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8-K - CERADYNE, INC. - FORM 8-K - 04-24-2012 - CERADYNE INCform8-k.htm
Ceradyne, Inc. - Logo

Jerrold J. Pellizzon
 
Phil Bourdillon/Gene Heller
Chief Financial Officer
 
Silverman Heller Associates
(714) 549-0421
 
(310) 208-2550

CERADYNE, INC. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER
2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
Costa Mesa, Calif.–April 24, 2012–Ceradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDN) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.
 
Sales for the first quarter 2012 were $106.3 million, compared with $150.1 million in the first quarter 2011. Net income for the first quarter 2012 decreased to $3.8 million, or $0.16 per fully diluted share, on 24,360,450 shares, compared to a net income of $23.6 million, or $0.94 per fully diluted share on 25,129,924 shares in the first quarter 2011.

Gross profit margin was 27.4% of net sales in the first quarter 2012, compared to 38.7% in the same period in 2011. The provision for income taxes was 36.9% in the first quarter 2012, compared to 32.3% in the same period in 2011.
 
New orders for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were $80.8 million, compared to $231.7 million for the same period last year.
 
Total backlog as of March 31, 2012 was $259.5 million, compared to total backlog at March 31, 2011 of $267.4 million.

Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $270.1 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $275.0 million at December 31, 2011.

Joel P. Moskowitz, Ceradyne president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board, commented: “Ceradyne’s practice is not to provide quarterly guidance but to provide its best outlook for full-year performance. Although we had previously stated an expected soft first quarter, we are disappointed with the above reported results.

“The unusually sharp decline in solar photovoltaic crucible shipments to levels less than 20% of Q1 2011 was a substantial reason for the Q1 2012 results. This decline flies in the face of increasing global solar installation demand from 2010’s 22 gigawatts to 2011’s estimated 26.7 gigawatts. We believe the problem is the significant over capacity and excessive inventory build by our customers, the Chinese solar module manufacturers. As our customers “work off” their inventory of silicon wafers and require our ceramic crucibles for new silicon ingot melting, we anticipate very gradual improvement of this market later in 2012.

“Furthermore, the final government approval (after successful First Article Testing) for shipping our large ESAPI body armor sustainment award was not received until very late in March, pushing scheduled ESAPI shipments into Q2.

“We believe our financial performance will improve for the balance of 2012 beginning in Q2.”

Mr. Moskowitz further stated: “In February this year, we issued our initial guidance for 2012 of sales ranging from $590 million to $625 million with earnings of $2.30 to $2.65 per fully diluted share. We now feel that the weaker than expected Q1 and the uncertainty of the solar market recovery may result in reduced operating performance and, thus, we are revising the above guidance to a sales range of $540 million to $565 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $1.40 to $1.65. This guidance assumes a very gradual improvement in the solar market later this year, a “catch up” on our delayed Q1 ESAPI shipments, but reduced helmet revenues due to the delays in receiving the initial low rate production orders.”
 
 

 

Mr. Moskowitz continued: “We are continuing to focus on our longer term “Ceradyne $1 Billion” revenue strategy. Recent positive events in our early stage product introduction should be noted. The Ceradyne/ESK Petro Ceram® ceramic sand screens, which are in place since 2010, continue to perform well above expectations and recent quoting activities from potential new accounts in South America and Europe give us further confidence as to our future in the oil and gas business. Also, in the energy sector, Ceradyne Boron Products continues to establish relationships and partnering opportunities for nuclear reactor related materials for China, as well as with large nuclear reactor companies such as Westinghouse/Toshiba and France’s Areva.

“Furthermore, we are currently evaluating several acquisition opportunities in Europe and the U.S.A. Our balance sheet puts us in a strong negotiating position as we look at potential acquisitions. Additionally, our cash position is expected to allow us to increase shareholder value through quarterly dividends, opportunistic share buybacks, as well as expanding our capacity internally with targeted capital expenditures.”
 
Conference Call and Webcast Information
 
Ceradyne will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. PDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) to review the financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. To participate in the teleconference, please call toll free 877-440-5788 (or 719-325-4865 for international callers) approximately 10 minutes prior to the above start time and provide Passcode 8895154. Investors or other interested parties may listen to the teleconference live via the Internet at www.ceradyne.com or www.earnings.com. These web sites will also host an archive of the teleconference. A telephone playback will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. PDT on April 24th through 12:00 p.m. PDT on April 26th. The playback can be accessed by calling 888-203-1112 (or 719-457-0820 for international callers) and providing Passcode 8895154.

Information about Ceradyne, Inc.

Ceradyne develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic products and components for defense, industrial, energy, automotive/diesel and commercial applications.
 
In many high performance applications, products made of advanced technical ceramics meet specifications that similar products made of metals, plastics or traditional ceramics cannot achieve. Advanced technical ceramics can withstand extremely high temperatures, combine hardness with light weight, are highly resistant to corrosion and wear, and often have excellent electrical capabilities, special electronic properties and low friction characteristics. Additional information can be found at the Company’s web site: www.ceradyne.com.
 
 
Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Ceradyne that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "intends," "future," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, and its quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof.

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CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
NET SALES
  $ 106,309     $ 150,102  
COST OF GOODS SOLD
    77,165       92,014  
Gross profit
    29,144       58,088  
OPERATING EXPENSES
               
Selling, general and administrative
    17,510       18,836  
Research and development
    3,630       3,067  
Restructuring – plant closure and severance
    673       -  
Acquisition related charge
    -       584  
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
    21,813       22,487  
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    7,331       35,601  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Interest income
    1,066       798  
Interest expense
    (1,743 )     (1,448 )
Miscellaneous
    (658 )     (87 )
      (1,335 )     (737 )
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    5,996       34,864  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    2,214       11,269  
NET INCOME
  $ 3,782     $ 23,595  
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
               
BASIC
  $ 0.16     $ 0.95  
DILUTED
  $ 0.16     $ 0.94  
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:
               
BASIC
    24,211       24,839  
DILUTED
    24,360       25,130  
 
 
 

 
 
CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 40,285     $ 50,275  
Short-term investments
    229,816       224,772  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,950
               
and $1,547 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
    61,377       73,646  
Other receivables
    8,232       6,040  
Inventories
    135,936       117,273  
Production tooling, net
    10,406       11,792  
Prepaid expenses and other
    44,355       43,860  
Deferred tax asset
    4,960       5,782  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    535,367       533,440  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
    244,046       243,376  
LONG TERM INVESTMENTS
    21,834       15,026  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
    99,623       100,690  
GOODWILL
    43,191       42,926  
OTHER ASSETS
    12,491       12,673  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 956,552     $ 948,131  
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
           
Accounts payable
  $ 28,938     $ 29,191  
Accrued expenses
    26,713       30,470  
Income taxes payable
    6,853       5,331  
Short-term debt
    90,264       89,294  
         TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    152,768       154,286  
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
    24,931       24,462  
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES
    37,295       37,224  
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY
    23,613       23,461  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    238,607       239,433  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 24,280,505 and 24,175,051 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
    243       242  
Additional paid-in capital
    123,797       121,940  
Retained earnings
    583,573       583,420  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    10,332       3,096  
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    717,945       708,698  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 956,552     $ 948,131  
 
 
 

 
CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income
  $ 3,782     $ 23,595  
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    9,143       9,749  
Amortization of bond premium
    109       375  
Non cash interest expense on convertible debt
    971       889  
Deferred income taxes
    (99 )     382  
Stock compensation
    1,225       972  
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
    (54 )     113  
Loss on equipment disposal
    22       49  
Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of effect of businesses acquired):
               
Accounts receivable, net
    12,682       (16,694 )
Other receivables
    (2,137 )     (2,984 )
Inventories
    (17,502 )     (2,502 )
Production tooling, net
    1,399       (3,424 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (298 )     477  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (4,571 )     4,222  
Income taxes payable
    1,344       1,249  
Other long term liability
    73       1,086  
Employee benefits
    325       205  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    6,414       17,759  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (5,924 )     (7,677 )
Purchases of marketable securities
    (20,187 )     (240 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities
    11,019       7,000  
Proceeds from sale of equipment
    (1 )     1,339  
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
    -       (27,673 )
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (15,093 )     (27,251 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from issuance of stock due to exercise of options
    85       897  
Common stock cash dividends paid
    (3,629 )     -  
Excess tax benefit due to exercise of stock options
    203       1,771  
NET CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    (3,341 )     2,668  
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    2,030       2,473  
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (9,990 )     (4,351 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    50,275       53,436  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
  $ 40,285     $ 49,085  
 
 
 

 

CERADYNE, INC.
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Amounts in thousands)
 
The financial information for all segments is presented below:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Revenue from External Customers
 
(Unaudited)
 
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 48,705     $ 76,630  
ESK Ceramics
    42,408       40,123  
Thermo Materials
    14,866       31,111  
Boron
    7,203       7,940  
Inter-segment elimination
    (6,873 )     (5,702 )
Total
  $ 106,309     $ 150,102  
                 
Depreciation and Amortization
               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 2,293     $ 2,871  
ESK Ceramics
    2,975       3,139  
Thermo Materials
    2,020       1,686  
Boron
    1,855       2,053  
Total
  $ 9,143     $ 9,749  
                 
Segment Income (Loss) from Operations and Income before Provision for Income Taxes
               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 3,395     $ 17,014  
ESK Ceramics
    7,177       7,805  
Thermo Materials
    (1,783 )     10,854  
Boron
    (876 )     -  
Inter-segment elimination
    (582 )     (72 )
Total segment income from operations
  $ 7,331     $ 35,601  
Other expense
    (1,335 )     (737 )
Total Income before Provision for Income Taxes
  $ 5,996     $ 34,864  
                 
Segment Assets
               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 489,861     $ 453,886  
ESK Ceramics
    172,755       185,070  
Thermo Materials
    171,672       161,065  
Boron
    122,264       126,509  
Total
  $ 956,552     $ 926,530  
                 
Expenditures for Property, Plant & Equipment
               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 1,823     $ 1,400  
ESK Ceramics
    2,183       678  
Thermo Materials
    559       4,949  
Boron
    1,359       650  
Total
  $ 5,924     $ 7,677  
 
 
 

 

CERADYNE, INC.
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Amounts in thousands)
 

We categorize our products into five market applications. The table below shows our sales by market application and the percentage contribution to our total sales of each market application in the different time periods.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
Sales
   
%
   
Sales
   
%
 
Defense
  $ 36.6       34.4     $ 64.8       43.1  
Industrial
    40.1       37.7       39.5       26.3  
Energy
    14.9       14.0       33.1       22.1  
Automotive/Diesel
    9.8       9.3       9.7       6.5  
Commercial
    4.9       4.6       3.0       2.0  
Total
  $ 106.3       100.0 %   $ 150.1       100.0 %

 
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