Oct. 29--Despite third quarter drops in sales, earnings and income compared to 2008, Wormleysburg-based industrial services company Harsco Corp. said it is begining to see signs of an improved global economy.

Third quarter earnings per share were 40 cents, compared to a record 99 cents last year and 52 cents in the second quarter.

Included in that figure is a one-time 11 cents per share non-cash charge related to the improper revenue recording by an overseas business in the company's Metals division.

Without that charge, earnings per share from continuing operations hit 51 cents -- better than both company and first call expectations.

Company spokesman Ken Julian said the situation occurred over a three-year period and was related to a single individual who was not recording revenue correctly in order to make it appear that single business was performing better than it was.

Julian said the situation has been dealt with internally and the company believes it is an isolated incident.

On the plus side, Julian said Harsco is seeing encouraging signs the worldwide economy may be turning around.

Global steel production has begun a moderate increase, he said. Also, the dollar has begun to weaken against other currencies -- a key factor in earnings from the worldwide company.

In the third quarter alone, the company said, it lost $53 million in sales due to currency translation.

The company also continues to strategically enter emerging markets, Julian said. Recent contracts include a joint venture with a large Chinese construction company.

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