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Titan Reports 20% Increase in Second Quarter Sales

QUINCY, Ill.--Second quarter and year-to-date highlights:

  • Sales for second quarter 2007 were $210.3 million, up 20 percent, as compared to $175.2 million in the second quarter of 2006.
  • Year-to-date sales were an all-time record of $436.6 million, a 22 percent increase from $357.8 million for the six-month period in 2006.
  • Gross profit was $27.3 million for the second quarter, a 22 percent increase from the $22.4 million in the second quarter of 2006.
  • Titans quarter-ending cash balance of $61.5 million is an increase of 58 percent over the March 31, 2007, balance of $39.0 million.
  • Titans stockholders equity surpassed the $300 million mark to end the second quarter at $300.7 million, an all-time record and a rise of $113.5 million, or 61 percent, from the 2006 year-end balance of $187.2 million.

Statement of Chief Executive Officer:

The second quarter has been very exciting for Titan. Our sales are up, as they should be from last years acquisition, said Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. We are expanding our OTR (off-the-road) business and adding new OTR products by expanding capacity in Freeport, Illinois. While this is happening in Freeport, certain farm tires are being transferred to our Des Moines facility. Titans Board of Directors also approved the capital expenditures to produce the super giant radial 57- and 63-inch mining tires. The unique thing about this is that only two companies, Michelin (France) and Bridgestone (Japan), produce 63-inch radial tires at this time.

So, Titan has put together an engineering team headed by Ernest Rodia, chief operating officer (Rodia retired from Goodyear in December 2003 as vice president of global engineering and manufacturing technology), to not only develop the 63-inch tires, but also a new 73.5-inch 15 degree tire and wheel to improve wear and performance. I believe that by producing these tires, Titan will show our customer base that we are the best, and making the wheel with the tire is what sets Titan apart from everyone else. We plan to produce sample 63-inch tires in first quarter 2008. The 73.5-inch tire will follow. Wheels that large are a real bear to produce, but since our mascot is a grizzly we should have no problem with production, said Taylor.

As you can see, Titan has the cash on hand to fund all current projects, except for acquisitions; therefore, we anticipate not borrowing money for the above-mentioned capital projects. These are exciting times at Titan and we believe our best is ahead. And yes, large tire sales in the farm market have finally started to pick up, and we believe they will increase each month out this year.

Financial overview:

Titan International, Inc.s net sales of $210.3 million for the second quarter of 2007 were 20 percent higher than the second quarter 2006 sales of $175.2 million. Net sales for the first half of 2007 were $436.6 million, up from the $357.8 million recorded in the first half of 2006, a 22 percent increase.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2007 was $27.3 million, as compared to $22.4 million in the second quarter of 2006. Year-to-date gross profit was $54.5 million for 2007, as compared to $53.6 million for 2006.

Income from operations for the second quarter of 2007 was $13.2 million, as compared to $11.7 million in the second quarter of 2006. Year-to-date income from operations was $27.5 million in 2007, compared to $28.9 million in 2006.

Income before taxes for the second quarter of 2007 was $10.5 million, as compared to $9.3 million in 2006. Year-to-date income before taxes totaled $5.5 million in 2007, as compared to $23.7 million in 2006. The year-to-date total for 2007 included a $13.4 million noncash convertible debt conversion charge.

Income taxes of $5.5 million were recorded for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $3.7 million in 2006. Year-to-date, income tax expense was $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to $9.5 million in 2006.

Net income was $5.0 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $5.6 million in second quarter 2006. Year-to-date, net income was $2.5 million in 2007 and $14.2 million year-to-date in 2006.

For second quarter 2007, basic earnings per share were $.18, compared to $.28 at June 30, 2006. Year-to-date basic earnings per share were $.10, compared to $.72 year-to-date 2006.

Diluted earnings per share were $.18 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $.24 in 2006. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share were $.10 for 2007 and $.60 for 2006.

Titans quarter-end cash was $61.5 million at June 30, 2007, an increase of over $28 million from $33.4 million at year-end 2006. Long-term debt was $200 million, decreasing from $291.3 million at year-end 2006.

The companys stockholders equity increased $113.5 million in the first half of 2007. Titans equity balance reached $300.7 million at June 30, 2007, a significant increase from the $187.2 million at December 31, 2006.

Giant OTR mining tires expansion:

In May 2007, Titans Board of Directors approved funding for the company to increase giant OTR (off-the-road) mining tire production capacity to include 57- and 63-inch giant radial tires. This funding should allow Titan to produce up to an estimated 6,000 giant radial tires a year. Titan estimates this may increase sales as much as $240 million. Titan currently plans to be in start-up production of these giant mining tires by the end of the second quarter 2008.

Form 10-Q:

For additional information and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, see the companys Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2007.

Safe harbor statement:

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks as detailed in Titan International, Inc.s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The company cautions that any forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Company description:

QUINCY, Ill.Titan International, Inc. , a holding company, owns subsidiaries that supply wheels, tires and assemblies for off-highway equipment used in agricultural, earthmoving/construction and consumer (including all terrain vehicles and trailers) applications.

Titan International, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 
Amounts in thousands, except earnings per share data. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Net sales $210,333 $175,194 $436,611 $357,771
Cost of sales 183,022 152,752 382,109 304,215
Gross profit 27,311 22,442 54,502 53,556
 
Selling, general & administrative expenses 12,683 9,493 23,967 21,774
Royalty expense 1,452 1,214 3,016 2,839
Income from operations 13,176 11,735 27,519 28,943
 
Interest expense (4,430) (3,709) (10,179) (7,432)
Noncash convertible debt conversion charge 0 0 (13,376) 0
Other income 1,731 1,313 1,546 2,149
Income before income taxes 10,477 9,339 5,510 23,660
 
Provision for income taxes 5,515 3,736 3,031 9,464
 
Net income $4,962 $5,603 $2,479 $14,196
 
Earnings per common share:
Basic $.18 $.28 $.10 $.72
Diluted .18 .24 .10 .60
 
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic 27,213 19,695 24,031 19,639
Diluted 27,749 26,081 24,499 26,003

Segment Information

Revenues from external customers (Unaudited)

 
Amounts in thousands Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Agricultural $124,104 $116,267 $259,400 $240,694
Earthmoving/Construction 72,342 29,005 147,460 60,806
Consumer 13,887 29,922 29,751 56,271
Total $210,333 $175,194 $436,611 $357,771

Titan International, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 
Amounts in thousands
June 30, December 31,
Assets 2007 2006
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $61,524 $33,412
Accounts receivable 117,595 73,882
Inventories 135,454 154,604
Deferred income taxes 27,705 29,234
Prepaid and other current assets 17,531 18,801
Total current assets 359,809 309,933
 
Property, plant and equipment, net 182,678 184,616
Investment in Titan Europe Plc 62,663 65,881
Goodwill 11,702 11,702
Other assets 16,945 12,994
Total assets $633,797 $585,126
 
Liabilities & stockholders equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt $0 $98
Accounts payable 43,543 25,884
Other current liabilities 50,680 36,942
Total current liabilities 94,223 62,924
 
Long-term debt 200,000 291,266
Deferred income taxes 26,798 27,924
Other long-term liabilities 12,104 15,835
Stockholders equity 300,672 187,177
Total liabilities & stockholders equity $633,797 $585,126

Visit www.titan-intl.com for conference call information.