Koppers Highlights Sustainability Achievements Including Notable Greenhouse Gas Reduction

<< Back
Koppers Holdings Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2006 Results
February 15, 2007 at 8:18 AM EST

-Fourth Quarter Net Income Increases to $3.8 million from $0.5 million-

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) today announced results for its fiscal 2006 fourth quarter.

The Company's sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006 increased 7.7 percent, or $20.3 million, to $282.6 million, as compared to $262.3 million for the prior year quarter. This increase was a result of higher sales in the Carbon Materials & Chemicals segment, which increased 22 percent, or $33.1 million. The increase in this segment was due primarily to $19.7 million of sales from the second quarter acquisition of certain assets of Reilly Industries, Inc., increased pricing for most product lines due primarily to higher raw material costs, and strong product demand. The increase in sales for Carbon Materials & Chemicals more than offset a decrease in sales for Railroad & Utility Products of 11.4 percent, or $12.8 million, as last year's fourth quarter benefited from abnormally high sales of untreated crossties as well as higher utility pole sales due to Hurricane Katrina. Sales for the fiscal year were $1,159.5 million, representing an increase of $129.3 million, or 12.6 percent over the prior fiscal year. Fiscal year sales were positively impacted by $55.8 million of sales from the Reilly transaction and increased pricing for most product lines as noted above.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 increased to $3.8 million as compared to $0.5 million in the prior year quarter. Net income for the quarter benefited from higher chemicals pricing and synergies related to the Reilly transaction. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 included pre-tax charges of $4.5 million, consisting of (a) $1.1 million related to restructuring charges for non-operating plants; (b) $2.8 million of benefits restructuring charges primarily related to the freeze of the salaried pension plan; and (c) $0.6 million related to the pipeline rupture at our Monessen, Pennsylvania coke facility. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 also benefited from $3.0 million of non-conventional fuel tax credits. Net income for the prior year quarter was impacted by $1.1 million of charges related to the Montgomery and Superior plant closings and restructurings. Adjusted net income, after excluding such charges, was $6.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 as compared to adjusted net income of $1.2 million in the same period of 2005. A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income is attached to this press release.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, before charges totaling $4.5 million, was $28.4 million compared to $25.1 million in 2005. The increase was primarily from higher product prices due primarily to higher raw material prices and efficiencies realized from the integration of the Reilly coal tar assets purchased by the Company. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to EBITDA and EBITDA to net income is attached to this press release.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased to $15.2 million as compared to $9.9 million in the prior year, as $25.3 million of pre-tax charges relating primarily to the IPO, plant and benefit restructuring and the loss on sale of Alorton were more than offset by higher pricing and $5.2 million of non-conventional fuel tax credits in 2006, along with $4.6 million of pre-tax legal and restructuring charges in the prior year period. Adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, after excluding such charges, was $30.8 million compared to $12.4 million of adjusted net income in 2005. A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income is attached to this press release.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2006, before charges totaling $10.9 million, amounted to $129.9 million compared to $111.5 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily from higher chemicals pricing and the integration of the Reilly assets. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to EBITDA and EBITDA to net income is attached to this press release.

Commenting on the quarter and year 2006, President and CEO Walter W. Turner said, "We are very pleased with our fourth quarter and year 2006 results, which have exceeded expectations despite unforeseen conditions regarding the availability of coal tar. The fourth quarter and year 2006 results also reflect the synergies derived from the Reilly transaction. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about 2007 as we anticipate a full year of benefits from the Reilly transaction, additional sales and profit as a result of the expansion of our carbon black plant in Australia, and the beginning of construction of our new joint venture in China. We continue to benefit from strong demand within our primary end markets, aluminum and railroads, as well as our focus on enhancing cash flow and our strict adherence to safety, health and environmental regulations."

Guidance

Mr. Turner concluded, "Our expectations for 2007 are that sales should increase in the seven to ten percent range while adjusted EBITDA should increase in the eight to eleven percent range."

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Koppers management will conduct a conference call this morning, February 15, 2007, beginning at 11:00 AM EST to discuss the company's performance. Interested parties may access the live audio broadcast by dialing 888 810 0248 in the US/Canada or 706 643 9697 for International, Conference ID number 8744138. Investors are requested to access the call at least five minutes before the scheduled start time in order to complete a brief registration. An audio replay will be available two hours after the call's completion at 800 642 1687 or 706 645 9291, Conference ID number 8744138. The recording will be available for replay through March 1, 2007.

The live broadcast of Koppers' conference call will be available online: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol- eventDetails&c=194019&eventID=1476574. (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on the company's Web site at www.koppers.com, as well as www.streetevents.com and www.earnings.com, shortly after the live call and continuing through March 1, 2007.

About Koppers

Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, China, the Pacific Rim and South Africa. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP". For more information, visit us on the Web: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153 or Michael W. Snyder at 412 227 2131.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward- looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which the Company does business; competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships; customer insolvencies; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost and availability of raw materials; and other economic, business, competitive, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting the business of Koppers generally.



                            KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    (Dollars in millions except per share amounts)

                                   Three Months Ended           Years Ended
                                       December 31               December 31
                                    2006         2005         2006        2005

    Net sales                     $282.6      $262.3     $1,159.5    $1,030.2
    Operating expenses:
       Cost of sales               238.7       221.5        969.8       857.5
       Depreciation and
        amortization                 9.1         7.7         33.4        32.3
       Selling, general and
        administrative              19.9        17.0         71.6        66.4
         Total operating expenses  267.7       246.2      1,074.8       956.2
    Operating profit                14.9        16.1         84.7        74.0
    Other income                    (0.1)        0.2          0.9         0.9

    Income before interest expense,
     income tax provision and
     minority interest              14.8        16.3         85.6        74.9
    Interest expense                11.7        14.1         61.9        52.3

    Income before income tax
     provision and minority interest 3.1         2.2         23.7        22.6
    Income tax provision            (1.1)        1.1          6.0        10.6
    Minority interest                0.4         0.6          2.5         2.1

    Net Income                       3.8         0.5         15.2         9.9
    Dividends on preferred stock     ---        (2.2)         ---       (29.0)

    Net Income (loss) applicable
     to common shares               $3.8       $(1.7)       $15.2      $(19.1)
    Earnings per common share:
       Basic                       $0.18      $(0.61)       $0.79      $(6.58)
       Diluted                     $0.18      $(0.61)       $0.75      $(6.58)
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding (in thousands):
       Basic                      20,729       2,923       19,190       2,907
       Diluted                    20,842       2,923       20,104       2,907
    Dividends declared per
     common share                  $0.17       $0.26        $1.30       $3.19



                            KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                                            December 31,
    (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)     2006           2005

    ASSETS
    Current assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                       $24.4          $26.1
       Accounts receivable, net                        142.1          118.7
       Inventories                                     153.9          120.0
       Deferred tax benefit                             15.1           18.4
       Other current assets                             11.5            7.7
         Total current assets                          347.0          290.9
    Equity in non-consolidated investments               2.7            3.0
    Property, plant and equipment, net                 159.3          152.4
    Goodwill                                            62.6           35.7
    Deferred tax benefit                                45.6           38.7
    Other assets                                        29.7           31.1
         Total assets                                 $646.9         $551.8

    LIABILITIES
    Current liabilities:
       Accounts payable                                $98.0          $77.5
       Accrued liabilities                              63.6           71.2
       Dividends payable                                 3.5              -
       Short-term debt and current portion of
        long-term debt                                  19.6           10.5
         Total current liabilities                     184.7          159.2
    Long-term debt                                     456.3          506.7
    Other long-term liabilities                         86.1           80.6
         Total liabilities                             727.1          746.5
    Commitments and contingent liabilities
    Minority interest                                   12.2           12.0

    STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT
    Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
     per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and
     2,288,481 shares issued and outstanding               -              -
    Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share;
     40,000,000 shares authorized; 20,849,981 and
     2,945,293 shares issued and outstanding             0.2              -
    Additional paid-in capital                         122.4           10.4
    Receivable from Director for purchase of
     Common Stock                                       (0.6)          (0.6)
    Retained deficit                                  (206.5)        (200.7)
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                (6.5)         (14.8)
    Treasury stock, at cost; 120,158 and 22,331 shares  (1.4)          (1.0)
       Total stockholders' deficit                     (92.4)        (206.7)
       Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit    $646.9         $551.8



    Segment Information
    The following tables set forth certain sales and operating data, net of
all intersegment transactions, for the Company's businesses for the periods
indicated.

                                          Three Months             Years
                                             Ended                 Ended
                                          December 31,          December 31,
                                         2006     2005       2006        2005
                                               (Dollars in millions)

    Net sales:
       Carbon Materials & Chemicals     $183.3  $150.2      $725.9     $613.6
       Railroad & Utility Products        99.3   112.1       433.6      416.6
         Total                          $282.6  $262.3    $1,159.5   $1,030.2

    Operating profit:
       Carbon Materials & Chemicals      $12.3   $10.0       $62.0      $48.1
       Railroad & Utility Products         3.5     6.5        23.9       26.3
       All Other                          (0.9)   (0.4)       (1.2)      (0.4)
         Total                           $14.9   $16.1       $84.7      $74.0

    Adjusted operating profit (1):

       Carbon Materials & Chemicals      $14.3   $10.0       $65.8      $50.7
       Railroad & Utility Products         6.0     7.6        31.1       28.3
       All Other                          (0.9)   (0.4)       (1.2)      (0.4)
         Total                           $19.4   $17.2       $95.7      $78.6

    Adjusted operating margin:
       Carbon Materials & Chemicals        7.8%    6.7%        9.1%       8.3%
       Railroad & Utility Products         6.0%    6.8%        7.2%       6.8%
         Total                             6.9%    6.6%        8.3%       7.6%

    (1) For the fourth quarter of 2006, excludes $1.1 million for Railroad &
        Utility Products for restructuring charges related to non-operating
        plants, $0.6 million for Carbon Materials & Chemicals for shutdown
        costs at Monessen due to a pipeline rupture, and $1.4 million for each
        of Carbon Materials & Chemicals and Railroad & Utility Products for
        benefits restructuring charges. For the fourth quarter of 2005,
        excludes $1.1 million for restructuring and impairment charges for
        Railroad & Utility Products.  For the year ended December 31, 2006,
        excludes $1.6 million for Railroad & Utility Products for the loss on
        sale at Alorton, $2.1 million for restructuring and related charges
        associated with plant closures and asset impairments for Railroad &
        Utility Products and $0.2 million for Railroad & Utility Products for
        the Grenada verdict; also includes $0.6 million for Carbon Materials &
        Chemicals for shutdown costs at Monessen due to a pipeline rupture,
        $1.4 million for each of Carbon Materials & Chemicals and Railroad &
        Utility Products for benefits restructuring charges, $1.5 million for
        each of Carbon Materials & Chemicals and Railroad & Utility Products
        for the buyout of the Saratoga advisory services contract, $0.4
        million of severance charges for Railroad & Utility Products and $0.3
        million of severance charges for Carbon Materials & Chemicals.. For
        the year ended December 31, 2005, excludes $2.6 million for the NZCC
        charges for Carbon Materials & Chemicals and $2.0 million for
        restructuring and impairment charges for Railroad & Utility Products.
        S,G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006 include legal
        expenses related to toxic tort litigation for Railroad & Utility
        Products, while S,G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005
        include legal expenses related to anti-trust litigation for Carbon
        Materials & Chemicals.



                            KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
             RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED NET INCOME
                                (In millions)

                                        Three Months Ended      Years Ended
                                           December 31,         December 31,
                                          2006     2005       2006       2005

    Net Income                           $ 3.8    $ 0.5     $ 15.2      $ 9.9
    Charges impacting pre-tax income (1)
       Plant closings and restructuring    1.1      1.1        2.7        2.0
       Grenada verdict                       -        -        0.2          -
       Loss on sale of Alorton               -        -        1.6          -
       Monessen production loss            0.6        -        0.6          -
       New Zealand Commerce Commission
        ("NZCC") charges (2)                 -        -          -        2.6
       Benefits restructuring              2.8        -        2.8          -
       Saratoga advisory services
        contract buyout                      -        -        3.0          -
       Call premium on bonds                 -        -       10.1          -
       Bond consent fees and deferred
        financing write-off                  -        -        4.3          -

         Total charges above impacting
          pre-tax income                   4.5      1.1       25.3        4.6
       Charges impacting net income,
        net of tax benefit                 2.9      0.7       15.6        3.8
       Impact on minority interest           -        -          -       (1.3)

    Adjusted net income                   $6.7     $1.2      $30.8      $12.4


    (1) Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2006 includes $1.1 million for
        restructuring charges related to non-operating plants, and $0.6
        million for shutdown costs at Monessen due to a pipeline rupture. For
        the fourth quarter of 2005, cost of sales includes $1.1 million for
        restructuring and impairment charges. Cost of sales for the year ended
        December 31, 2006 includes $1.6 million for the loss on sale at
        Alorton, $2.1 million for restructuring and related charges associated
        with plant closures and asset impairments and $0.2 million for the
        Grenada verdict; also includes $0.6 million for Carbon Materials &
        Chemicals for shutdown costs at Monessen due to a pipeline rupture.
        Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes $2.6
        million for the NZCC charges and $1.7 million for restructuring and
        impairment charges. Depreciation and amortization in 2005 includes
        $0.3 million of costs associated with plant closure and impairment.
        S,G&A for the three months ended December 31, 2006 includes $2.8
        million for benefits restructuring charges. S,G&A for the year ended
        December 31, 2006 includes $2.8 million for benefits restructuring,
        $3.0 million for the buyout of the Saratoga advisory services contract
        and $0.6 million for severance charges. Interest expense for the year
        ended December 31, 2006 includes $10.1 million for call premium, $1.1
        million for bond consent fees and $3.2 million for write-off of
        deferred financing costs..

    (2) The penalty is a non-deductible expense for tax purposes.



                            KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
  RECONCILIATION OF BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE AND ADJUSTED BASIC EARNINGS PER
                                    SHARE
                      (In millions except share amounts)


                                       Three Months Ended       Years Ended
                                           December 31,         December 31,
                                          2006     2005       2006       2005

    Net Income (loss)                    $ 3.8    $ 0.5     $ 15.2       $9.9
    Adjusted net income (from above)     $ 6.7    $ 1.2     $ 30.8      $12.4

    Denominator for basic earnings
     per share (000s)                   20,729    2,923     19,190      2,907
    Denominator for adjusted basic
     earnings per share (000s) (1)      20,730   20,730     20,730     20,730

    Earnings (loss) per share:
    Basic earnings (loss) per share      $0.18   ($0.61)     $0.79     ($6.58)
    Adjusted basic earnings per share    $0.33    $0.06      $1.49      $0.60

    (1) Based upon actual shares outstanding at December 31, 2006.



                 RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
                                (In millions)

                                           Three Months Ended     Years Ended
                                               December 31,       December 31,
                                              2006     2005      2006     2005

    Net Income                               $ 3.8    $ 0.5    $ 15.2    $ 9.9
       Interest expense                       11.7     14.1      61.9     52.3
       Depreciation and amortization           9.1      7.7      33.4     32.3
       Income tax provision                   (1.1)     1.1       6.0     10.6

    EBITDA                                    23.5     23.4     116.5    105.1
       Minority interest                       0.4      0.6       2.5      2.1

    EBITDA with minority interest             23.9     24.0     119.0    107.2

    Unusual items impacting net income (1)
       Plant closings and restructuring        1.1      1.1       2.7      1.7
       Grenada verdict                           -        -       0.2        -
       Loss on sale of Alorton                   -        -       1.6        -
       Monessen production loss                0.6        -       0.6        -
       New Zealand Commerce Commission
        ("NZCC") charges                         -        -         -      2.6
       Benefits restructuring                  2.8        -       2.8        -
       Saratoga advisory services
        contract buyout                          -        -       3.0        -
    Adjusted EBITDA with minority interest   $28.4    $25.1    $129.9   $111.5


    (1) Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2006 includes $1.1 million for
        restructuring charges related to non-operating plants, and $0.6
        million for shutdown costs at Monessen due to a pipeline rupture. For
        the fourth quarter of 2005, cost of sales includes $1.1 million for
        restructuring and impairment charges. Cost of sales for the year ended
        December 31, 2006 includes $1.6 million for the loss on sale at
        Alorton, $2.1 million for restructuring and related charges associated
        with plant closures and asset impairments and $0.2 million for the
        Grenada verdict; also includes $0.6 million for Carbon Materials &
        Chemicals for shutdown costs at Monessen due to a pipeline rupture.
        Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes $2.6
        million for the NZCC charges and $1.7 million for restructuring and
        impairment charges. S,G&A for the three months ended December 31, 2006
        includes $2.8 million for benefits restructuring. S,G&A for the year
        ended December 31, 2006 includes $2.8 million for benefits
        restructuring, $3.0 million for the buyout of the Saratoga advisory
        services contract and $0.6 million for severance charges.

Koppers believes that adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA provide information useful to investors in understanding the underlying operational performance of the company, its business and performance trends and facilitate comparisons between periods and with other corporations in similar industries. The exclusion of certain items permits evaluation and a comparison of results for ongoing business operations, and it is on this basis that Koppers management internally assesses the company's performance.

Although Koppers believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance investors' understanding of its business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP basis financial measures.

SOURCE Koppers Holdings Inc.

CONTACT: Brian H. McCurrie, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Koppers Holdings Inc., +1-412-227-2153, or McCurrieBH@koppers.com