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Worthington Reports Third Quarter Results

03/20/2008

EPS Rise 28% From Prior Quarter and Nearly Quadruple Prior Year

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2008--Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported results for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 29, 2008.

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

                                3Q2008 2Q2008 3Q2007  9M2008   9M2007
                                ------ ------ ------ -------- --------
Net sales                       $725.7 $713.7 $677.3 $2,198.3 $2,185.2
Operating income                  18.1   11.5    2.2     49.5     87.5
Equity income                     15.7   14.9   13.5     45.6     46.5
Net earnings                      18.3   14.7    5.5     53.2     75.7
Earnings per share              $ 0.23 $ 0.18 $ 0.06 $   0.65 $   0.87

EBITDA(a)                       $ 48.7 $ 39.7 $ 30.0 $  137.9 $  178.0

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

For the third quarter of fiscal 2008, net sales were $725.7 million, an increase of 7% from $677.3 million last year. Third quarter net earnings were $18.3 million and earnings per diluted share were $0.23, compared to $5.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Net earnings for the third quarter included $2.6 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, $1.4 million of which was non-cash, primarily related to previously announced plant closures in the Metal Framing segment. These charges had a negative impact of $0.02 on reported earnings per share.

For the nine-month period, net sales of $2,198.3 million, were 1% higher than $2,185.2 million for the same period last year. Net earnings were $53.2 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, compared to $75.7 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Year-to-date results were negatively impacted by $9.9 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, or $0.08 per share, related to early retirement, severance and plant closures.

"Our performance this quarter showed significant improvement," said Chairman and CEO, John McConnell. "Pressure Cylinders and our WAVE joint venture, which posted a record third quarter, continued producing excellent results. Metal Framing made great strides as efforts to reduce cost and improve customer service are beginning to net results." McConnell added, "The entire team has pulled together to help this segment successfully implement its turnaround plan. Steel Processing has also done an excellent job of increasing volumes and market share to help offset the weakness in the automotive sector."

"Our employees are doing a very good job of eliminating or changing the way we work, resulting in permanent reductions in cost and improved efficiencies. We have removed $12 million in costs so far this year. Once the plant closings in Metal Framing are completed and other identified cost reductions are fully implemented, we expect our total cost savings to reach a $39 million annual run rate in 2010."

Third Quarter Highlights

  • The Steel Processing segment increased volumes by 9%, compared to the prior year, as a result of new business.
  • The Metal Framing segment returned to operating profitability for the month of February, excluding the impact of restructuring charges and a pension charge.
  • Quarterly net sales in the Pressure Cylinders segment were a third quarter record of $138.3 million. Operating income was down from last year's third quarter record but remained well above historical levels.
  • Equity income from nine unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $15.7 million led by record third quarter earnings at Worthington Armstrong Venture (WAVE) and the addition of the new Serviacero Worthington joint venture in Mexico.
  • Cash dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $13.0 million for the quarter.
  • Cash provided by operating activities was $11.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and $108.2 million for the year to date. Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, were $10.6 million and $37.2 million for the same periods.
  • During the third quarter, $13.9 million was paid to shareholders in a regular quarterly dividend. At quarter end, the dividend yielded a 3.9% annualized return.
  • During the third quarter, the company repurchased 2.3 million common shares, reducing total outstanding shares to 79.3 million at quarter end.

Quarterly Segment Results

In the Steel Processing segment, quarterly net sales rose 8%, or $26.1 million, to $350.4 million from $324.3 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2007. Volumes rose 9%, partially offset by lower average pricing (down 1%), as the segment benefited from a concerted sales effort focused on generating new business. Segment results were negatively impacted by an unplanned furnace outage at Severstal, the primary supplier to, and minority partner in, the company's Spartan Steel Coating joint venture, which is consolidated in this segment. Operating income increased in spite of the business interruption because of higher volumes and a wider spread between average selling prices and material costs compared to the depressed spreads of a year ago.

In the Metal Framing segment, net sales increased 5%, or $8.9 million, to $182.8 million from $173.9 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2007, due to higher volumes (up 5%). While average selling prices were comparable to the year ago period, they increased from what had been a declining trend since then and were up 4% from the second quarter. Selling prices are steadily rising in conjunction with rapidly rising steel raw material costs. Price increases were implemented in both January and February and additional monthly increases have been announced through May. The operating loss narrowed as the spread between selling prices and material costs improved significantly compared to the depressed levels of a year ago. Much of the improvement was a result of lower material costs associated with a more favorable mix of inventory. Reported results were hurt by $2.5 million in pre-tax restructuring charges related to announced plant closures (see press release dated September 25, 2007, for more detail) and a $1.5 million pre-tax pension charge related to the resolution of a legal matter. The remaining plant closures are expected to be substantially complete by fiscal year end. Measurable cost savings related to these closures, estimated at $9 million annually, are not expected until fiscal 2009.

In the Pressure Cylinders segment, net sales increased 3%, or $4.6 million, to $138.3 million from $133.7 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 $6.7 million compared to last year. Improved volumes in both the European and North American markets were offset by lower average pricing resulting from changes to the product mix as well as to pricing in the European market. Capacity increases by European producers and increased imports into Europe from the U.S. and China drove a significant pricing decline in the European high pressure product line. While operating income fell from the year ago 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 third quarter results as equity income from the nine unconsolidated affiliates rose 16% totaling $15.7 million, compared to $13.5 million in the year ago quarter. WAVE continued to contribute the vast majority of equity earnings. Its earnings were a third quarter record, up 22% from the record set last year. Compared to the year ago quarter, equity income increased due primarily to WAVE and to Worthington's new Mexican joint venture, Serviacero Worthington.

Cost Reduction Initiative Update

Progress continued on the company's cost reduction program, announced in September 2007, which included dozens of initiatives related to overhead expense reductions and plant closures.

(1) Overhead expense reductions: Initiatives have been identified that are expected to yield $30 million in annualized expense savings, and half have been implemented. Realized savings to date are $12 million.

(2) Plant closures: Five metal framing facilities were identified for closure or downsizing in September 2007. These closures are expected to result in $9 million in annual savings once fully implemented. In February 2008, the first facility was closed in Wildwood, Florida. The remaining facilities are slated for closure over the next several months and related savings will begin shortly thereafter. Restructuring charges taken to date total $7 million of the expected $15 million.

Realized cost savings for the entire cost reduction program are expected to increase for the balance of fiscal 2008 and throughout fiscal 2009 and reach the full $39 million annual savings run rate in fiscal 2010.

Other

Share Repurchases

During the quarter, 2,271,300 shares were repurchased. A portion of the shares (1,370,800) completed a 10 million share authorization announced on June 13, 2005. The remaining portion of shares (900,500) were 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 flows from operations and general economic conditions.

Dividend Declared

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

Conference Call

Worthington will review third quarter results during its quarterly conference call today, March 20, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Details on 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 69 facilities in 10 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 performance, sales, operating results and earnings per share; projected capacity and working capital needs; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods; 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 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 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 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         Nine Months Ended
                   ------------------------- -------------------------
                   February 29, February 28, February 29, February 28,
                       2008         2007         2008         2007
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales             $725,667     $677,250   $2,198,286   $2,185,232
Cost of goods sold     649,940      620,931    1,973,764    1,923,464
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
  Gross margin          75,727       56,319      224,522      261,768
Selling, general
 and administrative
 expense                55,054       54,159      165,054      174,316
Restructuring
 charges                 2,619            -        9,929            -
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
  Operating income      18,054        2,160       49,539       87,452
Other income
 (expense):
  Miscellaneous
   expense                (818)        (847)      (4,157)      (1,916)
  Interest expense      (5,702)      (6,636)     (15,710)     (17,003)
  Equity in net
   income of
   unconsolidated
   affiliates           15,665       13,463       45,577       46,544
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
  Earnings before
   income taxes         27,199        8,140       75,249      115,077
Income tax expense       8,897        2,630       22,039       39,395
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net earnings          $ 18,302     $  5,510   $   53,210   $   75,682
                   ============ ============ ============ ============


Average common
 shares outstanding
 - basic                80,184       84,733       81,879       86,918
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings per share
 - basic              $   0.23     $   0.07   $     0.65   $     0.87
                   ============ ============ ============ ============


Average common
 shares outstanding
 - diluted              80,214       85,309       82,480       87,473
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings per share
 - diluted            $   0.23     $   0.06   $     0.65   $     0.87
                   ============ ============ ============ ============


Common shares
 outstanding at end
 of period              79,304       84,430       79,304       84,430

Cash dividends
 declared per share   $   0.17     $   0.17   $     0.51   $     0.51


-------------------
Reconciliation of
 net earnings to
 EBITDA
Net earnings          $ 18,302     $  5,510   $   53,210   $   75,682
Interest expense         5,702        6,636       15,710       17,003
Income taxes             8,897        2,630       22,039       39,395
Depreciation &
 amortization           15,768       15,251       46,990       45,872
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
EBITDA                $ 48,669     $ 30,027   $  137,949   $  177,952
                   ============ ============ ============ ============
                     WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)

                                               February 29,  May 31,
                                                   2008        2007
                                               ------------ ----------
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $   54,432 $   38,277
  Short-term investments                                  -     25,562
  Receivables, less allowances of $4,606 and
   $3,641 at February 29, 2008 and May 31,
   2007                                             408,322    400,916
  Inventories:
    Raw materials                                   275,856    261,849
    Work in process                                  96,248     97,633
    Finished products                               118,598     88,382
                                               ------------ ----------
      Total inventories                             490,702    447,864
  Assets held for sale                                5,603      4,600
  Deferred income taxes                              18,161     13,067
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets          39,976     39,097
                                               ------------ ----------
    Total current assets                          1,017,196    969,383

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates            110,701     57,540
Goodwill                                            182,952    179,441
Other assets                                         31,639     43,553
Property, plant & equipment, net                    552,444    564,265
                                               ------------ ----------
Total assets                                     $1,894,932 $1,814,182
                                               ============ ==========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                               $  314,874 $  263,665
  Notes payable                                     163,300     31,650
  Accrued compensation, contributions to
   employee benefit plans and related taxes          39,297     46,237
  Dividends payable                                  13,484     14,440
  Other accrued items                                58,745     45,519
  Income taxes payable                               19,482     18,983
                                               ------------ ----------
    Total current liabilities                       609,182    420,494

Other liabilities                                    69,112     57,383
Long-term debt                                      245,000    245,000
Deferred income taxes                                89,072    105,983
                                               ------------ ----------
    Total liabilities                             1,012,366    828,860

Minority interest                                    42,610     49,321
Shareholders' equity                                839,956    936,001
                                               ------------ ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       $1,894,932 $1,814,182
                                               ============ ==========
                     WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In thousands)

                      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                   ------------------------- -------------------------
                   February 29, February 28, February 29, February 28,
                       2008         2007         2008         2007
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating
 activities
Net earnings           $18,302       $5,510      $53,210      $75,682
Adjustments to
 reconcile net
 earnings to net
 cash provided by
 operating
 activities:
  Depreciation and
   amortization         15,768       15,251       46,990       45,872
  Restructuring
   charges, non-
   cash                  1,378            -        4,108            -
  Provision for
   deferred income
   taxes               (10,169)      (1,000)      (3,693)        (826)
  Equity in net
   income of
   unconsolidated
   affiliates, net
   of distributions     (2,665)      40,958       (3,177)      40,421
  Minority interest
   in net income of
   consolidated
   subsidiaries          1,212          980        5,199        3,561
  Net loss on sale
   of assets              (115)       1,569        2,827         (457)
  Stock-based
   compensation          1,203          904        2,965        2,553
  Excess tax
   benefits -
   stock-based
   compensation            (44)           -       (2,292)        (200)
Changes in assets
 and liabilities:
  Accounts
   receivable          (38,576)       3,923      (13,012)      36,716
  Inventories          (42,852)      48,164      (42,215)     (15,774)
  Prepaid expenses
   and other
   current assets        3,165         (724)       3,037       (3,970)
  Other assets             221         (668)        (131)       3,320
  Accounts payable
   and accrued
   expenses             66,591       26,953       56,846     (139,622)
  Other liabilities     (1,988)        (642)      (2,482)       1,123
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided
 by operating
 activities             11,431      141,178      108,180       48,399
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Investing
 activities
  Investment in
   property, plant
   and equipment,
   net                 (10,612)     (10,627)     (37,233)     (44,134)
  Acquisitions, net
   of cash acquired         16            -       (2,225)     (31,727)
  Investment in
   unconsolidated
   affiliate              (526)           -      (47,569)      (1,000)
  Proceeds from
   sale of assets          510          135          802       18,091
  Sales of short-
   term investments          -            -       25,562        2,173
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used by
 investing
 activities            (10,612)     (10,492)     (60,663)     (56,597)
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Financing
 activities
  Proceeds from
   (payments on)
   short-term
   borrowings           70,100      (83,936)     131,650      111,880
  Principal
   payments on
   long-term debt            -           (5)           -           (7)
  Proceeds from
   issuance of
   common shares            98          693       13,146        2,558
  Excess tax
   benefits -
   stock-based
   compensation             44            -        2,292          200
  Payments to
   minority
   interest             (3,840)      (2,400)     (10,560)      (2,400)
  Repurchase of
   common shares       (38,475)     (14,109)    (125,785)     (76,617)
  Dividends paid       (13,868)     (14,488)     (42,105)     (44,664)
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided
 (used) by
 financing
 activities             14,059     (114,245)     (31,362)      (9,050)
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Increase (decrease)
 in cash and cash
 equivalents            14,878       16,441       16,155      (17,248)
Cash and cash
 equivalents at
 beginning of
 period                 39,554       22,527       38,277       56,216
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and cash
 equivalents at end
 of period             $54,432      $38,968      $54,432      $38,968
                   ============ ============ ============ ============
                     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     Nine Months Ended
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                           Feb. 29,  Feb. 28,   Feb. 29,    Feb. 28,
                             2008      2007       2008        2007
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Volume:
  Steel Processing (tons)       809       744       2,459       2,431
  Metal Framing (tons)          157       150         494         473
  Pressure Cylinders
   (units)                   11,460     9,970      33,675      31,291

Net sales:
  Steel Processing         $350,402  $324,312  $1,050,486  $1,100,179
  Metal Framing             182,789   173,918     563,275     575,773
  Pressure Cylinders        138,287   133,714     408,099     375,525
  Other                      54,189    45,306     176,426     133,755
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
    Total net sales        $725,667  $677,250  $2,198,286  $2,185,232
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

Material cost:
  Steel Processing         $266,818  $251,946  $  799,155  $  837,708
  Metal Framing             130,017   138,459     413,736     407,167
  Pressure Cylinders         66,278    60,536     191,337     171,030

Operating income (loss):
  Steel Processing         $ 10,030  $  2,079  $   30,276  $   40,650
  Metal Framing              (7,562)  (21,538)    (31,610)     (8,619)
  Pressure Cylinders         13,889    21,760      49,285      58,596
  Other                       1,697      (141)      1,588      (3,175)
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
    Total operating income $ 18,054  $  2,160  $   49,539  $   87,452
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========


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

                           Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                           ------------------- -----------------------
                           Feb. 29,  Feb. 28,   Feb. 29,    Feb. 28,
                             2008      2007       2008        2007
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Pre-tax restructuring
 charges by segment:
  Steel Processing         $      -  $      -  $    1,096  $        -
  Metal Framing               2,466         -       6,905           -
  Pressure Cylinders            103         -         103           -
  Other                          50         -       1,825           -
                           --------- --------- ----------- -----------
    Total restructuring
     charges               $  2,619  $      -  $    9,929  $        -
                           ========= ========= =========== ===========

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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