Worthington Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported net sales of $855.9 million and a net loss of $4.8 million, or $(0.09) per share, for its fiscal 2020 first quarter ended August 31, 2019.  Results for the current quarter were negatively impacted by pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges of $45.3 million, of which $4.2 million was recorded in equity income.  The after-tax impact of these items reduced earnings per share by $0.65.  Results for the current quarter were also negatively impacted by a $4.0 million charge related to the early extinguishment of debt and estimated inventory holding losses in Steel Processing of $8.4 million, which reduced earnings per share by an additional $0.06 and $0.11, respectively.  The impact of these items was partially offset by a pre-tax benefit of $12.8 million, or $0.17 per share, related to the early termination of a customer take-or-pay contract in Pressure Cylinders, which accelerated the recognition of the related future earnings into the current quarter.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company reported net sales of $988.1 million and net earnings of $54.9 million, or $0.91 per share.  Net earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were negatively impacted by pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges totaling $1.4 million, which reduced earnings per share by $0.01.  Inventory holding gains in the prior year quarter were estimated to be $14.0 million, which increased earnings by $0.17 per share.

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

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

  1Q 2020     4Q 2019     1Q 2019  
Net sales $ 855.9     $ 938.8     $ 988.1  
Operating income (loss)   (14.6 )     32.0       50.9  
Equity income   24.8       25.1       30.0  
Net earnings (loss)   (4.8 )     37.7       54.9  
Earnings (loss) per share $ (0.09 )   $ 0.66     $ 0.91  

“Despite softness in several of our end markets and a lot of noise in the numbers, the overall health of the Company is good,” said John McConnell, Chairman and CEO. “We delivered strong results in Pressure Cylinders, led by increasing demand in the oil and gas business and continued solid performance in consumer products.  Steel Processing continues to deal with steel price declines and market softness in automotive and agricultural demand, but our Steel team is managing that business well with a focus on long-term growth.”

Consolidated Quarterly Results

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $855.9 million, down 13% from the comparable quarter in the prior year, when net sales were $988.1 million. The decrease was primarily driven by lower direct volume and lower average direct selling prices in Steel Processing due to a decline in the market price of steel.
                                                                         
Gross margin decreased $25.7 million from the prior year quarter to $117.3 million.  The decrease was driven primarily by compressed direct spreads in Steel Processing, which were negatively impacted by inventory holding losses in the current quarter versus prior year holding gains, combined with lower direct volumes.

Operating loss for the current quarter was $14.6 million, a decrease of $65.5 million from the prior year quarter.  The lower gross margin combined with pre-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $41.1 million, of which $40.6 million related to Engineered Cabs, drove the loss for the quarter.

Interest expense was $9.5 million for the current quarter, compared to $9.7 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was due primarily to lower average debt levels.

Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $5.2 million from the prior year quarter to $24.8 million.  The decrease was primarily due to a $4.2 million impairment charge to write down the Company’s 10% investment in Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel to its estimated fair value.  Equity income in the current quarter was also negatively impacted by a lower contribution from Serviacero, which was partially offset by an increase at WAVE.  The Company received cash distributions of $29.8 million from its unconsolidated joint ventures during the quarter.

An income tax benefit of $0.2 million was recorded in the current quarter, resulting primarily from the impairment charges related to Engineered Cabs.  Excluding the impact of the Engineered Cabs impairment charges, current quarter income tax expense was $7.2 million compared to $14.5 million in the prior year quarter.  The decrease was primarily due to lower earnings.  Tax expense in the current quarter reflects an estimated annual effective rate of 25.1% compared to 23.2% for the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet

At quarter-end, total debt was $699.2 million, down $50.1 million from May 31, 2019 due to the early extinguishment of the Company’s $150.0 million 6.50% 2020 notes, which was partially offset by the issuance of €91.7 million of new long-term euro denominated debt at an average interest rate of 1.76%.  The Company had $45.6 million of cash at quarter-end. 

Quarterly Segment Results

Steel Processing’s net sales totaled $523.4 million, down 21%, or $137.1 million, from the comparable prior year quarter driven by lower direct volume and lower average direct selling prices.  Operating income of $6.2 million was $33.5 million less than the prior year quarter on the combined impact of a compressed pricing spread driven by current quarter inventory holding losses versus prior year holding gains and lower direct volumes. The mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 54% to 46% in the current quarter, compared to 58% to 42% in the prior year quarter.

Pressure Cylinders’ net sales totaled $304.4 million, up 1%, or $4.0 million, over the comparable prior year quarter.  The current quarter benefited due to the impact of an early termination of a customer take-or-pay contract within the industrial products business, which accelerated future planned sales into the current period, partially offset by the impact of divestitures.  Operating income of $29.6 million was $14.9 million higher than the prior year quarter.  The increase was primarily the result of the early contract termination, which added $12.8 million to operating income, combined with improved results in the oil and gas equipment business.

Engineered Cabs’ net sales totaled $28.1 million, up $0.8 million, or 3%, over the prior year quarter on higher volume.  The operating loss of $45.1 million was $40.8 million higher than the prior year quarter driven by impairment charges of $40.6 million.  The Company has commenced a review of its strategic alternatives related to the Engineered Cabs business.

Recent Business Developments

  • On July 26, 2019, the Company completed the sale of Worthington Aritas Basınçlı Kaplar Sanayi A.S., its Turkish manufacturer of cryogenic pressure vessels.  The Company received cash proceeds, net of transaction costs, of $8.3 million.
  • On August 23, 2019, the Company issued €91.7 million of Private Placement notes with an average maturity of 12.4 years and average interest rate of 1.76%.  The company used the proceeds and cash to redeem in full the Company’s $150.0 million 6.50% 2020 notes.
  • During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company repurchased a total of 750,000 common shares for $29.6 million at an average price of $39.45.

Outlook

“We made significant progress in the quarter, continuing to address underperforming and non-core businesses, positioning us well for the remainder of the fiscal year,” said John McConnell, Chairman and CEO.  “While steel price declines remain a headwind for Steel Processing, overall, our businesses are executing well and taking advantage of market opportunities.”

Conference Call

Worthington will review fiscal 2020 first quarter results during its quarterly conference call on September 25, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time.  Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company website at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com.

About Worthington Industries 

Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2019 fiscal year sales of $3.8 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 11,000 people and operates 75 facilities in 10 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, margins, balance sheet strengths, debt, financial condition or other financial measures; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods and the impact of pricing changes; the ability to improve or maintain margins; 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; 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, 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 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; 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, the closing of border crossings, and other changes in trade regulations or relationships; 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; the outcome of adverse claims experience with respect to workers’ compensation, product recalls or product liability, casualty events or other matters; 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 in which the Company participates 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, interruption in utility services, 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; 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; 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, 2019.


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
  2019     2018  
Net sales $ 855,859     $ 988,107  
Cost of goods sold   738,568       845,110  
Gross margin   117,291       142,997  
Selling, general and administrative expense   90,823       90,641  
Impairment of long-lived assets   40,601       2,381  
Restructuring and other expense (income), net   455       (936 )
Operating income (loss)   (14,588 )     50,911  
Other income (expense):              
Miscellaneous income, net   695       265  
Interest expense   (9,480 )     (9,728 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt   (4,034 )      
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates   24,767       30,008  
Earnings (loss) before income taxes   (2,640 )     71,456  
Income tax expense (benefit)   (185 )     14,498  
Net earnings (loss)   (2,455 )     56,958  
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests   2,321       2,016  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to controlling interest $ (4,776 )   $ 54,942  
               
Basic              
Average common shares outstanding   55,241       58,731  
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to controlling interest $ (0.09 )   $ 0.94  
               
Diluted              
Average common shares outstanding   55,241       60,621  
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to controlling interest $ (0.09 )   $ 0.91  
               
               
Common shares outstanding at end of period   54,871       58,389  
               
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.24     $ 0.23  

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

  August 31,     May 31,  
  2019     2019  
Assets              
Current assets:              
Cash and cash equivalents $ 45,583     $ 92,363  
Receivables, less allowances of $1,311 and $1,150 at August 31, 2019              
and May 31, 2019, respectively   472,441       501,944  
Inventories:              
Raw materials   231,418       268,607  
Work in process   85,916       113,848  
Finished products   104,829       101,825  
Total inventories   422,163       484,280  
Income taxes receivable   8,198       10,894  
Assets held for sale   14,591       6,924  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   67,116       69,508  
Total current assets   1,030,092       1,165,913  
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates   212,982       214,930  
Operating lease assets   35,977        
Goodwill   331,144       334,607  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $89,607 and              
$87,759 at August 31, 2019 and May 31, 2019, respectively   190,952       196,059  
Other assets   29,762       20,623  
Property, plant and equipment:              
Land   23,003       23,996  
Buildings and improvements   298,219       310,112  
Machinery and equipment   1,014,975       1,049,068  
Construction in progress   54,488       49,423  
Total property, plant and equipment   1,390,685       1,432,599  
Less: accumulated depreciation   838,962       853,935  
Total property, plant and equipment, net   551,723       578,664  
Total assets $ 2,382,632     $ 2,510,796  
               
Liabilities and equity              
Current liabilities:              
Accounts payable $ 351,363     $ 393,517  
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and              
related taxes   52,577       78,155  
Dividends payable   14,881       14,431  
Other accrued items   52,340       59,810  
Current operating lease liabilities   10,745        
Income taxes payable   151       1,164  
Current maturities of long-term debt   617       150,943  
Total current liabilities   482,674       698,020  
Other liabilities   71,171       69,976  
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate   123,401       121,948  
Long-term debt   698,612       598,356  
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities   29,124        
Deferred income taxes, net   70,209       74,102  
Total liabilities   1,475,191       1,562,402  
Shareholders’ equity – controlling interest   787,973       831,246  
Noncontrolling interests   119,468       117,148  
Total equity   907,441       948,394  
Total liabilities and equity $ 2,382,632     $ 2,510,796  
               

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

  Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
  2019     2018  
Operating activities:              
Net earnings (loss) $ (2,455 )   $ 56,958  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:              
Depreciation and amortization   24,177       24,493  
Impairment of long-lived assets   40,601       2,381  
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes   (1,946 )     18,934  
Bad debt expense   168       221  
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions   5,082       (10,019 )
Net loss on sale of assets   618       2,715  
Stock-based compensation   3,995       3,156  
Loss on extinguishment of debt   4,034        
Changes in assets and liabilities:              
Receivables   14,981       13,409  
Inventories   44,282       (43,337 )
Accounts payable   (37,234 )     2,814  
Accrued compensation and employee benefits   (23,215 )     (30,934 )
Other operating items, net   (8,719 )     (10,346 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   64,369       30,445  
               
Investing activities:              
Investment in property, plant and equipment   (22,174 )     (19,434 )
Proceeds from sale of assets   9,176       20,277  
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities   (12,998 )     843  
               
Financing activities:              
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs   101,598        
Principal payments on long-term obligations and debt redemption costs   (153,977 )     (430 )
Payments for issuance of common shares, net of tax withholdings   (3,213 )     (4,091 )
Payments to noncontrolling interests         (2,320 )
Repurchase of common shares   (29,599 )     (36,852 )
Dividends paid   (12,960 )     (12,719 )
Net cash used by financing activities   (98,151 )     (56,412 )
               
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (46,780 )     (25,124 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   92,363       121,967  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 45,583     $ 96,843  
               

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
(In thousands, except volume)

This supplemental information is provided to assist in the analysis of the results of operations.  
   
   
  Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
  2019     2018  
Volume:              
Steel Processing (tons)   891,387       983,090  
Pressure Cylinders (units)   20,183,688       21,799,098  
               
Net sales:              
Steel Processing $ 523,375     $ 660,487  
Pressure Cylinders   304,396       300,353  
Engineered Cabs   28,066       27,252  
Other   22       15  
Total net sales $ 855,859     $ 988,107  
               
Material cost:              
Steel Processing $ 396,442     $ 478,087  
Pressure Cylinders   126,870       138,744  
Engineered Cabs   13,086       12,311  
               
Selling, general and administrative expense:              
Steel Processing $ 35,516     $ 40,037  
Pressure Cylinders   46,466       46,773  
Engineered Cabs   4,247       4,462  
Other   4,594       (631 )
Total selling, general and administrative expense $ 90,823     $ 90,641  
               
Operating income (loss):              
Steel Processing $ 6,168     $ 39,660  
Pressure Cylinders   29,623       14,733  
Engineered Cabs   (45,128 )     (4,311 )
Other   (5,251 )     829  
Total operating income (loss) $ (14,588 )   $ 50,911  
               
Equity income (loss) by unconsolidated affiliate:              
WAVE $ 23,917     $ 22,008  
ClarkDietrich   4,090       3,474  
Serviacero Worthington   754       3,617  
ArtiFlex   206       751  
Other   (4,200 )     158  
Total equity income $ 24,767     $ 30,008  
               

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
(In thousands, except volume)

The following provides detail of Pressure Cylinders volume and net sales by principal class of products.  
   
  Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
  2019     2018  
Volume (units):              
Consumer products   16,898,390       17,728,978  
Industrial products   3,284,455       4,069,496  
Oil & gas equipment   843       624  
Total Pressure Cylinders   20,183,688       21,799,098  
               
Net sales:              
Consumer products $ 119,480     $ 116,823  
Industrial products   152,618       152,847  
Oil & gas equipment   32,298       30,683  
Total Pressure Cylinders $ 304,396     $ 300,353  
   
               
   
   
The following provides detail of impairment of long-lived assets and restructuring and other expense (income), net included in operating income by segment.  
   
  Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
  2019     2018  
Impairment of long-lived assets:              
Steel Processing $     $  
Pressure Cylinders         2,381  
Engineered Cabs   40,601        
Other          
Total impairment of long-lived assets $ 40,601     $ 2,381  
               
Restructuring and other expense (income), net:              
Steel Processing $ (26 )   $ (9 )
Pressure Cylinders         (927 )
Engineered Cabs          
Other   481        
Total restructuring and other expense (income), net $ 455     $ (936 )
               

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

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