Spartan Motors 2003 Third-Quarter Results
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Spartan Motors Announces Improved 2003 Third-Quarter Results CHARLOTTE, Michigan, Oct. 23, 2003 - Spartan Motors, Inc. today announced results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003, highlighted by the completion of key operating initiatives, continued momentum in orders for emergency-rescue vehicles, and an improvement in motorhome chassis sales. The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom motorhome chassis, fire truck chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles said earnings per share were in line with consensus estimates. Spartan reported net earnings of $1.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, on net sales of $60.8 million for the third quarter of 2003, versus net earnings of $3.1 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, on net sales of $64.1 million for the same quarter of last year. The Company reported an operating cash flow of $6.0 million for the third quarter Third-quarter results improved from a disappointing second quarter of 2003, when the Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $0.2 million on sales of $55.1 million. "We continue to see momentum in sales and orders for emergency-rescue vehicles and saw an improvement in RV sales and chassis orders," said John Sztykiel, chief executive officer of Spartan Motors. "The overall Class A diesel RV market is growing, with the low- to mid-level diesel segment experiencing the highest percentage gain. To capitalize on this opportunity and expand our reach in the diesel pusher market, we will be unveiling a new product at the upcoming RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) show in December. "On the operational front, we have completed two key initiatives that we began in the first quarter of this year. Those initiatives were the merger of our fire apparatus manufacturers under the Crimson FireŽ brand and relocation of our Road RescueŽ ambulance operations to Marion, South Carolina. The drive behind these initiatives is clear: to become the most-desired brands and the lowest-total-cost producer in the markets where we compete. With the completion of these initiatives, we have laid a strong foundation to increase production, improve efficiency and reduce expenses without sacrificing quality or service," Sztykiel said. Third-Quarter Operating Highlights During the third quarter, consolidated sales were up 10.3 percent versus the second quarter of 2003, but down 5.1 percent compared to the third quarter of last year. Spartan said fire truck chassis sales posted a strong gain of 17.8 percent over the third quarter of 2002, partially offsetting the decline in motorhome chassis sales. The Company said third quarter motorhome chassis sales were up over the first two quarters of 2003. Consolidated gross margin climbed to 15.1 percent, versus 12.8 percent for the second quarter of 2003. For the third quarter of 2002, consolidated gross margin was 17.8 percent. Operating expenses increased 6.2 percent for the quarter year over year, but were down 4.9 percent from the second quarter. The higher operating expenses in 2003 were primarily due to the consolidation of the Road Rescue plants and the merger of Crimson Fire operations. The Company had no long-term debt as of Sept. 30, 2003, and remains focused on managing working capital and building a cash reserve. Spartan Chassis (SMC) During the third quarter, sales of motorhome chassis increased 23.3 percent from the second quarter, but were below last year's record third-quarter levels. "The Spartan brand is highly regarded in the RV market, and our task now is to sharpen our focus on reducing costs and developing new products, so we can leverage the strength of our brand to compete in the low- to mid-level market," Sztykiel said. "The overall fire truck chassis market remains strong, as communities continue to upgrade their fire trucks in the wake of 9/11 and increased funding for Homeland Security. We remain on track to sell 500 fire truck chassis this year, the most ever in a single year, as we continue to benefit from strong demand and a fragmented market," Sztykiel said. "In addition, our fire truck chassis lineup is the strongest it has ever been, and we expect it to be even stronger in 2004, as we plan to unveil two new models in the first half of the year. Spartan Chassis is committed to being the industry leader in fire truck chassis-available to all OEMs." Emergency Vehicle Team (EVTeam) Spartan Motors said sales in its EVTeam segment, comprised of Crimson Fire and Road Rescue, dropped marginally in the third quarter versus the second quarter of 2003. The decline in sales for the EVTeam reflects the transition of its Road Rescue facility from St. Paul, Minn., to Marion S.C., and the merger of its Crimson Fire unit. "Crimson Fire is progressing and will soon expand into the aerial market, which is an important step. Aerials are a significantly higher margin product, and can be likened to an SUV line for an automotive company. It is a critical part of top- and bottom-line growth, and we need to be competitive in it to stimulate overall growth of our vehicles," Sztykiel said. "We've hired Jim Salmi, a noted expert, to head up our aerial initiative. Jim was the chief engineer at Ladder Towers, Inc., the vice president of engineering and sales at Simon Ladder Towers and recently the general manager of American LaFrance Aerials before joining Crimson Fire. And we are already reaping the benefits with Crimson Fire signing up two new 'A' dealers during the third quarter, primarily because of our aerial initiative." Sztykiel continued: "The changes at Road Rescue and Crimson Fire are largely complete, and the foundation is in place. In order to maximize these investments, we need to increase our production output and step up our sales and marketing efforts. However, we have less than 20 units from our St. Paul facility that will be completed in Marion. This will affect Road Rescue's ability to be profitable in the fourth quarter, though 2004 is shaping up nicely with the backlog out over 10 months. Overall, Road Rescue has made great progress in its transition. Production of quality ambulances continues to ramp up, and the order rate remains strong, up 37.7 percent since the beginning of the year. Spartan Profit and Return (SPAR)/Backlog Spartan Motors generated $6.0 million in operating cash flow during the third quarter, a significant improvement over the $2.2 million in operating cash flow the Company generated during the second quarter of 2003. On a consolidated basis, Spartan posted a return on invested capital(1) of 9.4 percent in the third quarter of 2003, versus a negative return on invested capital of 1.6 percent in the prior quarter. Consolidated backlog was $83.8 million as of September 30, 2003 - an increase of 9.7 percent over the backlog level at June 30, 2003. The Company said the backlog increase was driven by orders for Road Rescue ambulances and motorhome chassis. "While we continue to face challenges, overall Spartan Motors is in a great position. From operations to finance, from sales and marketing to manufacturing, we are in a better position now than any time in our recent history," Sztykiel said. "I'm looking forward to unveiling our new low- to mid-level chassis for the motorhome market and launching our new aerial initiative. The emergency-rescue consolidations are behind us and we are now focused on top- and bottom-line growth." Third Quarter Earnings Web Cast Spartan Motors will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time today to discuss these results and current business trends. To listen to the call, please click on the following link or go to http://www.spartanmotors.com/webcasts.asp. A replay of the call will be available through Monday, November 10, 2003. (1) The Company defines return on invested capital by calculating operating income, less taxes, on an annualized basis, divided by total shareholders' equity. About Spartan Motors Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets. The company's brand names - SpartanŽ, Crimson FireŽ and Road RescueŽ - are known in their market niches for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. Spartan Motors employs approximately 700 at facilities in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama and South Carolina and is publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol SPAR. The statements contained in this news release include certain predictions and projections that may be considered "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the Company or management "expects," "believes" or is "confident" that a particular result "may" or "should" occur, that a particular item "bodes well," that the Company is "on track" toward a particular result, or similar statements. Accounting estimates are inherently forward-looking. These statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services and prices. Additional information about these and other factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this news release. Financial statements available at: http://ir.thomsonfn.com/InvestorRelations/PubNewsStory.aspx?partner=9882&sto ryId=97132 ### CONTACT: John Sztykiel, CEO, or Jim Knapp, CFO Spartan Motors, Inc. (517) 543-6400 or Jeff Lambert, Brian Edwards, Tim Hanson (mail@lambert-edwards.com) Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. (616) 233-0500