L.B. Foster Reports Strong Fourth Quarter to Close Out Improved 2010 Annual Results
By L.b. Foster Company, PRNEWednesday, February 23, 2011
PITTSBURGH, February 24, 2011 - L.B. Foster Company (Nasdaq: FSTR), a leading manufacturer, fabricator,
and distributor of products and services for rail, construction, energy and
utility markets, today reported that 2010 fourth quarter net income increased
by 59.5% to $6.2 million or $0.60 per diluted share, compared to $3.9 million
or $0.38 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Included in the
fourth quarter 2010 results was a $1.4 million gain ($0.08 per diluted share)
on shares of Portec Rail Products, Inc. ("Portec") held by the Company.
The acquisition of Portec closed on December 15, 2010. The results of
operations of Portec are included in our consolidated results of operations
from the acquisition date. During that two week period, Portec reported $4.8
million of net sales and incurred a small pretax loss due principally to the
sale of inventory that was appraised at fair market value as of December 15,
2010. This resulted in increased cost of goods sold of $0.8 million.
2010 Fourth Quarter Results
Fourth quarter 2010 net sales increased 40.7% to $148.0 million compared
to $105.2 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit margin increased by
20 basis points to 15.0% from the prior year quarter due principally to a
$2.1 million improvement in negative inventory valuation adjustments and a
$1.8 million favorable settlement of a supply chain dispute, mostly offset by
decreased LIFO income of $3.5 million.
Selling and administrative expenses increased by $4.0 million or 45.1%
from last year's quarter due to increased incentive compensation expense,
increased deal costs related to the acquisition of Portec as well as the
inclusion of Portec's selling and administrative expenses. The Company's
effective income tax rate was 41.2% in the fourth quarter compared to 40.7%
in the prior year quarter primarily due to certain acquisition costs not
being deductible for tax purposes.
"While sales and profitability were up across all of our segments in the
fourth quarter of 2010, I am particularly proud of the cash generated from
operations. As most of our business units ramped up activity levels to
accommodate higher sales, they were also very successful in achieving
significant inventory reductions and our Credit and Sales teams did a great
job with receivables," stated Stan Hasselbusch, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "Bookings for the quarter were $113.0 million (inclusive of $2.5
million for Portec) compared to $118.0 million last year, a 4.2% decrease and
backlog was $189.3 million (inclusive of $16.0 million for Portec), up 6.0%
from last year," noted Mr. Hasselbusch as he added, "As previously announced,
the Portec acquisition closed on December 15, 2010. Members of the executive
team and I visited every Portec location in January. While challenges exist
with any acquisition, I am very pleased about the opportunities that lie
ahead and I am especially excited about the dedicated and talented Portec
employees that we have welcomed into the Foster family."
2010 Total Year Results
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, L.B. Foster reported net
income of $20.5 million or $1.98 per diluted share compared to net income of
$15.7 million or $1.53 per diluted share in 2009. Included in the prior year
were unfavorable gross profit adjustments of $5.3 million ($0.33 per diluted
share) related to concrete tie issues discovered in 2009.
Net sales for the twelve months of 2010 increased 17.6% to $475.1 million
compared to $404.0 million in the prior year. Gross profit margin was 15.7%,
up 90 basis points from 2009, primarily as a result of last year's concrete
tie adjustments as well as improved manufacturing variances in 2010,
partially offset by decreased LIFO credits.
Selling and administrative expenses increased $7.1 million or 20.0% from
the prior year due primarily to increased acquisition costs of $2.4 million
as well as compensation costs, including incentive compensation, of $2.1
million, bad debt expense of $0.8 million and the inclusion of $0.9 million
of Portec's selling and administrative costs. Interest expense decreased $0.3
million from the prior year due to decreased borrowings and, to a lesser
extent, lower interest rates. Interest income declined by $0.4 million due to
lower interest rates. The Company's income tax rate was 37.4% compared to
38.3% in the prior year. The decline was due to an increased benefit from
certain domestic manufacturing credits partially offset by certain
acquisition costs not being deductible for tax purposes.
Cash generated from operations exceeded $33 million for the fourth
quarter compared to $7.7 million last year. Cash generated from operations
for the full year of 2010 exceeded $66 million compared to $25.7 million in
2009. Capital expenditures for the three and twelve months of 2010 were $2.0
million and $6.1 million, respectively, compared to $1.3 million and $6.1
million, respectively, in the prior year. "Even after our acquisition of
Portec, we maintain a strong cash position and access to improved credit
markets as we continue to look for value through synergistic and accretive
investments," noted Mr. Hasselbusch as he concluded, "As we move through the
first quarter of 2011, we continue to see a highly competitive environment
and continued delays regarding a new transportation bill but we are
optimistic that the economy is improving."
L.B. Foster Company will conduct a conference call and webcast to discuss
its fourth quarter 2010 operating results and general market activity and
business conditions on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 11:00am ET. The call
will be hosted by Mr. Stan Hasselbusch, President and Chief Executive
Officer. Listen via audio on the L.B. Foster web site:
www.lbfoster.com, by accessing the Investor Relations page. The replay
can also be heard via telephone at (888) 286-8010 by entering pass code
70772246.
There are no assurances regarding the expected benefits of the merger
between L.B. Foster and Portec, including potential synergies and cost
savings or future financial and operating results, and achievement of the
combined company's plans and objectives. Risks and uncertainties include the
potential that market segment growth will not follow historical patterns;
general industry conditions and competition; business and economic
conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
technological advances and patents attained by competitors; and domestic and
foreign governmental laws and regulations.
The Company wishes to caution readers that various factors could cause
the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated
by forward-looking statements in news releases, and other communications,
including oral statements, such as references to future profitability, made
from time to time by representatives of the Company. Specific risks and
uncertainties that could affect the Company's profitability include, but are
not limited to, general economic conditions, sudden and/or sharp declines in
steel prices, adequate funding for infrastructure projects, production delays
or problems encountered at our manufacturing facilities, additional concrete
tie defects and the availability of existing and new piling and rail
products. There are also no assurances that the Canadian Pacific Railway will
proceed with the Powder River Basin project and trigger any contingent
payments to L.B. Foster related to the Company's sale of its investment in
the DM&E.
Matters discussed may include forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. Sentences containing words such as "anticipates,"
"expects," or "will," generally should be considered forward-looking
statements. More detailed information on these and additional factors which
could affect the Company's operating and financial results are described in
the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other reports, filed or to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company urges all interested
parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many
business and other risks that the Company faces. The forward-looking
statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date
hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
L.B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------ ------------ 2010 2009 2010 2009 ---- ---- ---- ---- (Unaudited) (Unaudited) NET SALES $147,983 $105,171 $475,050 $404,020 COSTS AND EXPENSES: Cost of goods sold 125,830 89,585 400,467 344,162 Selling and administrative expenses 12,763 8,794 42,588 35,501 Interest expense 306 303 1,003 1,292 (Gain) loss on joint venture (59) - 213 - Gain on marketable securities (1,364) - (1,364) (1,194) Interest income (108) (113) (403) (789) Other income 3 10 (196) (435) 137,371 98,579 442,308 378,537 ------- ------ ------- ------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 10,612 6,592 32,742 25,483 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 4,373 2,680 12,250 9,756 ----- ----- ------ ----- NET INCOME $6,239 $3,912 $20,492 $15,727 ====== ====== ======= ======= BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $0.61 $0.38 $2.01 $1.55 ===== ===== ===== ===== DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $0.60 $0.38 $1.98 $1.53 ===== ===== ===== ===== AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - 10,266 10,164 10,219 10,169 BASIC ====== ====== ====== ====== AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED 10,397 10,289 10,348 10,304 ====== ====== ====== ====== Contact: David J. Russo Phone: +1-412-928-3417 FAX: +1-412-928-7891 Email: investors@LBFosterCo.com
David J. Russo, +1-412-928-3417, FAX +1-412-928-7891, investors at LBFosterCo.com
Tags: February 24, L.b. Foster Company, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh