Chart Industries Reports 2008 Second Quarter Results


CLEVELAND, July 31, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Chart Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS), 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 second quarter ended June 30, 2008.



   * Sales up 18% to $197.8 million

   * Earnings per share more than doubles to $0.76

   * Backlog approaches half billion dollar mark

   * Strong order intake across all business segments

   * Full-year sales and earnings guidance increased

Net sales for the second quarter of 2008 increased 18% to $197.8 million from $167.6 million in the comparable period a year ago. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2008 was $64.0 million, or 32.3% of sales, versus $51.3 million, or 30.6% of sales, in the comparable quarter of 2007.

Net income for the second quarter of 2008 was $22.2 million, or $0.76 per diluted share. This compares with second quarter 2007 net income of $8.4 million, or $0.32 per diluted share. The 2007 quarter included $7.1 million of one-time, pre-tax, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, resulting primarily from the vesting of performance-based options in conjunction with the Company's secondary stock offering completed in June 2007.

"We are very pleased with the continued quarterly margin improvement led by our Energy & Chemicals ("E&C") segment resulting from a more favorable project mix and continued improvements in project execution," stated Sam Thomas, Chart's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, E&C also benefited from several performance incentives and change orders earned during the period, which is an affirmation of the improved project execution."

Backlog at June 30, 2008 was $498.1 million, 20% greater than the June 30, 2007 level of $415.3 million and 6% greater than the backlog of $468.9 million at March 31, 2008. Orders for the second quarter of 2008 were $227.1 million compared with first quarter 2008 orders of $164.9 million.

"Our orders for the second quarter were very strong across all operating segments, particularly in the Distribution & Storage ("D&S") segment," said Mr. Thomas. "Orders were also up significantly at E&C as compared with the first quarter of 2008. We continue to see robust bid activity as our markets remain strong."

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the second quarter of 2008 were $26.3 million, or 13.3% of sales, compared with $28.7 million, or 17.1% of sales, for the same quarter a year ago. The second quarter of 2007 included $7.1 million of one-time, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, related primarily to the secondary stock offering referenced above. Excluding these charges, SG&A would have been 12.9% of sales for the second quarter of 2007. The increase in SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2008 was primarily the result of increased support costs related to business growth particularly in our international markets.

Net interest expense and financing costs amortization for the second quarter of 2008 was $4.9 million compared with $6.4 million for the same quarter a year ago, reflecting lower long-term debt outstanding as a result of voluntary prepayments made during the second quarter 2007, lower interest rates, and higher interest income associated with higher cash balances during the second quarter of 2008.

Cash provided by operations for the three months ended June 30, 2008 was $13.2 million compared with cash provided by operations of $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to higher net income, partially offset by increased inventory and accounts receivable. Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended June 30, 2008 was $21.5 million compared with $5.6 million for the same period in 2007 and included $18.8 million for an acquisition. The Company ended the quarter with a very strong cash position in excess of $100 million.

SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

E&C segment sales improved by 35% to $78.2 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared with $58.1 million for the same quarter in the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to increased throughput and flow through of our backlog growth in the second half of 2007. E&C gross profit margin increased to 32% in 2008 compared with 27% in 2007 primarily due to favorable project mix and improved execution. Performance incentives and change orders were earned on several projects contributing to the improved margins during the second quarter of 2008.

Distribution & Storage ("D&S") segment sales for the second quarter of 2008 were $6.6 million higher at $93.2 million compared with $86.6 million for the second quarter of 2007. The increase was primarily due to an acquisition and higher volume in package gas systems as a result of continued growth in the global industrial gas market. In addition, D&S segment sales benefited in the current quarter from the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. D&S gross profit margin decreased slightly to 30.8% in the quarter compared with 31.8% in 2007 a year ago, primarily due to lower volume in bulk tanks and timing of price increases versus material cost increases. The improved D&S order intake of $115.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 included improved bulk tank volume and several large engineered tank orders for the global industrial gas market.

BioMedical segment sales for the quarter increased to $26.4 million from $22.9 million for the same quarter in the prior year. Medical respiratory product sales increased $1.5 million primarily due to continued growth in European markets and biological storage systems sales increased $2.0 million due to higher volume in domestic and international markets. BioMedical gross profit margin increased to 38.4% in the quarter compared to 34.5% for the same period in 2007 primarily due to a continued shift to higher value added customer solutions for biological storage systems as well as favorable currency impact from euro denominated sales.

OUTLOOK

Based on year to date results, current order backlog, and second half expectations, the Company is raising previously announced sales and earnings guidance. Sales for 2008 are now expected to be in the range of $770 to $800 million, compared with previous guidance of $745 to $780 million. Full year earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $2.55 to $2.65 per diluted share, compared with prior guidance of $2.33 to $2.45 per diluted share, on approximately 29.1 million weighted average shares outstanding.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning the Company's plans, objectives, future revenue, earnings or performance, capital expenditures, business trends, and other information that is not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "projects," "forecasts," "outlook," "continue," or the negative of such terms or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release or in other statements made by the Company are made based on management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among others, the following: the cyclicality of the markets which the Company serves; a delay, significant reduction in and/or loss of purchases by large customers; competition; general economic, political, business and market risks associated with the Company's international operations; the Company's ability to successfully manage its growth, including its ability to successfully acquire and integrate new product lines or businesses; the loss of key employees; the pricing and availability of raw materials; the Company's ability to manage its fixed-price contract exposure; additional liabilities related to taxes; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates; and litigation and disputes involving the Company, including product liability, fixed-price contract, repair and warranty claims. For a discussion of these and additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements, see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A (Risk Factors) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which should be reviewed carefully. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Chart is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. The majority of Chart's products are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use applications, the largest portion of which are energy-related. Chart has domestic operations located in eight states and an international presence in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit: http://www.chart-ind.com.

As previously announced, the Company will discuss its second quarter 2008 results on a conference call on Thursday July 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Participants may join the conference call by dialing (888) 241-0558 in the U.S. or (647) 427-3417 from outside the U.S. A live webcast presentation will also be accessible at 10:30 a.m. ET at http://www.chart-ind.com. Please log-in or dial-in five to ten minutes prior to the start time.

A taped replay of the conference call will be archived on the Company's website, www.chart-ind.com, approximately one hour after the call concludes. You may also listen to a taped replay of the conference call by dialing (800) 695-2124 in the U.S. or (402) 220-1754 outside the U.S. and entering Access Code 54292109. The telephone replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the end of the call until 11:59 p.m. ET, August 14, 2008.

For more information, click here: http://www.chart-ind.com/investor_relations.cfm/?b=1444&I=1



                CHART INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
      (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

                          Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                              June 30,                  June 30,
                         ---------------------   ---------------------
                           2008         2007       2008         2007
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Sales                   $ 197,752   $ 167,587   $ 368,081   $ 320,050
 Cost of sales             133,752     116,329     252,140     228,933
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Gross profit               64,000      51,258     115,941      91,117

 Selling, general and
  administrative expenses   26,345      28,803      49,420      48,347
 Amortization expense        2,825       2,640       5,483       5,668
 Other                          (3)         66          (3)         66
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                            29,167      31,509      54,900      54,081
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Operating income (1)       34,833      19,749      61,041      37,036

 Other expense (income):
   Interest expense and
    financing cost
    amortization, net        4,942       6,374      10,100      13,124
   Foreign currency
    expense (income)        (1,460)        643      (1,610)        289
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                             3,482       7,017       8,490      13,413
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Income before income
  taxes and minority
  interest                  31,351      12,732      52,551      23,623
 Income tax expense          9,192       4,343      15,765       8,056
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Income before minority
  interest                  22,159       8,389      36,786      15,567
 Minority interest, net
  of taxes                     (33)        (59)        (62)        (59)
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Net income              $  22,192   $   8,448   $  36,848   $  15,626
                         =========   =========   =========   =========

 Net income per common
  share - diluted        $    0.76   $    0.32   $    1.27   $    0.60

 Weighted average number
  of common shares
  outstanding - diluted     29,100      26,588      29,029      26,199



 (1) Includes depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30,
 2008 and 2007 of $2,473 and $1,947, respectively, and for the six
 months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 of $4,695 and $3,506,
 respectively.


                CHART INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                        (Dollars in thousands)

                          Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                               June 30,                 June 30,
                         ---------------------   ---------------------
                            2008        2007        2008        2007
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Net Cash Provided by
  Operating Activities   $  13,197   $   7,339   $  27,224   $   8,376

 Investing Activities
   Capital expenditures     (2,682)     (5,567)     (6,383)    (10,591)
   Acquisition of
    business, net of cash
    acquired               (18,828)         --     (18,828)         --
   Other investing
    activities                  --         (27)       (616)     (1,649)
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Net Cash Used In
  Investing Activities     (21,510)     (5,594)    (25,827)    (12,240)

 Financing Activities
   Payments on revolving
    credit facilities or
    short-term debt             --          --          --        (750)
   Principal payments on
    long-term debt              --     (40,000)         --     (40,000)
   Stock offering-related
    proceeds                    --      38,061          --      38,061
   Other financing
    activities                 827       1,958       2,172       1,780
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Net Cash Provided By
  (Used In) Financing
  Activities                   827          19       2,172        (909)
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

 Net (decrease) increase
  in cash and cash
  equivalents               (7,486)      1,764       3,569      (4,773)
 Effect of exchange rate
  changes on cash              784         153       4,797         195
 Cash and cash
  equivalents at
  beginning of period      107,937      12,359      92,869      18,854
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Cash And Cash
  Equivalents At End of
  Period                 $ 101,235   $  14,276   $ 101,235   $  14,276
                         =========   =========   =========   =========



                 CHART INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                         (Dollars in thousands)

                                         June 30,
                                           2008         December 31,
                                       (Unaudited)         2007
                                      --------------  --------------

 ASSETS

 Current assets                           $ 376,325       $ 329,047
 Property, plant and equipment, net         106,374          99,579
 Goodwill                                   263,188         248,453
 Identifiable intangible assets, net        135,554         135,699
 Other assets, net                           12,362          12,976
                                      --------------  --------------

 TOTAL ASSETS                             $ 893,803       $ 825,754
                                      ==============  ==============

 LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities                      $ 186,068       $ 174,694
 Long-term debt                             250,000         250,000
 Other long-term liabilities                 73,464          73,069

 Shareholders' equity                       384,271         327,991
                                      --------------  --------------

 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                    $ 893,803       $ 825,754
                                      ==============  ==============



                 CHART INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     OPERATING SEGMENTS (UNAUDITED)
                         (Dollars in thousands)

                         Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                                June 30,                 June 30,
                         ---------------------   ---------------------
                            2008        2007        2008        2007
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Sales

 Energy & Chemicals      $  78,197   $  58,092   $ 152,065   $ 110,369
 Distribution & Storage     93,164      86,562     167,508     163,341
 BioMedical                 26,391      22,933      48,508      46,340
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Total                   $ 197,752   $ 167,587   $ 368,081   $ 320,050
                         =========   =========   =========   =========

 Gross Profit

 Energy & Chemicals      $  25,139   $  15,817   $  46,541   $  21,844
 Distribution & Storage     28,720      27,525      50,678      53,275
 BioMedical                 10,141       7,916      18,722      15,998
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Total                   $  64,000   $  51,258   $ 115,941   $  91,117
                         =========   =========   =========   =========

 Gross Profit Margin
 Energy & Chemicals          32.1%       27.2%       30.6%       19.8%
 Distribution & Storage      30.8%       31.8%       30.3%       32.6%
 BioMedical                  38.4%       34.5%       38.6%       34.5%
 Total                       32.4%       30.6%       31.5%       28.5%

 Operating Income

 Energy & Chemicals      $  18,304   $   9,717   $  33,475   $   9,867
 Distribution & Storage     17,628      19,153      30,960      37,197
 BioMedical                  5,932       4,847      10,466       9,757
 Corporate (1)              (7,031)    (13,968)    (13,860)    (19,785)
                         ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Total                   $  34,833   $  19,749   $  61,041   $  37,036
                         =========   =========   =========   =========


 (1) The Corporate operating loss for the three and six months ended
 June 30, 2007 includes $7,086 of stock-based compensation expense
 primarily related to the vesting of performance-based options in
 conjunction with the Company's secondary stock offering in June 2007.

                 CHART INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     ORDERS AND BACKLOG (UNAUDITED)
                         (Dollars in thousands)

                                     Three Months Ended

                             June 30,    March 31,     June 30,
                               2008        2008          2007
                          ------------  ------------  ------------

 Orders

 Energy & Chemicals (1)      $  84,989     $  51,071     $ 146,447
 Distribution & Storage        115,422        91,050        75,997
 BioMedical                     26,656        22,745        21,014
                          ------------  ------------  ------------
 Total                       $ 227,067     $ 164,866     $ 243,458
                          ============  ============  ============

 Backlog

 Energy & Chemicals          $ 341,574     $ 334,793     $ 315,034
 Distribution & Storage        146,507       124,175        92,586
 BioMedical                     10,056         9,972         7,653
                          ------------  ------------  ------------
 Total                       $ 498,137     $ 468,940     $ 415,273
                          ============  ============  ============

 (1) Orders for the three months ended June 30, 2007 include an order
 in excess of $100 million from Energy World Corporation, as
 previously disclosed.


            

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