Xerium Technologies Reports Second Quarter Results

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM), a leading global manufacturer of industrial textiles and roll covers used primarily in the paper production process, announced today the results of its operations for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011. For the second quarter of 2011, net sales increased by 13%, while income from operations improved 65% compared to the second quarter of 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net sales and income from operations increased 10% and 140%, respectively, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2010. In addition, net income (loss) per diluted share increased to $0.11 from $(5.38) and to $0.15 from $(14.07) for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to same periods in 2010.

"Our business performed as we had expected this quarter. Demand for our products gained additional strength around the globe and we saw increases in net sales volumes in both the clothing and roll covers businesses,” said Stephen Light, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. "In addition, net sales from new product introductions continue to grow and now account for more than 48% of total net sales, which demonstrates very rapid customer acceptance, based on the products’ excellent performance. Net sales from new products have increased from less than 20% in 2008, when we launched our new product initiatives, and roughly 30% a year ago, as we advance toward our goal of 60% by 2012.”

SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

REPORTING UNIT INFORMATION

The following table presents net sales for the second quarter of 2011 and 2010 by reporting unit and the effect of currency on second quarter 2011 net sales (dollars in millions):

CONFERENCE CALL

The Company plans to hold a conference call to discuss these results on the following date and time:

To participate on the call, please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start. A live audio webcast and replay of the call, in addition to a slide presentation, may be found in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.xerium.com.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release includes measures of performance that differ from the Company’s financial results as reported under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP”). The Company uses supplementary non-GAAP measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, to assist in evaluating financial performance, specifically in evaluating the ability to service indebtedness and to fund ongoing capital expenditures. The Company’s credit facility includes covenants based upon Adjusted EBITDA. If Adjusted EBITDA declines below certain levels, the Company could go into default under the credit facility or be required to prepay the credit facility. Neither Adjusted EBITDA nor EBITDA should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income (loss) from operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP).

For additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such measures to the most comparable financial measures under GAAP, please see below. The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in our documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Xerium Technologies

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:XRM) is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of two types of consumable products used primarily in the production of paper-clothing and roll covers. The Company, which operates around the world under a variety of brand names, utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 31 manufacturing facilities in 14 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,400 employees.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. These risks and uncertainties include the following items: (1) our financial results could be adversely affected by fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates; (2) a sustained downturn in the paper industry, compounded by uncertainty in global economic conditions, could adversely affect our revenues and profitability; (3) market improvement in our industry may occur more slowly than we anticipate or not at all; (4) variations in demand for our products, including our new products, could negatively affect our revenues and profitability; (5) our manufacturing facilities may be required to operate at or near capacity, which could negatively affect our production facilities, customer order lead time, product quality and labor relations; (6) our plans to develop and market new products, enhance operational efficiencies, and reduce costs may not be successful; and (7) the other risks and uncertainties discussed elsewhere in this press release, our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and our subsequent SEC filings. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what we projected. Any forward-looking statement in this press release reflects our current views with respect to future events. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. As discussed above, we are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties related to current economic conditions, and we encourage investors to refer to our SEC filings for additional information. Copies of these filings are available from the SEC and in the investor relations section of our website at www.xerium.com.

Selected Financial Data Follows

NON-GAAP LIQUIDITY MEASURES

The Company uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in its new credit facility) as supplementary non-GAAP liquidity measures to assist in evaluating its liquidity and financial performance, specifically its ability to service indebtedness and to fund ongoing capital expenditures. The new credit facility includes covenants based on Adjusted EBITDA. If the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA declines below certain levels, it may violate the covenants resulting in a default condition under the credit facility or be required to prepay the credit facility. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income (loss) from operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP). The definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the new credit facility are substantially unchanged from the definitions of those terms in the Company’s prior credit facility, except that financial restructuring costs are not added back under the new credit facility.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are presented based on the new credit facility. However, Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 are presented based on the Company’s prior credit facility in place for those periods. Specifically, financial restructuring costs are not adjustments under the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the new credit facility to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA for periods beginning after the quarter ended June 30, 2011. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, as applicable, such items were added back to Adjusted EBITDA based upon the terms of the prior credit facility. Had these adjustments not been in place in 2010, Adjusted EBITDA would have decreased by $15.3 million and $24.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax provision (benefit) and depreciation (including non-cash impairment charges) and amortization.

"Adjusted EBITDA” means, with respect to any period, the total of (A) the consolidated net income for such period, plus (B) without duplication, to the extent that any of the following were deducted in computing such consolidated net income for such period: (i) provision for taxes based on income or profits, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, franchise and similar taxes, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations, (ii) consolidated interest expense, (iii) consolidated depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) reserves for inventory in connection with plant closures, (v) consolidated operational restructuring costs, (vi) non-cash charges or gains resulting from the application of purchase accounting, including push-down accounting, (vii) non-cash expenses resulting from the granting of Common Stock, stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards under equity compensation programs solely with respect to Common Stock, and cash expenses for compensation mandatorily applied to purchase Common Stock, (viii) non-cash items relating to a change in or adoption of accounting policies, (ix) non-cash expenses relating to pension or benefit arrangements, (x) expenses incurred as a result of the repurchase, redemption or retention of Common Stock earned under equity compensation programs solely in order to make withholding tax payments, (xi) amortization or write-offs of deferred financing costs, (xii) any non-cash losses resulting from mark to market hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such loss has not been realized in such period) and (xiii) other non-cash losses or charges (excluding, however, any non-cash loss or charge which represents an accrual of, or a reserve for, a cash disbursement in a future period), minus (C) without duplication, to the extent any of the following were included in computing consolidated net income for such period, (i) non-cash gains with respect to the items described in clauses (vi), (vii), (ix), (xi), (xii) and (xiii) (other than, in the case of clause (xiii), any such gain to the extent that it represents a reversal of an accrual of, or reserve for, a cash disbursement in a future period) of clause (B) above and (ii) provisions for tax benefits based on income or profits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the credit facility and calculated below, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies.

Consolidated net income is defined as net income (loss) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that the following, without duplication, shall be excluded in determining Consolidated Net Income: (i) any net after-tax extraordinary or non-recurring gains, losses or expenses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), (ii) the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, (iii) any fees and expenses incurred during such period in connection with the issuance or repayment of indebtedness, any refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument, in each case, as permitted under the new credit facility and (iv) any gains resulting from the returned surplus assets of any pension plan.

The following table provides reconciliation from net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

(1) Financial restructuring costs are not adjustments under the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the new credit facility to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA for periods beginning after the quarter ended June 30, 2011. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, as applicable, such items were added back to Adjusted EBITDA based upon the terms of the Company’s prior credit facility. Had these adjustments not been in place in 2010, Adjusted EBITDA would have decreased by $15.3 million and $24.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.

(2) In the six months ended June 30, 2010, the $14,283 was included in reorganization expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.