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INVESTOR RELATIONS
Quarterly Releases
| SOURCE: |
Myers Industries,
Inc. |
| CONTACTS: |
Donald A. Merril |
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Vice
President & Chief Financial Officer |
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(330) 253-5592 |
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Max Barton |
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Director,
Corporate Communications
& Investor Relations |
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(330) 761-6106 |
Myers Industries
Reports Record
Third Quarter Sales & Profits
View Earnings Table
View Release PDF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2006, Akron, Ohio -
Myers Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MYE) today reports results for the third quarter and nine
months ended September 30, 2006. Third quarter highlights, including both continuing and
discontinued operations, were:
- Net income increased 22 percent to a third quarter record of
$6.1 million.
- Net income per share increased 21 percent to a third quarter
record of $0.17 per
basic and diluted share.
- "Continuing operations" include Myers Industries'
North American Material Handling,
Distribution, Automotive and Custom, and Lawn and Garden Segments. These are the
Company's strategic business segments.
- In July 2006, the Company announced its intention to divest
its European Material Handling Segment, which is reported here as "discontinued
operations." On October 20, 2006, the Company announced that it had entered into an
agreement for the intended sale of the businesses that comprise the European Segment.
2006 Third Quarter & Year to Date:
Results from Continuing Operations
Myers Industries today announced that net sales from continuing operations for the third
quarter ended September 30, 2006, increased 7 percent to a record $185.8 million, as
compared to net sales of $174.0 million for the third quarter of 2005.
Net income from continuing operations for the third quarter
of 2006 increased 2 percent to $4.2 million, which includes a more favorable effective tax
rate, as compared to $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2005
Net income per share from continuing operations for the
third quarter of 2006 was $0.12 per basic and diluted share, unchanged from $0.12 per
basic and diluted share for the third quarter of 2005.
John C. Orr, Myers Industries' president and chief
executive officer, commented, "During the third quarter, we delivered solid
performance improvements in three of our four strategic business segments. Performance in
our Lawn and Garden Segment was slowed by a change in the timing of grower ordering for
the 2007 season. We remain on track with our Strategic Business Evolution process, a key
component of which will be completing the sale of our European businesses and putting
those proceeds to work by reinvesting in our strategic segments and reducing debt."
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net sales
from continuing operations were $585.7 million, an increase of 7 percent from the $545.9
million reported for the same period in 2005.
Net income from continuing operations for the nine months
ended September 30, 2006, was $21.4 million, an increase of 59 percent compared to $13.5
million reported for the same period in 2005.
Net income per share from continuing operations for the
nine months ended September 30, 2006, was $0.61 per basic and diluted share, an increase
of 56 percent compared to $0.39 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2005.
Orr said, "Throughout the year, we have continued to
build on improvements and initiatives put in motion in 2005. We have clearly demonstrated
our ability to enact strategic pricing to help manage raw material costs. Permanent cost
reductions, productivity gains, and streamlining remain ongoing priorities. These and
other efforts, we believe, will fuel sustainable, profitable growth for our Company."
Gross Margins, SG&A Expenses
& Raw Material Costs for the Third Quarter & Nine Months
Gross margin from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2006 increased to 25.3
percent of net sales from 25.0 percent for the third quarter of 2005. For the nine months
ended September 30, 2006, gross margin from continuing operations increased to 26.6
percent of net sales in 2006 as compared to 24.1 percent for the same period last year.
Selling and administrative expenses from continuing
operations for the third quarter of 2006 increased as a percent of sales to 19.4 percent
from 18.6 percent for the third quarter of 2005. For the nine months ended September 30,
2006, selling and administrative expenses from continuing operations increased as a
percent of sales to 18.6 percent from 17.8 percent in the same period of 2005. The primary
factors behind the increases are higher selling and freight expenses related to sales
volumes.
The prices for plastic raw materials in the third quarter
of 2006 continued to exceed 2005 comparisons. For the third quarter of 2006 compared to
the third quarter of 2005, prices for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were approximately
25 percent higher on average, while polypropylene (PP) prices were approximately 20
percent higher on average. For the nine-month period of 2006 compared to 2005, HDPE prices
averaged approximately 20 percent higher and PP prices averaged approximately 10 percent
higher.
Business Segment Results:
Continuing Operations for the Third Quarter & Nine Months
Distribution Segment
In the Distribution Segment, net sales were $50.7 million for the third quarter of 2006,
an increase of 3 percent as compared to $49.3 million for the third quarter of 2005. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net sales in the segment were $147.4 million, an
increase of 5 percent as compared to $140.8 million for the same period of 2005.
Income before taxes in the Distribution Segment was $5.8
million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 5 percent as compared to $5.5
million in the third quarter of 2005. The key factor influencing performance in this
segment continued to be favorable product mix and cost controls. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2006, income before taxes in the segment was $16.1 million, an increase of
11 percent as compared to $14.5 million for the same period of 2005.
Material Handling- North America Segment
In the North American Material Handling Segment, net sales for the third quarter of 2006
were $59.8 million, an increase of 23 percent as compared to $48.6 million for the third
quarter of 2005. A focus on strategic customers and selling across a wide range of niche
markets was the primary factor in net sales performance for the quarter. For the nine
months ended September 30, 2006, net sales in the segment were $181.9 million, an increase
of 18 percent as compared to $154.5 million for the same period of 2005.
Income before taxes in the North American Material Handling
Segment was $7.4 million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 54 percent as
compared to $4.8 million for the third quarter
of 2005. The primary factors influencing third quarter profitability were moderate gains
from strategic pricing, a favorable product mix of container systems, and internal
productivity initiatives, all of which helped mitigate the impact of higher raw material
costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, income before taxes in the segment
was $24.2 million, an increase of 122 percent as compared to $10.9 million for the same
period of 2005.
Automotive and Custom Segment
In the Automotive and Custom Segment, net sales for the third quarter of 2006 were $49.8
million, an increase of 1 percent as compared to $49.2 million for the third quarter of
2005. The slowdown in automotive and recreational vehicle markets impacted sales, but was
partially offset by gains made in heavy truck, construction, and other niche markets. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net sales in the segment were $154.5 million, an
increase of 5 percent as compared to $147.0 million for the same period of 2005.
Income before taxes in the Automotive and Custom Segment
was $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 38 percent as compared to
$2.5 million for the third quarter of 2005. A strong focus on customers' needs for
value-added engineered products, mix management, continued pricing improvements, cost
controls, and productivity gains were the primary factors influencing profitability during
the quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, income before taxes in the
segment was $12.0 million, an increase of 34 percent from $9.0 million for the same period
of 2005.
Lawn and Garden Segment
In the Lawn and Garden Segment, net sales for the third quarter of 2006 were $31.4
million, a decrease of 9 percent from $34.5 million for the third quarter of 2005. In the
third quarter, the Lawn and Garden Segment experienced changes in the timing of grower
orders for the 2007 season, as major retailers delayed finalizing their spring garden
center programs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net sales were $119.7
million, a decrease of 4 percent from $124.9 million for the same period of 2005.
Loss before taxes in the Lawn and Garden Segment was $(2.0)
million for the third quarter of 2006, compared with income before taxes of $2.3 million
for the third quarter of 2005. While product pricing continued to hold, and decorative
planter business to retail markets remained strong, these factors could not offset the
reduction in unit volumes to the grower market. Profits in the quarter were also impacted
by costs for re-aligning production of certain product lines, moving them to lower cost
facilities to improve efficiency and customer service. For the nine months ended September
30, 2006, income before taxes in the segment was $6.9 million, a decrease of 37 percent
from $10.9 million for the same period of 2005.
Through the first half of the year, this segment was held
back by poor weather patterns across key areas of the U.S., which constrained grower
shipments of plant material to retailers and reduced demand for certain product lines.
Management believes the buying delay from growers will shift third quarter business into
the fourth and first quarters, and the Company will adjust its resources as required to
meet the needs of customers and the market. The lawn and garden industry continues to be a
strong and growing market, as per capita gardening participation increases every year.
Myers Industries remains focused on strengthening its industry-leading brands and position
in this key segment by capitalizing on opportunities to consolidate and streamline
resources, both internally and within the market.
Discontinued Operations:
Results for the Third Quarter & Nine Months
In July 2006, the Company announced plans to divest its European Material Handling
Segment, which includes the Allibert-Buckhorn and raaco® businesses and represents
aggregate annual net sales of $166.8 million in 2005. In connection with the evaluation of
strategic options for the segment, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment
test, and the analysis required the Company to record a $109.8 million impairment charge
in the second quarter of 2006. That segment has now been included as discontinued
operations for reporting purposes beginning with the third quarter of 2006. On October 20,
2006, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement for the intended sale of
the businesses that comprise the European Segment.
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2006, net sales
from discontinued operations were $39.5 million compared to $37.0 million for the third
quarter of 2005. Net income from discontinued operations was $1.8 million for the third
quarter of 2006 compared to $802,000 for the third quarter of 2005. Net income per share
from discontinued operations was $0.05 compared to $0.02 for the third quarter of 2005.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net sales
from discontinued operations were $122.7 million compared to $126.4 million for the same
period of 2005. Including the goodwill impairment charge of $109.8 million recorded in the
second quarter of 2006, net loss was $(104.5) million for the nine months ended September
30, 2006, as compared to net income of $4.4 million for the same period of 2005. Net loss
per share was $(2.99) per basic share and $(2.98) per diluted share for the nine-month
period of 2006, compared to net income per basic and diluted share of $0.12 for the same
period of 2005.
Capital Expenditures & Total Debt
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, were $8.6 million. The
Company remains focused on disciplined investments to build on the strengths of its
strategic business segments.
Total debt at September 30, 2006, was $225.1 million, a
reduction of $27.7 million from $252.8 million at December 31, 2005.
Company Outlook
The Company's business fundamentals are solid, and operating initiatives under the
Strategic Business Evolution (SBE) remain strong as the Company enters the last quarter of
the year and looks into the first part of 2007. As was indicated at the end of the second
quarter, the Company's performance continues to benefit from pricing adjustments to manage
raw material costs; a focus on strategic customers and markets; cost controls; and
programs to improve brand strength, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Management believes that as further initiatives of the SBE are enacted across the key
business segments and brands, the Company will be positioned to deliver greater value for
customers, employees, and shareholders.
No Conference Call for the Third Quarter
The Company will not host a conference call to review third quarter results. The next
regular conference call is expected to be in February 2007 when the Company reports its
2006 fourth quarter and full-year operating results.
About Myers Industries
Myers Industries, Inc. is an international manufacturer of polymer products for
industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial, and consumer markets. The Company is
also the largest wholesale distributor of tools, equipment, and supplies for the tire,
wheel, and undervehicle service industry in the U.S. Myers Industries had record net sales
of $903.7 million in 2005. Visit www.myersind.com
to learn more.
Note: Some percentages may not add due to
rounding
Caution on Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this release may include "forward-looking" statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement that is not
of historical fact may be deemed "forward-looking." Words such as
"expect," "believe," "project," "plan,"
"anticipate," "intend," "objective," "goal,"
"view," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on management's current views and assumptions of future events and
financial performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many outside of the
Company's control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from those
expressed or implied. Factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the markets for
the Company's business segments; changes in trends and demands in the industries in which
the Company competes; unanticipated downturn in business relationships with customers or
their purchases; competitive pressures on sales and pricing; raw material availability,
increases in raw material costs, or other production costs; future economic and financial
conditions in the United States and around the world; the Company's ability to execute the
components of its Strategic Business Evolution process; and other risks as detailed in the
Company's 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Myers
Industries undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date made.
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