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STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal Second Quarter Results

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 15, 2004 -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION today reported operating results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 28, 2003.

Net sales for the Company's second quarter ended December 28, 2003 were $50.0 million, compared to net sales of $48.7 million for the second quarter ended December 29, 2002. Net income for the period was $4.6 million, compared to $4.0 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $1.21 compared to $1.05 in the prior year quarter.

For the six months ended December 28, 2003, net sales were $94.4 million compared to net sales of $96.6 million in the prior year period. Net income was $8.2 million in both six month periods and diluted earnings per share were $2.15 compared to $2.11.

Overall sales to STRATTEC's largest customers decreased slightly in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels. Sales to General Motors and Ford Motor Company decreased, with General Motors at $14.0 million compared to $15.7 million and Ford at $9.7 million compared to $10.1 million. Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. remained flat at $2.1 million, while DaimlerChrysler increased to $9.5 million compared to $8.1 million, and Delphi Corporation increased to $8.0 million compared to $7.5 million in the prior year quarter. Sales to heavy truck and other industrial customers modestly increased compared to the prior year quarter as did aftermarket sales.

Gross profit margins were 24.2 percent in the current quarter compared to 22.5 percent in the prior year quarter. The gross profit margin improvement during the current quarter was attributed primarily to our on-going manufacturing process improvement initiatives, along with a favorable Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate and product mix.

Operating expenses were $5.0 million in the current quarter, compared to $4.6 million in the prior year quarter, and $4.9 million in the first quarter.

During the current quarter, the Company repurchased 20,000 STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION shares under the Company's stock repurchase program at a cost of $1.1 million.

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION designs, develops, manufactures and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks and related access control products for North American and other global automotive manufacturers.

Certain statements contained in this release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will," and "would." Such forward- looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties in the Company's operations and business environment. These uncertainties include general economic conditions, in particular, relating to the automotive industry, consumer demand for the Company's and its customers' products, competitive and technological developments, customer purchasing actions, foreign currency fluctuations, and costs of operations. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. In addition, such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed further in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                      STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                          Results of Operations
                 (In Thousands except per share amounts)

                          Second Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended
                      December 28, December 29,  December 28, December 29,
                           2003         2002          2003           2002
                              (Unaudited)                (Unaudited)

  Net Sales              $ 50,014     $ 48,680     $ 94,434      $ 96,586

  Cost of Goods Sold       37,912       37,742       71,874        74,295

  Gross Profit             12,102       10,938       22,560        22,291

  Engineering, Selling &
   Administrative Expenses  4,983        4,571        9,901         9,182

  Income from Operations    7,119        6,367       12,659        13,109

  Interest Income              88           85          177           183

  Interest Expense              -            -            -             -

  Other Income (Expense),
   Net                        184          (45)         286          (248)

                            7,391        6,407       13,122        13,044

  Provision for Income
   Taxes                    2,772        2,371        4,921         4,827

  Net Income               $4,619       $4,036       $8,201        $8,217

  Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                     $1.23        $1.07        $2.18         $2.15
  Diluted                   $1.21        $1.05        $2.15         $2.11

  Average Basic
   Shares Outstanding       3,765        3,756        3,762         3,816

  Average Diluted
   Shares Outstanding       3,824        3,832        3,821         3,889

  Other
    Capital Expenditures   $1,926         $576       $3,022        $1,373
    Depreciation &
     Amortization          $1,942       $1,953       $3,959        $3,916

                      STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                       Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                              (In Thousands)

                                                December 28,     June 29,
                                                    2003           2003
                                                (Unaudited)
  ASSETS
    Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                     $36,332        $29,902
      Receivables, net                              28,688         31,173
      Inventories                                   10,090          7,884
      Other current assets                          10,646         12,127
        Total Current Assets                        85,756         81,086
    Deferred Income Taxes                            1,973          1,973
    Investment in Joint Venture                      1,379          1,141
    Property, Plant and Equipment, Net              32,797         33,894
                                                  $121,905       $118,094

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
      Accounts Payable                             $17,551        $13,990
      Other                                         11,995         15,819
        Total Current Liabilities                   29,546         29,809
    Accrued Pension and Post Retirement
     Obligations                                    15,251         19,190
    Shareholders' Equity                           179,453        169,953
      Less: Treasury Stock                        (102,345)      (100,858)
      Total Shareholders' Equity                    77,108         69,095
                                                  $121,905       $118,094