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Superior Industries Reports Third Quarter Financial Results


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VAN NUYS, Calif.--Superior Industries International, Inc. today announced a 20.9% increase in unit wheel shipments, higher gross margin, and improved bottom-line performance for the third quarter of 2007 versus prior year.

"The fundamental changes in the original equipment aluminum wheel industry triggered by increased global competition and intense pricing pressure are creating new growth opportunities for Superior. With our strength and resilience to adjust to the new business environment, we continue to reduce costs and optimize our manufacturing infrastructure both geographically and by focusing on improving operational performance at existing facilities. Now, as weaker competitors around the world continue to struggle, we are increasing margins and expanding market share as we complete the restructuring that is transforming Superior into a truly global company," said Chairman, President and CEO Steven Borick.

Third Quarter Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2007, net sales increased 30.6% to $227,557,000 compared to $174,288,000 for the third quarter of 2006. This increase reflected a 20.9% increase in unit wheel shipments, a higher percentage of large-diameter wheels in the sales mix than in last year's third quarter and, to a lesser extent, higher pass-through aluminum costs in selling prices.

Gross profit increased to $5,276,000, or 2.3% of net sales, for this year's third quarter. In comparison, gross profit was a negative $3,711,000, or negative 2.1% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2006. Gross margin for both periods reflect the impact on overhead absorption due to the annual plant shutdowns scheduled every summer.

"Production volume at our new facility in Chihuahua, Mexico, the most advanced large-diameter wheel casting plant in the world, ramped as planned during the third quarter, and we expect to continue to see improved performance at our Midwest U.S. locations as well," Borick said.

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2007 were $7,777,000, or 3.4% of net sales, which included $2,177,000 for the settlement of a labor related lawsuit. This compares to SG&A expenses of $6,011,000, or 3.4% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2006.

The loss before income taxes and equity earnings from joint ventures was $1,100,000 for this year's third quarter. This compares to a loss before income taxes and equity earnings from joint ventures of $12,442,000 for the same period a year ago, which included a $4,353,000 charge for impairment of long-lived assets. Equity in earnings of joint ventures was $1,187,000 for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $1,127,000 a year earlier.

As of the end of the third quarter, the annualized effective tax rate increased to approximately 84% from 42% at the end of the second quarter, due principally to the addition of a valuation allowance for foreign tax credits and to changes in our geographic pretax income mix for full fiscal year. This required us to record a tax provision before discrete items of $556,000 for the third quarter of 2007. Discrete items in the third quarter amounted to an additional provision of $175,000, due to the required changes in our FIN 48 liabilities. This resulted in a total income tax provision of $731,000 on our loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings of $1,100,000.

The net loss from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2007 was $644,000, or $0.02 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2006 of $8,796,000, or $0.33 per diluted share. Also included in the third quarter of 2006 was income from discontinued suspension components operations of $1,085,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, resulting in a net loss for the third quarter of 2006 of $7,711,000, or $0.29 per diluted share, a year ago.

At September 30, 2007, working capital was approximately $247,300,000, including cash and cash equivalents of approximately $68,700,000. At September 30, 2006, working capital was $236,400,000, including cash and cash equivalents of $83,100,000. Superior has no debt.

Nine Months Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net sales increased 26.0% to $727,649,000 from $577,693,000 for the first nine months of 2006. Unit wheel shipments increased 12.8%.

SG&A expenses for this year's first nine months increased to $23,729,000 from $18,861,000 for the first nine months of 2006. In addition to the labor related legal settlement of $2,177,000 recorded in the third quarter, year-to-date SG&A expenses include approximately $1,000,000 in legal and audit fees related to the derivative lawsuit. The company's equity in earnings of joint ventures was $2,736,000 for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $2,750,000 for the same period of 2006.

Net income from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2007 was $4,245,000, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5,132,000, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006. The first nine months of 2006 also included income from the discontinued suspension components business of $638,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, resulting in a net loss for the 2006 period of $4,494,000, or $0.17 per diluted share.

Conference Call

Superior will host a conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. PDT (1:00 p.m. EDT) today that will be broadcast on the company's website, www.supind.com. Investors, analysts, stockholders, news media and the general public are invited to listen to the web cast. The web cast replay will be available at this same Internet address approximately one hour after the conclusion of the conference call.

In addition to reviewing the company's third quarter 2007 results, during the conference call the company plans to discuss other financial and operating matters. Additionally, the answers to questions posed to management during the call might disclose additional material information.

About Superior Industries

Superior supplies aluminum wheels to Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Audi, BMW, Fiat, Isuzu, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information, visit www.supind.com.

SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
       
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
    September 30   September 30
    2007   2006   2007   2006
Net Sales $ 227,557 $ 174,288 $ 727,649 $ 577,693
Costs and Expenses
Cost of Sales 222,281 177,999 706,650 568,005
Selling and Administrative Expenses 7,777 6,011 23,729 18,861
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets     -       4,353       -       4,353  
 
(Loss) From Operations (2,501 ) (14,075 ) (2,730 ) (13,526 )
 
Interest Income, net 820 1,356 2,708 4,176
Other Income (Expense), Net     581       277       2,469       (514 )
 

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings

(1,100 ) (12,442 ) 2,447 (9,864 )

 

Income Tax Benefit (Provision) (731 ) 2,519 (938 ) 1,982
Equity in Earnings of Joint Ventures     1,187       1,127       2,736       2,750  
 
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations $ (644 ) $ (8,796 ) $ 4,245 $ (5,132 )
Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes     -       1,085       -       638  
 
Net Income (Loss)   $ (644 )   $ (7,711 )   $ 4,245     $ (4,494 )
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic:
Net Income from Continuing Operations $ (0.02 ) $ (0.33 ) $ 0.16 $ (0.19 )
Discontinued Operations     -       0.04       -       0.02  
Net Income (Loss)   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.29 )   $ 0.16     $ (0.17 )
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted:
Net Income from Continuing Operations $ (0.02 ) $ (0.33 ) $ 0.16 $ (0.19 )
Discontinued Operations     -       0.04       -       0.02  
Net Income (Loss)   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.29 )   $ 0.16     $ (0.17 )
 

Weighted Average and Equivalent Shares Outstanding for Earnings (Loss) Per Share:

Basic 26,614,000 26,610,000 26,612,000 26,610,000
Diluted     26,629,000       26,610,000       26,631,000       26,610,000  
SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
   
As of September 30
2007 2006
Current Assets $ 376,114 $ 356,728
Property, Plant and Equipment, net 309,316 311,601
Investments and Other Assets   65,261    

56,575

$ 750,691   $ 724,904
 
Current Liabilities $ 128,793 $ 120,283
Long-Term Liabilities 80,858 41,266
Shareholders' Equity   541,040     563,355
$ 750,691   $ 724,904