Worthington Enterprises
WOR
#4138
Rank
HK$23.50 B
Marketcap
HK$480.41
Share price
1.27%
Change (1 day)
9.22%
Change (1 year)
Text size:
1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10 - K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended May 31,1998 Commission File No. 0-4016

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
----------------------------
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE 31-1189815
- --------------------------- -------------------------------
(State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

1205 Dearborn Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43085
----------------------------------- -----
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(614) 438-3210
--------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of each class:
--------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value (95,692,509 shares outstanding at August 3, 1998)

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 (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.
[X]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant at August 3, 1998 was approximately $1,053,000,000 (computed by
reference to the closing price for such shares on such date).

Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1998 are incorporated by reference into Part I and Part II.
Portions of the definitive proxy statement furnished to shareholders of the
Registrant in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on
September 24, 1998 are incorporated by reference into Part III.
2



PART I


ITEM 1. - BUSINESS.
- --------------------

Worthington Industries, Inc. was initially incorporated in 1955.
Worthington Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is referred to
herein as the "Company." The Company's corporate headquarters are located at
1205 Dearborn Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43085.


During the fiscal year ended May 31, 1998, the Company operated three
business segments: Processed Steel Products, Custom Products and Cast Products.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company completed a strategic review
to explore options to maximize the value of its subsidiaries, Worthington Custom
Plastics, Inc. and Worthington Precision Metals, Inc., which comprise the Custom
Products segment, and Buckeye Steel Castings Company which represents the
majority of the Cast Products segment. The strategic review resulted in
decisions to divest those businesses and continue to focus on the Company's
steel processing and metal fabricating businesses, in order to maximize the
Company's strengths and opportunities. As a result of the decision to divest
these three businesses, the Custom Products and Cast Products segments of the
Company have been restated in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements as
Discontinued Operations. Accordingly, the Company's Continuing Operations
consist of only the Processed Steel Products segment and its equity in the joint
ventures discussed below.


PROCESSED STEEL PRODUCTS.
- -------------------------

The Processed Steel Products segment is made up of four lines of business.
For the years ended May 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the percentage of sales from
continuing operations generated by these four businesses was as follows: Steel
Processing 56%, 56% and 68%; Pressure Cylinders 14%, 14% and 15%; Metal Framing
21%, 21% and 8%; and Aftermarket Body Panels 9%, 9% and 9%. (The percentage for
1996 for the Metal Framing business includes its sales only from February 5,
1996, the date of its acquisition.)


STEEL PROCESSING.
- -----------------

The Company's steel processing operations are conducted through its
Worthington Steel Company operations ("Worthington Steel"). Worthington Steel
occupies a niche in the steel industry by focusing on specialized products
requiring exact specifications, which typically cannot be supplied as
efficiently by steel mills, metal service centers or steel end users.
Worthington Steel is the largest independent flat rolled steel processor in the
United States and operates eleven processing facilities, with a concentration in
the Michigan, Ohio and Indiana market, the largest flat rolled steel consuming
market in the United States. In fiscal 1997, the Company started-up its Delta,
Ohio, steel processing facility with slitting, pickling and

2
3


hot dipped galvanizing capabilities. The Company's newest steel processing
facility, located in Decatur, Alabama, started-up slitting and pickling
operations in May 1998. It is expected to start-up its cold rolling mill and its
temper mill later in calendar 1998.


Worthington Steel buys coils of wide, open tolerance steel from major
integrated steel mills and mini-mills and processes it to the precise type,
thickness, length, width, shape, temper and surface quality specified by
approximately 1,700 industrial customers, principally in the automotive,
automotive supply, appliance, electrical, communications, construction, office
furniture, office equipment, agricultural, machinery and leisure time
industries. The Company purchases and supplies steel based on the specific
orders of customers and does not typically process steel for inventory.
Worthington Steel's computer-aided processing capabilities include among others:
pickling, a chemical process using an acidic solution to remove surface oxide
which develops on hot rolled steel; slitting, which cuts steel to specific
widths; cut-to-length, which flattens the steel and cuts it to exact lengths;
roller leveling, a method of applying pressure to achieve precise flatness
tolerances for steel which is cut into exact lengths; cold reduction, which
achieves close tolerances of thickness and temper by rolling; edge rolling,
which conditions the edges of the steel by imparting round, smooth or knurled
edges; blanking, through which steel is cut into specific shapes; painting; hot
dipped galvanizing; nickel plating; nickel-zinc plating; and annealing, a
thermal process that changes the hardness and certain metallurgical
characteristics of steel.


Worthington Steel also "toll processes" steel for the steel mills and large
end users. Toll processing is similar to Worthington Steel's normal steel
processing, except the mill or end user retains the title to the steel and has
the responsibility for selling the end product. Toll processing enables the
Company to participate in the market for wide sheet steel and large standard
orders, which is a market generally served by steel mills, rather than by
intermediate steel processors.


Steel processing is highly competitive. The Company competes with many
other intermediate processors. The Company knows of no other intermediate
processor offering the same type and extent of technical service support
provided by the Company relating to material testing and application of material
to the particular needs of customers (see "Technical Services"). The Company is
unable to gauge, however, the extent to which its technical service capability
has improved its competitive position.


PRESSURE CYLINDERS.
- ------------------

Worthington Cylinder Corporation ("Worthington Cylinders") is the nation's
largest producer of portable low pressure (L.P.) gas and refrigerant cylinders,
and is a global leader in the production of portable high pressure cylinders.
Worthington Cylinders' primary low pressure cylinder products are steel
cylinders with refrigerant gas capacities of 15 to 1,000 lbs. and steel and
aluminum cylinders with L.P. gas

3
4

capacities of 4-1/4 to 420 lbs. These cylinders are designed and produced in
accordance with safety requirements prescribed by the U.S. Department of
Transportation which specify materials, design limitations, and marking,
inspection and testing procedures. Low pressure cylinders are produced by
precision stamping, deep drawing and welding of component parts to customer
specifications. They are then tested, painted and packaged as required.


The Company's refrigerant cylinders are used primarily by major refrigerant
gas producers to contain refrigerant gases for use in charging residential,
commercial, automotive and other air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Reusable steel and aluminum L.P. gas cylinders are sold to manufacturers of
barbecue grills, propane and gas grill distributors, mass merchandisers, and
manufacturers and users of material handling, heating, cooking and camping
equipment. The Company manufactures other low pressure cylinder products,
including recapture and recycling tanks for refrigerant gases, helium tanks, and
cylinders to hold other gases.


In June 1998, the Company acquired Jos. Heiser vormals J. Winter's Sohn,
Gmbh (Heiser), of Gaming, Austria, Europe's leading producer of high pressure
industrial gas cylinders. Combining Heiser with the Company's other high
pressure cylinders capabilities positions the Company as a leading global
producer of those products.


The Company's high pressure cylinders are manufactured by deep drawing,
billet piercing and hot spinning. The Company's high pressure cylinders are used
as containers for acetylene, medical, industrial, halon and electronics gases.
They are sold primarily to gas suppliers and fillers.


While a large percentage of cylinder sales are made to major accounts,
Worthington Cylinders has over 2,000 customers. It operates eight manufacturing
facilities located in Ohio, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ontario and Austria, including a
joint venture facility near Sao Paulo, Brazil.


The Company has two principal domestic competitors in its major low
pressure cylinder markets, of which management believes the Company has the
largest domestic share. The Company also has two principal domestic competitors
in its high pressure cylinder markets, both of which have a larger domestic
share than the Company. The Company believes that Heiser has the largest share
of the European industrial gas cylinder market. However, the Company otherwise
has no reliable information with respect to the size of any of its various
product markets or its relative position therein.


METAL FRAMING
- -------------

The Company's metal framing business is conducted by Dietrich Industries,
Inc. ("Dietrich") which was acquired on February 5, 1996. Dietrich is the
largest supplier of metal framing products for the commercial and residential
construction


4
5

markets in the United States. Dietrich's products include items such as steel
studs, floor joists and other metal accessory products. Its major customers
include building products distributors, commercial and residential contractors
and gypsum producers.


The Company believes that Dietrich is the only national supplier of metal
framing products and supplies approximately 35% of the metal framing products
sold in the United States. It has five large regional competitors and numerous
small, more localized competitors. Dietrich operates eighteen facilities in
thirteen states.


AUTOMOTIVE BODY PANELS.
- -----------------------


The Company's automotive body panel business is conducted by The
Gerstenslager Company ("Gerstenslager"), acquired in a pooling-of-interests
transaction in February 1997. Gerstenslager is a leading independent supplier of
Class A exterior body panels to the North American automotive original equipment
and service part markets. The Company believes Gerstenslager to be the largest
independent supplier of exposed sheet metal products for the North American
automotive aftermarket. Gerstenslager is unique in its ability to handle a very
large number of low volume aftermarket parts managing over 3,000 die sets for
component parts on past and current automobile and truck production models. The
Company's largest customers are the domestic automobile manufacturers. It also
serves transplant automobile manufacturers, heavy duty truck manufacturers and
suppliers to the automotive industry.


Gerstenslager competes with captive stamping plants owned by the automotive
companies and independent tier one suppliers of current model components;
however these stampers are generally unwilling to keep tooling for past model
service business which is low volume business. The Company has a number of
smaller competitors in this market, but believes that, excluding captive plants,
Gerstenslager has the largest share of the automotive aftermarket for exterior
body panels.


CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS
- -----------------------


The largest customer of the Processed Steel Products segment is General
Motors Corporation, purchasing through decentralized divisions and subsidiaries
and in different geographical areas. (See "Marketing and Competition"). The loss
of General Motors as a customer could have an adverse effect on the segment, but
the Company has been doing business with General Motors for many years and has
no reason to believe that the loss of this customer is likely.


The Company purchases steel in large quantities at regular intervals from
major primary producers for its steel processing, pressure cylinder, metal
framing and automotive body panel operations. During the fiscal year ended May
31, 1998, the Company's major suppliers were Rouge Industries (in which the
Company holds a minority equity position), Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Inland
Steel Company, LTV


5
6

Steel Corporation, Northstar BHP Steel, TRICO Steel, USX Corporation, WCI Steel,
Inc. and Weirton Steel Corporation. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 1998,
the Company's major suppliers of aluminum for pressure cylinders were Alumax
Aluminum Sales Corporation and Specialty Blanks Incorporated. Management
believes that its supplier relationships are good.


TECHNICAL SERVICES.
- -------------------


The Company employs a staff of engineers and other technical personnel and
maintains fully-equipped, modern laboratories to support its operations. The
facilities enable the Company to verify, analyze and document the physical,
chemical, metallurgical and mechanical properties of its raw materials and
products. Technical service personnel also work in conjunction with the sales
force to determine the types of flat rolled steel required for the particular
needs of the Company's customers. In order to provide such services, the Company
maintains a continuing program of developmental engineering with respect to the
characteristics and performance of its products under varying conditions.
Laboratory facilities are also used to perform the quality control and extensive
testing of all low pressure cylinders required by the regulations of the U. S.
Department of Transportation and associated agencies, as well as varying
customer requirements.


MARKETING AND COMPETITION.
- --------------------------


The Company's products and services are sold primarily by Company sales
personnel.


The principal methods of competition encountered by the Company are quality
of product, ability to meet delivery requirements of customers, and price.
Geographic proximity to customers has a significant effect upon relative ability
to meet customer delivery schedules and impacts the freight charge portion of
overall product price. See also the information set forth above as to
competition in the lines of business.


EMPLOYEES.
- ----------


The Company employs approximately 6,500 people in its continuing
operations, excluding unconsolidated Joint Ventures.


JOINT VENTURES
- --------------


The Company is a member in one consolidated and five unconsolidated joint
ventures.


- - Spartan Steel Coating, L.L.C., a 52% owned consolidated joint venture
with Rouge Industries, operates a cold rolled hot dipped galvanizing
facility near Monroe, Michigan. Production testing and trials began in
May 1998.

6
7

- - Worthington/Armstrong Venture ("WAVE"), a 50% owned joint venture
with Armstrong World Industries, is one of the three leading United
States manufacturers of suspended ceiling systems for concealed and
lay-in panel ceilings. WAVE operates facilities in Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Spain, France, China and England.


- - Worthington Specialty Processing, a 50% owned joint venture with USX
Corporation, operates a steel processing plant in Jackson, Michigan,
which primarily toll processes for USX Corporation.


- - Acerex S.A. de C.V., a 50% owned joint venture with Hylsa S.A. de
C.V., is a steel processing company located in Monterrey, Mexico.


- - TWB Company, L.L.C., a 33.3%-owned joint venture with Thyssen Inc.,
Rouge Industries, LTV Steel and Bethlehem Steel, is located in Monroe,
Michigan. It produces laser welded blanks for use in the auto industry
for products such as inner door frames.


- - Worthington S.A., a 52%-owned joint venture with three Brazilian
propane producers, operates a cylinder manufacturing facility near Sao
Paulo, Brazil.


See Note J of the Company's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional information on these joint ventures.


INVESTMENT IN ROUGE INDUSTRIES, INC.
- ------------------------------------


The Company also owns a minority interest (27%) in Rouge Industries, Inc.
("Rouge"), which operates an integrated steel mill located in Dearborn,
Michigan. Since Worthington acquired its equity position in 1990, Rouge has been
the Company's largest steel supplier.


In the first quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company converted certain of its
Class B common stock of Rouge into Class A common stock of Rouge, which reduced
its voting percentage in Rouge below 20% and it resigned from its two seats on
the Rouge Board of Directors. As a result, the Company's investment in Rouge no
longer qualified for the equity method of accounting and was changed to the cost
method. Under the equity method, Rouge had contributed $21.7 million to the
Company's pre-tax earnings during fiscal 1996. Under the cost method of
accounting, only dividends received by Worthington from its Rouge Common Stock
are credited to pre-tax earnings.


In March 1997, the Company issued 5,999,600 DECS SM (Debt Exchangeable for
Common Stock SM). Under the DECS, the Company issued $93 million principal
amount of 7-1/4% exchangeable notes due March 1, 2000. At maturity of the Notes,
the principal amount of each DECS will be mandatorily exchanged by

7
8

Worthington into shares of Rouge Class A Common Stock at the Company's option,
cash equivalent for all or part thereof. The Company's current Rouge
stockholdings are sufficient to settle the DECS liability and the Company
intends to settle the liability with those holdings.


DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS.
- ------------------------


CUSTOM PLASTICS. Worthington Custom Plastics manufactures and supplies
injection molded plastic parts to automobile manufacturers and their suppliers,
and to manufacturers of appliances, lawn and garden products, recreational
products, business equipment, audio equipment, furniture and other items.
Worthington Custom Plastics operates nine plants located in Ohio, Kentucky,
North Carolina and South Carolina.


PRECISION METALS. Worthington Precision Metals produces extremely close
tolerance metal components for use by automobile manufacturers and their
suppliers in power steering, transmission, anti-lock brake and other automotive
mechanical systems. This business operates two facilities located in Ohio and
Tennessee.


STEEL CASTINGS. Buckeye Steel Castings designs, produces and machines a
broad line of railcar and industrial steel castings. Buckeye is also North
America's leading designer and producer of undercarriages for mass transit cars.
Buckeye's facility in Columbus, Ohio is the largest single site steel foundry in
the United States.


ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION.
- -------------------------


The Company's manufacturing facilities, generally in common with those of
similar industries making similar products, are subject to many federal, state
and local requirements relating to the protection of the environment. The
Company continually examines ways to reduce emissions and waste and to effect
cost savings related to environmental compliance. Management does not anticipate
that capital expenditures for environmental control facilities required in order
to meet environmental requirements will be material when compared with the
Company's overall capital expenditures.


ITEM 2. - PROPERTIES.
- ---------------------


The Company's corporate offices are located in Columbus, Ohio. Its
principal properties for continuing operations consist of 38 manufacturing
facilities, excluding those of unconsolidated joint ventures. These facilities
are well maintained and in good operating condition. These facilities contain in
excess of 9,000,000 sq. ft. in the aggregate and are adequate to meet the
Company's present needs.

8
9

The locations of these facilities are set forth on page 29 of the Company's
Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended May 31, 1998, which information
is incorporated herein by reference.


See Item 1 under the heading "Joint Ventures" for the location of the
Company's joint venture facilities.


ITEM 3. - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
- ----------------------------


Not Applicable.


ITEM 4. - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------


Not Applicable.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
- -------------------------------------


The following table lists the names, positions held, and ages of all the
executive officers of the Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRESENT OFFICE
NAME AGE POSITIONS WITH THE COMPANY HELD SINCE
---- --- --------------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John H. McConnell 75 Chairman Emeritus, Founder 1996
John P. McConnell 44 Chairman, Chief Executive 1996
Officer
Donal H. Malenick 59 President, Chief Operating 1976
Officer
Charles D. Minor 71 Secretary 1955
William S. Dietrich 60 Chairman - Dietrich Industries 1998
Inc., a subsidiary of the
Company
Edward A. Ferkany 61 Executive Vice President 1998
Ralph V. Roberts 51 Group President-Steel 1998
Processing
Robert J. Borel 55 Vice President-Engineering 1985
Mark H. Stier 51 Vice President-Human Resources 1997
Thomas L. Hockman 53 Vice President-Personnel 1993
Dale T. Brinkman 45 General Counsel & Asst. 1982
Secretary
John T. Baldwin 41 Treasurer 1997
Michael R. Sayre 41 Corporate Controller 1993
</TABLE>


9
10

The principal employment of Donal H. Malenick, Robert J. Borel, Dale T.
Brinkman and Thomas L. Hockman for more than the last five years has been in
their present capacity with the Company.


John H. McConnell was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from its founding in 1955 until he retired from the position of
Chief Executive Officer in 1993 and as Chairman in 1996, when he assumed the
title of Chairman Emeritus and Founder.


John P. McConnell was elected Vice Chairman of the Company in June 1992,
Chief Executive Officer as of June, 1993, and Chairman of the Board in September
1996. Previously, Mr. McConnell held various positions with the Company.


Charles D. Minor was a partner in the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and
Pease LLP, counsel to the Company, for more than five years prior to January
1993. In January 1993, he became counsel to that firm.


William S. Dietrich was President of Dietrich for more than five years
prior to January 1998 when he was named Chairman of Dietrich.


Edward A. Ferkany was named Executive Vice President in June 1998. For more
than five years prior to June 1998, he was Vice President-Steel Processing.


Ralph V. Roberts served as President of WAVE from its formation in June
1992 until he became Vice President - Corporate Development in June 1997. He was
named Group President - Steel Processing in June 1998. Prior to 1992 he served
in various positions with the Company including Vice President-General Manager
of two of the Company's steel processing facilities.


Mark H. Stier was Vice President - General Manager of the Company's
subsidiary, The Worthington Steel Company, Porter, Indiana, for more than ten
years prior to August 1997, when he became Vice President-Corporate Human
Resources of the Company. Prior to that time, he had served in various
capacities with the Company.


John T. Baldwin became Treasurer of the Company in September 1997. For more
than five years prior thereto, he was Assistant Treasurer of Tenneco, Inc.


Michael R. Sayre became Corporate Controller of the Company in February
1996. For more than three years prior to 1996, he had served in various
financial and accounting positions with the Company.


Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the directors. John H.
McConnell is the father of John P. McConnell. There are no other family
relationships among the executive officers of the Company. No arrangements or
understandings exist pursuant to which any person has been, or is to be,
selected as an officer.

10
11


PART II


ITEM 5. - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
MATTERS.
- --------


The information called for by this Item 5 is incorporated by reference
herein from the information set forth under the caption "Stock Trading, Price
and Dividend Information" on page 3 of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders.


ITEM 6. - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
- ----------------------------------


The information called for by this Item 6 is incorporated by reference
herein from the information on page 4 of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders under the caption "Five Year Selected Financial Data" under the
headings "Financial Results" and "Financial Position."


ITEM 7. - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
- ----------------------


The information called for by this Item 7 is incorporated by reference
herein from the information set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on pages 5
through 9 of the Company's 1998
Annual Report to Shareholders.


ITEM 7A. - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------


Not applicable.


ITEM 8. - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
- ------------------------------------------------------


The consolidated financial statements of Worthington Industries, Inc. and
Subsidiaries and Report of Independent Auditors, set forth on pages 10 through
28 of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein
by reference.


Consolidated Balance Sheets--May 31, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Earnings--Years ended May 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity--Years ended May 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--Years ended May 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Auditors

11
12


ITEM 9. - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
- ---------------------


Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
- --------------------------------------------------------------


In accordance with General Instruction G(3), the information required by
this Item 10 is incorporated by reference herein from the material under the
heading "Election of Directors" contained on pages 2 through 5 of the Company's
Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
September 24, 1998. The information regarding Executive Officers required by
Item 401 of Regulation S-K is included in Part I hereof under an appropriate
caption. No disclosure is required to be made under Item 405 of Regulation S-K.


ITEM 11. - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
- ----------------------------------


In accordance with General Instruction G(3), the information required by
this Item 11 is incorporated by reference herein from the information contained
in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
under the heading "Election of Directors - Compensation of Directors" on page 5,
and under the heading "Executive Compensation" - "Summary of Cash and Certain
Other Compensation" on pages 35 and 36, "Option Grants" on page 36, "Option
Exercises and Holdings" on page 36 and Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards on page
37.


ITEM 12. - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------


In accordance with General Instruction G(3), the information required by
this Item 12 is incorporated by reference herein from the material under the
headings "Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof - Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners" contained on page 2 and "Election of Directors"
contained on pages 3 and 4 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.


ITEM 13. - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
- ----------------------------------------------------------


In accordance with General Instruction G(3), the information required by
this Item 13 is incorporated by reference herein from the second paragraph after
footnote 7 to the table under the heading "Election of Directors" contained on
page 4 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.


12
13

PART IV

ITEM 14. - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


(a)(1) and (2) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a
separate section of this report--See List of Financial Statements
and Financial Statement Schedules on page F-1 of this
report.


(3) Listing of Exhibits--See Index to Exhibits beginning on page E-1
of this report. The index to exhibits specifically identifies
each management contract or compensatory plan required to be
filed as an Exhibit to this Form 10-K.

(b) None.

(c) Exhibits filed with this report are attached hereto.

(d) Financial Statement Schedules--The response to this portion of
Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report--See
List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
on Page F-1.


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.


WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.

Date: August 27, 1998 By:/s/ Donal H. Malenick
----------------------
Donal H. Malenick
President


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.



SIGNATURE DATE TITLE
--------- ---- -----


* * Director, Chairman and
- ------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
John P. McConnell

* * Director, Chairman Emeritus
- ------------------------- and Founder
John H. McConnell


13
14



/s/Donal H. Malenick * Director, President and
- -------------------------- Chief Operating Officer
Donal H. Malenick


* * Treasurer
- --------------------------
John T. Baldwin

* * Corporate Controller
- --------------------------
Michael R. Sayre

* * Director, Secretary
- --------------------------
Charles D. Minor

* * Director
- --------------------------
William S. Dietrich

* * Director
- --------------------------
John B. Blystone

* * Director
- --------------------------
Charles R. Carson

* * Director
- -------------------------
John F. Havens

* * Director
- --------------------------
Peter Karmanos, Jr.

* * Director
- --------------------------
Pete A. Klisares

* * Director
- --------------------------
Katherine S. LeVeque

* * Director
- --------------------------
Robert B. McCurry

* * Director
- --------------------------
Gerald B. Mitchell

* * Director
- --------------------------
James Petropoulos



*By: /s/Donal H. Malenick Date: 8/27/98
-----------------------
Donal H. Malenick
Attorney-In-Fact


14
15



ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
ITEM 14 (a) (1) AND (2) AND ITEM 14 (d)
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES


The following consolidated financial statements of Worthington Industries,
Inc., and Subsidiaries, which are set forth on pages 10 through 27 of the
Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, are incorporated by reference
in Item 8:

Consolidated Balance Sheets -- May 31, 1998 and 1997

Consolidated Statements of Earnings -- Years ended May 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity -- Years ended May 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years ended May 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Auditors

The following consolidated financial statement schedules of Worthington
Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries are included in Item 14 (d):


Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.


F-1
16






SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COL. A COL.B COL.C COL.D COL.E
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
-----------------------------------
Balance (1) (2) Balance at
DESCRIPTION at Beginning Charged to Cost Charged to Other Deductions End of
of Period and Expenses Accounts - Describe -Describe Period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended May 31, 1998:

Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for possible
losses on trade accounts
receivable $3,900,000 $1,098,713 $0 $868,713 (A) $4,130,000
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========


Year Ended May 31, 1997:

Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for possible
losses on trade accounts
receivable $2,792,000 $947,368 $300,000 (C) $139,368 (A) $3,900,000
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========


Year Ended May 31, 1996:

Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for possible
losses on trade accounts
receivable $2,411,000 $355,199 $750,000 (B) $724,199 (A) $2,792,000
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>


Note A - Uncollectible accounts charged to the allowance.
Note B - Amount from Dietrich acquisition.
Note C - Amount from PMI acquisition.
17

INDEX TO EXHIBITS



<TABLE>
<S> <C>

3(a) Certificate of Incorporation of Incorporated herein by reference to
Worthington Industries, Inc. Exhibit 3 of the Registrant's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the Quarter ended August 31, 1993


3(b) Bylaws of Worthington Industries, Incorporated herein by reference to
Inc. Exhibit 3(b) of the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1992



4(a) Form of Indenture dated as of May Incorporated herein by reference to
15, 1996 between the Company and Exhibit 4(a) of the Registrant's
PNC Bank, Ohio, National Annual Report on Form 10-K for
Association, as Trustee, relating fiscal year ended May 31, 1997
to up to $450,000,000 of debt
securities



4(b) Form of 7-1/8% Notes due 2007 Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4(b) of the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended May 31, 1997

4(c) First Supplemental Indenture dated Incorporated herein by reference to
as of February 27, 1997 between Exhibit 4(c) of Annual Report on
the Company and PNC Bank as Form 10-K for fiscal year ended
Trustee May 31, 1997



4(d) 7-1/4% Exchangable Note Due March Incorporated herein by reference to
1, 2000 Exhibit 4(d) of the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended May 31, 1997




4(e) Revolving Credit Agreement dated Incorporated herein by reference to
as of May 30, 1997 between the Exhibit 4(e) of Annual Report on
Company and The Bank of Nova Form 10-K for fiscal year ended
Scotia, PNC Bank, Ohio, National May 31, 1997
Association, NationsBank, NA,
Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A.,
ABN Amro Bank NV and Bank One, NA
</TABLE>


E-1
18

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
4(f) Form of 6.7% Notes due 2009

4(g) Second Supplemental Indenture
dated as of December 12,1997
between Worthington Industries,
Inc. and PNC Bank, Ohio, National
Association, as Trustee

4(h) Agreement to furnish instruments
defining rights of holders of
long-term debt

10(a) Amended 1980 Stock Option Plan, as Incorporated herein by reference to
amended* Annex B to the Prospectus filed as
part of Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
No. 2-80094)



10(b) 1990 Stock Option Plan* Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10(d) of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1991


10(b) 1990 Stock Option Plan* Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10(d) of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1991

10(c) Executive Deferred Compensation Incorporated herein by reference to
Plan* Exhibit 10(e) of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1984


10(d) Deferred Compensation Plan for Incorporated herein by reference to
Directors* Exhibit 10(f) of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1984



10(e) 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan* Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10(e) of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1997

13 Annual Report to
Shareholders

21 Subsidiaries of the Company
</TABLE>


E-2
19

23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

24 Powers of Attorney

27 Financial Data Schedule

*Management Compensation Plan


E-3