Graham Corporation Doubles Quarterly Cash Dividend and Announces Stock Repurchase Program

BATAVIA, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Graham Corporation (NYSE:GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical, power and defense industries, announced today that its Board of Directors has: (i) declared a 100% increase in the Company's regular quarterly dividend; and (ii) authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $18 million.

The quarterly dividend has been doubled to $0.08 per share from $0.04 per share. The annual dividend rate has accordingly been increased to $0.32 per share. This is the third consecutive year that Graham has increased its dividend. 

James R. Lines, Graham's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I believe that this third consecutive dividend increase and the stock repurchase program are indicative of Graham's strong cash generation capabilities as well as a statement of the Board's confidence in the long-term outlook for our Company. Because of our strong balance sheet and expectations of continued solid performance, we expect to be able to retain the financial flexibility to fund acquisitions and invest in organic growth while providing a meaningful return of capital to our shareholders."

The announced quarterly dividend is payable on March 4, 2015 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 2015.  

Under the stock repurchase program, the Company intends to repurchase shares of its common stock within certain defined parameters, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, block transactions, or other techniques, as determined by the Company's management and in accordance with prevailing market conditions and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board's authorization is open-ended and does not establish a timeframe for any purchases made under the program. The Company is not obligated to acquire a particular number of shares, and the program may be discontinued at any time at the Company's discretion. 

Graham currently has approximately 10.1 million shares of its common stock outstanding. 

ABOUT GRAHAM CORPORATION

With world-renowned engineering expertise in vacuum and heat transfer technology, Graham Corporation is a global designer, manufacturer and supplier of custom-engineered ejectors, pumps, condensers, vacuum systems and heat exchangers. For nearly 80 years, Graham has built a reputation for top quality, reliable products and high-standards of customer service. Sold either as components or complete system solutions, the principal markets for Graham's equipment are energy, including oil and gas refining and nuclear and other power generation, chemical/petrochemical and other process industries. In addition, Graham's equipment can be found in diverse applications, such as metal refining, pulp and paper processing, shipbuilding, water heating, refrigeration, desalination, food processing, pharmaceutical, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and in nuclear power installations, both inside the reactor vessel and outside the containment vessel. 

Graham Corporation's subsidiary Energy Steel & Supply Co. is a leading code fabrication and specialty machining company dedicated exclusively to the nuclear power industry.

Graham Corporation's reach spans the globe. Its equipment is installed in facilities from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Graham routinely posts news and other important information on its website, www.graham-mfg.com, where additional comprehensive information on Graham Corporation and its subsidiaries can be found.

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as "expects," "estimates," "projects," "typically," "anticipates," "believes," "appears," "could," "opportunities," seeking," "plans," and other similar words. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that Graham Corporation expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to, the expected performance of Energy Steel & Supply Co, expected expansion and growth opportunities within the domestic and international markets, anticipated revenue, the timing of conversion of backlog to sales, market presence, profit margins, tax rates, foreign sales operations, its ability to improve cost competitiveness, customer preferences, changes in market conditions in the industries in which it operates, changes in general economic conditions and customer behavior, forecasts regarding the timing and scope of the economic recovery in its markets, and its acquisition and growth strategy are forward-looking statements. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Graham Corporation's most recent Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, included under the heading entitled "Risk Factors." 

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of Graham Corporation's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on Graham Corporation's forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Graham Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

CONTACT: For more information contact:
         Jeffrey F. Glajch
         Vice President - Finance and CFO
         Phone: (585) 343-2216
         Email:  jglajch@graham-mfg.com

         Deborah K. Pawlowski / Karen L. Howard
         Kei Advisors LLC
         Phone:  (716) 843-3908 / (716) 843-3942
         Email:  dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com / khoward@keiadvisors.com

Released January 29, 2015