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STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal Third Quarter Results

MILWAUKEE, April 20 -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION today reported operating results for the fiscal third quarter ended April 2, 2006.

Net sales for the Company's three months ended April 2, 2006 were $46.6 million, compared to net sales of $46.1 million for the three months ended March 27, 2005. Based on the timing of the Company's quarter end and it's annual Christmas-New Year holiday shutdown, the 2006 fiscal third quarter had 13 customer shipping weeks while 2005 fiscal third quarter had 12 weeks. The impact of one additional week of customer shipments during the current quarter increased sales by approximately $2.7 million. Net income for the period was $4.1 million, compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $1.10 compared to $.98 in the prior year quarter. During the third quarter the Company sold approximately $3.4 million of pre-petition Chapter 11 accounts receivable due from Delphi Corporation to a third party for $1.78 million. As a result, the increase in the third quarter operating results reflects a $1.58 million ($994,000 after tax) net recovery for doubtful accounts. This increased the current quarter earnings per share by $.27. For further explanation see Note (A) in the "Results of Operations."

For the nine months ended April 2, 2006, net sales were $134.6 million compared to net sales of $139.1 million in the prior year period. Net income was $8.5 million compared to $11.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $2.27 compared to $3.07 in the prior year.

Sales to STRATTEC's largest customers overall remained flat in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation increased significantly during the current quarter to $15.7 million compared to $13.1 million due to additional product content and higher production volumes. Sales to Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America were $1.3 million compared to $1.1 million due to higher vehicle production volumes and product content. Sales to General Motors Corporation were $8.5 million compared to $9.8 million due to a combination of price reductions, discontinued models and lower production volumes on certain GM vehicles. Sales to Delphi Corporation were $6.7 million compared to $6.8 million due primarily to pre-programmed price reductions. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $6.9 million compared to $8.3 million due to pre-programmed price reductions, discontinued models, and generally lower Ford vehicle production volumes.

Gross profit margins were 19.6 percent in the current quarter compared to 22.1 percent in the prior year quarter. The lower gross profit margins in the current year quarter were primarily the result of higher purchased raw material costs for brass and zinc along with an unfavorable Mexico peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate affecting the Company's operations in Mexico.

Operating expenses were $5.5 million in the current quarter, compared to $4.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in operating expenses during the current quarter was attributed to higher spending in new product development and recognizing stock based compensation expense under Financial Accounting Standard 123(R). The impact of adopting this new financial accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal year 2006 reduced current quarter earnings per share by $.05.

Provision for income taxes in the current quarter includes a favorable State income tax adjustment that positively impacted earnings per share by $.04.

During the third quarter, STRATTEC repurchased 43,800 shares of its common stock under the Company's stock repurchase program at a cost of approximately $1.8 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, 51,400 additional shares were repurchased at a cost of approximately $1.8 million.

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufacturers and markets mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches and related access control products for North American automotive customers, and for global automotive manufacturers through the VAST Alliance in which is participates with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive, Inc. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Company's history in the automotive business spans more than 95 years.

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)

                          Third Quarter Ended       Nine Months Ended
                          April 2,   March 27,     April 2,    March 27,
                           2006        2005        2006          2005
                              (Unaudited)              (Unaudited)

  Net Sales              $46,575      $46,102     $134,646     $139,129
  Cost of Goods Sold      37,453       35,892      107,208      106,700
  Gross Profit             9,122       10,210       27,438       32,429

  Engineering, Selling &
   Administrative
   Expenses                5,467        4,822       16,246       14,836
  Provision (Recovery)
   for Doubtful Accounts,
   net                    (1,578) (A)       -        1,622            -
  Income from Operations   5,233        5,388        9,570       17,593

  Interest Income            670          326        1,733          742
  Interest Expense             -            -            -            -
  Other Income (Expense),
   Net                       408          (50)         572          109
                           6,311        5,664       11,875       18,444

  Provision for Income
   Taxes                   2,195        1,933        3,363        6,662

  Net Income              $4,116       $3,731       $8,512      $11,782

  Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                    $1.11         $.98        $2.28        $3.10
  Diluted                  $1.10         $.98        $2.27        $3.07

  Average Basic
   Shares Outstanding      3,722        3,798        3,737        3,803

  Average Diluted
   Shares Outstanding      3,725        3,815        3,742        3,836

  Other
    Capital Expenditures    $883       $1,435       $4,723       $3,455
    Depreciation &
     Amortization         $1,757       $1,759       $5,389       $5,440

  NOTE A:
          Pre-petition Chapter 11 Accounts Receivable due
           from Delphi Corporation                               $3,399

          Provision for Doubtful Accounts recorded during
           the first quarter                                    ($3,200)

          Sale of pre-petition accounts receivable to third
           party                                                ($1,777)

          Net recovery during third quarter                     ($1,578)

                      STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                       Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                              (In Thousands)

                                               April 2, 2006   July 3, 2005
                                                (Unaudited)
  ASSETS
  Current Assets:
    Cash and Cash Equivalents                      $62,264        $56,950
    Receivables, net                                24,156         26,053
    Inventories                                      8,712         11,654
    Other Current Assets                            11,753         10,030
      Total Current Assets                         106,885        104,687
  Deferred Income Taxes                              1,796          1,796
  Investment in Joint Venture                        1,636          1,412
  Other Long Term Assets                               593            603
  Property, Plant and Equipment, Net                28,646         29,592
                                                  $139,556       $138,090

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Current Liabilities:
    Accounts Payable                               $16,981        $17,218
    Other                                           11,479         12,850
      Total Current Liabilities                     28,460         30,068
  Borrowings Under Line of Credit                        -              -
  Accrued Pension and Post Retirement Obligations   11,896         16,271
  Shareholders' Equity                             230,761        220,261
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss             (12,115)       (12,047)
  Less:  Treasury Stock                           (119,446)      (116,463)
    Total Shareholders' Equity                      99,200         91,751
                                                  $139,556       $138,090

                      STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                    Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
                              (In Thousands)

                                     Third Quarter Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                       April 2, March 27, April 2, March 27,
                                        2006      2005     2006      2005
                                          (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)

  Cash Flows from Operating
   Activities:
  Net Income                             $4,116   $3,731   $8,512   $11,782
  Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income
   to Cash Used in Operating Activities:
      Depreciation and Amortization       1,757    1,759    5,389     5,440
      Stock Based Compensation Expense      301        -      861         -
      Tax Benefit from Options Exercised      -      277       61       949
      Provision (Recovery) for Doubtful
       Accounts                          (1,578)       -    1,622         -
      Change in Operating Assets/
       Liabilities                        5,242     (869)  (4,464)  (12,348)
      Other, net                            (71)       -        -       224

  Net Cash Provided by Operating
   Activities                             9,767    4,898   11,981     6,047

  Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
      Investment in Joint Ventures            -        -      (50)      (75)
      Additions to Property, Plant and
       Equipment                           (883)  (1,435)  (4,723)   (3,455)
      Proceeds from Sale of Property,
       Plant and Equipment                    -        -       22         -
  Net Cash Used in Investing Activities    (883)  (1,435)  (4,751)   (3,530)

  Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
      Purchase of Common Stock           (1,797)  (2,572)  (2,993)   (8,826)
      Reissue/Exercise of Stock Options       9      303    1,077     3,435

  Net Cash Used in Financing Activities  (1,788)  (2,269)  (1,916)   (5,391)

  Net Increase in Cash & Cash Equivalents 7,096    1,194    5,314    (2,874)

  Cash and Cash Equivalents:
      Beginning of Period                55,168   50,163   56,950    54,231
      End of Period                     $62,264  $51,357  $62,264   $51,357