Columbus, Ohio-based diversified metals manufacturer Worthington Industries reported Thursday net earnings of $51.9 million in fiscal Q4 on net sales of $675.7 million. Earnings were up $18 million compared to fiscal Q4 2011. For the full fiscal year ended May 31, 2011, Worthington posted net earnings of $115.1 million, as sales were up 26 percent from the prior year to $2.4 billion.
Higher sales in Worthington's steel processing segment helped to curb the effect of a significant decline in sales volumes for Worthington's metal framing sector. Net sales in metal framing totaled $6.6 million in fiscal Q4, and were down 92 percent or $80.5 million. On the other hand, steel processing's net sales of $431.7 million were up 23 percent or $82.1 million over Q4 2010.