CHARLOTTE, Mich., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spartan Motors,
Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR) reported its best year in company history in
2008, marked by a 23.8 percent year-over-year increase in revenues
and a 74.3 percent increase in net earnings. For the fourth quarter
ended Dec. 31, 2008, Spartan reported: -- Net earnings of $0.09 per
diluted share ($0.26 excluding one-time charges) -- Net sales of
$146.3 million -- Gross margin of 21.1% -- Return on invested
capital of 7.2% -- Consolidated backlog of $169.9 million Fourth
Quarter & Year-End Results Spartan reported fourth quarter net
earnings of $2.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on net sales
of $146.3 million, compared with net earnings of $8.2 million, or
$0.25 per diluted share, on net sales of $237.6 million in the same
quarter of 2007. Spartan reported consolidated gross margin of 21.1
percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, a 66.1 percent increase over
the same period in 2007 and a 16.6 percent increase over its gross
margin in the third quarter of 2008. Spartan attributed the
year-over-year increase in gross margin to higher sales in its
service, parts and accessories business, productivity improvements
and a change in product mix. The company reported a 51.3 percent
increase in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs in
the fourth quarter of 2008 compared with the prior year period,
driven primarily by legal expenses and fines related to a
previously reported settlement between Spartan Chassis and the
Department of Justice. This included an expense of $6.0 million, or
a net effect of approximately $0.17 per share, to encompass all
fines and penalties. For the year ended 2008, Spartan's sales
increased 23.8 percent year-over year to $844.4 million and net
earnings grew 74.3 percent year-over-year to $42.7 million, or
$1.32 per diluted share, the highest profits in company history.
Spartan Motors reported consolidated backlog of approximately
$169.9 million as of Dec. 31, 2008 and the company anticipates
fulfilling its current backlog orders by October 2009. "Despite the
economic recession and other challenges, we maintained our focus
and created the best performance in the history of the company,"
said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "During
the year, we also scaled our operations to match demand, controlled
costs, invested resources into innovation and product development
and ended the year on financially solid ground. Our diversification
across several sectors gives us numerous opportunities while
minimizing risk. Additionally, our business model gives us the
agility to quickly respond to market needs, take advantage of
strategic opportunities when they arise and correctly size our
operations to ensure growth. "Though our 2009 results are not
expected to match our performance in 2008, we are focused on
maximizing our opportunities in 2009 and executing our long-term
strategic plan to fuel our growth in 2010 and beyond. As part of
this plan, we expect to introduce new products into specialty
vehicle markets where we do not currently compete. Since our
inception in 1975, a large recession year, periods of recession
have been followed by years of growth for Spartan. Recessions cause
society and business to restructure, which in turn cause vehicles
to change. While over the short term we are taking the steps to
manage through the recession, we have demonstrated profitable
growth over the long term." Spartan Chassis Sales at Spartan
Chassis, the company's largest subsidiary and operating unit,
decreased 38.9 percent year-over year to $129.0 million for the
current quarter. Spartan Chassis represented 88.2 percent of
Spartan Motors' total consolidated sales in the 2008 fourth
quarter. Spartan Chassis' net earnings declined 65.2 percent
year-over-year in the quarter, reflecting the expenses for
penalties and fines. Spartan's chassis sales to the Class A diesel
motorhome market decreased 86.6 percent year-over-year in the
quarter, while backlog for RV chassis decreased 79.7 percent
year-over-year to $5.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2008. Sales of fire
truck chassis in the quarter increased 12.9 percent compared to the
same period in 2007, and backlog for fire truck chassis at the end
of the 2008 fourth quarter was $73.5 million, a 21.7 percent
year-over-year increase. Other Products sales, including specialty
chassis for mine-resistant and MRAP military vehicles, and Spartan
Chassis' growing service, parts and accessories (SPA) business,
decreased 31.3 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of
2008, reflecting the completion of several large orders for
military customers. Other Products backlog, which excludes service
parts, was $8.5 million as of Dec. 31, 2008, compared to Other
Products backlog of $199.4 million at year-end 2007. "Sales from
SPA continued to grow at a rapid pace during the fourth quarter,"
said Sztykiel. "The majority of this growth in SPA was for mine-
resistant military and MRAP vehicles. However, we are also
targeting greater expansion of SPA into the motorhome and
emergency-rescue markets, both of which are significantly larger
than the SPA business for the specialty vehicle market." Emergency
Vehicle Team (EVTeam) Spartan's EVTeam operating unit, consisting
of its Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue
subsidiaries, reported a 13.0 percent year-over- year decline in
sales for the 2008 fourth quarter. The EVTeam posted a net loss of
$393,000 for the quarter. The loss was a 77.9 percent improvement
compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, a result of improved
operating efficiencies. The EVTeam's sales represented 11.8 percent
of total company- wide sales in the 2008 fourth quarter, net of
eliminations. For the year ended 2008, the EVTeam reported a 3.6
percent improvement in sales compared to 2007, and 57.0 percent
year-over-year improvement in segment bottom-line. Backlog for the
emergency vehicle team was $82.4 million at the end 2008, a 60.6
percent year-over-year increase compared to $51.3 million at the
end of 2007. Financial Position Spartan reported positive operating
cash flow of $59.0 million in the current quarter and the company
ended the quarter with $13.7 million in cash and cash equivalents,
as well as $16.6 million in long-term debt. As previously reported,
Spartan Motors holds a $50 million line of credit with J.P. Morgan
Chase Bank, which remains fully available to fund future needs. "We
are generating cash and have minimal long-term debt, giving us
access to the capital we need to grow the business," said Chief
Financial Officer Jim Knapp. "Our financial strength allows us to
make the best decisions to maximize shareholder return, whether it
is investing in the business, repurchasing stock or evaluating
strategic acquisitions." On a consolidated basis, Spartan posted a
return on invested capital (ROIC) of 7.2 percent in the fourth
quarter of 2008, compared to ROIC of 27.4 percent for the same
quarter in 2007. For the full year 2008, Spartan reported ROIC of
25.8 percent compared to 19.8 percent in 2007. Spartan defines
return on invested capital as operating income less taxes, on an
annualized basis, divided by total shareholders' equity. Market
Outlook Spartan reported it expects its consolidated 2009 results
to be less than 2008 because of market and economic conditions, and
a reduction in specialty vehicle sales, primarily large-scale
military contracts, though the potential for larger orders remains.
"Though we expect a year-over-year decline for specialty vehicle
sales in the first half of 2009, we are currently working closely
with our military customers to develop new lines of mine-resistant
vehicles, such as the M-ATV program for deployment in Afghanistan
and other variants for the U.S. and other militaries," said
Sztykiel. "We do emphasize that we are in the specialty vehicle
business today and expect to be in the future. Our opportunities
exist because of our speed-to-market, manufacturing flexibility,
on-time delivery, product performance and superior service, parts
and support, all of which continue to be our strengths in 2009. We
continue to produce smaller orders of specialized mine-resistant
variants for the U.S. military and other nations, which we see as a
bridge to larger opportunities in the future. "In addition,
emergency-rescue remains Spartan's largest, most stable market, and
we expect continuous growth based on increased market share and new
product and innovation initiatives. For all our emergency-rescue
products, we expect to see growth in 2009. We have already built a
strong order pipeline for our fire truck chassis and fire trucks in
the first half of the year, due in part to increased demand from
changes to industry safety regulations." Sztykiel concluded: "Our
focus in motorhomes this year is to position ourselves for the
eventual industry recovery. We expect flat to lower sales in 2009
for motorhome chassis because of industry conditions. However,
retail sales have severely depleted dealer inventory, giving us the
potential for a significant rebound when the RV industry begins its
eventual recovery. Though difficult to predict, we believe there
will be a probable year-over-year decline in the second half for
motorhome chassis sales. In the meantime, we are continuing new
product development and engineering new innovations for motorhome
chassis to gain market share and new OEM customers." Conference
Call & Webcast Spartan Motors will host a conference call for
analysts and portfolio managers at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss
these results and current business trends. To listen to a live
webcast of the call, please visit http://www.spartanmotors.com/ ,
click on "Shareholders," and then on "Webcasts." About Spartan
Motors Spartan Motors, Inc. ( http://www.spartanmotors.com/ )
designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for
the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue
and specialty vehicle markets. The company's brand names --
Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire Aerials(TM), and Road
Rescue(TM) -- are known for quality, value, service and being the
first to market with innovative products. The company employs
approximately 1,200 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $844.4 million
in 2008 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of
specialty vehicles and chassis in North America. This release
contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and
the performance of our products. Forward looking statements are
identifiable by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "will,"
"sustain," and "continue." These forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be
accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially
from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications
may arise that could prevent the prompt implementation of the plans
outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking
statements are further qualified by other factors including, but
not limited to, those set forth in the company's Annual Report on
Form 10- K filing and other filings with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (available at
http://www.sec.gov/ ). Government contracts and subcontracts
typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive
bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding,
extensive specification development and changes, price negotiations
and milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental
contract is not equivalent to a finalized executed contract and
does not assure that orders will be issued and filled. Government
agencies also often retain some portion of fees payable upon
completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be
delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime
contractors and subcontractors. The company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this
release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law. Spartan Motors, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31,
2008 December 31, 2007 $-000- $-000- ASSETS Current assets: Cash
and cash equivalents $13,741 $13,527 Accounts receivable, net
75,935 132,907 Inventories 86,648 103,076 Deferred income tax
assets 7,076 6,925 Other current assets 8,063 1,978 Total current
assets 191,463 258,413 Property, plant and equipment, net 66,786
56,673 Goodwill 2,457 2,457 Deferred income tax assets 241 775
Other assets 193 346 Total assets $261,140 $318,664 LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $21,776
$90,769 Accrued warranty 8,352 10,824 Accrued compensation and
related taxes 12,136 10,431 Accrued vacation 1,904 1,758 Accrued
customer rebates 1,498 1,963 Deposits from customers 9,922 5,540
Taxes on income 1,972 551 Other current liabilities and accrued
expenses 4,584 3,367 Current portion of long-term debt 10,640 522
Total current liabilities 72,784 125,725 Other non-current
liabilities 1,157 1,025 Long-term debt, less current portion 16,556
62,695 Shareholders' equity: Common stock 326 324 Additional paid
in capital 64,606 62,649 Retained earnings 105,711 66,246 Total
shareholders' equity 170,643 129,219 Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $261,140 $318,664 Spartan Motors, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Three
Months Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 December 31, 2008 December
31, 2007 $-000- % $-000- % Sales 146,314 237,567 Cost of Products
Sold 115,387 207,345 Gross Profit 30,927 21.1 30,222 12.7 Operating
Expenses: Research and Development 4,814 3.3 4,543 1.9 Selling,
General and Administrative 18,971 13.0 12,541 5.3 Total Operating
Expenses 23,785 16.3 17,084 7.2 Operating Income 7,142 4.9 13,138
5.5 Other Income (Expense): Interest Expense (251) (0.2) (830)
(0.3) Interest and Other Income 56 (0.0) 205 0.1 Total Other Income
(Expense) (195) (0.1) (625) (0.2) Earnings before Taxes on Income
6,947 4.7 12,513 5.3 Taxes on Income 4,085 2.8 4,301 1.8 Net
Earnings 2,862 1.9 8,212 3.5 Basic Net Earnings per Share 0.09 0.26
Diluted Net Earnings per Share 0.09 0.25 Basic Weighted Average
Common Shares Outstanding 32,086 32,070 Diluted Weighted Average
Common Shares Outstanding 32,244 32,780 Spartan Motors, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 December 31, 2008 December
31, 2007 $-000- % $-000- % Sales 844,390 681,922 Cost of Products
Sold 696,120 585,421 Gross Profit 148,270 17.5 96,501 14.2
Operating Expenses: Research and Development 19,461 2.3 15,868 2.3
Selling, General and Administrative 60,097 7.1 41,383 6.1 Total
Operating Expenses 79,558 9.4 57,251 8.4 Operating Income 68,712
8.1 39,250 5.8 Other Income (Expense): Interest Expense (2,062)
(0.2) (1,748) (0.3) Interest and Other Income 679 0.1 725 0.1 Total
Other Income (Expense) (1,383) (0.2) (1,023) (0.2) Earnings before
Taxes on Income 67,329 8.0 38,227 5.6 Taxes on Income 24,615 2.9
13,723 2.0 Net Earnings 42,714 5.1 24,504 3.6 Basic Net Earnings
per Share 1.33 0.77 Diluted Net Earnings per Share 1.32 0.75 Basic
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 32,008 31,935 Diluted
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 32,437 32,833 Spartan
Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries Sales and Other Financial Information
by Business Segment Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2008
Three Months Ended December 31, 2008 (amounts in thousands of
dollars) Business Segments Chassis EVTeam Other Consolidated
Motorhome Chassis Sales 6,990 6,990 Fire Truck Chassis Sales 32,613
(6,730) 25,883 EVTeam Product Sales 23,999 23,999 Other Product
Sales 89,442 89,442 Total Net Sales 129,045 23,999 (6,730) 146,314
Interest Expense 11 460 (220) 251 Depreciation Expense 888 277 600
1,765 Segment Net Earnings (Loss) 4,518 (393) (1,263) 2,862 Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2008 (amounts in thousands of dollars)
Business Segments Chassis EVTeam Other Consolidated Motorhome
Chassis Sales 91,141 91,141 Fire Truck Chassis Sales 121,641
(27,619) 94,022 EVTeam Product Sales 92,658 92,658 Other Product
Sales 566,569 566,569 Total Net Sales 779,351 92,658 (27,619)
844,390 Interest Expense 27 1,620 415 2,062 Depreciation Expense
2,885 1,147 2,027 6,059 Segment Net Earnings (Loss) 51,365 (2,179)
(6,472) 42,714 Period End Backlog (amounts in thousands of dollars)
December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, 2007
2008 2008 2008 2008 Motorhome Chassis* 27,312 17,465 12,533 9,069
5,552 Fire Truck Chassis* 60,374 70,720 75,931 70,815 73,473 Other
Product* 199,362 166,457 188,665 46,038 8,500 Total Chassis 287,048
254,642 277,129 125,922 87,525 EVTeam Product* 51,316 49,975 43,094
57,850 82,374 Total Backlog 338,364 304,617 320,223 183,772 169,899
* Anticipated time to fill backlog orders; 2 months or less for
motorhome chassis and 10 months or less for fire truck chassis,
other product and EVTeam product DATASOURCE: Spartan Motors, Inc.
CONTACT: John Sztykiel, CEO, or Jim Knapp, CFO, Spartan Motors,
Inc., +1-517-543-6400; Jeff Lambert or Ryan McGrath, Lambert,
Edwards & Associates, Inc., +1-616-233-0500, Web site:
http://www.spartanmotors.com/
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