USA: Chart Industries Sales Up on LNG

Chart Industries, Inc., a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Highlights include:

• YTD orders of $804 million on track to set annual record
• Order backlog at highest level since June 2008
• Record sales up 52% over third quarter 2010
• 2% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note offering completed
• GOFA acquisition completed

Net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $17.5 million, or $0.59 per diluted share. This compares with $6.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010.

Third quarter 2011 earnings would have been $0.62 per diluted share excluding $1.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, of restructuring costs primarily associated with the SeQual and GOFA acquisitions. Third quarter 2010 earnings would have been $0.27 per share excluding $1.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, of similar acquisition-related BioMedical restructuring costs.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2011 increased 52% to $211.3 million from $139.2 million in the comparable period a year ago. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2011 was $66.6 million, or 31.5% of sales, versus $42.8 million, or 30.8% of sales, in the comparable quarter of 2010.

“Despite global economic uncertainty, our business has seen record orders year to date, and we continue to seek and expect to capture high growth opportunities in the immediate future,” stated Sam Thomas, Chart’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Underlying business activity remains strong in all segments with continued growth in LNG applications including bulk tanks and mobile equipment.”

Mr. Thomas continued, “Similar to the demand we are seeing in China and elsewhere, the political and economic environment for expanded natural gas use in North America continues to develop favorably. Recent announcements of new investments in domestic LNG infrastructure by major natural gas producers and equipment providers have validated our expectations. To meet customer demand, we recently announced the expansion of manufacturing capacity in the Upper Midwest to address the substantial increase in LNG demand. We are excited and prepared for a multi-year growth cycle in natural gas and LNG product solutions, including natural gas vehicle and cryogenic distribution applications.”

Backlog at September 30, 2011 was $468.7 million, up 3% from the June 30, 2011 level of $454.0 million, and at the highest level since June 30, 2008. Orders for the third quarter of 2011 were $227.4 million, which compares to orders of $288.2 million in the second quarter of 2011. The second quarter included an order of $45 million for an LNG project in Eastern Australia.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2011 increased $7.9 million to $34.1 million compared with the same period in 2010. The increase was largely due to the SeQual and GOFA acquisitions as well as employee-related costs associated with improved business conditions. SG&A as a percent of sales was 16.2% compared with 18.8% in the prior year quarter.

Interest expense was $6.4 million for the third quarter of 2011, which included $1.4 million of non-cash interest accretion expense associated with the new 2%, 7 year Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes issued in August. Interest expense was higher for the quarter by $2.4 million, or $0.06 per share, since the Company’s Convertible Notes and the now repaid 9⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes were both outstanding for approximately two months during the quarter.

Cash and short-term investments were $382.0 million at September 30, 2011, which compares to balances of $152.4 million at June 30, 2011. The increase was largely due to proceeds received from the issuance of the new Convertible Notes. On October 17, 2011, approximately $176 million of the proceeds from this offering were used to redeem the Company’s 9⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes, which will save approximately $10 million of cash interest expense annually.

SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

E&C segment sales increased 51% to $57.8 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared with $38.2 million for the same quarter in the prior year. Excluding the two large E&C project awards totaling $138 million in the first half of 2011, E&C orders sequentially improved again during the third quarter. Gross margins improved to 33.1% in the 2011 quarter compared with 23.4% in the same quarter of 2010. Improved volume in all product lines as well as ramping up production on several key projects in our Systems business, continues to lead the improvement in E&C. In addition, margin improved approximately 3% due to the sale of equipment written-off in a prior year.

D&S segment sales improved 55% to $100.9 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared with $65.0 million for the same quarter in the prior year. The increase is largely attributed to increased demand for LNG equipment applications, mobile equipment and standard bulk tanks. The acquisition of GOFA, which closed in August 2011, contributed $2.4 million to the improvement. D&S order backlog of $159.9 million at September 30, 2011 is a record and reflects growing demand for D&S products. D&S gross profit margin declined to 28.2% in the quarter compared with 30.2% a year ago due to product mix and higher material costs. In addition, higher employee-related costs impacted margins as we add to our workforce to address capacity expansion and increased order flow.

BioMedical segment sales improved 46% to $52.6 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared with $36.0 million for the same quarter in the prior year. This increase is largely due to the SeQual acquisition, which closed in late December 2010, as well as improved volume in biological storage system sales. BioMedical gross profit margin decreased to 36.2% in the quarter compared with 39.5% for the same period in 2010. The decrease is primarily attributed to changes in product mix and higher warranty costs.

OUTLOOK

Our positive outlook for 2011 remains unchanged from the second quarter. Despite the concerns over a macroeconomic slowdown and the weakness in the euro zone, we continue to see broad-based, global growth in all business segments at previously expected levels.

Based on year to date results, current order backlog, and business expectations, the Company is reaffirming its previously announced sales and earnings guidance, but will revise its restructuring impact due to refinancing costs as a result of the redemption of its 9⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes. Sales for 2011 are expected to be in a range of $780 to $820 million and diluted earnings per share are expected to be in a range of $1.57 to $1.77 per share, based on approximately 30.0 million weighted average shares outstanding. Previous guidance included approximately $0.15 per diluted share for anticipated restructuring and acquisition costs. This is now revised to include an additional $0.18 per diluted share for the call premium and write-off of deferred financing costs due to the redemption of the Senior Subordinated Notes completed in October. As a result, included in our 2011 earnings estimates are approximately $0.33 per diluted share for anticipated restructuring, acquisition, and refinancing costs. Excluding these charges, full year 2011 earnings are still expected to fall in a range of $1.90 to $2.10 per share, which includes the additional interest expense of $0.06 per share incurred for having both the Convertible Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding for approximately two months during the third quarter.

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Source: Chart Industries, October 27, 2011