Blount Announces 2009 Third Quarter Results

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blount International, Inc. (NYSE: BLT) ("Blount" or the "Company") today announced third quarter net income of $11.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, on sales of $130.4 million.

The Company's third quarter sales represent an improvement from the levels experienced in the first half of this year. Although third quarter sales were 25.5% less than one year ago, the third quarter of 2008 was a record period, and 2009 has been subject to the global recession. Operating income in this year's third quarter was $20.8 million, a significant improvement from the $19.5 million recorded over the first six months of this year. Compared to last year's third quarter, operating income declined by 31%, which was primarily the result of lower sales volumes. Despite the lower sales volume, the Company achieved an improved gross profit margin of 34.4% compared to 32.3% in last year's third quarter.

Third quarter net income was $11.3 million ($0.23 per diluted share) compared to $14.8 million ($0.31 per diluted share) in last year's third quarter. The lower net income reflects the impact of lower operating income, partially offset by lower net interest expense and lower income tax expense. As of September 30, 2009, debt outstanding was $310.2 million, compared to $332.1 million at the end of last year's third quarter. The Company had $58.1 million in cash on hand at the end of the third quarter, up from $53.6 million in the same period last year.

Commenting on the third quarter results, James S. Osterman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "I am encouraged by the improvement in customer demand that we saw in the third quarter. After last year's record third quarter, customer inventory levels were excessive. We believe that the recent sales uptick compared to this year's first and second quarters reflects the correction of much of the field inventory overhang and some improvement in end-user demand. Equally encouraging is the improvement we achieved in operating margins this quarter, reflective of the decisive actions we took earlier this year to control costs during the economic downturn. We believe we are well positioned to meet improving customer demand going forward and to leverage our improved cost structure."

Outdoor Products Segment

The Outdoor Products Segment, which represents over 96% of the Company's revenue to date in 2009, reported third quarter sales of $126.9 million. This year's third quarter sales were down 23.6% compared to last year's all-time record third quarter, but represent the best performance in any quarter since. Lower year-over-year sales volumes continue to be the biggest driver of the decline, with changes in foreign exchange rates having a moderately unfavorable impact on reported sales. Higher selling prices and improved product mix partially offset the lower volume and foreign exchange factors.

In geographic terms, third quarter sales declined by 21.1% internationally and 29.4% domestically compared to last year's third quarter. Domestic sales in the third quarter of last year were lifted by storm-driven demand in the United States that has not recurred this year. The trend in international sales is consistent with the experience recorded in the first six months of 2009. By channel, third quarter sales to original equipment manufacturers were down 35.5% and replacement sales were down 19.6% compared to the prior year, consistent with first half trends. Through the first nine months of 2009, approximately 77% of the segment's sales have been through the replacement channel, which reflects the weaker demand from original equipment manufacturers as a result of the economic downturn.

The table below reconciles the change in Outdoor Products sales from the third quarter of last year to this year's third quarter:

    % Change in Sales from Prior Year:
      Unit Volume                             (25.0)%
      Selling Price/Mix                        +2.9 %
      Foreign Exchange                         (1.5)%
                                              ------
        Total                                 (23.6)%
                                             =======

Sales order backlog for the segment was $80.3 million at the end of this year's third quarter, up 2.3% compared to the $78.6 million as of June 30, 2009 and $97.7 million as of September 30, 2008.

Segment contribution to operating income for the third quarter declined by $9.0 million to $25.5 million compared to last year's third quarter. The contribution margin of 20.1% of sales in this year's third quarter was significantly better than the contribution margin of 13.8% recorded in the first six months of 2009. Last year's third quarter segment contribution was 20.8%. The year-over-year decline in segment contribution margin reflects lower unit sales volumes and the associated manufacturing inefficiencies, partially offset by the impact of higher selling prices, improved product mix and favorable foreign exchange rates. The key drivers of the contribution margin decline for the quarter are illustrated below:

    Change in Segment Contribution Margin from Last Year:
      2008 Contribution Margin                 20.8 %
        Increase/ (Decrease)
          Unit Volume                          (2.8)%
          Selling Price/Mix                    +2.2 %
          Cost/Mix                             (2.3)%
          Foreign Exchange                     +2.2 %
            Total Change                       ------
                                               (0.7)%
                                               ------
      2009 Contribution Margin                 20.1 %
                                               ======

Corporate and Other

In the third quarter, corporate and other incurred net expenses of $4.7 million compared to net expenses of $4.5 million last year. Reduced corporate overhead spending was more than offset by smaller operating profit from the sale of gear components. Our gear components operation continues to be profitable in spite of a nearly 61% sales decline compared to the prior year. In this year's third quarter, the Company recorded $0.5 million in severance expenses related to a reduction in work force, a level consistent with last year.

2009 Financial Outlook

For the full year, the Company expects sales to range between $480 million and $490 million and operating income to range between $57 million and $60 million. The operating income range includes approximately $7 million of restructuring costs and a $2.7 million gain on sale of property. We expect free cash flow to be between $25 million and $30 million for the full year of 2009. Blount defines free cash flow as cash flow from operations less net capital expenditures. The effective income tax rate for 2009 is estimated to range between 28% and 32%.

Blount International, Inc. is a global company whose principal business is the Outdoor Products segment. Blount sells its products in more than 100 countries around the world. For more information about Blount, please visit our website at http://www.blount.com.

"Forward looking statements" in this release, including without limitation the Company's "outlook," "expectations," "beliefs," "plans," "indications," "estimates," "anticipations," "guidance" and their variants, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are based upon available information and upon assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, these forward looking statements involve certain risks and should not be considered indicative of actual results that the Company may achieve in the future. In particular, among other things, guidance given in this release is expressly based upon certain assumptions concerning market conditions, foreign currency exchange rates, raw material costs, especially with respect to the price of steel, the presumed relationship between backlog and future sales trends and certain income tax matters, as well as the uncertainty of the current global economic situation. To the extent that these assumptions are not realized going forward, or other unforeseen factors arise, actual results for the periods subsequent to the date of this announcement may differ materially.

    Blount International, Inc. Financial Data (Unaudited)

    Condensed Consolidated             Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
     Statements of Income                 September 30,       September 30,
                                       ------------------  ------------------
    (In thousands, except per share
     data)                                 2009     2008      2009      2008
    -------------------------------        ----     ----      ----      ----
    Sales                              $130,361  $175,006  $360,886  $463,265
    Cost of sales                        85,513   118,470   243,609   314,929
    -------------                        ------   -------   -------   -------
    Gross profit                         44,848    56,536   117,277   148,336
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses             23,581    26,080    72,767    78,518
    Gain on sale of land and building         -         -    (2,701)        -
    Plant closure and severance costs       482       446     6,886     1,519
    ---------------------------------       ---       ---     -----     -----
    Operating income                     20,785    30,010    40,325    68,299
    Interest expense, net of interest
     income                              (6,125)   (6,572)  (18,326)  (19,501)
    Other income, net                       369       690       406     1,461
    -----------------                       ---       ---       ---     -----
    Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes                 15,029    24,128    22,405    50,259
    Provision for income taxes            3,687     9,146     5,874    18,171
    --------------------------            -----     -----     -----    ------
    Income from continuing operations    11,342    14,982    16,531    32,088
    Loss from discontinued operations         -      (232)        -      (406)
    ---------------------------------       ---      ----       ---      ----
    Net income                          $11,342   $14,750   $16,531   $31,682
    ----------                          -------   -------   -------   -------

    Basic income (loss) per share:
      Continuing operations               $0.24     $0.31     $0.35     $0.68
      Discontinued operations                 -         -         -    $(0.01)
    Basic income per share:               $0.24     $0.31     $0.35     $0.67
    -----------------------               -----     -----     -----     -----
    Diluted income (loss) per share:
      Continuing operations               $0.23     $0.31     $0.34     $0.67
      Discontinued operations                 -         -         -    $(0.01)
    Diluted income per share:             $0.23     $0.31     $0.34     $0.66
    -------------------------             -----     -----     -----     -----
    Shares used for per share
     computations (in 000's):
      Basic                              47,766    47,624    47,751    47,440
      Diluted                            48,271    48,248    48,210    48,079
      -------                            ------    ------    ------    ------




    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets       September 30,   December 31,
    (In thousands)                                   2009           2008
    --------------                                   ----           ----
    Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                     $58,140       $58,275
      Accounts receivable                            72,759        75,555
      Inventory                                      81,225        90,302
      Other current assets                           24,638        20,432
      Property, plant and equipment, net            115,717       119,749
      Other assets                                  135,370       135,371
      ------------                                  -------       -------
    Total assets                                   $487,849      $499,684
    ------------                                   --------      --------
    Liabilities:
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses         $72,026       $84,597
      Debt                                          310,244       325,520
      Other long-term liabilities                   127,733       133,087
      ---------------------------                   -------       -------
    Total liabilities                               510,003       543,204
    -----------------                               -------       -------
    Stockholders' deficit                           (22,154)      (43,520)
    ---------------------                           -------       -------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit    $487,849      $499,684
    -------------------------------------------    --------      --------




                                    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    Segment Information                September 30,       September 30,
                                    ------------------   -----------------
    (In thousands)                     2009      2008      2009      2008
    --------------                     ----      ----      ----      ----
    Sales:
      Outdoor products              $126,923  $166,217  $348,473  $438,800
      Other                            3,438     8,789    12,413    24,465
      -----                            -----     -----    ------    ------
    Total sales                     $130,361  $175,006  $360,886  $463,265
    -----------                     --------  --------  --------  --------
    Operating income:
      Outdoor products               $25,506   $34,552   $56,020   $81,244
      Other and corporate expense     (4,721)   (4,542)  (15,695)  (12,945)
      ---------------------------     ------    ------   -------   -------
    Operating income                 $20,785   $30,010   $40,325   $68,299
    ----------------                 -------   -------   -------   -------