Press Release

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today reported results for the third quarter of 2015.

Quarterly Highlights

• Reported revenue was $274 million, up 8 percent on a local currency basis from the third quarter of 2014 but down 1 percent on a reported basis, reflecting a 9 percent currency headwind associated with the stronger U.S. dollar. Income from continuing operations was$16 million, or $0.41 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings were $22 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, increasing 4 percent from the third quarter of 2014.

• Local currency sales of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) increased 83 percent globally, driven by strong demand for the company's new G1 model within the North American fire service market. Global SCBA backlog at the end of the quarter was $68 million, compared to $77 million at the end of the second quarter of 2015.

• Local currency sales of MSA core products increased 13 percent in the quarter, with strong performance in SCBA and fire helmets, offset by a lower level of fixed gas and flame detection (FGFD) shipments and continued weakness in the sale of portable gas detection and industrial head protection, both of which are more exposed to employment levels within the energy market.

• In response to challenging business conditions and weak outlooks in the energy market and key emerging geographies like Brazil and China, the company is executing a restructuring program to reduce operating costs. Restructuring investments are expected to total $4 to $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, resulting in approximately $10 million of cost savings in 2016.

• R&D investments in new products are generating strong returns, as products developed and launched over the last five years represented 44 percent of quarterly core product revenue, compared to 36 percent from a year ago.

• Earlier today, the company closed on its acquisition of U.K. based Latchways plc, a market leader in permanent engineered fall protection solutions. The transaction doubles MSA's market share in fall protection, which represents one of the largest and fastest growing segments of the global safety market.

Comments from Management

"The third quarter presented us with several challenges, including a stronger U.S. dollar, softer business conditions in emerging markets, and continued weakness in the energy market. Despite these headwinds, the results we continue to see in the fire service market provide a sense of optimism in an otherwise challenging macro environment," said William M. Lambert, MSA Chairman, President and CEO.  He noted that the company's revolutionary new G1 SCBA platform continues to generate significant interest among the fire service community and was a key driver of quarterly core product growth of 13 percent.

"Although we continue to see solid results in the fire service, we are actively taking steps to reduce our cost structure to mitigate the weakness we see in the energy sector and certain emerging markets," Mr. Lambert said.  He explained that the company has started executing a restructuring program that is expected to generate $10 million of cost savings in 2016.

"The impacts of lower commodity prices, economic challenges in emerging markets like Brazil and China, and continued weakness of foreign currencies are all challenges we foresee lasting into 2016," Mr. Lambert said. 

"While we are taking steps to reduce our cost structure, we certainly recognize the importance of investing for growth and advancing the core areas of our business.  That commitment, and the R&D investments we've made over the past several years, are what's driving the strong returns we're seeing in the fire service, and on the inorganic side we recently completed a strategic acquisition in a very attractive market," he said. "Overall, we are taking decisive action to mitigate risk in response to this challenging business cycle, but we continue to make key growth investments that have and will continue to generate long-term value for all of our stakeholders," he concluded.

The Corporate segment was established on January 1, 2015 to reflect the activities of centralized functions in our corporate headquarters and to capture results in a manner that the chief operating decision maker reviews.  The corporate segment primarily consists of administrative expenses and centrally-managed costs such as interest expense and foreign exchange gains or losses. Additionally, effective January 1, 2015, we changed the allocation methodology applied to Research and Development expense.  The 2014 segment results have been recast to conform with current period presentation.

Management believes that adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share are useful measures for investors when analyzing 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 line of products 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. The company's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection, fire and rescue helmets and fall protection devices. With 2014 revenues of $1.1 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,600 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 website 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 25, 2015. 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 earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share. 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

Media Relations Contact: Mark Deasy (724) 741 - 8570, or Investor Relations Contact: Kenneth Krause (724) 741 - 8534