Worthington Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results


COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) today reported net sales of $845.3 million and net earnings of $56.5 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for its fiscal 2017 fourth quarter ended May 31, 2017.  In the fourth quarter of the prior year, the Company reported net sales of $714.7 million and net earnings of $58.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted share.  Net earnings in the prior year quarter included a $6.9 million pre-tax gain related to the consolidation of the Worthington Specialty Processing (WSP) joint venture and $1.9 million of pre-tax restructuring charges.  The net after-tax impact of these items increased earnings per diluted share by $0.05.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, the Company reported net sales of $3.0 billion and net earnings of $204.5 million, or $3.15 per diluted share, up from net earnings of $143.7, or $2.22 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Net sales were up 7%, or $194.4 million year over year, driven primarily by higher average selling prices in Steel Processing.  Net earnings in the current fiscal year were adversely affected by pre-tax restructuring charges totaling $6.4 million, which reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.07.  Impairment and restructuring charges in the prior fiscal year resulted in a net pre-tax charge of $33.1 million, which when combined with the $6.9 million pre-tax gain related to the consolidation of WSP reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.26.

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

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

 4Q 2017  3Q 2017  4Q 2016  12M 2017  12M 2016
Net sales$845.3  $703.4  $714.7  $3,014.1  $2,819.7
Operating income 70.9   34.3   54.0   213.1   122.1
Equity income 25.7   22.7   34.1   110.0   115.0
Net earnings 56.5   35.9   58.5   204.5   143.7
Earnings per diluted share$0.87  $0.55  $0.92  $3.15  $2.22

“We finished our fiscal year with strong results, leading to record annual earnings per share for the Company,” said John McConnell, Chairman and CEO.  “While we benefited from rising steel prices, we also saw increases in volume for Steel Processing with improvements in markets such as agriculture.  Pressure Cylinders performance was steady for the year despite headwinds caused by softness in the oil & gas equipment market, which showed signs of improving in the fourth quarter.  Engineered Cabs also benefited from better agriculture and construction markets.  Our joint venture results were down from a year ago as higher steel prices weighed on WAVE’s results.”  McConnell added, “I want to congratulate all of our employees for an excellent 2017.” 

Consolidated Quarterly Results 

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 were $845.3 million, up 18% over the prior year quarter, when net sales were $714.7 million.  Steel Processing accounted for the majority of the increase, as average selling prices and overall volume were both up over the prior year quarter.

Gross margin increased $20.4 million over the prior year quarter to $154.8 million, driven by higher shipments and favorable spreads in Steel Processing and improvements in certain Pressure Cylinders businesses. Pricing spreads in Steel Processing benefited from significantly higher inventory holding gains than in the prior year quarter.  

Operating income for the current quarter was $70.9 million, an increase of $16.8 million over the prior year quarter. The improvement in gross margin was partially offset by higher SG&A expense, up $5.0 million on higher profit sharing and bonus expense and transaction costs incurred in connection with the June 2, 2017 acquisition of Amtrol, as discussed below under Recent Business Developments.

Interest expense was $6.6 million for the current quarter, compared to $8.1 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was due primarily to lower short-term borrowings.

Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $8.4 million from the prior year quarter to $25.7 million on lower contributions from ClarkDietrich, WAVE and ArtiFlex.  The Company received cash distributions of $17.8 million from unconsolidated joint ventures during the quarter for a total of $102.0 million for fiscal 2017, a cash conversion rate of 93% on equity income.

Income tax expense was $30.6 million in the current quarter compared to $24.8 million in the prior year quarter.  The increase was due primarily to favorable discrete items recorded in the prior year quarter.  Tax expense in the current quarter reflects an annual effective rate of 35.2% compared to 29.8% for the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet

At quarter-end, total debt was $578.6 million compared to $577.0 million at February 28, 2017.  The Company had $278.1 million of cash at quarter-end, the majority of which was used in funding the Amtrol acquisition, which closed on June 2, 2017.

Quarterly Segment Results

Steel Processing’s net sales totaled $582.2 million, up 25%, or $116.2 million, over the comparable prior year quarter driven primarily by higher average selling prices.  Operating income of $54.2 million was $13.8 million higher than the prior year quarter on higher direct volume and a favorable pricing spread, which benefited from significantly higher inventory holding gains than the prior year quarter.  The mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 54% to 46% in the current quarter, compared to 52% to 48% in the prior year quarter.

Pressure Cylinders’ net sales totaled $231.5 million, up 6%, or $12.9 million, over the comparable prior year quarter on higher contributions from the oil & gas equipment and industrial products businesses.  Operating income of $18.6 million was $5.7 million higher than the prior year quarter driven primarily by market improvements in the oil & gas equipment business, partially offset by a decline in the alternative fuels business.    

Engineered Cabs’ net sales of $29.8 million were up $0.7 million, or 2%, over the prior year quarter on higher volume.  The operating loss of $0.5 million was $1.2 million less than the prior year quarter on lower restructuring charges and the favorable impact of higher volume.

The “Other” category includes the energy innovations business, as well as non-allocated corporate expenses.  Net sales in the “Other” category were $1.8 million, an increase of $0.8 million over the prior year quarter on higher volume in the energy innovations business.  Operating income declined $3.9 million due to increases in accrued legal expense and other non-allocated corporate expenses.

Recent Business Developments

  • On June 2, 2017, the Company acquired Amtrol, a leading manufacturer of pressure cylinders and water system tanks with operations in the U.S. and Europe.  The purchase price was approximately $283 million.

  • On June 28, 2017, Worthington’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share payable on September 29, 2017 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2017.

Outlook

“As we begin our new fiscal year, we are optimistic that we will continue to see improvements in some of our key markets, and we are very pleased to have closed on our largest acquisition to date with the purchase of Amtrol,” McConnell said.  “We think the addition of Amtrol, along with the successful traction of Transformation in Pressure Cylinders, provide good momentum and have us well-positioned for growth.  All of our businesses are focused on continuing to improve through our Transformation in driving lean practices, with innovation and by strengthening our competitive position in the markets we serve.”

Conference Call

Worthington will review fiscal 2017 fourth quarter and fiscal year end results during its quarterly conference call on June 29, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time.  Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company web site at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com.

About Worthington Industries 

Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2017 fiscal year sales of $3.0 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 gases and for 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 11,000 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, earnings potential, 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 us or our 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; our ability to successfully integrate Amtrol and the expected benefits, costs and results from the acquisition of Amtrol; 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; 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; 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; 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 other 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, or 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 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; cyber security risks; 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, 2016.


 
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended
May 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
May 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016 
Net sales$845,343  $714,671  $3,014,108  $2,819,714 
Cost of goods sold 690,513   580,196   2,478,203   2,367,121 
Gross margin 154,830   134,475   535,905   452,593 
Selling, general and administrative expense 83,554   78,580   316,373   297,402 
Impairment of long-lived assets -   -   -   25,962 
Restructuring and other expense 417   1,883   6,411   7,177 
Operating income 70,859   54,012   213,121   122,052 
Other income (expense):       
Miscellaneous income, net 1,280   7,544   3,764   11,267 
Interest expense (6,594)  (8,131)  (29,796)  (31,670)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates 25,673   34,144   110,038   114,966 
Earnings before income taxes 91,218   87,569   297,127   216,615 
Income tax expense 30,635   24,831   79,190   58,987 
Net earnings 60,583   62,738   217,937   157,628 
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 4,089   4,215   13,422   13,913 
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest$56,494  $58,523  $204,515  $143,715 
        
Basic       
Average common shares outstanding 62,792   61,453   62,443   62,469 
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest$0.90  $0.95  $3.28  $2.30 
        
Diluted       
Average common shares outstanding 64,950   63,933   64,874   64,755 
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest$0.87  $0.92  $3.15  $2.22 
        
        
Common shares outstanding at end of period 62,802   61,534   62,802   61,534 
        
Cash dividends declared per share$0.20  $0.19  $0.80  $0.76 


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
 May 31, May 31,
 2017 2016
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$278,081 $84,188
Receivables, less allowances of $3,444 and $4,579 at May 31, 2017   
and May 31, 2016, respectively 486,730  439,688
Inventories:   
Raw materials 185,001  162,427
Work in process 95,630  86,892
Finished products 73,303  70,016
Total inventories 353,934  319,335
Income taxes receivable 7,164  10,535
Assets held for sale 9,654  10,079
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 55,406  51,290
Total current assets 1,190,969  915,115
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 208,591  191,826
Goodwill 247,673  246,067
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $63,134 and   
$49,532 at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively 82,781  96,164
Other assets 24,841  29,254
Property, plant and equipment:   
Total property, plant and equipment 1,309,186  1,269,617
Less: accumulated depreciation 738,697  686,779
Total property, plant and equipment, net 570,489  582,838
Total assets$2,325,344 $2,061,264
    
Liabilities and equity   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$368,071 $290,432
Short-term borrowings 123  2,651
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and   
related taxes 86,201  75,105
Dividends payable 13,698  13,471
Other accrued items 41,551  45,056
Income taxes payable 4,448  2,501
Current maturities of long-term debt 6,691  862
Total current liabilities 520,783  430,078
Other liabilities 61,498  63,487
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 63,038  52,983
Long-term debt 571,796  577,491
Deferred income taxes, net 34,300  17,379
Total liabilities 1,251,415  1,141,418
Shareholders' equity - controlling interest 951,635  793,371
Noncontrolling interests 122,294  126,475
Total equity 1,073,929  919,846
Total liabilities and equity$2,325,344 $2,061,264
    


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
 Three Months Ended
May 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
May 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016 
Operating activities:       
Net earnings$60,583  $62,738  $217,937  $157,628 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:       
Depreciation and amortization 21,639   21,951   86,793   84,699 
Impairment of long-lived assets -   -   -   25,962 
Provision for deferred income taxes 8,497   13,423   18,443   7,354 
Bad debt expense 159   151   269   346 
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions (7,841)  (12,949)  (8,023)  (29,473)
Net (gain) loss on assets 4,593   (5,363)  7,951   (12,996)
Stock-based compensation 3,085   4,552   14,349   15,836 
Gain on previously held equity interest in WSP -   (6,877)  -   (6,877)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:       
Receivables (5,007)  (10,674)  (39,927)  66,117 
Inventories (13,730)  5,319   (34,599)  66,351 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,939   9,003   985   18,327 
Other assets (82)  (511)  1,905   (4,530)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 643   37,645   67,492   20,180 
Other liabilities (716)  (892)  2,097   4,460 
Net cash provided by operating activities 80,762   117,516   335,672   413,384 
        
Investing activities:       
Investment in property, plant and equipment (16,212)  (21,571)  (68,386)  (97,036)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired -   -   -   (34,206)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates -   -   -   (5,595)
Proceeds from sale of assets 4,464   (89)  5,422   9,797 
Net cash used by investing activities (11,748)  (21,660)  (62,964)  (127,040)
        
Financing activities:       
Net repayments of short-term borrowings (44)  (28,115)  (2,528)  (85,843)
Proceeds from long-term debt -   -   -   921 
Principal payments on long-term debt (219)  (218)  (874)  (862)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of tax withholdings 150   2,896   (9,075)  8,707 
Payments to noncontrolling interests (5,481)  -   (15,622)  (9,106)
Repurchase of common shares -   -   -   (99,847)
Dividends paid (12,620)  (11,663)  (50,716)  (47,193)
Net cash used by financing activities (18,214)  (37,100)  (78,815)  (233,223)
        
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 50,800   58,756   193,893   53,121 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 227,281   25,432   84,188   31,067 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$278,081  $84,188  $278,081  $84,188 
        


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
May 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
May 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016 
Volume:       
Steel Processing (tons) 1,074,792   1,028,278   4,070,258   3,523,429 
Pressure Cylinders (units) 18,269,337   19,555,999   71,335,613   72,543,097 
        
Net sales:       
Steel Processing$582,215  $466,023  $2,074,869  $1,843,661 
Pressure Cylinders 231,543   218,610   829,846   844,898 
Engineered Cabs 29,797   29,077   101,388   121,946 
Other 1,788   961   8,005   9,209 
Total net sales$845,343  $714,671  $3,014,108  $2,819,714 
        
Material cost:       
Steel Processing$388,523  $289,897  $1,364,508  $1,245,051 
Pressure Cylinders 95,333   90,372   338,389   359,802 
Engineered Cabs 13,873   13,579   46,062   57,326 
        
Selling, general and administrative expense:       
Steel Processing$38,413  $36,969  $145,523  $132,827 
Pressure Cylinders 39,145   37,675   146,850   143,853 
Engineered Cabs 4,168   4,249   15,370   18,506 
Other 1,828   (313)  8,630   2,216 
Total selling, general and administrative expense$83,554  $78,580  $316,373  $297,402 
                
Operating income (loss):               
Steel Processing$54,225  $40,427  $170,481  $112,001 
Pressure Cylinders 18,618   12,896   54,098   28,375 
Engineered Cabs (460)  (1,697)  (7,685)  (19,331)
Other (1,524)  2,386   (3,773)  1,007 
Total operating income$70,859  $54,012  $213,121  $122,052 
        
Equity income (loss) by unconsolidated affiliate:       
WAVE$20,375  $22,887  $78,253  $82,725 
ClarkDietrich 1,598   4,346   17,280   14,635 
Serviacero 2,725   3,399   7,197   6,253 
ArtiFlex 951   3,183   7,046   10,336 
WSP -   -   -   1,665 
Other 24   329   262   (648)
Total equity income$25,673  $34,144  $110,038  $114,966 
        


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
May 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
May 31,
  2017   2016  2017   2016 
Volume (units):       
Consumer products 15,029,233   16,310,645  60,665,420   61,631,907 
Industrial products 3,097,971   3,117,260  10,155,628   10,484,892 
Alternative fuels 141,496   127,430  512,257   422,630 
Oil & gas equipment 637   664  2,308   3,668 
Total Pressure Cylinders 18,269,337   19,555,999  71,335,613   72,543,097 
        
Net sales:       
Consumer products$82,464  $81,492 $315,077  $293,222 
Industrial products 98,435   94,272  341,222   362,659 
Alternative fuels 29,379   27,676  111,282   98,746 
Oil & gas equipment 21,265   15,170  62,265   90,271 
Total Pressure Cylinders$231,543  $218,610 $829,846  $844,898 
               
 
The following provides detail of impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring and other expense included in operating income (loss) by segment.
 
 Three Months Ended
May 31,
 Twelve Months Ended
May 31,
  2017   2016  2017   2016 
Impairment of long-lived assets:       
Steel Processing$-  $- $-  $- 
Pressure Cylinders -   -  -   22,962 
Engineered Cabs -   -  -   3,000 
Other -   -  -   - 
Total impairment of long-lived assets$-  $- $-  $25,962 
        
Restructuring and other expense (income):       
Steel Processing$332  $322 $1,828  $4,110 
Pressure Cylinders 246   708  3,411   392 
Engineered Cabs (159)  511  1,219   3,570 
Other (2)  342  (47)  (895)
Total restructuring and other expense$417  $1,883 $6,411  $7,177 
        



            

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