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Worthington Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results

06/26/2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2008--Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended May 31, 2008.

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

                        4Q 2008  3Q 2008  4Q 2007  12M 2008  12M 2007
                        -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
   Net sales            $  868.9 $  725.7 $  786.6 $ 3,067.2 $ 2,971.8
   Operating income         56.5     18.1     41.7     106.0     129.1
   Equity income            21.9     15.7     16.7      67.5      63.2
   Net earnings             53.9     18.3     38.2     107.1     113.9
   Earnings per share   $   0.68 $   0.23 $   0.45 $    1.31 $    1.31

   EBITDA(1)            $   92.6 $   48.7 $   71.4 $   230.6 $   249.4

   (1) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
     See reconciliation on consolidated statement of earnings.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, net sales were a record $868.9 million, an increase of 10% from $786.6 million last year. Fourth quarter net earnings were $53.9 million and earnings per diluted share were $0.68 compared to $38.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Operating income for the fourth quarter included $4.9 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, $1.1 million of which was non-cash, primarily related to previously announced plant closures in the Metal Framing segment and professional fees in Other. These charges had a negative impact of $0.04 on reported earnings per share.

For fiscal year 2008, net sales of $3,067.2 million, were 3% higher than the $2,971.8 million reported last year. Net earnings were $107.1 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, compared to $113.9 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, for fiscal 2007. Annual results were negatively impacted by $18.1 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, or $0.15 per share, related to early retirement, severance, professional fees, and plant closures. Certain professional fees totaling $3.3 million reported in selling, general and administrative expense in the previous three quarters have been reclassified to restructuring charges in each respective quarter to maintain consistency of treatment with the presentation in the current quarter.

Chairman and CEO comments

We are pleased with our excellent fourth quarter results and the year-over-year performance of our business segments, particularly the return to profitability in the fourth quarter for metal framing and the continued strong results from pressure cylinders, said Chairman and CEO John P. McConnell. We also had record results from our joint venture Worthington Armstrong (WAVE) and also a very good quarter from Serviacero Worthington.

Across the company, we have been focused on cutting costs, expanding our market reach through new products and services, and steering through a volatile and demanding steel pricing environment. We believe these efforts are helping us transform and strengthen the businesses, but we are aware of the uncertainty in some of our key markets and the potential for volatility in steel pricing throughout fiscal 2009.

    Fourth Quarter and Year-End Highlights
  • The Pressure Cylinders segment set a new quarterly record for net sales and units shipped and an annual record for net sales.
  • The Metal Framing segment returned to operating profitability for the quarter.
  • Equity income from nine unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $21.9 million for the quarter and $67.5 million for the year. Worthington Armstrong Venture (WAVE) had record sales and earnings for the quarter and the year.
  • Cash dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $16.5 million for the quarter and $58.9 million for the year. WAVE contributed $14.0 million and $54.0 million of the cash dividends received for those periods.
  • Cash provided by operating activities was $180.5 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $180.4 million for fiscal 2007, while capital expenditures were $47.5 million and $57.7 million for the same periods.
  • During the fourth quarter, $13.5 million was paid to shareholders in a regular quarterly dividend. For the year, dividends paid to shareholders totaled $55.6 million. At year end, the dividend yielded a 3.4% annualized return.
  • During fiscal 2008, the company repurchased 6.5 million common shares, reducing total outstanding shares to 79.3 million at year end. Currently 9.1 million shares remain authorized for repurchase.
  • Quarterly Segment Results

In the Steel Processing segment, quarterly net sales rose 14%, or $52.2 million, to $412.7 million from $360.5 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2007. The increase in sales was the result of higher average selling prices, up 18% relative to the prior year. Volumes declined 3% as the weakness in toll processing, which is closely tied to the automotive end markets, was nearly offset by a successful sales initiative for direct processing business. Operating income increased because of a wider spread between average selling prices and material costs.

In the Metal Framing segment, net sales increased 15%, or $29.9 million, to $225.5 million from $195.6 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2007. Relative to the prior year, this sales increase was the result of higher pricing (up 15%) and a slight increase in volumes (up 1%). Operating income rose significantly, primarily as a result of an improved spread between selling prices and material costs. Reported results were reduced by $2.1 million in pre-tax restructuring charges related to previously announced plant closures (see press release dated September 25, 2007, for more detail).

In the Pressure Cylinders segment, net sales increased 1%, or $1.4 million, to $170.7 million from $169.3 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2007. Stronger foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted reported U.S. dollar sales of the non-U.S. operations by $9.9 million compared to last year. The impact of improved volumes in the North American market was offset by lower average pricing, resulting from changes to the product mix, and lower volumes in the European market. While operating income was lower than in the year ago record quarter, the results were well above previous historical levels due to continued strength in both the European and North American operations.

Worthington's joint ventures added significantly to fourth quarter results, as equity income from the nine unconsolidated affiliates rose 31% totaling $21.9 million, compared to $16.7 million in the year ago quarter. Equity income increased due primarily to WAVE and to Worthington's new Mexican joint venture, Serviacero Worthington. WAVE continued to contribute the vast majority of equity earnings. Its earnings set a new record, up 32% from the record set last year. Fiscal 2008 was the best year in the history of the WAVE joint venture for both sales and earnings.

Transformation

What began as a cost reduction program has grown into a much larger transformational initiative. In addition to the previously announced cost saving efforts, several initiatives are underway that focus on dramatically improving the operational and financial performance of the Company. These initiatives include a strategic search for new growth opportunities, increasing efficiency throughout the company, from the plant floor to the corporate office, and improving the supply chain. The intent behind these initiatives is to significantly transform the Company's earnings potential over the next three years.

Previously announced cost reduction efforts related to overhead expense and plant closures continued through the fourth quarter with the following updates:

1. Overhead expense reductions are targeted to reach $30 million annually. In the fourth quarter $6.2 million of savings were realized, bringing the total savings realized in fiscal 2008 to $18.5 million. The balance of the savings will come in fiscal 2009 with a portion to be realized in fiscal 2010.

2. All five of the Metal Framing facilities previously referenced have been closed or downsized. In addition, the Metal Framing corporate offices in Pittsburgh and Blairsville, Pennsylvania, will be closed and moved to Columbus, Ohio. Of the $9.0 million in annual savings expected from these actions, $2.1 million was realized in fiscal 2008. The balance will be realized in fiscal 2009. Restructuring charges related to these closures totaled $9.0 million in fiscal 2008 with an additional $6.0 million expected in fiscal 2009.

Other Share Repurchases

During fiscal 2008, 6,451,500 shares were repurchased. A portion of the shares, 5,551,000, completed a 10 million share authorization announced on June 13, 2005. The balance, 900,500, was purchased under a 10 million share authorization announced on September 26, 2007. Purchases may occur from time to time, on the open market or in private transactions with consideration given to the market price of the stock, the nature of other investment opportunities, cash flow from operations and general economic conditions.

Dividend Declared

On May 19, 2008, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share payable June 29, 2008, to shareholders of record on June 15, 2008.

Subsequent Acquisition

On June 2, 2008, Worthington Industries acquired the assets of Sharon Stairs, a designer and manufacturer of steel egress stair systems for the commercial construction markets. Annual sales are expected to approximate $30 million and will be included in the results of Worthington-IBS, which is reported in Other.

Conference Call

Worthington will review fourth quarter and year end results during its quarterly conference call today, June 26, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Details regarding the conference call can be found on the company web site at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com

Corporate Profile

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of approximately $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio, based company is North America's premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as metal framing, pressure cylinders, automotive past model service stampings, metal ceiling grid systems and laser welded blanks. Worthington employs more than 8,000 people and operates 67 facilities in 11 countries.

Founded in 1955, the company operates under a long-standing corporate philosophy rooted in the golden rule, with earning money for its shareholders as the first corporate goal. This philosophy, an unwavering commitment to the customer, and one of the strongest employee/employer partnerships in American industry serve as the company's foundation.

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 future or expected growth, growth opportunities, performance, sales, operating results and earnings per share; projected capacity and working capital needs; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods, and the impact of pricing changes; anticipated capital expenditures and asset sales; projected timing, results, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions or to facility startups, dispositions, shutdowns and consolidations; new products, services and markets; expectations for company and customer inventories, jobs and orders; expectations for the economy and markets; expected benefits from turnaround plans, plant closings, cost reduction efforts and other new initiatives; expectations for improvements in efficiencies or the supply chain; expectations for improving margins and increasing 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, product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of the company's products; fluctuations in 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 consolidation and other changes within the steel, automotive, construction and related industries; failure to maintain appropriate levels of inventories; the ability to realize targeted expense reductions such as head count reductions, facility closures and other expense reductions; the ability to realize other cost savings and operational efficiencies and improvements on a timely basis; the overall success of, and the ability to integrate, newly-acquired businesses and achieve synergies therefrom; capacity levels and efficiencies within facilities and within the industry as a whole; financial difficulties (including bankruptcy filings) of customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and others with whom the company does business; the effect of national, regional and worldwide economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including a prolonged or substantial economic downturn; the effect of disruption in 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 inventories, spending patterns, product choices, and supplier choices; risks associated with doing business internationally, including economic, political and social instability, and foreign currency exposure; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; adverse claims experience with respect to workers compensation, product recalls or 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; and other risks described from time to time in the company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

                     WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                   (In thousands, except per share)


                           Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                 May 31,               May 31,
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                             2008      2007       2008        2007
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Net sales                  $868,875  $786,576  $3,067,161  $2,971,808
Cost of goods sold          737,650   686,712   2,711,414   2,610,176
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Gross margin              131,225    99,864     355,747     361,632
Selling, general and
 administrative expense      69,836    58,171     231,602     232,487
Restructuring charges         4,894         -      18,111           -
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Operating income           56,495    41,693     106,034     129,145
Other income (expense):
  Miscellaneous expense      (2,191)   (2,530)     (6,348)     (4,446)
  Interest expense           (5,742)   (4,892)    (21,452)    (21,895)
  Equity in net income of
   unconsolidated
   affiliates                21,882    16,669      67,459      63,213
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
  Earnings before income
   taxes                     70,444    50,940     145,693     166,017
Income tax expense           16,577    12,717      38,616      52,112
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Net earnings               $ 53,867  $ 38,223  $  107,077  $  113,905
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========


Average common shares
 outstanding - basic         79,305    84,662      81,232      86,351
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Earnings per share - basic $   0.68  $   0.45  $     1.32  $     1.32
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========


Average common shares
 outstanding - diluted       79,623    85,672      81,898      87,002
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Earnings per share -
 diluted                   $   0.68  $   0.45  $     1.31  $     1.31
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========


Common shares outstanding
 at end of period            79,308    84,908      79,308      84,908

Cash dividends declared per
 share                     $   0.17  $   0.17  $     0.68  $     0.68




---------------------------

Reconciliation of net
 earnings to EBITDA
Net earnings               $ 53,867  $ 38,223  $  107,077  $  113,905
Interest expense              5,742     4,892      21,452      21,895
Income taxes                 16,577    12,717      38,616      52,112
Depreciation & amortization  16,423    15,597      63,413      61,469
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
EBITDA                     $ 92,609  $ 71,429  $  230,558  $  249,381
                           ========= ===================== ===========

                     WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)

                                                  May 31,    May 31,
                                                    2008       2007
                                                 ---------- ----------
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $   73,772 $   38,277
  Short-term investments                                  -     25,562
  Receivables, less allowances of $4,849 and
   $3,641 at May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007          384,354    400,916
  Inventories:
    Raw materials                                   350,256    261,849
    Work in process                                 123,106     97,633
    Finished products                               119,599     88,382
                                                 ---------- ----------
      Total inventories                             592,961    447,864
  Assets held for sale                                1,132      4,600
  Deferred income taxes                              17,966     13,067
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets          34,785     39,098
                                                 ---------- ----------
Total current assets                              1,104,970    969,384

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates            119,808     57,540
Goodwill                                            183,523    179,442
Other assets                                         53,329     43,551
Property, plant & equipment, net                    549,944    564,265
                                                 ---------- ----------
Total assets                                     $2,011,574 $1,814,182
                                                 ========== ==========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                               $  356,129 $  263,665
  Notes payable                                     135,450     31,650
  Accrued compensation, contributions to employee
   benefit plans and related taxes                   59,619     46,237
  Dividends payable                                  13,487     14,440
  Other accrued items                                68,545     45,519
  Income taxes payable                               31,665     18,983
                                                 ---------- ----------
    Total current liabilities                       664,895    420,494

Other liabilities                                    49,785     57,383
Long-term debt                                      245,000    245,000
Deferred income taxes                               124,354    105,983
                                                 ---------- ----------
    Total liabilities                             1,084,034    828,860

Minority interest                                    42,163     49,321
Shareholders' equity                                885,377    936,001
                                                 ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       $2,011,574 $1,814,182
                                                 ========== ==========

                     WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In thousands)

                             Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                  May 31,               May 31,
                            -------------------- ---------------------
                               2008      2007       2008       2007
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Operating activities
Net earnings                $  53,867  $ 38,223  $ 107,077  $ 113,905
Adjustments to reconcile net
 earnings to net cash
 provided by operating
 activities:
  Depreciation and
   amortization                16,423    15,597     63,413     61,469
  Restructuring charges,
   non-cash                     1,061         -      5,169          -
  Provision for deferred
   income taxes                   465    (2,242)    (3,228)    (3,068)
  Equity in net income of
   unconsolidated
   affiliates, net of
   distributions               (5,362)   28,089     (8,539)    68,510
  Minority interest in net
   income of consolidated
   subsidiaries                 1,770     1,848      6,969      5,409
  Net loss on sale of assets      929     1,283      3,756        826
  Stock-based compensation      1,208       927      4,173      3,480
  Excess tax benefits -
   stock-based compensation       257    (2,170)    (2,035)    (2,370)
Changes in assets and
 liabilities:
  Accounts receivable          19,979   (28,404)     6,967      8,312
  Inventories                (102,259)   35,362   (144,474)    19,588
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets               5,215     1,892      8,252     (2,078)
  Other assets                 (1,415)    1,578     (1,546)     4,898
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses            81,976    40,339    138,822    (99,283)
  Other liabilities            (1,773)     (290)    (4,255)       833
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided by
 operating activities          72,341   132,032    180,521    180,431
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------

Investing activities
  Investment in property,
   plant and equipment, net   (10,287)  (13,557)   (47,520)   (57,691)
  Acquisitions, net of cash
   acquired                         -         -     (2,225)   (31,727)
  Investment in
   unconsolidated affiliate       (29)        -    (47,598)    (1,000)
  Proceeds from sale of
   assets                         223       146      1,025     18,237
  Purchases of short-term
   investments                      -   (25,562)         -    (25,562)
  Sales of short-term
   investments                      -         -     25,562      2,173
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net cash used by investing
 activities                   (10,093)  (38,973)   (70,756)   (95,570)
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------

Financing activities
  Proceeds from (payments
   on) short-term borrowings  (27,850)  (80,230)   103,800     31,650
  Principal payments on
   long-term debt                   -    (7,684)         -     (7,691)
  Proceeds from issuance of
   common shares                   25     7,308     13,171      9,866
  Excess tax benefits -
   stock-based compensation      (257)    2,170      2,035      2,370
  Payments to minority
   interest                    (1,344)     (960)   (11,904)    (3,360)
  Repurchase of common
   shares                           -         -   (125,785)   (76,617)
  Dividends paid              (13,482)  (14,354)   (55,587)   (59,018)
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net cash used by financing
 activities                   (42,908)  (93,750)   (74,270)  (102,800)
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------

Increase (decrease) in cash
 and cash equivalents          19,340      (691)    35,495    (17,939)
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of period           54,432    38,968     38,277     56,216
                            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at
 end of period              $  73,772  $ 38,277  $  73,772  $  38,277
                            ========== ========= ========== ==========

                     WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                          SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
                            (In thousands)

This supplemental information is provided to assist in the analysis of
 the results of operations.


                           Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                 May 31,               May 31,
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                             2008      2007       2008        2007
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Volume:
 Steel Processing (tons)        827       851       3,286       3,282
 Metal Framing (tons)           172       171         666         644
 Pressure Cylinders
  (units)                    14,383    13,601      48,058      44,891

Net sales:
 Steel Processing          $412,716  $360,486  $1,463,202  $1,460,665
 Metal Framing              225,513   195,633     788,788     771,406
 Pressure Cylinders         170,709   169,301     578,808     544,826
 Other                       59,937    61,156     236,363     194,911
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
             Total net
              sales        $868,875  $786,576  $3,067,161  $2,971,808
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Material cost:
 Steel Processing          $306,508  $268,764  $1,105,664  $1,106,471
 Metal Framing              143,574   140,415     557,310     547,583
 Pressure Cylinders          81,805    80,022     273,141     251,052

Operating income (loss):
 Steel Processing          $ 25,523  $ 14,732  $   55,799  $   55,382
 Metal Framing               15,395      (540)    (16,215)     (9,159)
 Pressure Cylinders          20,719    26,053      70,004      84,649
 Other                       (5,142)    1,448      (3,554)     (1,727)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
             Total
              operating
              income       $ 56,495  $ 41,693  $  106,034  $  129,145
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========





The following provides detail of the restructuring charges included in
 the operating income by segment presented above.

                           Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                 May 31,               May 31,
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                             2008      2007       2008        2007
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------

Pre-tax restructuring
 charges by segment:
 Steel Processing          $      -  $      -  $    1,096  $        -
 Metal Framing                2,074         -       8,979           -
 Pressure Cylinders               -         -         103           -
 Other                        2,820         -       7,933           -
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
             Total
              restructuring
              charges      $  4,894  $      -  $   18,111  $        -
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

CONTACT: Worthington Industries, Inc.
Media Contact:
Cathy M. Lyttle, 614-438-3077
VP, Corporate Communications
E-mail: cmlyttle@WorthingtonIndustries.com
or
Investor Contact:
Allison M. Sanders, 614-840-3133
Director, Investor Relations
E-mail: asanders@WorthingtonIndustries.com
or
www.WorthingtonIndustries.com

SOURCE: Worthington Industries, Inc.

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