EnPro Industries, Inc.
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The following is a transcript of a publicly accessible conference call held by EnPro
Industries, Inc. (EnPro) on February 14, 2008 to discuss EnPros financial results for the
quarter and year ended December 31, 2007, including the presentation by EnPro management and the
question and answer portion of the conference call. The conference call is accessible for replay
on EnPros website, www.enproindustries.com. The transcript omits the operators introduction of
the call and instructions given to permit participants to ask questions during the
question-and-answer segment of the call.
EnPro will file a proxy statement in connection with its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.
EnPro shareholders are strongly advised to read the proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card
when they become available, as they will contain important information. Shareholders will be able to obtain this proxy statement, any amendments or
supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by EnPro with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for free at the Internet website maintained by the Securities and Exchange
Commission at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and any amendments and supplements to the
proxy statement will also be available for free at EnPros website, www.enproindustries.com, or by
writing to EnPro Industries, Inc., 5605 Carnegie Boulevard, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina
28209, Attention: Corporate Secretary. EnPro and its directors and executive officers may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies for EnPros 2008 annual meeting, and
detailed information regarding the names and affiliations of EnPros directors is available in the
proxy statement for EnPros 2007 annual meeting of shareholders filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 22, 2007. Information regarding the interests of EnPros directors
and executive officers and the names and affiliations of EnPros executive officers is available in
the first Schedule 14A filed by EnPro with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6,
2008.
Transcript of EnPro Industries, Inc. Conference Call on February 14, 2008
to Discuss Financial Results for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2007
Don Washington:
Good morning and welcome to EnPro Industries quarterly earnings conference call. On the call this
morning, Ernie Schaub, our president and CEO, will discuss our earnings for the fourth quarter and
full year of 2007 and our current outlook for 2008. Bill Dries, our CFO, and Rick Magee, our
general counsel, are also present and prepared to participate in the Q&A session.
In just a moment, Ernie will make his remarks and then well open the lines for your questions.
First, Id like to remind you that you may hear statements during the course of this call that
express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not historical fact. These
statements are forward looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual events and results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These risks
and uncertainties are referenced in the safe-harbor statement included in our press release and are
described in more detail, along with other risks and uncertainties, in our filings with the SEC,
including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the quarter ended September 30,
2007. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement made on this conference call to
reflect any change in managements expectations or any change in assumptions or circumstances on
which such statements are based.
As usual, this call is also being web cast on enproindustries.com. A replay of the call will be
available on the website shortly after its conclusion.
If your questions arent answered on the call or if you have follow up questions, contact me after
the call at 704 731-1527.
And now, Ill turn the call over to Ernie.
Ernie
Schaub:
Thank you, Don, and good morning everyone. Were glad you have joined us today.
As you know from our earnings release, 2007 was another year of continued improvement for EnPro. We
saw sales in excess of a billion dollars for the first time, and both segment profits and segment
profit margins reached new annual highs. Weve announced our financial results as an
independent public company for six years, now, and in each of them, weve reported increases in
sales and segment profits supported by strong cash flows. We feel very good about what weve
accomplished, and we expect to continue to improve again in 2008.
Sales in 2007 were up 11 percent to 1 billion 30 million dollars. Increased demand and pricing
improvements drove growth of about 5 percent. The remaining 6 percent came equally from
acquisitions and foreign exchange.
Segment profits improved by 14 percent to almost 163 million dollars and segment profit margins
improved to 15.8 percent from 15.4 percent. The growth in margins reflects a very strong
performance in our engine business, where margins improved by more than 7 percentage points and
helped offset a slight decline in Sealing Products margins, which were affected by higher costs.
Net income in 2007 was 40.2 million dollars, including a gain of 2.5 million dollars on an
extraordinary item. This compares to a net loss of 158.9 million dollars in 2006, when we adjusted
the estimate of the liability from the low end of a range of possible liabilities to a point within
the range. Earnings per share in 2007 were one dollar and eighty cents, including the extraordinary
item. In 2006, we reported a net loss of seven dollars and sixty cents a share.
The extraordinary item recorded in 2007 relates to a gain on the acquisition of shares held by a
minority shareholder in one of our subsidiaries.
Before
asbestos expenses and other selected items, we earned 3 dollars and 75 cents a share in 2007, a 21 percent increase over 2006, when we earned 3 dollars
and 9 cents on that same basis.
Now lets look at the fourth quarter of 2007. As is typical in the fourth quarter, we saw the
effects of seasonality at the end of 2007, especially in our sealing products segment. However, we
recorded a 13 percent increase in sales over the fourth quarter of 2006. Organic growth contributed
about 4 percentage points of that gain. Foreign exchange also contributed about 4 points, while
acquisitions contributed about 5 points.
However, segment profits were about 3 percent below 2006 as a result of higher restructuring costs,
increases in operating costs, weakness in certain markets, especially those served by Stemco, and
increased non-cash expense for amortization of intangibles associated with acquisitions. Segment
margins were 13.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to 15.3 percent in 2006. While
margins are down from a year ago, they are more typical of what we see in most fourth quarters,
when activity levels are generally lower. The fourth quarter of 2006 was an exception because of
unusually high levels of activity in some of our higher margin businesses driven by demand from
energy markets.
Asbestos-related expenses were 30.9 million dollars in the fourth quarter compared to about 305
million dollars in the fourth quarter of 2006, when we adjusted the estimate of the liability to a
point in a range of possible liabilities from the low end of the range.
The expense in the fourth quarter of 2007 includes cash outlays of 6.2 million dollars for fees and
expenses and non-cash charges of 24.7 million dollars. The non-cash portion was higher than in
previous quarters of 2007 because we adjusted our estimate in the quarter and added about 19.4
million dollars to the liability. The adjustment reflects changes to our estimation model made in
light of current trends which show that as new claims and commitments decline, settlements are
being paid more quickly than they were in the past. Our assumptions about the numbers and costs of
claims have not changed significantly.
Excluding the adjustment, our asbestos-related expenses averaged about 12 million dollars a quarter
in 2007. The average is slightly lower than we anticipated due to lower legal expenses.
We will continue to monitor our estimated liability and make adjustments as required.
Moving to the bottom line in the fourth quarter, we reported net income of 1.8 million dollars or 8
cents a share. Net income included the 2.5 million dollar extraordinary gain. Before the gain, we
reported a net loss of 4 cents a share, primarily because of higher asbestos-related expenses. In
2006, when we made a significant adjustment to our estimated asbestos liability, our net loss was
173.6 million dollars or 8 dollars and 28 cents a share.
Earnings before asbestos-related expenses and other selected items improved to 93 cents in 2007
compared to 81 cents in 2006. We benefited from reduced foreign tax rates and increased interest
income in 2007, as well as an improvement in segment profits when they are adjusted for
restructuring expense.
At the segment level in the fourth quarter, sales in Sealing Products increased about 2 percent to
110.8 million dollars, although all of the increase and more was the result of foreign exchange.
Excluding foreign exchange, sales were down about 2 percent. Looking at the segments operations,
Garlock reported growth in European sales and an increase in sales related to nuclear power
generation, and it benefitted from price increases, as well as foreign exchange. At Stemco,
however, demand from heavy-duty truck markets remained below the levels of 2006, and sales
declined. Sales were also lower at Plastomer Technologies, which is seeing reduced demand from
semi-conductor equipment manufacturers.
The segments profits declined by about 5 million dollars from the 19 million dollars we reported
in the fourth quarter of 2006 and were impacted by a 2.9 million dollars of restructuring expenses.
The segments margins decreased to 12.6 percent from 17.4 percent.
Garlocks profits and margins were lower than in 2006 for a couple of important reasons. First,
2006 benefited from demand for high margin products for oil and gas markets that did not repeat in
2007. Second, Garlock reported temporary increases in certain operating costs as well as higher
restructuring costs associated with the modernization of the Palmyra facility.
Stemcos profits were affected by lower volumes from heavy-duty truck markets, and both profits and
profit margins declined from last year. Lower volumes also reduced profits and margins at Plastomer
Technologies.
In the Engineered Products segment, sales increased by 23 percent over last years fourth quarter,
to 119.4 million dollars. The largest factor in the growth was the contribution of acquisitions we
completed earlier in the year. They accounted for about 13 percentage points of the growth. The
remaining 10 points were equally divided between foreign exchange and organic growth.
At Compressor Products International, sales more than doubled as a result of the acquisitions, but
the core business also benefited from strong energy-related markets, especially in North America.
GGBs sales also increased over last year as they benefitted from favorable foreign exchange rates
and higher demand in European industrial markets. Demand in GGBs North American markets was about
the same as it was a year ago.
At Quincy Compressor, sales were flat with 2006, as increased sales of compressor units in China
helped to offset reduced demand from markets in the United States.
Profits in the segment improved by 10 percent to 14.9 million dollars, but segment profit margins
declined to 12.5 percent. At CPI, volume increases benefited profits, but margins declined due to
costs associated with the integration of acquisitions. At Quincy, profits and margins increased as
the compressor business benefited from efficiency gains and better pricing. At GGB, profits were
about the same as a year ago, but margins declined as SG&A expenses increased more quickly than
sales.
The performance of the Engine Products and Services segment was a very bright spot for us in the
fourth quarter in 2007. As you know, we have worked very hard to get this business on the right
track and its performance in the fourth quarter is evidence our efforts are paying off.
The segments sales in the quarter increased 15 percent to 45 million dollars as shipments of
engines and associated equipment increased from a year ago. More importantly, the segment recorded
its strongest quarterly profits and highest profit margins in the six years that weve been an
independent company. Profits were up by 46 percent, to 7.3 million dollars and margins grew to 16.1
percent, up from 12.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006. To see this kind of year-over-year
improvement is quite remarkable and its a real tribute to the efforts of the team at Fairbanks
Morse.
Now lets talk a minute about cash flows. Operating activities provided almost 105 million in cash
during 2007 compared to about 76 million in 2006. Increased net earnings, decreases in working
capital and lower net asbestos payments contributed to the improvement.
We spent about 47 million dollars on capital projects in 2007, compared to just over 41 million
last year. The largest of these projects continues to be the Garlock Palmyra modernization, but we
also invested in new facilities in China and India and in other projects to modernize facilities
and improve efficiencies.
While Im on the subject, the Palmyra modernization is coming along well. We are completing
interior work on the second new building and we expect to be making product in that building later
this year. The project remains about on budget and about on schedule.
We spent 77 million dollars on acquisitions in 2007 compared to about 27 million dollars in 2006. A
significant amount of the spending was for the acquisition of CPI, which is our largest to date.
Total asbestos-related payments were about 115 million dollars in 2007, an 8 percent decrease from
2006 and a continuation of the decreasing trend in total payments weve seen over the past six
years. We recovered about 90 million dollars in insurance in 2007, compared to about 88 million in
2008. As a result, net outflows decreased to about 25 million dollars from 38 million in 2006.
The total estimated liability for asbestos claims and expenses at the end of 2007 was about 524
million dollars, including the 19.4 million dollar adjustment I mentioned earlier. As you know, our
estimate covers 10 years and does not include legal fees and expenses, which are recorded as they
are incurred. Those costs are currently averaging about 25 to 30 million a year, and are included
in the asbestos-related expenses recorded on our income statement.
At the end of the year, about 382 million dollars of solvent insurance remained to be collected for
asbestos claims. We expect to collect the insurance in various amounts each year over the next 10
years or so.
We received about 5,200 new asbestos claims in 2007, the lowest number of new claims in many, many
years, and almost 90 percent below the peak of new filings in 2003.
As weve said in the past, we expect the trend of declining claims to continue for many reasons,
including reforms in some states and declining incidences of asbestos-related diseases.
Now lets turn to our outlook. Based on our current market conditions and the general economic
outlook, we expect another year of improvement in 2008. Acquisitions completed in 2007 will bring
us additional sales. We anticipate our traditional industrial markets in the United States and
Europe will continue to grow, although we expect those markets to be flat in the first half of the
year, in line with most economic forecasts. Well also benefit from new product introductions and
from our expansions into China and India, where we have recently added facilities to serve those
growing markets. Increased activity at Fairbanks Morse Engine will also contribute to sales growth.
Higher sales volumes and increased efficiencies should lead to higher segment profits in 2008, and
segment profit margins should remain strong. Well continue to benefit from the improvements at
Fairbanks Morse Engine, but amortization costs associated with acquisitions will also affect our
margins. As a result, segment margins in 2008 are not likely to significantly improve over 2007.
We expect cash flows during the year will be strong and working capital to increase in line with
increases in activity. Capital expenditures will increase from the 47 million dollars we spent in
2007 as we continue our geographic expansions and our investments in facilities. Total payments
related to asbestos claims and settlements should decline again in 2008, but well collect less
insurance during the year. As a result our net cash outlays will increase and are likely to be
closer to the level of 2006, when we spent 38 million dollars.
Well look at acquisition candidates throughout the year. Were on track to close a couple of deals
in the near future. With our strong balance sheet, we are in good position to pursue additional
acquisitions and other opportunities to build value.
In summary, we are very pleased with our position and our performance as we enter 2008. Were
confident in our management strategies, which have clearly proven to be effective, and we believe
our current course will continue to deliver long-term increases in the value of our company.
Thanks for your attention. That concludes my prepared my remarks, and now well open the lines for
your questions.
Liam
Burke (Ferris, Baker Watts):
Good morning, Ernie.
Ernie
Schaub:
Good morning, Liam.
Liam Burke:
Could you give us a little more detail on the step-up on the engine products? I mean you had
talked about maybe a 10-11% operating margin. Now they are up at 16. Is there something
significantly different in there now?
Ernie
Schaub:
16 was for
the quarter.
Liam Burke:
Im sorry Im talking about the fourth quarter, forgive me.
Ernie
Schaub:
Yeah, we had a good mix, some good aftermarket parts sales. We had good volume and, you know,
volume always helps. As well, we shipped a lot of engines in the fourth quarter. Bill, anything
else in the fourth quarter? Typically, we should be at about 12-1/2.
Bill Dries:
Liam, I think that we ended up shipping half of our engines for the full year in the fourth quarter
alone. The difference you know, in the past weve talked about the engine business and the
margins being very little, if any, on the engine side and we make our money on the parts and
service side. Weve got some margin in the engines that we shipped and we also had a very good
parts quarter parts and service and our margins on our parts and service were up 5 points,
quarter over quarter.
Ernie
Schaub:
Liam, having said that, you know, as I said in my prepared remarks were expecting this business to
continue to be strong in 2008 and there is no reason to see a decline. Its done a great job for
us those guys have really worked hard.
Liam Burke:
Okay. And on the free cash flow front even with your asbestos needs you generated roughly $2.50
per share, which is including asbestos. Are acquisitions going to be your primary use of cash
going into 2008 or do you see any need to either buy back shares or reduce your debt your
convert?
Ernie
Schaub:
We continue to see acquisitions playing a role, and the board, as we have said, is always looking
at buy-back options and all the other options using our capital resources. Acquisitions, capital
spending to improve our facilities and share buy-back are all considerations as part of our
strategy going forward.
Liam Burke:
Great. Thank you.
[no further questions]
Don Washington:
Thank you very much for joining in. If you did not get a chance to get your question answered on
the call, please call me at (704) 731-1527. We look forward to talking to you again soon. Thank
you very much.