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PITTSBURGH, April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today reported results for the first quarter of 2017.

Quarterly Highlights

• Reported revenue was $266 million, decreasing 5 percent from a year ago on a reported basis, and 4 percent on a constant currency basis.
• Net income from continuing operations was $14 million or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $13 million or $0.34 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. Adjusted earnings were $22 million or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to $18 million or $0.48 per diluted share a year ago.
• Cash flow from operating activities was $96 million, compared to a use of cash of $11 million in the same period a year ago. Working capital as a percentage of sales decreased by 300 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2016.
• The company continues to make progress collecting its insurance receivable, and received $81 million during the quarter from one of its insurance carriers. At the end of the quarter, the insurance receivable balance was $59 million, down from $230 million at the end of the first quarter of 2016.

Comments from Management

"Our first quarter performance reflects the leverage we are gaining from our streamlined cost structure and continued focus on improving profitability," said William M. Lambert, MSA Chairman, President and CEO. "Despite a difficult revenue comparison in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) resulting from several large orders shipped in the first quarter of 2016, we realized adjusted earnings growth of 24 percent," he continued.

"After seeing solid order improvement late last year in short-cycle industrial products, like hard hats and portable gas detectors, we continued to gain traction in these areas in the first quarter," Mr. Lambert commented.  He noted that quarterly revenue from portable gas detection and industrial head protection increased by 13 percent and 16 percent, respectively.  Mr. Lambert added that the company continues to drive higher product margins across substantially all of its core product groups, the most significant of which occurred in its SCBA line, driven by a combination of new product offerings and reductions in product costs associated with value engineering.

"While we've made solid progress in expanding product margins and lowering operating costs through enhanced productivity, we remain keenly focused on investing in programs that drive profitable growth. Through these investments we will continue to deliver innovative solutions for our customers, gain market share in our core product areas, and increase value for all of our stakeholders," Mr. Lambert concluded.

The Americas and International segments were established on January 1, 2016.  The Americas segment is comprised of our operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.  The International segment is comprised of our operations in all other parts of the world including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, China, South East Asia and Australia.  Certain global expenses are allocated to each segment in a manner consistent with where the benefits from the expenses are derived.

Adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin are the measures used by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. As such, management believes that adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin are useful metrics for investors. Adjusted operating income (loss) is defined as operating income excluding restructuring and currency exchange gains / losses. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating income (loss) divided by net sales. Adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin are not recognized terms under GAAP, and the Company's definition of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider operating income determined on a GAAP basis in addition to these non-GAAP measures.

Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control.

There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to this non-GAAP financial measure.

Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control.

There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to this non-GAAP financial measure.

Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control.

There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to this non-GAAP financial measure.

Management believes that adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share are useful measures for investors, as management uses these measures to internally assess the company's performance and ongoing operating trends. There can be no assurances that additional special items will not occur in future periods, nor that MSA's definition of adjusted earnings is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both net income determined on a GAAP basis as well as adjusted earnings.

About MSA:  
Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures.  Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations.  The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military.  MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, fire and rescue helmets, and fall protection devices.  With 2016 revenues of $1.15 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,300 people worldwide.  The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.  With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America.  For more information visit MSA's web site at www.MSAsafety.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for historical information, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to all projections and anticipated levels of future performance. Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or forward looking statements, including without limitation global economic conditions, spending patterns of government agencies, competitive pressures, the impact of acquisitions and related integration activities, product liability claims, the success of new product introductions, currency exchange rate fluctuations and the risks of doing business in foreign countries. A full listing of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are detailed from time-to-time in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2017. You are strongly urged to review all such filings for a more detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties.  MSA's SEC filings are readily obtainable at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as on its own investor relations website at http://investors.MSAsafety.com . MSA undertakes no duty to publicly update any forward looking statements contained herein, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:  
This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include constant currency revenue growth, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share. The presentation of these financial measures does not comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). For an explanation of these measures, together with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see the Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the financial tables section above.

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SOURCE MSA