The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

T.J.T., Inc. Sales Up 34 Percent in Third Quarter

10 August 1998

T.J.T., Inc. Sales Up 34 Percent in Third Quarter


    EMMETT, Idaho--Aug. 10, 1998--T.J.T., Inc. (Nasdaq SmallCap:AXLE), a supplier of recycled axles and inspected tires to the manufactured housing industry, today announced that sales for the third quarter ended June 30, 1998, rose 34 percent while higher cost of goods sold caused net income to decline from the same quarter a year ago.
    During the quarter, sales increased to $9.2 million from $6.9 million last year with the gain attributable primarily to an operation acquired in northern California in July 1997. Net income declined to $122,000, or 3 cents per share, from $251,000, or 6 cents per share, in the same 1997 quarter.
    "Our results were significantly impacted by sharply higher prices for used axles and tires that T.J.T. recycles and sells to the manufactured home industry," said Terrence Sheldon, president and CEO of T.J.T. "Competition for these components increased in the third quarter, driving up the price to the company." The increased cost of goods sold lowered gross margin in the quarter to 16.5 percent, down from 19.7 percent from a year ago.
    Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in line with sales and were flat quarter over quarter on a percentage of sales basis. Non-operating income declined $41,000 from the 1997 third quarter which included a gain on a sale of investment property.
    "Reducing our cost for acquiring used axles and tires is a top priority," said Sheldon. "We recently announced the proposed acquisition of a firm in Arizona which will broaden our market area and open up a new avenue of supply." The firm, located in Chandler, Arizona, has annual sales of approximately $2.5 million. During the quarter T.J.T. also acquired the assets of two firms in Eugene, Ore., with combined annual sales of approximately $900,000.
    "While disappointed in net income results for the quarter, we are pleased with our progress during the first nine months of fiscal 1998," said Sheldon. "We are considerably ahead of 1997 in both sales and net income and have executed on our strategy to grow market share in the West through acquisition."
    For the nine months ended June 30, 1998, T.J.T. reported sales of $24.5 million, up 47 percent from $16.7 million in the comparable 1997 period, reflecting contribution from acquisitions. Year-to-date gross margin rose to 18.3 percent from 17.0 percent in the same period a year ago. Net income for the nine months was up 86 percent at $375,000, or 8 cents per share, compared to $202,000, or 5 cents per share.
    Established in 1977, T.J.T. is a major provider of recycled axles and inspected tires to the manufactured housing industry and has recycling operations in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, and Colorado. In addition to effectively recycling these serviceable steel and rubber products, the company also sells aftermarket accessories to the manufactured housing industry and vinyl siding to the housing industry. T.J.T. has no long-term debt and 10 consecutive years of profitability while growing with the expanding manufactured housing industry.

                              T.J.T., INC.
                            BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Dollars in thousands)

                                   June 30,       Sept. 30,
                                     1998           1997
                                   -------        --------

Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents         $   26         $   835
 Accounts receivable and 
  notes receivable                  2,365           1,738
 Inventories                        3,625           3,480
 Prepaid expenses and other
  current assets                      263             253
                                   ------          ------
    Total current assets            6,279           6,306

Property, plant and equipment, 
 net of accumulated depreciation    1,767           1,318

Notes receivable                      398             434
Real estate held for investment       391             275
Deferred charges and other assets     368             411
Goodwill                            1,468           1,396
                                  -------         -------
    Total assets                  $10,671         $10,140
                                  =======         =======

Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                 $   690         $   616
 Accrued liabilities                  868             708
 Income taxes payable                  29             146
                                  -------         -------
    Total current liabilities       1,587           1,470

Deferred credits and other
 noncurrent obligations               173             146
Deferred income taxes                  53              53
                                  -------         -------
    Total liabilities               1,813           1,669
                                  -------         -------

Shareholders' equity:
 Common stock, $.001 par value;
  10,000,000 shares authorized;
  4,854,739 shares issued
  and outstanding                       5               5
 Common stock warrants                113             113
 Capital surplus                    6,068           6,068
 Retained earnings                  3,110           2,735
 Treasury stock (10,906 and
  7,991 shares at cost)               (44)            (39)
 Stock subscriptions receivable      (394)           (411)
                                  -------         -------
    Total shareholders' equity      8,858           8,471
                                  -------         -------
      Total liabilities and 
       shareholders' equity       $10,671         $10,140
                                  =======         =======
                                 


                             T.J.T., INC.
                         STATEMENTS OF INCOME
           (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

                              Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                    June 30,               June 30,
                              -------------------    -----------------
                                1998      1997         1998      1997
                              -------   --------     -------   -------

Sales (net of returns and
 allowances):
   Axles and tires            $ 7,508   $ 4,919    $ 18,869   $ 11,969
   Accessories and siding       1,688     1,950       5,669      4,757
                             --------  --------    --------   --------
      Total sales               9,196     6,869      24,538     16,726

Cost of goods sold              7,675     5,513      20,045     13,880
                             --------  --------    --------   --------

  Gross profit                  1,521     1,356       4,493      2,846

Selling, general and 
 administrative expenses        1,318       981       3,880      2,640
                             --------  --------    --------   --------
    Operating income (loss)       203       375         613        206

Interest income                    13        32          50         92
Income on investment property       2        25           7         78
Other income (expense)              -        (1)          -          -
                             --------  ---------   --------   --------

    Income (loss) before 
     taxes                        218       431         670        376

Income taxes                       96       180         295        174
                             --------  --------    --------   --------
 
     Net income (loss)        $   122   $   251     $   375     $  202
                             ========  ========    ========   ========

Net income (loss) per common
 share                        $   .03   $   .06     $   .08     $  .05
Weighted average shares 
 outstanding                4,843,832 4,557,155   4,844,704  4,405,181
                            ========= =========   =========  =========