MSA Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018.

Quarterly Highlights

• Revenue was $362 million, increasing 5 percent from a year ago on a reported basis and 7 percent on an organic constant currency basis.

• GAAP earnings were $25 million or $0.64 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP loss of $33 million or $0.87 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.  Adjusted earnings were $50 million or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to $51 million or $1.31 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.

• Operating cash flow was $81 million compared to $41 million a year ago. Free cash flow increased 114 percent from a year ago to $62 million. Free cash flow conversion exceeded 100 percent of net income, driven by strong management of working capital.

Annual Highlights

• Revenue was $1.36 billion, increasing 13 percent from a year ago on a reported basis and 8 percent on an organic constant currency basis.

• GAAP earnings were $124 million or $3.18 per diluted share, compared to $26 million or $0.67 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.  Adjusted earnings increased 24 percent to $175 million or $4.50 per diluted share, compared to $141 million or $3.65 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. Strong organic revenue growth, the acquisition of Globe, a streamlined cost structure, and a lower effective tax rate were the key drivers of earnings growth in 2018.

• Operating cash flow was $267 million compared to $230 million a year ago. Free cash flow increased 11 percent from a year ago to $230 million. Free cash flow conversion exceeded 100 percent of net income, driven by a 220 basis point improvement from a year ago in working capital as a percent of sales.

• In 2018, the company invested more than $50 million in research and development, reduced its debt balance by $108 million, and returned $57 million to shareholders through dividend payments.

Comments from Management

"In the fourth quarter MSA delivered record revenue and drove meaningful improvements in working capital, which resulted in free cash flow that more than doubled from a year ago," said Nish Vartanian, MSA President and CEO. He added that MSA's backlog remained elevated at the end of 2018, despite the notable uptick in quarterly invoicing.

The company realized strong growth across its core product portfolio, supported by investments in new product development. "It was certainly exciting to see continued growth in our fire service business, led by deliveries of our market-leading G1 SCBA to large fire departments in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific," Mr. Vartanian continued.  "On the industrial side of our business, we realized double-digit growth in our personal protective equipment product lines, where we've invested heavily to develop what we believe are the most comfortable and customizable hard hat and fall protection solutions available today."

"Our global teams remain committed to executing the profitable growth strategy that has helped us drive outstanding financial performance over the past several years," he said.  Demonstrating these improvements, MSA posted full year revenue growth of 13 percent, adjusted earnings growth of 24 percent, and free cash flow conversion well in excess of 100 percent of net income in 2018. "As we enter 2019 - our 105th year in business - our strong balance sheet and healthy incremental margin profile position us well to build on this success and continue creating value for shareholders," Mr. Vartanian concluded.

The Americas segment is comprised of our operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.  The International segment is comprised of our operations in all other parts of the world including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, China, South East Asia and Australia.  Certain global expenses are allocated to each segment in a manner consistent with where the benefits from the expenses are derived.

Adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin are the measures used by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources.  As such, management believes that adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin are useful metrics for investors. Adjusted operating income (loss) is defined as operating income excluding restructuring charges, currency exchange gains / losses, other operating expense and strategic transaction costs.  Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating income (loss) divided by segment sales to external customers.  Adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and therefore do not purport to be alternatives to operating income or operating margin as a measure of operating performance.  The Company's definition of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.  As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider operating income determined on a GAAP basis in addition to these non-GAAP measures.

Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. Organic constant currency revenue growth is defined as constant currency revenue growth excluding acquisitions. Management believes that organic constant currency revenue growth is a useful measure for investors to provide an understanding of MSA's standalone results. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth or organic constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to these non-GAAP financial measures.

Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. Organic constant currency revenue growth is defined as constant currency revenue growth excluding acquisitions. Management believes that organic constant currency revenue growth is a useful measure for investors to provide an understanding of MSA's standalone results. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth or organic constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to these non-GAAP financial measures.

Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. Organic constant currency revenue growth is defined as constant currency revenue growth excluding acquisitions. Management believes that organic constant currency revenue growth is a useful measure for investors to provide an understanding of MSA's standalone results. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth or organic constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to these non-GAAP financial measures.

Management believes that free cash flow is a meaningful measure for investors. Management reviews cash from operations after deducting capital expenditures because these expenditures are necessary to promote growth of MSA's business and are likely to produce cash from operations in future periods. It is important to note that free cash flow does not reflect the residual cash balance of the company for discretionary spending since other items, including debt and dividend payments, are deducted from free cash flow before arriving at the company's ending cash balance. Management defines free cash flow conversion as free cash flow divided by net income attributable to MSA. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of free cash flow is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider cash from operating activities determined on a GAAP basis as well as free cash flow.

Management believes that adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share are useful measures for investors, as management uses these measures to internally assess the company's performance and ongoing operating trends. There can be no assurances that additional special items will not occur in future periods, nor that MSA's definition of adjusted earnings is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both net income determined on a GAAP basis as well as adjusted earnings.

About MSA:  
Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures.  Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations.  The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military.  MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices.  With 2018 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide.  The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.  With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America.  For more information visit MSA's web site at www.MSAsafety.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for historical information, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to all projections and anticipated levels of future performance. Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or forward looking statements, including without limitation global economic conditions, spending patterns of government agencies, competitive pressures, the impact of acquisitions and related integration activities, product liability claims, the success of new product introductions, currency exchange rate fluctuations and the risks of doing business in foreign countries. A full listing of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are detailed from time-to-time in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2018. You are strongly urged to review all such filings for a more detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties.  MSA's SEC filings are readily obtainable at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as on its own investor relations website at                                  http://investors.MSAsafety.com. MSA undertakes no duty to publicly update any forward looking statements contained herein, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures: 
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include constant currency revenue growth, organic constant currency revenue growth, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per diluted share and free cash flow. The presentation of these financial measures does not comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). For an explanation of these measures, together with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see the Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the financial tables section above.

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SOURCE MSA