COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 29, 2010--Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) today reported net sales of $616.8 million and net earnings of $23.3 million, or $0.30 per share, for its fiscal 2011 first quarter ended August 31, 2010. In last year’s first quarter, the Company reported net sales of $417.5 million and net earnings of $6.7 million, or $0.08 per share.

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

	1Q2011	4Q2010	1Q2010
Net sales	$616.8	$626.4	$417.5
Operating income (loss)	22.5	42.6	(4.5)
Equity income	18.3	18.8	16.1
Net earnings	23.3	33.1	6.7
Earnings per share	$0.30	$0.42	$0.08

“We had an excellent performance this quarter,” John P. McConnell, Chairman and CEO said. “While the slowly rebounding economy helped with modestly increased volumes, Steel Processing had impressive results along with Pressure Cylinders and our WAVE joint venture. We continue to be focused on excellence in operations, customer service and inventory management, as well as in our ability to grow through market share gains, new business and acquisitions.”

Net sales for the first quarter ended August 31, 2010, were $616.8 million, up 48% from the comparable quarter last year, when net sales were $417.5 million. An overall increase in volumes had a $121.7 million positive impact on net sales as both Steel Processing and Pressure Cylinders showed improvements, while Metal Framing’s volumes declined.

Gross margin for the current quarter was $78.9 million, or 13% of net sales. This represented a 60% increase over the prior year quarter’s gross margin of $49.2 million, or 12% of net sales. The improvement was primarily due to increased volumes in both Steel Processing and Pressure Cylinders, partially due to acquisitions, and a slight improvement in the spread between average selling prices and the cost of steel. These improvements were somewhat offset by higher manufacturing labor expenses in the current quarter. In the prior year quarter, the economy had been in the worst part of the recession, particularly for the automotive sector, which resulted in lower Company earnings, base wage reductions and lower profit sharing and bonus expenses. In the current quarter, increased earnings resulted in higher profit sharing and bonus expenses.

SG&A expenses were $5.4 million higher than the prior year quarter primarily due to increased SG&A expenses from acquisitions as well as higher profit sharing, bonus and wage expenses.

Operating income for the quarter was $22.5 million, driven higher by the increase in volume and the improved spreads, offset by the increase in SG&A, noted above.

Interest expense was $4.7 million in the quarter, up from $2.5 million in the prior year quarter mainly due to higher debt levels and the rate on the $150 million 6.5% unsecured notes, issued in April.

Equity in net income from unconsolidated joint ventures was $18.3 million, an increase of $2.2 million from the comparable year-ago quarter, on sales of $213.1 million. While Worthington Armstrong Venture (WAVE) represents the majority of equity earnings, the TWB Company laser welding operation realized a $2.4 million improvement and was the primary driver for the increase over the prior year quarter.

For the quarter, income tax expense of $10.8 million compared to income tax expense of $3.3 million a year ago. The current quarter reflects an estimated annual effective tax rate of 32.5% compared to 33.6% last year, prior to the impact of discrete tax adjustments, which were minimal for both quarters.

At quarter end, total debt was $415.4 million, up $165.1 million from the previous quarter ended May 31, 2010, $65.0 million of the increase was attributable to new accounting rules effective June 1, 2010, that require the accounts receivable securitization facility to be recorded as debt. A total of $100.1 million was drawn on the revolving credit facility. The Company had also utilized $65.0 million of its $100.0 million trade accounts receivable securitization facility.

Cash used by operating activities for the quarter was $69.2 million, compared to cash provided by operations of $96.2 million in the year-ago quarter and cash used by operating activities of $9.6 million from the previous quarter. The increase in working capital is largely due to improving volumes compared to the year ago quarter.

During the current quarter, the Company spent $6.3 million in property, plant and equipment, and $12.2 million in the acquisition of the assets of Hy-Mark Cylinders. Additionally, the Company repurchased 4.8 million common shares for $67.4 million, of which $63.0 million was paid by the end of the quarter. This reduced the total outstanding shares to 74.5 million at quarter end.

Steel Processing’s net sales of $354.9 million were up 95%, or $173.3 million, over the prior year quarter. Higher volumes increased sales by $110.8 million, which includes the contribution from the Gibraltar strip steel acquisition. Higher average selling prices increased sales by $62.5 million. Sales volumes grew 54% over the prior year quarter primarily in the automotive market.

Steel Processing’s mix of direct versus toll tons processed was 58% to 42% this quarter, consistent with the mix a year ago. Operating income improved by $15.8 million to $16.6 million. Higher volumes contributed $26.5 million to operating income offset by higher manufacturing and SG&A expenses. Margins continue to benefit from better inventory management and operating improvements implemented as part of the ongoing Transformation effort. SG&A expenses were higher primarily due to increased wages, profit sharing and bonus expenses as explained above.

Pressure Cylinders’ net sales of $136.1 million were up 34% from the year ago quarter. The North American operations experienced volume increases in refrigerant, high pressure and propane cylinders, in addition to being aided by the acquisitions of SCI and Hy-Mark. Overall volumes for the European operations improved as the industrial gas and automotive markets began to recover from the global economic downturn. Operating income increased 86% from the prior year quarter to $11 million, driven by solid North American operations, and the gradual improvement and return to modest profitability in Europe.

Metal Framing’s net sales of $84.5 million were down 11%, or $10.9 million, from the prior year quarter and volumes were down 23%, reducing net sales by $24.7 million. The impact of higher material costs was offset by higher average selling prices. This segment has been negatively impacted by a dramatically weakened commercial construction market and pricing pressures, however, the operating loss of $3.9 million was 8% better than the prior year quarter.

“Although we are operating in an environment with volumes well below historical levels, we have been able to produce solid results in most of our businesses. In Steel Processing, we have clearly benefited from our focus on improvement at all levels. This has been a key to this business segment’s increasing profitability, along with a slowly improving economy and our recent strip steel acquisition.” McConnell added, “Pressure Cylinders is starting to benefit from slowly improving European markets and we would expect continued solid demand from most North American product lines. Our third main business segment, Metal Framing, will continue to work hard at staying cash neutral while it remains dramatically impacted by the commercial construction market, which seems in no hurry to improve.

“We are pursuing opportunities to take our mid-rise construction system to global markets and initial efforts are being well-received,” McConnell said. “We also will continue to search for strategic growth opportunities to help expand our results.”

On August 30, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share which was paid September 29, 2010, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2010.

Worthington will review first quarter results during its quarterly conference call, September 30, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company web site at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com.

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metals manufacturing company with 2010 fiscal year sales of approximately $1.9 billion. The Columbus, Ohio based company is North America’s premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured pressure cylinders, such as propane, oxygen and helium tanks, hand torches, camping cylinders, CNG, and scuba tanks; light gauge steel framing for commercial and residential construction; framing systems and stairs for mid-rise buildings; current and past model automotive service stampings; metal ceiling grid systems; steel pallets and racks; and laser welded blanks. Worthington employs approximately 6,500 people and operates 65 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 an unwavering commitment to the customer, supplier, and shareholder, and it serves as the Company’s foundation for one of the strongest employee-employer partnerships in American industry.

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 business plans or future or expected growth, performance, sales, volumes, cash flows, earnings, balance sheet strengths, debt, financial condition or other financial measures; projected profitability potential, capacity, working capital needs; demand trends for the Company or its markets; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods and the impact of pricing changes; anticipated capital expenditures and asset sales; anticipated improvements and efficiencies in costs, operations, sales, inventory management, sourcing and the supply chain and the results thereof; the ability to make acquisitions, projected timing, results, benefits, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions, headcount reductions and facility dispositions, shutdowns and consolidations; the alignment of operations with demand; the ability to operate profitably and generate cash in down markets, the ability to capture and maintain margins and market share and to develop or take advantage of future opportunities, new products and markets; expectations for Company and customer inventories, jobs and orders; expectations for the economy and markets or improvements in the economy or markets; expected benefits from Transformation plans, cost reduction efforts and other new initiatives; expectations for improving and sustaining earnings, 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 worldwide economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including a prolonged or substantial economic downturn; the effect of conditions in national and worldwide financial markets; product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of the Company’s products; fluctuations in pricing, quality or availability of raw materials (particularly steel), supplies, transportation, utilities and other items required by operations; effects of facility closures and the consolidation of operations; the effect of financial difficulties, consolidation and other changes within the steel, automotive, construction 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 head count 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 achieve synergies therefrom; capacity levels and efficiencies, within facilities and within the industry 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, acts of war 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, and foreign currency exposure; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; adverse claims experience with respect to workers’ compensation, product recalls or 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, 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, both in the United States and abroad; and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands, except per share)

	Three Months Ended
	August 31,
	2010			2009
Net sales	$	616,805		$	417,527
Cost of goods sold		537,891			368,327
Gross margin		78,914			49,200
Selling, general and administrative expense		55,378			50,025
Restructuring and other expense		1,064			3,626
Operating income (loss)		22,472			(4,451	)
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income (expense)		(43	)		1,695
Interest expense		(4,708	)		(2,511	)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		18,289			16,144
Earnings before income taxes		36,010			10,877
Income tax expense		10,812			3,282
Net earnings		25,198			7,595
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,899			920
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest	$	23,299		$	6,675

Basic
Average common shares outstanding		77,658			79,065
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest	$	0.30		$	0.08

Diluted
Average common shares outstanding		77,680			79,081
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest	$	0.30		$	0.08


Common shares outstanding at end of period		74,494			79,074

Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.10		$	0.10


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

	August 31,		May 31,
	2010		2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	64,865	$	59,016
Receivables, less allowances of $5,450 and $5,752 at August 31, 2010 and May 31, 2010		324,031		301,455
Inventories:
Raw materials		172,466		177,819
Work in process		107,308		106,261
Finished products		93,078		80,251
Total inventories		372,852		364,331
Income taxes receivable		1,128		1,443
Assets held for sale		3,800		2,637
Deferred income taxes		21,972		21,964
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		33,159		31,439
Total current assets		821,807		782,285

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		113,314		113,001
Goodwill		84,479		79,543
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $18,712 and $17,768 at August 31, 2010 and May 31, 2010		25,699		23,964
Other assets		14,690		15,391
Property, plant and equipment, net		497,117		506,163
Total assets	$	1,557,106	$	1,520,347

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	204,221	$	258,730
Short-term borrowings		165,110		-
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and related taxes		39,838		62,413
Dividends payable		7,459		7,932
Other accrued items		43,632		41,635
Income taxes payable		7,425		9,092
Total current liabilities		467,685		379,802

Other liabilities		71,406		68,380
Long-term debt		250,242		250,238
Deferred income taxes		68,128		71,893
Total liabilities		857,461		770,313

Shareholders' equity - controlling interest		662,245		711,413
Noncontrolling interest		37,400		38,621
Total equity		699,645		750,034
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,557,106	$	1,520,347


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

	Three Months Ended
	August 31,
	2010			2009
Operating activities
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest	$	23,299		$	6,675
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to controlling interest to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		15,823			15,896
Restructuring and other expense, non-cash		257			2,823
Provision for deferred income taxes		(2,643	)		2,393
Bad debt expense		5			(493	)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions		(1,655	)		(520	)
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,899			920
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets		(683	)		149
Stock-based compensation		1,454			974
Gain on acquisition		-			(1,123	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables		(23,222	)		7,752
Inventories		(5,469	)		41,777
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(742	)		967
Other assets		701			119
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(80,385	)		17,312
Other liabilities		2,166			606
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		(69,195	)		96,227

Investing activities
Investment in property, plant and equipment, net		(6,334	)		(7,749	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(12,175	)		(9,713	)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		-			(111	)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates		-			375
Proceeds from sale of assets		2,142			19
Net cash used by investing activities		(16,367	)		(17,179	)

Financing activities
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings		165,110			94,460
Principal payments on long-term debt		-			(118,548	)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares		302			1,092
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest		(3,120	)		(2,064	)
Repurchase of common shares		(62,955	)		-
Dividends paid		(7,926	)		(7,906	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		91,411			(32,966	)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents		5,849			46,082
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		59,016			56,319
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	64,865		$	102,401


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
(In thousands)

This supplemental information is provided to assist in the analysis of the results of operations.

	Three Months Ended
	August 31,
	2010			2009
Volume:
Steel Processing (tons)		617			401
Pressure Cylinders (units)		14,269			13,920
Metal Framing (tons)		64			83

Net sales:
Steel Processing	$	354,865		$	181,586
Pressure Cylinders		136,074			101,312
Metal Framing		84,504			95,437
Other		41,362			39,192
Total net sales	$	616,805		$	417,527

Material cost:
Steel Processing	$	261,186		$	130,084
Pressure Cylinders		63,517			45,806
Metal Framing		56,717			58,546

Operating income (loss):
Steel Processing	$	16,617		$	808
Pressure Cylinders		10,954			5,891
Metal Framing		(3,930	)		(4,289	)
Other		(1,169	)		(6,861	)
Total operating income (loss)	$	22,472		$	(4,451	)


The following provides detail of the restructuring and other expense included in the operating income (loss) by segment presented above.

	Three Months Ended
	August 31,
	2010			2009

Pre-tax restructuring and other expense by segment:
Steel Processing	$	(102	)	$	479
Pressure Cylinders		-			288
Metal Framing		920			3,576
Other		246			(717	)
Total restructuring and other expense	$	1,064		$	3,626

CONTACT:
Worthington Industries, Inc.
Cathy M. Lyttle, 614-438-3077
VP, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
E-mail: cmlyttle@WorthingtonIndustries.com
or
Sonya L. Higginbotham, 614-438-7391
Director, Corporate Communications
E-mail: slhiggin@WorthingtonIndustries.com
or
www.WorthingtonIndustries.com