Modine Reports a 14% Improvement in Sales and a 28% Increase in Earnings for the Third Quarter
RACINE, Wis.--Jan. 2, 20041, 2004--Modine Manufacturing Company today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended December 26, 2003. Sales for the third quarter were $310.8 million, a record for the Company, representing an increase of over 14% from the $271.8 million in sales for the same period a year ago. Net earnings increased 28% to $12.3 million, or $0.36 per fully diluted share, compared with $9.6 million, or $0.29 per fully diluted share reported a year ago. "As discussed in prior releases, we expected positive second half sales and earnings growth on the strength of new business programs. Our strong third quarter results are consistent with our expectations, and we continue to be on target to deliver improved top line and bottom line performance for the full year," said David B. Rayburn, Modine's President and Chief Executive Officer.Net favorable currency exchange rates, primarily the stronger Euro, added approximately $17.5 million to third quarter sales. Included in the third quarter, on a pre-tax basis, are net favorable currency translation benefits of approximately $1.9 million and the recognition of about $0.7 million in royalty income that was in arrears, offset by expenses of $2.2 million as a result of an agreement reached with a European Original Equipment customer associated with a product performance issue and approximately $1.0 million in warranty costs relating to a North American Original Equipment customer. "After taking these items into consideration, it is clear that while we are benefiting from favorable currency exchange rates, positive contributions from new business programs and continued operational improvements are the primary drivers for our strong financial results," continued Rayburn.
Sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 increased over 7% to $878.8 million from $819.4 million a year ago. Earnings before the cumulative effect of accounting change for the first nine months improved over 6% to $27.9 million, or $0.82 per fully diluted share, compared with $26.3 million, or $0.78 per fully diluted share for the same period a year ago. Effective with the first quarter of last year (fiscal 2003), the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," and recorded a related goodwill impairment charge of $21.7 million (net of $1.1 million income tax benefit), resulting in net earnings of $4.6 million, or $0.14 per fully diluted share for the first nine months of last year.
Segment Data and Performance
Sales for the Original Equipment segment in the third quarter increased over 12% to $127.5 million from $113.6 million a year ago. The Company's North American automotive, truck, and off-highway and industrial businesses all recorded an increase in sales. Operating income for this segment increased almost 8% from $18.4 million in the previous year to $19.8 million, reflecting the positive impact of new business programs, such as the recently announced 2004 Dodge Durango for the Chrysler Group, and a number of engine related programs. The improved profitability was achieved despite continued pricing pressure, costs incurred in launching new programs and products, and the aforementioned warranty expenses.
Third quarter sales for the Distributed Products segment increased 5% to $87.5 million from $83.3 million a year ago, with increased revenues in both the HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) and electronics businesses and flat sales in the aftermarket business. Operating income turned from a loss of $0.9 million a year ago to a positive $0.9 million this year, with the aftermarket and HVAC businesses both contributing to the increase. The electronics business recorded the largest percentage increase in sales among the segment's business units, however, lower margins associated with a shift in product mix continue to have a negative impact on this segment's operating income.
Sales for the European Operations segment in this period totaled $106.9 million, an increase of 19% over the $90.0 million reported a year ago, benefiting from the stronger Euro, which had a positive impact of $15.9 million, as well as new and accelerated business programs. Operating income for the segment was essentially flat at $12.1 million, compared with $12.3 million in the previous year. While net favorable currency exchange rates had a positive impact on this segment's profitability, this impact was more than offset by the $2.2 million expenses related to the product performance issue previously mentioned.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The Company continues to make improvements to maintain a strong balance sheet and excellent liquidity. Ending cash balance for the third quarter was $83.4 million, an increase of $11.6 million and $6.2 million, respectively, compared with $71.8 million at the end of the second quarter and $77.2 million at the end of the last fiscal year. The Company generated $38.9 million in operating cash flow in the third quarter, compared with $20.4 million for the same period a year ago. The strong cash flow allowed the Company to continue to reduce debt, bringing the total debt to capital (total debt plus shareholders' equity) ratio to 15.3% from 17.3% at the prior year-end. As the Company expected, capital expenditures for the first nine months of the year increased to $51.7 million from $26.3 million last year. "We recently opened our new plant in Wackersdorf, Germany. This facility uses the just in sequence delivery to supply engine-cooling modules for the new BMW X-3 Sport Utility Vehicle, the 3-Series, the Z4, and the future 1-Series, exemplifying the close working relationship and collaboration between Modine and its customers," continued Rayburn. "As we approach the completion of our new European headquarters, Technical Center, and wind tunnel, we are excited about the key role that these timely investments will play in generating incremental new business programs and in Modine's future growth."
Full Year Fiscal 2004 Outlook
"With record sales and notably improved earnings in the third quarter, we have started to deliver the stronger second half of the fiscal year that we projected," added Rayburn. "We expect the positive contribution from the new business programs to continue, and anticipate the fourth quarter to produce another similar strong year-over-year performance for our shareholders. We believe we are firmly on target to achieve growth in both sales and earnings on a full year basis for the second consecutive year."
Third Quarter Webcast
Modine's executive management team will conduct a live audio webcast on Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss additional details regarding the Company's performance for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. The session may be accessed at www.modine.com. A replay will be available on Modine's website after the webcast.
Modine specializes in thermal management, bringing heating and cooling technology to diversified markets. Modine products are used in light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) equipment, industrial equipment, refrigeration systems, fuel cells, and electronics. Modine can be found on the Internet at www.modine.com.
This news release contains statements, including information about future financial performance, accompanied by phrases such as "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "will," "intends," and other similar "forward-looking" statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Modine's actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements, because of certain risks and uncertainties, which are identified on page 25 of the Company's 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders and other recent Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, this news release contains a forward-looking statement regarding incremental business. As indicated, the Company is a development partner on these customer programs, which means that the products (and often technologies) are at this time in the development phase. In many instances, the Company has not yet received production purchase orders for these programs. Because of the developmental nature of this incremental business, this forward-looking statement is particularly subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including international economic changes and challenges; market acceptance and demand for new products and technologies, and the ability of Modine, its customers and suppliers to achieve projected sales and production levels; and unanticipated product or manufacturing difficulties.
Modine does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Modine Manufacturing Company
Consolidated statements of earnings for the periods ended
December 26, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per-share amounts)
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Three months Nine months
ended December 26 ended December 26
2003 2002 2003 2002
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Net sales $310,799 $271,830 $878,756 $819,431
Cost of sales 236,366 204,194 666,845 615,728
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Gross profit 74,433 67,636 211,911 203,703
Selling, general, &
administrative expenses 60,155 52,905 179,213 164,001
Restructuring charges (21) (291) (68) (1,682)
------------------- ----------------------
Income from operations 14,299 15,022 32,766 41,384
Interest (expense) (1,316) (1,410) (4,009) (4,555)
Other income - net 5,180 2,108 12,999 4,426
------------------- ----------------------
Earnings before income
taxes and cumulative
effect of accounting
change 18,163 15,720 41,756 41,255
Provision for income taxes 5,845 6,108 13,847 14,988
------------------- ----------------------
Earnings before
cumulative effect of
accounting change 12,318 9,612 27,909 26,267
Cumulative effect of change
in accounting for:
Goodwill impairment (net
of $1,136 income tax
benefit) - - - (21,692)
------------------- ----------------------
Net earnings $12,318 $9,612 $27,909 $4,575
------------------- ----------------------
Net earnings as a percent
of net sales 4.0% 3.5% 3.2% 0.6%
Net earnings per share of
common stock - basic:
Before cumulative effect
of accounting change $0.36 $0.29 $0.82 $0.79
Cumulative effect of
accounting change - - - (0.65)
------------------- ----------------------
Net earnings - basic $0.36 $0.29 $0.82 $0.14
Net earnings per share of
common stock - diluted:
Before cumulative effect
of accounting change $0.36 $0.29 $0.82 $0.78
Cumulative effect of
accounting change - - - (0.64)
------------------- ----------------------
Net earnings - diluted $0.36 $0.29 $0.82 $0.14
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 33,924 33,639 33,888 33,619
Assuming dilution 34,137 33,695 34,011 33,749
Net cash provided by
operating activities $38,858 $20,389 $86,841 $97,116
Dividends paid per share $0.1375 $0.125 $0.4125 $0.375
Comprehensive earnings, which represents net earnings adjusted by the
change in foreign-currency translation and minimum pension liability
recorded in shareholders' equity, for the periods ended December 26,
2003 and 2002, respectively, were $27,757 and $6,544 for 3 months, and
$44,236 and $12,838 for 9 months.
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Consolidated condensed balance sheets (unaudited)
(In thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
December 26, 2003 March 31, 2003
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Assets
---------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $83,378 $77,243
Trade receivables - net 170,618 161,319
Inventories 127,397 130,812
Other current assets 43,929 47,992
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Total current assets 425,322 417,366
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Property, plant, and
equipment - net 386,186 361,605
Other noncurrent assets 139,770 131,847
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Total assets $951,278 $910,818
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Liabilities
---------------------------
Debt due within one year $3,318 $12,692
Accounts payable 94,646 93,506
Other current liabilities 99,577 87,065
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Total current
liabilities 197,541 193,263
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Long-term debt 98,668 98,556
Deferred income taxes 37,766 37,370
Other noncurrent liabilities 53,006 51,242
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Total liabilities 386,981 380,431
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Shareholders' equity 564,297 530,387
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Total liabilities &
shareholders' equity $951,278 $910,818
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