AAR Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2012 Results

WOOD DALE, Ill., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR) today reported second quarter fiscal year 2012 consolidated sales of $475.9 million and income from continuing operations of $17.5 million,  or $0.43 per diluted share. Results for the second quarter include $1.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, of transaction-related expenses for acquisitions announced during the second quarter. Excluding these expenses, diluted earnings per share were $0.45. For the second quarter of the prior fiscal year, the Company reported sales of $440.5 million and income from continuing operations of $18.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.45.

Sales to commercial customers increased 11% versus the second quarter of last year and were principally driven by strength at the Company's supply chain business. Sales to government and defense customers increased 5% compared to last year due to sales growth at AAR Airlift and at the Company's Defense Logistics business.

During the second quarter, the Company acquired Airinmar Holdings Limited (Airinmar), a leading provider of repair management services. Airinmar operates as part of the Aviation Supply Chain segment and the impact of this acquisition on second quarter sales and earnings from continuing operations was negligible.

The Company also announced during the second quarter that it had signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Telair International GmbH (Telair) and Nordisk Aviation Products, AS (Nordisk) from Teleflex Incorporated. Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company announced that it had completed the acquisitions. Telair is a leader in the design, manufacturer and support of cargo loading systems for wide-body and narrow-body commercial aircraft with established positions on the world's most popular current and next-generation passenger and freighter aircraft. Nordisk designs and manufactures heavy duty pallets and lightweight cargo containers for commercial airlines. Both companies have a strong aftermarket position and will operate as part of the Structures and Systems segment.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 9.1% and consolidated gross profit margin was 16.2% during the second quarter.  The Company experienced margin improvement at its businesses supporting commercial customers primarily due to increased sales and better product availability in the Aviation Supply Chain segment and operational efficiencies at the Company's airframe maintenance centers. Gross profit margins were lower in the Company's Government and Defense Services segment due to lower than expected aircraft availability at AAR Airlift and in the Structures and Systems segment due to losses on certain programs at the Company's precision machining business.  The Company generated $30.4 million in cash flow from operations and had capital expenditures, exclusive of the Airinmar acquisition, of $13.4 million during the second quarter.

"The Company enjoys an industry leading position in the airline parts supply and MRO markets and during the second quarter we benefited from investments made in assets and operating efficiencies," said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP.

Storch continued, "In addition to our industry leading position as an aftermarket provider, we are pleased to have completed the Telair acquisition early in the third quarter, enhancing our ability to capitalize on the commercial build cycles as a Tier-1 supplier to both Airbus and Boeing.  The Telair business also enjoys a strong aftermarket presence and is an excellent addition to our already strong line-up of businesses serving the commercial market."

During the quarter, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share to its stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 24, 2011.  The Company also purchased 145,000 shares of AAR CORP. stock on the open market during the quarter pursuant to its Board of Directors share repurchase authorization at an average acquisition price of $18.07.

AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and government and defense industries. With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve customers through four operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; Structures and Systems; and Government and Defense Services. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 7:30 a.m. CST on December 16, 2011. The conference call can be accessed by calling 866-219-5829 from inside the U.S. or 703-639-1123 from outside the U.S.  A replay of the call will be available by calling 888-266-2081 from inside the U.S. or 703-925-2533 from outside the U.S. (access code 1560961) from 11:30 a.m. CST on December 16, 2011 until 11:59 p.m. CST on December 23, 2011.

AAR - Named One of The Most Trustworthy Companies by Forbes.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described.  These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note:  Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, the Company has included the following reconciliation of financial measures reported on a non-GAAP basis to comparable financial measures reported on the basis of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").  The Company uses the earnings per share for the three-month period ended November 30, 2011 exclusive of transaction expenses for  acquisitions announced in the second quarter to evaluate its financial results and trends, and believes it is useful for the reader of this press release.

SOURCE AAR