-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, VejLtplJ1QccW5Y+kCBVdPGzOrxXoG2AhHwforAtHttJ7fOZTbqXrWCfMYUV/5dQ q/r2ffifF9WW98kSfHDMVw== 0001193125-09-213938.txt : 20091027 0001193125-09-213938.hdr.sgml : 20091027 20091026180827 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-09-213938 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20091026 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20091027 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091026 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CRANE CO /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000025445 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS [3490] IRS NUMBER: 131952290 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-01657 FILM NUMBER: 091137699 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: CRANE CO. STREET 2: 100 FIRST STAMFORD PLACE CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 BUSINESS PHONE: 203-363-7300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: CRANE CO. STREET 2: 100 FIRST STAMFORD PLACE CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 26, 2009

 

 

CRANE CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

DELAWARE

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

1-1657   13-1952290
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT   06902
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 363-7300

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


SECTION 2 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 26, 2009, Crane Co. announced its results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Copies of the related press release and quarterly financial data supplement are being furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to this Form 8-K.

The information furnished under Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

SECTION 8 – OTHER EVENTS

 

Item 8.01 Other Events

Asbestos Liability

Information Regarding Claims and Costs in the Tort System

As of September 30, 2009, the Company was a defendant in cases filed in various state and federal courts alleging injury or death as a result of exposure to asbestos. Activity related to asbestos claims during the periods indicated was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008     2008  

Beginning claims

   71,420      81,979      74,872      80,999      80,999   

New claims

   696      936      2,900      3,585      4,671   

Settlements*

   (275   (323   (820   (963   (1,236

Dismissals

   (1,559   (6,411   (6,670   (7,440   (9,562
                              

Ending claims **

   70,282      76,181      70,282      76,181      74,872   
                              

 

* Includes Joseph Norris and Earl Haupt judgments.
** Does not include 36,447 maritime actions that were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania pursuant to an order by the Federal Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”). These claims have been placed on the inactive docket of cases that are administratively dismissed without prejudice in the MDL.

Of the 70,282 pending claims as of September 30, 2009, approximately 25,100 claims were pending in New York, approximately 14,200 claims were pending in Mississippi, approximately 9,800 claims were pending in Texas and approximately 2,100 claims were pending in Ohio, all jurisdictions in which legislation or judicial orders restrict the types of claims that can proceed to trial on the merits.

Substantially all of the claims the Company resolves are either dismissed or concluded through settlements. To date, the Company has paid two judgments arising from adverse jury verdicts in asbestos matters. The first payment, in the amount of $2.54 million, was made on July 14, 2008, approximately two years after the adverse verdict, in the Joseph Norris matter in Los Angeles, California, after the Company had exhausted all post-trial and appellate remedies. The second payment in the amount of $0.02 million, was made in June 2009 after an adverse verdict in the Earl Haupt case in Los Angeles, California on April 21, 2009. Such judgment amounts are not included in the Company’s incurred costs until all available appeals are exhausted and the final payment amount is determined.

 

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During the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, the Company tried several cases resulting in verdicts for the defense by the jury or directed verdicts for the defense by the court, one of which, the Patrick O’Neil claim in Los Angeles, was reversed on appeal and is currently the subject of further appellate proceedings. However, on March 14, 2008, the Company received an adverse verdict in the James Baccus claim in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with compensatory damages of $2.45 million and additional damages of $11.9 million. The Company’s post-trial motions were denied by order dated January 5, 2009. The Company intends to pursue all available rights to appeal the verdict.

On May 16, 2008, the Company received an adverse verdict in the Chief Brewer claim in Los Angeles, California. The amount of the judgment entered was $0.68 million plus interest and costs. The Company is pursuing an appeal in this matter.

On February 2, 2009, the Company received an adverse verdict in the Dennis Woodard claim in Los Angeles, California. The jury found that the Company was responsible for one-half of one percent (0.5%) of plaintiffs’ damages of $16.93 million; however, based on California court rules regarding allocation and damages, judgment was entered against the Company in the amount of $1.65 million, plus costs. Following entry of judgment, the Company filed a motion with the trial court requesting judgment in the Company’s favor notwithstanding the jury’s verdict, and on June 30, 2009 the court advised that the Company’s motion was granted and judgment was entered in favor of the Company. The plaintiffs have appealed that ruling.

The gross settlement and defense costs incurred (before insurance recoveries and tax effects) for the Company in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 totaled $86.1 million and $71.1 million, respectively. In contrast to the recognition of settlement and defense costs that reflect the current level of activity in the tort system, cash payments and receipts generally lag the tort system activity by several months or more, and may show some fluctuation from quarter to quarter. Cash payments of settlement amounts are not made until all releases and other required documentation are received by the Company, and reimbursements of both settlement amounts and defense costs by insurers may be uneven due to insurer payment practices, transitions from one insurance layer to the next excess layer and the payment terms of certain reimbursement agreements. The Company’s total pre-tax payments for settlement and defense costs, net of funds received from insurers, in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 totaled $34.8 million, (reflecting the receipt of $14.5 million for full policy buyout from Highlands Insurance Company (“Highlands”)) and $34.9 million, respectively. Detailed below are the comparable amounts for the periods indicated.

 

(in millions)    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008     2008  

Settlement / indemnity costs incurred (1)

   $ 14.8      $ 15.2      $ 47.0      $ 33.0      $ 45.2   

Defense costs incurred (1)

     11.9        12.5        39.1        38.1        51.9   
                                        

Total costs incurred

   $ 26.7      $ 27.7      $ 86.1      $ 71.1      $ 97.1   
                                        

Settlement / indemnity payments

   $ 16.0      $ 13.4      $ 41.9      $ 28.5      $ 40.8   

Defense payments

     15.0        13.3        37.4        36.5        55.5   

Insurance receipts (2)

     (8.7     (8.4     (44.5     (30.1     (38.2
                                        

Pre-tax cash payments (2)

   $ 22.3      $ 18.3      $ 34.8      $ 34.9      $ 58.1   
                                        

 

(1) Before insurance recoveries and tax effects.
(2) The nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes a $14.5 million payment from Highlands in January 2009.
     There were no comparable policy settlements in the 2008 period.

 

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The amounts shown for settlement and defense costs incurred, and cash payments, are not necessarily indicative of future period amounts, which may be higher or lower than those reported.

Cumulatively to date through September 30, 2009, the Company has resolved (by settlement or dismissal) approximately 57,600 claims. The related cumulative settlement costs incurred by the Company and its insurance carriers are approximately $216 million, for an average cost per resolved claim of $3,756. The average cost per claim resolved during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $4,186 and $4,977, respectively. Because claims are sometimes dismissed in large groups, the average cost per resolved claim, as well as the number of open claims, can fluctuate significantly from period to period.

Effects on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has retained the firm of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Associates, Inc. (“HR&A”), a nationally recognized expert in the field, to assist management in estimating the Company’s asbestos liability in the tort system. HR&A reviews information provided by the Company concerning claims filed, settled and dismissed, amounts paid in settlements and relevant claim information such as the nature of the asbestos-related disease asserted by the claimant, the jurisdiction where filed and the time lag from filing to disposition of the claim. The methodology used by HR&A to project future asbestos costs is based largely on the Company’s experience during a base reference period consisting of the two full preceding calendar years (and additional quarterly periods to the estimate date) for claims filed, settled and dismissed. The Company’s experience is then compared to the results of previously conducted epidemiological studies estimating the number of individuals likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population of workers believed to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, HR&A estimates the number of future claims that would be filed against the Company and estimates the aggregate settlement or indemnity costs that would be incurred to resolve both pending and future claims based upon the average settlement costs by disease during the reference period. This methodology has been accepted by numerous courts. After discussions with the Company, HR&A augments its liability estimate for the costs of defending asbestos claims in the tort system using a forecast from the Company which is based upon discussions with its defense counsel. Based on this information, HR&A compiles an estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability for pending and future claims, based on claim experience over the past two to three years and covering claims expected to be filed through the indicated period. The most significant factors affecting the liability estimate are (1) the number of new mesothelioma claims filed against the Company, (2) the average settlement costs for mesothelioma claims, (3) the percentage of mesothelioma claims dismissed against the Company and (4) the aggregate defense costs incurred by the Company. These factors are interdependent, and no one factor predominates in determining the liability estimate. Although the methodology used by HR&A will also show claims and costs for periods subsequent to the indicated period (up to and including the endpoint of the asbestos studies referred to above), management believes that the level of uncertainty regarding the various factors used in estimating future asbestos costs is too great to provide for reasonable estimation of the number of future claims, the nature of such claims or the cost to resolve them for years beyond the indicated estimate.

In the Company’s view, the forecast period used to provide the best estimate for asbestos claims and related liabilities and costs is a judgment based upon a number of trend factors, including the number and type of claims being filed each year, the jurisdictions where such claims are filed and the effect of any legislation or judicial orders in such jurisdictions restricting the types of claims that can proceed to trial on the merits and the likelihood of any comprehensive asbestos legislation at the federal level. In addition, the dynamics of asbestos litigation in the tort system have been significantly affected over the past five to ten years by the substantial number of companies that have filed for bankruptcy protection, thereby staying any asbestos claims against them until the conclusion of such proceedings, and the establishment of a number of post-bankruptcy trusts for asbestos claimants, which are estimated to provide $25 billion for payments to current and future claimants. These trend factors have both positive and negative effects on the dynamics of asbestos litigation in the tort system and the

 

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related best estimate of the Company’s asbestos liability, and these effects do not move in a linear fashion but rather change over multi-year periods. Accordingly, the Company’s management monitors these trend factors over time and periodically assesses whether an alternative forecast period is appropriate.

Liability Estimate. With the assistance of HR&A, effective as of September 30, 2007, the Company updated and extended its estimate of the asbestos liability, including the costs of settlement or indemnity payments and defense costs relating to currently pending claims and future claims projected to be filed against the Company through 2017. The Company’s previous estimate was for asbestos claims filed through 2011. As a result of this updated estimate, the Company recorded an additional liability of $586 million as of September 30, 2007. The Company’s decision to take this action at such date was based on several factors. First, the number of asbestos claims being filed against the Company has moderated substantially over the past several years, and in the Company’s opinion, the outlook for asbestos claims expected to be filed and resolved in the forecast period is reasonably stable. Second, these claim trends are particularly true for mesothelioma claims, which although constituting only 5% of the Company’s total pending asbestos claims, have accounted for approximately 90% of the Company’s aggregate settlement and defense costs over the past five years. Third, federal legislation that would significantly change the nature of asbestos litigation failed to pass in 2006, and in the Company’s opinion, the prospects for such legislation at the federal level are remote. Fourth, there have been significant actions taken by certain state legislatures and courts over the past several years that have reduced the number and types of claims that can proceed to trial, which has been a significant factor in stabilizing the asbestos claim activity. Fifth, the Company has now entered into coverage-in-place agreements with a majority of its excess insurers, which enables the Company to project a more stable relationship between settlement and defense costs paid by the Company and reimbursements from its insurers. Taking all of these factors into account, the Company believes that it can reasonably estimate the asbestos liability for pending claims and future claims to be filed through 2017. While it is probable that the Company will incur additional charges for asbestos liabilities and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently provided, the Company does not believe that any such amount can be reasonably estimated beyond 2017. Accordingly, no accrual has been recorded for any costs which may be incurred for claims made subsequent to 2017.

Management has made its best estimate of the costs through 2017 based on the analysis by HR&A completed in October 2007. Each quarter, HR&A compiles an update based upon the Company’s experience in claims filed, settled and dismissed during the updated reference period as well as average settlement costs by disease category (mesothelioma, lung cancer, other cancer, asbestosis and other non-malignant conditions) during that period. Management discusses these trends and their effect on the liability estimate with HR&A and determines whether a change in the estimate is warranted. As part of this process the Company also takes into account trends in the tort system such as those enumerated above. As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s actual experience during the updated reference period for mesothelioma claims filed and dismissed approximated the assumptions in the Company’s liability estimate, while the average settlement costs for mesothelioma claims were somewhat higher, but generally consistent with the prior three quarters. In addition to this claims experience, the Company considered additional qualitative factors such as the nature of the aging of pending claims, significant appellate rulings and legislative developments, and their respective effects on expected future settlement values. Based on this evaluation, the Company determined that no change in the estimate was warranted for the period ended September 30, 2009. A liability of $1,055 million was recorded as of September 30, 2007 to cover the estimated cost of asbestos claims now pending or subsequently asserted through 2017. The liability is reduced when cash payments are made in respect of settled claims and defense costs. The liability was $851 million as of September 30, 2009, approximately 68% of which is attributable to settlement and defense costs for future claims projected to be filed through 2017. It is not possible to forecast when cash payments related to the asbestos liability will be fully expended; however, it is expected such cash payments will continue for a number of years past 2017, due to the significant proportion of future claims included in the estimated asbestos liability and the lag time between the date a claim is filed and when it is resolved. None of these estimated costs have been discounted to present value due to the inability to reliably forecast the timing of payments. The current portion of the total estimated liability at September 30, 2009 was $91 million and represents the Company’s best estimate of total asbestos costs expected to be paid during the twelve-month period. Such amount is based upon the HR&A model together with the Company’s prior year payment experience for both settlement and defense costs.

 

5


Insurance Coverage and Receivables. Prior to 2005, a significant portion of the Company’s settlement and defense costs were paid by its primary insurers. With the exhaustion of that primary coverage, the Company began negotiations with its excess insurers to reimburse the Company for a portion of its settlement and defense costs as incurred. To date, the Company has entered into agreements providing for such reimbursements, known as “coverage-in-place”, with ten of its excess insurer groups. Under such coverage-in-place agreements, an insurer’s policies remain in force and the insurer undertakes to provide coverage for the Company’s present and future asbestos claims on specified terms and conditions that address, among other things, the share of asbestos claims costs to be paid by the insurer, payment terms, claims handling procedures and the expiration of the insurer’s obligations. The most recent such agreement became effective April 21, 2009, between the Company and Employers Mutual Casualty Company, by and through its managing general agent and attorney-in-fact Mutual Marine Office, Inc. On March 3, 2008, the Company reached agreement with certain London Market Insurance Companies, North River Insurance Company and TIG Insurance Company, confirming the aggregate amount of available coverage under certain London policies and setting forth a schedule for future reimbursement payments to the Company based on aggregate indemnity and defense payments made. In addition, with four of its excess insurer groups, the Company entered into policy buyout agreements, settling all asbestos and other coverage obligations for an agreed sum, totaling $61.3 million in aggregate. The most recent of these buyouts was reached in October 2008 with Highlands Insurance Company, which currently is in receivership in the State of Texas. The settlement agreement with Highlands was formally approved by the Texas receivership court on December 8, 2008, and Highlands paid the full settlement amount, $14.5 million, to the Company on January 12, 2009. Reimbursements from insurers for past and ongoing settlement and defense costs allocable to their policies have been made as coverage-in-place and other agreements are reached with such insurers. All of these agreements include provisions for mutual releases, indemnification of the insurer and, for coverage-in-place, claims handling procedures. The Company is in discussions with or expects to enter into additional coverage-in-place or other agreements with other of its solvent excess insurers not currently subject to a settlement agreement whose policies are expected to respond to the aggregate costs included in the updated liability estimate. If it is not successful in concluding such coverage-in-place or other agreements with such insurers, then the Company anticipates that it would pursue litigation to enforce its rights under such insurers’ policies. There are no pending legal proceedings between the Company and any insurer contesting the Company’s asbestos claims under its insurance policies.

In conjunction with developing the aggregate liability estimate referenced above, the Company also developed an estimate of probable insurance recoveries for its asbestos liabilities. In developing this estimate, the Company considered its coverage-in-place and other settlement agreements described above, as well as a number of additional factors. These additional factors include the financial viability of the insurance companies, the method by which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how settlement and defense costs will be covered by the insurance policies and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships. In addition, the timing and amount of reimbursements will vary because the Company’s insurance coverage for asbestos claims involves multiple insurers, with different policy terms and certain gaps in coverage. In addition to consulting with legal counsel on these insurance matters, the Company retained insurance consultants to assist management in the estimation of probable insurance recoveries based upon the aggregate liability estimate described above and assuming the continued viability of all solvent insurance carriers. Based upon the analysis of policy terms and other factors noted above by the Company’s legal counsel, and incorporating risk mitigation judgments by the Company where policy terms or other factors were not certain, the Company’s insurance consultants compiled a model indicating how the Company’s historical insurance policies would respond to varying levels of asbestos settlement and defense costs and the allocation of such costs between such insurers and the Company. Using the estimated liability as of September 30, 2007 (for claims filed through 2017), the insurance consultant’s model forecasted that approximately 33% of the liability would be reimbursed by the Company’s insurers. An asset of $351 million

 

6


was recorded as of September 30, 2007 representing the probable insurance reimbursement for such claims. The asset is reduced as reimbursements and other payments from insurers are received. The asset was $257 million as of September 30, 2009.

The Company reviews the aforementioned estimated reimbursement rate with its insurance consultants on a periodic basis in order to confirm its overall consistency with the Company’s established reserves. Since September 2007, there have been no developments that have caused the Company to change the estimated 33% rate, although actual insurance reimbursements vary from period to period for the reasons cited above. While there are overall limits on the aggregate amount of insurance available to the Company with respect to asbestos claims, those overall limits were not reached by the total estimated liability currently recorded by the Company, and such overall limits did not influence the Company in its determination of the asset amount to record. The proportion of the asbestos liability that is allocated to certain insurance coverage years, however, exceeds the limits of available insurance in those years. The Company allocates to itself the amount of the asbestos liability (for claims filed through 2017) that is in excess of available insurance coverage allocated to such years.

Uncertainties. Estimation of the Company’s ultimate exposure for asbestos-related claims is subject to significant uncertainties, as there are multiple variables that can affect the timing, severity and quantity of claims. The Company cautions that its estimated liability is based on assumptions with respect to future claims, settlement and defense costs based on recent experience during the last few years that may not prove reliable as predictors. A significant upward or downward trend in the number of claims filed, depending on the nature of the alleged injury, the jurisdiction where filed and the quality of the product identification, or a significant upward or downward trend in the costs of defending claims, could change the estimated liability, as would substantial adverse verdicts at trial. A legislative solution or a revised structured settlement transaction could also change the estimated liability.

The same factors that affect developing estimates of probable settlement and defense costs for asbestos-related liabilities also affect estimates of the probable insurance payments, as do a number of additional factors. These additional factors include the financial viability of the insurance companies, the method by which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how settlement and defense costs will be covered by the insurance policies and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships. In addition, due to the uncertainties inherent in litigation matters, no assurances can be given regarding the outcome of any litigation, if necessary, to enforce the Company’s rights under its insurance policies.

Many uncertainties exist surrounding asbestos litigation, and the Company will continue to evaluate its estimated asbestos-related liability and corresponding estimated insurance reimbursement as well as the underlying assumptions and process used to derive these amounts. These uncertainties may result in the Company incurring future charges or increases to income to adjust the carrying value of recorded liabilities and assets, particularly if the number of claims and settlement and defense costs change significantly or if legislation or another alternative solution is implemented; however, the Company is currently unable to estimate such future changes and, accordingly, while it is probable that the Company will incur additional charges for asbestos liabilities and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently provided, the Company does not believe that any such amount can be reasonably determined. Although the resolution of these claims may take many years, the effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flow in any given period from a revision to these estimates could be material.

 

7


SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) None

 

(b) None

 

(c) None

 

(d) Exhibits

 

99.1 Earnings Press Release dated October 26, 2009, issued by Crane Co.

 

99.2 Crane Co. Quarterly Financial Data Supplement for the quarter ended September 30, 2009

 

8


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  CRANE CO.
Dated: October 26, 2009   By:   /S/    TIMOTHY J. MACCARRICK        
    Timothy J. MacCarrick
    Chief Financial Officer

 

9


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

99.1    Earnings Press Release dated October 26, 2009, issued by Crane Co.
99.2    Crane Co. Quarterly Financial Data Supplement for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

 

10

EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm EARNINGS PRESS RELEASE Earnings Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

Crane Co.    NEWS                

 

 

     

Contact:

Richard E. Koch

Director, Investor Relations

and Corporate Communications

203-363-7352

www.craneco.com

CRANE CO. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER ’09 RESULTS;

INCREASES LOWER END OF EPS GUIDANCE

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT – October 26, 2009 - Crane Co. (NYSE: CR), a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products, reported third quarter 2009 net income attributable to common shareholders of $35.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, compared to third quarter 2008 net income attributable to common shareholders of $36.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share.

Third quarter 2009 sales of $551 million decreased $92.0 million, or 14%, which included a core sales decline of $100.5 million (15%) and unfavorable foreign currency translation of $17.8 million (3%), partially offset by an increase in sales from acquired businesses of $26.3 million (4%).

Order backlog was $682 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $697 million at June 30, 2009, and $779 million at September 30, 2008, representing declines of 2% and 12%, respectively.

 

1


Cash Flow and Financial Position

Cash provided by operating activities was $80.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $41.0 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting lower operating working capital in 2009. Free cash flow (cash provided by operating activities less capital spending) for the third quarter of 2009 was $76.2 million, compared to $27.7 million in the prior year, reflecting higher cash provided from operations and lower capital spending. The Company’s cash position was $304.9 million at September 30, 2009, up from $233.0 million at June 30, 2009 and $231.8 million at December 31, 2008. (Please see the Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and Non-GAAP table)

“We are pleased with our performance this quarter. Despite a 14% decline in sales from the third quarter of 2008, our operating profit and earnings per share were flat compared to 2008, primarily reflecting our success in re-aligning our cost base,” said Crane Co. president and chief executive officer, Eric C. Fast. “Our operating margin improved by 160 basis points, to 10.1%, as compared to 8.5% a year ago. While sales in Engineered Materials, Merchandising Systems, Fluid Handling and Controls were lower than the prior year quarter, they improved slightly from the second quarter this year. Total Aerospace & Electronics segment sales have been declining for the past year primarily because of weaker demand in our long-cycle Aerospace business.

“In July, we estimated our cost savings would be in excess of $125 million. We now expect that our cost savings for 2009 will exceed $150 million and believe this productivity will provide excellent operating leverage in 2010. Excluding the two acquisitions in 2008, headcount has been reduced by 2,050 people, or 17% since year-end 2007, of which 150 occurred in the third quarter of this year and additional headcount reductions are expected in the fourth quarter. We have increased the lower end of our EPS guidance range from $1.75 - $2.05 to $1.90 - $2.05 on a GAAP basis reflecting, in part, our increased projected cost savings.

 

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“With $305 million in cash, a $300 million revolving bank credit agreement, and no near-term debt maturities, we have a solid financial foundation to continue to manage through the current environment and we are positioned for growth as our end markets recover.”

Segment Results

All comparisons detailed in this section refer to the third quarter 2009 versus the third quarter 2008.

Aerospace & Electronics

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2009     2008              

Sales

   $ 136.9      $ 159.7      $ (22.8   (14 )% 

Operating Profit

   $ 19.9   $ 10.9      $ 9.0      83

Profit Margin

     14.6     6.8    

 

* Includes $0.2 million of restructuring charges.

The third quarter 2009 sales decrease of $22.8 million, or 14%, reflected a $20.6 million decline in Aerospace Group demand and a decrease of $2.2 million of Electronics Group revenue. Segment operating profit increased by $9.0 million as a result of lower engineering spending primarily in the Aerospace Group and continued year-over-year operating performance improvement in our Electronics Group.

 

3


Aerospace & Electronics order backlog was $370 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $383 million at June 30, 2009 and $418 million at September 30, 2008, representing quarterly declines of 3% and 12%, respectively.

Engineered Materials

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2009     2008              

Sales

   $ 48.1      $ 58.2      $ (10.1   (17 )% 

Operating Profit

   $ 7.5   $ 4.4      $ 3.1      71

Profit Margin

     15.7     7.6    

 

* Includes $0.2 million of restructuring charges.

Segment sales declined 17%, reflecting continued depressed demand from transportation and building products end markets. Sales to recreational vehicle customers increased 6% over the third quarter of 2008, reflecting market share gains and modest improvement in industry sales. Operating profit and margins increased reflecting productivity improvements, lower SG&A costs and plant closures. Headcount has been reduced 42% compared to year end 2007 levels.

Merchandising Systems

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2009     2008              

Sales

   $ 75.9      $ 93.6      $ (17.7   (19 )% 

Operating Profit

   $ 6.9   $ 10.9       

Profit Margin

     9.1     11.6   $ (4.0   (37 )% 

 

* Includes $1.5 million of restructuring gains.

 

4


Total Merchandising Systems sales decreased $17.7 million, or 19%, reflecting continued difficult market conditions. Sales of Payment Solutions, with key end markets in retail, transportation and non-U.S. gaming applications, declined substantially more than Vending Solutions. Operating profit declined as deleverage on the reduced sales more than offset the favorable impact of a legal settlement and the reduction of a liability estimate associated with the Company’s restructuring program. The previously announced consolidation of the Company’s vending machine production from St. Louis, Missouri to its Williston, South Carolina facility is expected to be complete by year-end. Merchandising Systems headcount has been reduced 21% compared to year-end 2007 levels and further reductions will occur as the plant consolidation activities are completed.

Fluid Handling

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2009     2008              

Sales

   $ 266.8      $ 293.6      $ (26.8   (9 )% 

Operating Profit

   $ 34.9   $ 34.9        —        —     

Profit Margin

     13.1     11.9    

 

* Includes $1.6 million of restructuring charges.

Third quarter 2009 sales decreased $26.8 million, or 9%, which included a core sales decline of $38.4 million (13%) and unfavorable foreign currency translation of $14.7 million (5%), partially offset by sales from acquired businesses (Delta and Krombach) of $26.3 million (9%). Although overall Fluid Handling segment sales increased slightly from the second quarter, unfavorable end markets continued to impact the longer-cycle, project-based chemical and pharmaceutical businesses, as well as many of our MRO businesses, resulting in the year-over-year sales decline. Fluid Handling profit margins increased to 13.1% from last year’s level of 11.9% reflecting disciplined price versus material cost, and the impact of cost reduction initiatives, which offset the deleverage of lower sales.

 

5


Fluid Handling order backlog was $252 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $256 million at June 30, 2009 and $286 million at September 30, 2008, representing quarterly declines of 2% and 12%, respectively.

Controls

 

     Third Quarter     Change  
(dollars in millions)    2009     2008              

Sales

   $ 23.1      $ 37.6      $ (14.5   (39 )% 

Operating Profit (Loss)

   $ (1.7   $ 3.3      $ (4.9   (152 )% 

Profit Margin (Loss)

     (7.2 )%      8.7    

Third quarter 2009 sales declined 39% reflecting continued depressed conditions in the oil & gas and transportation end markets. The operating loss reflected the impact of lower sales in all of the Controls businesses. In response, cost actions are continuing and Controls headcount has been reduced 24% compared to year end 2007.

Full Year 2009 Guidance

The Company maintained its 2009 sales estimate of $2.2 billion, and increased the lower end of its GAAP earnings per share guidance to $1.90 - $2.05 from $1.75 - $2.05. The guidance includes charges for potential restructuring and integration activities of $0.07 per share, compared to the prior estimate of $0.10 per share, and a charge of $0.08 per share associated with a previously disclosed legal settlement. Excluding those charges, non-GAAP guidance is $2.05 - $2.20 per share. Free cash flow guidance was maintained at $135 million compared to the $146 million achieved in 2008. (Please see Non-GAAP table.)

 

6


Conference Call

Crane Co. has scheduled a conference call to discuss the third quarter’s financial results on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern). All interested parties may listen to a live webcast of the call at http://www.craneco.com. An archived webcast will also be available to replay this conference call directly from the Company’s website.

Crane Co. is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products. Founded in 1855, Crane provides products and solutions to customers in the aerospace, electronics, hydrocarbon processing, petrochemical, chemical, power generation, automated merchandising, transportation and other markets. The Company has five business segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Engineered Materials, Merchandising Systems, Fluid Handling, and Controls. Crane has approximately 11,000 employees in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Crane Co. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CR). For more information, visit www.craneco.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements present management’s expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding future financial performance, and assumptions or judgments concerning such performance. Any discussions contained in this press release, except to the extent that they contain historical facts, are forward-looking and accordingly involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Financial Tables Follow)

2009 – 18

 

7

EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm CRANE CO. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA SUPPLEMENT Crane Co. Quarterly Financial Data Supplement

Exhibit 99.2

CRANE CO.

Income Statement Data

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net Sales:

        

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 136,896      $ 159,716      $ 435,838      $ 484,095   

Engineered Materials

     48,065        58,174        127,990        213,884   

Merchandising Systems

     75,879        93,611        220,905        323,348   

Fluid Handling

     266,810        293,621        796,383        883,221   

Controls

     23,060        37,556        70,223        110,480   
                                

Total Net Sales

   $ 550,710      $ 642,678      $ 1,651,339      $ 2,015,028   
                                

Operating Profit:

        

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 19,928      $ 10,896      $ 56,259      $ 45,378   

Engineered Materials

     7,530        4,410        13,597        24,164   

Merchandising Systems

     6,914        10,884        16,569        42,361   

Fluid Handling

     34,882        34,915        98,708        126,233   

Controls

     (1,667     3,277        (2,984     8,124   

Corporate

     (12,134     (9,764     (43,320 ) *      (30,022
                                

Total Operating Profit

     55,453        54,618        138,829        216,238   

Interest Income

     270        3,212        1,578        8,379   

Interest Expense

     (6,821     (6,053     (20,370     (19,236

Miscellaneous- Net

     83        (191     2,323        1,570   
                                

Income Before Income Taxes

     48,985        51,586        122,360        206,951   

Provision for Income Taxes

     13,832        15,612        35,973        63,790   
                                

Net income before allocations to noncontrolling interests

     35,153        35,974        86,387        143,161   

Less: Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries’ earnings (losses)

     45        (108     202        (308
                                

Net income attributable to common shareholders

     35,108        36,082        86,185        143,469   
                                

Share Data:

        

Earnings per Diluted Share

   $ 0.60      $ 0.60      $ 1.47      $ 2.36   
                                

Average Diluted Shares Outstanding

     58,842        60,485        58,703        60,694   

Average Basic Shares Outstanding

     58,472        59,811        58,462        59,884   

Supplemental Data:

        

Cost of Sales

   $ 365,482      $ 434,382      $ 1,117,028      $ 1,342,560   

Selling, General & Administrative

     129,775        153,678        395,482        456,230   

Depreciation and Amortization **

     14,025        14,270        43,857        43,965   

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

     2,266        3,462        6,702        10,447   

 

* Includes a charge of $7.25 million related to the settlement of a lawsuit brought against the Company by a customer alleging failure of our fiberglass-reinforced plastic material.
** Amount included within cost of sales and selling, general & administrative costs.


CRANE CO.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

ASSETS

     

Current Assets

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 304,888    $ 231,840

Accounts Receivable, net

     314,070      334,263

Current Insurance Receivable - Asbestos

     35,300      41,300

Inventories, net

     303,243      349,926

Other Current Assets

     68,649      63,911
             

Total Current Assets

     1,026,150      1,021,240

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

     284,715      290,814

Long-Term Insurance Receivable - Asbestos

     222,136      260,660

Other Assets

     429,056      420,542

Goodwill

     770,328      781,232
             

Total Assets

   $ 2,732,385    $ 2,774,488
             

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     

Current Liabilities

     

Notes Payable and Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

   $ 952    $ 16,622

Accounts Payable

     142,861      182,147

Current Asbestos Liability

     91,000      91,000

Accrued Liabilities

     226,992      246,915

Income Taxes

     4,535      1,980
             

Total Current Liabilities

     466,340      538,664

Long-Term Debt

     398,613      398,479

Long-Term Deferred Tax Liability

     26,525      22,971

Long-Term Asbestos Liability

     760,184      839,496

Other Liabilities

     221,669      229,057

Total Equity

     859,054      745,821
             

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 2,732,385    $ 2,774,488
             


CRANE CO.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30
    Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Operating Activities:

        

Net income attributable to common shareholders

   $ 35,108      $ 36,082      $ 86,185      $ 143,469   

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries’ earnings (losses)

     45        (108     202        (308
                                

Net income before allocations to noncontrolling interests

     35,153        35,974        86,387        143,161   

Gain on divestiture

     —          —          —          (932

Depreciation and amortization

     14,025        14,270        43,857        43,965   

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,266        3,462        6,702        10,447   

Deferred income taxes

     12,107        10,774        14,891        22,639   

Cash provided by (used for) operating working capital

     33,659        10,853        13,037        (35,435

Other

     5,029        (16,065     (4,361     (18,466
                                

Subtotal

     102,239        59,268        160,513        165,379   

Asbestos related payments, net of insurance recoveries

     (22,253     (18,301     (34,788 )*      (34,915
                                

Total provided by operating activities

     79,986        40,967        125,725        130,464   
                                

Investing Activities:

        

Capital expenditures

     (3,827     (13,257     (21,259     (33,658

Proceeds from disposition of capital assets

     1,001        284        3,326        728   

Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired

     —          (27,877     —          (28,009

Proceeds from divestiture

     —          —          —          2,106   
                                

Total used for investing activities

     (2,826     (40,850     (17,933     (58,833
                                

Financing Activities:

        

Dividends paid

     (11,695     (11,965     (35,079     (33,521

Reacquisition of shares on open market

     —          —          —          (40,000

Stock options exercised - net of shares reacquired

     (546     (387     (299     8,704   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     131        488        131        1,388   

Change in short-term debt

     (960     (2,631     (16,365     411   
                                

Total used for financing activities

     (13,070     (14,495     (51,612     (63,018
                                

Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents

     7,824        (28,739     16,868        (13,552
                                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     71,914        (43,117     73,048        (4,939

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     232,974        321,548        231,840        283,370   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 304,888      $ 278,431      $ 304,888      $ 278,431   
                                

 

* Includes a $14.5 million insurance settlement receipt from the Highlands Insurance Company.


CRANE CO.

Order Backlog

(in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2009
   June 30,
2009
   March 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008
   September 30,
2008

Aerospace & Electronics

   $ 369,898    $ 383,335    $ 396,393    $ 418,382    $ 418,317

Engineered Materials

     8,454      9,135      6,924      6,942      11,035

Merchandising Systems

     23,574      19,955      18,822      23,407      25,676

Fluid Handling*

     252,333      256,467      275,660      302,653      285,988

Controls

     27,292      28,026      26,667      30,509      37,816
                                  

Total Backlog

   $ 681,551    $ 696,918    $ 724,466    $ 781,893    $ 778,832
                                  

 

* Includes Order Backlog of $40.4 million in September 2009, $41.8 million in June 2009, $46.5 million in March 2009, $57.0 million in December 2008 and $2.3 million in September 2008 pertaining to the 2008 acquisitions of Delta and Krombach.


CRANE CO.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(in thousands)

 

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Percent Change
September 30, 2009
    Percent Change
September 30, 2009
             
    2009     2008     2009     2008     Three Months     Nine Months              
INCOME ITEMS                

Net Sales

  $ 550,710      $ 642,678      $ 1,651,339      $ 2,015,028      -14.3   -18.0    

Operating Profit

    55,453        54,618        138,829        216,238           

Special Items impacting Operating Profit:

               

Lawsuit Settlement - Pre-Tax (a)

    —          —          7,250        —             

Restructuring Charges - Pre-Tax (b)

    513        —          2,360        —             

Environmental Reimbursement - Pre-Tax (d)

    —          —          —          (4,444        
                                       

Operating Profit before Special Items

  $ 55,966      $ 54,618      $ 148,439      $ 211,794      2.5   -29.9    
                                       

Percentage of Sales

    10.2     8.5     9.0     10.5        
                                        2009 Full Year
Guidance
 
                                        Low     High  

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders

  $ 35,108      $ 36,082      $ 86,185      $ 143,469          $ 112,000      $ 121,000   

Per Share

  $ 0.60      $ 0.60      $ 1.47      $ 2.36          $ 1.90      $ 2.05   

Special Items impacting Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders:

               

Lawsuit Settlement - Net of Tax (a)

      —          4,713        —              4,713  (a)      4,713  (a) 

Per Share

  $ —          —        $ 0.08        —            $ 0.08      $ 0.08   

Restructuring Charges - Net of Tax

    345  (b)      —          1,787  (b)      —              4,100  (c)      4,100  (c) 

Per Share

  $ 0.01        —        $ 0.03        —            $ 0.07      $ 0.07   

Environmental Reimbursement - Net of Tax (d)

    —            —          (2,889         —          —     

Per Share

    —          —          —          (0.05         —          —     
                                                   

Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders Before Special Items

  $ 35,453      $ 36,082      $ 92,685      $ 140,580      -1.7   -34.1   $ 120,813      $ 129,813   
                                                   

Per Share

  $ 0.60      $ 0.60      $ 1.58      $ 2.32          $ 2.05      $ 2.20   

 

(a) During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company recorded a charge for the settlement of a lawsuit brought against the Company by a customer alleging failure or our fiberglass-reinforced plastic material. During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded additional insurance recoveries associated with the aforementioned settlement.
(b) Amounts represent restructuring charges in connection with the Restructuring Program.
(c) Amounts represent restructuring charges in connection with the Restructuring Program and integration costs associated with the Krombach acquisition.
(d) During the three months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded a $2.1 million reimbursement from the US Government and a $2.4 million reimbursement from a service provider, both related to environmental clean-up activities.

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 
BALANCE SHEET ITEMS     

Notes Payable and Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

   $ 952      $ 16,622   

Long-Term Debt

     398,613        398,479   
                

Total Debt

     399,565        415,101   

Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (304,888     (231,840
                

Net Debt

     94,677        183,261   

Equity

     859,054        745,821   
                

Net Capitalization

   $ 953,731      $ 929,082   
                

Percentage of Net Debt to Net Capitalization

     9.9     19.7

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
CASH FLOW ITEMS         

Cash Provided from Operating Activities before Asbestos - Related Payments

   $ 102,239      $ 59,268      $ 160,513      $ 165,379   

Asbestos Related Payments, Net of Insurance Recoveries

     (22,253     (18,301     (34,788 ) *      (34,915
                                

Cash Provided from Operating Activities

     79,986        40,967        125,725        130,464   

Less: Capital Expenditures

     (3,827     (13,257     (21,259     (33,658
                                

Free Cash Flow

   $ 76,159      $ 27,710      $ 104,466      $ 96,806   
                                

 

* Includes a $14.5 million insurance settlement receipt from the Highlands Insurance Company.

Certain non-GAAP measures have been provided to facilitate comparison with the prior year.

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, management believes that non-GAAP financial measures which exclude certain non-recurring items present additional useful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods, providing investors with a clearer view of the underlying trends of the business. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating, planning and compensation decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance. In addition, Free Cash Flow provides supplemental information to assist management and investors in analyzing the Company’s ability to generate positive cash flow. Non-GAAP financial measures, which may be inconsistent with similarly captioned measures presented by other companies, should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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