Worthington Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported net sales of $958.2 million and net earnings of $34.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for its fiscal 2019 second quarter ended November 30, 2018.  Net earnings in the quarter included pre-tax restructuring charges totaling $0.4 million, which reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.01.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company reported net sales of $871.3 million and net earnings of $39.4 million, or $0.62 per diluted share.  Net earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 included pre-tax impairment charges of $8.3 million and a net pre-tax restructuring gain of $9.7 million, which combined to increase earnings per diluted share by $0.01.

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

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

  2Q 2019   1Q 2019   2Q 2018   6M 2019   6M 2018
Net sales $   958.2   $   988.1   $   871.3   $   1,946.3   $   1,719.5
Operating income     35.9       50.9       52.1       86.8       94.3
Equity income     21.1       30.0       16.4       51.1       43.8
Net earnings     34.0       54.9       39.4       88.9       84.9
Earnings per diluted share $   0.57   $   0.91   $   0.62   $   1.48   $   1.33

“I am pleased with the way our teams executed in a challenging environment,” said John McConnell, Chairman and CEO.  “We faced headwinds in the quarter due to rising input costs and lower spreads in our Steel Processing business, but volumes for our key markets remained solid and our employees continue to work hard to make improvements.”

Consolidated Quarterly Results

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 were $958.2 million, up 10% over the comparable quarter in the prior year, when net sales were $871.3 million. The increase was primarily driven by higher average direct selling prices in Steel Processing, partially offset by lower net sales in the consumer products business in Pressure Cylinders.   
                                                                                                  
Gross margin for the current quarter decreased $19.1 million from the prior year quarter to $120.9 million.  The decrease was driven by compressed direct spreads in Steel Processing and lower volume and higher material and conversion costs in Pressure Cylinders.

Operating income for the current quarter was $35.9 million, a decrease of $16.2 million from the prior year quarter.  The impact of lower gross margin was partially offset by lower SG&A expense which was down $4.8 million, due primarily to lower profit sharing and bonus accruals.

Interest expense was $9.5 million for the current quarter, compared to $10.0 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was due primarily to lower average debt levels.

Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures increased $4.6 million over the prior year quarter to $21.1 million primarily on higher contributions from WAVE, up $4.7 million from the prior year quarter when a new cost-sharing agreement between the joint venture and its partners resulted in a $3.6 million reduction in equity income.  The Company received cash distributions of $90.5 million from its unconsolidated joint ventures during the quarter, including $60.0 million of one-time special distributions from WAVE.  

Income tax expense was $11.1 million in the current quarter compared to $18.2 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was due primarily to lower earnings and a lower statutory federal corporate income tax rate as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which lowered the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  Tax expense in the current quarter reflects an estimated annual effective income tax rate of 23.4% compared to 30.0% for the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet

At quarter-end, total debt was $749.8 million, down $0.3 million from August 31, 2018.  The Company had $93.0 million of cash at quarter-end. 

Quarterly Segment Results

Steel Processing’s net sales totaled $635.0 million, up 18%, or $96.6 million, over the comparable prior year quarter driven primarily by higher average direct selling prices.  Operating income of $25.0 million was $16.1 million less than the prior year quarter when the sale of the PSM real estate resulted in a net restructuring gain of $10.3 million.  Excluding the gain, operating income was down $5.8 million driven primarily by lower direct spreads, which continue to be negatively impacted by an expanding gap between the cost of steel and scrap prices.   The mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 56% to 44% in the current quarter, compared to 57% to 43% in the prior year quarter.

Pressure Cylinders’ net sales totaled $294.4 million, down 2%, or $6.5 million, as consumer products in the prior year quarter benefited from hurricane-driven demand.  Volume decreases in the industrial products and oil & gas equipment businesses were largely offset by favorable pricing and mix.   Operating income of $14.8 million was $9.9 million less than the prior year quarter as margins compressed due to higher material and conversion costs and lower volumes in both the industrial products and consumer products businesses. 

Engineered Cabs’ net sales totaled $28.7 million, down $1.7 million, or 6%, from the prior year quarter on lower volume.  The operating loss of $3.4 million was $1.8 million higher than the prior year quarter due to lower volume and startup costs associated with a new fabricated products operation.

Recent Business Developments

  • During the quarter, the Company repurchased a total of 1,500,000 common shares for $63.6 million at an average price of $42.39.
  • In September 2018, the Company received a cash distribution of $35.0 million from WAVE representing the primary portion of its share of the proceeds received by Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (“AWI”) in connection with the pending sale of the combined international operations of WAVE and AWI.  The Company expects to realize total proceeds of approximately $45 million in connection with the sale transaction.     
  • In October 2018, the Company received a $25.0 million one-time special cash distribution from WAVE in connection with a financing transaction completed by WAVE in October 2018.
  • On Aug. 22, 2018, Andy Rose was named President and continued to serve as Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis until Nov. 1, 2018, when the Company announced that Joseph Hayek was named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Outlook

“Despite a challenging quarter, we are making good progress on recovering margins, and anticipate continued solid end market demand,” McConnell said.  “I am confident that our teams across the company are executing strategies focused on accelerating our growth, and delivering innovative solutions to our customers.”   

Conference Call

Worthington will review fiscal 2019 second quarter results during its quarterly conference call on December 18, 2018, at 2:30 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 83 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; expected demand or 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 the Company’s 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, and 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 the Company’s 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 the Company participates; 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 the Company does 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 the Company’s 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 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, 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 the Company’s healthcare and other costs and negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results; the actual impact on the Company’s business of the TCJA differing materially from the Company’s estimates; cyber security risks; the effects of 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 the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018.

Contacts:
SONYA L. HIGGINBOTHAM
VP, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND MANAGEMENT
614.438.7391 | [email protected]

MARCUS A. ROGIER
TREASURER AND INVESTOR RELATIONS OFFICER
614.840.4663 | [email protected]

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

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Six Months Ended
November 30,
    2018       2017       2018       2017  
Net sales $ 958,226     $ 871,266     $ 1,946,333     $ 1,719,503  
Cost of goods sold   837,292       731,187       1,682,402       1,446,646  
Gross margin   120,934       140,079       263,931       272,857  
Selling, general and administrative expense   84,668       89,425       175,309       177,674  
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets         8,289       2,381       8,289  
Restructuring and other expense (income), net   402       (9,694 )     (534 )     (7,390 )
Operating income   35,864       52,059       86,775       94,284  
Other income (expense):              
Miscellaneous income, net   1,432       1,321       1,697       1,669  
Interest expense   (9,472 )     (10,038 )     (19,200 )     (18,845 )
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates   21,087       16,445       51,095       43,751  
Earnings before income taxes   48,911       59,787       120,367       120,859  
Income tax expense   11,119       18,165       25,617       31,163  
Net earnings   37,792       41,622       94,750       89,696  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests   3,790       2,219       5,806       4,759  
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest $ 34,002     $ 39,403     $ 88,944     $ 84,937  
               
Basic              
Average common shares outstanding   57,716       61,503       58,226       61,976  
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest $ 0.59     $ 0.64     $ 1.53     $ 1.37  
               
Diluted              
Average common shares outstanding   59,338       63,468       60,013       64,044  
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest $ 0.57     $ 0.62     $ 1.48     $ 1.33  
               
               
Common shares outstanding at end of period   56,957       60,755       56,957       60,755  
               
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.23     $ 0.21     $ 0.46     $ 0.42  

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
  November 30,   May 31,
  2018   2018
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 93,027     $ 121,967  
Receivables, less allowances of $650 and $632 at November 30, 2018      
and May 31, 2018, respectively   518,006       572,689  
Inventories:      
Raw materials   267,871       237,471  
Work in process   111,158       122,977  
Finished products   109,713       93,579  
Total inventories   488,742       454,027  
Income taxes receivable   18,079       1,650  
Assets held for sale   7,395       30,655  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   62,367       60,134  
Total current assets   1,187,616       1,241,122  
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates   221,701       216,010  
Goodwill   342,126       345,183  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $82,659 and      
$74,922 at November 30, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively   205,142       214,026  
Other assets   21,570       20,476  
Property, plant and equipment:      
Land   24,066       24,229  
Buildings and improvements   308,549       300,542  
Machinery and equipment   1,045,864       1,030,720  
Construction in progress   45,077       32,282  
Total property, plant and equipment   1,423,556       1,387,773  
Less: accumulated depreciation   839,274       802,803  
Total property, plant and equipment, net   584,282       584,970  
Total assets $ 2,562,437     $ 2,621,787  
       
Liabilities and equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 406,444     $ 473,485  
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and      
related taxes   69,611       96,487  
Dividends payable   14,348       13,731  
Other accrued items   57,864       57,125  
Income taxes payable   1,276       4,593  
Current maturities of long-term debt   1,387       1,474  
Total current liabilities   550,930       646,895  
Other liabilities   73,053       74,237  
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate   122,806       55,198  
Long-term debt   748,392       748,894  
Deferred income taxes, net   81,001       60,188  
Total liabilities   1,576,182       1,585,412  
Shareholders’ equity – controlling interest   868,672       918,769  
Noncontrolling interests   117,583       117,606  
Total equity   986,255       1,036,375  
Total liabilities and equity $ 2,562,437     $ 2,621,787  

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Six Months Ended
November 30,
    2018       2017       2018       2017  
Operating activities:              
Net earnings $ 37,792     $ 41,622     $ 94,750     $ 89,696  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:              
Depreciation and amortization   23,525       26,283       48,018       51,648  
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets         8,289       2,381       8,289  
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes   3,289       (583 )     22,223       7,351  
Bad debt (income) expense   32       41       253       (21 )
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions   14,182       2,952       4,163       (4,803 )
Net (gain) loss on assets   (312 )     (10,680 )     2,403       (9,255 )
Stock-based compensation   3,456       3,787       6,612       7,194  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:              
Receivables   40,838       (46,097 )     54,247       16,581  
Inventories   5,866       9,871       (37,471 )     (24,825 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (13,249 )     3,622       (21,668 )     4,765  
Other assets   (1,194 )     (626 )     (1,260 )     (976 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (71,711 )     (21,577 )     (100,496 )     (48,368 )
Other liabilities   2,190       2,478       994       5,461  
Net cash provided by operating activities   44,704       19,382       75,149       102,737  
               
Investing activities:              
Investment in property, plant and equipment   (21,741 )     (23,678 )     (41,175 )     (41,691 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired         (523 )           (285,028 )
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates   55,201             55,201        
Proceeds from sale of assets   170       16,312       20,447       16,739  
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities   33,630       (7,889 )     34,473       (309,980 )
               
Financing activities:              
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings, net of issuance costs         302             600  
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs         (594 )           197,685  
Principal payments on long-term debt   (371 )     (220 )     (801 )     (439 )
Payments for issuance of common shares, net of tax withholdings   (658 )     (722 )     (4,749 )     (3,996 )
Payments to noncontrolling interests   (4,007 )     (3,196 )     (6,327 )     (3,916 )
Repurchase of common shares   (63,581 )     (67,448 )     (100,433 )     (112,524 )
Dividends paid   (13,533 )     (13,256 )     (26,252 )     (26,034 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities   (82,150 )     (85,134 )     (138,562 )     51,376  
               
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (3,816 )     (73,641 )     (28,940 )     (155,867 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   96,843       195,855       121,967       278,081  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 93,027     $ 122,214     $ 93,027     $ 122,214  

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
November 30,
  Six Months Ended
November 30,
    2018       2017       2018       2017  
Volume:              
Steel Processing (tons)   950,977       921,961       1,934,067       1,890,291  
Pressure Cylinders (units)   20,143,311       23,321,823       41,942,409       43,763,099  
               
Net sales:              
Steel Processing $ 635,043     $ 538,390     $ 1,295,530     $ 1,081,881  
Pressure Cylinders   294,447       300,862       594,800       570,673  
Engineered Cabs   28,729       30,404       55,981       62,350  
Other   7       1,610       22       4,599  
Total net sales $ 958,226     $ 871,266     $ 1,946,333     $ 1,719,503  
               
Material cost:              
Steel Processing $ 482,915     $ 380,328     $ 961,002     $ 759,548  
Pressure Cylinders   133,442       129,981       272,186       250,612  
Engineered Cabs   12,632       14,934       24,943       29,151  
               
Selling, general and administrative expense:              
Steel Processing $ 33,959     $ 33,543     $ 73,996     $ 70,071  
Pressure Cylinders   44,805       46,312       91,578       91,780  
Engineered Cabs   4,463       4,233       8,925       8,502  
Other   1,441       5,337       810       7,321  
Total selling, general and administrative expense $ 84,668     $ 89,425     $ 175,309     $ 177,674  
               
Operating income (loss):              
Steel Processing $ 25,016     $ 41,130     $ 64,676     $ 74,002  
Pressure Cylinders   14,758       24,675       29,491       35,133  
Engineered Cabs   (3,371 )     (1,587 )     (7,682 )     (1,948 )
Other   (539 )     (12,159 )     290       (12,903 )
Total operating income $ 35,864     $ 52,059     $ 86,775     $ 94,284  
               
Equity income (loss) by unconsolidated affiliate:              
WAVE $ 18,419     $ 13,729     $ 40,427     $ 35,957  
ClarkDietrich   (460 )     374       3,014       1,081  
Serviacero Worthington   2,639       1,514       6,256       4,488  
ArtiFlex   412       865       1,163       2,348  
Other   77       (37 )     235       (123 )
Total equity income $ 21,087     $ 16,445     $ 51,095     $ 43,751  

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
November 30,
  Six Months Ended
November 30,
    2018     2017       2018       2017  
Volume (units):              
Consumer products   16,980,934     19,498,496       34,709,912       35,852,923  
Industrial products   3,162,063     3,822,608       7,231,559       7,908,754  
Oil & gas equipment   314     719       938       1,422  
Total Pressure Cylinders   20,143,311     23,321,823       41,942,409       43,763,099  
               
Net sales:              
Consumer products $ 117,194   $ 123,236     $ 234,017     $ 231,917  
Industrial products   152,018     152,407       304,865       289,100  
Oil & gas equipment   25,235     25,219       55,918       49,656  
Total Pressure Cylinders $ 294,447   $ 300,862     $ 594,800     $ 570,673  
 
 
The following provides detail of impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and restructuring and other expense (income), net included in operating income by segment.
 
  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Six Months Ended
November 30,
    2018     2017       2018       2017  
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets:              
Steel Processing $   $     $     $  
Pressure Cylinders       964       2,381       964  
Engineered Cabs                    
Other       7,325             7,325  
Total impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets $   $ 8,289     $ 2,381     $ 8,289  
               
Restructuring and other expense (income), net:              
Steel Processing $   $ (10,335 )   $ (9 )   $ (10,056 )
Pressure Cylinders   402     488       (525 )     2,365  
Engineered Cabs       (82 )           (78 )
Other       235             379  
Total restructuring and other expense (income), net $ 402   $ (9,694 )   $ (534 )   $ (7,390 )