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MSA Announces Third Quarter Results

Strong revenue growth, improvements in productivity and U.S. Tax Reform drive GAAP earnings growth of 5 percent and adjusted earnings growth of 27 percent

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today reported results for the third quarter of 2018.

MSA Safety Incorporated

Quarterly Highlights

Revenue was $331 million, increasing 12 percent from a year ago on a reported basis and 14 percent on a constant currency basis, driven by strong organic growth across the company's core product portfolio.
GAAP operating income was $40 million or 12.1 percent of sales, compared to $40 million or 13.5 percent of sales in the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income increased 20 percent to $57 million or 17.2 percent of sales, compared to $47 million or 16.0 percent of sales in the same period a year ago.
GAAP earnings were $34 million or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to $32 million or $0.83 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. Adjusted earnings increased 27 percent to $45 million or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to $35 million or $0.92 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.

Comments from Management
"Our third quarter results reflect strong returns on investments we've made in new product development and restructuring programs," said Nish Vartanian, MSA President and CEO. "We realized double-digit organic revenue growth and our ongoing focus on productivity helped convert that into 27 percent growth in adjusted earnings," he said.

Mr. Vartanian continued, "It's encouraging to see both the step-change in profitability and improvements in free cash flow." The company's adjusted operating margin increased 120 basis points while free cash flow generation remained strong, with free cash flow conversion in excess of 100 percent of net income in the third quarter. Mr. Vartanian noted that despite investing heavily in research and development projects that will drive future revenue growth, the company's incremental operating margins are approaching 30 percent for the quarter and year to date.

"Our incoming order book and backlog levels point to sustained strength across our core product portfolio, and we continue to see exciting wins in our industrial and fire service market segments. With this momentum, our global teams remain highly focused on executing our strategy and strengthening our market positions in our core products, while continuing to improve productivity and drive free cash flow," Mr. Vartanian said. "I'm confident that formula will continue to position us well as we work to increase value for all MSA stakeholders," he concluded.

MSA Safety Incorporated Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017

Net sales	$	331,096	$	296,129	$	996,320	$	850,669
Cost of products sold	182,794		163,926		546,844		465,780
Gross profit	148,302		132,203		449,476		384,889

Selling, general and administrative	78,013		72,852		240,226		223,741
Research and development	13,296		12,351		39,752		35,282
Restructuring charges	2,615		3,214		10,223		16,920
Currency exchange (gains) losses, net	(252)		562		2,571		3,994
Other operating expense	14,627		3,346		25,469		32,956
Operating income	40,003		39,878		131,235		71,996

Interest expense	4,492		3,961		14,454		10,566
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,494		—		1,494		—
Other income, net	(4,252)		(1,720)		(8,292)		(4,406)
Total other expense, net	1,734		2,241		7,656		6,160

Income before income taxes	38,269		37,637		123,579		65,836
Provision for income taxes	4,206		5,411		23,606		6,306
Net income	34,063		32,226		99,973		59,530
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(346)		(160)		(706)		(519)
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$	33,717	$	32,066	99,267		59,011

Earnings per share attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
Basic	$	0.88	$	0.84	$	2.59	$	1.55
Diluted	$	0.86	$	0.83	$	2.55	$	1.52

Basic shares outstanding	38,417		38,074		38,328		37,970
Diluted shares outstanding	39,036		38,702		38,914		38,692

MSA Safety Incorporated Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	118,161	$	134,244
Trade receivables, net	236,245		244,198
Inventories	183,829		153,739
Notes receivable, insurance companies	3,525		17,333
Other current assets	131,577		72,783
Total current assets	673,337		622,297

Property, net	150,569		157,014
Prepaid pension cost	91,914		83,060
Goodwill	416,779		422,185
Notes receivable, insurance companies, noncurrent	60,726		59,567
Insurance receivable, noncurrent	49,280		123,089
Other noncurrent assets	208,078		217,614
Total assets	$	1,650,683	$	1,684,826

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt, net	$	20,005	$	26,680
Accounts payable	71,659		87,061
Other current liabilities	216,283		175,538
Total current liabilities	307,947		289,279

Long-term debt, net	370,195		447,832
Pensions and other employee benefits	167,373		170,773
Deferred tax liabilities	8,973		9,341
Product liability and other noncurrent liabilities	136,489		165,023
Total shareholders' equity	659,706		602,578
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,650,683	$	1,684,826

MSA Safety Incorporated Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017

Net income	$	34,063	$	32,226	$	99,973	$	59,530
Depreciation and amortization	9,378		9,929		28,585		27,665
Change in working capital and other operating	77,374		809		57,639		102,051
Cash flow from operating activities	120,815		42,964		186,197		189,246

Capital expenditures	(9,808)		(5,603)		(18,620)		(11,730)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	—		(213,990)		—		(213,990)
Purchase of short-term investments	(57,090)		—		(57,090)		—
Property disposals	942		52		4,001		729
Cash flow used in investing activities	(65,956)		(219,541)		(71,709)		(224,991)

Change in debt	(38,390)		200,540		(80,675)		75,900
Cash dividends paid	(14,624)		(13,376)		(42,605)		(39,200)
Company stock purchases under repurchase program	—		(11,781)		—		(11,781)
Other financing	(1,313)		(346)		(575)		7,209
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities	(54,327)		175,037		(123,855)		32,128

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,822)		(1,705)		(9,952)		1,622

Decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,290)		(3,245)		(19,319)		(1,995)

MSA Safety Incorporated Segment Information (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	Americas			International			Corporate		Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Sales to external customers	$	209,343		$	121,753		$	—	$	331,096
Operating income									40,003
Operating margin %									12.1		%
Restructuring charges									2,615
Currency exchange gains, net									(252)
Other operating expense									14,627
Strategic transaction costs									56
Adjusted operating income (loss)	51,532			13,329			(7,812)			57,049
Adjusted operating margin %	24.6		%	10.9		%			17.2		%

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Sales to external customers	$	186,898		$	109,231		$	—	$	296,129
Operating income									39,878
Operating margin %									13.5		%
Restructuring charges									3,214
Currency exchange losses, net									562
Other operating expense									3,346
Strategic transaction costs									386
Adjusted operating income (loss)	45,365			10,229			(8,208)			47,386
Adjusted operating margin %	24.3		%	9.4		%			16.0		%

	Americas			International			Corporate		Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Sales to external customers	$	633,812		$	362,508		—		$	996,320
Operating income									131,235
Operating margin %									13.2		%
Restructuring charges									10,223
Currency exchange losses, net									2,571
Other operating expense									25,469
Strategic transaction costs									208
Adjusted operating income (loss)	151,456			41,960			(23,710)			169,706
Adjusted operating margin %	23.9		%	11.6		%			17.0		%

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Sales to external customers	$	528,426		$	322,243		—		$	850,669
Operating income									71,996
Operating margin %									8.5		%
Restructuring charges									16,920
Currency exchange losses, net									3,994
Other operating expense									32,956
Strategic transaction costs									3,365
Adjusted operating income (loss)	125,087			30,146			(26,002)			129,231
Adjusted operating margin %	23.7		%	9.4		%			15.2		%

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.

MSA Safety Incorporated Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited) Organic constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)

Consolidated

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales		Non-Core Sales		Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	22	%	12	%	7	%	11	%	6	%	13	%	12	%	9	%	12	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	1	%	1	%	4	%	2	%	1	%	2	%	2	%	3	%	2	%
Constant currency sales change	23	%	13	%	11	%	13	%	7	%	15	%	14	%	12	%	14	%
Less: Acquisitions	—	%	29	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	1	%	—	%	1	%
Organic constant currency change	23	%	(16)	%	11	%	13	%	7	%	15	%	13	%	12	%	13	%

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales		Non-Core Sales		Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	12	%	110	%	10	%	13	%	10	%	10	%	20	%	4	%	17	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	(1)	%	(2)	%	1	%	(1)	%	(2)	%	(1)	%	(2)	%	(1)	%	(1)	%
Constant currency sales change	11	%	108	%	11	%	12	%	8	%	9	%	18	%	3	%	16	%
Less: Acquisitions	—	%	113	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	9	%	—	%	8	%
Organic constant currency change	11	%	(5)	%	11	%	12	%	8	%	9	%	9	%	3	%	8	%

(a) Firefighter helmets and protective apparel includes the impact of the Globe acquisition, completed on July 31, 2017.

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.

MSA Safety Incorporated Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited) Organic constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)

Americas Segment

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales		Non-Core Sales		Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	23	%	20	%	5	%	12	%	4	%	20	%	14	%	(2)	%	12	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	1	%	—	%	4	%	2	%	1	%	2	%	1	%	3	%	2	%
Constant currency sales change	24	%	20	%	9	%	14	%	5	%	22	%	15	%	1	%	14	%
Less: Acquisitions	—	%	32	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	2	%	—	%	2	%
Organic constant currency change	24	%	(12)	%	9	%	14	%	5	%	22	%	13	%	1	%	12	%


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales		Non-Core Sales		Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	8	%	177	%	9	%	13	%	9	%	16	%	24	%	(5)	%	20	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	1	%	1	%	3	%	1	%	—	%	1	%	1	%	2	%	1	%
Constant currency sales change	9	%	178	%	12	%	14	%	9	%	17	%	25	%	(3)	%	21	%
Less: Acquisitions	—	%	183	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	15	%	—	%	12	%
Organic constant currency change	9	%	(5)	%	12	%	14	%	9	%	17	%	10	%	(3)	%	9	%

(a) Firefighter helmets and protective apparel includes the impact of the Globe acquisition, completed on July 31, 2017.

MSA Safety Incorporated Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited) Organic constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)

International Segment

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales		Non-Core Sales		Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	19	%	(18)	%	14	%	8	%	7	%	4	%	9	%	23	%	11	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	4	%	1	%	4	%	4	%	2	%	2	%	3	%	4	%	3	%
Constant currency sales change	23	%	(17)	%	18	%	12	%	9	%	6	%	12	%	27	%	14	%
Less: Acquisitions	—	%	2	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	1	%	—	%	—	%
Organic constant currency change	23	%	(19)	%	18	%	12	%	9	%	6	%	11	%	27	%	14	%


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales		Non-Core Sales		Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	20	%	3	%	13	%	13	%	11	%	3	%	12	%	14	%	12	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	(5)	%	(6)	%	(3)	%	(4)	%	(5)	%	(4)	%	(5)	%	(4)	%	(4)	%
Constant currency sales change	15	%	(3)	%	10	%	9	%	6	%	(1)	%	7	%	10	%	8	%
Less: Acquisitions	—	%	2	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Organic constant currency change	15	%	(5)	%	10	%	9	%	6	%	(1)	%	7	%	10	%	8	%

(a) Firefighter helmets and protective apparel includes the impact of the Globe acquisition, completed on July 31, 2017.

MSA Safety Incorporated Supplemental Segment Information (Unaudited) Summary of constant currency revenue growth by segment and product group

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Consolidated		Americas		International
Breathing Apparatus	23	%	24	%	23	%
Fall Protection	15	%	22	%	6	%
Portable Gas Detection	13	%	14	%	12	%
Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)	13	%	20	%	(17)	%
Industrial Head Protection	11	%	9	%	18	%
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection	7	%	5	%	9	%
Core Sales	14	%	15	%	12	%
Core excluding Acquisitions	13	%	13	%	11	%

Non-Core Sales	12	%	1	%	27	%

Net Sales	14	%	14	%	14	%
Net Sales excluding Acquisitions	13	%	12	%	14	%

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Consolidated		Americas		International
Breathing Apparatus	11	%	9	%	15	%
Fall Protection	9	%	17	%	(1)	%
Portable Gas Detection	12	%	14	%	9	%
Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel^(a)	108	%	178	%	(3)	%
Industrial Head Protection	11	%	12	%	10	%
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection	8	%	9	%	6	%
Core Sales	18	%	25	%	7	%
Core excluding Acquisitions	9	%	10	%	7	%

Non-Core Sales	3	%	(3)	%	10	%

Net Sales	16	%	21	%	8	%
Net Sales excluding Acquisitions	8	%	9	%	8	%

(a) Firefighter helmets and protective apparel includes the impact of the Globe acquisition, completed on July 31, 2017.

MSA Safety Incorporated Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted earnings (Unaudited) Adjusted earnings per diluted share (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		% Change	2018		2017		% Change

Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$	33,717	$	32,066	5%	$	99,267	$	59,011	68%
Tax benefit associated with U.S. Tax Reform	(1,956)		—			(1,956)		—
Tax benefit associated with European reorganization	—		(2,474)			—		(2,474)
Tax benefit associated with ASU 2016-09: Improvements to employee share-based payment accounting	(430)		(98)			(2,306)		(6,910)
Subtotal	31,331		29,494		6%	95,005		49,627		91%

Restructuring charges	2,615		3,214			10,223		16,920
Currency exchange (gains) losses, net	(252)		562			2,571		3,994
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,494		—			1,494		—
Other operating expense	14,627		3,346			25,469		32,956
Strategic transaction costs	56		386			208		3,365
Asset related (gain) losses and other, net	(733)		30			415		274
Income tax expense on adjustments	(4,024)		(1,598)			(9,645)		(16,367)
Adjusted earnings	45,114		$	35,434	27%	$	125,740	$	90,769	39%

Adjusted earnings per diluted share	$	1.16	$	0.92	26%	$	3.23	$	2.35	37%

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.

MSA Safety Incorporated Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures Free Cash Flow (Unaudited) (In thousands, except percentages)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017

Cash flow from operating activities	$	120,815	$	42,964	$	186,197	$	189,246
Capital expenditures	(9,808)		(5,603)		(18,620)		(11,730)

Free cash flow	$	111,007	$	37,361	$	167,577	$	177,516

Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$	33,717	$	32,066	$	99,267	$	59,011

Free cash flow conversion	329%		117%		169%		301%

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.

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 2017 revenues of $1.2 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,700 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 earnings 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

For further information: Media Relations Contact: Mark Deasy (724) 741 - 8570; Investor Relations Contact: Elyse Lorenzato (724) 741 - 8525