WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: LVB) today announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Net sales for the second quarter of 2013 totaled $92.4 million compared to $85.7 million for the prior-year quarter. The Company reported net income of $20.2 million, or $1.60 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2013 compared to $2.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012.

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company recognized a net $22.7 million gain on the sale of its West 57(th) Street office building and $0.5 million in impairment charges related to its online music business. Before giving effect to those items, second quarter net income was $4.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.

CEO Michael Sweeney commented on the quarter, "We delivered solid results, improving total revenues by 8% while boosting gross margin by 200 basis points and Adjusted EBITDA by 42%. We're especially pleased with our double-digit increase in piano sales. Both our band and piano divisions turned in strong operating performances this quarter.

"At the end of June, we achieved a major objective with the sale of Steinway Hall. Shortly thereafter, we redeemed our Senior Notes, paying down all of the Company's long-term debt. With these actions completed, we can now concentrate all our efforts on achieving our operational objectives and continuing our heritage of offering the world's finest musical instruments."

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Piano Operations

Second quarter revenue increased to $56.8 million, or 12.7%, over the prior-year quarter due to strong wholesale piano sales. Worldwide, unit shipments of Steinway grand pianos increased 20.7% and Boston and Essex piano shipments rose 21.0%. In the Americas and Europe, revenue increased 18.2% and 19.6%, respectively, while exchange rate changes negatively impacted revenue in the Asia-Pacific region. Without these changes, revenue from the region would have been stable.

On a combined basis, production at the Company's New York and Hamburg factories rose approximately 25% over the prior-year quarter, helping meet the increased demand for Steinway pianos. Overall gross margin increased 80 basis points over the prior year. The gross margin improvement that results from higher production levels was somewhat offset by lower revenue from the Company's retail operations during the quarter. Training processes in the Company's Hamburg factory progressed during the second quarter, resulting in gross margin improvement of 160 basis points over the first quarter of 2013.

Band Operations

Revenues for the second quarter totaled $35.6 million, an increase of 0.7% over the prior-year period. Results were mixed, with a 2.2% increase in student unit shipments and a 2.7% decrease in professional unit sales. Strong sales of background brass instruments and higher sales of drum outfits offset lower sales of accessories.

Gross margin improved 310 basis points over the second quarter of 2012. Firm control over manufacturing costs allowed price increases to directly benefit gross profit. A higher mix of brass instruments and more efficient production also contributed to the improvement.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the quarter increased $1.3 million over the prior-year period. For the second quarter, legal and consulting fees associated with the Company's evaluation of strategic alternatives were $2.4 million in 2013 and $1.9 million in 2012. Excluding these costs and $0.5 million and $0.2 million in impairment charges from each period, respectively, operating expenses were up 2.7%.

YTD RESULTS

Piano Operations

Year-to-date, revenue increased 8.1% over the prior-year period, to $102.2 million. Sales in the Americas were robust, up 18.5%, while sales in the Company's Europe and Asia-Pacific regions were on par with prior year. Worldwide, unit shipments of Steinway grand pianos increased 9.2% and Boston and Essex piano shipments increased 22.2%. Overall gross margin improved 90 basis points over the prior-year period, somewhat less than expected due to the higher mix of lower-margin pianos.

Band Operations

Year-to-date, revenue decreased 3.1% from the prior-year period, to $67.0 million. Increased revenue from brass instruments mitigated lower sales of accessories and percussion instruments. Relatively stable manufacturing costs, coupled with price increases, contributed to an increase in gross margin of 450 basis points over the prior-year period. A higher mix of professional instruments and more efficient production also contributed to the increase.

Capitalization

As of June 30, 2013, the Company's cash balance totaled $106.5 million. This amount included net cash proceeds of approximately $43.3 million from the sale of the Company's interest in the West 57(th) Street building, which closed on June 28, 2013. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $22.7 million on the sale. On July 15, 2013, the Company completed its redemption of $67.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7% Senior Notes due 2014. As a result, the Company has no remaining long-term debt.

Merger Agreement with Kohlberg & Company

On June 30, 2013, Steinway entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Kohlberg & Company ("Kohlberg"), a global private equity investment firm, in a transaction valued at approximately $438 million. Upon the completion of the transaction, the Company will become a privately held company. The agreement provides for a 45-day "go-shop" period, which will end on August 14, 2013, during which time the Company may solicit alternative proposals to the transaction with Kohlberg. Any shares not tendered in the offer will be acquired in a second-step merger at the same cash price as paid in the tender offer. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.

Upon the successful closing of the tender offer, stockholders of the Company who tender their shares in the tender offer will receive $35.00 per share, in cash, payable without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. This represents a premium of approximately 33% based on the average closing price of the Company's common stock during the 90 trading days ended June 28, 2013.

Conference Call

In light of its pending acquisition by an affiliate of Kohlberg, the Company will not host a conference call relating to its second quarter 2013 financial results.

About Steinway Musical Instruments

Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., through its Steinway and Conn-Selmer divisions, is a global leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of high quality musical instruments. These products include Bach Stradivarius trumpets, Selmer Paris saxophones, C.G. Conn French horns, Leblanc clarinets, King trombones, Ludwig snare drums and Steinway & Sons pianos. Through its online music retailer, ArkivMusic, the Company also produces and distributes classical music recordings. For more information about Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., please visit the Company's website at www.steinwaymusical.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Used by Steinway Musical Instruments

The Company uses the non-GAAP measurement Adjusted EBITDA, which it defines as earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual items (if any). The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA because it is useful to management and investors as a measure of the Company's core operating performance in that it eliminates the impact of items that are unrelated to how well the Company is completing its manufacturing and operating responsibilities. In addition, the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as the basis for determining bonuses for its managers. The Company also believes Adjusted EBITDA is helpful in determining the Company's ability to meet future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements as it factors out non-cash expenses such as depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges.

Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be used as a supplement to the comparable GAAP measures and should not be construed as a substitute for income from operations or net income, or a better indicator of liquidity than cash flows from operating activities, which are determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which represent the Company's present expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including with respect to the tender offer and related transactions. When used in this press release, the words "can," "will," "intends," "expects," "is expected," similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate, and are subject to a number of risk factors. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Risk factors include the following: uncertainties regarding the timing of the closing of the transaction; uncertainties as to the number of stockholders of the Company who may tender their stock in the tender offer; the risk of failing to obtain any regulatory approvals or satisfy conditions to the transaction; the risk that Kohlberg is unable to obtain adequate financing; the risk that the transaction will not close or that the closing will be delayed; the risk that the Company's businesses will suffer due to uncertainty related to the transaction; competitive responses to the transaction; changes in general economic conditions; reductions in school budgets; increased competition; exchange rate fluctuations; variations in the mix of products sold; market acceptance of new products; ability of suppliers to meet demand; concentration of credit risk; ability to fulfill piano orders in a timely manner; and fluctuations in effective tax rates resulting from shifts in sources of income. Further information on factors that could affect the Company's financial results is provided in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Company's recent filings on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K.

Notice to Investors
This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of the Company common stock have been made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, containing an offer to purchase and related tender offer documents, filed by Kohlberg and certain of its affiliates with the SEC on July 15, 2013. The Company filed a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer with the SEC on July 15, 2013. The tender offer statement (including an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal and other tender offer documents) and the solicitation/recommendation statement, and any amendments thereto, contain important information that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the tender offer. These materials are available to the Company's stockholders at no expense to them and may also be obtained by contacting the Company's Investor Relations Department at 800 South Street, Suite 305, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, telephone number (781) 894-9770 or ir@steinwaymusical.com. All of these materials (and all other tender offer documents filed with the SEC) are available at no charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Company Contact:
Julie A. Theriault
Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.
(781) 894-9770
ir@steinwaymusical.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Harriet Fried / Jody Burfening
LHA
(212) 838-3777
hfried@lhai.com



                                                      STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.


                                               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                                                 (Unaudited)


                                                                 Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                                                                 ------------------          ----------------

                                                                            6/30/2013                  6/30/2012  6/30/2013   6/30/2012
                                                                            ---------                  ---------  ---------   ---------

    Net sales                                                                 $92,353                    $85,704   $169,156    $163,657

    Cost of sales                                                              61,063                     58,339    112,516     113,145
                                                                               ------                     ------    -------     -------

    Gross profit                                                               31,290                     27,365     56,640      50,512

                                                                                 33.9%                      31.9%      33.5%       30.9%


    Operating expenses:

    Sales and marketing                                                        10,969                     11,072     22,249      23,057

    General and administrative                                                 11,266                     10,144     19,736      19,105

    Other                                                                         454                        178        473         216
                                                                                  ---                        ---        ---         ---

    Total operating expenses                                                   22,689                     21,394     42,458      42,378


    Income from operations                                                      8,601                      5,971     14,182       8,134


    Other (income) expense, net                                               (21,707)                     1,277    (21,306)      1,631

    Interest expense, net                                                         939                        942      1,856       1,792
                                                                                  ---                        ---      -----       -----


    Income before income taxes                                                 29,369                      3,752     33,632       4,711


    Income tax provision                                                        9,214                      1,355     10,787       1,724
                                                                                -----                      -----     ------       -----


    Net income                                                                $20,155                     $2,397    $22,845      $2,987
                                                                              =======                     ======    =======      ======


    Earnings per share - basic                                                  $1.62                      $0.19      $1.83       $0.24

    Earnings per share - diluted                                                $1.60                      $0.19      $1.82       $0.24

    Weighted average common shares - basic                                     12,463                     12,378     12,461      12,373

    Weighted average common shares - diluted                                   12,571                     12,507     12,558      12,508


                                                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                             (In Thousands)

                                                              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                       6/30/2013  6/30/2012  12/31/2012
                                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ----------

    Cash                                                                                                $106,500    $40,461     $73,406

    Receivables, net                                                                                      49,211     47,392      43,536

    Inventories, net                                                                                     133,974    137,210     125,081

    Other current assets                                                                                  15,820     24,900      14,309
                                                                                                          ------     ------      ------

    Total current assets                                                                                 305,505    249,963     256,332


    Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                    67,936     88,743      91,485

    Other assets                                                                                          78,551     71,854      77,850
                                                                                                          ------     ------      ------

    Total assets                                                                                        $451,992   $410,560    $425,667
                                                                                                        ========   ========    ========


    Debt                                                                                                 $67,968       $626        $576

    Other current liabilities                                                                             61,976     47,159      53,042
                                                                                                          ------     ------      ------

    Total current liabilities                                                                            129,944     47,785      53,618


    Long-term debt                                                                                             -     70,899      67,431

    Other liabilities                                                                                     59,569     56,821      62,773

    Stockholders' equity                                                                                 262,479    235,055     241,845
                                                                                                         -------    -------     -------

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                          $451,992   $410,560    $425,667
                                                                                                        ========   ========    ========





                                                                                            STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.

                                                                                   Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings

                                                                                          (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                                                                                       (Unaudited)


                                                                                                      Three Months Ended 6/30/13
                                                                                                      --------------------------

                                                                                                          GAAP                            Adjustments               Adjusted
                                                                                                          ----                            -----------               --------

    Band sales                                                                                                         $35,596          $                    -               $35,596

    Piano sales                                                                                                         56,757                               -                56,757
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total sales                                                                                                       92,353                               -                92,353


    Band gross profit                                                                                                   10,284                               -                10,284

    Piano gross profit                                                                                                  21,006                               -                21,006
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total gross profit                                                                                                31,290                               -                31,290


    Band GM %                                                                                                            28.9%                                                 28.9%

    Piano GM %                                                                                                           37.0%                                                 37.0%

    Total GM %                                                                                                           33.9%                                                 33.9%


    Operating expenses                                                                                                  22,689                            (500) (1)           22,189
                                                                                                                        ------                            ----                ------


        Income from operations                                                                                           8,601                             500                 9,101


    Other (income) expense, net                                                                                        (21,707)                         22,725  (2)            1,018

    Interest expense, net                                                                                                  939                               -                   939
                                                                                                                           ---                             ---                   ---


        Income before income taxes                                                                                      29,369                         (22,225)                7,144


    Income tax provision                                                                                                 9,214                          (6,521) (3)            2,693
                                                                                                                         -----                          ------                 -----


        Net income                                                                                                     $20,155                        $(15,704)               $4,451
                                                                                                                       =======                        ========                ======


    Earnings per share - basic                                                                                           $1.62                                                 $0.36

    Earnings per share - diluted                                                                                         $1.60                                                 $0.35

    Weighted average common shares - basic                                                                              12,463                                                12,463

    Weighted average common shares - diluted                                                                            12,571                                                12,571


                                                                                                      Three Months Ended 6/30/12
                                                                                                      --------------------------

                                                                                                          GAAP                            Adjustments               Adjusted
                                                                                                          ----                            -----------               --------

    Band sales                                                                                                         $35,340          $                    -               $35,340

    Piano sales                                                                                                         50,364                               -                50,364
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total sales                                                                                                       85,704                               -                85,704


    Band gross profit                                                                                                    9,130                               -                 9,130

    Piano gross profit                                                                                                  18,235                               -                18,235
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total gross profit                                                                                                27,365                               -                27,365


    Band GM %                                                                                                            25.8%                                                 25.8%

    Piano GM %                                                                                                           36.2%                                                 36.2%

    Total GM %                                                                                                           31.9%                                                 31.9%


    Operating expenses                                                                                                  21,394                            (166) (4)           21,228
                                                                                                                        ------                            ----                ------


        Income from operations                                                                                           5,971                             166                 6,137


    Other (income) expense, net                                                                                          1,277                               -                 1,277

    Interest expense, net                                                                                                  942                               -                   942
                                                                                                                           ---                             ---                   ---


        Income before income taxes                                                                                       3,752                             166                 3,918


    Income tax provision                                                                                                 1,355                              62  (3)            1,417
                                                                                                                         -----                             ---                 -----


        Net income                                                                                                      $2,397                            $104                $2,501
                                                                                                                        ======                            ====                ======


    Earnings per share - basic                                                                                           $0.19                                                 $0.20

    Earnings per share - diluted                                                                                         $0.19                                                 $0.20

    Weighted average common shares - basic                                                                              12,378                                                12,378

    Weighted average common shares - diluted                                                                            12,507                                                12,507


    Notes to Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings

      (1) Reflects impairment charges for online music business intangible assets.
      (2) Reflects net gain on sale of West 57th Street office building.
      (3) Reflects the tax effect of Adjustments.
      (4) Reflects asset impairment charges related to a closed plant.





                                                                                            STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.

                                                                                   Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings

                                                                                          (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                                                                                       (Unaudited)


                                                                                                        Six Months Ended 6/30/13
                                                                                                        ------------------------

                                                                                                          GAAP                            Adjustments               Adjusted
                                                                                                          ----                            -----------               --------

    Band sales                                                                                                         $66,985          $                    -               $66,985

    Piano sales                                                                                                        102,171                               -               102,171
                                                                                                                       -------                             ---               -------

      Total sales                                                                                                      169,156                               -               169,156


    Band gross profit                                                                                                   19,542                               -                19,542

    Piano gross profit                                                                                                  37,098                               -                37,098
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total gross profit                                                                                                56,640                               -                56,640


    Band GM %                                                                                                            29.2%                                                 29.2%

    Piano GM %                                                                                                           36.3%                                                 36.3%

    Total GM %                                                                                                           33.5%                                                 33.5%


    Operating expenses                                                                                                  42,458                            (500) (1)           41,958
                                                                                                                        ------                            ----                ------


        Income from operations                                                                                          14,182                             500                14,682


    Other (income) expense, net                                                                                        (21,306)                         22,725  (2)            1,419

    Interest expense, net                                                                                                1,856                               -                 1,856
                                                                                                                         -----                             ---                 -----


        Income before income taxes                                                                                      33,632                         (22,225)               11,407


    Income tax provision                                                                                                10,787                          (6,521) (3)            4,266
                                                                                                                        ------                          ------                 -----


        Net income                                                                                                     $22,845                        $(15,704)               $7,141
                                                                                                                       =======                        ========                ======


    Earnings per share - basic                                                                                           $1.83                                                 $0.57

    Earnings per share - diluted                                                                                         $1.82                                                 $0.57

    Weighted average common shares - basic                                                                              12,461                                                12,461

    Weighted average common shares - diluted                                                                            12,558                                                12,558


                                                                                                        Six Months Ended 6/30/12
                                                                                                        ------------------------

                                                                                                          GAAP                            Adjustments               Adjusted
                                                                                                          ----                            -----------               --------

    Band sales                                                                                                         $69,150          $                    -               $69,150

    Piano sales                                                                                                         94,507                               -                94,507
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total sales                                                                                                      163,657                               -               163,657


    Band gross profit                                                                                                   17,086                               -                17,086

    Piano gross profit                                                                                                  33,426                               -                33,426
                                                                                                                        ------                             ---                ------

      Total gross profit                                                                                                50,512                               -                50,512


    Band GM %                                                                                                            24.7%                                                 24.7%

    Piano GM %                                                                                                           35.4%                                                 35.4%

    Total GM %                                                                                                           30.9%                                                 30.9%


    Operating expenses                                                                                                  42,378                            (166) (4)           42,212
                                                                                                                        ------                            ----                ------


        Income from operations                                                                                           8,134                             166                 8,300


    Other (income) expense, net                                                                                          1,631                               -                 1,631

    Interest expense, net                                                                                                1,792                               -                 1,792
                                                                                                                         -----                             ---                 -----


        Income before income taxes                                                                                       4,711                             166                 4,877


    Income tax provision                                                                                                 1,724                              62  (3)            1,786
                                                                                                                         -----                             ---                 -----


        Net income                                                                                                      $2,987                            $104                $3,091
                                                                                                                        ======                            ====                ======


    Earnings per share - basic                                                                                           $0.24                                                 $0.25

    Earnings per share - diluted                                                                                         $0.24                                                 $0.25

    Weighted average common shares - basic                                                                              12,373                                                12,373

    Weighted average common shares - diluted                                                                            12,508                                                12,508


    Notes to Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings

      (1) Reflects impairment charges for online music business intangible assets.
      (2) Reflects net gain on sale of West 57th Street office building.
      (3) Reflects the tax effect of Adjustments.
      (4) Reflects asset impairment charges related to a closed plant.




                                                                              STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.

                                                                                        (In Thousands)

                                                                                         (Unaudited)




                                                      Reconciliation from Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA


                                                                                                Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended
                                                                                                ------------------             ----------------

                                                                                                            6/30/2013                     6/30/2012  6/30/2013  6/30/2012
                                                                                                            ---------                     ---------  ---------  ---------

    Cash flows from operating activities                                                                       $4,784                       $(1,932)   $(5,087)   $(9,652)

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                                                (6,598)                        7,089      8,892     18,188

    Stock-based compensation expense                                                                              (92)                         (100)      (188)      (211)

    Income tax provision, net of deferreds                                                                     11,375                         1,390     12,851      1,835

    Net interest expense                                                                                          939                           942      1,856      1,792

    Recovery of (provision for) doubtful accounts                                                                   7                          (227)      (239)      (915)

    Other                                                                                                      22,356                           (99)    22,204         98

    Non-recurring, infrequent or unusual cash charges                                                         (22,725)                            -    (22,725)         -
                                                                                                              -------                           ---    -------        ---

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                           $10,046                        $7,063    $17,564    $11,135
                                                                                                              =======                        ======    =======    =======








                                                                   Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA


                                                                                                Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended
                                                                                                ------------------             ----------------

                                                                                                            6/30/2013                     6/30/2012  6/30/2013  6/30/2012
                                                                                                            ---------                     ---------  ---------  ---------

    Net income                                                                                                $20,155                        $2,397    $22,845     $2,987

    Income tax provision                                                                                        9,214                         1,355     10,787      1,724

    Net interest expense                                                                                          939                           942      1,856      1,792

    Depreciation                                                                                                1,763                         1,942      3,838      3,943

    Amortization                                                                                                  200                           261        463        523

    Non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items                                                                (22,225)                          166    (22,225)       166
                                                                                                              -------                           ---    -------        ---

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                           $10,046                        $7,063    $17,564    $11,135
                                                                                                              =======                        ======    =======    =======

SOURCE Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.