COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported net sales of $988.1 million and net earnings of $54.9 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, for its fiscal 2019 first quarter ended August 31, 2018. Net earnings in the quarter included net pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges totaling $1.4 million, which reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.01. That compares to a year ago first quarter with net sales of $848.2 million and net earnings of $45.5 million, or $0.70 per diluted share. Net earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 included pre-tax restructuring charges totaling $2.3 million, which reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.03.

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

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

	1Q 2019			4Q 2018			1Q 2018
Net sales	$	988.1		$	1,020.5		$	848.2
Operating income		50.9			4.6			42.2
Equity income		30.0			39.6			27.3
Net earnings		54.9			30.8			45.5
Earnings per diluted share	$	0.91		$	0.50		$	0.70

“I am pleased we continued to produce year-over-year improvement,” said John McConnell. “While our Steel Processing business benefited from higher steel prices, we also saw stronger volumes in Steel and in our Pressure Cylinders business.”

Consolidated Quarterly Results

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were $988.1 million, up 16% over the comparable quarter in the prior year, when net sales were $848.2 million. The increase was driven by higher average selling prices and higher direct volume in Steel Processing and the combination of higher volume and an improved product mix in Pressure Cylinders.

Gross margin increased $10.2 million over the prior year quarter to $143.0 million as a favorable pricing spread in Steel Processing and overall improvements in Pressure Cylinders were partially offset by declines at Engineered Cabs. Pricing spreads in Steel Processing benefited from significant inventory holding gains in the current quarter compared to nominal losses in the prior year quarter.

Operating income for the current quarter was $50.9 million, an increase of $8.7 million over the prior year quarter. The impact of higher gross margin was partially offset by higher SG&A expense, which was up $2.4 million, due primarily to higher wages, profit sharing and bonus expenses.

Interest expense was $9.7 million for the current quarter, compared to $8.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due primarily to the July 28, 2017 issuance of $200.0 million of senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2032.

Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures increased $2.7 million over the prior year quarter to $30.0 million on higher contributions from ClarkDietrich. The Company received cash distributions of $20.0 million from unconsolidated joint ventures during the quarter, a cash conversion rate of 67% on equity income.

Income tax expense was $14.5 million in the current quarter compared to $13.0 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due primarily to the impact of favorable discrete items in the prior year quarter and higher earnings in the current quarter, partially offset by a lower statutory federal corporate income tax rate as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Tax expense in the current quarter reflects an estimated annual effective rate of 23.2% compared to 30.5% for the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet

At quarter-end, total debt was $750.1 million, down $0.3 million from May 31, 2018. The Company had $96.8 million of cash at quarter-end.

Quarterly Segment Results

Steel Processing’s net sales totaled $660.5 million, up 22%, or $117.0 million, over the comparable prior year quarter, driven by higher average selling prices and higher direct volume. Operating income of $39.7 million was $6.8 million higher than the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by an improved pricing spread and higher direct volume, partially offset by higher freight expense. Spreads in the current quarter benefited from significant inventory holding gains due to rising steel prices, but were partially offset by softer scrap prices and unfavorable mark-to-market price adjustments on certain raw materials. The mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 58% to 42% in the current quarter, compared to 56% to 44% in the prior year quarter.

Pressure Cylinders’ net sales totaled $300.4 million, up 11%, or $30.5 million, over the comparable prior year quarter, driven by higher average selling prices and a favorable product mix in the industrial products business and higher volumes in consumer products. Operating income of $14.7 million was $4.3 million higher than the prior year quarter as improvements in the industrial and consumer products businesses were partially offset by declines in the oil & gas equipment business. Operating income in the prior year quarter was negatively impacted by $4.2 million of incremental costs directly associated with the June 2, 2017 acquisition of Amtrol.

Engineered Cabs’ net sales totaled $27.3 million, down $4.6 million, or 14%, from the prior year quarter on lower volume. The operating loss of $4.3 million was $3.9 million higher than the prior year quarter on lower volume and start-up costs associated with a new fabricated products operation.

Recent Business Developments

• During the quarter, the Company repurchased a total of 800,000 common shares for $36.9 million at an average price of $46.07.

• On June 1, 2018, the Company announced certain organizational changes within Pressure Cylinders resulting in the consolidation of the alternative fuels business into the industrial products unit.

• On July 31, 2018, the Company sold the Garden City, Kan. and Dickinson, N.D. oil & gas manufacturing facilities to Palmer Manufacturing and Tank Inc.

• On August 22, 2018, the Company announced the retirement of Mark Russell, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Andy Rose was named President and Chief Financial Officer. Geoff Gilmore was named Executive Vice President and COO and will also continue to lead the Pressure Cylinders business.

• On September 10, 2018, the Company announced the retirement of John Lamprinakos, President of Steel Processing. Geoff Gilmore will oversee the business.

Outlook

“We announced several leadership changes recently,” McConnell said. “I am confident and excited that we have an excellent team to lead the Company to new heights. We have a solid leadership group in place across our businesses and I look forward to continuing our momentum.”

Conference Call

Worthington will review fiscal 2019 first quarter results during its quarterly conference call on September 26, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company website at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com.

About Worthington Industries

Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2018 fiscal year sales of $3.6 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 propane, refrigerant and industrial gasses and cryogenic applications, water well tanks for commercial and residential uses, 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 12,000 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; future or expected growth, growth potential, forward momentum, performance, competitive position, 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 the Company or its markets; additions to product lines and opportunities to participate in new markets; expected benefits from Transformation and innovation efforts and the ability to improve performance and competitive position at our operations; anticipated working capital needs, 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; 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 successful sale of the WAVE international business; projected capacity and 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 generating improving and sustainable earnings, earnings potential, margins or shareholder value; the expected impact of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) on the Company; 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 a recurrent slowing economy; the effect of conditions in national and worldwide financial markets; the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade restrictions affecting the Company’s products or suppliers, a United States withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars or other changes in trade regulations; 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 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, 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 exchange rate exposure and the acceptance of our products in global 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 healthcare laws in the United States and potential changes for such laws which may increase our healthcare and other costs and negatively impact our operations and financial results; the actual impact of the Company’s business of the TCJA differing materially from the Company’s estimates; cyber security risks; the effects of changing privacy and information security laws and standards; 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, 2018.

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended August 31,
		2018				2017
Net sales	$	988,107			$	848,237
Cost of goods sold		845,110				715,459
Gross margin		142,997				132,778
Selling, general and administrative expense		90,641				88,249
Impairment of long-lived assets		2,381				-
Restructuring and other expense (income), net		(936	)			2,304
Operating income		50,911				42,225
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net		265				348
Interest expense		(9,728	)			(8,807	)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		30,008				27,306
Earnings before income taxes		71,456				61,072
Income tax expense		14,498				12,998
Net earnings		56,958				48,074
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		2,016				2,540
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest	$	54,942			$	45,534
Basic
Average common shares outstanding		58,731				62,444
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest	$	0.94			$	0.73
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding		60,621				64,590
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest	$	0.91			$	0.70
Common shares outstanding at end of period		58,389				62,144
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.23			$	0.21

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands)
	August 31,			May 31,
	2018			2018
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	96,843		$	121,967
Receivables, less allowances of $622 and $632 at August 31, 2018
and May 31, 2018, respectively		564,612			572,689
Inventories:
Raw materials		270,126			237,471
Work in process		120,722			122,977
Finished products		103,268			93,579
Total inventories		494,116			454,027
Income taxes receivable		6,349			1,650
Assets held for sale		7,655			30,655
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		60,846			60,134
Total current assets		1,230,421			1,241,122
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		221,144			216,010
Goodwill		344,467			345,183
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $79,077 and
$74,922 at August 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively		209,602			214,026
Other assets		20,478			20,476
Property, plant and equipment:
Land		24,193			24,229
Buildings and improvements		302,153			300,542
Machinery and equipment		1,040,410			1,030,720
Construction in progress		39,463			32,282
Total property, plant and equipment		1,406,219			1,387,773
Less: accumulated depreciation		822,156			802,803
Total property, plant and equipment, net		584,063			584,970
Total assets	$	2,610,175		$	2,621,787
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	478,205		$	473,485
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and
related taxes		66,055			96,487
Dividends payable		14,584			13,731
Other accrued items		59,383			57,125
Income taxes payable		2,042			4,593
Current maturities of long-term debt		1,327			1,474
Total current liabilities		621,596			646,895
Other liabilities		71,225			74,237
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		52,133			55,198
Long-term debt		748,731			748,894
Deferred income taxes, net		79,116			60,188
Total liabilities		1,572,801			1,585,412
Shareholders' equity - controlling interest		919,519			918,769
Noncontrolling interests		117,855			117,606
Total equity		1,037,374			1,036,375
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,610,175		$	2,621,787

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended August 31,
		2018				2017
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$	56,958			$	48,074
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		24,493				25,365
Impairment of long-lived assets		2,381				-
Provision for deferred income taxes		18,934				7,934
Bad debt (income) expense		221				(62	)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions		(10,019	)			(7,755	)
Net loss on assets		2,715				1,425
Stock-based compensation		3,156				3,407
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Receivables		13,409				62,678
Inventories		(43,337	)			(34,696	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(8,419	)			1,143
Other assets		(66	)			(350	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(28,785	)			(26,791	)
Other liabilities		(1,196	)			2,983
Net cash provided by operating activities		30,445				83,355
Investing activities:
Investment in property, plant and equipment		(19,434	)			(18,013	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		-				(284,505	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		20,277				427
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		843				(302,091	)
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings, net of issuance costs		-				298
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs		-				198,279
Principal payments on long-term debt		(430	)			(219	)
Payments for issuance of common shares, net of tax withholdings		(4,091	)			(3,274	)
Payments to noncontrolling interests		(2,320	)			(720	)
Repurchase of common shares		(36,852	)			(45,076	)
Dividends paid		(12,719	)			(12,778	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(56,412	)			136,510
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(25,124	)			(82,226	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		121,967				278,081
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	96,843			$	195,855

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,
		2018				2017
Volume:
Steel Processing (tons)		983,090				968,330
Pressure Cylinders (units)		21,799,098				20,441,276
Net sales:
Steel Processing	$	660,487			$	543,491
Pressure Cylinders		300,353				269,811
Engineered Cabs		27,252				31,946
Other		15				2,989
Total net sales	$	988,107			$	848,237
Material cost:
Steel Processing	$	478,087			$	379,220
Pressure Cylinders		138,744				120,631
Engineered Cabs		12,311				14,217
Selling, general and administrative expense:
Steel Processing	$	40,037			$	36,528
Pressure Cylinders		46,773				45,468
Engineered Cabs		4,462				4,269
Other		(631	)			1,984
Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	90,641			$	88,249
Operating income (loss):
Steel Processing	$	39,660			$	32,872
Pressure Cylinders		14,733				10,458
Engineered Cabs		(4,311	)			(361	)
Other		829				(744	)
Total operating income	$	50,911			$	42,225
Equity income (loss) by unconsolidated affiliate:
WAVE	$	22,008			$	22,228
ClarkDietrich		3,474				707
Serviacero Worthington		3,617				2,974
ArtiFlex		751				1,483
Other		158				(86	)
Total equity income	$	30,008			$	27,306

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 August 31,
		2018				2017
Volume (units):
Consumer products		17,728,978				16,354,427
Industrial products		4,069,496				4,086,146
Oil & gas equipment		624				703
Total Pressure Cylinders		21,799,098				20,441,276
Net sales:
Consumer products	$	116,823			$	108,681
Industrial products		152,847				136,693
Oil & gas equipment		30,683				24,437
Total Pressure Cylinders	$	300,353			$	269,811
The following provides detail of impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring and other expense (income), net included in operating income by segment.
	Three Months Ended August 31,
		2018				2017
Impairment of long-lived assets:
Steel Processing	$	-			$	-
Pressure Cylinders		2,381				-
Engineered Cabs		-				-
Other		-				-
Total impairment of long-lived assets	$	2,381			$	-
Restructuring and other expense (income), net:
Steel Processing	$	(9	)		$	279
Pressure Cylinders		(927	)			1,877
Engineered Cabs		-				4
Other		-				144
Total restructuring and other expense (income), net	$	(936	)		$	2,304

SONYA L. HIGGINBOTHAM DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS614.438.7391 | [email protected]

MARCUS A. ROGIER TREASURER AND INVESTOR RELATIONS OFFICER614.840.4663 | [email protected]

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

Source: Worthington Industries, Inc.

Press Releases

Worthington Industries (WOR) Misses Q1 EPS by 10cSeptember 26, 2018 8:03 AM