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Bandag, Incorporated Reports 3rd Quarter EPS of $1.03

Flash Results Bandag, Inc.

(Numbers in Millions, Except Per Share Data)

Q3 2003 Q3 2002 9 Mos. 2003 9 Mos. 2002

Net Sales $211.4 $245.9 $590.7 $669.5 Income before cumulative effect of accounting change $20.0 $19.6 $31.1 $32.5* Diluted EPS before cumulative effect of accounting change $1.03 $1.02 $1.61 $1.62* Shares Outstanding -- diluted 19.4 19.2 19.3 20.1

*A cumulative effect of accounting change of $47.3 million net of income tax, or $2.35 per diluted share, was recorded in the first quarter of 2002 in accordance with SFAS 142.

MUSCATINE, Iowa, Oct. 16 -- Bandag, Incorporated today reported consolidated net income of $20.0 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for third quarter 2003, compared to third quarter 2002 consolidated net income of $19.6 million, or $1.02 per diluted share. Consolidated net sales for third quarter 2003 were $211.4 million, a decline of 14%, compared to consolidated net sales of $245.9 million in the prior year period. The decline was largely attributable to lower sales at Bandag's distribution subsidiary, Tire Distribution Systems, Inc. (TDS), primarily due to the 2002 and 2003 divestitures and closures.

For the first nine months of 2003, Bandag reported consolidated net income of $31.1 million, or $1.61 per diluted share. This compares to a consolidated net loss of $14.7 million, or $0.73 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2002, which included the write-off of goodwill of $47.3 million net of income tax, or $2.35 per diluted share, related to the adoption of SFAS 142 as of January 1, 2002. Results for the first nine months of 2003 were impacted by approximately $0.8 million ($0.5 million after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) in net charges related to TDS for divestitures and real estate impairment charges. In comparison, results for the first nine months of 2002 were reduced by charges of approximately $10.7 million ($6.7 million after tax, or $0.33 per diluted share) related to litigation expense and $2.2 million ($1.4 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share) related to converting SystemBandag users to the RoadWare(TM) software system. Consolidated net sales for the first nine months of 2003 decreased by 12% to $590.7 million from consolidated net sales of $669.5 million in the prior year period.

In announcing third quarter results, Martin G. Carver, Bandag's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Overall, third quarter net income showed improvement compared to the first six months of the year. Although the North America business unit volume was 4% below the previous year, the U.S. economy appears to be improving and we are cautiously optimistic we will begin to see sustainable sales improvement at the business unit level in the months ahead. Bandag experienced a small unit volume decrease in European markets, which remained soft. Unit volumes in the International markets experienced greater declines due in large part to difficult business climates in those areas."

Reviewing the performance of TDS, Mr. Carver said, "TDS' results were gratifying, with improvement in both sales and operating margins after eliminating sales affected by divestitures and closings. We are pleased that our independent dealers who acquired TDS locations are having success in integrating those operations into their businesses."

Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of the year, Mr. Carver said, "To say that we're confident of an economic rebound in the U.S. for the remainder of the year may overstate the case, given that there are many mixed signals coming from the marketplace. Nonetheless, we are hopeful that positive indicators will lead to sustained improvement in the business climate, attesting to the arrival of economic recovery."

  Financial Highlights
  -- Consolidated net sales for third quarter 2003 were $211.4 million,
     compared to consolidated net sales of $245.9 million in third quarter
     2002, a decline of 14%.  Affecting the decline were several factors:

    -- North America business unit volume was 4% below the previous year due
       to freight traffic that continued to be flat for most of the quarter,
       which adversely affected replacement tire purchasing decisions.
    -- Unit volume in the European business unit decreased by 2% and unit
       volume in the International business unit decreased by 14%.
    -- The weaker U.S. dollar had a favorable impact of $4.8 million on
       consolidated net sales when translating foreign currency denominated
       results to U.S. dollars.
    -- TDS divestitures contributed to the decline in sales, which was
       partially offset by lower inter-company sales eliminations.  TDS
       third quarter 2003 sales declined 42% to $60.1 million primarily due
       to 2002 and 2003 divestitures and closures.  These divested or closed
       locations had sales of approximately $48.8 million in the third
       quarter of 2002.  Locations that were divested or closed in 2003
       contributed $1.7 million to third quarter 2003 sales.
  -- Operating and other expenses were reduced by 14% to $53.0 million from
     $61.9 million in the prior year period, primarily due to TDS
     divestitures.
  -- Net foreign exchange income of $1.3 million in third quarter 2003 was
     comparable to the net foreign exchange income of $1.0 million in the
     third quarter of 2002.
  -- During third quarter 2003, the North America business unit's operating
     profit declined by 10%, or $3.1 million, from third quarter 2002,
     primarily due to lower volume, higher raw material costs and an
     increase in fleet subsidy.
  -- Operating income for the European and International business units in
     third quarter 2003 was generally comparable to the previous year,
     despite decreases in unit volume.
  -- During third quarter 2003, TDS recorded a profit of $1.9 million, which
     included a $0.5 million net gain on divestitures.  This compares to an
     operating loss of $1.0 million in third quarter 2002, which included a
     $0.3 million loss on divestitures.

Bandag, Incorporated manufactures retreading materials and equipment for its worldwide network of more than 1,100 franchised dealers that produce and market retread tires and provide tire management services. Bandag's traditional business serves end-users through a wide variety of products offered by dealers, ranging from tire retreading and repairing to tire management systems outsourcing for commercial truck fleets. TDS a wholly-owned subsidiary, sells and services new and retread tires.

                           Bandag, Incorporated
                      Unaudited Financial Highlights
                  (In thousands, except per share data)

  Consolidated               Third Quarter                Nine Months
   Statements             Ended September 30,         Ended September 30,
   of Earnings            2003           2002           2003        2002

  Net sales             $211,390      $245,902       $590,746    $669,542
  Interest income          1,298           966          3,506       3,683
  Other income             1,624         1,581          5,159       4,816
    Total income         214,312       248,449        599,411     678,041

  Cost of products sold  129,791       153,547        374,657     419,714
  Operating & other
   expenses               52,993        61,917        174,829     201,372
  Interest expense           527         1,829          1,737       5,341
  Total expenses         183,311       217,293        551,223     626,427
  Income before income
   taxes and cumulative
   effect of
   accounting change      31,001        31,156         48,188      51,614
  Income taxes            11,006        11,528         17,107      19,097
  Income before
   cumulative effect
   of accounting change   19,995        19,628         31,081      32,517
  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change
   (net of income tax
   benefit of $3,704)          -             -              -     (47,260)
    Net income (loss)    $19,995       $19,628        $31,081    $(14,743)

  Basic earnings (loss)
   per share
    Income before
     cumulative effect
     of accounting change  $1.04         $1.03          $1.62       $1.63
    Cumulative effect of
     accounting change         -             -              -       (2.37)
      Net income (loss)    $1.04         $1.03          $1.62      $(0.74)

  Diluted earnings (loss)
   per share
    Income before
     cumulative effect
     of accounting change  $1.03         $1.02          $1.61       $1.62
    Cumulative effect of
     accounting change         -             -              -       (2.35)
       Net income (loss)   $1.03         $1.02          $1.61      $(0.73)

  Weighted average
   shares outstanding
      Basic               19,175        19,091         19,150      19,972
      Diluted             19,378        19,237         19,342      20,141

                                 Third Quarter             Nine Months
                              Ended September 30,      Ended September 30,
  Segment Information          2003         2002        2003        2002

  Net Sales

  North America             $109,986     $103,053    $278,559    $272,931
  Europe                      17,845       16,883      54,661      44,251
  International               23,454       22,000      67,080      68,673
  TDS                         60,105      103,966     190,446     283,687
    Total net sales         $211,390     $245,902    $590,746    $669,542

  Segment Operating Profit (Loss)

  North America              $27,000      $30,082     $47,295     $66,016
  Europe                        (147)         360         564         549
  International                3,714        3,514       9,814       9,676
  TDS                          1,867         (959)     (4,615)     (8,369)
  Corporate expenses
   & other                    (2,204)        (978)     (6,639)    (14,600)
  Net interest (expense)
   income                        771         (863)      1,769      (1,658)
  Income before income
   taxes and cumulative
   effect of
   accounting change         $31,001      $31,156     $48,188     $51,614

                           Bandag, Incorporated
                      Unaudited Financial Highlights
                              (In thousands)

  Condensed Consolidated                      September 30,       Dec. 31,
   Balance Sheets                                  2003             2002
  Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                     $179,339         $129,412
  Investments                                      9,416           14,261
  Accounts receivable - net                      156,375          154,484
  Inventories                                     64,355           59,447
  Other current assets                            56,122           76,453
    Total current assets                         465,607          434,057

  Property, plant, and
   equipment - net                               109,546          116,698
  Other assets                                    69,570           67,072
    Total assets                                $644,723         $617,827

  Liabilities & shareholders' equity:
  Accounts payable                               $24,507          $26,813
  Income taxes payable                            24,831           19,883
  Accrued liabilities                             93,130           93,459
  Short-term notes payable
   and current portion
   of other obligations                            7,434            7,706
    Total current liabilities                    149,902          147,861

  Long-term debt and other
   obligations                                    45,335           45,373
  Deferred income tax liabilities                      -                -
  Shareholders' equity
    Common stock                                  19,251           19,152
    Additional paid-in capital                    16,859           13,034
    Retained earnings                            454,692          442,251
    Equity adjustment from
     foreign currency translation                (41,316)         (49,844)
      Total shareholders' equity                 449,486          424,593
      Total liabilities &
       shareholders' equity                     $644,723         $617,827

                                                        Nine Months
  Condensed Consolidated                            Ended September 30,
   Statements of Cash Flows                       2003              2002
  Operating Activities
    Net income (loss)                            $31,081         $(14,743)
    Cumulative effect of
     accounting change                                 -           50,964
    Provisions for depreciation
     and amortization                             20,295           23,756
    Decrease in operating assets
     and liabilities - net                           858           36,050
      Net cash provided by
       operating activities                       52,234           96,027
  Investing Activities
    Additions to property,
     plant and equipment                         (11,319)         (12,618)
    Purchases of investments - net                 4,845           (2,357)
    Payments for acquisitions of
     businesses                                        -           (1,951)
    Proceeds from divestiture of
     businesses                                   21,449            3,379
      Net cash provided by (used in)
       investing activities                       14,975          (13,547)
  Financing Activities
    Principal payments on
     short-term notes payable
     and other long-term
     liabilities                                     (36)            (169)
    Cash dividends                               (18,435)         (19,520)
    Purchases of Common Stock                       (184)         (40,313)
      Net cash used in financing
       activities                                (18,655)         (60,002)
  Effect of exchange rate
   changes on cash and
   cash equivalents                                1,373             (272)
      Increase in cash and cash
       equivalents                                49,927           22,206
  Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of year                             129,412          145,625
      Cash and cash equivalents at
       end of period                            $179,339         $167,831