ATRO Astronics Corporation

- 42% organic sales growth driven by night vision conversion program for foreign F-16 fleet EAST AURORA, N.Y., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRO), a leading manufacturer of advanced, high-performance lighting, electronics and electrical power systems for the global aerospace industry, reported net income of $0.8 million, or $.10 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2005, which ended October 1. This represents an increase of $1.1 million and $.15 per diluted share over last year's third quarter loss. Higher net income was driven by a $12.0 million increase in sales from a combination of the addition of an acquired business and 42% organic growth. Sales in the third quarter 2005 were $20.4 million compared with $8.4 million in the third quarter of 2004. Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES), which was acquired in February of this year, contributed $8.4 million to the growth in sales. Astronics' organic sales increased $3.5 million to $12.0 million compared with $8.4 million in the third quarter of 2004. Organic growth was buoyed by $2.1 million in deliveries of F-16 night vision kits to the Republic of South Korea. This program should be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. AES's strong performance reflects deliveries of power conditioning units for the U. S. Navy's Tactical Tomahawk missile program, which went into high rate production during July. Deliveries for the Tactical Tomahawk missile program are expected to go through December of 2006. Year-to-date net income grew to $1.6 million, or $.20 per share, from a loss of $0.1 million, or $(.01) per share for the same period last year. Sales for the first nine months of 2005 were $54.9 million compared with $26.4 million for the same period last year. 2005 organic sales increased 30%, to $34.2 million, while the acquisition contributed $20.7 million to the total. Operating profit improved to $1.6 million, or 7.8% of sales, in this year's third quarter from a loss of $0.4 million, or 4.5% of sales, in the third quarter of 2004. AES' operating profit for the quarter was $1.2 million, or 14%, while Astronics' organic business contributed $0.4 million, or 3%. The improvement in margins of Astronics' organic business was driven by increased sales volume and improved product mix, which was partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in engineering and development costs net of nonrecurring engineering revenue. On a year-to-date basis, operating profit improved to $3.6 million from $0.2 million in 2004. The acquisition contributed $2.7 million, while operating margins for Astronics' organic business improved $0.7 million to $0.9 million. Peter J. Gundermann, President and CEO of Astronics, commented, "This quarter demonstrates the progress we are making on several fronts. AES continues to exceed our original expectations, both in profit contribution, as well with the continued development of new opportunities. At the same time, our organic business continues to strengthen and build momentum. The aerospace markets remain strong and strong aircraft build and refurbishment rates tend to result in measurable interest and demand for our products." He went on to say, "Looking forward, we expect fourth quarter revenue to continue in the $20 to $21 million range. During the next six months, we are expecting an increase in our engineering and development (E&D) costs. Requirements for the Joint Strike Fighter Program, the Eclipse micro-jet aircraft and a few, not yet announced, platforms will converge during the next two to three quarters. Incremental E&D could vary during the period from a few hundred thousand to over a half million." Sales to the commercial transport market in the third quarter of 2005 were $7.9 million, representing approximately 39% of total sales, compared with $1.5 million and approximately 17% of total sales in the same period last year. Higher commercial transport sales reflect the addition of Astronics AES and its strong market position with its power distribution products. Business jet market sales were $3.8 million, up 57% from $2.4 million last year. The growth in sales to the business jet market was due primarily to increased aircraft production rates. Military sales were $8.3 million, a 94% increase over sales in the third quarter of 2004. Contributing to this increase were sales of F-16 night vision kits totaling $2.1 million in addition to AES sales for the Tactical Tomahawk power conditioning units. For the first nine months of 2005, 36% of sales were to the military market, 41% to the commercial transport market and 22% to the business jet market. For the first nine months of 2004, Astronics had sales of 48% to the military market, 19% to the commercial transport market and 29% to the business jet market. Mr. Gundermann added, "We like the current diversity we have, not only among the various markets, but within those markets as well. Even though we don't necessarily target a certain optimal market mix, but rather target opportunities that fit our capabilities, the result is that we have a wide range of customers and are designed on an excellent breadth of platforms." Bookings for the third quarter were $20.2 million and $58.6 million for the nine-month period. At the end of the quarter, backlog was $77.6 million, up from backlog of $25.6 million when compared with last year's third quarter, and relatively flat with backlog of $77.9 at the end of the second quarter of this year. Third quarter 2005 backlog includes Astronics AES backlog of $50.0 million. Capital expenditures were $0.4 million for the quarter. Year-to-date capital expenditures were $1.8 million. Capital spending for the remainder of 2005 is expected to be in the range of $.6 million to $.8 million. Depreciation and amortization was $0.7 million in the quarter and $2.0 million year-to-date. Webcast and Conference Call The release of the financial results on November 8, 2005, will be followed by a company-hosted teleconference at 11:00 a.m. ET. 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 (303) 262-2139 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 (303) 590-3000, and entering passcode 11041571#. The telephonic replay will be available through Thursday, November 16, 2005 at 11:59 p.m. ET. ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION Astronics Corporation is a leading manufacturer of advanced, high- performance lighting and electrical power 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 at http://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, the ability to cross sell products and expand markets, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer projects, 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. ASTRONICS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA (unaudited) (in thousands except per share data) Three months ended Nine months ended 10/1/2005 10/2/2004 10/1/2005 10/2/2004 Sales $20,421 $8,449 $54,916 $26,358 Cost of products sold 15,947 7,469 43,654 22,241 Gross margin 21.9% 11.6% 20.5% 15.6% Selling general and administrative expense 2,890 1,363 7,692 3,895 Income from operations 1,584 (383) 3,570 222 Operating margin 7.8% -4.5% 6.5% 0.8% Interest expense 202 61 506 203 Income taxes 592 (85) 1,468 95 Net Income $790 $(359) $1,596 $(76) Basic earnings per share: $0.10 $(0.05) $0.20 $(0.01) Diluted earnings per share: $0.10 $(0.05) $0.20 $(0.01) Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 8,094 7,762 8,006 7,758 Capital expenditures $432 $279 $1,765 $682 Depreciation and amortization $720 $337 $2,042 $995 ASTRONICS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA (unaudited) (in thousands) 10/1/2005 12/31/2004 ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $1,786 $8,476 Short -term investments - 1,000 Accounts receivable 14,096 5,880 Inventories 18,551 7,110 Prepaid expenses 808 1,356 Deferred income taxes 50 660 Property, plant and equipment, net 21,578 15,221 Other assets 8,965 5,533 Total Assets $65,834 $45,236 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Current maturities of long term debt $914 $908 Note payable 7,000 - Accounts payable and accrued expenses 17,071 4,937 Current liabilities of discontinued operations - 533 Long-term debt 10,695 11,154 Other liabilities 5,557 5,044 Shareholders' equity 24,597 22,660 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $65,834 $45,236 ASTRONICS CORPORATION SALES BY MARKET ($, in thousands) Three Months Ended 10/1/2005 10/2/2004 % change Military $8,330 $4,289 94.22% Commercial Transport 7,943 1,459 444.41% Business Jet 3,812 2,427 57.07% Other 336 274 22.63% Total $20,421 $8,449 141.70% Nine Months Ended 10/1/2005 10/2/2004 % change 2005 YTD% Military $19,500 $12,666 53.96% 35.51% Commercial Transport 22,534 4,960 354.31% 41.03% Business Jet 11,914 7,642 55.90% 21.69% Other 968 1,090 -11.19% 1.76% Total $54,916 $26,358 108.35% 100.00% ASTRONICS CORPORATION SALES BY PRODUCT ($, in thousands) Three Months Ended 10/1/2005 10/2/2004 % change Cockpit Lighting $8,792 $5,031 74.76% Cabin Power & Data 4,472 - NA Airframe Power 3,351 - NA External Lighting 1,933 1,782 8.47% Cabin Lighting 1,537 1,362 12.85% Other 336 274 22.63% Total $20,421 $8,449 141.70% Nine Months Ended 10/1/2005 10/2/2004 % change 2005 YTD% Cockpit Lighting $22,508 $15,028 49.77% 40.99% Cabin Power & Data 12,556 - NA 22.86% Airframe Power 7,278 - NA 13.25% External Lighting 6,632 5,566 19.15% 12.08% Cabin Lighting 4,974 4,674 6.42% 9.06% Other 968 1,090 -11.19% 1.76% Total $54,916 $26,358 108.35% 100.00% ORDER AND BACKLOG TREND ($, in thousands) Q1 04 Q2 04 Q3 04 Q4 04 FY 4/3/04 7/3/04 10/2/04 12/31/04 12/31/04 Bookings $13,270 $8,300 $11,700 $9,862 $43,132 Backlog $23,030 $22,300 $25,600 $27,170 $27,170 Book: Bill 1.48 0.93 1.38 1.18 1.24 Nine Q1 05 Q2 05 Q3 05 Months 4/2/05 7/2/05 10/1/05 10/1/05 Bookings $14,868 $23,564 $20,176 $58,608 Backlog $72,292 $77,856 $77,611 $77,611 Book: Bill 0.95 1.25 0.99 1.07 DATASOURCE: Astronics Corporation CONTACT: David C. Burney, Chief Financial Officer of Astronics Corporation, +1-716-805-1599, ext. 159, fax +1-716-805-1286, Web site: http://www.astronics.com/

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