HOUSTON, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Dresser-Rand Group Inc. ("Dresser-Rand" or the "Company") (NYSE: DRC), a global supplier of rotating equipment and aftermarket parts and services, reported net income attributable to Dresser-Rand of $34.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2012, compared with net income attributable to Dresser-Rand of $11.2 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2011. Second quarter 2011 results included a number of pre-tax charges totaling approximately $21.9 million ($0.16 per diluted share after-tax) related to the previously disclosed flood at the Company's Wellsville, New York facility ($10.8 million or $0.08 per share), non-recurring Grupo Guascor integration and transaction-related expenses ($7.9 million or $0.06 per share), and accelerated amortization of deferred financing fees and a prepayment premium associated with redemption of the Company's previously outstanding Senior Secured Notes ($3.2 million or $0.02 per share).

Vincent R. Volpe Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Dresser-Rand, said, "We are pleased with our second quarter 2012 bookings and financial results. Income from operations of $73 million was up 88% from last year's second quarter and was above the midpoint of our guidance range despite the headwind from the stronger U.S. dollar. Bookings of approximately $346 million and $392 million for new units and aftermarket parts and services, respectively, were strong and add to the solid level of bookings in the first quarter, in line with our expectations to achieve record full year bookings.

"As previously guided, we have also started to see improved operating margins in the second quarter and expect this to continue with the increase in volume over the balance of the year. Against the backdrop of improving margins, however, it should be noted that the relative strengthening of the U.S. Dollar, based on current exchange rates, is expected to have an overall adverse translational effect on full year operating income of approximately $15 million compared to the exchange rates at the time of our first quarter 2012 earnings release. Despite the stronger U.S. dollar, we continue to expect operating income to fall within the previous full year guidance range of $360 to $420 million, albeit lower within that range.

"With oil prices at present levels, we believe investment in energy infrastructure projects will continue. We have a line of sight to a number of potential major orders throughout the energy value chain. As such, we are reiterating bookings guidance for new units and aftermarket parts and services of $1.7 to $1.9 billion and $1.4 to $1.6 billion, respectively.

"Our backlog at the end of the quarter was at a record level of approximately $2.8 billion, which was 25% higher than the year ago level. Our new units backlog of $2.2 billion was up approximately 22% and gives us a good start on 2013 new unit revenues with approximately $1,060 million of the new unit backlog scheduled to ship in 2013."

Bookings of $737.2 million for the second quarter 2012 were 22% higher than the $603.8 million for the second quarter 2011.

Revenues for the second quarter 2012 of $635.8 million were $46.9 million or 8% higher than the second quarter 2011, despite the adverse translation impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. This increase was partially the result of an estimated $20.7 million of second quarter 2011 revenues deferred to future periods as a result of the flood at the Company's Wellsville facility. Revenues in the second quarter 2012 would have been approximately $40 million higher had there not been a change in exchange rates as compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

Total operating income for the second quarter 2012 was $72.6 million, compared to operating income of $38.7 million for the second quarter 2011. As a percentage of revenues, operating income for the second quarter 2012 was 11.4%, compared to 6.6% for the corresponding period in 2011. Second quarter 2012 operating income and margins increased compared with the corresponding period in 2011 due to higher revenues and the fact that last year's results were adversely impacted by the flood at the Wellsville facility and the non-recurring acquisition and integration costs related to the Guascor acquisition, which reduced second quarter 2011 operating margin by approximately 290 basis points. Operating income in the second quarter 2012 would have been approximately $7 million higher had there not been a change in exchange rates as compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter 2012 was approximately 37.7%, which was higher than the statutory rate, principally due to losses in certain jurisdictions where the Company cannot currently record a tax benefit. The impact of this higher tax rate compared to 33%, which is the midpoint of the Company's previously provided full year guidance, is approximately $0.04 per share. The Company continues to believe its full year effective tax rate will be between 32 to 34%.

Net income attributable to Dresser-Rand was $34.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2012, compared to net income attributable to Dresser-Rand of $11.2 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2011. Net income for the second quarter 2011 includes the previously mentioned non-recurring costs of approximately $21.9 million pre-tax, which decreased earnings per diluted share by $0.16 after-tax.

New Units Segment

New unit bookings of $345.7 million for the second quarter 2012 were 22% higher than bookings of $282.7 million for the corresponding period in 2011. The backlog at June 30, 2012, of $2,194.3 million was 22% higher than the $1,792.1 million backlog at June 30, 2011.

New unit revenues were $287.3 million for the second quarter 2012 compared to $301.4 million for second quarter 2011, a decrease of $14.1 million or 4.7%. The decrease in second quarter 2012 revenues compared to the corresponding period in 2011 reflects the variability in the timing and the size of very large orders in the new units segment. In addition, the flood at the Wellsville facility in May 2011 resulted in the deferral of an estimated $13.9 million of new unit revenues to subsequent periods in 2011. New unit revenues in the second quarter 2012 would have been approximately $19 million higher had there not been a change in exchange rates as compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

New units operating income was $27.3 million for the second quarter 2012, compared to operating income of $22.4 million for the second quarter 2011. This segment's operating margin was 9.5% for the second quarter 2012, compared to 7.4% for the second quarter 2011. The increase in operating margin was due to the fact that last year's results were adversely impacted by the flood at the Wellsville facility and by a lower allocation of overhead cost to the segment resulting from the lower percentage of new unit revenues to total revenues in the current period.

Aftermarket Parts and Services Segment

Aftermarket bookings of $391.5 million for the second quarter 2012 were 22% higher than bookings of $321.1 million for the corresponding period in 2011. The increase in aftermarket bookings reflects the continuing recovery in most geographic segments, especially in the Middle East and Latin America. The backlog at June 30, 2012, of $603.0 million was 33% higher than the $453.6 million backlog at June 30, 2011.

Aftermarket parts and services revenues were $348.5 million for the second quarter 2012, compared to $287.5 million for the second quarter 2011, an increase of $61.0 million or 21%. The increase in aftermarket revenues reflects the continuing recovery in most geographic segments. In addition, the flood at the Wellsville facility resulted in the deferral of an estimated $6.8 million of aftermarket revenues to subsequent periods in 2011. Aftermarket revenues in the second quarter 2012 would have been approximately $21 million higher had there not been a change in exchange rates as compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

Aftermarket operating income was $69.9 million for the second quarter 2012, compared to $46.5 million for the second quarter 2011. This segment's operating margin was 20.1% for the second quarter 2012, compared to 16.2% for the second quarter 2011. This increase was the result of the adverse impact on 2011 results of the flood at the Wellsville facility and the benefits of operating leverage on higher volume. These impacts were partially offset by the higher allocation of overhead cost to this segment resulting from the higher percentage of aftermarket revenues to total revenues in the current period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $134.8 million and the ability to borrow $263.6 million under the $763.3 million revolving portion of its Senior Secured Credit Facility, as $208.5 million was used for outstanding letters of credit and $291.2 million of borrowings was outstanding. In addition to these letters of credit, $119.6 million of letters of credit and bank guarantees were outstanding at June 30, 2012, which were issued by banks offering uncommitted lines of credit.

In the first six months of 2012, cash used in operating activities was $1.5 million compared with $20.4 million for the corresponding period in 2011. In the first six months of 2012, net cash used in investing activities was $77.3 million compared with $308.0 million for the corresponding period in 2011. Cash used in investing activities in the first six months of 2012 includes $48.8 million related to the acquisition of Synchrony, Inc. (net of cash acquired) and $6.0 million related to an additional capital investment in the noncontrolling interest of Echogen Power Systems, LLC. Cash used in investing activities in the first six months of 2011 includes $283.5 million related to the acquisition of Guascor (net of cash acquired), which closed on May 4, 2011. Cash provided by financing activities was $88.9 million in the first six months of 2012, compared to cash used in financing activities of $1.4 million in the first six months of 2011. As of June 30, 2012, net debt was approximately $945.6 million.

Outlook

The Company expects its full year operating income to fall within its previous guidance of $360 to $420 million, albeit lower in the range as a result of the adverse translation impact of the stronger U.S. Dollar. The Company reiterates its guidance for 2012 new unit bookings of $1.7 to $1.9 billion, aftermarket bookings of $1.4 to $1.6 billion, new unit segment margins in low double digits and aftermarket segment margins in the range of 22 to 24 percent. The Company expects its full year 2012 interest expense to be in the range of $60 to $65 million and its effective tax rate to be approximately 32 to 34 percent.

The Company expects third quarter 2012 operating income to be in the range of $80 to $100 million.

Conference Call

The Company will discuss its second quarter 2012 results at its conference call on August 3, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. You may access the live webcast presentation at www.dresser-rand.com. Participants may also join the conference call by dialing (877) 868-1831 in the U.S. and (914) 495-8595 from outside the U.S. five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

A replay of the webcast will be available from 12:00 noon Eastern Time on August 3, 2012, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 10, 2012. You may access the webcast replay at www.dresser-rand.com. The replay of the conference can be accessed by dialing (800) 585-8367 in the U.S. and (404) 537-3406 from outside the U.S. The replay pass code is 14434847.

About Dresser-Rand

Dresser-Rand is among the largest suppliers of rotating equipment solutions to the worldwide oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries. The Company operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Norway, and India, and maintains a network of 49 service and support centers (including 6 engineering and R&D centers) covering more than 150 countries.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future bookings, revenues, or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans, or intentions relating to acquisitions, business trends, executive compensation, and other information that is not historical information. The words "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "appears," "outlook," and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous factors, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. These factors, risks, and uncertainties include, among others, the following: economic or industry downturns; the variability of bookings due to volatile market conditions, subjectivity clients exercise in placing orders, and timing of large orders; volatility and disruption of the credit markets; its inability to generate cash and access capital on reasonable terms and conditions; its inability to implement its business strategy to increase aftermarket parts and services revenue; its ability to comply with local content requirements; delivery delays by certain third party suppliers of large equipment; its ability to implement potential tax strategies; competition in its markets; failure to complete or achieve the expected benefits from any future acquisitions; economic, political, currency and other risks associated with international sales and operations; fluctuations in currencies and volatility in exchange rates; loss of senior management; environmental compliance costs and liabilities; failure to maintain safety performance acceptable to its clients; failure to negotiate new collective bargaining agreements; unexpected product claims and regulations; infringement on its intellectual property or infringement on others' intellectual property; its pension expenses and funding requirements; difficulty in implementing an information management system; and the Company's brand name may be confused with others. These and other risks are discussed in detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. The Company can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them does, what impact they will have on results of operations and financial condition. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law. For information about Dresser-Rand, go to its website at www.dresser-rand.com.

DRC-FIN

CONTACT: Investors, Blaise Derrico, Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-713-973-5497