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

X-Rite Reports Third Quarter Results

19 October 2000

X-Rite Reports Third Quarter Results

    GRANDVILLE, Mich.--Oct. 19, 2000--X-Rite, Incorporated a world-leader in manufacturing sophisticated measurement devices, systems, and processes, today reported third quarter net sales of $23.1 million and net income of $1.9 million, or 9 cents per share.
    For the first nine-month period, net sales increased to $75.5 million, compared to $71.8 million for the same period last year. Net income was reported at $9.0 million, or 43 cents per share, compared with net income of $9.4 million, or 43 cents per share for the same period last year.
    "As noted in our earlier release, it is not unusual for X-Rite sales to experience a decline in the third quarter typically followed by a strong fourth quarter," said X-Rite President and Chief Executive Officer Rich Cook. "The expected third quarter seasonal slow down of sales in the retail paint market coupled with the traditional European summer vacation patterns as well as current foreign exchange rates directly impacted our sales and margins for the quarter."
    "In continuing to position the company to meet our long-term growth strategy, we are extremely pleased with the strategic initiatives announced over the past few months," said Cook. These announcements include:

-- Acquisition of Optronik GmbH: The main product lines of this German-based company are non-contact color measurement systems for on-line production processes including automotive manufacturing applications and a sophisticated automotive lamp measurement device. This acquisition also establishes X-Rite's first manufacturing and development site in Europe.
-- Acquisition of HoloVision(TM): Products Group: This acquisition includes know-how and patents in the field of tunable laser technology. Currently this know-how is applied to non-contact measurement applications requiring a 3D perspective. This capability will be particularly useful for markets of electronic component evaluation, micro-machines, biomedical, and other diverse markets requiring high-resolution non-contact vision.
-- Formation of XR Ventures, LLC: The creation of this captive strategic venture capital fund will enable X-Rite to quickly identify new technologies and partnerships in support of long-term growth strategies.
-- Announced Stock Repurchase Program: The stock repurchase program was established to enhance shareholder value. The program authorizes the company to make purchases in the open market up to one million shares.

    "These initiatives will provide new markets and new technologies to X-Rite," Cook continued. "We will utilize our global distribution network to sell and market Optronik's products to new and existing customers. The Holovision acquisition will move us beyond color and light into measuring shape. This very precise manner of measurement will introduce us to many new customers and high growth potential markets. And finally, the formation of XR Ventures gives us a window into leading edge technology advancements that will open opportunities for us."

    



                   Consolidated Earnings Highlights
                (Unaudited - $ in thousands except EPS)

Three Months Ended  Sept. 30,   July 1,   April 1,   Jan. 1   Oct. 2,
------------------    2000       2000      2000       2000     1999
                    --------   --------  --------  --------  --------
Net Sales           $ 23,087   $ 26,232  $ 26,134  $ 28,426  $ 23,764

Gross Profit          14,619     16,756    17,123    18,609    15,420

Gross Profit Percent   63.3%      63.9%     65.5%     65.5%     64.9%

Operating Expense     11,683     11,541    11,864    12,301    10,807

Other Income             (59)       369       233       234       181

Pre-tax Income         2,877      5,584     5,492     6,542     4,794

Net Income          $  1,863   $  3,616  $  3,556  $  4,236  $  3,104

Earnings Per Share
       Basic        $   0.09   $   0.17  $   0.17  $   0.20  $   0.15
       Diluted      $   0.09   $   0.17  $   0.17  $   0.19  $   0.14

Avg. No. of Shares
Outstanding (000)
       Basic          21,327     21,027    20,997    20,982    20,952
       Diluted        21,466     21,100    21,032    22,385    22,111



Nine-Months Ended                       Sept 30,        Oct 2,
-----------------------                   2000           1999
                                          ----           ----

Net Sales                              $ 75,453       $ 71,783

Gross Profit                           $ 48,498       $ 47,382

Gross Profit Percent                      64.3%          66.0%

Operating Expense                      $ 35,088       $ 33,437

Other Income                           $    543       $    593

Pre-tax Income                         $ 13,953       $ 14,538

Net Income                             $  9,035       $  9,413

Earnings Per Share
       Basic                           $   0.43       $   0.45
       Diluted                         $   0.43       $   0.43

Avg. No. of Shares
Outstanding (000)
       Basic                             21,117         20,942
       Diluted                           21,199         22,023