Timken Reports Record First-Quarter Results

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) today reported sales of $1.43 billion during the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 12 percent over the same period a year ago. The increase was driven by strong sales in global industrial markets, as the company benefited from its capacity-expansion initiatives, as well as the favorable impact of pricing, surcharges and currency. First-quarter income from continuing operations was $84.5 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared to $74.3 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2007. Excluding special items, income from continuing operations increased 26 percent to $78.9 million or $0.82 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008, compared to $62.5 million or $0.66 per diluted share in the prior-year period. Strong first-quarter earnings benefited from favorable pricing, volume, mix and currency, which were partially offset by higher LIFO charges related to increased material costs. Special items, net of tax, in the first quarter of 2008 totaled $5.6 million of income compared to $11.8 million of income in the same period last year and included a gain on a real estate divestment associated with a prior plant closure, partially offset by charges related to restructuring, rationalization and impairment. "We achieved record first-quarter earnings as execution of our strategic initiatives and a more efficient operating model allowed us to take better advantage of continued strong global demand for our industrial products,” said James W. Griffith, Timken’s president and chief executive officer. "We continue to have a positive outlook for 2008 performance as we bring more capacity online in attractive markets and advance our pricing and execution initiatives.” During the quarter, the company: Implemented the next wave of Project O.N.E., Timken’s business process improvement and global systems initiative, covering most of the company’s remaining U.S. and European operations; Completed construction of a new industrial bearing manufacturing plant in Chennai, India, and a new aerospace and precision products facility in Chengdu, China, which are part of Timken’s strategy of driving growth in key global industrial markets; and Acquired the assets of Boring Specialties Inc. (BSI), which provides steel components for the oil and gas industry, further expanding Timken’s ability to serve the growing market for high-performance energy products. Total debt was $873.3 million as of March 31, 2008, or 29.7 percent of capital. Net debt at March 31, 2008, was $805.1 million, or 28.0 percent of capital, compared to $693.0 million, or 26.1 percent, as of Dec. 31, 2007. The increase in net debt was due to seasonal working capital requirements and strong demand. In addition, net debt increased due to acquisitions, net of divestments, during the quarter. The company expects to end 2008 with lower net debt and leverage, providing additional financial capacity to pursue strategic investments. First-quarter financial reporting reflects changes to the company’s management structure to improve execution and accelerate profitable growth. The company operates under two major business groups, the Steel Group and the Bearings and Power Transmission Group, which includes three reporting segments – Mobile Industries, Process Industries, and Aerospace and Defense. The following group and segment results exclude special items and unallocated corporate expenses. Bearings and Power Transmission Group Results The Bearings and Power Transmission Group had first-quarter sales of $1.05 billion, up 13 percent from $0.93 billion for the same period last year, primarily resulting from organic growth in the Process Industries and Aerospace and Defense segments, and the favorable impact of acquisitions and currency. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the first quarter were $93.7 million, up 72 percent from $54.5 million in the first quarter of 2007, benefiting from improvements across all three reporting segments. Mobile Industries Segment Results Timken’s Mobile Industries business provides products and services for the automotive, mining, agriculture, construction and rail industries. These products and services include bearings and bearing assemblies used in a range of powertrain applications, seals, lubricants, sensor systems and repair services. In the first quarter, Mobile Industries sales were $635.3 million, an increase of 4 percent from $609.5 million for the same period a year ago. Higher sales were driven by stronger demand in the off-highway and heavy-truck market sectors, pricing and the impact of currency. These favorable factors were partially offset by lower demand from the North American light-vehicle market sector, which included the effects of a strike in the automotive industry. EBIT was $26.6 million, up 27 percent from $20.9 million in the first quarter of 2007, driven by improved pricing, as well as the favorable impact of mix, currency and restructuring, partially offset by the effects of a strike in the automotive industry. The company expects full-year results to improve for the Mobile Industries segment compared to the prior year, as it realizes the benefits of its pricing, portfolio-management and restructuring initiatives, which are expected to more than offset higher raw-material costs. Process Industries Segment Results Process Industries serves customers in power transmission, energy and heavy industry, including the metals, aggregate, cement, and pulp and paper sectors, with original equipment and aftermarket solutions. Timken’s Process Industries products are found in gear drives and a broad range of industrial machines. Process Industries had first-quarter sales of $312.6 million, up 25 percent from $249.2 million for the same period a year ago. The increase resulted from strong demand across broad industrial market sectors, new capacity coming online and advanced customer purchases ahead of Project O.N.E. implementation. In addition, the company benefited from strong pricing and currency. First-quarter EBIT was $59.9 million, up 121 percent from $27.1 million in the prior-year period. EBIT performance benefited from strong volume, increased capacity for large-bore products, pricing and currency. Partially offsetting these benefits were higher raw-material, manufacturing and logistics costs. Timken expects to see continued top-line growth in the Process Industries segment in 2008 compared to 2007, particularly in market sectors where the company has focused its growth initiatives, including energy, heavy industry and distribution, as well as in Asia. The company continues to expect strong results in Process Industries for the full year compared to 2007, although lower than first-quarter levels primarily due to high raw-material costs. Aerospace and Defense Segment Results Timken’s Aerospace and Defense business serves the civil aviation, defense, health and machine-tool sectors with original equipment and aftermarket solutions. The company’s aerospace products are found in engines, gearboxes and helicopter transmissions. Aerospace and Defense had first-quarter sales of $102.1 million, up 39 percent from $73.7 million for the same period last year. The increase was driven primarily by the Purdy acquisition, completed in the fourth quarter of last year, as well as strong demand and favorable pricing. Excluding the Purdy acquisition, organic Aerospace and Defense sales rose approximately 10 percent. First-quarter EBIT was $7.2 million, up 10 percent from $6.5 million in the prior-year period. Performance benefited from the Purdy acquisition and pricing, partially offset by investments in capacity expansions, including the aerospace and precision products plant in Chengdu, China, and higher manufacturing and logistics costs associated with managing strong demand through constrained facilities. Timken expects aerospace demand to remain strong and performance to benefit from the integration of the Purdy acquisition, improved manufacturing performance and pricing, driving margin improvement for 2008 compared to 2007. Steel Group Results Sales for the Steel Group, including inter-group sales, were $425.0 million, an increase of 9 percent from $390.3 million for the same period last year. Excluding the net impact of the BSI acquisition and divestment of the group’s steel tube manufacturing operations in England in 2007, sales increased 16 percent. The increase was driven by raw-material surcharges and higher demand in the energy sector, partially offset by lower demand in automotive-related sectors. First-quarter EBIT was $53.4 million, down 19 percent from $65.5 million in the prior-year period. The company benefited from higher volume, favorable mix and surcharges, which were more than offset by the negative impact of higher LIFO expense, as well as significantly higher raw-material costs and inflation in manufacturing costs. The company expects Steel Group performance in 2008 to be comparable to 2007, as strong demand and the favorable impact of the BSI acquisition are anticipated to be offset by LIFO expense, driven by significant inflation in the cost of raw-materials and consumables. Outlook The company expects earnings per diluted share for 2008, excluding special items, to be $2.75 to $2.95 for the year and $0.73 to $0.83 for the second quarter, compared to $2.40 and $0.73, respectively, for the same periods in 2007. Global industrial demand is expected to remain strong in 2008 as additional capacity comes online in key growth markets. Timken will continue to pursue pricing, portfolio management and better execution to improve operating results, which are expected to contribute to anticipated record performance for the company in 2008. Conference Call Information The company will host a conference call for investors and analysts today to discuss financial results. Conference Call:   Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11 a.m. Eastern Time   Live Dial-In: 800-344-0593 or 706-634-0975 (Call in 10 minutes prior to be included.) Conference ID: 24734622   Replay Dial-In through May 7, 2008: 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291   Live Webcast: www.timken.com/investors About The Timken Company The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR, http://www.timken.com) keeps the world turning, with innovative friction management and power transmission products and services, enabling our customers to perform faster and more efficiently. With sales of $5.2 billion in 2007, operations in 27 countries and approximately 25,000 employees, Timken is Where You Turn™ for better performance. Certain statements in this news release (including statements regarding the company's forecasts, estimates and expectations) that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, the statements related to expectations regarding the future performance of the specific reporting segments and the company’s financial performance, including the information under the heading "Outlook,” are forward-looking. The company cautions that actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, including: the completion of the company’s financial statements for the first quarter of 2008; fluctuations in raw-material and energy costs and the operation of the company’s surcharge mechanisms; the company’s ability to respond to the changes in its end markets, especially the North American automotive industry; changes in the financial health of the company’s customers; changes in the expected costs associated with product warranty claims; and the impact on operations of general economic conditions, higher raw-material and energy costs, fluctuations in customer demand and the company's ability to achieve the benefits of its future and ongoing programs and initiatives, including, without limitation, the implementation of its Mobile Industries segment restructuring program and initiatives and the rationalization of the company’s Canton bearing operations. These and additional factors are described in greater detail in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, page 8. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. (Unaudited)         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AS REPORTED   ADJUSTED (1) (Dollars in thousands, except share data) Q1 2008   Q1 2007   Q1 2008   Q1 2007 Net sales $ 1,434,670 $ 1,284,513 $ 1,434,670 $ 1,284,513 Cost of products sold 1,121,759 1,016,651 1,121,759 1,016,651 Manufacturing rationalization/ reorganization expenses - cost of products sold 1,374     11,843     -     -   Gross Profit $ 311,537 $ 256,019 $ 312,911 $ 267,862 Selling, administrative & general expenses (SG&A) 177,138 162,973 177,138 162,973 Manufacturing rationalization/ reorganization expenses - SG&A 808 1,330 - - (Gain) loss on divestitures (8 ) 354 - - Impairment and restructuring 2,876     13,776     -     -   Operating Income $ 130,723 $ 77,586 $ 135,773 $ 104,889 Other (expense) (5,772 ) (2,254 ) (5,772 ) (2,254 ) Special items - other income 20,354     343     -     -   Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) (2) $ 145,305 $ 75,675 $ 130,001 $ 102,635 Interest expense, net (9,600 )   (7,689 )   (9,600 )   (7,689 ) Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes $ 135,705 $ 67,986 $ 120,401 $ 94,946 Provision for income taxes 51,240     (6,268 )   41,538     32,471   Income From Continuing Operations $ 84,465     $ 74,254     $ 78,863     $ 62,475   Income from discontinued operations net of income taxes, special items (3) - 940 - - Income from discontinued operations net of income taxes, other (3) -     -     -     -   Net Income $ 84,465     $ 75,194     $ 78,863     $ 62,475       Earnings Per Share - Continuing Operations $ 0.89 $ 0.79 $ 0.83 $ 0.66 Earnings Per Share - Discontinued Operations -     0.01     -     -   Earnings Per Share $ 0.89 $ 0.80 $ 0.83 $ 0.66   Diluted Earnings Per Share - Continuing Operations $ 0.88 $ 0.78 $ 0.82 $ 0.66 Diluted Earnings Per Share - Discontinued Operations -     0.01     -     -   Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.88 $ 0.79 $ 0.82 $ 0.66   Average Shares Outstanding 95,254,264 93,963,797 95,254,264 93,963,797 Average Shares Outstanding-assuming dilution 95,982,217     94,811,930     95,982,217     94,811,930   BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)   Q1 2008   Q1 2007 Mobile Industries Segment     Net sales to external customers $ 635,295 $ 609,455 Adjusted earnings (loss) before interest and taxes (EBIT) (a) (2) 26,609 20,888 Adjusted EBIT Margin (2) 4.2 % 3.4 %   Process Industries Segment Net sales to external customers $ 312,169 $ 248,867 Intergroup sales 409     366   Total net sales $ 312,578 $ 249,233 Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (a) (2) 59,899 27,064 Adjusted EBIT Margin (2) 19.2 % 10.9 %   Aerospace and Defense Segment Net sales to external customers $ 102,132 $ 73,714 Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (a) (2) 7,177 6,509 Adjusted EBIT Margin (2) 7.0 % 8.8 %   Total Bearings and Power Transmission Group Net sales to external customers $ 1,049,596 $ 932,036 Intergroup sales 409     366   Total net sales $ 1,050,005 $ 932,402 Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (a) (2) 93,685 54,461 Adjusted EBIT Margin (2) 8.9 % 5.8 %   Steel Group (3) Net sales to external customers $ 385,074 $ 352,477 Intergroup sales 39,914     37,815   Total net sales $ 424,988 $ 390,292 Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (a) (2) 53,379 65,526 Adjusted EBIT Margin (2) 12.6 % 16.8 %     Unallocated corporate expense $ (16,425 ) $ (16,228 )   Intergroup eliminations income (expense) (4) $ (638 ) $ (1,124 )   Consolidated Net sales to external customers $ 1,434,670 $ 1,284,513 Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (a) (2) $ 130,001 $ 102,635 Adjusted EBIT Margin (2) 9.1 % 8.0 % (1) "Adjusted" statements exclude the impact of impairment and    restructuring, manufacturing rationalization/ reoprganization    and special charges and credits for all periods shown.   (2) EBIT is defined as operating income plus other income    (expense). EBIT Margin is EBIT as a percentage of net sales.    EBIT and EBIT margin on a segment basis exclude certain special    items set forth above. EBIT and EBIT Margin are important    financial measures used in the management of the business,    including decisions concerning the allocation of resources and    assessment of performance. Management believes that reporting    EBIT and EBIT Margin best reflect the performance of the    company's business segments and EBIT disclosures are responsive    to investors.   (3) Discontinued Operations reflects the December 8, 2006 sale of    Timken Latrobe Steel. Steel Group Net sales and Adjusted EBIT    have been changed to exclude Timken Latrobe Steel for all    periods. Income From Discontinued Operations Net of Income    Taxes, Special Items includes the gain on sale. Income From    Discontinued Operations Net of Income Taxes, Other includes    prior activity of Timken Latrobe Steel in accordance with the    sales agreement.   (4) Intergroup eliminations represent intergroup profit or loss    between the Steel Group and the Bearings and Power Transmission    Group. Reconciliation of Total Debt to Net Debt and the Ratio of Net Debt to Capital: (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Mar 31, 2008   Dec 31, 2007 Short-term debt $ 148,032   $ 142,568 Long-term debt 725,239     580,587   Total Debt 873,271 723,155 Less: Cash and cash equivalents (68,206 )   (30,144 ) Net Debt $ 805,065     $ 693,011     Shareholders' equity $ 2,069,493 $ 1,960,669   Ratio of Total Debt to Capital 29.7 % 26.9 % Ratio of Net Debt to Capital (Leverage) 28.0 %   26.1 %   This reconciliation is provided as additional relevant informationabout Timken's financial position. Capital is defined as total debtplus shareholder's equity. Management believes Net Debt is more indicative of Timken'sfinancial position, due to the amount of cash and cash equivalents. Reconciliation of GAAP net income and EPS - diluted. This reconciliation is provided as additional relevant informationabout the company's performance. Management believes adjusted netincome and adjusted earnings per share are more representative ofthe company's performance and therefore useful to investors.Management also believes that it is appropriate to compare GAAP netincome to adjusted net income in light of special items related toimpairment and restructuring and manufacturingrationalization/reorganization costs, Continued Dumping and SubsidyOffset Act (CDSOA) receipts, and gain/loss on the sale ofnon-strategic assets.       First Quarter   2008   2007 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) $     EPS   $     EPS (1)   Net income $ 84,465 $ 0.88 $ 75,194 $ 0.79   Pre-tax special items: Manufacturing rationalization/reorganization expenses - cost of products sold 1,374 0.01 11,843 0.12 Manufacturing rationalization/reorganization expenses - SG&A 808 0.01 1,330 0.01 (Gain) loss on divestiture (8 ) - 354 - Impairment and restructuring 2,876 0.03 13,776 0.15 Special items - other (income) (20,354 ) (0.21 ) (343 ) - Provision for income taxes (2) 9,702 0.10 (38,739 ) (0.41 ) Income from discontinued operations net of income taxes, special items (3) -     -     (940 )   (0.01 ) Adjusted net income $ 78,863     $ 0.82     $ 62,475     $ 0.66     (1) EPS amounts will not sum due to rounding differences.   (2) Provision for income taxes includes the tax effect of pre-tax    special items on our effective tax rate, as well as the impact    of discrete tax items recorded during the quarter.   (3) Discontinued Operations relates to the sale of Latrobe Steel on    December 8, 2006. Reconciliation of GAAP income from continuing operations and EPS - diluted. This reconciliation is provided as additional relevant informationabout the company's performance. Management believes adjustedincome from continuing operations and adjusted earnings per shareare more representative of the company's performance and thereforeuseful to investors. Management also believes that it isappropriate to compare GAAP income from continuing operations toadjusted income from continuing operations in light of specialitems related to impairment and restructuring and manufacturingrationalization/reorganization costs, Continued Dumping and SubsidyOffset Act (CDSOA) receipts, and gain/loss on the sale ofnon-strategic assets.       First Quarter   2008   2007 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) $   EPS   $   EPS (1)   Income from continuing operations $ 84,465 $ 0.88 $ 74,254 $ 0.78   Pre-tax special items: Manufacturing rationalization/reorganization expenses - cost of products sold 1,374 0.01 11,843 0.12 Manufacturing rationalization/reorganization expenses - SG&A 808 0.01 1,330 0.01 (Gain) loss on divestiture (8 ) - 354 - Impairment and restructuring 2,876 0.03 13,776 0.15 Special items - other (income) (20,354 ) (0.21 ) (343 ) - Provision for income taxes (2) 9,702     0.10     (38,739 )   (0.41 ) Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 78,863     $ 0.82     $ 62,475     $ 0.66     (1) EPS amounts will not sum due to rounding differences.   (2) Provision for income taxes includes the tax effect of pre-tax    special items on our effective tax rate, as well as the impact    of discrete tax items recorded during the quarter.   Reconciliation of Outlook Information. Expected earnings per diluted share for the 2008 full year andsecond quarter exclude special items. Examples of such specialitems include impairment and restructuring, manufacturingrationalization/reorganization expenses, gain/loss on the sale ofnon-strategic assets and payments under the CDSOA. It is notpossible at this time to identify the potential amount orsignificance of these special items. Management cannot predictwhether the company will receive any additional payments under theCDSOA in 2008 and if so, in what amount. Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes This reconciliation is provided as additional relevant informationabout the company's performance. Management believes Consolidatedadjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and TotalBearings and Power Transmission Group adjusted EBIT are morerepresentative of the company's performance and therefore useful toinvestors. Management also believes that it is appropriate tocompare GAAP Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxesto Consolidated adjusted EBIT in light of special items related toimpairment and restructuring and manufacturingrationalization/reorganization costs, Continued Dumping and SubsidyOffset Act (CDSOA) receipts, and gain/loss on the sale ofnon-strategic assets.       First Quarter     2008   2007 (Thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited)   $   $   Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes $ 135,705 $ 67,986   Pre-tax reconciling items: Interest expense 10,998 9,644 Interest (income) (1,398 ) (1,955 ) Manufacturing rationalization/reorganization expenses - cost of products sold 1,374 11,843 Manufacturing rationalization/reorganization expenses - SG&A 808 1,330 (Gain) loss on divestiture (8 ) 354 Impairment and restructuring 2,876 13,776 Special items - other (income) (20,354 ) (343 )     Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) $ 130,001   $ 102,635     Steel Group adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (53,379 ) (65,526 ) Unallocated corporate expense 16,425 16,228 Intergroup eliminations expense (income) 638 1,124         Total Bearings and Power Transmission Group adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) $ 93,685   $ 54,461   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Mar 31, 2008   Dec 31,2007 ASSETS   Cash & cash equivalents $ 68,206 $ 30,144 Accounts receivable 845,927 748,483 Inventories 1,185,498 1,087,712 Other current assets 165,307   178,912 Total Current Assets 2,264,938 2,045,251 Property, plant & equipment 1,753,656 1,722,081 Goodwill 281,531 271,784 Other assets 351,119   340,121 Total Assets $ 4,651,244   $ 4,379,237   LIABILITIES Accounts payable & other liabilities $ 519,616 $ 528,052 Short-term debt 148,032 142,568 Income taxes 60,982 21,787 Accrued expenses 198,686   212,015 Total Current Liabilities 927,316 904,422 Long-term debt 725,239 580,587 Accrued pension cost 163,590 169,364 Accrued postretirement benefits cost 660,850 662,379 Other non-current liabilities 104,756   101,816 Total Liabilities 2,581,751 2,418,568   SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,069,493   1,960,669 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 4,651,244   $ 4,379,237 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the three months ended Mar 31,   Mar 31, (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) 2008   2007 Cash Provided (Used) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Income $ 84,465 $ 75,194 Earnings from discontinued operations - (940 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 57,475 54,500 Pension and other postretirement expense 25,811 32,733 Pension and other postretirement benefit payments (25,867 ) (56,851 ) Accounts receivable (71,624 ) (64,776 ) Inventories (68,578 ) (17,791 ) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (1,973 ) (52,615 ) Other (12,620 )   23,904   Net Cash (Used) by Operating Activities - Continuing Operations (12,911 ) (6,642 ) Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities - Discontinued Operations -     940   Net Cash (Used) by Operating Activities (12,911 ) (5,702 )   INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (52,417 ) (60,942 ) Other 29,175 3,124 Divestments - - Acquisitions (55,329 )   (1,523 ) Net Cash Used by Investing Activities (78,571 ) (59,341 )   FINANCING ACTIVITIES Cash dividends paid to shareholders (16,320 ) (15,152 ) Net proceeds from common share activity 1,587 11,886 Net borrowings (payments) on credit facilities 139,556     66,815   Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 124,823 63,549   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 4,721 1,240   Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 38,062 (254 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 30,144     101,072     Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 68,206     $ 100,818