AKRON, Ohio – Myers Industries has announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.
    
Net sales in the first quarter of 2014 decreased 2.9 percent to $208.8 million compared to $215 million in the first quarter of 2013. The gross profit margin as adjusted was 26.8 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 27.2 percent in the first quarter of 2013. Adjusted net income per diluted share was 16 cents in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 24 cents in the first quarter of 2013.
 
President and CEO John Orr said, “Extremely poor weather conditions and transportation issues during most of the first quarter negatively impacted sales by approximately $9.6 million and net income by approximately $2.5 million or 7 cents per share. We lost multiple selling and production days, particularly in January and February, with our Lawn and Garden Segment being the most impacted. Despite this difficult start to the year, the Material Handling Segment performed well and we were encouraged by our performance in March. We continue to anticipate that our full year 2014 results will show another year of improved earnings."
 
Driven by productivity improvements, cost savings and benefits from the Lawn and Garden Segment’s restructuring initiatives, the company anticipates that full year adjusted earnings (excluding restructuring and other unusual pre-tax charges) will increase year-over-year.