Calgon Carbon Announces First Quarter Results

PITTSBURGH, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Calgon Carbon Corporation announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006.

Consistent with the company's strategic decision to focus on its core business, the charcoal and solvent recovery operations were sold in February and April 2006, respectively. Therefore, these two businesses are presented as discontinued operations.

Net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2006 were $76.6 million versus net sales from continuing operations of $73.1 million for the first quarter of 2005, an increase of 4.8%. Foreign currency translation had a $1.8 million negative effect on sales for the quarter due to the weaker Euro and the British Pound Sterling.

For the first quarter of 2006, loss from operations was $1.2 million, versus a loss from operations of $4.6 million for the comparable period in 2005. The company reported a net loss of $2 thousand for the first quarter of 2006, which consisted of a loss from continuing operations of $3.0 million and income from discontinued operations of $3.0 million. Income from discontinued operations included a gain of $3.1 million, net of income taxes, on the sale of the company's charcoal business. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, net loss was $3.4 million, consisting of a loss from continuing operations of $4.4 million and income from discontinued operations of $1.0 million.

For the first quarter of 2006, the company reported fully diluted earnings per share of $0.00, consisting of a loss of $0.08 from continuing operations and income of $0.08 from discontinued operations. Loss per share on a fully diluted basis for the first quarter of 2005 was $0.09, consisting of a loss of $0.11 from continuing operations and income of $0.02 from discontinued operations.

For the first quarter of 2006, sales for the Activated Carbon and Service segment increased $5.9 million, or 9.9%, versus the comparable period in 2005. Sales of activated carbon were stronger in all geographical areas -- the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Equipment sales declined $1.8 million, or 17.2%, as compared to the first quarter of 2005. The decline was due to lower sales of equipment for perchlorate removal from ground water. This was partially offset by stronger sales of systems that employ ultraviolet light for disinfection of drinking water. Consumer sales for the first quarter of 2006 declined $0.6 million, or 16.5%, versus the first quarter of 2005. The decline was attributable to lower demand for activated carbon cloth.

Net sales less the cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales for the first quarter of 2006 was 25.0%, as compared to 27.7% for the comparable period in 2005. The decrease was primarily due to higher raw material and manufacturing costs. The higher sales and price increases in the quarter did not offset these costs.

Selling, administrative and research expenses were $1.3 million lower for the first quarter of 2006 versus the comparable period of 2005, primarily due to a change in the estimate of environmental liabilities assumed in the Waterlink acquisition in February 2004. Legal expenses for the first quarter of 2006 were $0.9 million higher than for the comparable period in 2005. Expenses for the first quarter of 2005 included $1.3 million related to the company's re-engineering program.

Other expense was $0.4 million higher for the first quarter of 2006 versus the first quarter of 2005, due to the write-off of deferred financing fees related to the company's former credit facility.

Calgon Carbon also stated that as of March 31, 2006, the company is in technical violation of one of its financial covenants in its U.S. credit facility, and was required to reclassify all existing debt under the facility at March 31, 2006 as short-term. The company is in discussions with its lenders to resolve this issue.

Calgon Carbon's board of directors did not declare a quarterly dividend.

Commenting on the results, John Stanik, Calgon Carbon's president and chief executive officer, said, "While the first quarter results were disappointing, the year-over-year sales growth in Carbon and Service is encouraging, as it indicates that our continuing efforts to strengthen the largest segment of our business are beginning to show positive results. However, the trend in lower demand and increased competitive pricing for perchlorate removal systems is having an adverse effect on our equipment business. On the expense side, continuing higher legal fees had a significant negative impact on the quarter. This was expected, as we continue the litigation related to our patented process for disinfection of drinking water using ultraviolet light, which could lead to license fee revenue."

Mr. Stanik continued, "In fact, one of the significant events in the quarter was the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to allow a trial on patent infringement related to our UV technology. The trial concluded in April, and we anticipate a ruling by the judge within several months. Another notable event in the legal arena was the filing of an antidumping petition by U.S. producers of activated carbon, including Calgon Carbon, against producers of Chinese activated carbon. The preliminary hearing with the International Trade Commission was conducted in March to determine whether the U.S. manufacturers' case was worthy of being considered. On April 21, the ITC voted 6 to 0 in favor of proceeding with the antidumping petition."

Calgon Carbon Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global leader in services and solutions for making air and water cleaner and safer.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This document contains certain statements that are forward-looking relative to the company's future strategy and performance. They involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance.

Calgon Carbon Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) March 31, December 31, 2006 2005 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $4,383 $5,446 Receivables 55,223 51,224 Inventories 69,461 67,655 Other current assets 21,139 19,935 Assets held for sale 4,123 21,340 Total current assets 154,329 165,600 Property, plant and equipment, net 107,964 108,745 Other assets 71,180 73,523 Total assets $333,473 $347,868 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt $68,574 $- Liabilities held for sale 3,101 6,683 Other current liabilities 63,411 62,614 Total current liabilities 135,086 69,297 Long-term debt 2,925 83,925 Other liabilities 44,145 44,086 Total liabilities 182,156 197,308 Minority interest - - Total shareholders' equity 151,317 150,560 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $333,473 $347,868 Calgon Carbon Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Dollars in thousands except per share data) (Unaudited) Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 2005 Net Sales $76,579 $73,055 Cost of Products Sold 57,411 52,816 Depreciation and Amortization 4,798 5,534 Selling, Administrative & Research 15,569 16,901 Gulf Coast Facility Impairment Charge - 2,158 Restructuring Charge 6 252 77,784 77,661 Loss from Operations (1,205) (4,606) Interest Income (Expense) - Net (1,488) (911) Other Income (Expense) - Net (844) (401) Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes, Equity Income and Minority Interest (3,537) (5,918) Income Tax Benefit (316) (1,267) Loss from Continuing Operations Before Equity Income and Minority Interest (3,221) (4,651) Equity Income from Equity Investments 188 273 Minority Interest 15 - Loss from Continuing Operations (3,018) (4,378) Income from Discontinued Operations 3,016 969 Net Loss $(2) $(3,409) Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Basic and Diluted: Loss from Continuing Operations $(.08) $(.11) Income from Discontinued Operations $.08 $.02 Net Loss $(.00) $(.09) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Thousands) Basic 39,748 39,200 Diluted 39,748 39,200 Calgon Carbon Corporation Segment Data - Continuing Operations: Segment Sales 1Q06 1Q05 Carbon and Service 65,185 59,327 Equipment 8,441 10,193 Consumer 2,953 3,535 Total Sales (thousands) $76,579 $73,055 Segment Operating Income (loss)* 1Q06 1Q05 Carbon and Service 5,048 3,759 Equipment (1,659) (750) Consumer 210 329 Total Income (Loss) from continuing operations (thousands) $3,599 $3,338 *Before depreciation, amortization, and restructuring charges