AMETEK (AME) 8-K Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Exhibit 99.(a)

CORPORATE OFFICE

37 North Valley Road, Building 4, P.O. Box 1764, PAOLI, PA 19301-0801

Contact: William J. Burke (610) 889-5249

AMETEK ACHIEVES RECORD FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
—Sales Increase 27%, Net Income Increases 30%—
—Raising 2006 Earnings Estimates—

Paoli, PA, April 20, 2006 – AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE: AME) today announced first quarter results that established records for sales, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share.

AMETEK’s first quarter 2006 sales of $423.9 million were up 27% over the same period of 2005. Operating income for the first quarter of 2006 was $70.8 million, a 32% increase from the $53.6 million recorded in the same period of 2005. Net income in the first quarter of 2006 increased 30% to $40.3 million, or $.57 per diluted share, from the first quarter 2005 level of $31.0 million, or $.44 per diluted share.

“AMETEK had an outstanding quarter which exceeded our expectations,” noted Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Strong internal growth of 9%, combined with the contributions from acquired businesses enabled us to grow the top-line by 27%. Operating income margin was up 70 basis points and net income was up 30% as we translated the top-line growth into bottom-line performance,” he commented.

Electronic Instruments Group (EIG)
For the 2006 first quarter, EIG sales increased 31% to $236.4 million. Operating income was $47.7 million, compared with $36.3 million in the first quarter of 2005, an increase of 32%. Operating margins for the quarter improved to 20.2%, from 20.0% in the first quarter of 2005.

“EIG had a great first quarter. Sales were up on strong core growth in our power, process and analytical, and aerospace businesses together with the contribution from the acquisitions of SPECTRO, Solartron and Pulsar Technologies. Operating income was up 32%, benefiting from the top-line growth and continued focus on operational excellence improvements,” said Mr. Hermance.

Electromechanical Group (EMG)
For the first quarter of 2006, EMG sales were $187.4 million, a 22% increase over the same period of 2005. Operating income of $32.0 million was up 31% from the $24.4 million recorded in the same period of 2005. Operating margins for the quarter were 17.0%, compared with 16.0% in the first quarter of 2005.

“EMG also had a great first quarter. Sales were up nicely, driven by solid core growth in both our differentiated and cost-driven businesses and the acquisition of HCC Industries. Profitability was strong as a result of the increased volume and our operational excellence initiatives,” commented Mr. Hermance.

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AMETEK ACHIEVES RECORD FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
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2006 Outlook
“We expect 2006 to conform to our long-term business model of mid-single digit core growth combined with approximately 10% acquisition growth, yielding a mid-teen percentage growth in overall revenue. Acquisition growth will be driven by the full-year impact of the SPECTRO, Solartron, HCC Industries and Pulsar Technologies acquisitions,” commented Mr. Hermance. “Given our strong first quarter results and the expectation of continued strength in our markets, we have raised our estimated earnings to a range of $2.30 to $2.35 per diluted share, an increase of 19% to 21% over the 2005 level of $1.94 per diluted share.”

“Our second quarter 2006 sales are expected to be up in the high teens on a percentage basis from last year’s second quarter. We expect second quarter earnings will be approximately $.57 to $.59 per diluted share, an increase of 16% to 20% over last year’s second quarter,” concluded Mr. Hermance.

Accounting for Stock Options
The above operating results reflect the adoption of FAS 123R for expensing stock options under the modified retrospective method. Results for 2005 have been adjusted on this basis.

Conference Call
AMETEK, Inc. will Web cast it’s First Quarter 2006 investor conference call on Thursday, April 20, 2006, beginning at 8:30 AM ET. The live audio Web cast will be available atwww.ametek.com/investors and atwww.streetevents.com. The call will also be archived atwww.ametek.com/investors.

Corporate Profile
AMETEK is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors with annualized sales of $1.6 billion. AMETEK’s Corporate Growth Plan is based on Four Key Strategies: Operational Excellence, Strategic Acquisitions & Alliances, Global & Market Expansion and New Products. AMETEK’s objective is double-digit percentage growth in earnings per share over the business cycle and a superior return on total capital. The common stock of AMETEK is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index.

Forward-looking Information
Statements in this news release that are not historical are considered “forward-looking statements” and are subject to change based on various factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations. Those factors are contained in AMETEK’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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(Financial Information Follows)

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AMETEK, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three months ended
	March 31, (Unaudited)
	2006			2005 (a)
Net sales	$	423,867		$	334,096
Expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation		292,768			234,176
Selling, general and administrative		50,812			38,027
Depreciation		9,486			8,331
Total expenses		353,066			280,534
Operating income		70,801			53,562
Other (expenses) income:
Interest expense		(10,088	)		(7,632	)
Other, net		(737	)		158
Income before income taxes		59,976			46,088
Provision for income taxes		19,718			15,117
Net income	$	40,258		$	30,971
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.57		$	0.44
Basic earnings per share	$	0.58		$	0.45
Average common shares outstanding:
Diluted shares		71,123			69,951
Basic shares		69,892			68,704
Dividends per share	$	0.06		$	0.06

(a) Results for 2005 have been adjusted to reflect the retrospective application of FAS 123R to expense stock options, which was adopted effective January 1, 2006. The retrospective application reduced 2005 net income by $1.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share.

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AMETEK, INC.
INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2006			2005 (a)
Net sales
				��
Electronic Instruments	$	236,439		$	180,921
Electromechanical		187,428			153,175
Total Consolidated	$	423,867		$	334,096
Operating income
Electronic Instruments	$	47,712		$	36,250
Electromechanical		31,952			24,442
Total segments		79,664			60,692
Corporate and other		(8,863	)		(7,130	)
Total Consolidated	$	70,801		$	53,562

(a) Operating income for 2005 has been adjusted to reflect the retrospective application of FAS 123R to expense stock options, which was adopted effective January 1, 2006. The retrospective application reduced 2005 operating income by $1.5 million.

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AMETEK, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands)

	March 31,		December 31,
	2006		2005
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash, cash equivalents
and marketable securities	$	48,123	$	43,788
Receivables, net		289,957		269,395
Inventories		207,809		193,099
Other current assets		53,817		50,025
Total current assets		599,706		556,307
Property, plant and equipment, net		225,689		228,450
Goodwill, net		799,578		785,185
Other intangibles, investments and other assets		222,855		210,658
Total assets	$	1,847,828	$	1,780,600
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current
portion of long-term debt	$	139,225	$	156,130
Accounts payable and accruals		281,510		249,662
Total current liabilities		420,735		405,792
Long-term debt		478,372		475,309
Deferred income taxes and
other long-term liabilities (a)		91,108		89,978
Stockholders’ equity (a)		857,613		809,521
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,847,828	$	1,780,600

(a) Amounts for 2005 have been adjusted to reflect the retrospective application of FAS 123R, which was adopted effective January 1, 2006. The retrospective application reduced deferred income taxes and increased stockholders’ equity by $4.0 million.

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