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NEWS
RELEASE

Hardinge Inc. One Hardinge Drive, Elmira, N.Y. 14903


Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results

•
Sales increased 4% to $90.2 million in the quarter, driven by growth in Asia & Europe; Sales for the year were $317.9 million, up 9% over 2016
•
Quarterly net income was $3.2 million with earnings per diluted share of $0.24; Full year net income was $5.8 million with earnings per diluted share of $0.45
•
Generated cash from operations of $25.1 million in 2017 compared with $5.3 million in 2016
ELMIRA, N.Y., February 15, 2018 - Hardinge Inc. (NASDAQ: HDNG), a leading international provider of advanced metal-cutting solutions and accessories, reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

Sales, Orders and Backlog for the Quarter and Full Year
(Please refer to the Sales and Orders tables included in this release)
North America: Sales of $28.7 million in the quarter were down 4% from the prior-year quarter. Orders for the region were $23.6 million, a decrease of 7% from the prior-year quarter, primarily due to the reorganization of our North America go-to-market approach.
For the full year, stronger economic conditions led sales in North America to increase 8% to $99.9 million. Orders decreased 4% to $97.4 million.
Europe: Sales in Europe increased 7%, or $1.9 million, over the prior-year quarter to $29.0 million. Orders of $26.7 million were down 5% from the prior-year quarter. Excluding favorable foreign currency exchange of $1.5 million and $1.2 million on sales and orders, respectively, sales were up 2% and orders declined 10% compared with the prior-year quarter.
For the full year, sales to Europe were unchanged. Excluding favorable foreign currency exchange of $0.8 million, sales to Europe decreased 1%. Orders increased 10% over the prior-year. Excluding favorable foreign currency translation of $0.1 million, orders increased 9%.
Asia: Asia sales increased $2.5 million, or 8%, to $32.5 million, over the prior-year’s fourth quarter. Excluding favorable foreign currency translation of $1.0 million, sales increased 5% over the prior-year period. Orders of $33.5 million decreased $3.3 million, or 9%, compared with the same period in the prior-year, mostly due to a large order in the prior-year quarter which was not repeated in the current year. Excluding favorable foreign currency translation of $0.9 million, orders were down 11% year over year.

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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 2 of 9



Improving economic conditions helped sales in Asia for the full year to grow $18.7 million, or 17%, from the prior- year to $126.6 million. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translation of $0.7 million, sales increased 18%. Orders grew $7.9 million, or 7%, over the prior-year to $124.5 million as we have continued to focus on high precision products and custom solutions. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translation of $0.9 million orders increased 8%.
Consolidated Backlog: Order backlog at December 31, 2017 was $130.6 million a 12% increase over backlog at December 31, 2016.
Fourth Quarter Operating Results
•
Gross profit for the quarter was $30.9 million, or 34.3% of sales, up 1.9 points from the prior-year period on improved volume and lower levels of obsolescence inventory reserves.
•
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense increased $1.7 million mostly as a result of $1.6 million in higher compensation and $0.2 million of costs related to the Company's strategic review.
•
We recorded a non-cash gain on the dissolution of our Canadian subsidiary related to the realization of a currency translation adjustment of $0.8 million.
•
Income from operations was $5.6 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 12% from the prior-year period. On a non-GAAP(1) adjusted basis, income from operations increased 27% to $6.8 million compared with $5.3 million last year. As a percent of sales, adjusted income from operations was 7.5%, a 1.4 point improvement over the prior-year period.
•
Income tax expense in the quarter was impacted by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act). Tax expense includes $1.2 million for the estimated transition tax resulting from the Act.
•
Net income was $3.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, down from $3.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share in the prior-year period. Adjusted non-GAAP(1) net income was $4.3 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, an increase over the prior period adjusted net income of $4.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share.
(1) Management believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures help in the understanding of the Company's operating performance. See pages 9 and 10 of this release for the reconciliation tables between reported amounts and non-GAAP measures discussed in this document.
2017 Full Year Review
•
Gross profit of $107.6 million was up $10.0 million over the prior-year due to higher volume. Gross margin of 33.8% was up 0.4 points from the prior year on improved volume and lower levels of obsolescence inventory reserves partially offset by unfavorable mix.
•
Excluding unusual costs in both periods, SG&A increased $1.1 million due to higher incentive compensation costs, which was partially offset by lower sales and marketing costs.
•
Income from operations was $8.9 million, up $5.5 million or 163% from prior-year. Non-GAAP(1) adjusted income from operations more than doubled to $14.3 million, or 5% of sales, compared with $6.6 million, or 2% of sales in 2016.
•
Net income was $5.8 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, improved from $1.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share in the prior-year. Adjusted non-GAAP(1) net income was $11.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, up significantly from $4.3 million, or $0.33 per diluted share in the prior-year.
Recent Acquisition Announcement
On February 12, 2018, Hardinge announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with affiliates of Privet Fund Management LLC (“Privet”) under which Privet has agreed to acquire Hardinge for $18.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $245 million, subject to approval of Hardinge shareholders and other customary closing conditions.
In light of the announcement, Hardinge will not hold a conference call to discuss these financial results.


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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 3 of 9



About Hardinge
Hardinge is a leading global designer and manufacturer of high precision, computer-controlled machine tool solutions developed for critical, hard-to-machine metal parts and of technologically advanced workholding accessories.  The Company’s strategy is to leverage its global brand strength to further penetrate global market opportunities where customers will benefit from the technologically advanced, high quality, reliable products Hardinge produces.  With approximately two-thirds of its sales outside of North America, Hardinge serves the worldwide metal working market.  Hardinge’s machine tool and accessory solutions can also be found in a broad base of industries to include aerospace, agricultural, automotive, construction, consumer products, defense, energy, medical, technology and transportation.
Hardinge applies its engineering design and manufacturing expertise in high performance machining centers, high-end cylindrical and jig grinding machines, SUPER-PRECISION® and precision CNC lathes and technologically advanced workholding accessories.  Hardinge has manufacturing operations in China, France, Germany, India, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Company regularly posts information on its website: http://www.hardinge.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Such statements are based on management's current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact or that are about future events may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as "may," "will," "should," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "strategy," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company's actual results or outcomes and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those discussed in any forward-looking statements.
Certain factors could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements in this release, including the possibility that the proposed transaction with Privet is delayed or does not close, including due to the failure to receive required shareholder approval, the taking of governmental action (including the passage of legislation) to block the transaction, the failure of Privet to obtain the equity and debt financing or other funds required to finance the transaction, or the failure of other closing conditions, the possibility that the expected financial impacts will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, including as a result of fluctuations in the machine tool business, the cyclical nature of our markets, changes in general economic conditions in the U.S. or internationally, the mix of products sold and the profit margins thereon, the relative success of our entry into new product and geographic markets, our ability to manage our operating costs and announced cost reduction initiatives, product liability claims, work stoppages or other labor issues, our ability to execute on our previously announced real estate sale and other restructuring activities, actions taken by customers such as order cancellations or reduced bookings by customers or distributors, competitors’ actions such as price discounting or new product introductions, governmental regulations and environmental matters, loss of key management or other personnel, failure of operating equipment or information technology infrastructure, changes in the availability and cost of materials and supplies, the implementation of new technologies and currency fluctuations, and other risks and factors described in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in materials incorporated therein by reference.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For more information contact:
 
 
 
Company:
Investor Relations:
Douglas J. Malone
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (607) 378-4140
Deborah K. Pawlowski, Kei Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 843-3908
Email: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW.


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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 4 of 9



HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
$
90,175

 
$
86,795

 
$
317,920

 
$
292,013

Cost of sales
59,238

 
58,716

 
210,352

 
194,486

Gross profit
30,937

 
28,079

 
107,568

 
97,527

Gross profit margin
34.3
%
 
32.4
%
 
33.8
%
 
33.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
21,146

 
19,426

 
79,950

 
79,647

Research & development
3,321

 
3,561

 
14,543

 
13,514

Restructuring charges
1,739

 
53

 
4,506

 
661

Other (income) expense, net
(833
)
 
61

 
(365
)
 
310

Operating Income
5,564

 
4,978

 
8,934

 
3,395

Operating margin
6.2
%
 
5.7
%
 
2.8
%
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
71

 
128

 
417

 
555

Interest income
(50
)
 
(35
)
 
(166
)
 
(227
)
Income before income taxes
5,543

 
4,885

 
8,683

 
3,067

Income taxes
2,371

 
1,177

 
2,837

 
1,843

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
3,172

 
$
3,708

 
$
5,846

 
$
1,224

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per share data:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per share:
$
0.25

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.45

 
$
0.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
$
0.24

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.45

 
$
0.09

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per share:
$
—

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.08

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted avg. shares outstanding: Basic
12,918

 
12,854

 
12,900

 
12,824

Weighted avg. shares outstanding: Diluted
13,054

 
12,923

 
12,972

 
12,909


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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 5 of 9



HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
December 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
 
 
Assets
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
44,958

 
$
28,255

Restricted cash
2,717

 
2,923

Accounts receivable, net
61,800

 
55,573

Inventories, net
104,502

 
107,018

Other current assets
9,076

 
6,926

Assets held for sale
5,647

 
—

Total current assets
228,700

 
200,695

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
50,790

 
56,961

Goodwill
6,677

 
6,579

Other intangible assets, net
26,386

 
26,730

Other non-current assets
6,396

 
6,585

Total non-current assets
90,249

 
96,855

Total assets
$
318,949

 
$
297,550

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
26,362

 
$
24,920

Accrued expenses
31,695

 
25,629

Customer deposits
23,852

 
18,215

Accrued income taxes
1,370

 
1,160

Current portion of long-term debt
—

 
2,923

Total current liabilities
83,279

 
72,847

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
—

 
2,970

Pension and postretirement liabilities
49,122

 
58,840

Deferred income taxes
5,217

 
3,800

Other liabilities
2,405

 
3,152

Total non-current liabilities
56,744

 
68,762

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share; shares authorized 20,000,000; Shares issued 12,963,164 and 12,903,037)
130

 
129

Additional paid-in capital
122,140

 
121,015

Retained earnings
94,882

 
89,557

Treasury shares (at cost, 0 and 9,243)
—

 
(104
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(38,226
)
 
(54,656
)
Total shareholders’ equity
178,926

 
155,941

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
318,949

 
$
297,550



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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 6 of 9



HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Operating activities
 

 
 

Net income
$
5,846

 
$
1,224

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Impairment charge
1,401

 
—

Depreciation and amortization
8,905

 
8,789

Debt issuance costs amortization
155

 
131

Deferred income taxes
376

 
689

Gain on sale of assets
(38
)
 
(38
)
Gain on dissolution of subsidiary
(833
)
 
—

Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss
(296
)
 
524

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
(2,993
)
 
(284
)
Restricted cash
411

 
(927
)
Inventories
6,451

 
252

Other assets
(925
)
 
(372
)
Accounts payable
611

 
141

Customer deposits
4,421

 
(776
)
Accrued expenses
1,658

 
(3,964
)
Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities
(35
)
 
(92
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
25,115

 
5,297

 
 
 
 
Investing activities
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(3,207
)
 
(2,479
)
Deposit on assets held for sale
516

 
—

Proceeds from sales of assets
68

 
118

Net cash used in investing activities
(2,623
)
 
(2,361
)
 
 
 
 
Financing activities
 

 
 

Proceeds from short-term notes payable to bank
20,987

 
42,820

Repayments of short-term notes payable to bank
(21,734
)
 
(42,114
)
Repayments of long-term debt
(6,088
)
 
(5,761
)
Dividends paid
(526
)
 
(1,052
)
Purchases of treasury stock
(80
)
 
(368
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(7,441
)
 
(6,475
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
1,652

 
(980
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
16,703

 
(4,519
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
28,255

 
32,774

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
44,958

 
$
28,255


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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 7 of 9




HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Sales by Region
(in thousands)
 
Quarter Ended
 
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
September 30, 2017
Sales to Customers in
  $
% of Total
  $
Year-over-Year
% Change
  $
Sequential
% Change
North America
28,680

 
32%
29,744

 
(4)%
27,465

 
4%
Europe
28,950

 
32%
27,026

 
7%
22,437

 
29%
Asia
32,545

 
36%
30,025

 
8%
35,089

 
(7)%
Total
90,175

 
 
86,795

 
4%
84,991

 
6%

 
Twelve months ended
 
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Sales to Customers in
  $
% of Total
  $
Year-over-Year
% Change
North America
99,948

 
31%
92,668

 
8%
Europe
91,329

 
29%
91,381

 
—%
Asia
126,643

 
40%
107,964

 
17%
Total
317,920

 
 
292,013

 
9%

HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Orders by Region
(in thousands)
 
Quarter Ended
 
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
September 30, 2017
Orders from Customers in
  $
% of Total
  $
Year-over-Year
% Change
  $
Sequential
% Change
North America
23,568

 
28%
25,378

 
(7)%
23,153

 
2%
Europe
26,745

 
32%
28,248

 
(5)%
23,491

 
14%
Asia
33,525

 
40%
36,778

 
(9)%
27,337

 
23%
Total
83,838

 
 
90,404

 
(7)%
73,981

 
13%

 
Twelve months ended
 
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Orders from Customers in
  $
% of Total
  $
Year-over-Year
% Change
North America
97,393

 
30%
101,541

 
(4)%
Europe
101,547

 
31%
92,648

 
10%
Asia
124,541

 
39%
116,683

 
7%
Total
323,481

 
 
310,872

 
4%



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Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 8 of 9




Hardinge believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted earnings per diluted share is important for investors and other readers of Hardinge's financial statements, as they are used as an analytical indicator by Hardinge management to better understand its operating performance.


HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2016
 
Amount
 
% of Sales
 
Amount
 
% of Sales
Operating income as reported
$
5,564

 
6.2
 %
 
$
4,978

 
5.7
 %
Adjustments to reported operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
1,739

 
1.9

 
53

 
0.1

Professional fees for strategic review process
208

 
0.2

 
42

 
0.1

Pension settlement adjustment
—

 
—

 
(132
)
 
(0.2
)
Other adjustments
(744
)
 
(0.8
)
 
371

 
0.4

Non-GAAP operating income as adjusted
$
6,767

 
7.5
 %
 
$
5,312

 
6.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2016
 
Amount
 
% of Sales
 
Amount
 
% of Sales
Operating income as reported
8,934

 
2.8
 %
 
$
3,395

 
1.2
 %
Adjustments to reported operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
4,506

 
1.4

 
661

 
0.2

Professional fees for strategic review process
208

 
0.1

 
1,270

 
0.4

Pension settlement adjustment
—

 
—

 
633

 
0.2

Other adjustments
615

 
0.2

 
666

 
0.2

Non-GAAP operating income as adjusted
$
14,263

 
4.5
 %
 
$
6,625

 
2.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


-MORE-
Hardinge Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
February 15, 2018
Page 9 of 9



HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2016
 
Amount
 
EPS
 
Amount
 
EPS
Net income as reported
$
3,172

 
$
0.24

 
$
3,708

 
$
0.29

Adjustments to reported net income, net of taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
1,682

 
0.13

 
53

 
—

Professional fees for strategic review process
208

 
0.02

 
42

 
—

Pension settlement adjustment
—

 
—

 
(108
)
 
(0.01
)
Other adjustments
(744
)
 
(0.06
)
 
371

 
0.03

Non-GAAP net income as adjusted
$
4,318

 
$
0.33

 
$
4,066

 
$
0.31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2016
 
Amount
 
EPS
 
Amount
 
EPS
Net income as reported
$
5,846

 
$
0.45

 
$
1,224

 
$
0.09

Adjustments to reported net income, net of taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
4,358

 
0.34

 
661

 
0.05

Professional fees for strategic review process
208

 
0.02

 
1,270

 
0.10

Pension settlement adjustment
—

 
—

 
517

 
0.04

Other adjustments
615

 
0.05

 
666

 
0.05

Non-GAAP net income as adjusted
$
11,027

 
$
0.86

 
$
4,338

 
$
0.33


-END-