologies,  $0.9 million in Specialty Chemicals, and $2.0
     million in Corporate.  Certain of these opportunities are subject to ongoing negotiations with employee
     works councils and unions.

    (b) The first quarter of 2015 includes costs related to inventory purchase accounting step-up charges of
     $1.0 million related to the Yardney acquisition in Battery Technologies.



                                                                                                                                                                              OM Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                                                 Unaudited Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures, Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA


                                                                                                                                                                             Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
                                                                                                                                                                             ---------------------------------

    (in millions)                                                                                  Magnetic                  Battery                   Specialty             Corporate                 Subtotal               Advanced
                                                                                                 Technologies              Technologies                Chemicals                                                              Materials               Consolidated
                                                                                                -------------             -------------               ----------              ---------                 --------             ---------                ------------

    Operating profit (loss) - as reported                                                                        $(0.6)                                               $3.0                                             $6.3                                             $(12.4)                                         $(3.7)                                         $(0.8)                                   $(4.5)

    Charges related to initiatives                                                                        0.6                                      -                                 0.9                                 2.0                                      3.5                                   -                                3.5

    Yardney inventory purchase accounting step up                                                           -                                   1.0                                    -                                  -                                     1.0                                   -                                1.0
                                                                                                          ---                                   ---                                  ---                                ---                                     ---                                 ---                                ---

    Adjusted operating profit                                                                               -                                   4.0                                  7.2                              (10.4)                                     0.8                               (0.8)                                  -

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                         8.6                                    3.0                                  3.2                                 0.1                                     14.9                                   -                               14.9


    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                $8.6                                                $7.0                                            $10.4                                             $(10.3)                                          $15.7                                          $(0.8)                                    $14.9
                                                                                                                   ====                                                ====                                            =====                                              ======                                           =====                                           =====                                     =====


                                                                                                                                                                    Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
                                                                                                                                                                    ---------------------------------

    (in millions)                                                                                  Magnetic                  Battery                   Specialty             Corporate                 Subtotal               Advanced
                                                                                                 Technologies              Technologies                Chemicals                                                              Materials               Consolidated
                                                                                                -------------             -------------               ----------              ---------                 --------             ---------                ------------

    Operating profit (loss) - as reported                                                                          $5.7                                                $6.3                                             $7.4                                              $(9.9)                                           $9.5                                          $(1.0)                                     $8.5

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                        11.8                                    2.6                                  3.6                                 0.1                                     18.1                                   -                               18.1


    EBITDA                                                                                                        $17.5                                                $8.9                                            $11.0                                              $(9.8)                                          $27.6                                          $(1.0)                                    $26.6
                                                                                                                  =====                                                ====                                            =====                                               =====                                           =====                                           =====                                     =====



    In order to assist readers of our financial statements in understanding the operating results that the Company's management uses to evaluate the business, we are providing adjusted operating profit and adjusted EBITDA, both of which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. The Company's management believes that these are important metrics in evaluating the performance of the Company's business,
     providing a baseline for evaluating and comparing our operating results and isolating the impact of certain items on our results.  The table above presents a reconciliation of the Company's U.S. GAAP operating profit - as reported to adjusted operating profit and adjusted EBITDA. The non-U.S. GAAP financial information set forth in the table above should not be construed as an alternative to
     reported results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.



                                                                                                                          OM Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                    Unaudited Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures


                                                                                                                                   Three Months Ended                              Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                     March 31, 2015                                  March 31, 2014
                                                                                                                                     --------------                                  --------------

    (in millions, except per share data)                                                                                            $               Diluted                         $               Diluted
                                                                                                                                                    EPS                                             EPS
                                                                                                                                                                                                      ---

    Income (loss) from continuing operations - as reported                                                                               $(11.1)                                         $(0.37)                                          $5.3                                          $0.16

    Add (less):

    (Gain) loss on Advanced Materials divestiture                                                                               (2.0)                             (0.07)                                 0.2                               0.01

    Charges related to initiatives                                                                                                3.5                                0.12                                    -                                 -

    Yardney inventory purchase accounting step up                                                                                 1.0                                0.03                                    -                                 -

    Charges associated with VAC arbitration conclusion                                                                           10.4                                0.34                                    -                                 -

    Gain on sale of property                                                                                                    (3.4)                             (0.11)                                   -                                 -

    Tax effect of special items                                                                                                 (3.7)                             (0.12)                                   -                                 -
                                                                                                                                 ----

    Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations                                                                                     $(5.3)                                         $(0.18)                                          $5.5                                          $0.17

    Exclude: Operating results from divested Advanced Materials business, net of tax                                            (1.4)                             (0.05)                               (1.1)                            (0.03)
                                                                                                                                 ----                               -----                                 ----                              -----

    Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations - excluding Advanced Materials                                                      $(3.9)                                         $(0.13)                                          $6.6                                          $0.20
                                                                                                                                           =====                                           ======                                           ====                                          =====

    Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted                                                                                                     30.3                                                         31.9


    In order to assist readers of our financial statements in understanding the operating results that the Company's management uses to evaluate the business, we are providing adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted earnings per common share - assuming dilution, both
     of which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. We are also providing the amounts as adjusted to exclude the results of the divested Advanced Materials business.  The Company's management believes that these are important metrics in evaluating the performance of the Company's
     business, providing a baseline for evaluating and comparing our operating results and isolating the impact of certain items on our results. The table above presents a reconciliation of the Company's U.S. GAAP income from continuing operations - as reported to adjusted income
     from continuing operations and earnings per common share - assuming dilution, adjusted for both special items as identified in the table and to exclude the results of the divested Advanced Materials business. The non-U.S. GAAP financial information set forth in the table above
     should not be construed as an alternative to reported results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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SOURCE OM Group, Inc.