Hawk Announces 2009 Second Quarter Results

CLEVELAND, Aug. 6  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hawk Corporation (NYSE Amex: HWK) announced today that sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 were $39.1 million, a decrease of $32.7 million or 45.5%, from $71.8 million in the comparable prior year quarter.  Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were $83.4 million, a decrease of 39.4%, from $137.6 million in the comparable prior year period.  The economic downturn is the principal driver of the revenue decline.  Despite this downturn, the Company has continued to receive new business awards from new and existing customers, which are expected to result in future sales gains as the economy recovers.

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Income from operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 was $1.2 million, a decrease of $9.4 million, or 88.7%, from $10.6 million in the prior year period.  Income from operations was impacted by the sales volume decrease, lower production volumes through the manufacturing facilities and the effect of foreign currency exchange rates during the quarter.  This decline was partially offset by reductions in incentive compensation expense, the impact of labor reduction programs and favorable product mix during the quarter.

For the six month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company reported income from operations of $5.7 million, a decrease of $12.4 million, or 68.5%, from $18.1 million in the comparable prior year period. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company reduced its global labor force 26.0%.

For the second quarter 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $0.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, a decrease of $5.5 million compared to net income of $5.0 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008.  For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company reported net income of $1.0 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $8.2 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, during the comparable prior year period.

Ronald E. Weinberg, Hawk's Chairman and CEO, said, "At a time of downturn in the world's economies, we at Hawk have defined our response as cutting costs and reducing working capital utilization in the short-run and to build for the long-term.  We feel can achieve this in large part because of our strong balance sheet with approximately $79 million in cash as of June 30, 2009, and because we are a recognized world leader in the friction products business.  In times of uncertainty, there is often a flight to quality and our customers know we have the depth of financial resources and technological solutions to support their needs."  Mr. Weinberg continued, "We have reduced our selling and administrative expense by 27.9% in the first half of 2009 compared to 2008.  Also, we have reduced our working capital utilization by lowering inventory and receivables during the period."

Working Capital and Liquidity

Cash and short-term investments increased $1.0 million to $78.7 million as of June 30, 2009, compared to $77.7 million as of March 31, 2009.  At June 30, 2009, working capital decreased by $13.8 million to $112.2 million from $126.0 million at December 31, 2008.  The decrease in working capital was largely the result of decreased accounts receivable and inventory levels partially offset by reductions in accounts payable at June 30, 2009.  As a result of the emphasis on working capital reductions, cash flow from operations increased to $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $0.5 million for the period ended June 30, 2008, in spite of the reduction in net income.

Mr. Weinberg continued, "We were pleased to have been able to increase our cash balances by $1.0 million from March 31, 2009 and to reduce inventory levels during the same period in which we experienced lower sales volumes.  Our receivable levels, while down as a result of the lower sales volumes during the period, are of excellent quality.  Further, we continue to seek acquisition opportunities in friction related areas."

As previously announced, the Company entered into a new three year revolving bank credit agreement which expires in June 2012.  At June 30, 2009, the Company had no borrowings under its bank facility and $15.1 million was available for borrowings under the facility based on its eligible collateral.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company spent $4.8 million on capital expenditures, compared to $6.0 million during the comparable period of 2008. Depreciation was $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Business Outlook

The Company is reaffirming its previously issued ranges for revenues and operating income despite the challenges being experienced during this uncertain economic climate, the timing and nature of worldwide economic stimulus measures, and the duration of customer driven inventory reduction initiatives.  The Company continues to prudently reduce its operational expenses as it balances its short-term response to volume declines with its long-term strategy to pursue market share gains and grow the business.

As previously announced, the Company anticipates that the second half of 2009 will bring stronger volume demand than the first half of 2009.  The existing ranges of revenue and operating income that the Company is reaffirming are revenue between $160.0 million and $180.0 million, and operating income between $14.0 and $18.0 million.

Mr. Weinberg continued, "Our team remains focused on driving long-term growth, and despite the significantly reduced volumes from our existing base business, I am pleased that we have successfully pursued and won many new business awards. These new awards will complement our base business as volume levels are expected to improve as a result of the global stimulus measures.  Based on our full year guidance for revenue and operating income, we expect to see improvement in the second half of 2009.  Our management team believes our full year 2009 guidance ranges are attainable based on an expected improvement in general economic conditions."

The Company's previously provided capital spending guidance for 2009 remains unchanged at a range of between $8.0 and $10.0 million.  Given the actual results through June 30, 2009 and forecasted mix of domestic and foreign earnings in the second half of 2009 the Company is revising its effective tax rate to 39.9% from its previous guidance of 38.4%.

Receipt of "Wells Notice" by the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Change in Duties

As previously disclosed, the Division of Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) provided Hawk with a formal order of private investigation that relates to an investigation commenced by the SEC.  The investigation concerns activity beginning in June 2006 involving (1) Hawk's preparations for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (2) the maintenance, and evaluation of the effectiveness, by Hawk of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, (3) transactions in Hawk's common stock by a stockholder that is not affiliated with Hawk, including the impact of those transactions on when Hawk would have been required to comply with Section 404, (4) the calculation of the amount of Hawk common stock held by non-affiliates and the effect of the calculation on the date when Hawk would have been required to comply with Section 404, (5) communications between Hawk and third parties regarding Section 404 compliance and (6) Hawk's periodic disclosure requirements related to the foregoing.  As previously disclosed, Hawk has also been contacted by the U.S. Department of Justice in Cleveland, Ohio (the DOJ) in connection with the DOJ's related investigation.

On August 4, 2009, Joseph J. Levanduski, Hawk's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, received a notification from the staff of the SEC (the Staff), commonly referred to as a "Wells Notice."  This notice indicates that the Staff intends to recommend to the Commissioners of the SEC that the SEC bring a civil injunctive action and institute a follow-on public administrative proceeding pursuant to Rule 102(e) of the SEC's Rules of Practice against Mr. Levanduski alleging that he aided and abetted violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Sections 9(a)(2) and 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and violated SEC Regulation FD.  Hawk believes that the violations alleged to have been committed by Mr. Levanduski relate to events that are alleged to have occurred on June 30, 2006.  However, the SEC allegations may relate to a different date or time period.

Under the process established by the SEC, before the Staff can make a formal recommendation regarding what action, if any, should be taken by the Commissioners of the SEC with respect to Mr. Levanduski, he will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with, and make a submission to, the SEC regarding whether a civil injunctive action should be filed.  There can be no assurance that the SEC will not issue a Wells Notice to Hawk in connection with the SEC investigation.

On August 5, 2009, Mr. Levanduski stepped aside as our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  He will continue to serve Hawk as an executive officer in a non-financial reporting capacity as Senior Vice President - Administration and Director of Corporate Development, pending resolution of the SEC investigation.  John T. Bronstrup, Corporate Controller, is assuming the role of interim Chief Accounting Officer.  Mr. Bronstrup was named Corporate Controller when he joined Hawk in January 2006.  Before joining Hawk, Mr. Bronstrup was North American Controller at The Lincoln Electric Company from November 2003 through December 2005.

Hawk has no reason to believe that the SEC and DOJ investigations will result in any restatement of Hawk's financial statements for any period.

Hawk cooperated fully with the inquiries by the SEC and the DOJ.  Although Hawk believes that insurance proceeds are available, Hawk may continue to incur additional expenses related to the investigations that are not covered by insurance.  The expenses may be substantial, including indemnification costs for which Hawk may be responsible.  Any adverse development in connection with the SEC or DOJ investigations could adversely impact Hawk's business and results of operations.

The Company

Hawk Corporation is a leading supplier of friction materials for brakes, clutches and transmissions used in airplanes, trucks, construction and mining equipment, farm equipment, recreational and performance automotive vehicles.  The Company also manufactures fuel cell components.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Hawk has approximately 880 employees at 12 manufacturing, research, sales and international rep offices and administrative sites in 7 countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements concerning sales and operating earnings. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company and which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the effect of regional and global economic and industrial market conditions including our expectations concerning their impact on the markets we serve; the effect of conditions in the  financial and credit markets and their impact on the Company and our customers and suppliers; the impact of the Company's cost reduction initiatives; the Company's ability to execute its business plan to meet its sales, operating income, cash flow and capital expenditure guidance; the costs and outcome of the ongoing SEC and DOJ investigations; the impact on the Company's gross profit margins as a result of changes in product mix; the Company's vulnerability to industry conditions and competition; the effect of any interruption in the Company's supply of raw materials or a substantial increase in the price of raw materials; work stoppages by union employees; ongoing capital expenditures and investment in research and development; compliance with government regulations; compliance with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; the effect on the Company's international operations of unexpected changes in legal and regulatory requirements, export restrictions, currency controls, tariffs and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, political and economic instability, difficulty in accounts receivable collection and potentially adverse tax consequences; the effect of foreign currency exchange rates on the Company's non-U.S. sales; reliance for a significant portion of the Company's total revenues on a limited number of large organizations and the continuity of business relationships with major customers; the loss of key personnel; and control by existing preferred stockholders.

Actual results and events may differ significantly from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Reference is made to Hawk's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other periodic filings, for a description of the foregoing and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Conference Call

A live Internet broadcast of the Company's conference call discussing quarterly and year to date results can be accessed via the investor relations page on Hawk Corporation's web site (http://www.hawkcorp.com/) on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.  An archive of the call will be available shortly after the end of the conference call on the investor relations page of the Company's web site.

  Hawk Corporation is online at: http://www.hawkcorp.com/


                             HAWK CORPORATION
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
                 (In thousands, except per share data)

                                Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                     June 30             June 30
                                ------------------   ----------------
                                    2009     2008     2009      2008
                                    ----     ----     ----      ----
  Net sales                      $39,077  $71,801  $83,362  $137,580
  Cost of sales                   30,686   50,702   62,973    99,070
                                  ------   ------   ------    ------
  Gross profit                     8,391   21,099   20,389    38,510

  Operating expenses:
    Selling, technical and
     administrative expenses       7,007   10,403   14,459    20,094
    Amortization of finite-
     lived intangible assets         139      138      277       312
                                     ---      ---      ---       ---
  Total operating expenses         7,146   10,541   14,736    20,406
                                   -----   ------   ------    ------
  Income from operations           1,245   10,558    5,653    18,104

  Interest expense                (2,017)  (2,013)  (4,030)   (4,028)
  Interest income                    106      525      269     1,191
  Other income, net                  167       63      123       354
                                     ---       --      ---       ---
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations,
   before income taxes              (499)   9,133    2,015    15,621

  Income tax (benefit) provision    (127)   2,953      803     5,616
                                    ----    -----      ---     -----

  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations,
   after income taxes               (372)   6,180    1,212    10,005
  Loss from discontinued
   operations, after
   income taxes                     (164)  (1,168)    (174)   (1,842)
                                    ----   ------     ----    ------

  Net income (loss)                $(536)  $5,012   $1,038    $8,163
                                   =====   ======   ======    ======

    Diluted earnings
     (loss) per share:
      Income (loss) from
       continuing operations,
       after income taxes         $(0.05)   $0.66    $0.13     $1.06
      Discontinued operations,
       after income taxes          (0.02)   (0.13)   (0.02)    (0.20)
                                   -----    -----    -----     -----
    Net earnings (loss) per
     diluted share                $(0.07)   $0.53    $0.11     $0.86
                                  ======    =====    =====     =====

  Average shares
   and equivalents
   outstanding - diluted           8,174    9,345    8,693     9,352
                                   =====    =====    =====     =====



                            HAWK CORPORATION
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
                            (In thousands)

                                              June 30   December 31
                                                2009        2008
                                                ----        ----

  ASSETS
  Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                 $39,859     $62,520
    Short-term investments                     38,858      30,774
    Accounts receivable, net                   26,740      38,569
    Inventories                                30,277      41,377
    Deferred income taxes                         414         414
    Other current assets                        4,694       5,521
                                                -----       -----
  Total current assets                        140,842     179,175
  Property, plant and equipment, net           48,476      47,498
  Other intangible assets                       6,291       6,568
  Other assets                                  7,759       6,751
                                                -----       -----
  Total assets                               $203,368    $239,992
                                             ========    ========

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                          $13,555     $30,207
    Other accrued expenses                     15,095      23,010
                                               ------      ------
  Total current liabilities                    28,650      53,217
  Long-term debt                               87,090      87,090
  Deferred income taxes                           337         338
  Other liabilities                            18,624      21,956
  Shareholders' equity                         68,667      77,391
                                               ------      ------
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $203,368    $239,992
                                             ========    ========


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DATASOURCE: Hawk Corporation



CONTACT:  Ronald E. Weinberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,

[phone], or Thomas A. Gilbride, Vice President - Finance,

[phone], or Investor Relations, John Baldissera, BPC Financial, 

Marketing, 800-368-1217



Web Site:  http://www.hawkcorp.com/ 

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