Astec Industries (ASTE) 8-K Astec Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and 2007

Astec Industries, Inc.

News Release

1725 Shepherd Road  |  Chattanooga, TN  37421  |  Phone (423) 899-5898  |  Fax (423) 899-4456

ASTEC INDUSTRIES REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND 2007

RESULTS WITH HISTORICAL HIGHS IN REVENUES AND NET INCOME

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (February 26, 2008) – Astec Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:  ASTE) today reported results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Revenues for 2007 were $869 million and net income for 2007 was $57 million, each of which is a historical high for the Company.  Net income was $2.53 per diluted share for 2007 compared to $1.81 per diluted share for 2006, for an increase of $0.72, or 40% per diluted share.

Revenues for 2007 were $869 million compared with $711 million for 2006, for an increase of 22%.  Domestic sales were $591 million for 2007, or 68% of 2007 revenues, compared to domestic sales of $518 million for 2006, or 73% of 2006 revenues.  International sales were $278 million for 2007, a 45% increase over 2006, or 32% of 2007 revenues, compared to international sales of $192 million for 2006, or 27% of 2006 revenues.  Gross margins for 2007 compared to 2006 increased 40 basis points.  The Company reported net income of $57 million, or $2.53 per diluted share, for 2007 compared with a net income of $40 million, or $1.81 per diluted share for 2006, resulting in a 40% increase in diluted earnings per share.

Income from operations increased 44% from $60 million in 2006 to $87 million in 2007.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $221 million compared with $162 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, for an increase of 36%.  Domestic sales were $136 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 62% of 2007 fourth quarter revenues, compared to domestic sales of $114 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, or 70% of 2006 fourth quarter revenues.  International sales were $85 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 38% of 2007 fourth quarter revenues, compared to international sales of $49 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, or 30% of 2006 fourth quarter revenues.  The Company reported net income of $11 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with net income of $6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006, resulting in a 72% increase in diluted earnings per share.  The Company’s previous historical high for fourth quarter earnings was $0.29 per diluted share in 1998 and 2006.

Consolidated financial statements for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007 and additional information related to segment revenues and profits are attached as addenda to this press release.

The Company’s backlog at December 31, 2007 was $272 million compared to $246 million at December 31, 2006, including the backlog of Peterson Pacific Corp. acquired in July, 2007, for a $26 million increase.  The Company’s backlog at January 31, 2008 was $293 million compared to $267 million, including Peterson, at January 31, 2007, for a $26 million increase.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. J. Don Brock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased with our 2007 results.  We are beginning the year with a strong backlog indicative of what we believe will be improved sales in the first six months of 2008.  Our efforts to increase international sales will continue this year.  The ConExpo Show, held every three years, is in March and is the largest equipment show in the United States.  ConExpo will be attended by many of our customers to evaluate the latest equipment offerings and capabilities.  We expect to achieve 15% growth in net sales in 2008.  We expect inflation pressures on the cost of materials and components to continue in 2008.  We will be diligent in managing costs and increasing prices where needed.  Based on our outlook at this time, we expect net sales to be approximately $1 billion in 2008 and diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.80 to $2.95.”

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Astec will conduct a conference call on February 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EST to review its fourth quarter and fiscal 2007 financial results as well as its near term general outlook for 2008.  The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 407-9210.  Please reference Astec Industries.

The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of the conference call.  The live broadcast of Astec’s conference call will be available online at the Company’s website at:  www.astecindustries.com/www/docs/100.  An archived webcast will be available for 90 days at www.astecindustries.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through midnight on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 for international callers; Account #:  286; Conference ID #:  275273.  A transcription of the conference call will be made available under the investor relations section of the Astec Industries, Inc. website within seven days after the call.

Astec Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialized equipment for building and restoring the world’s infrastructure.  Astec’s manufacturing operations are divided into four business segments:  aggregate processing and mining equipment; asphalt production equipment; mobile asphalt paving equipment; and underground boring, directional drilling and trenching equipment.  We also have a company engaged in the wood grinding and processing industry.

The information contained in this press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding the future performance of the Company, including statements about the Company’s financial performance for 2008, including projected net sales and diluted earnings per share, the effects on the Company from its backlog, the effects of inflation pressures on the cost of materials and components, and the effects of our efficiency initiatives.  These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based upon currently available information, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements.  These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or anticipated.  Future events and actual results, financial or otherwise, could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause future events or actual results to differ materially include:  general uncertainty in the economy, future downturns in the economy, rising oil and liquid asphalt prices, rising steel prices, a failure to comply in the future with covenants in the Company’s credit facility or to obtain waivers thereof, rising interest rates, decreased funding for highway projects, production capacity, general business conditions in the industry, demand for the Company’s products, seasonality and cyclicality in operating results, seasonality of sales volumes or lower than expected sales volumes, lower than expected margins on custom equipment orders, competitive activity and those other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the Company’s quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2007.  The Company plans to file its Form 10-K timely by February 29, 2008.

For Additional Information Contact:

J. Don Brock

Chairman of the Board & C.E.O.

Phone:  (423) 867-4210

Fax:  (423) 867-4127

E-mail:  dbrock@astecindustries.com

or

F. McKamy Hall

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Phone:  (423) 899-5898

Fax:  (423) 899-4456

E-mail:  mhall@astecindustries.com

or

Stephen C. Anderson

Director of Investor Relations

Phone:  (423) 899-5898

Fax:  (423) 899-4456

E-mail:  sanderson@astecindustries.com

Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	December 31,		December 31,
	2007		2006
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,636	$	44,878
Receivables, net		87,487		66,673
Inventories		210,819		157,835
Prepaid expenses and other		15,790		13,631
Total current assets		348,732		283,017
Property and equipment, net		141,528		113,914
Other assets		52,310		24,931
Total assets	$	542,570	$	421,862
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable - trade	$	54,840	$	42,561
Other accrued liabilities		89,054		62,308
Total current liabilities		143,894		104,869
Other non-current liabilities		21,204		20,128
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary		883		699
Total shareholders' equity		376,589		296,166
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	542,570	$	421,862

Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2007		2006		2007		2006
Net sales	$	220,810	$	162,151	$	869,025	$	710,607
Cost of sales		172,909		127,485		659,247		542,320
Gross profit		47,901		34,666		209,778		168,287
Selling, general, administrative & engineering expenses		30,276		27,707		123,050		107,944
Income from operations		17,625		6,959		86,728		60,343
Interest expense		88		404		853		1,672
Other income, net of expenses		493		716		2,531		1,637
Income before income taxes and minority interest		18,030		7,271		88,406		60,308
Income taxes		6,586		972		31,398		20,638
Minority interest in earnings		60		-		211		82
Net income	$	11,384	$	6,299	$	56,797	$	39,588
Earnings per Common Share
Net income
Basic	$	0.51	$	0.29	$	2.59	$	1.85
Diluted	$	0.50	$	0.29	$	2.53	$	1.81
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic		22,224,429		21,561,820		21,967,985		21,428,738
Diluted		22,595,714		21,786,613		22,444,866		21,917,123

Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Revenues and Profits
For the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Asphalt Group			Aggregate and Mining Group			Mobile Asphalt Paving Group			Underground Group			All Others			Total
2007 Revenues		56,722			85,045			28,827			31,390			18,826			220,810
2006 Revenues		37,631			71,528			26,187			26,805			-			162,151
Change $		19,091			13,517			2,640			4,585			18,826			58,659
Change %		50.7	%		18.9	%		10.1	%		17.1	%		-			36.2	%
2007 Gross Profit		13,172			18,853			7,261			5,461			3,154			47,901
2007 Gross Profit %		23.2	%		22.2	%		25.2	%		17.4	%		16.8	%		21.7	%
2006 Gross Profit (Loss)		8,450			17,656			5,336			3,520			(296	)		34,666
2006 Gross Profit %		22.5	%		24.7	%		20.4	%		13.1	%		-			21.4	%
Change		4,722			1,197			1,925			1,941			3,450			13,235
2007 Profit (Loss)		7,881			8,033			3,117			833			(8,508	)		11,356
2006 Profit (Loss)		3,664			8,535			2,243			(461	)		(7,093	)		6,888
Change $		4,217			(502	)		874			1,294			(1,415	)		4,468
Change %		115.1	%		(5.9	%)		39.0	%		280.7	%		(19.9	%)		64.9	%

Segment revenues are reported net of intersegment revenues. Segment gross profit is net   of profit on intersegment revenues.  A reconcilation of total segment profits to the Company's   consolidated net income is as follows:
	For the three months ended December 31,
	2007			2006
Total profit for all segments	$	11,356		$	6,888
Minority interest earnings of subsidiary		(60	)		-
Recapture (elimination) of intersegment profit		88			(589	)
Consolidated net income	$	11,384		$	6,299

Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Revenues and Profits
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Asphalt Group			Aggregate and Mining Group			Mobile Asphalt Paving Group			Underground Group			All Others			Total
2007 Revenues		240,229			338,183			146,489			114,378			29,746			869,025
2006 Revenues		186,657			289,471			129,385			105,094			-			710,607
Change $		53,572			48,712			17,104			9,284			29,746			158,418
Change %		28.7	%		16.8	%		13.2	%		8.8	%		-	%		22.3	%
2007 Gross Profit		61,530			81,297			36,260			25,670			5,021			209,778
2007 Gross Profit %		25.6	%		24.0	%		24.8	%		22.4	%		16.9	%		24.1	%
2006 Gross Profit (Loss)		46,447			70,878			29,995			21,303			(336	)		168,287
2006 Gross Profit %		24.9	%		24.5	%		23.2	%		20.3	%		-	%		23.7	%
Change		15,083			10,419			6,265			4,367			5,357			41,491
2007 Profit (Loss)		37,707			38,892			17,885			7,348			(45,042	)		56,790
2006 Profit (Loss)		24,387			33,263			14,369			4,866			(36,439	)		40,446
Change $		13,320			5,629			3,516			2,482			(8,603	)		16,344
Change %		54.6	%		16.9	%		24.5	%		51.0	%		(23.6	%)		40.4	%

Segment revenues are reported net of intersegment revenues. Segment gross profit is net    of profit on intersegment revenues.  A reconcilation of total segment profits to the Company's    consolidated net income is as follows:
	For the twelve months ended December 31,
	2007			2006
Total profit for all segments	$	56,790		$	40,446
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary		(211	)		(82	)
Recapture (elimination) of intersegment profit		218			(776	)
Consolidated net income	$	56,797		$	39,588

Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Backlog by Segment
December 31, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Asphalt Group			Aggregate and Mining Group			Mobile Asphalt Paving Group			Underground Group			All Others			Total
2007 Backlog		124,857			113,031			12,142			13,347			9,045			272,422
2006 Backlog		111,053			109,370			12,404			9,709			3,704			246,240
Change $		13,804			3,661			(262	)		3,638			5,341			26,182
Change %		12.4	%		3.3	%		(2.1	%)		37.5	%		144.2	%		10.6	%