The results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 include an increase in sales of $60.1 million or 57.0% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. New machine sales were $53.5 million, an increase of $25.8 million or 93.0% from $27.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and aftermarket parts and service sales were $112.2 million, an increase of $34.4 million or 44.2% from $77.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The increase in new machine sales resulted from the sustained demand and increased prices of commodities that are surface mined by the Company’s machines. The increase in aftermarket parts and service sales reflects the Company’s continuing initiatives and strategies to capture additional market share as well as continued strong commodity prices. Aftermarket sales increased in both the United States and international markets. The Company achieved operating earnings of $23.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Operating earnings for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 increased from 2005 due to increased gross profit resulting from increased sales volume.
As of March 31, 2006, the Company’s total backlog was $572.6 million, $348.5 million of which was expected to be recognized within twelve months of such date. This represents a 13.1% and 15.6% decrease from the December 31, 2005 total backlog of $658.6 million and twelve months backlog of $413.1 million, respectively, and a 13.3% and 20.8% increase from the March 31, 2005 total backlog of $505.4 million and twelve months backlog of $288.4 million, respectively. The decrease from December 31, 2005 was primarily due to a decrease in new machine orders and the increase from March 31, 2005 was due to an increase in aftermarket parts and service orders. Although the Company had no new machine orders for the three months ended March 31, 2006, inquires for new machines remain at a high level. In April, the Company finalized the contract for the sale of four shovels in the China market.
As of March 31, 2006, the Company had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of $25.1 million compared with $68.3 million at December 31, 2005. The Company had borrowings of $20.8 million under its revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2006 and cash and cash equivalents were $8.4 million as of that date.
On March 8, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a three-for-two split of the Company’s Class A common stock. The stock split was paid on March 29, 2006 to Company shareholders of record on March 20, 2006. The Company’s Class A common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on March 30, 2006. All references in this press release to net earnings per share and the number of shares outstanding have been adjusted to reflect this stock split.
In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a 30% increase in the quarterly dividend, to the amount of $.05 per share per quarter, for dividends payable after the date of the stock split. On May 3, 2006, a cash dividend of $.05 per share was declared and is to be paid on June 5, 2006 to shareholders of record on May 18, 2006.
Bucyrus is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of large-scale excavation equipment used in surface mining. Bucyrus machines are used throughout the world by customers mining copper, coal, oil sands, iron ore and other minerals. An important part of Bucyrus’ business consists of aftermarket sales in support of its large installed base (almost $12.5 billion based on estimated replacement value) of machines which have service lives from fifteen to forty years.
Statements contained in this press release that are not based on current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations and are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Bucyrus’ actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those risk factors and cautionary factors described in the “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” sections of Bucyrus’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and other factors described in Bucyrus’ subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bucyrus undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
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