PPG Reports Record Third Quarter Earnings Per Share

PPG Reports Record Third Quarter Earnings Per Share

• Higher earnings achieved in each major global region

• Total coatings segment earnings grew 20 percent

• Sales growth in local currencies offset by negative currency translation

• Savings from previously announced restructuring aided in lowering costs

• Company ended quarter with $2 billion in cash and short-term investments

• Commodity chemicals separation remains on schedule

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PPG Industries (NYS: PPG) today reported third quarter 2012 net sales of $3.8 billion. Net income for the quarter was $339 million, or $2.18 per diluted share, including nonrecurring charges. Adjusted net income for the quarter, excluding the nonrecurring charges, was $348 million, or $2.24 per diluted share. Third quarter 2011 net sales were $3.8 billion, and net income was $311 million, or $1.96 per diluted share.

Third quarter 2012 results included after-tax charges of $9 million, or 6 cents per diluted share, for costs directly related to the company's previously announced agreement to separate its commodity chemicals business and merge it with Georgia Gulf Corporation or a subsidiary of Georgia Gulf. The company anticipates additional separation costs in the fourth quarter. There were no nonrecurring charges in the third quarter 2011. A Regulation G Reconciliation of third quarter 2012 adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share to reported net income and earnings per diluted share is included below.

"We delivered record third quarter earnings per share despite uneven demand among regions and end-use markets," said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO. "Our coatings segments drove the record performance on improved local currency sales and 20 percent earnings growth.

"North American sales activity remained strongest, highlighted by excellent automotive OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and refinish coatings growth," Bunch noted. "Business levels in Asia and Latin America were flat in aggregate but mixed by end-use market, including growth in our automotive OEM and packaging coatings businesses that was offset by weakening coatings demand due to lower marine new builds. European volume remained below the prior-year quarter, but the trend improved notably in comparison with second quarter year-over-year results due to less customer inventory destocking. Sales declined in our Optical and Specialty Materials segment in all regions due to customer inventory management actions stemming from lower growth rates in the optical channel and in anticipation of the upcoming introduction of our next-generation TRANSITIONS(R) lenses."

According to Bunch, sales for the entire company were flat versus the third quarter 2011 as the impact of negative currency translation offset local currency sales growth of 4 percent.

"We continued our aggressive focus on cost reduction, and the resulting improved cost performance supported our earnings growth," Bunch said. "Improvements in manufacturing costs were coupled with savings from our restructuring actions, which remain on schedule to deliver partial-year 2012 savings of $40 million to $50 million. Also, we continue to combat cost inflation, but the raw material inflation rate has moderated in comparison with previous quarters.

"Looking to the fourth quarter, we are heading into a seasonally slower period in most end-use markets and expect little change in the inconsistent performance of economies outside North America," Bunch said. "We also anticipate measured economic growth in North America and expect to benefit further from some of the highest growth sectors this year, such as automotive OEM and aerospace. Given the economic backdrop, we are pleased to have delivered higher earnings in each region in the third quarter and year to date. We will remain focused on aggressive management within the regions to maximize our financial performance, and we expect to benefit further from the continued implementation of restructuring actions.

"In addition, we have considerable financial flexibility, and we continue to pursue acquisitions in a disciplined manner as a primary means of deploying our strong cash position for earnings accretion. Finally, we remain on schedule to complete the separation of our commodity chemicals business and the merger of that business with Georgia Gulf, with closing expected to occur by early next year," Bunch concluded.

The company reported today that cash and short-term investments totaled approximately $2 billion at the end of the third quarter 2012. Year-to-date cash from operations was slightly more than $1 billion, up more than 33 percent versus the prior year.

Performance Coatings segment sales for the quarter were $1.2 billion, flat with the prior year. The negative impacts of foreign currency translation and slightly lower volume were offset by sales increases from acquisitions and improved selling prices. Volumes rose modestly in the U.S. and were down in all other regions. Aerospace sales grew despite progressively more difficult prior-period comparisons. Automotive refinish organic sales grew, aided by higher U.S. and emerging-region results. While refinish activity fell in Europe, the decline was not as severe as in the previous quarter due to less customer inventory destocking. U.S. architectural coatings daily sales grew by low- to mid-single-digit percentages, with growth in each channel and the strongest results in company-owned stores. Emerging-region volumes remained hampered by lower architectural demand and weakening marine new build activity, partly offset by higher global protective coatings volume. Segment earnings grew 7 percent to $203 million. In addition to the sales impacts, the segment achieved lower costs through discretionary cost management and restructuring related benefits, and while cost inflation continued, it was at a lower rate than in prior periods.

Industrial Coatings segment sales for the quarter were $1.1 billion, an increase of $51 million, or 5 percent, versus the prior year. Strong volume growth, pricing and acquisitions added to sales, but these were partly offset by notable currency translation that reduced sales by approximately $50 million. Robust automotive OEM coatings volume growth continued globally despite European weakness, with company gains easily outpacing industry growth. Demand in the industrial coatings business was lower and uneven by region and end-use application, including weaker consumer electronics demand partly offset by higher automotive parts activity. Packaging coatings volume grew within emerging regions, helping offset weaker results in developed regions. Segment earnings for the quarter were $153 million, an increase of $52 million, as the earnings impact from the higher sales combined with lower manufacturing costs stemming from ongoing cost management and restructuring benefits.

Architectural Coatings - EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) segment sales for the quarter were $564 million, a decrease of $9 million, or 2 percent, versus the prior year. Currency translation negatively impacted sales by approximately 11 percent, while sales from the Dyrup acquisition completed in January 2012 increased sales 8 percent providing a partial offset. Volumes declined by low-single-digit percentages; however, the decline was less severe than in the previous quarter. Despite the reduced volumes, segment earnings grew by $3 million versus the prior year to reach $56 million, aided by restructuring cost benefits and an improved sales margin mix. On a year-to-date basis the Dyrup acquisition increased segment sales by 9 percent, but the Dyrup business traditionally experiences a sales decline in the fourth quarter that exceeds that of the overall segment, reflecting the seasonal nature of the products acquired with the business.

Optical and Specialty Materials third quarter segment sales were $282 million, down $29 million, or 9 percent, including a 6 percent volume decline and a negative impact from foreign currency translation. Segment volumes declined due to slower optical consumer growth and associated customer inventory destocking. In addition, further customer inventory management actions were initiated to avoid product obsolescence ahead of the early 2013-scheduled introduction of Generation VII Transitions lenses. Segment earnings declined by $17 million year-over-year to $76 million due to the lower volumes, which were partly offset by lower selling expenses.

Commodity Chemicals segment sales for the quarter were $437 million, down $8 million, or 2 percent, versus the prior year. Selling prices were lower year-over-year, stemming from chlorine price decreases realized earlier this year, and partly offset by caustic pricing, which has risen each quarter during the year. Segment earnings were $94 million, a decline of $10 million from the third quarter 2011. Volume gains were offset by a negative sales mix. Lower natural gas input costs and manufacturing cost improvements partly offset the sales impacts. In addition, a small casualty loss stemming from a warehouse fire negatively impacted earnings by $4 million.

Glass segment sales were $262 million for the quarter, down $11 million from the prior year. Higher flat glass volumes were offset by lower pricing and the negative impact of foreign currency translation. Fiber glass pricing declined from prior-year levels, driven by reduced industry demand in Europe and Asia. Segment earnings were $24 million, an increase of $1 million from the prior-year quarter, as strong manufacturing cost improvements were partly offset by the lower pricing and lower fiber glass equity earnings.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)

PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

Additional Information

PPG will provide detailed commentary regarding its financial performance, including presentation-slide content, on the PPG Investor Center at www.ppg.com at 1 p.m. ET today, Oct. 18. The company will hold a conference call to review its third quarter 2012 financial performance today at 2 p.m. ET. The dial-in numbers are: in the United States, 800-215-2410; international, 617-597-5410; passcode 77676137. The conference call also will be available in listen-only mode via Internet broadcast from the PPG Investor Center at www.ppg.com (Windows Media Player). A telephone replay will be available today, Oct. 18, beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET, through Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The dial-in numbers for the replay are: in the United States, 888-286-8010; international, 617-801-6888; passcode 18019985. A Web replay also will be available on the PPG Investor Center at www.ppg.com, beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET today, Oct. 18, 2012, through Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflecting the company's current view with respect to future events or objectives and financial or operational performance or results. These matters involve risks and uncertainties as discussed in PPG Industries' periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's forward-looking statements.

Among these factors are global economic conditions, increasing price and product competition by foreign and domestic competitors, fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials, the ability to maintain favorable supplier relationships and arrangements, the realization of anticipated cost savings from restructuring initiatives, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses and achieving expected synergies therefrom, the ability to penetrate existing, developing or emerging foreign and domestic markets, economic and political conditions in international markets, foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in such rates, fluctuations in tax rates, the impact of future legislation, the impact of environmental regulations, unexpected business disruptions and the unpredictability of possible future litigation, including litigation that could result if the asbestos settlement discussed in PPG's filings with the SEC does not become effective. However, it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors.

This news release also contains statements about PPG's agreement to separate its commodity chemicals business and merge it with Georgia Gulf Corporation or a subsidiary of Georgia Gulf (the "Transaction"). Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's forward-looking statements with respect to the Transaction, including the parties' ability to satisfy of the conditions of the Transaction; the parties' ability to complete the Transaction on anticipated terms and schedule, including the ability of Georgia Gulf to obtain shareholder approval and the ability of the parties to obtain regulatory approvals and the anticipated tax treatment of the Transaction and related transactions; risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects; business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of Georgia Gulf's operations; and Georgia Gulf's ability to integrate PPG's commodity chemicals business successfully after the closing of the Transaction and to achieve anticipated synergies; and the risk that disruptions from the Transaction will harm PPG's or Georgia Gulf's business.

Consequently, while the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.

Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on PPG's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial issuance, and PPG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy, or solicitation of an offer to sell, any securities of Georgia Gulf, PPG's commodity chemicals business or PPG. In connection with the Transaction, Georgia Gulf will file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A and a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a prospectus of Georgia Gulf relating to the Transaction. In addition, Eagle Spinco, Inc., a subsidiary of PPG, will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 and S-1 that will include a prospectus of the PPG commodity chemicals business relating to the Transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENTS AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGIA GULF, PPG'S COMMODITY CHEMICALS BUSINESS AND THE TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of the registration statements and proxy statement/prospectus (when they become available) may be obtained free of charge by accessing Georgia Gulf's website at www.ggc.com by clicking on the "Investors" link and then clicking on the "SEC Filings" link, or upon written request to Georgia Gulf, Georgia Gulf Corporation, 115 Perimeter Center Place, Suite 460, Atlanta, Georgia 30346, Attention: Investor Relations, or from PPG upon written request to PPG, PPG Industries, Inc., One PPG Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15272, Attention: Investor Relations. Shareholders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Georgia Gulf or PPG with the SEC, at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC's website for further information on its public reference room.

Regulation G Reconciliation

PPG Industries believes investors' understanding of the company's operating performance is enhanced by the disclosure of net income and earnings per diluted share adjusted for nonrecurring charges. PPG's management considers this information useful in providing insight into the company's ongoing operating performance because it excludes the impact of items that cannot reasonably be expected to recur on a quarterly basis. Net income and earnings per diluted share adjusted for these items are not recognized financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered a substitute for net income or earnings per diluted share or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as reported by other companies.

The following is a reconciliation of reported and adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share for the third quarter 2012:

Regulation G Reconciliation - Results from Operations
($ in millions, except per-share amounts)

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Transitions is a registered trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc.