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Worthington Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Results

WOR | September 25, 2019

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	)