Worthington Cylinders Acquires BernzOmatic

Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) announced today that its Pressure Cylinders segment has purchased the BernzOmatic business from Irwin Industrial Tool Company, a subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid. The transaction was financed with the Company’s revolving credit facility and is expected to be immediately accretive.

BernzOmatic is a manufacturer and global marketer of hand-held torches, solder, accessories and related products, sold in retail and professional plumbing/ HVAC wholesale channels with strong brand recognition. The acquisition of BernzOmatic assets, increases Worthington’s product mix, adds new products, such as solder and accessories and provides an entrée into the plumbing wholesale channel, currently sold under the Lenox brand, as well as international markets. The acquisition also directly supports Worthington Cylinders’ established hand-held torch cylinder business. BernzOmatic operates two manufacturing facilities, in Medina, N.Y. and Winston-Salem, N.C., and had revenues of approximately $100 million in the 2010 calendar year.

“This acquisition accelerates our growth in the hand torch business with an established retail brand and gives us access to additional international distribution channels,” said Worthington Industries Chairman and CEO John McConnell.

“We can now offer customers the benefit and opportunity to purchase Worthington’s hand torch cylinder and the BernzOmatic hand torch and accessories from the same manufacturer,” said Harry Goussetis, president of Worthington Cylinders. “In addition to its strong brand, BernzOmatic has a history of product innovation. We anticipate enhancing that legacy with our manufacturing capabilities and expertise to grow existing and new product categories.”

About Worthington Cylinders
Worthington Cylinders is the world’s leading global manufacturer of pressure cylinders, delivering products and value-added services to its customers designed to exceed their expectations in quality, service and value. Worthington Cylinders offers the most complete line of pressure cylinders in the industry, including storage of liquefied petroleum, refrigerant, oxygen and industrial gases. Balloon Time® and Worthington Pro Grade® products are available at retailers nationwide and provide consumers products for grilling, party planning, outdoor leisure activities and home repair.

About Worthington Industries
Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metals manufacturing company with 2011 fiscal year sales of approximately $2.4 billion. The Columbus, Ohio based company is North America’s premier value-added steel processor; a leader in manufactured pressure cylinders, such as propane, oxygen and helium tanks, hand-held torches, refrigerant and industrial tanks, camping cylinders, compressed natural gas storage cylinders and scuba tanks; framing systems and stairs for mid-rise buildings; steel pallets and racks; and through joint ventures, suspension grid systems for concealed and lay-in panel ceilings, laser welded blanks; light gauge steel framing for commercial and residential construction; and current and past model automotive service stampings. Worthington, including its joint ventures employs approximately 8,000 people and operates 74 facilities in 11 countries.

Safe Harbor Statement

The Company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Statements by the Company relating to the expected benefits of the acquisition including the expectations for accretiveness, synergies and growth; expected growth of the pressure cylinder business; increases to product lines; opportunities to participate in certain markets; and other non-historical matters constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Act. Because they are based on beliefs, estimates and assumptions, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Any number of factors could affect actual results, including, without limitation, the possibility that costs or difficulties related to the integration of the business acquired are greater than expected; the ability to maintain relationships with customers of the acquired business; product demand and pricing, changes in product mix and market acceptance of products; fluctuations in pricing, quality or availability of raw materials, supplies, utilities and other items required by operations; the ability to realize price increases, cost savings and operational efficiencies on a timely basis; capacity levels and efficiencies within facilities, within major markets and within the industry as a whole; financial difficulties of customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and others with whom the Company does business; the effect of national, regional and worldwide economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including a prolonged or substantial economic downturn; the effect of adverse weather on facilities and shipping operations; changes in customer spending patterns and supplier choices; acts of war and terrorist activities; the ability to improve processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; deviation of actual results from estimates and/or assumptions used by the Company; the level of import and import prices in the company’s markets; the impact of governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad; and other risks described from time to time in filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.