ATRO Astronics Corporation

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 financial results for the first quarter of 2010.

First Quarter Operating Results

          (in millions)     Three Months Ended Increase/(Decrease)

April 3,2010

 

April 4,2009

    $     % Sales $ 46.9 $ 50.0 $ (3.1 ) (6.2 )% Gross profit $ 11.5 $ 8.5 $ 3.0 35.4 % Gross margin 24.6 % 17.1 % SG&A $ 5.5 $ 6.1 $ (0.6 ) (9.9 )% SG&A percent to sales 11.6 % 12.1 % Income from Operations $ 6.1 $ 2.5 $ 3.6 146.7 % Operating margin 13.0 % 4.9 % Net Income $ 3.4 $ 1.4 $ 2.0 142.7 %

Sales in the first quarter of 2010 were $46.9 million, down $3.1 million, or 6.2%, from the prior year period. The 2010 first quarter included sales for Astronics’ DME subsidiary for the entire period while the 2009 first quarter included DME sales for a nine week period. Astronics acquired DME on January 30, 2009. The Company reported net income in the first quarter of 2010 of $3.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared with net income of $1.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the same period of last year. Consolidated bookings in the first quarter totaled $54.3 million, an increase of 76% over the first quarter of 2009.

The improved margins were a result of higher margins in our Aerospace segment as leverage was achieved from increased sales volumes and reductions to our cost structure, as well as a favorable sales mix compared with the first quarter of last year. Also contributing to the margin expansion was reduced amortization expense on purchased intangibles of $0.5 million and the reduction of our estimated warranty liability of $0.7 million, both in our Test Systems segment.

Engineering and development (E&D) costs were relatively flat at $7.1 million and $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The $0.6 million decrease in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the first quarter of 2010 compared with last year’s first quarter was primarily due to approximately $0.5 million in higher amortization of purchased intangible assets for the acquired DME business in 2009.

Peter J. Gundermann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Astronics, commented “First quarter results provided a strong start for 2010. Demand was higher than expected, especially for our in-seat power products, and our aggressive cost cutting over the last year drove solid margins. We are also encouraged with the bookings level which gives us increased confidence for the rest of the year.”

First quarter Review: Aerospace Segment (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Sales for the Aerospace segment were $43.2 million in the first quarter of 2010, up $1.4 million, or 3%, compared with the 2009 first quarter. The 19% sales increase to the commercial transport market was a result of increased volume due in part to the timing of shipments and in part to a general improvement of the commercial transport market, as airlines increased their procurement and installation of in-flight entertainment and in-seat power systems. Sales to the business jet market were 20% below last year’s first quarter due to reduced volumes, as the business jet manufacturers’ build rates were lower than last year and demand for our products decreased. Military sales fell 14% primarily as a result of the conclusion of shipments of our power conditioning unit for the Tactical Tomahawk missile in the third quarter of 2009 and lower shipment rates for lighting products.

Aerospace operating profit for the first quarter of 2010 was $6.7 million, or 15.6% of sales, compared with $3.4 million, or 8.1% of sales, in the same period last year. Margin improvement was due to the leverage provided on the increased sales volume, the effect of cost reductions and favorable product mix.

Bookings for the Aerospace segment were $50.7 million, up significantly from $28.0 million in the first quarter of 2009.

First quarter Review: Test Systems Segment (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Sales for the Test Systems segment were $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared with $8.2 million in the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in the Test Systems segment sales reflected the low rate of new orders received during the past year and the resulting low backlog level.

Operating profit was $0.2 million, or 5.0% of sales, in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $0.2 million, or 2.4% of sales, in the first quarter of 2009. Amortization costs decreased by $0.5 million compared with the same quarter last year and savings have been realized through cost reductions. Additionally, the first quarter 2010 operating profit reflected a reduction in estimated warranty liability of $0.7 million.

Test Systems bookings in the first quarter were $3.6 million compared with $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2009.

Balance Sheet

At April 3, 2010, the cash balance was $12.7 million compared with $14.9 million at December 31, 2009. The Company has availability of approximately $32 million at April 3, 2010 from its revolving credit facility.

Cash generated from operations during the first quarter of 2010 was $1.6 million compared with cash generated from operations of $2.9 million in the 2009 first quarter. Higher net income was offset by increased investment in net working capital components. Capital expenditures in the quarter were $0.9 million and payments made to reduce long-term debt during the quarter were $3.1 million. The Company expects capital spending in 2010 to be approximately $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

Outlook

Backlog at April 3, 2010 was $92.8 million, above backlog at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 of $85.4 million and down from backlog at the end of the first quarter of 2009 of $111.7 million. Approximately $71 million of total backlog is expected to ship by the end of 2010 and approximately $79 million of total backlog is expected to ship in the next 12 months.

Mr. Gundermann stated, “We are off to a better start to the year than we anticipated, but are not ready to increase our revenue guidance for 2010. Aerospace has had a better start than expected, while Test Systems is off to a somewhat slower start. We continue to expect that sales for the year will be in the range of $170 to $190 million.”

Astronics anticipates that approximately $145 million to $155 million of projected 2010 revenue will be from the Aerospace segment, while approximately $25 million to $35 million will be from the Test Systems segment.

First quarter 2010 Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference at 1:00 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 by dialing (201) 689-8562 and entering conference ID number 348533. The listen-only audio webcast can be monitored at www.astronics.com. To listen to the archived call, dial (201) 612-7415 and enter conference ID number 348533 and account number 3055. The telephonic replay will be available from 4:00 p.m. on the day of the call until 11:59 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 12, 2010. A transcript will also be posted to the Company’s Web site, once available.

ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION

Astronics Corporation is a leader in advanced, high performance lighting, electrical power and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries. 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 Web site at www.Astronics.com.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its Web site 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   4/3/2010       4/4/2009   Sales $ 46,936 $ 50,015 Cost of products sold   35,390       41,485   Gross profit 11,546 8,530 Gross margin 24.6 % 17.1 %   Selling, general and administrative   5,466       6,065   Income from operations 6,080 2,465 Operating margin 13.0 % 4.9 %   Interest expense, net 599 424 Other income   (38 )     (13 ) Income before tax 5,519 2,054 Income tax expense   2,119       653   Net Income $ 3,400     $ 1,401     Basic earnings per share: $ 0.31 $ 0.13 Diluted earnings per share: $ 0.31 $ 0.13   Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 10,966 10,768           Capital Expenditures $ 875 $ 968 Depreciation and Amortization   $ 1,239     $ 1,740  

ASTRONICS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

(Unaudited, $ in thousands)     4/3/2010   12/31/2009

ASSETS:

  Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,678 $ 14,949 Accounts receivable 30,831 30,560 Inventories 31,716 31,909 Other current assets 4,966 5,075 Property, plant and equipment, net 31,174 31,243 Other long-term assets 3,697 3,763 Deferred taxes long-term 7,916 8,131 Intangible assets 5,453 5,591 Goodwill   7,610       7,493   Total Assets $ 136,041     $ 138,714  

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Current maturities of long term debt $ 5,245 $ 6,238 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 20,960 23,398 Long-term debt 36,523 38,538 Other liabilities 9,285 10,427 Shareholders' equity   64,028       60,113   Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 136,041     $ 138,714    

ASTRONICS CORPORATIONSEGMENT DATA(Unaudited, $ in thousands)

  Three Months Ended   4/3/2010       4/4/2009     Sales Aerospace $ 43,190 $ 41,818 Test Systems   3,746       8,197   Total Sales $ 46,936     $ 50,015     Operating Profit and Margins Aerospace $ 6,742 $ 3,395 15.6 % 8.1 % Test Systems 187 198   5.0 %     2.4 % Total Operating Profit 6,929 3,593 14.8 % 7.2 %   Corporate Expenses and Other   (849 )     (1,128 ) Income from Operations $ 6,080 $ 2,465   13.0 %     4.9 %

 

ASTRONICS CORPORATION

SALES BY MARKET

(Unaudited, $ in thousands)             Three Months Ended 2010   4/3/2010     4/4/2009  

%change

YTD % Aerospace Segment Commercial Transport $ 27,445 $ 23,006 19 % 58 % Military 8,398 10,486 -20 % 18 % Business Jet 5,592 6,522 -14 % 12 % FAA/Airport   1,755     1,804   -3 % 4 % Aerospace Total $ 43,190 $ 41,818 3 % 92 %   Test Systems Segment

 

Military

$ 3,746   $ 8,197   -54 % 8 %   Total $ 46,936   $ 50,015   -6 % 100 %   ASTRONICS CORPORATION

SALES BY PRODUCT

(Unaudited, $ in thousands)   Three Months Ended 2010 4/3/2010     4/4/2009  

%change

    YTD %   Aerospace Segment Cabin Electronics

$

21,496

$ 16,502 30 % 46 % Aircraft Lighting

15,733

 

18,051 -13 % 33 % Airframe Power

4,206

 

5,461 -23 % 9 % Airfield Lighting  

1,755

 

  1,804   -3 %   4 % Aerospace Total

$

43,190

 

$ 41,818 3 % 92 %   Test Systems Segment

$

3,746

 

$ 8,197   -54 %   8 %   Total

$

46,936

 

$ 50,015   -6 %   100 % ASTRONICS CORPORATION

ORDER AND BACKLOG TREND

(Unaudited, $ in thousands)          

Q12009*

Q22009

Q32009

Q42009

Q12010

4/4/2009

7/4/2009

10/3/2009

12/31/2009

4/3/2010

Sales Aerospace $ 41,818 $ 38,216 $ 38,958 $ 36,613 $ 43,190 Test Systems   8,197     8,808     9,628     8,963     3,746 Total Sales $ 50,015   $ 47,024   $ 48,586   $ 45,576   $ 46,936   Bookings Aerospace $ 28,016 $ 34,605 $ 40,135 $ 29,270 $ 50,668 Test Systems   2,798     6,168     3,932     743     3,634 Total Bookings $ 30,814   $ 40,773   $ 44,067   $ 30,013   $ 54,302   Backlog Aerospace $ 85,418 $ 81,807 $ 82,983 $ 75,639 $ 83,116 Test Systems   26,311     23,671     17,974     9,755     9,644 Total Backlog $ 111,729   $ 105,478   $ 100,957   $ 85,394   $ 92,760   Book:Bill Aerospace 0.67 0.91 1.03 0.80 1.17 Test Systems   0.34     0.70     0.41     0.08     0.97 Total Book:Bill   0.62     0.87     0.91     0.66     1.16

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