Spectrum Control Reports First Quarter Profit

FAIRVIEW, Pa., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Spectrum Control, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPEC), a leading designer and manufacturer of custom electronic products and systems, today reported results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2011.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company reported net income of $3.3 million or 25 cents per diluted share on sales of $41.2 million, compared to net income of $2.4 million or 19 cents per diluted share on sales of $37.9 million for the same period last year.

Dick Southworth, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Compared to a year ago, our 2011 first quarter revenue grew 9%, principally driven by the successful integration of our recent business acquisitions. Demand for our products in various commercial applications continues to increase, reflecting improved general economic conditions and the impact from several of our new product offerings and capabilities. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our total sales into commercial markets amounted to $16.0 million, up $1.3 million or 9% from the same quarter of 2010. These positive factors helped to offset a military/defense market which continues to be somewhat tentative, as many of our military/defense customers proceed cautiously during this period of defense spending scrutiny and reassessed priorities. With our overall increase in shipments, and our ability to leverage our operating costs and manufacturing capacity over greater sales volume, our profitability improved significantly. Our net income grew to $3.3 million in the current period, up 36% from a year ago, and our earnings per share increased by 32%."

First Quarter Highlights

Increased Revenue

Late last year, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Summit Instruments, Inc. ("Summit"). Based in Akron, Ohio, Summit designs and manufactures custom inertia sensors, accelerometers, inertial measurement systems, and related products and assemblies. Since the acquisition, we have successfully integrated the acquired operations with our existing Sensors and Controls Business. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, total sales for our sensors and controls amounted to $6.4 million, up $1.9 million from the same period a year ago, with sales of Summit products generating $1.2 million of this increase. Excluding the impact of Summit, sales of our sensors and controls increased nearly 17% in the current period compared to the comparable period last year. Shipments for our sensors and control products were particularly strong for applications in medical equipment, instrumentation, and industrial controls during the current quarter.

Sales of our advanced specialty products were $12.0 million in the current quarter, up 2% from the first quarter of fiscal 2010. This increase primarily reflects the impact of our new product offerings in specialty connectors and antennas. Our advanced specialty products are used in numerous industries including military/defense, medical equipment and instrumentation, industrial controls, and communication equipment.

In June 2010, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Sage Laboratories, Inc. ("Sage Labs"). Sage Labs, based in Hudson, New Hampshire, designs and manufactures custom microwave products including filters, diplexers, multiplexers, hybrids, and digital frequency discriminators. This acquired business is now reported within our Microwave Components and Systems Business. In the current quarter, total sales of our Microwave Components and Systems Business were $19.8 million, compared to $17.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Excluding the impact of our current period Sage Labs' product sales of $2.9 million, sales of our microwave products were down approximately 5% from the same quarter of last year, reflecting the continued cautiousness prevalent throughout the military/defense industry.

Sales of our power management systems were $3.0 million in the current quarter, compared to a record-setting first quarter last year of $3.9 million. Demand remains strong for these products, particularly in applications for data storage and networking systems.

Improved Operating Margins

In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our gross margin was $10.1 million or 25% of sales, compared to $8.9 million or 23% of sales for the same quarter last year. Income from operations amounted to $4.9 million in the current quarter, up 31% from the comparable period a year ago. This improved operating performance principally reflects the economies of scale generated with additional sales and production volumes.

Current Business Outlook

Mr. Southworth added, "Regarding our military/defense business, we believe that the current market uncertainty may persist for several more months, before improving in the second half of fiscal 2011 when overall defense spending priorities and programs are clarified. Based on these current market conditions, we presently anticipate fiscal 2011 second quarter sales of $42.0 to $44.0 million, with earnings of 26 to 29 cents per share. If these operating results are achieved, we would once again have meaningful growth from the comparable period of a year ago, with sales up 6% to 11% and earnings per share up 4% to 12%. Beyond the second quarter of this year, we remain very optimistic about our business outlook as market conditions improve, and we continuously develop new and innovative solutions for our customers."

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors and risks discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Cancellation of Teleconference

The Spectrum Control, Inc. first quarter teleconference, previously scheduled for March 31, 2011, at 4:45 PM EDT, has been canceled.

About Spectrum Control

Spectrum Control, Inc. is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of custom electronic products and systems for the defense, aerospace, communications, and medical industries worldwide. For more information about Spectrum Control and its products, please visit the Company's website at www.spectrumcontrol.com .

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SOURCE Spectrum Control, Inc.