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Astronics Corporation Reports Revenue of $48.6 Million and Net Income of $2.5 Million for Third Quarter 2009

Thu Nov 5, 2009 6:55am EST

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091105005404/en

* Revenue expanded to $48.6 million including $14.1 million from acquisition
* Cash balance increased to $17.5 million on $15.6 million in cash generated
from operations in third quarter
* Full year revenue guidance tightened to $190 to $195 million

EAST AURORA, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a leader in advanced, high performance
lighting, electrical power and automated test systems for the global aerospace
and defense industries, today reported sales of $48.6 million in the third
quarter of 2009, which ended October 3, 2009, up 20.4% compared with sales of
$40.4 million in the third quarter of 2008. Results for the 2009 quarter include
DME Corporation, which was acquired by Astronics on January 30, 2009. Astronics`
organic business, excluding the recent acquisition, had sales of $34.5 million
for the third quarter of 2009, down 14.5%, or $5.9 million, from the 2008 third
quarter, but slightly above organic sales of $34.3 million in the trailing
second quarter of 2009. DME sales in the 2009 third quarter were $14.1 million. 

Sales for the Company`s Aerospace segment in the 2009 third quarter declined
3.5% to $39.0 million compared with the 2008 third quarter, while sales for the
Test Systems segment were $9.6 million. 

Net income in the third quarter of 2009 was $2.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted
share, compared with $2.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the same
period the prior year. 

Operating Results

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2009 was $10.1 million, or 20.8% of sales,
compared with $7.9 million, or 19.6% of sales, in the third quarter of 2008 and
$8.7 million, or 18.6% of sales, in the trailing second quarter. Included in the
cost of goods sold was $6.8 million in engineering and development (E&D) costs
of which $1.6 million were associated with DME. E&D in last year`s third quarter
and the trailing second quarter was $5.7 million and $6.4 million, respectively.
The margin improvement over the trailing second quarter reflects reductions in
estimated costs to complete several test systems long-term contracts that are
nearing completion as well as the Company`s cost reduction efforts. The
reduction of the estimated cost to complete those contracts contributed
approximately $1.3 million to revenue and gross profit for the third quarter of
2009. Test Systems segment revenue is recognized from long-term, fixed-price
contracts using the percentage of completion method of accounting. 

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense was $6.2 million, or 12.8% of
sales, in the third quarter of 2009, above SG&A of $4.0 million, or 10.0% of
sales, in last year`s third quarter, but below SG&A in the trailing second
quarter of $6.4 million, or 13.7% of sales. SG&A for the 2009 third quarter and
the trailing second quarter included approximately $2.3 million and $2.0
million, respectively, of DME-related expenses, including amortization of
acquired intangible assets related to the acquisition of $0.8 million in each
quarter. 

Segment Review

Aerospace:

During the third quarter of 2009, Aerospace segment sales were $39.0 million,
down $1.4 million, or 3.5%, from $40.4 million in the 2008 quarter, but improved
from $38.2 million in this year`s second quarter. Organic aerospace sales
declined by $5.9 million to $34.5 million compared with last year`s third
quarter, but were slightly above organic sales of $34.3 million in the trailing
second quarter of 2009. The acquired DME business added $4.5 million to
aerospace sales in the 2009 third quarter. 

Sales to the commercial transport market declined $3.5 million, or 13.7%,
compared with the 2008 third quarter, but improved 3.9% when compared with the
trailing second quarter. Soft demand for worldwide air travel in 2009 has caused
global airlines to defer spending for cabin upgrades that often employ
Astronics` EMPOWER® in-seat power product line, which is used to enhance
passengers` flying experience by powering their personal electronic devices and
lap-top computers as well as aircraft in-flight entertainment systems. 

Sales to the military market increased by $1.6 million, or 21.8%, to $9.2
million over the prior year quarter, but were below sales of $9.9 million in the
trailing second quarter. Sales of the power control unit for the Tactical
Tomahawk cruise missile program were very strong in this year`s second quarter,
but began to wind down and were concluded in the third quarter contributing to
the quarter-over-quarter decrease in aerospace military sales. The program
generated 2009 year-to-date revenue of $5.1 million which included third quarter
revenue of $1.0 million. 

Business jet market sales were off $2.1 million, or 29.9%, to $4.9 million and
were 8.3% below sales in the trailing second quarter due to reduced business jet
production. Also, there was $1.5 million in revenue from now-bankrupt Eclipse
Aviation in last year`s third quarter. Sales to the FAA/airport market, a new
market added in 2009 as part of the acquired DME business, were $2.6 million in
the third quarter of 2009, $1.0 million ahead of this year`s second quarter. 

Aerospace operating profit for the third quarter of 2009 was $4.7 million, or
12.0% of sales, compared with $4.6 million, or 11.4% of sales, in the same
period last year. Operating profit in the trailing second quarter was $3.7
million, or 9.7% of sales. Margin expansion year-over-year and sequentially
reflects improved mix and results of cost saving efforts during the quarter. 

Mr. Gundermann noted, "Our diversification in all three markets in the aerospace
industry and the addition of the FAA/Airport market has helped to reduce the
impact we could have realized from the severe decline in business jet production
and reduced spending by commercial airlines for cabin upgrades. Stronger sales
to the military have helped to offset the effects of this downturn." 

Test Systems:

Sales in Astronics` Test Systems segment, acquired with DME, were $9.6 million
in the third quarter of 2009, a 9.3% improvement from the second quarter of
2009. Operating profit was $0.5 million, or 5.0% of sales, in this year`s third
quarter compared with a loss of $0.3 million, or 2.8% of sales, in the trailing
second quarter of 2009. 

Mr. Gundermann commented, "The third quarter benefited by about $1.3 million as
the estimated profit on several of our long-term contracts that are nearing
completion has improved. However, this business remains slower than expected
with continued delays in the awarding of military contracts. The VIPER/T
business, which has been a significant contributor to revenue, has been slowing
and is expected to decline further in 2010. The VIPER/T system tests and
diagnoses electronic, electro-mechanical, and electro-optical equipment
assemblies and circuit cards from weapons systems, radar systems and
communications gear. The loss of the U.S. Marine contract for our latest test
solution for forward deployed ground radios was a significant disappointment,
but the reception the solution is getting from other military organizations is
somewhat encouraging." 

Nine-Month Review

For the first nine months of 2009, sales were $145.6 million, a 12.6% increase
compared with $129.3 million in the 2008 period. Astronics` organic business,
excluding the acquired DME business, had sales of $107.3 million in the first
nine months of 2009. Included in the 2008 nine-month period was $8.4 million in
revenue from now-bankrupt Eclipse Aviation. Sales to Eclipse in 2009 were
insignificant. 

Gross margin at 18.8% for the first nine months of 2009 was below last year`s
gross margin of 22.1% in the same period. The margin decrease was due primarily
to low DME margins and the lost margin on the lower sales volume for the organic
business. Included in the cost of goods sold was $19.7 million in E&D
expenditures of which $4.1 million were associated with DME. E&D costs for the
first nine months of 2008 were $16.6 million. For the 2009 nine-month period,
results included eight months of financial results from operations of DME,
reflecting the date of acquisition. 

SG&A expense was $18.7 million, or 12.8% of sales, in the first nine months of
2009 compared with $12.6 million, or 9.7% of sales, in the same period the prior
year. The increase was due primarily to the addition of $5.8 million in SG&A
costs at DME, including $2.4 million in amortization of acquired intangible
assets and deferred financing costs associated with the acquisition. The lower
gross margin and increased SG&A expenses resulted in a decline in operating
margin for the first nine months of 2009 to 5.9% compared with 12.4% in the
first nine months of 2008. 

Other income of $1.0 million for the nine-month period was the result of an
adjustment to the estimated fair value of a promissory note payable that was
contingent on DME achieving certain 2009 revenue. The initial fair value
estimation at the time of acquisition was $1.0 million of the $2.0 million
contingent payment. At the end of the third quarter, it was not expected that
the requirements for the contingent payment would be met. Net of tax, the
adjustment was $0.7 million, or $0.06 per share. 

The third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate of 31.0% and 30.1%,
respectively, reflect the impact of $0.3 million and $0.5 million in research
and development tax credits. 

Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was $5.9 million, or $0.53 per
diluted share, compared with $10.1 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, in the
same period the prior year. 

Balance Sheet

Cash and cash equivalents were $17.5 million at October 3, 2009, compared with
$3.0 million at December 31, 2008 and $4.5 million at the end of the trailing
second quarter. Through the nine-month period, Astronics used $6.6 million to
pay down long-term debt. The Company has a revolving credit facility with
approximately $21.5 million available at October 3, 2009. 

Cash generated from operations was $15.6 million during the quarter compared
with $1.8 million used in last year`s third quarter. For the nine-month period,
Astronics generated $25.1 million in cash from operations compared with $3.6
million in the 2008 period. The significant improvement in cash generated from
operations during the 2009 periods was attributed to improved working capital
management. 

Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2009 were $0.4 million compared
with $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the nine-month periods,
capital expenditures were $2.0 million and $3.2 million in 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $2.5 million
to $3.0 million for 2009. 

Outlook for Remainder of 2009 and Preliminary Guidance for 2010

Orders in the third quarter of 2009 were $44.1 million, compared with orders of
$30.8 million in the 2008 third quarter, and orders of $40.8 million in the
trailing second quarter of 2009. Aerospace segment orders were $40.1 million
compared with $30.8 million in the 2008 third quarter. Orders in the new Test
Systems segment were $3.9 million. 

Backlog at October 3, 2009, was $101.0 million, higher than the backlog of $92.1
million at the end of the third quarter of 2008, but down from backlog of $105.5
million at the end of the trailing second quarter. Aerospace backlog was $83.0
million at the end of the 2009 third quarter compared with $92.1 million at the
end of last year`s third quarter and $81.8 million at the end of the trailing
second quarter of 2009. Approximately $34.0 million of the Aerospace backlog is
expected to ship in the fourth quarter of 2009. Test Systems backlog was $18.0
million, of which $9.0 million is expected to ship in the fourth quarter of
2009. 

Mr. Gundermann stated, "We are tightening our full-year revenue guidance to a
range $190 million to $195 million which is comprised of approximately $156
million to $159 million for Aerospace sales and $34 million to $36 million for
Test System sales. We also caution that the strength in Test Systems margins
realized in this quarter are not sustainable based on the current low level of
sales. 

"Although we were encouraged by the improved bookings during this quarter, as we
look toward 2010, we currently do not expect any improvement in sales compared
with this year and could potentially see a slight decline," concluded Mr.
Gundermann. 

Third Quarter 2009 Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference at 11:00 a.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 (201) 689-8562 and requesting
conference ID number 334952 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 (201) 612-7415 and referencing account
number 3055 and conference ID number 334952. The telephonic replay will be
available from 2:00 p.m. ET today through 11:59 p.m. ET on November 12, 2009.

ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION

Astronics Corporation is a trusted leader in innovative, high performance
lighting, power management systems for the global aerospace industry; automated
diagnostic test systems, training and simulation devices for the defense
industry; and safety and survival equipment for airlines. Astronics` strategy is
to develop and maintain positions of technical leadership in its chosen
aerospace and defense markets, to leverage those positions to grow the amount of
content and volume of product it sells to those markets and to selectively
acquire businesses with similar technical capabilities that could benefit from
our leadership position and strategic direction. Astronics Corporation, and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, DME Corporation, 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. The Company routinely posts news and other important
information on its website at www.Astronics.com. 

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website at
www.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.

                                                                                                                                                                
 ASTRONICS CORPORATION                                                                                                                                          
 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA                                                                                                                             
 (Unaudited, $ in thousands except per share data)                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                Three Months Ended                                     Nine Months Ended                                    
                                                     10/3/2009                 9/27/2008              10/3/2009                 9/27/2008       
 Sales                                          $    48,586               $    40,363            $    145,625              $    129,341         
 Cost of products sold                               38,466                    32,455                 118,251                   100,811         
 Gross Profit                                        10,120                    7,908                  27,374                    28,530          
 Gross margin                                        20.8       %              19.6       %           18.8       %              22.1       %    
 Selling, general and administrative                 6,202                     4,030                  18,711                    12,552          
                                                                                                                                                        
 Income from operations                              3,918                     3,878                  8,663                     15,978          
 Operating margin                                    8.1        %              9.6        %           5.9        %              12.4       %    
 Interest expense, net                               407                       182                    1,307                     554             
 Other (income) expense*                             (107       )              60                     (1,020     )              73              
 Income before tax                                   3,618                     3,636                  8,376                     15,351          
 Income taxes                                        1,122                     1,257                  2,523                     5,209           
 Net Income                                     $    2,496                $    2,379             $    5,853                $    10,142          
                                                                                                                                                        
 Basic earnings per share:                      $    0.23                 $    0.23              $    0.55                 $    0.99            
 Diluted earnings per share:                    $    0.23                 $    0.22              $    0.53                 $    0.95            
                                                                                                                                                        
 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding         11,031                    10,688                 10,943                    10,681          
                                                                                                                                                        
 Capital Expenditures                           $    427                  $    1,058             $    1,978                $    3,188           
 Depreciation and Amortization                  $    1,954                $    980               $    5,649                $    2,989           
                                                                                                                                                        


*Includes contingent earnout liability fair value adjustment of $0.1 million in
the third quarter and $1.0 million year-to-date 2009.

                                                                                        
 ASTRONICS CORPORATION                                                                  
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA                                                        
 (Unaudited, $ in thousands)                                                            
                                                                                        
                                               10/3/2009          12/31/2008        
 ASSETS:                                                                            
 Cash and cash equivalents                     $      17,540     $       3,038    
 Accounts receivable                                  34,023             22,053   
 Inventories                                          31,030             35,586   
 Other current assets                                 5,172              6,078    
 Property, plant and equipment, net                   32,228             29,075   
 Other long-term assets                               5,193              4,409    
 Intangible assets                                    11,149             1,853    
 Goodwill                                             21,550             2,582    
 Total Assets                                  $      157,885    $       104,674  
                                                                                    
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:                                              
 Current maturities of long term debt          $      9,226      $       920      
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses                24,936             22,475   
 Long-term debt                                       43,917             13,526   
 Other liabilities                                    11,057             9,498    
 Shareholders' equity                                 68,749             58,255   
 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity    $      157,885    $       104,674  
                                                                                  


 ASTRONICS CORPORATION                                                                                                                           
 SEGMENT DATA                                                                                                                                    
 (Unaudited, $ in thousands)                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                 
                                 Three Months Ended                                     Nine Months Ended                                    
                                      10/3/2009                 9/27/2008              10/3/2009                 9/27/2008       
 Sales                                                                                                                                   
 Aerospace                       $    38,958               $    40,363            $    118,992              $    129,341         
 Test Systems                         9,628                     -                      26,633                    -               
 Sales                           $    48,586               $    40,363            $    145,625              $    129,341         
                                                                                                                                         
 Operating Profit and Margins                                                                                                            
 Aerospace                       $    4,684                $    4,605             $    11,779               $    18,211          
 Margin                               12.0       %              11.4       %           9.9        %              14.1       %    
 Test Systems                         483                       -                      430                       -               
 Margin                               5.0        %              -          %           1.6        %              -          %    
 Corporate Expenses and Other         1,249                     727                    3,546                     2,233           
 Total Operating Profit          $    3,918                $    3,878             $    8,663                $    15,978          
 Operating Margin                     8.1        %              9.6        %           5.9        %              12.4       %    
                                                                                                                                         


 ASTRONICS CORPORATION                                                                                                                                                                         
 SALES BY MARKET                                                                                                                                                                               
 (Unaudited, $ in thousands)                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                               
                         Three Months Ended                                                            Nine Months Ended                                                    2009       
                         10/3/2009               9/27/2008           % change                     10/3/2009             9/27/2008             % change            YTD %      
 Aerospace                                                                                                                                                                     
 Commercial Transport    $ 22,230                $      25,755      -14              %           $      66,623        $      78,429        -15       %         46   %    
 Military                9,203                          7,556       22               %                  29,544               24,225        22        %         20   %    
 Business Jet            4,947                          7,052       -30              %                  16,863               26,687        -37       %         12   %    
 FAA/Airport             2,578                          -                                                5,962                -                                  4    %    
 Aerospace Total         38,958                         40,363      -3               %                  118,992              129,341       -8        %         82   %    
                                                                                                                                                                               
 Test Systems            9,628                          -                                                26,633               -                                  18   %    
                                                                                                                                                                               
 Total                   $ 48,586                $      40,363      20               %           $      145,625       $      129,341       13        %         100  %    
                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                               
                         ASTRONICS CORPORATION                                                                                                                                             
                         SALES BY PRODUCT                                                                                                                                                  
                         (Unaudited, $ in thousands)                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                               
                         Three Months Ended                                                            Nine months Ended                                                    2009       
                         10/3/2009               9/27/2008           % change                     10/3/2009             9/27/2008             % change            YTD %      
                                                                                                                                                                               
 Aerospace                                                                                                                                                                     
 Aircraft Lighting       $ 15,500                $      14,646      6                %           $      49,430        $      48,430        2         %         34   %    
 Cabin Electronics       16,586                         20,548      -19              %                  48,484               63,418        -24       %         33   %    
 Airframe Power          4,294                          5,169       -17              %                  15,116               17,493        -14       %         11   %    
 Airfield Lighting       2,578                          -                                                5,962                -                                  4    %    
                                                                                                                                                                               
 Aerospace Total         38,958                         40,363      -3               %                  118,992              129,341       -8        %         82   %    
                                                                                                                                                                               
 Test Systems            9,628                          -                                                26,633               -                                  18   %    
                                                                                                                                                                               
 Total                   $ 48,586                $      40,363      20               %           $      145,625       $      129,341       13        %         100  %    
                                                                                                                                                                         


 ASTRONICS CORPORATION                                                                                                                                   
 ORDER AND BACKLOG TREND                                                                                                                                 
 (Unaudited, $ in thousands)                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                             
                       Q2 2008             Q3 2008             Q4 2008              Q1 2009*            Q2 2009            Q3 2009           
                             6/28/2008          9/27/2008          12/31/2008           4/4/2009          7/4/2009          10/3/2009  
 Sales                                                                                                                                       
 Aerospace             $     47,889       $     40,363       $     44,381        $      41,818      $     38,216      $     38,958     
 Test Systems                -                  -                  -                    8,197             8,808             9,628      
 Total Sales           $     47,889       $     40,363       $     44,381        $      50,015      $     47,024      $     48,586     
                                                                                                                                             
 Bookings                                                                                                                                    
 Aerospace             $     52,386       $     30,798       $     41,348        $      28,016      $     34,605      $     40,135     
 Test Systems                -                  -                  -                    2,798             6,168             3,932      
 Total Bookings        $     52,386       $     30,798       $     41,348        $      30,814      $     40,773      $     44,067     
                                                                                                                                             
 Backlog                                                                                                                                     
 Aerospace             $     101,646      $     92,081       $     89,048        $      85,418      $     81,807      $     82,983     
 Test Systems                -                  -                  -                    26,311            23,671            17,974     
 Total Backlog         $     101,646      $     92,081       $     89,048        $      111,729     $     105,478     $     100,957    
                                                                                                                                             
 Book:Bill                                                                                                                                   
 Aerospace                   1.09               0.76               0.93                 0.67              0.91              1.03       
 Test Systems                -                  -                  -                    0.34              0.70              0.41       
 Combined Book:Bill          1.09               0.76               0.93                 0.62              0.87              0.91       
                                                                                                                                             


* On January 30, 2009, Astronics acquired DME Corporation, including backlog of
$10,172 for Aerospace and $31,710 for Test Systems.

Astronics Corporation
David C. Burney, 716-805-1599, ext. 159
Chief Financial Officer
david.burney@astronics.com
or
Investor Relations:
Kei Advisors LLC
Deborah K. Pawlowski, 716-843-3908
dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009



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