-----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, L99kXhWZU6TCSLllocK61sxiynlv5o7Cm7jZmP1YJB9UcVbG7fq5q034Iji04hHA 9SIohGaTbW5B990D8JgE+w== 0001219870-06-000047.txt : 20060428 0001219870-06-000047.hdr.sgml : 20060428 20060428163240 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001219870-06-000047 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060428 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060428 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060428 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000912562 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING & FINISHING MILLS [3310] IRS NUMBER: 161445150 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-22462 FILM NUMBER: 06790594 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3556 LAKE SHORE ROAD STREET 2: P O BOX 2028 CITY: BUFFALO STATE: NY ZIP: 14219-0228 BUSINESS PHONE: 7168266500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: GATEWAY EXECUTIVE PARK STREET 2: 3556 LAKE SHORE ROAD PO BOX 2028 CITY: BUFFALO STATE: NY ZIP: 14219-0228 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GIBRALTAR STEEL CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930924 8-K 1 pressrel042006.htm 8-K 1 eightk

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) February 10, 2006
- -------------------------

GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
- ------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                        0-22462                16-1445150
- ----------------------------      ---------------------   ----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction          (Commission             (IRS Employer
            of incorporation)                    File Number)          Identification No.)

3556 Lake Shore Road
P.O. Box 2028
Buffalo, New York                         14219-0228
- ---------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (716) 826-6500
- -------------------------


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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):


[ ] 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 com


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




ITEM 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure


On April 26, 2006 the registrant announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, and certain other information. A copy of the registrant’s press release announcing these financial results and certain other information is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.


Exhibit 99.1 is incorporated by reference under this Item 7.01.


The registrant hosted its first quarter 2006 earnings conference call on April 27, 2006, during which the registrant presented information regarding its earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, together with certain other information. Pursuant to Regulation FD and the requirements of Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, the registrant hereby furnishes a script of the first quarter 2006 earnings conference call as Exhibit 99.2 to this report.


Exhibit 99.2 is incorporated by reference under this Item 7.01.


ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits


a.

Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

- Not Applicable

b.

Pro Forma Financial Information

- Not Applicable

c.

Shell Company Transactions

- Not Applicable

d.

Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1

Press Release dated April 26, 2006

Exhibit 99.2

Script of First Quarter Earnings Conference Call hosted April 27, 2006.





SIGNATURES


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



Dated:   April 28, 2006

                                                                  

GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.


/S/ David W. Kay
Name:  David W. Kay
Title:    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit

No.

Description


Exhibit 99.1       

Press Release dated April 26, 2006


Exhibit 99.2

Script of First Quarter Earnings Conference Call hosted April 27, 2006.


EX-99.1 2 pressrel.htm For Immediate Release



For Immediate Release

        April 26, 2006



GIBRALTAR REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS


First-Quarter Sales Increase 32 Percent to $360 Million;

Net Income of $14.4 Million is up 36 Percent; EPS of $.48 Increases 33 Percent


BUFFALO, NEW YORK (April 26, 2006) – Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROCK) today reported strong first-quarter sales, net income, and earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.


Sales from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2006 were $360 million, an increase of approximately 32 percent from $274 million in the first quarter of 2005, continuing a trend of solid sales growth. Net income from continuing operations of $14.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2006, increased by approximately 36 percent from $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2005.


Earnings per share from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2006 were $.48, above the upper end of the range Gibraltar provided on February 8, and an increase of approximately 33 percent compared to $.36 per share in the first quarter of 2005.


“Our results in the first quarter are especially noteworthy since we had to overcome rising energy and transportation costs, as well as competitive pricing pressures in our Processed Metal Products segment,” said Brian J. Lipke, Gibraltar’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.


“The first-quarter results in our Building Products segment, which now represents approximately 60 percent of our sales, were strong across the board. Our Thermal Processing segment had an excellent quarter, with record sales and strong operating margins. Our Processed Metal Products segment continued to face competitive pricing pressures, which persisted longer than anticipated, and the cost of steel is continuing to escalate,” said Henning N. Kornbrekke, Gibraltar’s President and Chief Operating Officer.


“Our first-quarter results again demonstrate that Gibraltar’s product, market, customer, and geographic diversity allows us to produce consistent and steadily improving results in a variety of economic and operating environments. These results again show that Gibraltar has transitioned into a diversified manufacturer capable of generating higher and more consistent margins over an extended period,” said Mr. Lipke.


“In the year ahead, we will continue to focus on improving operating efficiencies, optimizing our market share, and maximizing our cash flow to help fund our growth and reduce debt,” said Mr. Kornbrekke.


--more--



Gibraltar Reports First-Quarter Sales and Earnings

Page Two




Looking ahead, Mr. Kornbrekke said that, barring a significant change in business conditions, Gibraltar expects its second-quarter earnings per share will be in the range of $.57 to $.62, compared to $.53 in the second quarter of 2005.


Gibraltar Industries is a leading manufacturer, processor, and distributor of metals and other engineered materials for the building products, vehicular, and other industrial markets. The Company serves approximately 24,000 customers in a variety of industries in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. It has approximately 4,400 employees and operates 93 facilities in 29 states, Canada, Mexico, and China.


Information contained in this release, other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking, and may be subject to a number of risk factors, including: general economic conditions; the impact of the availability and the effects of changing raw material prices on the Company’s results of operations; natural gas and electricity prices and usage; the ability to pass through cost increases to customers; changing demand for the Company’s products and services; risks associated with the integration of acquisitions; and changes in interest or tax rates.


--30--


Gibraltar will review its first-quarter results and discuss its outlook for the second quarter during its quarterly conference call, which will be held at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27. Details of the call can be found on Gibraltar’s Web site, at www.gibraltar1.com.


CONTACT: Kenneth P. Houseknecht, Vice President of Communications and Investor

Relations, at 716/826-6500, khouseknecht@gibraltar1.com.


Gibraltar’s news releases, along with comprehensive information about the Company, are

available on the Internet, at www.gibraltar1.com.




Gibraltar Reports First-Quarter Sales and Earnings

Page Three


            GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

Financial Highlights

(in thousands, except per share data)



 

                            Three Months Ended

  

March 31, 2006

  

March 31, 2005

      

Net sales

$

360,355

 

$

273,581

Income from continuing operations

$

14,397

 

$

10,622

Income per share from continuing operations - Basic

$

.49

 

$

.36

Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic

 

29,652

  

29,571

Income per share from continuing operations - Diluted

$

.48

 

$

.36

Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted

 

29,944

  

29,775


GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 
  

    March 31,                         December 31,

  

       2006

  

       2005

      

Assets

     
      

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,317

 

$

28,529

Accounts receivable

 

212,038

  

178,775

Inventories

 

210,745

  

194,653

Other current assets

 

22,111

  

22,047

Total current assets

 

454,211

  

424,004

      

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

309,657

  

311,147

Goodwill

 

406,810

  

406,767

Investments in partnerships

 

5,833

  

6,151

Other assets

 

55,787

  

56,943

 

$

1,232,298

 

$

1,205,012

      

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

$

101,289

 

$

85,877

Accrued expenses

 

66,803

  

63,007

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

2,534

  

2,531

Current maturities of related party debt

 

5,833

  

5,833

Total current liabilities

 

176,459

  

157,248

      

Long-term debt

 

446,378

  

454,649

Deferred income taxes

 

93,625

  

93,052

Other non-current liabilities

 

6,830

  

6,038

Shareholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized: 10,000,000       shares; none outstanding

 

-

  

-

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 29,783,623 and 29,734,986 shares in 2006 and  2005, respectively

 

298

  

298

Additional paid-in capital

 

212,961

  

216,897

Retained earnings

 

293,026

  

280,116

Unearned compensation

 

-

  

(5,153)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

2,721

  

1,867


 

509,006

  

494,025

Less: cost of 41,100 common shares held in treasury in

         2006 and 2005

 


-

  


-

             Total shareholders’ equity

 

509,006

  

494,025

 

$

1,232,298

 

$

1,205,012




GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share date)

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   

 

  

2006

 

2005

     

Net sales

    

$

360,355

$

273,581

         

Cost of sales

     

288,832

 

223,449

         

     Gross profit

     

71,523

 

50,132

         

Selling, general and administrative expense

     

40,561

 

29,236

         

     Income from operations

     

30,962

 

20,896

         

Other (income) expense:

        

  

Equity in partnerships’ income and other income

Interest expense

     

(686)

8,047

 

(444)

3,928

Total other expense

     

7,361

 

3,484

         

     Income before taxes

     

23,601

 

17,412

         

Provision for income taxes

     

9,204

 

6,790

         

     Income from continuing operations

    

$

14,397

$

10,622

         

Discontinued operations:

        

Income from discontinued operations before taxes

Income tax expense


     

-

-

 

204

80

Income from discontinued operations

     

-

 

124

         

Net income

    

$

14,397

$

10,746

         

Net income per share – Basic:

        

Income from continuing operations

Income from discontinued operations

    

$

.49

.00

$

.36

.00

 

Net Income

    

$

.49

$

.36

         

Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic

     

29,652

 

29,571

         

Net income per share – Diluted:

        

Income from continuing operations

Income from discontinued operations

    

$

.48

.00

$

.36

.00

 

Net Income

    

$

.48

$

.36

         

Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted

     

29,944

 

29,775

 
 

GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 
  

                                Three Months Ended

                                        March 31,

    

2006

 

2005

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

  

$

14,397

$

10,746

Income from discontinued operations

   

-

 

124

Income from continuing operations

   

14,397

 

10,622

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in

   operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   

8,874

 

6,473

Provision for deferred income taxes

   

-

 

(1,691)

Equity in partnerships’ (loss) income

   

131

 

(444)

Distributions from partnerships

   

188

 

343

Stock compensation expense

   

706

 

51

Other noncash adjustments

   

(9)

 

-

Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes

      

   in (net of acquisitions):

      

     Accounts receivable

   

(33,273)

 

(32,835)

     Inventories

   

(16,101)

 

(29,244)

     Other current assets and other assets

   

629

 

(122)

     Accounts payable

   

15,424

 

602

     Accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities

   

5,464

 

(1,822)

       

       Net cash used in continuing operations

   

(3,570)

 

(48,067)

       Net cash provided by discontinued operations

   

0

 

194

       Net cash used in operating activities


   

(3,570)

 

(47,873)

       

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

   

(6,377)

 

(6,075)

Net proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   

36

 

255

Net proceeds from sale of business

   

-

 

43,322

       

     Net cash used in investing activities for continuing operations

   

(6,341)

 

37,502

     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for

        discontinued operations

   


-

 


  (349)

     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   

(6,341)

 

37,153

       

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Long-term debt reduction

   

(15,137)

 

-

Proceeds from long-term debt

   

6,817

 

7,683

Payment of deferred financing costs

   

(161)

 

-

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

   

552

 

473

Payment of dividends

   

(1,487)

 

(1,485)

Tax benefit from stock options

   

115

 

-

       

     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   

(9,301)

 

6,671

       

     Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   

(19,212)

 

(4,049)

       

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

   

28,529

 

10,892

       

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  

$

9,317

$

6,843

GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

Segment Information

(in thousands)


 

Three Months Ended March 31,

      

Increase (Decrease)

  

2006

 

2005

 

$

 

%

  

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

    
         

Net Sales

        

     Building products

$

214,742

$

119,172

$

95,570

 

80.2%

     Processed metal products

 

115,889

 

127,612

 

(11,723)

 

(9.2%)

     Thermal processing

 

29,724

 

26,797

 

2,927

 

10.9%

         

Total Sales

$

360,355

$

273,581

$

86,774

 

31.7%

         
         

Income from Operations

        

     Building products

$

31,271

$

10,504

$

20,767

 

197.7%

     Processed metal products

 

6,735

 

14,023

 

(7,288)

 

(52.0%)

     Thermal processing

 

4,655

 

3,405

 

1,250

 

36.7%

     Corporate

 

(11,699)

 

(7,036)

 

(4,663)

 

66.3%

         

Total Operating Income

$

30,962

$

20,896

$

10,066

 

48.2%

         
         

Operating Margin

        

     Building products

 

14.6%

 

8.8%

    

     Processed metal products

 

5.8%

 

11.0%

 

 

 

 

     Thermal processing

 

15.7%

 

12.7%

    






EX-99.2 3 confcallscript.htm Gibraltar










Gibraltar





First-Quarter 2006

Earnings Conference Call






April 27, 2005


PETER


Thank you, Carlo.


We want to thank everyone for joining us on today’s call.


Before we begin, I want to remind you that this call may contain forward-looking statements about future financial results.  Our actual results may differ materially, as a result of factors over which Gibraltar has no control.  These factors are outlined in the news release we issued last night and in our filings with the SEC.


If you did not receive the news release on our first-quarter results, you can get a copy on our Web site, at www.gibraltar1.com.


At this point, I’d like to turn the call over to Gibraltar’s chairman and chief executive officer, Brian Lipke.



BRIAN


Thanks Peter.


Good afternoon.  On behalf of Henning Kornbrekke, our President and COO; Dave Kay, our CFO; and Peter Ciotta, who you just heard from, who is filling in for Ken Houseknecht our VP of Communications and Investor Relations, we want to thank you for joining us on the call today.


I’m going to begin today’s call by providing an overview of our first-quarter results, and then I’ll give you an update on some of the major strategic initiatives underway at our company. Following that, Dave will look at our performance from a financial perspective. Henning will then talk about our operations, the performance of our segments, and our outlook for the second quarter. After that, we will open the call up to any questions which you may have.


PAUSE


As you saw in our news release, we had a very strong first quarter. We generated our best-ever first-quarter sales, net income, and earnings per share, with sales increasing by 32%, net income growing by 36%, and earnings per share up by 33%.


We are proud of these results, and I want take just a minute to thank the 4,400 men and women on the Gibraltar Team for another outstanding effort, and for getting 2006 off to such a strong start.


Our first-quarter results are especially noteworthy when you consider that we had to overcome rising energy and transportation costs, as well as competitive pricing pressures in our Processed Metal Products segment, and rising steel costs in our Building Products and our Processed Metal Products segments.


Our ability to generate record results in spite of strong headwinds again demonstrates that Gibraltar’s product, market, customer, and geographic diversification allows us to produce consistent and steadily improving results in a variety of economic and operating environments.


Our first-quarter results again show that our ongoing efforts to transition into a diversified manufacturer, capable of generating higher and more consistent margins over an extended period, are clearly moving us in the right direction.


Importantly, our first-quarter results build on Gibraltar’s long and lengthening record of performance and achievement. During our first 12 years as a public company, we have grown our sales and earnings at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 18%.


Even more importantly, our consistent and steadily improving performance has benefited our shareholders. A thousand dollars invested at our IPO in 1993 is worth nearly $4,000 today, which is a compound annual growth rate of approaching 13%. And all of us are focused on continuing to build the long-term value of our company.


Today – because of Gibraltar’s size and our strength, which creates many additional internal and external growth opportunities, while also positioning us to improve our operating performance – we believe we are well positioned to generate an even stronger performance in the years ahead.


In 2006, we will continue to benefit from the contributions of AMICO and the three other acquisitions we completed late last year, as well as organic growth in our existing building products operations, our powdered metal business, and our Thermal Processing segment.


In 2005, we had 10 businesses that generated organic sales growth above 1.5 times GDP, and building on that momentum in the year ahead remains a clear focus.


AMICO significantly expanded our presence in the commercial, industrial, and architectural building products markets, sectors currently generating strong growth, and which presents us with numerous organic and other growth opportunities. AMICO also significantly broadened and diversified our customer base.


In addition to our internal growth initiatives, we continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities. We will continue to be highly strategic and selective and only acquire those companies with the accretive financial and market characteristics that will make our business stronger for the long haul.


We will continue to make smaller “bolt on” acquisitions to solidify our existing operations and will also look at larger transactions, like AMICO, that will continue Gibraltar’s strategic repositioning. And we are looking at the possibility of larger combinations that could create even more shareholder value.


We will also continue to manage our portfolio of companies, with an eye towards reviewing all operations to assure they meet our minimum performance targets.  For those that do not, we will either fix them or dispose of them, as we did with our Milcor division in 2005.


The first quarter of the year got off to a solid start, and we look to build on that momentum during this year.


At this point, I’ll turn the call over to Dave and Henning, who will provide a more detailed review of our first-quarter results, and give you a better sense of our outlook for the second quarter.


Dave.


DAVE


Thanks, Brian.


As Brian mentioned, the first quarter was another outstanding one for Gibraltar. Sales from continuing operations of $360 million represent a new high for any quarter in Gibraltar’s history, and were up by approximately 32% from the first quarter of 2005. The inclusion of AMICO’s results for the full quarter was primarily responsible for the increase, along with growth at the other building products operations and the Thermal Processing segment, which offset softer results in the Processed Metal Products segment, primarily our strip steel operations.


Operating income, net income, and earnings per share also set new highs for any first quarter.


Income from operations of $30.9 million in the quarter increased by 48% from $20.9 million dollars in the first quarter of last year.  


Net income from continuing operations was $14.4 million in the quarter, an increase of approximately 36% compared to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2005.


Earnings per share from continuing operations of $.48 increased by 33% from the first quarter of last year, and were above the upper end of the range we provided at our call on February 8.  


Selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to $40.6 million dollars or 11.3% of sales during the quarter, compared to $29.2 million, or 10.7% of sales, in the first quarter of last year.  The increase in SG&A expenses results primarily from the inclusion of AMICO’s results in the quarter, including amortization of intangibles, combined with higher equity compensation costs.


Interest expense during the quarter was $8.0 million, compared to $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2005, largely as a result of higher average borrowing levels, primarily from the AMICO acquisition, as well as higher overall interest rates.


Our net return on sales during the quarter amounted to 4.0%, compared to 3.9% a year ago.


From a cash flow perspective, we generated EBITDA of approximately $40.5 million dollars during the quarter, up from $27.8 million dollars a year ago.  


On a consolidated basis, inventory turned at an annualized rate of 5.0 times, compared to 4.9 times a year ago.


During the quarter, we experienced the normal inventory build, in advance of the construction season, which typically begins in early March, depending on weather.


Average days sales outstanding in accounts receivable during the quarter were 51 days, compared to 52 days a year ago.


Capital spending amounted to $6.4 million during the quarter, compared to $6.1 million a year ago.  In total, we expect to spend approximately $28 to $31 million in capital in the year 2006, slightly below our depreciation levels.  


In addition, we paid out approximately

$1.5 million in dividends during the quarter.


In spite of building our inventories and receivables as we move into our strongest selling season, we were still able to reduce our debt by $8.3 million during the quarter, bringing our long-term debt down to approximately $446 million.   


At March 31st, our long-term debt-to-total-capital ratio stood at approximately 47%, with the secured debt representing approximately 26%.


Now I will turn the call over to Henning for a more detailed analysis of operations.

.



2



HENNING


Thanks, Dave.


Gibraltar’s net sales from continuing operations for the quarter were $360 million, up 32% from a year ago.  


Gross margins improved 1.5 percentage points from the first quarter of 2005, driven by higher sales and partially offset by higher energy and transportation costs. Operating margins of 8.5% were up .9 percentage points from the first quarter of 2005, driven by the increase in gross margins, and slightly offset by higher SG&A cost.


Segment performance indicates that:


Our Building Products segment generated a net sales increase of 80.2% to $215 million, compared to the first quarter of 2005. The growth was the result of the AMICO acquisition, and organic growth at existing building products operations. Sales in the segment, excluding AMICO, were up 5.5% year over year. Gross margins were 23.8%, up 2.7 percentage points from the first quarter of 2005, driven by operational improvement and leverage at the higher sales levels.  The operating margin was 14.6%, up 5.8 percentage points from the first quarter of 2005, a function of the higher gross margins and business mix.


Our Processed Metal Products segment’s sales were $116 million, down 9.2% from the previous year, primarily a result of lower tons sold, coupled with lower product prices, driven by competitive pressures in the strip steel market, offset by strong demand and higher material and product pricing in our powdered copper business.


The gross margin was 10.5%, down 4.5 percentage points from a year ago, and the operating margin was 5.8%, down by 5.2 percentage points, both the result of competitive pressures described previously in our strip steel business, partially offset by higher margins in our powdered copper business in the U.S. and our operation in China.  


Our Thermal Processing segment generated a net sales increase of 10.9% to $30 million versus the first quarter of 2005. Gross margins were 23.8%, an increase of 2.7 percentage points versus the first quarter of 2005. Operating margins were 15.7%, an increase of 3.0 percentage points versus the first quarter of 2005. Comparisons to the prior year were favorable due to leveraging at the higher sales levels, improved operating characteristics at key locations, and strategic investments that have yielded new business with higher-margin profiles.


At this point, let me provide some commentary on our outlook for the second quarter.


As we move into the seasonally strongest periods for our business – the second and third quarters – we will continue to benefit from our many growth and efficiency improvement initiatives.


Our Building Products segment, which now represents approximately 60% of our sales, continues to generate strong growth as a result of market share gains and market growth. As Brian mentioned, our AMICO acquisition significantly expanded our exposure to the commercial, industrial, and architectural building markets, which continue to experience strong growth.


As noted earlier, our Processed Metal Products segment, particularly our strip steel business, continues to face competitive product pricing pressures and the prolonged market adjustment to changes in the steel industry. Helping to offset this is continued strength in our powdered metals business.


And our Thermal Processing segment continues to benefit from the new business we’ve gained and the ongoing strength in the industrial economy.


Even though rising energy, transportation, and raw material costs will continue to put pressure on our margins, business remains on target across our company, and we expect business segment performance similar to first-quarter results.


With that as a backdrop, we expect our second-quarter EPS will be in the range of $.57 to $.62, compared to $.53 in the second quarter of 2005, barring a significant change in business conditions.


We had strong first-quarter sales and earnings, and we expect to produce solid second-quarter results.


In the year ahead, we will continue to focus on improving operating efficiencies, optimizing market share, and maximizing cash flow to help fund our growth and reduce debt.


At this point, I’ll turn the call back over to Brian.


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BRIAN


Thanks, Henning.


Before we open the call to any questions that you may have, let me make a couple of closing comments.


We generated our best-ever first-quarter sales, net income, and earnings per share, and we think we’re well positioned to deliver record setting results again in the second quarter, which sets us up well for another strong year.


Over the longer term, our goal remains to build a company that produces steady and sustainable improvements in sales, margins, and profitability, which we believe will create value for our shareholders. We continue making progress to that end.


That concludes the prepared comments that we have for today. At this point, we’ll be glad to answer any questions that any of you may have.


Q & A Session


Thank you for joining us this afternoon, and for your continuing interest in Gibraltar.


We look forward to talking with you again in three months, and updating you on our continued progress.



Q106CC




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