For the first quarter, organic sales were down 10% compared to a year ago as a result of lower volumes at Aerospace.
Earnings per share were $0.38, down 46% from last year's adjusted $0.71, so firmly exceeding the high end of our February expectation.
For the segment, orders were up 25% organically, with a book to bill of approximately 1.1 times.
Sequential orders were up 7% further exemplifying the momentum we're seeing.
And despite the semiconductor issue that's impacting automotive bills, IHS still predicts 2021 global production to be up 12% over last year.
Within the segment, our Molding Solutions business had strong orders across all brands, up 35% organically.
Our larger end markets, automotive, medical, packaging and personal care, each saw in excess of 25% orders growth, some well above that.
Book-to-bill was approximately 1.1 times.
Backlog, which is predominantly our longer cycle mold systems, grew by approximately 25% year-over-year and low double digits from the fourth quarter of 2020.
Engineered Components generated organic orders growth in excess of 25% and organic revenue growth in the low double digits.
As a result of this issue, we estimate a first quarter impact of approximately $1 million, with the second quarter impact likely to be in the range of $4 million to $5 million before recovering in the second half.
We now expect 2021 to deliver total growth of 20%, with organic growth in the mid-teens, again, better than our February expectation.
Overall, for the Industrial segment, we see 2021 organic growth in the mid-teens, with operating margins of approximately 13%.
Our Aerospace business experienced continuing impact from the pandemic as OEM sales were down 32% from the prior year and aftermarket sales were down 48%, not surprising as commercial aviation remain significantly disrupted.
We did see a second consecutive quarter of good orders and OEM book-to-bill was approximately 1.5 times.
For example, in the first few months of the year, we completed an extension of our West Chester, Ohio facility, expanding our capabilities, received supplier recognitions from Boeing and Rolls-Royce and announced a significant B-2 Bomber Exhaust System Contract award from Northrop Grumman.
Segment operating margin is anticipated to be approximately 13%.
First quarter sales were $302 million, down 9% from the prior year period with organic sales declining 10% as ongoing impacts from the pandemic offset our Aerospace end markets.
The divested Seeger business had a negative impact of 2% on sales, while FX had a positive impact of 3%.
Operating income was $32.4 million versus $49.3 million a year ago.
Compared to last year's adjusted operating income of $51.7 million, the first quarter was down 37% and operating margin of 10.7%, decreased 490 bps from last year's adjusted 15.6%.
Interest expense was $3.9 million, a decrease of $400,000 as a result of lower average borrowings, offset in part by a higher average interest rate.
For the quarter, our effective tax rate was 28.1%, lower than last year's 31.5% tax rate.
Net income was $19.4 million or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $29.7 million or $0.58 per diluted share a year ago.
On an adjusted basis, net income per share was down 46% from last year's $0.71.
Last year's first quarter adjusted net income per diluted share excluded $0.13 of Seeger divestiture adjustments.
First quarter sales were $220 million, up 10% from a year ago.
Organic sales increased 8%.
The foregone sales from the Seeger divestiture had a negative impact of 3%, while favorable FX primarily driven by the euro to US dollar exchange increased sales by 5%.
Relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, sequential sales were up 5%.
Industrial's operating profit for the first quarter was $21.3 million versus $17.9 million in the prior year period.
On an adjusted basis, which excludes $2.4 million of Seeger divestiture adjustments last year, first quarter operating income was up 5% from last year's $20.3 million.
Compared to a year ago, adjusted operating margin was down 50 bps from 10.2%.
In the first quarter, we experienced approximately $1 million of combined freight and material inflation in the Industrial segment.
For the full year, we expect an impact of about $6 million, which is built into our outlook.
Moving to Aerospace, sales were $82 million for the first quarter, down 38% from last year.
Operating profit of $11.1 million was down 65%, primarily driven by the lower sales volume.
Operating margin was 13.6%, versus a strong 23.9% a year ago.
Aerospace OEM backlog ended the quarter at $600 million, up 5% from the fourth quarter and we expect to ship 45% of this backlog over the next 12 months.
First quarter cash provided by operating activities was $36 million, a decrease of $12 million versus a year ago, free cash flow was $28 million, versus $35 million last year, and capital expenditures of $8 million were down about $4 million from a year ago.
Regarding the balance sheet, our debt-to-EBITDA ratio, as defined by our credit agreement, was 3.1 times at quarter end, essentially flat to the prior quarter result.
Our first quarter average diluted shares outstanding was 51 million shares.
We now expect organic sales to be up 10% to 12% for the year, an increase from our prior view of up 6% to 8%, driven by stronger industrial growth.
FX is expected to have a 2% favorable impact on sales, while divested revenue -- divested Seeger revenues will have a small negative impact.
Operating margin is forecasted to be approximately 13%.
EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.78 to $1.98, up 9% to 21% from 2020's adjusted earnings of $1.64, that expectation is an increase from our prior view of $1.65 to $1.90, and we expect the first half of the year to contribute approximately 43% of 2021's earnings.
Interest expense is anticipated to be approximately $16 million, while other expense is forecasted at [Phonetic] $8 million, both a bit better than our prior view.
We now expect capex to be approximately $50 million, down $5 million, average diluted shares of 51 million and cash conversion of over 100% are consistent with our prior outlook.
And lastly, we forecast a full year tax rate of approximately 30%.

Summary:
Earnings per share were $0.38, down 46% from last year's adjusted $0.71, so firmly exceeding the high end of our February expectation.
First quarter sales were $302 million, down 9% from the prior year period with organic sales declining 10% as ongoing impacts from the pandemic offset our Aerospace end markets.
Net income was $19.4 million or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $29.7 million or $0.58 per diluted share a year ago.
Compared to a year ago, adjusted operating margin was down 50 bps from 10.2%.
We now expect organic sales to be up 10% to 12% for the year, an increase from our prior view of up 6% to 8%, driven by stronger industrial growth.
EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.78 to $1.98, up 9% to 21% from 2020's adjusted earnings of $1.64, that expectation is an increase from our prior view of $1.65 to $1.90, and we expect the first half of the year to contribute approximately 43% of 2021's earnings.
We now expect capex to be approximately $50 million, down $5 million, average diluted shares of 51 million and cash conversion of over 100% are consistent with our prior outlook.