Dorsey Trailers, Inc. Announces First Quarter Results
21 April 1998
Dorsey Trailers, Inc. Announces First Quarter ResultsATLANTA, April 21 -- Dorsey Trailers, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: DSYT)(DSYT) announced today results for first quarter 1998, indicating continued improvement in margins and operating results. These results, including the decline in revenue, take into effect the full impact of major flooding that occurred in the Company's primary production facility in Elba, Alabama in March. The net loss for the first quarter of 1998 was $0.6 million or $.13 per share compared to net loss for the same period in 1997 of $5.5 million or $1.10 per share. Net sales for the first quarter of 1998 were $35.4 million compared to net sales for the same period in 1997 of $41.0 million. New trailer sales revenue for the first quarter of 1998 increased to $33.9 million compared with new trailer sales for the same period in 1997 of $32.1 million. Marilyn R. Marks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commenting on the results, stated, "Despite the flooding of our Elba, Alabama plant in March 1998, I am pleased to report that the Company continues to benefit from rapid operational improvements and that the Company's recovery is on track. We made modest increases in production in the first quarter followed by additional increases in the second quarter of 1998. We estimate that the Elba flood reduced first quarter new trailer sales volume by approximately 14%. The operating loss that the Company reported in the first quarter is attributable primarily to these lost sales and to the additional costs incurred to return the Elba plant to full production after the flood. The Company has recovered from the effects of the flood. We do not expect the flood to impact second quarter operations." Marks went on to say, "In the latter half of 1997, we implemented a strategy of rebuilding our independent dealer organization, targeting more profitable customized niche markets, and designing more effective manufacturing systems by eliminating non-value added processes and costs. These strategies have resulted in improved pricing and margins, as demonstrated by the favorable comparisons to 1997. We continued our investment in additional sales and manufacturing resources in the first quarter. We anticipate several quarters of incremental improvement before we experience the full impact of these strategies. Demand for truck and trailer equipment continues to be strong, and industry backlogs continue to be healthy. We expect healthy economic conditions to continue to fuel the domestic freight market and the strong demand for transportation equipment." Dorsey Trailers, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets one of the broadest lines of high-quality, customized truck trailers through three plants located in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Certain statements in this press release and statements by the Company in reports to its stockholders and public filings, as well as, oral public statements by Company representatives may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements included herein have been included based upon facts available to management as of the date of the statement. Any forward looking statement is, however, inherently subject to the uncertainty of future events, whether economic, competitive or otherwise, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, or which may involve determinations which may be made by management in the future. There can, therefore, be no assurances that the events or results described in such forward-looking statements will occur, and actual events or results may vary materially from those included herein. Without limitation, the following are some of the factors which may affect whether the events or results described in such forward-looking statements will occur: increased competition, dependence on key management, continued availability of credit from vendors to the Company, reliance on certain customers, shortages of raw materials, labor shortages or work stoppage, dependence on industry trends, government regulations and new technologies or products. Readers should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in its reports to stockholders and periodic reports on Form 10-K and 1O-Q. DORSEY TRAILERS, INC. Financial Highlights - Unaudited For the Quarter-Ended April 4, 1998 March 29, 1997 (in thousands, except per share data) Net sales $35,355 $40,961 Cost of sales 34,644 44,329 Gross profit (loss) 711 (3,368) Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,357 1,745 Provision for plant closing 145 48 Loss from operations (791) (5,161) Interest expense, net (424) (517) Gain on property sales 568 --- Loss before income taxes (647) (5,678) Benefit from income taxes --- (200) Net loss $ (647) $(5,478) Basic loss per share $ (0.13) $ (1.10) Weighted average number of common and common share equivalents 5,013 4,997 DORSEY TRAILERS, INC. Balance Sheet (In thousands, except per share data) April 4, Dec. 31, 1998 1997 (unaudited) ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 7 $ 8 Accounts receivable, net 4,713 6,811 Inventories 13,892 11,479 Prepaid expenses and other assets 96 540 Total current assets 18,708 18,838 Property, plant and equipment, net 8,003 8,447 Deferred income taxes 4,179 4,179 Other assets, net 1,904 1,903 Total assets $32,794 $33,367 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT Current liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 423 $ 350 Accounts payable 16,298 12,638 Accrued wages and employee benefits 4,572 4,348 Accrued expenses 1,927 3,156 Total current liabilities 23,220 20,492 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 11,931 14,585 Accrued pension liability 1,600 1,600 Accrued warranty 1,000 1,000 Total 37,751 37,677 Stockholders' deficit Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 500,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding --- --- Common stock, $.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 5,013,422 and 4,997,422 shares issued and outstanding 50 50 Additional paid-in capital 2,595 2,595 Accumulated deficit (7,525) (6,878) Unrecognized pension liability (77) (77) Total stockholders' deficit (4,957) (4,310) Commitments and contingencies --- --- Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $32,794 $33,367 SOURCE Dorsey Trailers, Inc.