COLUMBUS, Ohio – (November 14, 2008) – Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc., today reported its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. Results for the third quarter of 2008 include:
Revenues of $1.61 billion in 2008 compared to $1.43 billion during the prior year period, an increase of 13 percent;
Operating income of $7 million for the third quarter of 2008 versus operating income of $88 million for the comparable prior year period. Third quarter 2008 operating income was negatively impacted by: $51 million in merger costs associated with the pending merger with Huntsman Corporation; $31 million in increased raw materials, freight and utility costs that were not fully passed through to customers during the quarter; and a $12 million negative impact from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Net loss of $76 million for the 2008 quarter versus a net loss of $2 million in the third quarter of 2007 primarily due to the same factors impacting operating income.
Segment EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) totaled $130 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to $162 million during the prior year period. The $130 million in EBITDA was negatively impacted by the $12 million in hurricane-related costs. (Note: Segment EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined and reconciled to Net Income later in this release.)
Adjusted EBITDA was $655 million for the Last Twelve Month (LTM) period ended September 30, 2008. (Note: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined and reconciled to Net loss later in this release.)
“The majority of our specialty products continued to perform well in the third quarter of 2008 when compared to the prior year period, with softer results primarily driven by our base epoxy resins, monomers and U.S. coatings businesses,” said Craig O. Morrison, Chairman, President and CEO. “We continue to focus on passing through inflationary trends through price increases. However, we were unable to fully recover the raw materials, utility and freight increases during the quarter.
“The weakening global economy clearly impacted some of our businesses. We expect these conditions to last at least through 2009. We are encouraged by the moderation in prices for key feedstocks that began to develop late in the quarter, although we did not benefit in the third quarter from these declines due to timing.
“There were a number of positive trends for Hexion during the quarter as our Formaldehyde and Forest Products Segment posted year-over-year EBITDA gains primarily due to productivity initiatives, acquisitions, and sales outside of North America, while oilfield products, electronics, and specialty epoxies benefited from steady customer demand. In addition, our Russian forest products joint venture with OAO Shchekinoazot and the new forest products manufacturing site currently under construction in Brazil also remain on track to begin production within the first-half of 2009.”
Productivity and Synergy Update
The Company announced that it is targeting an additional $60 million in productivity savings. Most of the actions to obtain these savings will have been initiated or completed within the next 18 months. These cost reduction actions are designed to further improve the efficiency of its business.
Hexion’s targeted productivity savings are expected to be generated primarily among two areas: manufacturing and commercial, with $32 million in targeted savings; and support services, with $28 million in targeted savings. In addition, Hexion continues to pursue additional sourcing initiatives, which are not included as part of the $60 million productivity program.
“The additional productivity savings are intended to align our manufacturing and support infrastructure with the current market conditions, while still providing a platform for future growth. These are always difficult decisions, but they are necessary under the current business environment,” Morrison said.
The Company also reported ongoing progress with its synergy program from the Hexion formation, as the Company achieved $7 million in incremental synergies during the third quarter of 2008. As of September 30, 2008, Hexion has achieved $138 million in synergies from its program targeting $175 million in savings.
Huntsman Transaction Update
On July 12, 2007, the Company entered into a merger agreement (the "Agreement") to acquire Huntsman in an all-cash transaction initially valued at approximately $10.6 billion, which included the assumption of debt. Under the terms of the agreement, Huntsman stockholders would receive $28.00 in cash for each outstanding share of Huntsman common stock. The Agreement also provided that the cash price per share to be paid by the Company would increase each day through the consummation of the merger at the equivalent of approximately 8% per annum (less any dividends or distributions declared or made) beginning April 6, 2008. In connection with the transaction, the Company obtained financing commitments from affiliates of Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank (the "Banks").
The transaction was approved by Huntsman’s stockholders on October 16, 2007. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission have also approved the transaction conditioned on the divestiture of certain portions of the Company's global specialty epoxy resins business.
On June 18, 2008, the Company and certain related entities filed suit in the Delaware Court of Chancery to declare their contractual rights with respect to the Agreement (the “Huntsman Action”). In the Huntsman Action, the Company alleged, among other things, that the capital structure agreed to by the Company and Huntsman for the combined company was no longer viable due primarily to Huntsman’s increased net debt and lower than expected earnings, and that consummating the merger on the basis of the agreed capital structure would render the combined company insolvent. The Huntsman Action also alleged that Huntsman suffered a Company Material Adverse Effect, as defined in the Agreement.
On September 29, 2008, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered a judgment in favor of Huntsman ordering the Company to specifically perform its covenants under the Agreement, including the obligation to use its reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary and proper to consummate the merger in the most expeditious manner practicable and finding that the Company had knowingly and intentionally breached the Agreement, potentially exposing the Company to damages in excess of the $325 million termination fee. Although the Company is appealing these rulings, it has been using its reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger and comply with the Court’s order.
The closing of the Huntsman merger was scheduled for October 28, 2008. Both Huntsman and the Company were prepared to complete the merger on that date but the Banks refused to provide the funding for the merger pursuant to their financing commitment letter on the basis that the solvency certificate delivered by Huntsman's Chief Financial Officer and a solvency opinion provided by American Appraisal Associates were not customary and reasonably satisfactory.
On October 29, 2008, Hexion commenced an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against the Banks alleging that the Banks breached their obligations under the financing commitment letter to fund the closing of the merger, and seeking specific performance of the Banks’ obligations on an expedited basis (the "New York Bank Action"). On October 31, the Court in the New York Bank Action denied the Company’s motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction extending the expiration of the financing commitment letter pending the trial of the Company’s claim on the merits. Trial on the Company’s claim in the New York Bank Action for an order of specific performance requiring the Banks to provide funding for the merger is scheduled to begin on January 8, 2009. Further information about this and other litigation related to the transaction will be contained in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008.
Nine Month 2008 Results
Sales for the first nine months of 2008 were $4.92 billion, a 14 percent increase compared to the first nine months of 2007. The increase in sales was driven by pricing actions and the positive impact of acquisitions, as well as favorable foreign currency translation. Operating loss for the first nine months of 2008 totaled $17 million compared to operating income of $281 million in the first nine months of 2007. 2008 operating results were impacted by $227 million in pending merger costs, as well as raw material headwinds, lower volumes in certain product lines and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The impact of these factors was partially off-set by pricing actions and the continued realization of synergies compared to the similar year-ago period. Hexion posted a net loss for the first nine months of 2008 of $269 million compared to a net loss of $2 million in the first nine months of 2007.
Restatement of Financials for First and Second Quarters 2008
Hexion announced that, on November 10, 2008, management discovered errors in the amount of non-cash unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances recorded in the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The errors related to the misapplication of procedures for a newly-implemented system enhancement to record foreign exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances. The errors do not impact Hexion’s previously-reported revenues, total assets, total liabilities, Segment EBITDA or cash flows from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. Following discussion and analysis of the facts and circumstances, on November 12, 2008 Hexion concluded that its previously issued financial statements for those periods should be restated.
The impact of the corrections is expected to be:
an increase of approximately $1 million in operating income, a decrease of approximately $9 million in non-operating income, and a decrease of approximately $6 million in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008;
a decrease of approximately $2 million in operating income, an increase of approximately $1 million in non-operating income, and decrease of approximately $1 million in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2008; and
a decrease of approximately $1 million in operating income, a decrease of approximately $8 million in non-operating income, and decrease of approximately $7 million in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
Management discussed its conclusions with the Audit Committee on November 13, 2008, which agreed with management’s recommendation that the Company’s previously issued financial statements for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008 should no longer be relied upon and should be restated. Hexion and its Audit Committee have also discussed the decision to restate the previously-issued financial statements and the matters disclosed in this filing with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. Hexion will file Forms 10-Q/A, which will include restated interim financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as soon as practical.
Segment Results
Following are net sales and Segment EBITDA by reportable segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008. Segment EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude certain non-cash and non-recurring expenses. Segment EBITDA is the primary performance measure used by the Company to evaluate operating results and allocate resources among segments. Segment EBITDA is also the profitability measure used in management and executive incentive compensation programs. Corporate and Other primarily represents certain corporate, general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to the segments.
Earnings Call
Hexion will host a teleconference to discuss Third Quarter 2008 results on Friday, November 14, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Because of the pending litigation against affiliates of Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank associated with the pending merger of Huntsman, Hexion will not conduct a question-and-answer session during the call.
Interested parties are asked to dial-in approximately 10 minutes before the call begins at the following numbers:
U.S. Participants: 866-362-4829
International Participants: 617-597-5346
Participant Passcode: 84817226
Live Internet access to the call and presentation materials will be available through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website: www.hexion.com.
A replay of the call will be available for three weeks beginning on November 17, 2008. The playback can be accessed by dialing 888-286-8010 (U.S.) and 617-801-6888 (International). The passcode is 22171297. A replay also will be available through the Investor Relations Section of the Company’s website.
Reconciliation of Last Twelve Month Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash and certain non-recurring costs. Adjusted EBITDA also includes expected future cost savings and other adjustments permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the indenture governing certain of the Company's debt instruments and the Company's senior credit facility. Certain covenants in these agreements (i) require the Company to have a senior secured debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio and (ii) restrict the Company’s ability to take certain actions such as incurring additional debt or making certain acquisitions if the Company is unable to meet this ratio and also a defined Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charge ratio. The Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness and to make future acquisitions requires an Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges ratio (measured on a trailing four-quarter basis) of 2.0:1.0. Fixed charges are defined as interest expense excluding the amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs. Failure to comply with these covenants can result in limiting long-term growth prospects by hindering the Company’s ability to incur future indebtedness or grow through acquisitions. The Company believes that including the supplemental adjustments applied in presenting Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors to demonstrate compliance with financial covenants and assess the Company’s future ability to incur additional indebtedness. Adjusted EBITDA and fixed charges are not defined terms under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).
Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent any measure of earnings or cash flow in accordance with US GAAP and the Company’s calculation and use of this measure may differ from other companies. These non-GAAP measures should not be used in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net loss under US GAAP to evaluate the Company’s results of operations or as an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Fixed Charges should not be considered an alternative to interest expense.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the management of Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (which may be referred to as “Hexion,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements may be identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “estimate,” “will” or “intend” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are based on currently available financial, economic and competitive data and on our current business plans. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect our markets, services, prices and other factors as discussed in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our other filings, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: our pending merger with Huntsman Corporation, including the related pending litigation; economic factors such as the current credit crises and economic downturn and an interruption in the supply of or increased pricing of raw materials due to natural disasters; competitive factors such as pricing actions by our competitors that could affect our operating margins; and regulatory factors such as changes in governmental regulations involving our products that lead to environmental and legal matters as described in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our other filings, with the SEC.
About Hexion Specialty Chemicals
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Specialty Chemicals serves the global wood and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries. Hexion Specialty Chemicals is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P. Additional information is available at www.hexion.com.