Press Release Details

• Q4 2014 Adjusted Operating Income within Guidance
  
• Project Orion Execution In Line with 2014 Plans; Phase II Underway and Meaningful Benefits to be Realized in 2015 and Beyond
  
• 2015 Adjusted Operating Income Anticipated to Increase to Between $155 million and $170 million; Free Cash Flow and ROIC also Anticipated to Improve to Between $75 million and $100 million and 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively

CAMP HILL, Pa., Feb. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2014 results. Excluding special items, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $0.07. This compares with $0.20 in the fourth quarter of 2013 excluding special items and the Company's Infrastructure segment that was divested during the fourth quarter of 2013. Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter of 2014 excluding special items was $29 million, which was within the guidance range of $28 million to $33 million provided by the Company.

On a U.S. GAAP ("GAAP") basis, fourth quarter 2014 diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.56, which as expected included Project Orion severance costs and costs for exited or underperforming sites. This compares with GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.31 in the fourth quarter of 2013, which included asset impairments and bad debt expense as well as costs related to the Infrastructure segment divestiture. The Company's fourth quarter 2014 loss also included a loss of approximately $3 million ($0.02 per share after tax) from the Brand Energy joint venture, which was impacted by inter-company foreign currency losses.

"In 2014, our overarching goal was to build the foundation for attractive financial returns in the future," said President and CEO Nick Grasberger. "Our single largest initiative in this context has been our Project Orion improvement plan in Metals & Minerals, which has proceeded ahead of expectations. At the same time, major contract awards and further expansion in the aftermarket parts segment have positioned our Rail business for strong growth in 2015 and beyond, while new product introductions and investments in manufacturing efficiency will drive future growth in the Industrial division."

"We expect to see the beginning of the financial benefits of these initiatives in 2015, most notably in cash flow and return on capital. Moreover, our outlook for 2015 EPS remains at double-digit growth levels, despite the current weakness in energy and commodity prices, and the strengthening of the US dollar. We are making real and meaningful progress toward our multi-year financial targets."

Harsco Corporation—Selected Fourth Quarter Results

Consolidated Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Total revenues were $492 million, as revenue increases in the Company's Industrial and Rail segments were more than offset by the expected decline in Metals & Minerals revenues compared with the prior-year quarter. The prior-year quarter also included results from the divested Infrastructure business. Foreign currency translation negatively affected revenues by approximately $21 million in this year's quarter.

GAAP operating loss from continuing operations was $21 million, compared with an operating loss of $3 million in the prior-year quarter, which included results from the divested Infrastructure business. Excluding special items and the Infrastructure business, adjusted operating income from continuing operations decreased 4 percent from the same quarter last year. During the quarter, operating results in Industrial and Corporate costs improved in comparison with the prior-year quarter, while earnings declined in the Metals & Minerals and Rail segments. Adjusted operating margin was unchanged versus the prior-year period when excluding Infrastructure. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted operating income by approximately $2 million in this year's quarter. 

Harsco Corporation—Selected 2014 Results

Consolidated 2014 Results

GAAP diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.31 for the full year 2014, compared with a loss of $2.80 in 2013. Excluding special items and the Infrastructure business, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.72 in 2014, compared with $0.87 in 2013.

Total revenues were $2.1 billion in 2014, compared with $2.9 billion in 2013. Revenues declined primarily as a result of the Infrastructure divestiture which was completed at the end of November 2013. During 2014, revenues increased in the Company's Metals & Minerals and Industrial segments compared with the prior year, while revenues declined in Rail due to lower equipment deliveries following the completion of a multi-year order from China in 2013. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted revenues by $20 million in 2014.

GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $63 million in 2014, compared with an operating loss from continuing operations of $135 million during 2013 including results from the divested Infrastructure business. Excluding special items and the Infrastructure business, adjusted operating income from continuing operations of $153 million in 2014 was essentially unchanged versus the prior year. During the year, an improvement in adjusted operating results in the Company's Industrial and Rail segments and reduced Corporate spend was offset by lower earnings in Metals & Minerals. Industrial benefited from increased demand for commercial boilers and heat exchangers and Rail earnings were aided by higher after-market parts sales and contract services, while Metals & Minerals was negatively impacted by site exits, slower facility start-ups, higher maintenance costs, bad debt expenses and foreign exchange rates. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted operating income by approximately $2 million in 2014. 

Fourth Quarter Business Review

Metals & Minerals

Revenues decreased 10 percent to $316 million, primarily as a result of foreign exchange translation, non-renewal or exiting of certain contracts and lower by-product sales. The foreign currency translation impact was approximately $19 million in the quarter. Adjusted operating income declined in comparison with the prior-year quarter as the cost reduction benefits realized under Project Orion were more than offset by the above items as well as higher maintenance costs. The segment adjusted operating margin was relatively stable at 6.0 percent versus 5.9 percent in last year's fourth quarter. 

Industrial

Revenues increased 18 percent to $102 million, primarily due to volume increases in the Segment's commercial boiler and legacy heat exchanger businesses as well as the Hammco acquisition completed in the first quarter of 2014. These factors also supported the increase in operating income compared with the prior-year quarter. Operating margin declined modestly to 13.5 percent versus 14.4 percent in last year's fourth quarter as a result of product sales mix and an increase in certain administrative costs.

Rail

Revenues increased 7 percent to $74 million, primarily due to higher equipment sales compared with the prior-year period. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin decreased mainly as a result of product sales mix and administrative costs to expand the segment's global operating footprint.

Cash Flow

For the year, free cash flow was $52 million, compared with $20 million in 2013 excluding the Infrastructure business, as an increase in net cash provided from operating activities and asset sales was partially offset by higher capital expenditures.

Project Orion (Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan)

Metals & Minerals continues to accelerate the Project Orion initiatives with a focus on a sustainable improvement in margins and capital returns. The new organizational structure is driving improved global coordination and the organization changes that are underway 'at the site' and 'above the site' are simplifying the business structure. At the same time, the Bid & Contract Management function is delivering improved contract outcomes and the implementation of the 'Harsco Way' is advancing the key operating priorities of the business. These standards have now been largely incorporated throughout the business and these 'best practices' are driving tangible results across the asset portfolio. 

The initial phase of Project Orion is now complete with on-going benefits of approximately $25 million per year. Phase II was launched a few weeks ago and is focused on functional and site improvements elsewhere in the organization through the balance of 2015. Annual run-rate benefits from Phase II are expected to approximate $10 million to $15 million, consistent with earlier estimates, and the one-time costs to implement the related workforce changes are forecasted to be $3 million. It is anticipated that incremental financial benefits realized in 2015 will exceed $20 million in addition to approximately $6 million realized last year, with the remainder to be captured in 2016.

The business also continues to proactively address underperforming sites. Additional resources have been committed to site 'triage' efforts, which are focused on driving commercial and operational solutions at the highest priority sites. To date, solutions have been finalized at more than 40 percent of the original underperforming sites, and the Company expects to address the remaining sites by the end of Q1 2016. These solutions include commercial and operational improvements that are anticipated to drive acceptable returns or that optimize the value-potential of the site in the future. Additionally, some operations may be exited and it is anticipated that certain sites will be exited in 2015.

In total, progress under the major work-streams of Project Orion has met expectations, and the management team remains confident in its ability to achieve the key financial targets for this business.

2015 Outlook

The Company expects 2015 adjusted operating income to increase at a high single-digit rate while adjusted earnings per share is forecasted to grow at a higher rate compared with 2014 (excluding special items in both periods). This Outlook anticipates an improvement in adjusted operating income within the Rail and Metals & Minerals segments and a decline in Corporate costs versus the prior year. Key highlights in the Outlook are included below. The Outlook also includes adjusted earnings per share, which is partially dependent on anticipated equity income from the Brand Energy joint venture where impacts from various financial uncertainties such as restructuring, foreign exchange and income taxes are assumed to be limited in the forecast period.

Full Year 2015

• Adjusted operating income for the full year is expected to range from $155 million to $170 million; versus $153 million in 2014.
• Free cash flow in the range of $75 million to $100 million; versus $52 million in 2014.
• Net interest expense is forecasted to range from $48 million to $52 million.
• Equity income from the Brand Energy Joint Venture is expected to be $4 million to $6 million.
• Effective tax rate is expected to range from 35 percent to 37 percent before Brand Energy Joint Venture equity income.
• Adjusted earnings per share for the full year in the range of $0.73 to $0.91; compared with $0.72 per share in 2014.
• Adjusted return on invested capital is expected to range from 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent; compared with 6.6 percent in 2014.

Q1 2015

• Adjusted operating income of $27 million to $32 million in Q1 2015; compared with $34 million in the prior-year quarter.
• Adjusted earnings per share of $0.09 to $0.13 in Q1 2015; versus $0.16 in the prior-year quarter.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results and respond to questions from the investment community. The conference call will be broadcast live through the Harsco Corporation website at www.harsco.com. The Company will refer to a slide presentation that accompanies its formal remarks. The slide presentation will be available on the Company's website.

The call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing (800) 611-4920, or (973) 200-3957 for international callers. Enter Conference ID number 70360538. Listeners are advised to dial in at least five minutes prior to the call.

Replays will be available via the Harsco website and also by telephone through March 26, 2015 by dialing toll-free to (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406.

Forward-Looking Statements

The nature of the Company's business and the many countries in which it operates subject it to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological conditions, risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company provides the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward-looking statements, including the expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. Forward-looking statements contained herein could include, among other things, statements about management's confidence in and strategies for performance; expectations for new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; statements made regarding Project Orion and Outlook for 2015; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, and earnings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "likely," "estimate," "plan" or other comparable terms.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in the worldwide business environment in which the Company operates, including general economic conditions; (2) changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, commodity and fuel costs and capital costs; (3) changes in the performance of equity and bond markets that could affect, among other things, the valuation of the assets in the Company's pension plans and the accounting for pension assets, liabilities and expenses; (4) changes in governmental laws and regulations, including environmental, occupational health and safety, tax and import tariff standards; (5) market and competitive changes, including pricing pressures, market demand and acceptance for new products, services and technologies; (6) the Company's inability or failure to protect its intellectual property rights from infringement in one or more of the many countries in which the Company operates; (7) failure to effectively prevent, detect or recover from breaches in the Company's cybersecurity infrastructure; (8) unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the many countries in which the Company operates due to political instability, civil disobedience, armed hostilities, public health issues or other calamities; (9) disruptions associated with labor disputes and increased operating costs associated with union organization; (10) the seasonal nature of the Company's business; (11) the Company's ability to successfully enter into new contracts and complete new acquisitions or strategic ventures in the time-frame contemplated, or at all; (12) the integration of the Company's strategic acquisitions; (13) the amount and timing of repurchases of the Company's common stock, if any; (14) the prolonged recovery in global financial and credit markets and economic conditions generally, which could result in the Company's customers curtailing development projects, construction, production and capital expenditures which, in turn, could reduce the demand for the Company's products and services and, accordingly, the Company's revenues, margins and profitability; (15) the outcome of any disputes with customers, contractors and subcontractors; (16) the financial condition of the Company's customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability; (17) the Company's ability to successfully implement and receive the expected benefits of cost-reduction and restructuring initiatives, including the achievement of expected cost savings in the expected time frame; (18) the ability to successfully implement the Company's strategic initiatives and portfolio optimization and the impact of such initiatives, such as Project Orion; (19) the ability of the Brand Energy strategic venture to effectively integrate the Company's Infrastructure business and the Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services business and realize the synergies contemplated by the transaction; (20) the Company's ability to realize cost savings from the divestiture of the Infrastructure business, as well as the transaction being accretive to earnings and improving operating margins and return on capital; (21) the amount ultimately realized from the Company's exit from the Brand Energy strategic venture and the timing of such exit; (22) risk and uncertainty associated with intangible assets; and (23) other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. A further discussion of these, along with other potential risk factors, can be found in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company cautions that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

About Harsco

Harsco Corporation serves key industries that are fundamental to worldwide economic development, including steel and metals production, railways and energy. Harsco's common stock is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index. Additional information can be found at www.harsco.com.

The Company has reclassified segment operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 to conform to the revised manner in which the Company now allocates corporate expenses to operating segments as a result of changes in organizational structure resulting from the Infrastructure Transaction, which was consummated in the fourth quarter of 2013. The changes do not impact the Company's previously reported consolidated revenues from continuing operations, operating income from continuing operations or income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income.

The Company's management believes Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special items and the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, are useful to investors because they provide an overall understanding of the Company's historical and future prospects. Exclusion of special items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company's core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company's performance. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment from 2013 provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013. These measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is useful to investors because it provides an overall understanding of the Company's historical and future prospects. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment from 2013 provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes Adjusted operating margin excluding special items and the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, are useful to investors because they provide an overall understanding of the Company's historical and future prospects. Exclusion of special items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company's core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company's performance. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment from 2013 provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013. These measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes Adjusted operating income excluding special items and the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, are useful to investors because they provide an overall understanding of the Company's historical and future prospects. Exclusion of special items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company's core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company's performance. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment from 2013 provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013. These measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes Adjusted operating income excluding special items and the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, are useful to investors because they provide an overall understanding of the Company's historical and future prospects. Exclusion of special items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company's core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company's performance. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment from 2013 provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013. These measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes that free cash flow, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations less capital expenditures net of asset sales proceeds. It is important to note that free cash flow does not represent the total residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment from 2013 provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes that free cash flow, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations less capital expenditures net of asset sales proceeds. It is important to note that free cash flow does not represent the total residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure. This measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company's management believes return on invested capital excluding special items and the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, which are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, are meaningful in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital invested in the Company's business. Exclusion of special items permits evaluation and comparison of results for the Company's core business operations, and it is on this basis that management internally assesses the Company's performance. Exclusion of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects since the segment was divested in the fourth quarter of 2013.These measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, net income or other information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

CONTACT: Investor Contact
         David Martin
         717.612.5628
         damartin@harsco.com

         Media Contact
         Kenneth Julian
         717.730.3683
         kjulian@harsco.com