UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) January 23, 2009

 

 

WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

1-13782		25-1615902
(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1001 Airbrake Avenue
Wilmerding, Pennsylvania		15148
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(412) 825-1000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

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Item 8.01.

Other Events.

On January 23, 2009, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release that affirmed its 2008 guidance for revenue growth of 13-15% and earnings per diluted share of $2.66-$2.70. The Company also issued 2009 earnings per diluted share guidance of $2.45-$2.75, with revenues expected to be flat to slightly down. A copy of the press release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and the first two paragraphs discussing 2008 and 2009 guidance are incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits.

The following exhibit is filed with this report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release dated January 23, 2009.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: January 27, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number		Description		Method of Filing
99.1		Press release dated January 23, 2009.		Filed herewith.

Exhibit 99.1

Wabtec Affirms 2008 Guidance;

Issues 2009 EPS Guidance of $2.45-$2.75

WILMERDING, PA, January 23, 2009 – Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) today affirmed its 2008 guidance for revenue growth of 13-15 percent and earnings per diluted share of $2.66-$2.70. The company plans to report 2008 results on Feb. 24 before the market opens and has scheduled a conference call with analysts and investors at 10 a.m. the same day. To listen to the call via webcast, please go to www.wabtec.com and click on the “Investor Relations” and “Webcasts” tabs of the site. An audio replay will also be available by calling 412-317-0088 (passcode: 466#).

Also today, Wabtec issued 2009 earnings per diluted share guidance of $2.45-$2.75, with revenues expected to be flat to slightly down. Wabtec had not previously issued 2009 guidance.

“We will finish 2008 as expected, capping another year of strong earnings growth,” said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer. “Through our strategic planning efforts in recent years, we have succeeded in developing a more diverse business model, and our strong balance sheet gives us the ability to continue to invest in growth opportunities. In 2009 we expect that revenues from recent acquisitions, a good transit market and other growth initiatives will be offset by a decline in the U.S. railcar build, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, lower materials surcharges and current economic conditions around the world.

“As we work hard to achieve our goals this year, we will remain focused on executing our long-term growth strategies and using the Wabtec Performance System to increase quality and efficiency, and to reduce costs. With our strong balance sheet and diversified business model, we are optimistic about Wabtec’s long-term growth opportunities around the world.”

Wabtec Corporation is a global provider of value-added, technology-based products and services for the rail industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. The company also builds new switcher and commuter locomotives, and provides aftermarket services. Wabtec has facilities located throughout the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including comments regarding the company’s earnings expectations for 2008, 2009 and beyond. Wabtec’s actual results could differ materially from the results suggested in these statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to these material differences include, but are not limited to, a further slowdown in the worldwide economy; a continued decrease in North American freight rail traffic; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and other factors contained in the company’s regulatory filings, which are herein incorporated by reference. The company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or advise of changes in the assumptions on which they were based.