10-Q 1 a10q-q12015.htm 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarter ended March 31, 2015
Commission File No. 1-15579
MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania |  | 46-4914539
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (IRS Employer Identification No.)
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania |  | 16066-5207
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (724) 776-8600
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x |  | Accelerated filer ¨ |  | Non-accelerated filer ¨ |  | Smaller reporting company ¨
|  |  |  | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |  |

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of April 23, 2015, 37,479,614 shares of common stock, of the registrant were outstanding.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Unaudited

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Net sales |  | $ | 256,708 |  |  | $ | 265,045 |
Other income, net |  | 641 |  |  | 356 |
|  | 257,349 |  |  | 265,401 |
Costs and expenses |  |  |  |
Cost of products sold |  | 139,885 |  |  | 143,230 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 81,368 |  |  | 85,241 |
Research and development |  | 10,914 |  |  | 11,241 |
Restructuring and other charges (Note 4) |  | 731 |  |  | 1,900 |
Interest expense |  | 2,473 |  |  | 2,530 |
Currency exchange (gains) losses, net |  | (2,548 | ) |  | 352 |
|  | 232,823 |  |  | 244,494 |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |  | 24,526 |  |  | 20,907 |
Provision for income taxes (Note 10) |  | 15,384 |  |  | 7,604 |
Income from continuing operations |  | 9,142 |  |  | 13,303 |
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18) |  | 308 |  |  | 614 |
Net income |  | 9,450 |  |  | 13,917 |
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | 232 |  |  | 109 |
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated |  | 9,682 |  |  | 14,026 |
Amounts attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders: |  |  |  |
Income from continuing operations |  | 9,316 |  |  | 13,522 |
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18) |  | 366 |  |  | 504 |
Net income |  | 9,682 |  |  | 14,026 |
Earnings per share attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders: |  |  |  |
Basic |  |  |  |
Income from continuing operations |  | $ | 0.25 |  |  | $ | 0.37 |
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18) |  | $ | 0.01 |  |  | $ | 0.01 |
Net income |  | $ | 0.26 |  |  | $ | 0.38 |
Diluted |  |  |  |
Income from continuing operations |  | $ | 0.25 |  |  | $ | 0.36 |
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18) |  | $ | 0.01 |  |  | $ | 0.01 |
Net income |  | $ | 0.26 |  |  | $ | 0.37 |
Dividends per common share |  | $ | 0.31 |  |  | $ | 0.30 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
-2-

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Unaudited

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Net income |  | $ | 9,450 |  |  | $ | 13,917 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | (24,050 | ) |  | (958 | )
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments, net of tax of $1,417 and $805 |  | 2,529 |  |  | 1,418 |
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax |  | (21,521 | ) |  | 460 |
Comprehensive (loss) income |  | (12,071 | ) |  | 14,377 |
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | 490 |  |  | 251 |
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated |  | (11,581 | ) |  | 14,628 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
-3-

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Unaudited

(In thousands, except share amounts) |  | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 86,301 |  |  | $ | 105,998 |
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,862 and $7,821 |  | 205,914 |  |  | 211,440 |
Inventories (Note 3) |  | 137,681 |  |  | 122,954 |
Deferred tax assets (Note 10) |  | 21,317 |  |  | 23,830 |
Prepaid income taxes |  | 12,244 |  |  | 2,876 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | 37,433 |  |  | 30,771 |
Total current assets |  | 500,890 |  |  | 497,869 |
Property, plant and equipment (Note 5) |  | 147,723 |  |  | 151,352 |
Prepaid pension cost |  | 77,142 |  |  | 75,017 |
Deferred tax assets (Note 10) |  | 17,795 |  |  | 20,227 |
Goodwill (Note 13) |  | 246,653 |  |  | 252,520 |
Intangible assets (Note 13) |  | 29,995 |  |  | 31,323 |
Other noncurrent assets |  | 237,989 |  |  | 236,484 |
Total assets |  | 1,258,187 |  |  | 1,264,792 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt (Note 12) |  | $ | 7,205 |  |  | $ | 6,700 |
Accounts payable |  | 79,512 |  |  | 70,210 |
Employees’ compensation |  | 30,490 |  |  | 40,249 |
Insurance and product liability |  | 63,772 |  |  | 47,456 |
Tax liabilities (Note 10) |  | 13,264 |  |  | 5,545 |
Other current liabilities |  | 55,526 |  |  | 63,897 |
Total current liabilities |  | 249,769 |  |  | 234,057 |
Long-term debt (Note 12) |  | 266,000 |  |  | 245,000 |
Pensions and other employee benefits |  | 162,289 |  |  | 174,598 |
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 10) |  | 27,094 |  |  | 26,306 |
Other noncurrent liabilities |  | 33,789 |  |  | 46,198 |
Total liabilities |  | 738,941 |  |  | 726,159 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) |  |  |  |
Equity |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, 4 1/2% cumulative, $50 par value (Note 7) |  | 3,569 |  |  | 3,569 |
Common stock, no par value (Note 7) |  | 154,288 |  |  | 148,401 |
Treasury shares, at cost (Note 7) |  | (288,228 | ) |  | (286,557 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | (187,993 | ) |  | (166,730 | )
Retained earnings |  | 833,255 |  |  | 835,126 |
Total MSA Safety Incorporated shareholders' equity |  | 514,891 |  |  | 533,809 |
Noncontrolling interests |  | 4,355 |  |  | 4,824 |
Total shareholders’ equity |  | 519,246 |  |  | 538,633 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |  | 1,258,187 |  |  | 1,264,792 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
-4-

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands) | 2015 |  | 2014
Operating Activities |  |  |
Net income | $ | 9,450 |  |  | $ | 13,917 |
Depreciation and amortization | 6,937 |  |  | 7,459 |
Pensions (Note 14) | 2,939 |  |  | 1,402 |
Net gain from investing activities—disposal of assets | (41 | ) |  | — |
Stock-based compensation (Note 11) | 4,981 |  |  | 5,165 |
Deferred income tax provision (Note 10) | 360 |  |  | (344 | )
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities | (25,228 | ) |  | (21,774 | )
Currency exchange (gains) losses, net | (2,379 | ) |  | 345 |
Excess tax benefit related to stock plans | (832 | ) |  | (1,769 | )
Other, net | (1,336 | ) |  | 408 |
Operating cash flow before changes in certain working capital items | (5,149 | ) |  | 4,809 |
(Increase) in trade receivables | (2,394 | ) |  | (4,754 | )
(Increase) in inventories (Note 3) | (22,226 | ) |  | (10,409 | )
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 21,591 |  |  | 17,971 |
(Increase) decrease in income taxes receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets | (8,485 | ) |  | 1,780 |
(Increase) decrease in certain working capital items | (11,514 | ) |  | 4,588 |
Cash Flow From Operating Activities | (16,663 | ) |  | 9,397 |
Investing Activities |  |  |
Capital expenditures | (7,469 | ) |  | (7,204 | )
Cash Flow From Investing Activities | (7,469 | ) |  | (7,204 | )
Financing Activities |  |  |
Proceeds from (payments on) short-term debt, net | 553 |  |  | (703 | )
Proceeds from long-term debt (Note 12) | 98,000 |  |  | 219,000 |
(Payments on) long-term debt (Note 12) | (77,000 | ) |  | (203,000 | )
Restricted cash | 30 |  |  | 317 |
Cash dividends paid | (11,553 | ) |  | (11,181 | )
Company stock purchases | (2,756 | ) |  | (4,897 | )
Exercise of stock options | 1,159 |  |  | 3,265 |
Excess tax benefit related to stock plans | 832 |  |  | 1,769 |
Cash Flow From Financing Activities | 9,265 |  |  | 4,570 |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (4,830 | ) |  | (816 | )
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (19,697 | ) |  | 5,947 |
Beginning cash and cash equivalents | 105,998 |  |  | 96,265 |
Ending cash and cash equivalents | 86,301 |  |  | 102,212 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
-5-

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN RETAINED EARNINGS AND
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Unaudited

(In thousands) | Retained Earnings |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
Balances December 31, 2013 | $ | 792,206 |  |  | $ | (78,269 | )
Net income | 13,917 |  |  | — |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — |  |  | (958 | )
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments net of tax of $805 | — |  |  | 1,418 |
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 109 |  |  | 142 |
Common dividends | (11,171 | ) |  | — |
Preferred dividends | (10 | ) |  | — |
Balances March 31, 2014 | 795,051 |  |  | (77,667 | )
Balances December 31, 2014 | 835,126 |  |  | (166,730 | )
Net income | 9,450 |  |  | — |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — |  |  | (24,050 | )
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments, net of tax of $1,417 | — |  |  | 2,529 |
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 232 |  |  | 258 |
Common dividends | (11,543 | ) |  | — |
Preferred dividends | (10 | ) |  | — |
Balances March 31, 2015 | 833,255 |  |  | (187,993 | )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
-6-

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Unaudited
Note 1—Basis of Presentation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MSA Safety Incorporated and its subsidiaries ("MSA" or the "Company") are unaudited. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary by management to fairly state the Company's results. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The results reported in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. The 2014 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with MSA's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP.
Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements were recast to conform to the current period presentation. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding MSA's segment allocation methodology.
Note 2— Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of an Entity. This ASU amends the definition of a discontinued operation to include a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2015. The adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements in the event that we were to divest of a component that meets the definition of a discontinued operation.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue such that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In April 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of the standard until January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for share based payment awards that contain performance targets. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. This ASU clarifies management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and provides guidance for related footnote disclosures. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items. This ASU eliminates the requirement to separately present and disclose extraordinary and unusual items in the financial statements. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3—Inventories

(In thousands) |  | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Finished products |  | $ | 71,693 |  |  | $ | 67,713 |
Work in process |  | 5,255 |  |  | 8,942 |
Raw materials and supplies |  | 60,733 |  |  | 46,299 |
Total inventories |  | 137,681 |  |  | 122,954 |

-7-

Note 4—Restructuring and Other Charges
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded restructuring charges of $0.7 million ($0.5 million after tax). International segment charges of 0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were related to severance costs for staff reductions associated with ongoing initiatives to right size our operations in Brazil and China.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recorded charges of $1.9 million ($1.2 million after tax). European segment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $1.5 million related primarily to severance from staff reductions in Germany and Italy and reorganization costs in Germany. International segment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $0.4 million were related to severance from staff reductions in Australia.
Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges by segment were as follows:

(in millions) | North America | Europe | International | Corporate | Total
Reserve balances at December 31, 2013 | $ | — |  | $ | 1.7 |  | $ | — |  | $ | — |  | $ | 1.7 |
Restructuring charges | — |  | 4.8 |  | 3.7 |  | — |  | 8.5 |
Asset disposals | — |  | (0.4 | ) | (1.7 | ) | — |  | (2.1 | )
Cash payments | — |  | (3.5 | ) | (1.8 | ) | — |  | (5.3 | )
Reserve balances at December 31, 2014 | $ | — |  | $ | 2.6 |  | $ | 0.2 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 2.8 |
Restructuring charges | — |  | 0.1 |  | 0.6 |  | — |  | 0.7 |
Cash payments | — |  | (1.3 | ) | (0.5 | ) | — |  | (1.8 | )
Reserve balances at March 31, 2015 | $ | — |  | $ | 1.4 |  | $ | 0.3 |  | $ | — |  | $ | 1.7 |

Note 5—Property, Plant and Equipment
The following table sets forth the components of property, plant and equipment:

(In thousands) | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Land | $ | 3,426 |  |  | $ | 3,573 |
Buildings | 111,439 |  |  | 110,144 |
Machinery and equipment | 328,471 |  |  | 335,318 |
Construction in progress | 15,096 |  |  | 17,327 |
Total | 458,432 |  |  | 466,362 |
Less accumulated depreciation | (310,709 | ) |  | (315,010 | )
Net property | 147,723 |  |  | 151,352 |

-8-

Note 6—Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component were as follows:

|  | MSA Safety Incorporated |  | Noncontrolling Interests
|  | Three Months Ended March 31, |  | Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Pension and other postretirement benefits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period |  | $ | (125,570 | ) |  | $ | (77,080 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of prior service cost |  | 17 |  |  | (63 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Recognized net actuarial losses |  | 3,929 |  |  | 2,286 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Tax benefit |  | (1,417 | ) |  | (805 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax |  | 2,529 |  |  | 1,418 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance at end of period |  | $ | (123,041 | ) |  | $ | (75,662 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Foreign Currency Translation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period |  | $ | (41,160 | ) |  | $ | (1,189 | ) |  | $ | (2,199 | ) |  | $ | (1,602 | )
Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | (23,792 | ) |  | (816 | ) |  | (258 | ) |  | (142 | )
Balance at end of period |  | $ | (64,952 | ) |  | $ | (2,005 | ) |  | $ | (2,457 | ) |  | $ | (1,744 | )

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs (see Note 14—Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits).
Note 7—Capital Stock
Preferred Stock - The Company has authorized 100,000 shares of $50 par value 4.5% cumulative preferred nonvoting stock which is callable at $52.50. There are 71,373 shares issued and 52,878 shares held in treasury at March 31, 2015. There were no treasury purchases of preferred stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Company has also authorized 1,000,000 shares of $10 par value second cumulative preferred voting stock. No shares have been issued as of March 31, 2015.
Common Stock - The Company has authorized 180,000,000 shares of no par value common stock. There were 37,479,832 and 37,448,310 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Treasury Shares - The Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to $100.0 million of MSA common stock either through private transactions or open market transactions. The share purchase program has no expiration date. The maximum shares that may be purchased is calculated based on the dollars remaining under the program and the respective month-end closing share price. We do not have any other share purchase programs. There were 24,601,559 and 24,633,081 Treasury Shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
The Company began issuing Treasury Shares for all share based benefit plans during 2014. Shares are issued from Treasury at the average Treasury Share cost on the date of the transaction. There were 93,366 Treasury Shares issued for these purposes during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Note 8—Segment Information
We are organized into nine geographic operating segments based on management responsibilities. The operating segments have been aggregated (based on economic similarities, the nature of their products, end-user markets and methods of distribution) into four reportable segments: North America, Europe, International and Corporate.
The Corporate segment was established on January 1, 2015 to reflect the activities of centralized functions in our corporate headquarters and to capture results in a manner that the chief operating decision maker reviews. The corporate segment primarily consists of administrative expenses and centrally-managed costs such as interest expense and foreign exchange gains or losses. Additionally, effective January 1, 2015, we changed the allocation methodology applied to research and development expense. The 2014 segment results have been recast to conform with current period presentation.
-9-

The Company's sales are allocated to each country based primarily on the destination of the end-customer.
Reportable segment information is presented in the following table:

(In thousands) |  | North America |  | Europe |  | International |  | Corporate |  | Reconciling Items |  | Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales to external customers |  | $ | 133,564 |  |  | $ | 66,013 |  |  | $ | 57,131 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 256,708 |
Intercompany sales |  | 35,739 |  |  | 46,109 |  |  | 5,438 |  |  | — |  |  | (87,286 | ) |  | — |
Net income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations |  | 14,431 |  |  | (4,437 | ) |  | 3,662 |  |  | (4,837 | ) |  | 497 |  |  | 9,316 |
Discontinued operations |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 366 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 366 |

(In thousands) |  | North America |  | Europe |  | International |  | Corporate |  | Reconciling Items |  | Consolidated Totals
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales to external customers |  | $ | 129,521 |  |  | $ | 74,938 |  |  | $ | 60,586 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 265,045 |
Intercompany sales |  | 27,897 |  |  | 28,858 |  |  | 3,849 |  |  | — |  |  | (60,604 | ) |  | — |
Net income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations |  | 14,260 |  |  | 3,452 |  |  | 4,591 |  |  | (7,886 | ) |  | (895 | ) |  | 13,522 |
Discontinued operations |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 504 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 504 |

Reconciling items consist primarily of intercompany eliminations and items not directly attributable to operating segments.
The percentage of total sales by product group were as follows:

| March 31, 2015 |  | March 31, 2014
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection | 23 | % |  | 22 | %
Breathing Apparatus | 22 | % |  | 18 | %
Portable Gas Detection | 15 | % |  | 16 | %
Head Protection | 12 | % |  | 13 | %
Fire and Rescue Helmets | 5 | % |  | 5 | %
Fall Protection | 4 | % |  | 4 | %
Other | 19 | % |  | 22 | %

-10-

Note 9—Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income, after the deduction of preferred stock dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive share equivalents outstanding not classified as participating securities. Participating securities are defined as unvested stock-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends.

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Net income attributable to continuing operations |  | $ | 9,316 |  |  | $ | 13,522 |
Preferred stock dividends |  | (10 | ) |  | (10 | )
Income from continuing operations available to common equity |  | 9,306 |  |  | 13,512 |
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities |  | (28 | ) |  | (90 | )
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders |  | 9,278 |  |  | 13,422 |
Net income attributable to discontinued operations |  | $ | 366 |  |  | $ | 504 |
Preferred stock dividends |  | — |  |  | — |
Income from discontinued operations available to common equity |  | 366 |  |  | 504 |
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities |  | (1 | ) |  | (4 | )
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders |  | 365 |  |  | 500 |
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding |  | 37,356 |  |  | 37,015 |
Stock options and other stock compensation |  | 493 |  |  | 602 |
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding |  | 37,849 |  |  | 37,617 |
Antidilutive stock options |  | 495 |  |  | — |
Earnings per share attributable to continuing operations: |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $0.25 |  | $0.37
Diluted |  | $0.25 |  | $0.36
Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations: |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $0.01 |  | $0.01
Diluted |  | $0.01 |  | $0.01

Note 10—Income Taxes
The Company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2015 was 62.7%. Excluding $7.6 million of charges for the first quarter of 2015 associated with exit taxes related to our European reorganization, the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014 was 31.7% and 36.4%, respectively. The 31.7% rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a favorable mix of income sourced from lower tax jurisdictions and a lower level of cash repatriation in the current quarter. The rate for the first quarter of 2014 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to unrecognized tax benefits on operating losses in foreign affiliates.
At March 31, 2015, the Company had a gross liability for unrecognized tax benefit of $15.0 million. The Company has recognized tax benefits associated with these liabilities of $5.2 million at March 31, 2015. The gross liability includes a new amount associated with a foreign tax exposure.
The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company's liability for accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions was $1.0 million at March 31, 2015.
-11-

Note 11—Stock Plans
The 2008 Management Equity Incentive Plan provides for various forms of stock-based compensation for eligible employees through May 2018. Management stock-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock, and performance stock units. The 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options and restricted stock to non-employee directors through May 2018. We issue treasury shares for stock option exercises, restricted stock grants, and performance stock unit grants. Please refer to Note 7 for further information regarding stock compensation share issuance.
Stock compensation expense is as follows:

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Stock compensation expense |  | $ | 4,981 |  |  | $ | 5,165 |
Income tax benefit |  | 1,912 |  |  | 1,890 |
Stock compensation expense, net of income tax benefit |  | 3,069 |  |  | 3,275 |

Stock options are granted at market value option prices and expire after ten years. Stock options are exercisable beginning three years after the grant date. Stock option expense is based on the fair value of stock option grants estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions for options granted in 2015.

| 2015
Fair value per option | $ | 15.63 |
Risk-free interest rate | 1.77 | %
Expected dividend yield | 2.32 | %
Expected volatility | 38.94 | %
Expected life (years) | 6.71 |

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of the grant date converted into an implied spot rate yield curve. Expected dividend yield is based on the most recent annualized dividend divided by the 1 year average closing share price. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility using daily stock prices. Expected life is based on historical stock option exercise data.
A summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 follows:

|  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2015 |  | 1,618,561 |  |  | $ | 35.74 |
Granted |  | 170,683 |  |  | 48.64 |
Exercised |  | (29,913 | ) |  | 38.28 |
Outstanding at March 31, 2015 |  | 1,759,331 |  |  | 36.95 |
Exercisable at March 31, 2015 |  | 1,287,076 |  |  | 32.38 |

Restricted stock is valued at the market value of the stock on the grant date. A summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 follows:

|  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2015 |  | 268,743 |  |  | $ | 45.34 |
Granted |  | 60,317 |  |  | 48.64 |
Vested |  | (84,761 | ) |  | 37.00 |
Forfeited |  | (1,824 | ) |  | 47.73 |
Unvested at March 31, 2015 |  | 242,475 |  |  | 49.15 |

-12-

Performance stock units have a market condition and are valued on the grant date based using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to determine fair value. The final number of shares to be issued for performance stock units may range from zero to 200% of the target award based on achieving the specified performance targets over the performance period. The following weighted average assumptions were used in the Monte Carlo model for units granted in 2015.

| 2015
Fair value per unit | $ | 40.06 |
Risk-free interest rate | 0.93 | %
Expected dividend yield | 2.32 | %
Expected volatility | 27.00 | %
MSA stock beta | 1.132 |

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of the grant date converted into an implied spot rate yield curve. Expected dividend yield is based on the most recent annualized dividend divided by the 1 year average closing share price. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility using daily stock prices. Stock beta is calculated with three years of daily price data.
A summary of performance stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 follows:

|  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2015 |  | 143,961 |  |  | $ | 52.42 |
Granted |  | 54,856 |  |  | 40.06 |
Performance adjustments |  | 16,447 |  |  | 41.45 |
Vested |  | (63,164 | ) |  | 41.66 |
Unvested at March 31, 2015 |  | 152,100 |  |  | 51.24 |

The performance adjustments above relate to the final number of shares issued for the 2012 Management Performance Units, which were 133.6% of the target award based on Total Shareholder Return during the three year performance period, and vested in the first quarter of 2015.
Note 12—Long-Term Debt

(In thousands) | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
2006 Senior Notes payable through 2021, 5.41% | 46,667 |  |  | 46,667 |
2010 Senior Notes payable through 2021, 4.00% | 100,000 |  |  | 100,000 |
Senior revolving credit facility maturing in 2019 | 126,000 |  |  | 105,000 |
Total | 272,667 |  |  | 251,667 |
Amounts due within one year | 6,667 |  |  | 6,667 |
Long-term debt | 266,000 |  |  | 245,000 |

At March 31, 2015, $171.1 million of the $300.0 million senior revolving credit facility was unused including letters of credit.
The revolving credit facility and note purchase agreements require the Company to comply with specified financial covenants. In addition, the credit facility and the note purchase agreements contain negative covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into specified transactions. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2015.
The Company had outstanding bank guarantees and standby letters of credit with banks as of March 31, 2015 totaling $6.0 million, of which $2.9 million relate to the senior revolving credit facility. The letters of credit serve to cover customer requirements in connection with certain sales orders and insurance companies. No amounts were drawn on these arrangements at March 31, 2015. The Company is also required to provide cash collateral in connection with certain arrangements. At March 31, 2015, the Company has $2.7 million of restricted cash in support of these arrangements.
-13-

Note 13—Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Changes in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:

(In thousands) | Goodwill
Balance at January 1 | $ | 252,520 |
Currency translation | (5,867 | )
Balance at March 31 | 246,653 |

At March 31, 2015, goodwill of $196.5 million, $48.1 million, and $2.1 million related to the North American, European, and International reportable segments, respectively.
Changes in intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization during the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:

(In thousands) | Intangible Assets
Net balance at January 1 | $ | 31,323 |
Amortization expense | (352 | )
Currency translation | (976 | )
Net balance at March 31 | 29,995 |

Note 14—Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
Components of net periodic benefit cost consisted of the following:

|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
(In thousands) |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Three Months Ended March 31, |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost |  | $ | 2,904 |  |  | $ | 2,481 |  |  | $ | 111 |  |  | $ | 156 |
Interest cost |  | 4,593 |  |  | 4,891 |  |  | 216 |  |  | 299 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (8,537 | ) |  | (8,251 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of prior service cost |  | 17 |  |  | 21 |  |  | (84 | ) |  | (84 | )
Recognized net actuarial losses |  | 3,929 |  |  | 2,203 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 83 |
Settlements |  | 33 |  |  | 57 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net periodic benefit cost |  | 2,939 |  |  | 1,402 |  |  | 250 |  |  | 454 |

We made contributions of $1.0 million to our pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015. We expect to make total contributions of approximately $4.1 million to our pension plans in 2015.
Note 15—Derivative Financial Instruments
As part of our currency exchange rate risk management strategy, we may enter into certain derivative foreign currency forward contracts that do not meet the U.S. GAAP criteria for hedge accounting, but which have the impact of partially offsetting certain foreign currency exposures. We account for these forward contracts at fair value and report the related gains or losses in currency exchange gains or losses. The notional amount of open forward contracts was $58.1 million and $60.9 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
The following table presents the balance sheet location and fair value of assets associated with derivative financial instruments:

(In thousands) |  | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts: Other current liabilities |  | $ | 1,656 |  |  | $ | 395 |

-14-

The following table presents the income statement location and impact of derivative financial instruments:

|  |  |  | Loss Recognized in Income
|  |  |  | Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands) |  | Income Statement Location |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  | Currency exchange losses, net |  | $ | 2,268 |  |  | $ | 805 |

Note 16—Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

• | Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

• | Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

• | Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The valuation methodologies we used to measure financial assets and liabilities were limited to the derivative financial instruments described in Note 15. We estimate the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, consisting of foreign currency forward contracts, based upon valuation models with inputs that generally can be verified by observable market conditions and do not involve significant management judgment. Accordingly, the fair values of the derivative financial instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
With the exception of fixed rate long-term debt, we believe that the reported carrying amounts of our financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair values. The reported carrying amount of our fixed rate long-term debt (including the current portion) was $146.6 million and $153.3 million at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fair value of this debt was $154.3 million and $160.1 million at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fair value of our long-term debt was determined using cash flow valuation models to estimate the market value of similar instruments as of the respective balance sheet dates. The fair value of this debt was determined using Level 3 inputs as described above.
Note 17—Contingencies
MSA LLC, a subsidiary of MSA Safety Incorporated (formerly Mine Safety Appliances Company), categorizes the product liability losses that its various subsidiaries experience into two main categories: single incident and cumulative trauma. Single incident product liability claims are discrete incidents that are typically known to us when they occur and involve observable injuries which provide an objective basis for quantifying damages. MSA LLC estimates its liability for single incident product liability claims based on expected settlement costs for pending claims and an estimate of costs for unreported claims. The estimate for unreported claims is based on experience, sales volumes and other relevant information. The reserve for single incident product liability claims was $3.6 million at March 31, 2015 and $3.5 million at December 31, 2014. Single incident product liability expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.3 million and was not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Single incident product liability exposures are evaluated on an ongoing basis and adjustments are made to the reserve as appropriate.
Cumulative trauma product liability claims involve exposures to harmful substances (e.g., silica, asbestos and coal dust) that occurred many years ago and may have developed over long periods of time into diseases such as silicosis, asbestosis, or coal worker’s pneumoconiosis. MSA LLC is presently named as a defendant in 2,237 lawsuits, some of which involve multiple plaintiffs. In these lawsuits, plaintiffs allege to have contracted certain cumulative trauma diseases related to exposure to silica, asbestos, and/or coal dust. These lawsuits mainly involve respiratory protection products allegedly manufactured and sold by MSA LLC or its predecessors.
-15-

A summary of cumulative trauma product liability lawsuit activity follows:

|  | Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 |  | Year Ended December 31, 2014
Open lawsuits, beginning of period |  | 2,326 |  |  | 2,840 |
New lawsuits |  | 87 |  |  | 542 |
Settled and dismissed lawsuits |  | (176 | ) |  | (1,056 | )
Open lawsuits, end of period |  | 2,237 |  |  | 2,326 |

More than half of the open lawsuits at March 31, 2015 have had a de minimis level of activity over the last 5 years. It is possible that these cases could become active again at any point due to changes in circumstances.
Cumulative trauma product liability litigation has been difficult to predict. In our experience, until late in a lawsuit, we cannot reasonably determine whether it is probable that any of MSA LLC's cumulative trauma lawsuits will ultimately result in a liability. This uncertainty is caused by many factors, including the following: cumulative trauma complaints generally do not provide information sufficient to determine if a loss is probable; cumulative trauma litigation is inherently unpredictable; and information is often insufficient to determine if a lawsuit will develop into an actively litigated case. Even when a case is actively litigated, it is often difficult to determine if the lawsuit will be dismissed or otherwise resolved until late in the lawsuit. Moreover, even once it is probable that such a lawsuit will result in a loss, it is often difficult to reasonably estimate the amount of actual loss that will be incurred. These amounts are highly variable and turn on a case-by-case analysis of the relevant facts, which are often not learned until late in the lawsuit. Consequently, MSA LLC has historically been unable to estimate its cumulative trauma product liability exposure.
As part of the company's ongoing assessment of the ability to estimate MSA LLC's cumulative trauma product liability exposure for both pending and unasserted claims, in the 2014 third quarter, MSA LLC engaged an outside valuation consultant to assist with this effort. This assessment was based on MSA LLC’s cumulative claims experience, including recent claims trends, and the development of enhanced claims data analytics. The analysis focused on claims made or resolved over the last several years as these claims are likely to best represent future claim characteristics.
After extensive review by the valuation consultant, MSA LLC, and its outside counsel, it was determined that MSA LLC cannot estimate its liability for cumulative trauma product liability claims. This is a result of numerous factors, including annual claims levels and indemnity payments that are highly variable and a lack of consistency in the source of the claims. MSA LLC will continue to regularly evaluate its ability to estimate its cumulative trauma product liability exposure.
During the 2014 fourth quarter and into January 2015, MSA LLC settled a number of cumulative trauma cases for $71.8 million, the vast majority of which were insured. The impact of these settlements was reflected in MSA Safety Incorporated’s 2014 consolidated financial statements and in the above year-end roll-forward of lawsuits. As a result of these settlements, at March 31, 2015, the cumulative trauma product liability reserve totaled $72.3 million, most of which will be paid equally over four quarters, beginning in the 2015 third quarter and ending in the 2016 second quarter. Of this amount, $17.6 million was recorded in other non-current liabilities and the remainder was recorded in the insurance and product liability line in the other current liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheet. The cumulative trauma product liability reserve totaled $74.9 million at December 31, 2014, comprising of $35.1 million in other non-current liabilities and the remainder recorded in the insurance and product liability line in the current liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheet. Because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or developments could occur, there can be no certainty that MSA LLC may not ultimately incur charges in excess of presently recorded liabilities. Our aggregate cumulative trauma product liability losses and administrative and defense costs for the three years ended December 31, 2014, totaled approximately $169.6 million, substantially all of which was insured.
Insurance Receivable
With some common contract exclusions, we maintain insurance for cumulative trauma product liability claims. We have purchased insurance policies for the policy years from 1952-1986 from over 20 different insurance carriers that provide coverage for cumulative trauma product liability losses, and in many instances, related defense costs (the "Occurrence-Based Policies"). The available limits of these policies well exceed the recorded insurance receivable balance.
In the normal course of business, we make payments to settle product liability claims and for related defense costs. We record receivables for the amounts that are covered by insurance. Since December 31, 2013, the insurance receivable has increased by $97.3 million as a result of the above noted settlements and related defense costs.
-16-

Various factors could affect the timing and amount of recovery of the insurance receivable, including the outcome of negotiations with insurers, legal proceedings with respect to product liability insurance coverage and the extent to which insurers may become insolvent in the future.
Insurance receivables at March 31, 2015 totaled $222.1 million, of which $2.0 million is reported in other current assets and $220.1 million in other non-current assets. Insurance receivables at December 31, 2014 totaled $220.5 million, of which $2.0 million is reported in other current assets and $218.5 million in other non-current assets.
A summary of insurance receivable balances and activity related to cumulative trauma product liability losses follows:

(In millions) |  | Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 |  | Year Ended December 31, 2014
Balance beginning of period |  | $ | 220.5 |  |  | $ | 124.8 |
Additions |  | 1.6 |  |  | 98.2 |
Collections and settlements |  | — |  |  | (2.5 | )
Balance end of period |  | 222.1 |  |  | 220.5 |

Additions to insurance receivables in the above table represent insured cumulative trauma product liability losses and related defense costs. Uninsured cumulative trauma product liability losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014 were $0.1 million, $2.1 million, respectively. Collections primarily represent agreements with insurance companies to pay amounts due that are applicable to cumulative trauma claims. In cases where the payment stream covers multiple years, the present value of the payments is recorded as a note receivable (current and long-term) in the consolidated balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other current assets and other noncurrent assets.
MSA LLC believes that the increase in its insurance receivable balance that it has experienced since 2005 is primarily due to disagreements among its insurance carriers, and consequently with MSA LLC, as to when the individual obligations of insurance carriers to pay are triggered and the amount of each insurer’s obligation, as compared to other insurers. MSA LLC believes that its insurers do not contest that they have issued policies to our subsidiaries or that these policies cover cumulative trauma product liability claims. We believe that successful resolution of insurance litigation with various insurance carriers in recent years demonstrates that we have strong legal positions concerning MSA LLC's rights to coverage.
The collectability of MSA LLC's insurance receivables is regularly evaluated and the amounts recorded are probable of collection. These conclusions are based on analysis of the terms of the underlying insurance policies, experience in successfully recovering cumulative trauma product liability claims from our insurers under other policies, the financial ability of the insurance carriers to pay the claims, understanding and interpretation of the relevant facts and applicable law and the advice of MSA LLC's legal counsel, who believe that the insurers are required to provide coverage based on the terms of the policies.
Although it is impossible to predict the ultimate outcome of current open claims, based on current information, our experience in handling these matters, and our substantial insurance program, we do not believe that the resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on our future consolidated financial condition or liquidity.
Insurance Litigation
MSA LLC is currently involved in insurance coverage litigation with a number of our insurance carriers regarding its Occurrence-Based Policies.
In 2009, MSA LLC (as Mine Safety Appliances Company) sued The North River Insurance Company (North River) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, alleging that North River breached one of its insurance policies by failing to pay amounts owed to MSA LLC and that it engaged in bad-faith claims handling. MSA LLC believes that North River’s refusal to indemnify it under the policy for product liability losses and legal fees paid by MSA LLC is wholly contrary to Pennsylvania law and MSA LLC is vigorously pursuing the legal actions necessary to collect all due amounts. Motions for summary judgment on certain issues will be submitted to the court at the earliest possible date. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
In 2010, North River sued MSA LLC (as Mine Safety Appliances Company) in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania seeking a declaratory judgment concerning their responsibilities under three additional policies. MSA LLC asserted claims against North River for breaches of contract for failures to pay amounts owed to MSA LLC. MSA LLC also alleges that North River engaged in bad-faith claims handling. MSA LLC believes that North River’s refusal to indemnify us under these policies for product liability losses and legal fees paid by MSA LLC is wholly contrary to Pennsylvania law and MSA LLC is vigorously pursuing the legal actions necessary to collect all due amounts. Summary judgment on certain issues is pending with the court. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
-17-

In July 2010, MSA LLC (as Mine Safety Appliances Company) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware seeking declaratory and other relief from the majority of its excess insurance carriers concerning the future rights and obligations of MSA LLC and its excess insurance carriers under various insurance policies. The reason for this insurance coverage action is to secure a comprehensive resolution of its rights under the insurance policies issued by the insurers. Motions for summary judgment on certain issues will be submitted to the court at various times in 2015. A trial date is currently scheduled for the second quarter of 2016.
MSA LLC has resolved claims against certain of its insurance carriers on some of their policies, including the Occurrence-Based Policies through negotiated settlements. When a settlement is reached, MSA LLC dismisses the settling carrier from relevant above noted lawsuit(s). Assuming satisfactory resolution, once disputes are resolved with each of the remaining carriers responsible for the Occurrence-Based Policies, MSA LLC anticipates having commitments to provide future payment streams which should be sufficient to satisfy its recorded receivables due from insurance carriers. In addition, MSA LLC likely will retain some coverage through coverage-in-place agreements, although that coverage may not be immediately accessible. When these insurance coverage matters are fully resolved, MSA LLC (and its coverage-in-place carriers, where applicable) will be responsible for expenses related to cumulative trauma product liability claims.
Note 18—Discontinued Operations
The Company is actively negotiating the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its South African personal protective equipment distribution business and its Zambian operations. Management has deemed it probable that the sale of these assets and liabilities will close in 2015. The operations of this business qualify as a component of an entity under FASB ASC 205-20 "Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations", and thus the operations have been reclassified as discontinued operations and prior periods have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.
Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is as follows:

|  | Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Discontinued Operations |  |  |  |
Net sales |  | $ | 11,157 |  |  | $ | 10,060 |
Other income, net |  | 66 |  |  | 14 |
Cost and expenses: |  |  |  |
Cost of products sold |  | 8,990 |  |  | 7,697 |
Selling, general and administrative |  | 1,602 |  |  | 1,554 |
Currency exchange losses (gains), net |  | 170 |  |  | (7 | )
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes |  | 461 |  |  | 830 |
Provision for income taxes |  | 153 |  |  | 216 |
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax |  | 308 |  |  | 614 |

Certain balance sheet items that are related to the Company's South African personal protective equipment distribution business and its Zambian operations are reported as discontinued operations. These items are reported in the following consolidated balance sheet lines:

(In thousands) | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations assets and liabilities |  |  |
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 7,152 |  |  | $ | 6,638 |
Inventories | 10,588 |  |  | 11,829 |
Net property | 313 |  |  | 342 |
Other assets | 1,404 |  |  | 2,022 |
Total assets | 19,457 |  |  | 20,831 |
Accounts payable | 3,590 |  |  | 5,263 |
Accrued and other liabilities | 1,116 |  |  | 991 |
Total liabilities | 4,706 |  |  | 6,254 |
Net assets | 14,751 |  |  | 14,577 |

-18-

The following summary provides financial information for discontinued operations related to net loss related to noncontrolling interests:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands) | 2015 |  | 2014
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |  |  |
Loss from continuing operations | $ | 174 |  |  | $ | 219 |
Loss (income) from discontinued operations | 58 |  |  | (110 | )
Net loss | 232 |  |  | 109 |

-19-

Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business, and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the sections of our annual report entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.”
Certain centrally managed expenses were historically allocated and reported in the North America, Europe and International Segments as well as in the reconciling items column contained in our segment disclosure. Effective January 1, 2015, interest expense, foreign exchange (gain) loss and an allocation of SG&A expenses are now contained in the Corporate segment. Additionally, effective January 1, 2015, we changed the allocation methodology applied to Research and Development expense. The 2014 results presented below have been recast to reflect the above noted changes. Please refer to Note 8 Segment Information, for further information.
MSA's South African personal protective equipment distribution business and MSA's Zambian operations had historically been part of the International reportable segment. The results of these operations are excluded from continuing operations and are presented as discontinued operations in all periods presented. Please refer to Note 18 Discontinued Operations, for further commentary on these discontinued operations.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We are a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of products that protect people’s health and safety. Our safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life threatening situations. Our comprehensive lines of safety products are used by workers around the world in the oil and gas, fire service, mining, construction and other industries, as well as the military. We are committed to providing our customers with service unmatched in the safety industry and, in the process, enhancing our ability to provide a growing line of safety solutions for customers in key global markets.
We tailor our product offerings and distribution strategy to satisfy distinct customer preferences that vary across geographic regions. To best serve these customer preferences, we have organized our business into nine geographical operating segments that are aggregated into three reportable geographic segments: North America, Europe and International. Each segment includes a number of operating segments. In 2014, 48%, 28% and 24% of our net sales were made by our North American, European and International segments, respectively.
North America. Our largest manufacturing and research and development facilities are located in the United States. We serve our North American markets with sales and distribution functions in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Europe. Our European segment includes companies in most Western European countries, and a number of Eastern European countries along with locations in the Middle East and Russia. In our largest countries, Germany and France, we develop, manufacture and sell a wide variety of products. The technology associated with the development our products in these countries is owned by our European Principal Operating company which is located in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland. Operations in other European segment countries focus primarily on sales and distribution in their respective home country markets. While some of these companies may perform limited production, most of their sales are of products that are manufactured in our plants in Germany, France, the U.S., Ireland, Sweden and China, or are purchased from third party vendors.
International. Our International segment includes companies in South America, Africa and the Asia Pacific region, some of which are in developing regions of the world. Principal International segment manufacturing operations are located in Brazil and China. These companies manufacture products that are sold primarily in each company’s home country and regional markets. The other companies in the International segment focus primarily on sales and distribution in their respective home country markets. While some of these companies may perform limited production, most of their sales are of products that are manufactured in our plants in China, Germany, France and the U.S., or are purchased from third party vendors.
-20-

PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
The following is a brief description of each of our principal product categories:
Core products. MSA's corporate strategy includes a focus on driving sales of core products, which typically realize a higher gross profit margin than non-core products. Core products include fixed gas and flame detection systems, breathing apparatus where SCBA is the principal product, portable gas detection instruments, head protection products and fall protection devices. These products receive the highest levels of investment and resources and provide higher levels of return on investment in alignment with our commitment to grow core product sales in both emerging and developed markets. Effective January 1, 2015, fire and rescue helmets are included as a core head protection product.
Non-core products. MSA maintains a portfolio of non-core products which includes both adjacent and peripheral offerings. Adjacent products reinforce and extend the core, drawing upon our customer relationships, distribution channels, geographical presence and technical experience. These products are complimentary to the core offerings and have their roots within the core product value chain. Key adjacent products include respirators, eye and face protection, thermal imaging cameras, ballistic helmets, and gas masks. Gas masks and ballistic helmet sales represent the primary purchases of our military customers and were approximately $11.6 million globally in the first three months of 2015. Peripheral products are primarily sold to the mining industry and reflect a small portion of consolidated sales.
A detailed listing of our significant product offerings in the aforementioned product groups above is included in the MSA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Net sales. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $256.7 million, a decrease of $8.3 million, or 3%, compared with $265.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The unfavorable translation effects of weakened foreign currencies decreased sales, when stated in U.S. dollars, by 7%. Excluding the effects of weakening currencies, sales increased 4%.

Net Sales |  | Three Months Ended March 31, |  | Dollar Increase (Decrease) |  | Percent Increase (Decrease)
(In thousands) |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |
North America |  | $ | 133,564 |  |  | $ | 129,521 |  |  | $ | 4,043 |  |  | 3 | %
Europe |  | 66,013 |  |  | 74,938 |  |  | (8,925 | ) |  | (12 | )%
International |  | 57,131 |  |  | 60,586 |  |  | (3,455 | ) |  | (6 | )%
Total |  | 256,708 |  |  | 265,045 |  |  | (8,337 | ) |  | (3 | )%

Net sales for the North American segment were $133.6 million in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of $4.1 million, or 3%, compared to $129.5 million in the first quarter of 2014. During the quarter, breathing apparatus shipments increased 62% over the prior year period, notably on a strong ramp up in G1 self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") deliveries. A higher level of fixed gas and flame detection ("FGFD") sales drove results in the segment, up 9%. These increases were partially offset by weaker demand in energy-related markets, resulting in a decline in shipments of portable instruments and industrial head protection, down 19% and 8%, respectively.
Net sales for the European segment were $66.0 million for the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of $8.9 million, or 12%, compared to $74.9 million for the first quarter of 2014. Local currency sales in Europe increased 4% over prior year sales in the same period, driven by increased shipments of portable instruments, ballistic helmets, breathing apparatus, and fire helmets, up 25%, 46%, 4%, and 7%, respectively. These increases were partially offset by an 10% decline in FGFD project business, primarily attributable to a lower level of large shipments in the current quarter. Currency translation effects decreased European segment sales, when stated in U.S. dollars, by 16%.
Net sales for the International segment were $57.1 million in the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of $3.5 million, or 6%, compared to $60.6 million for the first quarter of 2014. Local currency sales in the International segment increased 2% for the quarter on increased FGFD project invoicing and a higher level of portable instruments shipments, up 53% and 14%, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a lower level of industrial head protection, down 11% due to challenging economic conditions in Brazil, decreased shipments of breathing apparatus, down 9% over the prior year period, and smaller decreases across other non-core products. Currency translation effects decreased International segment sales by 8% across several geographies when stated in U.S. dollars, most notably related to the weakening Brazilian real and Australian dollar.
-21-

Gross profit. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2015 was $116.8 million, a decrease of $5.0 million, or 4%, compared to $121.8 million for the first quarter of 2014. The ratio of gross profit to net sales was 45.5% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 46.0% in the same quarter last year. The lower gross profit ratio during the current quarter was driven by higher inventory charges from product phaseouts as well as increased carrying costs. These impacts were partially offset by strong product margins, which were up 100 basis points over the prior year period.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $81.4 million during the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 4%, compared to $85.2 million in the first quarter of 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 31.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 32.2% of net sales in the first quarter of 2014, increasing 2% on a currency neutral basis, as we closely managed discretionary spending to mitigate challenging emerging market conditions. Currency translation effects decreased current quarter selling, general and administrative expenses, when stated in U.S. dollars, by 6%, primarily related to the weakening currencies in Europe, Latin America, and Australia.
Research and development expense. Research and development expense was $10.9 million during the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 3%, compared to $11.2 million during the first quarter of 2014. The Company continues to focus on developing new and innovative products aligned closely with our core strategy, including the most recent successful launch of the G1 SCBA and the F1XF Fire Helmet. Currency translation effects decreased current quarter research and development expense, when stated in U.S. dollars, by 7%.
Restructuring and other charges. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.7 million ($0.5 million after tax). International segment charges of $0.6 million were related to severance costs for staff reductions associated with ongoing initiatives to right size our operations in Brazil and China.
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded charges of $1.9 million ($1.2 million after tax). European segment charges of $1.5 million related primarily to severance from staff reductions in Germany and Italy and reorganization costs in Germany. International segment charges of $0.4 million were related to severance costs for staff reductions in Australia.
Currency exchange. Currency exchange gains were $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to losses of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2014. Currency exchange gains and losses in both quarters were mostly unrealized and related primarily to the effect of strengthening currencies on unsettled inter-company balances. Refer to Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item I of this Form 10-Q, for information regarding our currency exchange rate risk management strategy.
Income taxes. The reported effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2015 was 62.7%. Excluding $7.6 million of charges for the first quarter of 2015 associated with exit taxes related to our European reorganization, the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2015 was 31.7% and 36.4% for the same quarter last year. The effective tax rate decline was due to a more favorable mix of profits sourced from lower tax jurisdictions and lower levels of cash repatriation in the current quarter.
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated. Net income from continuing operations was $9.3 million for the first quarter of 2015, or $0.25 per basic share, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 31%, compared to $13.5 million, or $0.37 per basic share, for the same quarter last year.
North American segment net income for the first quarter of 2015 was $14.4 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 1%, compared to $14.3 million in the first quarter of 2014. Lower selling, general, and administrative expenses contributed to results.
European segment net loss for the first quarter of 2015 was $4.4 million, a decrease of $7.9 million, compared to net income of $3.5 million during the first quarter of 2014. European segment pre-tax income increased 24%, on a local currency basis, reflecting lower restructuring expense. Currency translation effects decreased current quarter European segment pre-tax income, when stated in U.S. dollars, by 24%.
International segment net income for the first quarter of 2015 was $3.7 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 20%, compared to $4.6 million in the prior year quarter. Local currency net income in the International segment decreased 13% in the current quarter, reflecting increased inventory carrying costs in Asia and higher selling expense. Currency translation effects decreased current quarter International segment net income, when stated in U.S. dollars, by 7%, primarily reflecting a weakening in the Brazilian real and Australian dollar.
Corporate segment net loss for the first quarter of 2015 was $4.8 million compared to a net loss of $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. The lower loss is driven by lower selling, general, and administrative expense as well as foreign exchange gains on intercompany balances.
-22-

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our main source of liquidity is operating cash flows, supplemented by borrowings. Our principal liquidity requirements are for working capital, capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on debt, acquisitions and dividend payments. Approximately half of our long-term debt is at fixed interest rates with repayment schedules through 2021. The remainder of our long-term debt is at variable rates, primarily on our unsecured revolving credit facility that is due in 2019. Substantially all of our borrowings originate in the U.S., which has limited our exposure to non-U.S. credit markets and to currency exchange rate fluctuations.
At March 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $86.3 million, of which $77.7 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries. Cash and cash equivalents are held by our foreign subsidiaries whose earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested at March 31, 2015. These funds could be subject to additional income taxes if repatriated. It is not practicable to determine the potential income tax liability that we would incur if these funds were repatriated to the U.S. because the time and manner of repatriation is uncertain. We believe that domestic cash and cash equivalents, domestic cash flows from operations, annual repatriation of a portion of the current period’s foreign earnings, and availability of our domestic line of credit continue to be sufficient to fund our domestic liquidity requirements.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $19.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to increasing $5.9 million during the same period in 2014.
Operating activities. Operating activities used cash of $16.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to providing $9.4 million during the same period in 2014. Lower operating cash flow in the first quarter of 2015 is primarily related to lower net income and unfavorable changes in working capital. Insurance receivables related to cumulative trauma product liability losses were $222.1 million at March 31, 2015 compared to $220.5 million at December 31, 2014, reflecting an increase in defense costs and settlements. Trade receivables were $205.9 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $211.4 million at December 31, 2014, reflecting a local currency increase of $2.4 million. Inventories were $137.7 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $123.0 million at December 31, 2014, reflecting a local currency inventory increase of $22.2 million. The increase in inventories during the current period is due to general restocking and a ramp up in production of our G1 SCBA. Accounts payable were $79.5 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $70.2 million at December 31, 2014, reflecting a local currency increase of $12.0 million.
Investing activities. Investing activities used cash of $7.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to using $7.2 million in the same period last year, reflecting a $0.3 million increase in capital expenditures.
Financing activities. Financing activities provided cash of $9.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to providing $4.6 million during the same period in 2014. The change was primarily related to higher proceeds on long-term debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we had net borrowings of $21.6 million, primarily from our long-term line of credit. This compared to net borrowings of $15.3 million in the same period in 2014. We paid cash dividends of $11.6 million in the first three months of 2015 compared to $11.2 million in the same period last year.
The Company currently has access to approximately $596.0 million of capital at March 31, 2015. Refer to Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
CUMULATIVE TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS
The position of the U.S. dollar relative to international currencies at March 31, 2015 resulted in a translation loss of $23.8 million being charged to the cumulative translation adjustments shareholders' equity account during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to a loss of $0.8 million during the same period in 2014. The translation loss during the first quarter of 2015 was primarily related to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro. The translation loss during the first quarter of 2014 was primarily related to the weakening of the Argentine peso and the Chinese renminbi.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We made contributions of $1.0 million to our pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015. We expect to make total contributions of approximately $4.1 million to our pension plans in 2015.
The Company had outstanding bank guarantees and standby letters of credit with banks as of March 31, 2015 totaling $6.0 million, of which $2.9 million related to the senior revolving credit facility. These letters of credit serve to cover customer requirements in connection with certain sales orders and insurance companies. No amounts were drawn on these arrangements at March 31, 2015. The Company is also required to provide cash collateral in connection with certain arrangements. At March 31, 2015, the Company has $2.7 million of restricted cash in support of these arrangements.
-23-

We have purchase commitments for materials, supplies, services, and property, plant and equipment as part of our ordinary conduct of business.
Please refer to Note 17 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further discussion on the Company's product liabilities.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an on-going basis based on historical experience and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, different amounts could be reported if we had used different assumptions and in light of different facts and circumstances. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates and judgments reflected in our financial statements.
The more critical judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements are discussed in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
RECENTLY ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Please refer to Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
-24-

Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of adverse changes in the value of a financial instrument caused by changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, and equity prices. We are exposed to market risks related to currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Currency exchange rate sensitivity. We are subject to the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates on various transactions and on the translation of the reported financial position and operating results of our non-U.S. companies from local currencies to U.S. dollars. A hypothetical 10% strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar would decrease or increase our reported sales and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 by approximately $12.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
When appropriate, we may attempt to limit our transactional exposure to changes in currency exchange rates through contracts or other actions intended to reduce existing exposures by creating offsetting currency exposures. At March 31, 2015, we had open foreign currency forward contracts with a U.S. dollar notional value of $58.1 million. A hypothetical 10% increase in March 31, 2015 forward exchange rates would result in a $5.8 million increase in the fair value of these contracts.
Interest rates. We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of borrowing and investing activities used to maintain liquidity and fund business operations. Because of the relatively short maturities of temporary investments, these financial instruments are reported at carrying values that approximate fair values.
At March 31, 2015, we had $146.7 million of fixed rate debt which matures at various dates through 2021. The incremental increase in the fair value of fixed rate long-term debt resulting from a hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates would be approximately $2.2 million. However, our sensitivity to interest rate declines and the corresponding increase in the fair value of our debt portfolio would unfavorably affect earnings and cash flows only to the extent that we elected to repurchase or retire all or a portion of our fixed rate debt portfolio at prices above carrying values.

Item 4. | Controls and Procedures

(a) | Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

(b) | Changes in internal control. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

-25-

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) | Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased |  | Average Price Paid Per Share |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |  | Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 - January 31, 2015 |  | 169 |  |  | $ | 51.62 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,115,442 |
February 1 - February 28, 2015 |  | 4,238 |  |  | 46.64 |  |  | — |  |  | 962,835 |
March 1 - March 31, 2015 |  | 53,579 |  |  | 47.08 |  |  | — |  |  | 976,348 |

The Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to $100.0 million of common stock from time-to-time in private transactions and on the open market. The share purchase program has no expiration date. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased is calculated based on the dollars remaining under the program and the respective month-end closing share price.
We do not have any other share repurchase programs.
Shares purchased during the quarter related to stock compensation transactions.
-26-

Item 6. | Exhibits

(a) Exhibits |  |
31.1 |  | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2 |  | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32 |  | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. (S)1350
101.INS |  | XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

-27-

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

|  | MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED
April 28, 2015 |  | /s/ Stacy P. McMahan
|  | Stacy P. McMahan
|  | Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer

-28-