Polypore Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results




 * EPS of $0.11 compared to prior-year period loss of $0.36
 * Adjusted EPS of $0.20 compared to prior-year period Adjusted EPS of
   $0.13
 * Announcement of fourth quarter lead-acid battery separator business
   restructuring

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 29, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polypore International, Inc. (NYSE:PPO) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2008.



 * Sales were $154.9 million, up 19% from $129.9 million in the third
   quarter of 2007.
 * Operating income, which included $6.3 million of incremental
   strike- and FTC-related costs in the lead-acid battery separator
   business, was $20.6 million compared with operating income of $22.6
   million in the prior-year period.
 * Income from continuing operations in the quarter was $5.1 million,
   or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with a net loss from
   continuing operations in the prior-year period of $14.6 million, or
   a loss of $0.36 per diluted share.  Adjusted Net Income and
   Adjusted EPS in the quarter increased to $9.0 million and $0.20 per
   diluted share, compared to $5.2 million and $0.13 per diluted share
   in the prior-year period.  A table showing the reconciliation of
   Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS is included in this release.

Robert B. Toth, President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, "Aside from the challenges in our lead-acid battery separator business which we are addressing head-on, we are pleased with our business performance, particularly in the current economic environment. Additionally, the long-term demand drivers for mobile power and high performance filtration remain favorable."

For the nine month period ended September 27, 2008:



 * Sales were $464.9 million, up 19% from $390.0 million in the first
   nine months of 2007.
 * Operating income was $82.1 million compared with operating income
   of $71.7 million in the prior-year period.
 * Income from continuing operations increased to $26.8 million, or
   $0.63 per diluted share, compared with a net loss from continuing
   operations in the prior-year period of $13.6 million, or $0.44 per
   diluted share.  Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS increased to
   $31.4 million and $0.74 per diluted share, compared to $6.4 million
   and $0.21 per diluted share in the prior-year period.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), as defined in Polypore's senior secured credit facility, is defined and reconciled to net income as noted in the attached table. Adjusted EBITDA was $42.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $35.2 million in the third quarter of 2007. Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended September 27, 2008 was $179.3 million, up from $148.2 million in the comparable prior-year period.

Energy Storage

In the quarter, sales for the Energy Storage segment were $115.5 million, an increase of $21.6 million, or 23%, over the prior year (19% net of the effect of the euro to dollar exchange rate). Third quarter highlights include:



 * 25% growth in sales of lead-acid battery separators, driven
   primarily by the acquisition of Microporous Holding Corporation
   ("Microporous"), as well as strength in the euro to dollar exchange
   rate and price adjustments to partially offset ongoing escalation
   in raw material and energy costs.
 * 18% growth in sales of lithium battery separators associated with
   continued strong demand for consumer electronic products and
   expanding applications for lithium batteries.
 * Segment operating income of $15.0 million and 13% of sales as
   compared to $19.9 million and 21% of sales for the prior-year
   period. The third quarter operating margin includes $6.3 million of
   previously disclosed strike- and FTC-related expenses, and the
   impact of the Microporous and Yurie-Wide acquisitions. A table
   showing the reconciliation of segment operating income to
   consolidated results is included in this release.

In the first nine months of the year, Energy Storage segment sales were $341.4 million, an increase of $62.6 million or 23% over the prior year (17% net of the effect of the euro to dollar exchange rate). Year to date highlights include:



 * 24% growth in sales of lead-acid battery separators.
 * 17% growth in sales of lithium battery separators.
 * Segment operating income was $62.7 million and 18% of net sales as
   compared to $59.7 million and 21% of net sales for the same period
   in the prior year.

Separations Media

In the quarter, sales for the Separations Media segment were $39.4 million, up $3.4 million, or 9%, from the third quarter of 2007. The prior-year period included $2.8 million in sales of cellulosic hemodialysis membranes, which were discontinued in 2007. Excluding those sales and the effect of the euro to dollar exchange rate, sales increased by 9%. Third quarter highlights include:



 * 7% growth in sales of healthcare products, driven by strong growth
   in synthetic hemodialysis membranes and strength in the euro to
   dollar exchange rate, offset by the impact of the 2007 exit of
   cellulosic hemodialysis membranes.
 * 14% growth in sales of filtration and specialty products, driven by
   demand for high performance filtration applications and strength in
   the euro to dollar exchange rate.
 * Segment operating income of $5.9 million and 15% of sales as
   compared to $3.1 million and 9% of sales for the prior-year period.
   A table showing the reconciliation of segment operating income to
   consolidated results is included in this release.

In the first nine months of the year, Separations Media segment sales were $123.5 million, an increase of $12.3 million or 11% over the prior year. The prior-year period included $13.0 million in sales of cellulosic hemodialysis membranes, which were discontinued in 2007. Excluding those sales and the effect of the euro to dollar exchange rate, sales increased by 13%. Year to date highlights include:



 * 10% growth in sales of healthcare products.
 * 14% growth in sales of filtration and specialty products.
 * Segment operating income was $20.2 million and 16% of net sales as
   compared to $12.7 million and 11% of net sales for the same period
   in the prior year.

Lead-Acid Battery Separator Business Restructuring

As previously disclosed, a supply contract between Polypore's Daramic lead-acid battery separator business and Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) expires on December 31, 2008. The Company now anticipates that it will not have a material supply position with this customer for automotive lead-acid battery separators in 2009. Therefore, the Company is implementing a restructuring plan to align lead-acid battery separator production capacity with demand, reduce costs, and position the Company to meet future growth opportunities.

Commenting on the plan, Toth added: "This restructuring plan in our lead-acid battery separator business will help offset the impact of a major supply position change with JCI in 2009. Consistent with our long-term strategy and commitment to customers, we remain focused on maintaining our world class cost competitive position and strategically placing assets in high growth areas such as Asia."

The plan includes closing the Company's facility in Potenza, Italy and streamlining production at the Company's facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. The current estimated cost of the plan is expected to be in the range of $54.0 to $63.0 million, including estimated cash charges of $24.0 to $30.0 million for site clean-up and remediation and other costs, including severance benefits, and an estimated non-cash impairment charge of $30.0 to 33.0 million primarily for buildings and equipment that will no longer be used in Potenza, Italy. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company expects to begin implementing the restructuring plan and to record the estimated $54.0 to $63.0 million restructuring charge (approximately $52.0 to $61.0 million net of income tax), or an estimated $1.16 to $1.36 per fully diluted share. Cash payments associated with the plan are expected to be paid over the next five years. The timing, scope and costs of these restructuring measures (including income tax considerations) are subject to change as the Company implements the plan and continues to evaluate its business needs and costs.

Fiscal 2008 Guidance

On July 30, 2008, the Company issued the following guidance for the year ending January 3, 2009: Sales of $595.0 million to $615.0 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $172.0 million to $179.0 million, and earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.85 to $0.94. These estimates are based on an assumed full-year weighted average fully diluted share count of 42.8 million shares. Additionally, the Company estimates total capital expenditures of approximately $52.0 million in 2008.

Excluding the items shown in the reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS included in this release and the estimated fourth quarter restructuring costs, the Company remains comfortable with the higher end of its published guidance ranges for fiscal 2008 as previously stated.

Conference Call

Polypore International, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's third quarter financial results and business outlook on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 9:00 AM Eastern time. A replay of the conference call will be available through November 13, 2008, via telephone at 719-457-0820. Enter code 5480299. The call will also be webcast live and archived for 30 days in the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at http://investor.polypore.net/.

In addition, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission with Supplemental Financial Information that is located on the Company's web site.

Non-GAAP Supplemental Information

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS (earnings per share) are non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release as supplemental disclosures to net income and reported results. Adjusted EBITDA is defined in Polypore's credit agreement and represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and certain non-operating items, business restructuring costs, costs incurred in connection with the purchase of our 10.50% senior discount notes and refinancing of our credit facilities and other non-cash or non-recurring charges. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA includes the pro forma impact of acquisitions as if the acquisitions occurred on the first day of the period presented. Polypore defines Adjusted Net Income as income from continuing operations excluding certain items. Polypore defines Adjusted EPS as Adjusted Net Income divided by the number of diluted shares of common stock outstanding. For more information regarding the computation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS, the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and Adjusted Net Income to income from continuing operations and the reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to earnings per share, please see the attached financial tables.

Polypore presents these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes that they are a useful indicator of its operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used in our credit agreement to determine the availability of borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Polypore's management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to review and assess its operating performance in connection with employee incentive programs and the preparation of its annual budget and financial projections. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS exclude amounts that we do not consider part of our ongoing operating results when assessing performance of the Company. We believe that our non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate the comparison of results for current periods and guidance for future periods with results for past periods.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP and such financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or other measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Polypore's calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to the calculation of similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Polypore also presents a range for Adjusted EBITDA on a forward-looking basis. The most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure for Adjusted EBITDA is net income. The most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure for Adjusted EPS is earnings per share. Polypore is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure because we cannot reliably forecast certain items included in the GAAP measures. Please note that the unavailable reconciling items could significantly impact the Company's future financial results.

This release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include the following: the highly competitive nature of the markets in which we sell our products; the failure to continue to develop innovative products; the loss of our customers; the vertical integration by our customers of the production of our products into their own manufacturing process; increases in prices for raw materials or the loss of key supplier contracts; our substantial indebtedness; interest rate risk related to our variable rate indebtedness; our inability to generate cash; restrictions related to the senior secured credit facility; employee slowdowns, strikes or similar actions; product liability claims exposure; risks in connection with our operations outside the United States; the incurrence of substantial costs to comply with, or as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws; the failure to protect our intellectual property; the failure to replace lost senior management; the incurrence of additional debt, contingent liabilities and expenses in connection with future acquisitions; the adverse impact on our financial condition from past restructuring activities; the failure to effectively integrate newly acquired operations; the absence of expected returns from the amount of intangible assets we have recorded; and natural disasters, epidemics, terrorist acts and other events beyond our control. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Polypore expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Polypore's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.



 Polypore International, Inc.
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operation
 (unaudited)
 (in millions, except share data)

                             Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                            --------------------  --------------------
                            Sept. 27,  Sept. 29,  Sept. 27,  Sept. 29,
                              2008        2007      2008        2007
 -----------------------------------------------  --------------------
 Net sales                   $ 154.9     $ 129.9   $ 464.9     $ 390.0
 Cost of goods sold            108.1        84.1     303.9       248.2
 Business interruption
  insurance recovery              --          --      (2.4)         --
                            --------------------  --------------------
 Gross profit                   46.8        45.8     163.4       141.8
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses                      26.2        23.0      81.3        69.7
 Business restructuring           --         0.2        --         0.4
                            --------------------  --------------------
 Operating income               20.6        22.6      82.1        71.7
 Other (income) expense:
  Interest expense, net         14.6        16.7      46.6        64.2
  Costs related to
   purchase of 10.50%
   senior discount
   notes                          --        30.0        --        30.0
  Write-off of loan
   acquisition costs
   associated with
   refinancing of
   senior secured
   credit facilities              --         7.2        --         7.2
  Foreign currency and
   other                        (0.6)        0.4      (1.2)        0.8
                            --------------------  --------------------
                                14.0        54.3      45.4       102.2
                            --------------------  --------------------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes            6.6       (31.7)     36.7       (30.5)
 Income taxes                    1.5       (17.1)      9.9       (16.9)
                            --------------------  --------------------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations          5.1       (14.6)     26.8       (13.6)
 Income from
  discontinued
  operations, net of
  income taxes                    --          --       2.4         0.1
                            --------------------  --------------------
 Net income (loss)          $    5.1    $  (14.6) $   29.2    $  (13.5)
                            ====================  ====================

 Net income (loss) per
  share - basic and
  diluted:
  Income (loss) from
   continuing
   operations               $   0.11    $  (0.36) $   0.63    $  (0.44)
  Income from
   discontinued
   operations, net of
   income taxes                   --          --      0.06          --
                            --------------------  --------------------
  Net income (loss)         $   0.11    $  (0.36) $   0.69    $  (0.44)
                            ====================  ====================


 Polypore International, Inc.
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 (unaudited, in millions)

                                                  Nine Months Ended
                                                ----------------------
                                                 Sept. 27,  Sept. 29,
                                                   2008       2007
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Operating activities:
 Net income (loss)                                 $  29.2     $ (13.5)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
   (loss) to net cash provided by
   operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization expense             43.6        38.7
    Amortization of debt discount                       --        13.3
    Deferred income taxes                             (0.1)      (25.9)
    Business restructuring                              --         0.4
    Costs related to purchase of 10.50%
     senior discount notes                              --        30.0
    Write-off of loan acquisition costs
     associated with refinancing of senior
     secured credit facilities                          --         7.2

   Gain on sale of synthetic paper
    business                                          (3.8)         --
   Other adjustments impacting net cash
     provided by operating activities                 (0.1)        1.6
 Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities                                        11.3        10.4
                                                ----------------------
 Net cash provided by operating
  activities                                          80.1        62.2
 Investing activities:
 Purchases of property, plant and
  equipment                                          (40.0)      (16.3)
 Acquisition of businesses, net of
  cash acquired                                      (86.1)       (5.5)
 Proceeds from sale of synthetic
  paper business                                       4.0          --
                                                ----------------------
 Net cash used in investing activities              (122.1)      (21.8)
 Financing activities:
 Issuance of common stock , net of
  fees and expenses                                   85.0       264.8
 Borrowings from revolving credit facility            46.0          --
 Payments on revolving credit facility               (46.0)         --
 Principal payments on debt                          (18.6)     (371.2)
 Proceeds from exercise of stock
  options, net                                         1.5          --
 Proceeds from senior secured credit
  facility                                              --       370.0
 Purchase of 10.50% senior discount notes               --      (293.6)
 Loan acquisition costs                                 --        (8.7)
 Repurchases of common stock, net                       --        (0.3)
                                                ----------------------
 Net cash provided by (used) in
  financing activities                                67.9       (39.0)
 Effect of exchange rate changes on
  cash and cash equivalents                           (0.7)        4.6
                                                ----------------------
 Net increase in cash and cash
  equivalents                                         25.2         6.0
 Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of period                                 54.9        54.7
                                                ----------------------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end
  of the period                                    $  80.1     $  60.7
                                                ======================



 Polypore International, Inc.
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 (in millions)

                                               Sept. 27,     Dec. 29,
                                                 2008          2007 (a)
                                              (unaudited)
                                              ------------------------
 Assets:
 Cash and equivalents                           $     80.1  $     54.9
 Other                                               205.3       194.4
                                              ------------------------
   Current assets                                    285.4       249.3

 Property, plant and equipment,
  net                                                462.0       401.3
 Goodwill                                            601.8       568.8
 Intangibles and loan acquisition
  costs, net                                         191.5       187.9
 Other                                                21.0        21.7
                                              ------------------------

 Total assets                                    $ 1,561.7   $ 1,429.0
                                              ========================

 Liabilities and shareholders'
  equity:
 Current liabilities                             $   100.0    $   91.0
 Debt and capital lease
  obligations, less current
  portion                                            813.0       816.9
 Other                                               205.7       185.8
 Shareholders' equity                                443.0       335.3
                                              ------------------------

 Total liabilities and
  shareholders' equity                           $ 1,561.7   $ 1,429.0
                                              ========================

 (a) Derived from audited consolidated financial statements.
 
 Polypore International, Inc.
 Supplemental Information
 Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
 (unaudited, in millions)

                           Three     Three     Twelve     Twelve
                           Months    Months    Months     Months
                           Ended     Ended     Ended      Ended
                         Sept. 27, Sept. 29,  Sept. 27,  Sept. 29,
                           2008      2007       2008       2007
                          ---------------------------------------
 Net income (loss)        $   5.1   $ (14.6)  $   43.2   $  (16.3)
 Add:
   Depreciation               9.6       7.6       35.9       34.9
   Amortization               4.7       4.5       18.1       17.9
   Interest
    expense, net             14.6      16.7       63.5       87.8
   Income taxes               1.5     (17.1)      10.7      (19.5)
                          ---------------------------------------
 EBITDA                      35.5      (2.9)     171.4      104.8
   Foreign currency
    (gain) loss              (0.5)      0.4        0.1        2.0
   Loss on disposal
    of property,
    plant, and
    equipment                 0.4        --        1.0        1.2
   Stock
    compensation              0.3       0.2        1.1        0.8
   Business
    restructuring              --       0.2       (1.2)       0.1
   Costs related
    to purchase
    of 10.50%
    senior
    discount notes             --      30.0         --       30.0
   Write-off of
    loan
    acquisition
    costs
    associated with            --       7.2         --        7.2
    refinancing of
    senior secured
    credit
    facilities
   (Income) loss
    from
    discontinued
    operations,
    net of
    income taxes               --        --       (2.4)       0.1
   Pro forma
    adjustment for
    Microporous and
    Yuri-Wide
    acquisitions*              --        --        1.8         --
   Strike-related
    costs                     6.0        --        6.0         --
   FTC-related
    costs                     0.3        --        0.3         --
   Other non-cash or
    non-recurring
    charges                   0.1       0.1        1.2        2.0
                          ---------------------------------------
 Adjusted EBITDA          $  42.1   $  35.2   $  179.3   $  148.2
                          =======================================


 * The twelve months ended September 27, 2008 include pro forma
 adjustments for the Microporous and Yuri-Wide acquisitions.


 Polypore International, Inc.
 Supplemental Information
 Reconciliation of Adjusted
  Net Income and Adjusted EPS
 (unaudited)
 (in millions, except share data)


                           Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                        Sept. 27,    Sept. 29,   Sept. 27,   Sept. 29,
                           2008       2007        2008         2007
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations $      5.1  $    (14.6) $     26.8  $    (13.6)
 Add:
   Inventory purchase
    accounting adjustment       --          --         0.7          --
   Non-cash tax impact
    of repatriating
    funds for
    acquisition                 --          --         0.2          --
   Business restructuring       --         0.2          --         0.4
   Strike-related costs        6.0          --         6.0          --
   FTC-related costs           0.3          --         0.3          --
   Costs related to
    purchase of 10.50%
    senior discount
    notes                       --        30.0          --        30.0
   Write-off of loan
    acquisition costs
    associated with
    refinancing of
    senior secured
    credit facilities           --         7.2          --         7.2
   Foreign currency
    losses incurred
    in connection with          --         0.7          --         0.7
    debt refinancing
   Impact of above
    items on provision
    for income taxes          (2.4)      (12.2)       (2.6)      (12.2)
   Income tax benefit
    resulting from
    German tax reform           --        (6.1)         --        (6.1)
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
 Adjusted net income    $      9.0  $      5.2  $     31.4  $      6.4
                        ======================  ======================

 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  per share - diluted   $     0.11  $    (0.36) $     0.63  $    (0.44)
 Impact of adjustments
  on income from
  continuing operations
  per share - diluted         0.09        0.49        0.11        0.65
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
 Adjusted earnings
  per share             $     0.20  $     0.13  $     0.74  $     0.21
                        ======================  ======================

 Weighted average
  diluted shares
  outstanding - diluted 44,601,946  40,306,928  42,455,095  30,483,644


 Polypore International, Inc.
 Supplemental Information
 Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Income
  (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
 (unaudited, in millions)

                              Three Months Ended    Nine Months
                              ------------------ ------------------
                               Sept.27, Sept.29,  Sept.27, Sept.29
                                2008     2007      2008     2007
                              ------------------ ------------------
 Operating income:
   Energy Storage              $  15.0  $  19.9   $  62.7  $  59.7
   Separations Media               5.9      3.1      20.2     12.7
   Corporate                      (0.3)    (0.2)     (0.8)    (0.3)
                              ------------------ ------------------
 Total segment
  operating income                20.6     22.8      82.1     72.1
 Business restructuring           --        0.2      --        0.4
                              ------------------ ------------------
 Total operating income           20.6     22.6      82.1     71.7
 Reconciling items:
   Interest expense               14.6     16.7      46.6     64.2
   Costs related to
    purchase of 10.50%
    senior discount
    notes                         --       30.0      --       30.0
   Write-off of loan
    acquisition costs
    associated with               --        7.2      --        7.2
    refinancing of
    senior secured
    credit facilities
   Foreign currency
    and other                     (0.6)     0.4      (1.2)     0.8
                              ------------------ ------------------
  Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes          $   6.6  $ (31.7)  $  36.7  $ (30.5)
                              ================== ===================


            

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