8-K


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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 23, 2016
 
 
MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pennsylvania
 
1-15579
 
46-4914539
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
 
 
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
 
16066-5207
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 724-776-8600
 
 
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:
 
o
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On February 23, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits
 
 
99.1
  
MSA Safety Incorporated Press Release dated February 23, 2016, announcing financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.





SIGNATURE
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.
 
 
 
 
MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
(Registrant)
 
 
By
 
/s/ Kenneth D. Krause
 
 
Kenneth D. Krause
 
 
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 24, 2016





EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
  
Description
 
 
99.1
  
MSA Safety Incorporated Press Release dated February 23, 2016, announcing financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.



Exhibit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: MSA Safety Incorporated
Ticker: MSA (NYSE)
Media Relations Contact: Mark Deasy (724) 741 - 8570
Investor Relations Contact: Kenneth Krause (724) 741 - 8534
MSA Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
Investments in new product R&D and inorganic growth activity drive 8 percent gain in quarterly and full-year local currency revenue
PITTSBURGH, February 23, 2016 - Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2015.
Quarterly Highlights
Revenue was $313 million, increasing 8 percent on a local currency basis, including 4 percent associated with the recent acquisition of Latchways plc, a U.K.-based market leader in highly engineered fall protection systems. Reported revenue increased 1 percent, reflecting a 7 percent foreign currency translation headwind related to the stronger U.S. dollar.
Adjusted earnings were $32 million or $0.84 per diluted share versus $0.93 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. Reported income from continuing operations was $21 million, or $0.55 per diluted share.
Local currency revenue from core product lines increased 12 percent, driven by robust shipping activity of the company's G1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to the North American fire service market.
The company executed on an expanded revolving credit facility that provides access to $575 million of committed capital, while also taking advantage of low long-term interest rates by issuing notes totaling £55 million ($80 million) at a fixed interest rate of 3.4 percent through 2031. These capital structure enhancements provide MSA with the flexibility and capacity to continue investing in strategic growth projects while maintaining a balanced approach to capital allocation.

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2

Annual Highlights
Revenue was $1.1 billion, increasing 8 percent on a local currency basis, including 1 percent associated with the acquisition of Latchways. Reported revenue was flat compared to a year ago, reflecting an 8 percent foreign currency translation headwind related to the stronger U.S. dollar.
Adjusted earnings were $95 million or $2.52 per diluted share versus $2.53 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Reported income from continuing operations was $70 million, or $1.84 per diluted share.
Local currency revenue from core product lines increased 11 percent as the company’s diversified portfolio supported double-digit growth in a challenging macro environment. Market share gains in the fire service fully offset weaker demand for products that are exposed to the energy sector.
R&D investments in new product development are yielding strong results, as products developed and launched over the past five years reflected 38 percent of revenue compared to 27 percent in 2014.
Comments from Management
"Our fourth quarter results reflected strong execution of our strategy in a very challenging environment,” said William M. Lambert, MSA Chairman, President and CEO. “Despite the weakness we are seeing in the energy market and in key emerging market geographies, our full-year revenue finished at the high end of our mid-single digit local currency growth range target, and we continued to see strong returns from the organic investments we've made in R&D over the past several years." As an example, Mr. Lambert noted that the company's revolutionary G1 SCBA model continues to drive market share gains in the U.S. fire service, with a 2015 competitive conversion rate of more than 50 percent on all incoming orders.

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3

Continuing its focus on driving growth in attractive markets, the company took steps in the fourth quarter to broaden its market coverage, geographic reach and product portfolio within the growing fall protection segment. "In October we deployed capital to acquire Latchways, a strategic investment that provides a very solid foundation for achieving growth in one of the largest areas of the global safety market," Mr. Lambert noted. "I’m pleased to report that we are very much on track with our integration plans, which include realizing synergies and leveraging the unique strengths of each organization to deliver unparalleled solutions to our customers," Mr. Lambert said.
"Although we continue to see solid results in certain areas of our business, our planning assumptions for 2016 reflect a slower growth environment associated with the macro headwinds that continue to impact the energy market and emerging markets like China and Brazil," he said. Mr. Lambert added that the company has completed its previously announced restructuring program to mitigate the impact of a challenging business cycle, and this initiative is expected to generate $10 million of operating expense savings in 2016.
"We took decisive steps in the fourth quarter to drive top-line growth while reducing our cost structure to align with the realities of our current operating environment," Mr. Lambert said. "As we look ahead to 2016, we will continue to focus on closely managing operating expenses while using our strong capital structure to invest in new product development and other strategic initiatives that advance our mission, build customer loyalty, and position MSA for profitable growth and value creation in 2016 and beyond," he concluded.

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4

MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
313,318

 
$
311,188

 
$
1,130,783

 
$
1,133,885

Other (loss) income, net
(2,027
)
 
1,779

 
(861
)
 
2,765

 
311,291

 
312,967

 
1,129,922

 
1,136,650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
179,308

 
171,047

 
629,680

 
618,536

Selling, general and administrative
83,587

 
77,420

 
315,270

 
322,797

Research and development
12,200

 
11,643

 
48,630

 
48,247

Restructuring and other charges
7,560

 
2,118

 
12,258

 
8,515

Interest expense
3,052

 
2,234

 
10,854

 
9,851

Currency exchange (gains) losses, net
(1,132
)
 
1,151

 
2,204

 
1,509

 
284,575

 
265,613

 
1,018,896

 
1,009,455

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
26,716

 
47,354

 
111,026

 
127,195

Provision for income taxes
7,738

 
14,988

 
44,407

 
41,044

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
18,978

 
32,366

 
66,619

 
86,151

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
85

 
(56
)
 
1,325

 
1,776

Net income
19,063

 
32,310

 
67,944

 
87,927

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,788

 
377

 
2,863

 
579

Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated
20,851

 
32,687

 
70,807

 
88,506

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
20,840

 
33,119

 
69,590

 
87,447

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
11

 
(432
)
 
1,217

 
1,059

  Net income
20,851

 
32,687

 
70,807

 
88,506

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
0.56

 
$
0.88

 
$
1.86

 
$
2.34

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
$

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.03

  Net income
$
0.56

 
$
0.87

 
$
1.89

 
$
2.37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
0.55

 
$
0.87

 
$
1.84

 
$
2.30

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
$

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.03

  Net income
$
0.55

 
$
0.86

 
$
1.87

 
$
2.33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic shares outstanding
37,269

 
37,216

 
37,293

 
37,138

Diluted shares outstanding
37,512

 
37,786

 
37,710

 
37,728


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5

MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
19,063

 
$
32,310

 
$
67,944

 
$
87,927

Depreciation and amortization
9,038

 
7,610

 
31,684

 
29,921

Change in working capital and other operating
17,323

 
16,309

 
(44,374
)
 
(10,817)

  Cash from operations
45,424

 
56,229

 
55,254

 
107,031

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(11,093
)
 
(9,350
)
 
(36,241
)
 
(33,583
)
Property disposals
53

 
3,385

 
8,022

 
3,385

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
(180,271)

 

 
(180,271)

 

Other investing

 
(500
)
 

 
(500
)
  Cash from investing
(191,311
)
 
(6,465
)
 
(208,490
)
 
(30,698
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in debt
75,794

 
(25,634
)
 
218,936

 
(16,463
)
Cash dividends paid
(11,932
)
 
(11,543
)
 
(47,380
)
 
(45,586
)
Share repurchase program

 

 
(7,104
)
 

Other financing
888

 
(82
)
 
497

 
3,931

  Cash from financing
64,750

 
(37,259)

 
164,949

 
(58,118
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange rate changes
(2,281
)
 
(3,862
)
 
(11,786
)
 
(8,482
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) Increase in cash
(83,418
)
 
8,643

 
(73
)
 
9,733



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6

MSA Safety Incorporated
Segment Information (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
163,085

 
$
147,592

 
$
608,983

 
$
547,739

Europe
89,337

 
92,012

 
293,156

 
321,618

International
60,896

 
71,584

 
228,644

 
264,528

Total
313,318

 
311,188

 
1,130,783

 
1,133,885

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
25,183

 
$
25,696

 
$
87,092

 
$
77,687

Europe
5,521

 
10,001

 
6,843

 
22,808

International
1,211

 
5,407

 
10,137

 
16,977

Corporate
(10,369
)
 
(8,465
)
 
(33,218
)
 
(30,324
)
Reconciling Items
(706
)
 
480

 
(1,264
)
 
299

Income from continuing operations
20,840

 
33,119

 
69,590

 
87,447

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
11

 
(432
)
 
1,217

 
1,059

Total
20,851

 
32,687

 
70,807

 
88,506

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.

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7

MSA Safety Incorporated
Supplemental Segment Information (Unaudited)
Local Currency Revenue Growth
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Consolidated
 
North America
 
Europe
 
International
Fall Protection*
78
 %
 
7
 %
 
4,605
 %
 
12
 %
Breathing Apparatus
57
 %
 
130
 %
 
(6
)%
 
16
 %
Portable Gas Detection
(6
)%
 
(11
)%
 
1
 %
 
(2
)%
Fire and Rescue Helmets
(8
)%
 
(4
)%
 
4
 %
 
(30
)%
Industrial Head Protection
(10
)%
 
(17
)%
 
25
 %
 
(7
)%
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection
(11
)%
 
(25
)%
 
8
 %
 
4
 %
Core Sales
12
 %
 
16
 %
 
15
 %
 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Core excluding Latchways
8
 %
 
15
 %
 
2
 %
 
(2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Core Sales
(10
)%
 
(14
)%
 
(6
)%
 
(9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
8
 %
 
11
 %
 
9
 %
 
(2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net Sales excluding Latchways
4
 %
 
10
 %
 
 %
 
(4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Consolidated
 
North America
 
Europe
 
International
Fall Protection*
22
 %
 
4
 %
 
1,216
 %
 
1
 %
Breathing Apparatus
52
 %
 
113
 %
 
 %
 
11
 %
Portable Gas Detection
(7
)%
 
(16
)%
 
5
 %
 
6
 %
Fire and Rescue Helmets
9
 %
 
4
 %
 
4
 %
 
29
 %
Industrial Head Protection
(9
)%
 
(11
)%
 
21
 %
 
(11
)%
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection
(2
)%
 
(6
)%
 
2
 %
 
4
 %
Core Sales
11
 %
 
16
 %
 
7
 %
 
3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Core excluding Latchways
10
 %
 
16
 %
 
3
 %
 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Core Sales
(4
)%
 
(6
)%
 
6
 %
 
(13
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
8
 %
 
12
 %
 
7
 %
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net Sales excluding Latchways
7
 %
 
12
 %
 
4
 %
 
(2
)%
*Fall protection growth rates include the impact from Latchways sales.

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8

MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Earnings / Earnings per Share (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2015


2014
 
%
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to MSA Safety Inc.
$
20,840

 
$
33,119

 
(37.1)%
 
$
69,590

 
$
87,447

 
(20.4)%
Nonrecurring tax charges associated with European reorganization

 

 
 
 
7,605

 

 
 
Non-deductible transaction costs
2,172

 

 
 
 
2,879

 

 
 
Subtotal
23,012

 
33,119

 
 
 
80,074

 
87,447

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring and other charges
7,560

 
2,118

 
 
 
12,258

 
8,515

 
 
Deductible transaction costs
4,583

 

 
 
 
4,583

 

 
 
Asset related loss (gain), net
1,098

 
(1,731
)
 
 
 
1,636

 
(2,116
)
 
 
Self-insured legal settlements and defense costs
(69
)
 
1,607

 
 
 
982

 
3,893

 
 
Currency exchange (gains) losses, net
(1,132
)
 
1,151

 
 
 
2,204

 
1,509

 
 
Income tax expense on adjustments
(3,492
)
 
(997
)
 
 
 
(6,792
)
 
(3,812
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted earnings
31,560

 
35,267

 
(10.5)%
 
94,945

 
95,436

 
(0.5)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted earnings per diluted share
$0.84
 
$0.93
 
(9.7)%
 
$
2.52

 
$
2.53

 
(0.4)%
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.


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MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Local Currency Revenue Growth (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Consolidated
 
North America
 
Europe
 
International
Local currency revenue growth, excluding Latchways
4
 %
 
10
 %
 
 %
 
(4
)%
Latchways acquisition
4
 %
 
1
 %
 
9
 %
 
2
 %
Local currency revenue growth
8
 %
 
11
 %
 
9
 %
 
(2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FX translation
(7
)%
 
(1
)%
 
(12
)%
 
(13
)%
GAAP reported revenue growth
1
 %
 
10
 %
 
(3
)%
 
(15
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Consolidated
 
North America
 
Europe
 
International
Local currency revenue growth, excluding Latchways
7
 %
 
12
 %
 
4
 %
 
(2
)%
Latchways acquisition
1
 %
 
 %
 
3
 %
 
1
 %
Local currency revenue growth
8
 %
 
12
 %
 
7
 %
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FX translation
(8
)%
 
(1
)%
 
(16
)%
 
(13
)%
GAAP reported revenue growth
 %
 
11
 %
 
(9
)%
 
(14
)%
Management believes that local currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Local currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of local currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis as well as local currency revenue growth.

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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 lifethreatening 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 products, fire and rescue helmets and fall protection devices. With 2015 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, product liability claims, the impact of acquisitions and related integration activities, 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, adjusted earnings per diluted share, and local currency revenue growth. 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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