Brady (BRC) 8-K Brady Corporation reports earnings for fiscal 2009 fourth quarter and year end

Exhibit 99.1

For More Information:
Investor contact: Barbara Bolens 414-438-6940
Media contact: Carole Herbstreit 414-438-6882

Brady Corporation reports earnings for fiscal 2009 fourth quarter and year end

MILWAUKEE (September 11, 2009)—Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC) today reported results for its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.

     Sales in the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter were $287.2 million compared to $396.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Organic sales declined 23 percent, acquisition growth was flat, and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 5 percent. Regionally, organic sales were down 25 percent in Europe, 24 percent in the Americas, and 15 percent in Asia/Pacific.

     Net income for the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter was $19.2 million or $0.37 per diluted Class A Common share, compared to $34.8 million or $0.64 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Results included cost-reduction charges of $3.4 million after tax in the quarter or $0.06 per share.

     Brady’s fiscal 2009 net sales were $1.209 billion compared to $1.523 billion in sales in fiscal 2008. Organic sales were down 16 percent, acquisitions added 1 percent to sales results, and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 5 percent. Net income for fiscal 2009, including after-tax restructuring charges of $20.2 million or $0.38 per share, was $70.1 million or $1.33 per share compared to $132.2 million or $2.41 per share in fiscal 2008.

     “After a strong first quarter, the global economic downturn caused a 27 percent drop in our sales over the balance of the year. Despite this, we were able to earn $90 million in net income excluding restructuring charges and generate $126 million in cash flow from operations,” said Brady President and CEO Frank M. Jaehnert. “In the second quarter, we took quick and aggressive actions to adjust our cost structure, including a more than 20 percent workforce reduction. We also continued to invest for our future and position the company for growth going forward by focusing on new product development, acquisition strategy, e-business opportunities and continued productivity improvement initiatives like the Brady Business Performance System. We believe that these strategic investments along with our reduced cost structure position us well for the current economic climate as well as for future economic recovery.”

     “We expect that the challenges of the global recession will continue into at least the first half of fiscal 2010. As a result, we expect current fiscal year net income to be between $85 and 95 million and earnings per diluted share of between $1.60 and $1.80. This guidance is based on current exchange rates and assumes that sales will continue at or near current levels through the first half of our fiscal year, followed by modest growth in the second half of the year, resulting in a greater increase in earnings in the second half due to our reduced cost structure,” said Brady Chief Financial Officer Thomas J. Felmer. “Our guidance also excludes additional expected aftertax restructuring charges of approximately $11 million ($15 million pretax) or $0.21 per share, which will result in annualized aftertax savings of $11 million ($15 million pretax), with $7 million ($10 million pretax) in savings in the second half of fiscal 2010 and the balance in fiscal 2011.

     “Fiscal 2009 restructuring and other cost-related actions resulted in approximately $100 million in cost reductions, $60 million of which is expected to carry through fiscal 2010, with the remaining costs expected to return starting in the first quarter. We also expect capital expenditures in fiscal 2010 of approximately $25 million, with depreciation and amortization consistent with fiscal 2009 levels.”

     A Webcast regarding fiscal 2009 results will be available at www.investor.bradycorp.com beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time today.

     Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Its products include high-performance labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Founded in 1914, the company has more than 500,000 customers in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, education, medical and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs approximately 7,000 people at operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com.

###

Brady believes that certain statements in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements related to future, not past, events included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding Brady’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from future financial performance of major markets Brady serves, which include, without limitation, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, laboratory, education, governmental, public utility, computer, transportation; difficulties in making and integrating acquisitions; risks associated with newly acquired businesses; Brady’s ability to retain significant contracts and

customers; future competition; Brady’s ability to develop and successfully market new products; changes in the supply of, or price for, parts and components; increased price pressure from suppliers and customers; interruptions to sources of supply; environmental, health and safety compliance costs and liabilities; Brady’s ability to realize cost savings from operating initiatives; Brady’s ability to attract and retain key talent; difficulties associated with exports; risks associated with international operations; fluctuations in currency rates versus the US dollar; technology changes; potential write-offs of Brady’s substantial intangible assets; risks associated with obtaining governmental approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance for new and existing products; business interruptions due to implementing business systems; and numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section located in Item 1A of Part II of Brady’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended July 31, 2008. These uncertainties may cause Brady’s actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended July 31,									Twelve Months Ended July 31,
							Percentage									Percentage
	2009			2008			Change			2009			2008			Change
Net sales	$	287,203		$	396,849			-27.6	%	$	1,208,702		$	1,523,016			-20.6	%
Cost of products sold		151,081			204,920			-26.3	%		631,119			778,821			-19.0	%
Gross margin		136,122			191,929			-29.1	%		577,583			744,195			-22.4	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development		8,856			11,284			-21.5	%		34,181			40,607			-15.8	%
Selling, general and administrative		94,404			126,325			-25.3	%		397,180			495,904			-19.9	%
Restructuring charges		2,573			—			—			25,849			—			—
Total operating expenses		105,833			137,609			-23.1	%		457,210			536,511			-14.8	%
Operating income		30,289			54,320			-44.2	%		120,373			207,684			-42.0	%
Other income and (expense):
Investment and other income		657			1,581			-58.4	%		1,800			4,888			-63.2	%
Interest expense		(5,919	)		(5,956	)		-0.6	%		(24,901	)		(26,385	)		-5.6	%
Income before income taxes		25,027			49,945			-49.9	%		97,272			186,187			-47.8	%
Income taxes (2009 Q4 Restructuring — $1.6 million)		5,825			15,170			-61.6	%		27,150			53,999			-49.7	%
Net income	$	19,202		$	34,775			-44.8	%	$	70,122		$	132,188			-47.0	%
Per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic net income	$	0.37		$	0.65			-43.1	%	$	1.33		$	2.45			-45.7	%
Diluted net income	$	0.37		$	0.64			-42.2	%	$	1.33		$	2.41			-44.8	%
Dividends	$	0.17		$	0.15			13.3	%	$	0.68		$	0.60			13.3	%
Per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic net income	$	0.37		$	0.65			-43.1	%	$	1.32		$	2.43			-45.7	%
Diluted net income	$	0.37		$	0.64			-42.2	%	$	1.31		$	2.39			-45.2	%
Dividends	$	0.17		$	0.15			13.3	%	$	0.66		$	0.58			13.8	%
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in Thousands):
Basic		52,308			53,790						52,559			54,168
Diluted		52,583			54,514						52,866			54,873

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS)

	(Unaudited)
	July 31, 2009			July 31, 2008
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	188,156		$	258,355
Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses ($7,931 and $10,059, respectively)		191,189			262,461
Inventories:
Finished products		53,244			75,665
Work-in-process		13,159			21,187
Raw materials and supplies		27,405			37,767
Total inventories		93,808			134,619
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		36,274			43,650
Total current assets		509,427			699,085
Other assets:
Goodwill		751,173			789,107
Other intangible assets, net		115,754			144,791
Deferred income taxes		36,374			25,943
Other		18,551			21,381
Total other assets		921,852			981,222
Property, plant and equipment:
Cost:
Land		6,335			6,490
Buildings and improvements		96,968			98,646
Machinery and equipment		283,301			282,232
Construction in progress		7,869			6,040
		394,473			393,408
Less accumulated depreciation		242,485			223,202
Net property, plant and equipment		151,988			170,206
Total	$	1,583,267		$	1,850,513
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	83,793		$	118,209
Wages and amounts withheld from employees		36,313			82,354
Taxes, other than income taxes		6,262			10,234
Accrued income taxes		5,964			21,523
Other current liabilities		45,247			54,810
Current maturities on long-term debt		44,893			21,431
Total current liabilities		222,472			308,561
Long-term obligations, less current maturities		346,457			457,143
Other liabilities		63,246			63,001
Total liabilities		632,175			828,705
Stockholders’ investment:
Common stock:
Class A nonvoting common stock — Issued 51,261,487 and 51,261,487 shares, respectively and outstanding 48,780,560 and 50,005,296 shares, respectively		513			513
Class B voting common stock — Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares		35			35
Additional paid-in capital		298,466			292,769
Income retained in the business		673,342			639,059
Treasury stock - 2,270,927 and 1,046,191 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost		(69,823	)		(33,234	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		53,051			128,161
Other		(4,492	)		(5,495	)
Total stockholders’ investment		951,092			1,021,808
Total	$	1,583,267		$	1,850,513

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)

	(Unaudited)
	Twelve Months Ended
	July 31,
	2009			2008			2007
Operating activities:
Net income	$	70,122		$	132,188		$	109,388
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		54,851			60,587			53,856
Deferred income taxes		(8,640	)		(1,501	)		70
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant & equipment		383			1,672			13
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense		7,731			10,228			6,907
Non-cash portion of restructuring charges		2,469			—			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions):
Accounts receivable		53,389			(3,704	)		(17,021	)
Inventories		34,749			16,224			(12,323	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(2,423	)		(629	)		(13,307	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(78,684	)		18,641			8,058
Income taxes		(9,673	)		(8,492	)		(6,821	)
Other liabilities		2,371			340			7,198
Net cash provided by operating activities		126,645			225,554			136,018
Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(29,346	)		(159,475	)
Payments of contingent consideration		(1,405	)		(5,798	)		(10,906	)
Purchases of short-term investments		—			(10,350	)		(68,100	)
Sales of short-term investments		—			29,550			60,400
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(24,027	)		(26,407	)		(51,940	)
Purchase price adjustment		3,514
Net settlement of foreign currency contract		—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		796			880			2,166
Other		2,078			2,263			(9,184	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(19,044	)		(39,208	)		(237,039	)
Financing activities:
Payment of dividends		(35,839	)		(32,464	)		(30,141	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		1,683			14,500			6,829
Principal payments on debt		(87,224	)		(39,443	)		(110,870	)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		—			18,000			259,300
Purchase of treasury stock		(40,267	)		(42,175	)		—
Excess income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options & deferred comp		1,336			4,638			4,303
Net (used in) provided by financing activities		(160,311	)		(76,944	)		129,421
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(17,489	)		6,107			1,438
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(70,199	)		115,509			29,838
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		258,355			142,846			113,008
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		188,156			258,355			142,846
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	21,899			26,308		$	19,842
Income taxes, net of refunds		32,995			51,834			49,233
Acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash	$	—			21,508		$	87,398
Liabilities assumed		—			(9,038	)		(33,248	)
Goodwill		—			16,876			105,325
Net cash paid for acquisitions	$				29,346		$	159,475

Information by regional segment for the three and twelve months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

													Corporate and			Total
(in thousands)	Americas			Europe			Asia-Pacific			Total Region			Eliminations			Company
SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS
Three months ended:
July 31, 2009	$	124,867		$	86,567		$	75,769		$	287,203			—		$	287,203
July 31, 2008		169,303			131,765			95,781			396,849			—			396,849
July 31, 2007		169,063			114,037			79,665			362,765			—			362,765
Twelve months ended:
July 31, 2009	$	534,440		$	367,156		$	307,106		$	1,208,702			—		$	1,208,702
July 31, 2008		667,106			496,715			359,195			1,523,016			—			1,523,016
July 31, 2007		609,855			416,514			336,262			1,362,631			—			1,362,631
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION
Three months ended July 31, 2009:
Base		-24.5	%		-25.0	%		-15.0	%		-22.4	%		—			-22.4	%
Currency		-1.7	%		-9.3	%		-5.9	%		-5.3	%		—			-5.3	%
Acquisitions		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		—			0.0	%
Total		-26.2	%		-34.3	%		-20.9	%		-27.7	%		—			-27.7	%
Twelve months ended July 31, 2009:
Base		-18.5	%		-18.1	%		-10.3	%		-16.4	%		—			-16.4	%
Currency		-1.7	%		-9.4	%		-4.2	%		-4.8	%		—			-4.8	%
Acquisitions		0.3	%		1.4	%		0.0	%		0.6	%		—			0.6	%
Total		-19.9	%		-26.1	%		-14.5	%		-20.6	%		—			-20.6	%
SEGMENT PROFIT (LOSS)
Three months ended:
July 31, 2009	$	28,300		$	22,018		$	9,072		$	59,390		$	(1,320	)		58,070
July 31, 2008	$	41,212		$	38,214		$	15,129		$	94,555		$	(2,648	)		91,907
Percentage increase (decrease)		-31.3	%		-42.4	%		-40.0	%		-37.2	%		-50.2	%		-36.8	%
Twelve months ended:
July 31, 2009	$	114,404		$	99,875		$	42,575		$	256,854		$	(7,952	)	$	248,902
July 31, 2008	$	157,523		$	135,426		$	58,234		$	351,183		$	(9,048	)	$	342,135
Percentage increase (decrease)		-27.4	%		-26.3	%		-26.9	%		-26.9	%		-12.1	%		-27.3	%

NET INCOME RECONCILIATION(in thousands)

	Three months ended:						Twelve months ended:
	July 31, 2009			July 31, 2008			July 31, 2009			July 31, 2008
Total profit for reportable segments	$	59,390		$	94,555		$	256,854		$	351,183
Corporate and eliminations		(1,320	)	$	(2,648	)	$	(7,952	)	$	(9,048	)
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs		(25,208	)		(37,587	)		(102,680	)		(134,451	)
Restructuring costs		(2,573	)					(25,849	)
Investment and other income		657			1,581			1,800			4,888
Interest expense		(5,919	)		(5,956	)		(24,901	)		(26,385	)
Income before income taxes		25,027			49,945		$	97,272			186,187
Income taxes (2009 Q4 Restructuring — $1.6 million)		(5,825	)		(15,170	)		(27,150	)		(53,999	)
Net income	$	19,202		$	34,775		$	70,122		$	132,188

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in thousands)

	Fiscal 2008
	Q1			Q2		Q3		Q4		Total
EBITDA (1)			��
Net income	$	36,370		$	26,690	$	34,353	$	34,775	$	132,188
Interest expense		6,720			6,747		6,962		5,956		26,385
Income taxes		15,366			11,276		12,187		15,170		53,999
Depreciation and amortization		14,168			15,501		16,013		14,905		60,587
EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)	$	72,624		$	60,214	$	69,515	$	70,806	$	273,159

	Fiscal 2009
	Q1		Q2			Q3		Q4		Total
EBITDA (1)
Net income	$	37,110	$	(4,150	)	$	17,960	$	19,202	$	70,122
Interest expense		6,361		6,314			6,307		5,919		24,901
Income taxes		14,575		756			5,994		5,825		27,150
Depreciation and amortization		13,712		13,481			13,479		14,179		54,851
EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)	$	71,758	$	16,401		$	43,740	$	45,125	$	177,024

(1) Brady is presenting EBITDA because it is used by many of our investors and lenders, and is presented as a convenience to them. EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a calculation based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The amounts included in the EBITDA calculation, however, are derived from amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income data. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or operating income as an indicator of the company’s operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of liquidity. The EBITDA measure presented may not always be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the components of the calculation.