q3form8k.htm
 
 

 

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)
October 23, 2009 (October 23, 2009)
 
L. B. Foster Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Pennsylvania
000-10436
25-1324733
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(CommissionFile Number)
(I.R.S. EmployerIdentification No.)
     
415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15220
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(412) 928-3417
   
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
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 communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
[ ] 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 October 23, 2009, L.B. Foster Company (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s results of operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.  A copy of that press release is furnished with this report as Exhibit 99.1.
 
 
The information contained in this Current Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 

Item 9.01                      Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)           Exhibits

99.1           Press Release issued by L.B. Foster Company, October 23, 2009.

 
 

 


SIGNATURES

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.

L.B. Foster Company
(Registrant)

Date: October 23, 2009
/s/ David J. Russo
David J. Russo
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 
 

 


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated October 23, 2009, of L. B. Foster Company.


 
 

 

exh991.htm

 
 

 


 


PRESS RELEASE
 

L.B. Foster Company
 
415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
 
Contact: David J. Russo
 
Phone: (412) 928-3417
 
FAX: (412) 928-7891
 
Email: investors@LBFosterCo.com
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 

 
 
L.B. FOSTER REPORTS THIRD QUARTER
 
 
OPERATING RESULTS
 

PITTSBURGH, PA, October 23, 2009 – 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 third quarter 2009 net sales decreased 36.5% to $92.4 million compared to $145.6 million in the prior year quarter.  Gross profit margin was 19.2%, an increase of 360 basis points from the prior year quarter primarily as a result of a favorable LIFO credit partially offset by negative variances caused by reductions in inventory values, increased unfavorable manufacturing variances and increased charges for slow moving and obsolete inventory.

2009 Third Quarter Results
In the third quarter of 2009, L.B. Foster had net income of $6.1 million or $0.60 per diluted share compared to net income of $8.1 million or $0.76 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008.

Included in third quarter 2009 results was a pretax gain on the sale of marketable securities of $1.2 million ($0.07 per diluted share), $1.0 million of charges ($0.06 per diluted share) related to slow moving inventory and a $0.2 million charge ($0.01 per diluted share) related to a reduction in salaried workforce.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $1.0 million or 10.2% from last year’s quarter due primarily to lower incentive compensation expense as well as decreased bad debt and travel and entertainment expenses.  Third quarter interest expense was $0.3 million, a 34.4% decrease from the prior year quarter due principally to decreased borrowings and, to a lesser extent, lower interest rates.  The Company’s income tax rate was 37.6% in the third quarter compared to 35.9% in the prior year quarter.

 
 

 


“All of our segments posted significant declines in net sales for the third quarter.  Tubular sales were down 69.1%, Rail sales declined 37.2% and Construction Products sales declined by 31.1%.  While we have won several significant orders this quarter, business activity is inconsistent in our Rail and Construction businesses and weak in our Tubular divisions.  Our sales force has done a good job finding and winning available business in a very competitive environment.  Our manufacturing and yard operations continue to seek and implement cost reduction opportunities, but certain facilities cannot cover their fixed costs at these low volumes.  Accordingly, we had further reductions in plant personnel and we implemented a reduction in our salaried workforce as well,” stated Stan Hasselbusch, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Hasselbusch also commented, “Bookings for the quarter were $107.5 million compared to $115.8 million last year, a 7.2% decline while year-to-date bookings were down 23.4%.  Backlog was $155.5 million, an increase of 10.7% over June 2009, but 13.0% lower than last year, an indication of continued weakness.”

Mr. Hasselbusch added, “We continue to see opportunities generated from the Federal stimulus legislation primarily in our transit and precast concrete building businesses and expect further increases in activity as funding progresses, but this activity will not compensate for the shortfalls created by the current economic downturn.”

2009 Nine Month Results
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, L.B. Foster reported net income of $11.8 million or $1.15 per diluted share compared to net income of $22.1 million or $2.01 per diluted share in 2008.  In addition to the 2009 third quarter adjustments described above, we also recorded warranty charges of $2.7 million ($0.17 per diluted share) and $2.6 million ($0.16 per diluted share) of unfavorable gross profit adjustments including a sales reversal and inventory write-downs related to our concrete tie business during the first half of 2009.  The 2008 results included a pretax gain related to additional proceeds from the October 2007 sale of the Company’s investment in the DM&E Railroad of $2.0 million, as well as a $1.5 million pretax gain on the sale and lease-back of our threaded products facility in Houston, Texas.  Excluding the current and prior year gains noted above, 2009 earnings per diluted share was $1.08 compared to $1.82 last year.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 23.0% to $283.9 million compared to $368.8 million in 2008.  Gross profit margin was 15.6%, down 70 basis points from 2008, primarily as a result of (i) decreased billing margins including negative variances related to declining inventory values; (ii) the previously mentioned $5.3 million of concrete tie adjustments; (iii) increased unfavorable manufacturing variances of $3.5 million and (iv) increased unfavorable slow moving inventory reserves of $0.9 million, partially offset by a favorable change in LIFO adjustments of $14.5 million.
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses decreased $2.7 million or 9.2% from the prior year due primarily to lower incentive compensation expense as well as decreased travel and entertainment and bad debt expenses.  Interest expense decreased $0.6 million from the prior year due to decreased borrowings and lower interest rates.  The Company’s income tax rate was 37.5% compared to 36.4% in the prior year.

Cash generated from operations was approximately $7.2 million for the third quarter and $18.0 million for the first nine months of 2009.  Capital expenditures were $2.5 million for the third quarter 2009 compared to $0.9 million in the prior year quarter.  The increase is due to the purchase of land and preliminary construction of a building related to a joint venture we entered into with Lally Pipe and Tube that will manufacture, market and sell various products in the utility and construction markets.  “We continue to anticipate that in 2009, we will generate positive cash flow in excess of our capital expenditures, debt service and share repurchases.

 
 

 


As we navigate through the fourth quarter and into 2010, we expect to continue to be challenged by a difficult business environment and will continue to implement measures to control costs, focus on ways to maximize free cash flow, improve our operational processes and continue to look for opportunities to leverage our strong balance sheet, all with the goal of maintaining sales and minimizing profit erosion,” noted Mr. Hasselbusch as he concluded, “We continue to have strong liquidity and access to credit and we continue to look for value through synergistic and accretive acquisitions.”

L.B. Foster Company will conduct a conference call and webcast to discuss its third quarter 2009 operating results and general market activity and business conditions on Friday, October 23, 2009 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 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 in such communications are 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.
 

 
 

 


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
 
L.B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                         
NET SALES
  $ 92,413     $ 145,550     $ 283,928     $ 368,824  
                                 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Cost of goods sold
    74,655       122,843       239,656       308,611  
Selling and administrative expenses
    9,068       10,092       26,707       29,417  
Interest expense
    328       500       989       1,543  
Gain on sale of DM&E investment
    -       -       -       (2,022 )
Gain on sale of Houston, TX property
    -       -       -       (1,486 )
Interest income
    (169 )     (617 )     (676 )     (2,018 )
Other (income) / expense
    (1,310 )     48       (1,639 )     64  
      82,572       132,866       265,037       334,109  
                                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    9,841       12,684       18,891       34,715  
                                 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    3,697       4,558       7,076       12,626  
                                 
NET INCOME
  $ 6,144     $ 8,126     $ 11,815     $ 22,089  
                                 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  $ 0.60     $ 0.77     $ 1.16     $ 2.04  
                                 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  $ 0.60     $ 0.76     $ 1.15     $ 2.01  
                                 
AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
                               
OUTSTANDING - BASIC
    10,160       10,561       10,170       10,812  
                                 
AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
                               
OUTSTANDING - DILUTED
    10,292       10,695       10,315       10,963  

 

 
 

 



 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(In thousands)
 
             
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
       
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
   Cash and cash items
  $ 122,018     $ 115,074  
   Accounts and notes receivable:
               
      Trade
    51,450       63,271  
      Other
    318       1,042  
   Inventories
    96,986       102,916  
   Current deferred tax assets
    2,911       2,931  
   Prepaid income tax
    247       -  
   Other current assets
    1,422       1,221  
Total Current Assets
    275,352       286,455  
OTHER ASSETS:
               
   Property, plant & equipment-net
    38,328       39,989  
   Goodwill
    350       350  
   Other intangibles - net
    28       37  
   Deferred tax assets
    2,032       2,026  
   Investments
    2,985       2,856  
   Other non-current assets
    367       407  
Total Other Assets
    44,090       45,665  
                 
    $ 319,442     $ 332,120  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
   Current maturities on long-term debt
  $ 5,360     $ 5,777  
   Accounts payable-trade and other
    47,972       62,612  
   Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    5,612       8,000  
   Other accrued liabilities
    7,085       7,802  
     Total Current Liabilities
    66,029       84,191  
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT, TERM LOAN
    11,190       13,333  
OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT
    5,463       8,401  
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
    1,963       2,046  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
    6,454       6,587  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
   Class A Common stock
    111       111  
   Paid-in capital
    47,744       47,585  
   Retained earnings
    208,875       197,060  
   Treasury stock
    (27,574 )     (26,482 )
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (813 )     (712 )
     Total Stockholders' Equity
    228,343       217,562  
                 
    $ 319,442     $ 332,120