- Sales are $49.1 Million; EPS is $0.01

- Quarter-end Backlog is $46.6 Million

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., May 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:USAP) today reported first quarter 2013 results in line with its recent guidance. Sales for the first quarter of 2013 were $49.1 million compared with $74.6 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2013 was $0.2 million compared with $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2012. Net income for the first quarter of 2013 was $0.04 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with net income of $6.3 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2012.

On April 25, 2013, the Company reported that it expected first quarter 2013 revenues to approximate $49 million and operating income and net income to be at break-even levels.

The Company had positive cash flow from operations of $4.4 million for the first quarter of 2013, compared with a use of cash of $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2012. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2013 were $3.6 million. At March 31, 2013, the Company had total debt of $104.7 million, or 34.5% of total capitalization, compared with $106.7 million, or 35.0% of total capitalization, at year-end 2012.

Shipment volume for the first quarter of 2013 decreased 31% from the first quarter of 2012 but increased 8% from the 2012 fourth quarter. The sequential improvement reflected increased tons shipped to most major end markets, with shipments to aerospace up 5%, power generation up 17%, heavy equipment up 27%, and general industrial market up 124%, offset by 23% lower shipments to the oil and gas market, all in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2012.

Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Oates commented: "Our sales, shipment volume and order entry demonstrated sequential improvement in the first quarter of 2013, but they were well below their record levels in the first quarter last year. Demand recovery in most of our end markets is proceeding slowly. Customers within the supply channel continued to closely manage their inventory levels, and inventory correction by customers also continued in the quarter. Lower value shipment mix in a competitive marketplace further affected our performance.

"We maintained our focus and stayed on track with our plan to move to higher margin premium alloys. These efforts have increased costs to achieve industry and customer approvals including maintaining our staffing levels at North Jackson despite low shipment volume and production activity levels. Further, higher depreciation expense reflecting commissioning of the equipment in our North Jackson facility reduced our profit margins in the quarter.

"Despite its challenges, we reached a major milestone in the first quarter with the receipt of the first customer approvals for our premium-grade, VIM-melted products. The qualification process of these products required an intensive effort throughout our organization as we developed and refined processes, practices and support systems. These new processes will make us a better Company.

"The outlook for the remainder of 2013 is for continued, gradual improvement in supply channel demand. With the longer-term outlook for our end markets remaining strong, we will stay focused on aggressively seizing immediate market opportunities through excellent customer service and products, on further leveraging the strengths of all our facilities, and on moving to an enhanced sales mix with higher margin products."

Please Note:

As a result of the North Jackson acquisition, the Company's operating facilities have become more integrated; resulting in management viewing the Company as one unit. Given the progress of the North Jackson integration to date and this change in management's view, the Company has moved to one reportable segment beginning with the current period being reported — in line with its previously disclosed plan to do so.

Webcast

The Company has scheduled a conference call for today, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss first quarter 2013 results. A simultaneous webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website through the end of the second quarter of 2013.

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and heavy equipment manufacturing. Established in 1994, the Company, with its experience, technical expertise, and dedicated workforce, stands committed to providing the best quality, delivery, and service possible. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.

Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, the concentrated nature of the Company's customer base to date and the Company's dependence on its significant customers; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; changes in product mix; the limited number of raw material and energy suppliers and significant fluctuations that may occur in raw material and energy prices; risks related to property, plant and equipment, including the Company's reliance on the continuing operation of critical manufacturing equipment; risks associated with labor matters; the Company's ongoing requirement for continued compliance with laws and regulations, including applicable safety and environmental regulations; the ultimate outcome of the Company's current and future litigation and matters; risks related to acquisitions that the Company may make; and the impact of various economic, credit and market risk uncertainties. Many of these factors are not within the Company's control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company's control. Certain of these risks and other risks are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the last 12 months, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.

CONTACT: Dennis Oates

         Chairman,

         President and CEO

         (412) 257-7609

         

         Douglas McSorley

         VP Finance, CFO

         and Treasurer

         (412) 257-7606

         

         June Filingeri

         President

         Comm-Partners LLC

         (203) 972-0186