For more information contact:
David C. Burney, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (716) 805-1599, ext. 159
Fax: (716) 805-1286
Email: dburney@astronics.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronics Corporation Reports Sales of $42.9 million and Net Income of $4.7 million in First Quarter 2007
| • | Gross margin improves to 27.2% |
| • | Strong demand continues from commercial transport and business jet markets |
EAST AURORA, NY, May 8, 2007 – Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a trusted leader in innovative, high performance lighting, electrical generation, control and distribution systems for the global aerospace industry, today reported sales of $42.9 million for the 2007 first quarter which ended March 31, a 70% increase compared with sales of $25.3 million in the same period last year. Net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $4.7 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared with $1.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2006.
The sales growth was driven by demand for the Company’s cabin electronics products, primarily supplied to the worldwide commercial transport market, and growth from the business jet market as several new aircraft platforms entered production during the last six months. Sales for the cabin electronics product line, which provide a power source for in-flight entertainment systems and in-seat power for personal electronic devices, were $22.5 million, a 161% increase from $8.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. Sales to the business jet market increased 59% to $7.8 million from $4.9 million last year. These increases were partially offset by decreased sales to the military market of about $900 thousand as spare parts orders slowed as compared with the same period last year.
Peter J. Gundermann, President and CEO of Astronics Corp. commented, “As anticipated, we had a very strong first quarter from both a sales and earnings perspective. We continue to see robust demand in all areas of the aerospace industry. Orders from the airlines around the world remain at a solid, strong pace as they upgrade their fleets to enhance their passengers’ experience by offering in-seat power and in-flight entertainment systems. Additionally, we have several new business jet programs ramping up this year. The balance of the year should prove to be very exciting for Astronics. At this early point in the year, we are not making any changes to our revenue expectations for the year. Our revenue guidance remains at $135 to $140 million.”
He continued, “Because our revenue spiked as expected during the first quarter and was relatively low in the fourth quarter of last year, it may be useful to look at those two periods in combination. This normalizes revenue somewhat relative to costs and smoothes out the impact of the revenue recognition accounting change we announced earlier this year, which helped boost our results in the first quarter at the expense of the fourth. As I mentioned previously, we expect a strong year, but do not expect our revenue for the next three quarters to maintain the pace we saw in the first quarter.”
Gross margin for the first quarter was 27.2%, an improvement of 5.8 percentage points from a gross margin of 21.4% in the same period the prior year. The improved margin for the first quarter of 2007 when compared with the first quarter of 2006 was a result of the leverage provided by the sales increase offset by a $1.0 million increase of engineering and development costs.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $4.3 million for the first quarter of 2007, up from $3.0 million in the same period the prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A for the quarter declined to 10.0% compared with 12.0% in the same period the prior year. Higher labor costs and increased audit and professional fees contributed to the increase compared with the same period last year.
Outlook
Bookings for the first quarter of 2007 were $40.4 million compared with $23.9 million in the first quarter of 2006 and steady with bookings in the fourth quarter of 2006. Backlog at the end of the first quarter was $97.0 million, compared with $94.7 million and $99.5 million at the end of the first and fourth quarters of 2006, respectively.
Mr. Gundermann concluded, “The industry is interested in both the power and lighting products we have to offer, and we are focused on maximizing the extensive sales opportunities that are available to us right now. Our investment in development programs over the years is what has led to our current success. We continue to constantly assess development opportunities as they become available and invest in those that we believe are long-term winners and offer the most potential.”
First Quarter 2007 Webcast and Conference Call
The Company will host a teleconference at 3 p.m. ET today. During the teleconference, Peter J. Gundermann, President and CEO, and David C. Burney, Vice President and CFO, will review the financial and operating results for the period and discuss Astronics’ corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.
The Astronics conference call can be accessed the following ways:
| • | The live webcast can be found at http://www.astronics.com. Participants should go to the website 10 — 15 minutes prior to the scheduled conference in order to register and download any necessary audio software. |
| • | The teleconference can be accessed by dialing (973) 935-2970 approximately 5 — 10 minutes prior to the call. |
To listen to the archived call:
| • | The archived webcast will be at http://www.astronics.com. A transcript will also be posted once available. |
| • | A replay can also be heard by calling (973) 341-3080, and entering the pin number, 8661397. |
The telephonic replay will be available from 6 p.m. ET the day of the call through 11:59 p.m. ET May 15, 2007.
ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Astronics Corporation is a trusted leader in innovative, high performance lighting, electrical generation, control and distribution systems for the global aerospace industry. Its strategy is to expand the value and content it provides to various aircraft platforms through product development and acquisition. Astronics Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp. and Luminescent Systems Inc., have a reputation for high quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices.
For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website atwww.Astronics.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expression. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the state of the aerospace industry, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, customer preferences, and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this press release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW.
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ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
(unaudited)
(in thousands except per share data)
| Three months ended | ||||||||
| 3/31/2007 | 4/1/2006 | |||||||
| Sales | $ | 42,875 | $ | 25,263 | ||||
| Cost of products sold | 31,225 | 19,851 | ||||||
Gross margin | 27.2 | % | 21.4 | % | ||||
| Selling general and administrative | 4,276 | 3,019 | ||||||
| Income from operations | 7,374 | 2,393 | ||||||
Operating margin | 17.2 | % | 9.5 | % | ||||
| Interest expense, net | 296 | 199 | ||||||
| Other (income) expense | (8 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||
| Income before tax | 7,086 | 2,206 | ||||||
| Income taxes | 2,391 | 888 | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 4,695 | $ | 1,318 | ||||
| Basic earnings per share: | $ | 0.58 | $ | 0.17 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share: | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.16 | ||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 8,454 | 8,143 | ||||||
| Capital Expenditures | $ | 3,045 | $ | 645 | ||||
| Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 770 | $ | 623 | ||||
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| 3/31/2007 | 12/31/2006 | |||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 346 | $ | 222 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 24,663 | 17,165 | ||||||
| Inventories | 32,976 | 31,570 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 2,793 | 2,699 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 25,841 | 23,436 | ||||||
| Other assets | 7,443 | 7,446 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 94,062 | $ | 82,538 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||||||||
| Current maturities of long term debt | $ | 926 | $ | 923 | ||||
| Note payable | 14,500 | 8,100 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 24,993 | 25,196 | ||||||
| Long-term debt | 9,404 | 9,426 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 7,587 | 7,545 | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 36,652 | 31,348 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 94,062 | $ | 82,538 | ||||
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ASTRONICS CORPORATION
ORDER AND BACKLOG TREND
($, in thousands)
| 2006 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q1 2006 | Q2 2006 | Q3 2006 | Q4 2006 | Twelve Months | Q1 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4/1/06 | 7/1/06 | 9/30/06 | 12/31/06 | 12/31/06 | 3/31/07 | |||||||||||||||||||
Sales | $25,263 | $ | 28,832 | $ | 27,752 | $ | 28,920 | $ | 110,767 | $ | 42,875 | |||||||||||||
Net Income | $1,318 | $ | 1,963 | $ | 1,648 | $ | 807 | $ | 5,736 | $ | 4,695 | |||||||||||||
Bookings | $23,850 | $ | 23,929 | $ | 25,985 | $ | 40,411 | $ | 114,175 | $ | 40,351 | |||||||||||||
Backlog | $94,706 | $ | 89,803 | $ | 88,036 | $ | 99,527 | $ | 99,527 | $ | 97,003 | |||||||||||||
Book:Bill | 0.94 | 0.83 | 0.94 | 1.40 | 1.03 | 0.94 | ||||||||||||||||||
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY MARKET
($, in thousands)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| 3/31/2007 | 4/1/2006 | % change | 2007 YTD % | |||||||||||||
Military | $ | 6,198 | $ | 7,141 | -13 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||
Commercial Transport | 28,600 | 12,781 | 124 | % | 67 | % | ||||||||||
Business Jet | 7,752 | 4,881 | 59 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||||
Other | 325 | 460 | -29 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 42,875 | $ | 25,263 | 70 | % | 100 | % | ||||||||
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY PRODUCT
($, in thousands)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| 3/31/2007 | 4/1/2006 | % change | 2007 YTD % | |||||||||||||
Cabin Electronics | $ | 22,532 | $ | 8,629 | 161 | % | 52 | % | ||||||||
Cockpit Lighting | 8,074 | 8,073 | 0 | % | 19 | % | ||||||||||
Airframe Power | 7,620 | 4,166 | 83 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||||
Exterior Lighting | 2,255 | 1,750 | 29 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||
Cabin Lighting | 2,069 | 2,185 | -5 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||
Other | 325 | 460 | -29 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 42,875 | $ | 25,263 | 70 | % | 100 | % | ||||||||
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