MSA Safety Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

MSA Safety reported a Q4 revenue of $388 million, a 3% increase year-over-year, despite a 4% annual decline in total revenue to $1.35 billion. GAAP operating income dropped to $19 million (4.8% of sales) from $40 million (10.7% last year). Adjusted operating income rose to $67 million (17.3% of sales). GAAP and adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.31 and $1.27, respectively. A significant pre-tax charge of $34 million for product liability reserves affected income. Operating cash flow improved by 26% to $96 million. MSA completed the $60 million acquisition of Bristol Uniforms, enhancing its market position.

Positive

• Q4 revenue growth of 3% ($388 million), showing resilience.
• Operating cash flow increased by 26%, reaching $96 million.
• Adjusted operating income improved to $67 million (17.3% of sales).
• Acquisition of Bristol Uniforms enhances market presence.

Negative

• Annual revenue declined by 4% ($1.35 billion), indicating challenges.
• GAAP operating income decreased to $19 million (4.8% of sales) from $40 million.
• GAAP earnings fell to $0.31 per share, down from $0.79.

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2020.

Quarterly Highlights

• Revenue was $388 million, increasing 3 percent from a year ago on a reported basis and 2 percent on a constant currency basis.
• GAAP operating income was $19 million or 4.8 percent of sales, compared to $40 million or 10.7 percent of sales in the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income was $67 million or 17.3 percent of sales, compared to $65 million or 17.3 percent of sales in the same period a year ago.
• GAAP earnings were $12 million or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $31 million or $0.79 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.  Adjusted earnings were $50 million or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to $51 million or $1.29 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.
• GAAP operating income and earnings includes a pre-tax charge of $34 million associated primarily with an increase to the company's cumulative trauma product liability reserve, compared to a pre-tax charge of $18 million in the same period a year ago.
• Operating cash flow was $96 million, increasing 26% from a year ago. The company realized a 320 basis point improvement in working capital from the third quarter of 2020.

Annual Highlights

• Revenue was $1.35 billion, decreasing 4 percent from a year ago on a reported basis or 3 percent on a constant currency basis.
• GAAP operating income was $167 million or 12.4 percent of sales, compared to $186 million or 13.3 percent of sales in the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income was $243 million or 18.0 percent of sales, compared to $251 million or 17.9 percent of sales in the same period a year ago.
• GAAP earnings were $120 million or $3.05 per diluted share, compared to $136 million or $3.48 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.  Adjusted earnings were $177 million or $4.50 per diluted share, compared to $188 million or $4.80 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.
• GAAP operating income and earnings includes a pre-tax charge of $39 million associated primarily with an increase to the company's cumulative trauma product liability reserve, compared to a pre-tax charge of $27 million in the same period a year ago.
• Operating cash flow was $207 million, increasing 25% from a year ago. The company continues to execute a balanced capital allocation strategy focused on growing its business and returning value to shareholders. For the year, MSA invested $49 million in capital expenditures, paid down $44 million of debt, funded $67 million of dividends to shareholders, and deployed $20 million for share repurchases.

Comments from Management

"Our organization finished out a challenging year with strong fourth quarter performance that resulted in record revenue for the quarter, double-digit growth in cash flow, and a healthy backlog to enter 2021," commented Nish Vartanian, MSA Chairman, President and CEO.  "Along with protecting the health and safety of our 5,000 associates, we remained focused on three key deliverables throughout the year:  developing the most advanced safety technologies for our global customer base; driving operational excellence programs to improve our business model; and using our strong balance sheet to make investments that enhance our leadership positions in key markets," he said. Mr. Vartanian added that MSA's full year adjusted operating margin improved 10 basis points to 18 percent of sales, despite the 3 percent revenue decline associated with the pandemic and recession. "Overall, our diverse product portfolio and focus on continuous improvement drove strong performance in a challenging environment."

MSA's quarterly results include 10 percent revenue growth in firefighter safety products, a defensive market segment that has performed well through a broad range of economic conditions. "From our break-through G1 and M1 breathing apparatus platforms, to the recent acquisition of UK turnout gear leader Bristol Uniforms, to the upcoming launch of MSA's cloud-based Connected Firefighter platform and LUNAR system – which will create a new standard for firefighter accountability – we've made significant investments to help protect firefighters from head to toe with the most progressive technologies being developed today," Mr. Vartanian explained. MSA completed the Bristol Uniforms acquisition in January 2021.  The transaction, valued at approximately $60 million, expands MSA's addressable market in the International fire service business.

In addition to the recent acquisition, Mr. Vartanian noted that profitability improvements in MSA's International segment were an ongoing highlight for the company in 2020.  Adjusted operating margin in the segment expanded by 320 basis points in the fourth quarter and 270 basis points for the year. "Our restructuring investments and continuous improvement culture continue to yield strong returns across our International business," he said.

"Protecting the health and safety of workers around the world has never been more important or more relevant than it is today, and our team remains committed to advancing our mission," Mr. Vartanian said.   "Our new product development pipeline, our focus on continuous improvement, and our strong balance sheet position us to continue to deliver value for our customers, employees, and shareholders in 2021 and beyond," Mr. Vartanian concluded.

MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
Net sales	$	388,248			$	375,255			$	1,348,223			$	1,401,981
Cost of products sold	228,976				208,410				757,775				765,369
Gross profit	159,272				166,845				590,448				636,612
Selling, general and administrative	76,268				85,165				290,334				330,502
Research and development	16,545				16,366				58,268				57,848
Restructuring charges	8,906				2,643				27,381				13,846
Currency exchange losses, net (a)	4,757				2,476				8,578				19,814
Product liability and other operating expense	34,158				20,217				39,036				28,372
Operating income	18,638				39,978				166,851				186,230
Interest expense	1,525				2,500				9,432				13,589
Other income, net	(1,308)				(2,244)				(5,684)				(11,094)
Total other expense, net	217				256				3,748				2,495
Income before income taxes	18,421				39,722				163,103				183,735
Provision for income taxes	5,690				8,173				41,941				46,086
Net income	12,731				31,549				121,162				137,649
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(393)				(387)				(1,061)				(1,209)
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$	12,338			$	31,162			$	120,101			$	136,440
Earnings per share attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
Basic	$	0.32			$	0.80			$	3.09			$	3.52
Diluted	$	0.31			$	0.79			$	3.05			$	3.48
Basic shares outstanding	38,981				38,762				38,885				38,653
Diluted shares outstanding	39,335				39,366				39,286				39,189

(a) Currency exchange losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 includes a $15.4 million non-cash charge related to the recognition of currency translation adjustments associated with the closure of MSA's South Africa affiliates.

 

MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
	December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	160,672			$	152,195
Trade receivables, net	252,283				255,082
Inventories	197,819				185,027
Notes receivable, insurance companies	3,796				3,676
Other current assets	141,859				97,383
Total current assets	756,429				693,363
Property, net	189,620				167,038
Prepaid pension cost	97,545				75,066
Operating lease assets, net	53,451				51,675
Goodwill	443,272				436,679
Notes receivable, insurance companies, noncurrent	48,540				52,336
Insurance receivable, noncurrent	82,926				56,169
Other noncurrent assets	200,701				207,367
Total assets	$	1,872,484			$	1,739,693
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt, net	$	20,000			$	20,000
Accounts payable	86,854				89,120
Other current liabilities	203,691				168,389
Total current liabilities	310,545				277,509
Long-term debt, net	287,157				328,394
Pensions and other employee benefits	208,068				186,697
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	44,639				42,632
Deferred tax liabilities	10,916				9,787
Product liability and other noncurrent liabilities	201,268				162,101
Total shareholders' equity	809,891				732,573
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,872,484			$	1,739,693

 

MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
Net income	$	12,731			$	31,549			$	121,162			$	137,649
Depreciation and amortization	10,390				9,681				39,674				38,020
Product liability expense	34,158				18,464				39,036				26,619
Change in working capital and other operating	39,121				17,018				6,683				(37,326)
Cash flow from operating activities	96,400				76,712				206,555				164,962
Capital expenditures	(16,207)				(13,081)				(48,905)				(36,604)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	—				—				—				(33,196)
Change in short-term investments	(4,981)				22,614				(24,318)				5,425
Property disposals	120				95				454				218
Cash flow (used in) from investing activities	(21,068)				9,628				(72,769)				(64,157)
Change in debt	(39,000)				(29,502)				(44,000)				(16,565)
Cash dividends paid	(16,767)				(16,308)				(66,578)				(63,523)
Other financing	5,381				2,019				(15,951)				(4,536)
Cash flow used in financing activities	(50,386)				(43,791)				(126,529)				(84,624)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2,902				1,136				1,234				(4,242)
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	27,848			$	43,685			$	8,491			$	11,939

 

MSA Safety Incorporated
Segment Information (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except percentage amounts)
	Americas				International				Corporate				Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Sales to external customers	$	244,518			$	143,730			$	—			$	388,248
Operating income													18,638
Operating margin %													4.8		%
Restructuring charges													8,906
Currency exchange losses, net													4,757
Product liability expense													34,158
Strategic transaction costs													515
Adjusted operating income (loss)	50,828				25,145				(8,999)				66,974
Adjusted operating margin %	20.8		%		17.5		%						17.3		%
Depreciation and amortization													10,390
Adjusted EBITDA	57,955				28,310				(8,901)				77,364
Adjusted EBITDA %	23.7		%		19.7		%						19.9		%
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
Sales to external customers	$	235,419			$	139,836			$	—			$	375,255
Operating income													39,978
Operating margin %													10.7		%
Restructuring charges													2,643
Currency exchange losses, net													2,476
Product liability expense													18,464
Strategic transaction costs													1,463
Adjusted operating income (loss)	55,133				20,022				(10,131)				65,024
Adjusted operating margin %	23.4		%		14.3		%						17.3		%
Depreciation and amortization													9,681
Adjusted EBITDA	61,203				23,535				(10,033)				74,705
Adjusted EBITDA %	26.0		%		16.8		%						19.9		%

The Americas segment is comprised of our operations in North America and Latin America geographies. The International segment is comprised of our operations in all geographies outside of the Americas. 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), adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA 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), adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are useful metrics for investors. Adjusted operating income (loss) is defined as operating income excluding restructuring charges, currency exchange gains / losses, product liability expense and strategic transaction costs, and adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating income (loss) divided by segment sales to external customers.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as adjusted operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by segment sales to external customers.  Adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and therefore do not purport to be alternatives to operating income or operating margin as a measure of operating performance.  The Company's definition of adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA 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.

MSA Safety Incorporated
Segment Information (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except percentage amounts)
	Americas				International				Corporate				Consolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
Sales to external customers	$	874,305			$	473,918			$	—			$	1,348,223
Operating income													166,851
Operating margin %													12.4		%
Restructuring charges													27,381
Currency exchange losses, net													8,578
Product liability expense													39,036
Strategic transaction costs													717
COVID-19 related costs													757
Adjusted operating income (loss)	200,536				70,864				(28,080)				243,320
Adjusted operating margin %	22.9		%		15.0		%						18.0		%
Depreciation and amortization													39,674
Adjusted EBITDA	227,298				83,385				(27,689)				282,994
Adjusted EBITDA %	26.0		%		17.6		%						21.0		%
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
Sales to external customers	$	915,118			$	486,863			$	—			$	1,401,981
Operating income													186,230
Operating margin %													13.3		%
Restructuring charges													13,846
Currency exchange losses, net													19,814
Product liability expense													26,619
Strategic transaction costs													4,400
Adjusted operating income (loss)	226,596				59,910				(35,597)				250,909
Adjusted operating margin %	24.8		%		12.3		%						17.9		%
Depreciation and amortization													38,020
Adjusted EBITDA	251,287				72,848				(35,206)				288,929
Adjusted EBITDA %	27.5		%		15.0		%						20.6		%

The Americas segment is comprised of our operations in North America and Latin America geographies. The International segment is comprised of our operations in all geographies outside of the Americas. 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), adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA 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), adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are useful metrics for investors. Adjusted operating income (loss) is defined as operating income excluding restructuring charges, currency exchange gains / losses, product liability expense, strategic transaction costs and COVID-19 related costs, and adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating income (loss) divided by segment sales to external customers.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as adjusted operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by segment sales to external customers.  Adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and therefore do not purport to be alternatives to operating income or operating margin as a measure of operating performance.  The Company's definition of adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA 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.

MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)
Consolidated
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales			Non-Core Sales			Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	20	%	(5)	%	(7)	%	(4)	%	(5)	%	—	%	3	%		10	%		3	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	(2)	%	(2)	%	2	%	—	%	(2)	%	(1)	%	(1)	%		(1)	%		(1)	%
Constant currency sales change	18	%	(7)	%	(5)	%	(4)	%	(7)	%	(1)	%	2	%		9	%		2	%
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales			Non-Core Sales			Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	4	%	(9)	%	(13)	%	(16)	%	(2)	%	(18)	%	(6)	%		15	%		(4)	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	—	%	—	%	3	%	1	%	—	%	1	%	—	%		1	%		1	%
Constant currency sales change	4	%	(9)	%	(10)	%	(15)	%	(2)	%	(17)	%	(6)	%		16	%		(3)	%

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.

MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)
Americas Segment
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales			Non-Core Sales			Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	22	%	(3)	%	(11)	%	(12)	%	(7)	%	(14)	%	1	%		38	%		4	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	—	%	—	%	5	%	1	%	1	%	2	%	1	%		3	%		1	%
Constant currency sales change	22	%	(3)	%	(6)	%	(11)	%	(6)	%	(12)	%	2	%		41	%		5	%
	Twelve Months Ended December 31,2020
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales			Non-Core Sales			Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	4	%	(6)	%	(18)	%	(21)	%	(1)	%	(26)	%	(8)	%		25	%		(4)	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	1	%	—	%	4	%	2	%	1	%	3	%	2	%		4	%		1	%
Constant currency sales change	5	%	(6)	%	(14)	%	(19)	%	—	%	(23)	%	(6)	%		29	%		(3)	%

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.

MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)
International Segment
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales			Non-Core Sales			Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	16	%	(12)	%	4	%	12	%	(2)	%	22	%	6	%		(13)	%		3	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	(7)	%	(5)	%	(5)	%	(4)	%	(5)	%	(4)	%	(5)	%		(6)	%		(5)	%
Constant currency sales change	9	%	(17)	%	(1)	%	8	%	(7)	%	18	%	1	%		(19)	%		(2)	%
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Breathing Apparatus		Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel		Industrial Head Protection		Portable Gas Detection		Fixed Gas and Flame Detection		Fall Protection		Core Sales			Non-Core Sales			Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change	3	%	(21)	%	3	%	(6)	%	(3)	%	(6)	%	(3)	%		1	%		(3)	%
Plus: Currency translation effects	(1)	%	(1)	%	—	%	(1)	%	(2)	%	—	%	(1)	%		(1)	%		(1)	%
Constant currency sales change	2	%	(22)	%	3	%	(7)	%	(5)	%	(6)	%	(4)	%		—	%		(4)	%

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.

MSA Safety Incorporated
Supplemental Segment Information (Unaudited)
Summary of constant currency revenue growth by segment and product group
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Consolidated			Americas			International
Breathing Apparatus	18	%		22	%		9	%
Fall Protection	(1)	%		(12)	%		18	%
Portable Gas Detection	(4)	%		(11)	%		8	%
Industrial Head Protection	(5)	%		(6)	%		(1)	%
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection	(7)	%		(6)	%		(7)	%
Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel	(7)	%		(3)	%		(17)	%
Core Sales	2	%		2	%		1	%
Non-Core Sales	9	%		41	%		(19)	%
Net Sales	2	%		5	%		(2)	%
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Consolidated			Americas			International
Breathing Apparatus	4	%		5	%		2	%
Fall Protection	(17)	%		(23)	%		(6)	%
Portable Gas Detection	(15)	%		(19)	%		(7)	%
Industrial Head Protection	(10)	%		(14)	%		3	%
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection	(2)	%		—	%		(5)	%
Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel	(9)	%		(6)	%		(22)	%
Core Sales	(6)	%		(6)	%		(4)	%
Non-Core Sales	16	%		29	%		—	%
Net Sales	(3)	%		(3)	%		(4)	%

 

MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted earnings (Unaudited)
Adjusted earnings per diluted share (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,										Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2020				2019				% Change		2020				2019				% Change
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$	12,338			$	31,162			(60)%		$	120,101			$	136,440			(12)%
Non-deductible non-cash charge related to the recognition of currency translation adjustments (a)	—				—						—				15,359
Tax charges associated with restructuring activities	1,119				584						1,119				584
Tax benefit associated with ASU 2016-09: Improvements to employee share-based payment accounting	(266)				(98)						(1,965)				(2,278)
Subtotal	13,191				31,648				(58)%		119,255				150,105				(21)%
Product liability expense	34,158				18,464						39,036				26,619
Restructuring charges	8,906				2,643						27,381				13,846
Currency exchange losses, net	4,757				2,476						8,578				4,455
Strategic transaction costs	515				1,463						717				4,400
Asset related losses and other	47				100						993				371
Income tax expense on adjustments	(11,716)				(5,914)						(19,330)				(11,826)
Adjusted earnings	$	49,858			$	50,880			(2)%		$	176,630			$	187,970			(6)%
Adjusted earnings per diluted share	$	1.27			$	1.29			(2)%		$	4.50			$	4.80			(6)%

(a) Included in Currency exchange losses, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

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 fire service, the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, 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, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices.  With 2020 revenues of $1.35 billion, MSA employs approximately 5,000 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 20, 2020. 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 press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include constant currency revenue growth, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA 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 Safety

FAQ

What were MSA's Q4 2020 earnings results?

MSA reported Q4 2020 revenue of $388 million and GAAP earnings of $12 million, or $0.31 per diluted share.

How did MSA's annual revenue change in 2020?

MSA's annual revenue decreased by 4% to $1.35 billion in 2020.

What was the impact of product liability charges on MSA's earnings?

A pre-tax charge of $34 million for product liability reserves significantly impacted MSA's GAAP earnings.

What capital allocation strategies did MSA implement in 2020?

In 2020, MSA invested $49 million in capital expenditures and paid $67 million in dividends.

What acquisition did MSA complete in early 2021?

MSA completed the acquisition of Bristol Uniforms for approximately $60 million, expanding its market.