TriMas Corporation Reports First Quarter 2010 Results

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TriMas Corporation (Nasdaq: TRS) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company reported quarterly net sales from continuing operations of $220.1 million, an increase of 9.1% from first quarter 2009. First quarter 2010 income from continuing operations was $5.8 million, a 24.5% improvement from $4.6 million in first quarter 2009. The Company reported first quarter 2010 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.17, as compared to $0.14 during first quarter 2009. Excluding Special Items(1), first quarter 2009 loss from continuing operations would have been $0.7 million, or ($0.01) per share.

TriMas Highlights

• Reported 9.1% sales growth in first quarter 2010, as compared to first quarter 2009, led by the Packaging, Energy and Cequent segments.
• Improved income and earnings per share from continuing operations from a loss of $0.7 million, or ($0.01) per share, in first quarter 2009 to $5.8 million, or $0.17 per share, in first quarter 2010, excluding the impact of Special Items.
• Improved first quarter operating profit margin (excluding the impact of Special Items) by 550 basis points as compared to first quarter 2009.
• Reduced operating working capital as a percentage of sales from 21.4% in first quarter 2009 to 16.3% in first quarter 2010.
• Completed the sale of the Company's non-core real estate located in Los Angeles, California for approximately $13 million in April 2010. The Company expects to recognize a pre-tax gain on sale of approximately $10 million in second quarter 2010 which will be included in discontinued operations.

"We are pleased to report a notable improvement in sales and profitability in the first quarter of 2010," said David Wathen, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. "These results reflect the positive impact of our fixed cost structure reductions and ongoing growth and productivity initiatives, as well as a rebound in several key end markets. While sales improved 9% compared to the first quarter of 2009, operating profit improved by 110%, excluding Special Items, resulting in an operating profit margin increase of 550 basis points as compared to first quarter 2009."

Wathen continued, "Our strategy to aggressively manage our cost structure, while continuing to fund our key growth initiatives, created a solid foundation for 2010 and beyond, and positions us to serve our customers well as their businesses return to more normalized demand levels with an improving economy. Our Packaging, Energy and Cequent segments are leading the sales improvement, with sales growth of 44%, 9% and 7%, respectively. We believe we are now positioned to take advantage of our operating leverage, and we are focused on revenue and earnings per share growth and driving higher returns on capital."

"Based on these results and the current outlook, we are raising our 2010 earnings expectations. We now expect 2010 diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations, excluding Special Items, to range from $0.65 to $0.75 per share, an increase from our previous guidance of greater than $0.60 per share. We are committed to driving improved results and increasing shareholder value in 2010," Wathen concluded.

First Quarter Results – From Continuing Operations

• TriMas reported first quarter net sales of $220.1 million, an increase of 9.1% in comparison to $201.7 million in first quarter 2009. Sales increased in the Packaging, Energy, Engineered Components and Cequent segments. Sales in the Aerospace & Defense segment declined, primarily due to inventory reductions at distributors. First quarter 2010 net sales were favorably impacted by approximately $6.6 million as a result of currency exchange.

• The Company reported operating profit of $25.1 million in first quarter 2010, as compared to operating profit of $5.2 million during first quarter 2009. Excluding the impact of Special Items, operating profit would have improved 110%, from $12.0 million in first quarter 2009 to $25.1 million in first quarter 2010, which represents an increase in operating profit margin of 550 basis points.

• Adjusted EBITDA(2) for first quarter 2010 increased to $34.1 million, as compared to $30.4 million in first quarter 2009. Excluding the impact of Special Items, Adjusted EBITDA would have increased 63.6%, from $20.9 million in first quarter 2009 to $34.1 million in first quarter 2010, with Adjusted EBITDA margins improving 520 basis points.

• Income from continuing operations for first quarter 2010 increased 24.5% to $5.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $4.6 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2009. Excluding the impact of Special Items, first quarter 2010 income from continuing operations would have improved $6.5 million to $5.8 million, as compared to a first quarter 2009 loss of $0.7 million, or ($0.01) per share. The Company's tax provision in first quarter 2010 included approximately $1.0 million in higher tax expense impacted by certain Subpart F exceptions related to controlled foreign subsidiaries under U.S. tax legislation that recently expired. The Company expects to incur an additional $0.2 million of tax expense each quarter during 2010 should the legislation not be renewed.

• The Company reported a first quarter 2010 use of Free Cash Flow(1) of $3.5 million, in line with management's expectations. Operating working capital as a percentage of sales declined from 21.4% in first quarter 2009 to 16.3% in first quarter 2010, notwithstanding the impact of increased receivables related to sales growth.

Financial Position

TriMas ended first quarter 2010 with cash of $6.6 million and $150.5 million of aggregate availability under its revolving credit and accounts receivable facilities. TriMas reported total indebtedness of $518.5 million as of March 31, 2010, as compared to $585.2 million as of March 31, 2009 and $514.6 million as of December 31, 2009.

Business Segment Results – From Continuing Operations (Excluding the impact of Special Items(3))

Packaging – Sales for the first quarter increased 44.1% compared to the year ago period due to growth in specialty dispensing and other new products, as well as an increase in industrial closure product sales and the impact of favorable currency exchange. Operating profit for the quarter increased 119.6% due to increased sales volumes, lower material costs associated with the Company's productivity initiatives and reduced selling, general and administrative costs. As a result, first quarter 2010 operating profit margin improved by approximately 930 basis points compared to first quarter 2009. The Company continues to diversify its product offering by developing specialty dispensing product applications for growing end markets, including pharmaceutical, personal care and food/beverage markets, and expanding geographically to generate long-term growth.

Energy – First quarter sales increased 9.0% compared to the year ago period, due primarily to higher sales of specialty gaskets and related fastening hardware as a result of improved levels of turn-around activity at petrochemical refineries and increased demand from the chemical industry. Sales in the Energy segment were also positively impacted due to improved demand for engines, other well-site content and compression products. Operating profit and margins for the quarter increased as a result of the higher sales volumes and reductions in selling, general and administrative costs. The Company continues to launch new well-site and compression products to complement its engine business, while continuing to expand its sales and service branch network for the specialty gasket business, in anticipation of continued improvements in underlying demand in these businesses' end markets.

Aerospace & Defense – Sales for the first quarter decreased 23.1% compared to the year ago period due primarily to lower blind-bolt fastener sales resulting from consolidation of, and inventory reductions at, distribution customers. Sales in the defense business were also lower compared to the year ago period, as the Company has ceased production of cartridge cases due to the relocation of the defense facility. These decreases were partially offset by increased revenue associated with managing the facility closure and relocation. Operating profit for the quarter decreased primarily due to lower sales volumes and the lower absorption of fixed costs. Despite the sales decline, the Company continues to invest in this high-profit segment by developing and marketing highly-engineered products for the aerospace market, as well as expanding its offerings to military and defense customers.

Engineered Components – First quarter sales increased 1.9% compared to the year ago period due to improved demand in the specialty fittings and precision cutting tools businesses, partially offset by lower sales in the Company's industrial cylinder business, primarily as a result of continued low levels of demand due to the industrial downturn. Management noted that the industrial cylinder business has experienced improvements in sales volumes on a sequential quarterly basis. Operating profit for the quarter improved with margins increasing 670 basis points compared to first quarter 2009 due to the Company's productivity initiatives. The Company continues to develop new products and expand its international sales efforts.

Cequent – Sales for the first quarter increased 6.8% compared to the year ago period, resulting from increased sales in the Australian/Asia Pacific and North American towing, trailer and electrical products businesses, and the favorable impact of currency exchange, partially offset by a decline in sales in the retail business. Due to cost reduction actions and improved sales levels, operating profit margin improved over 840 basis points compared to first quarter 2009. The Company continues to aggressively reduce fixed costs, decrease working capital and leverage strong brand positions for increased market share.

Results of Discontinued Operations

The results of discontinued operations consist of the Company's former Compac business, which was sold in February 2009 for $21 million cash proceeds, its non-core real estate property management business in California, which was sold in April 2010 for $13 million cash proceeds and its medical device business. During first quarter 2009, upon completion of the Compac sale, the Company recorded a $10.7 million pre-tax charge for estimated future lease obligations on the facility. The Company expects to record a pre-tax gain of approximately $10 million in second quarter 2010 as a result of the sale of the property management business.

Outlook

The Company raised its outlook for full-year 2010 diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations to $0.65 to $0.75 per share, as compared to $0.43 per share in 2009, excluding Special Items in both periods. The Company previously provided an outlook for 2010 EPS to exceed $0.60 per share. The Company also raised its 2010 sales outlook from an increase of 4% to 7% to a range of 5% to 9% compared to 2009. In addition, the Company expects its 2010 operating profit margin to improve by 80 to 120 basis points compared to 2009, excluding Special Items. The Company increased its Free Cash Flow outlook from more than $30 million to a range of $40 to $45 million, including the cash proceeds related to the sale of its non-core California real estate.

1. Appendix I details certain costs, expenses and other charges, collectively described as "Special Items," that are included in the determination of net income (loss) under GAAP and are not added back to net income (loss) in determining Adjusted EBITDA, but that management would consider important in evaluating the quality of the Company's Adjusted EBITDA and operating results under GAAP.
2. See Appendix II for reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow to the Company's reported results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, see Appendix I for additional information regarding Special Items impacting reported GAAP financial measures.
3. Operating Profit excludes the impact of Special Items. For a complete schedule of Special Items by segment, see Appendix "Company and Business Segment Financial Information – Continuing Operations."

Conference Call Information

TriMas Corporation will host its first quarter 2010 earnings conference call today, Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The call-in number is (866) 871-4878. Participants should request to be connected to the TriMas Corporation first quarter 2010 earnings conference call (Conference ID # 1450908). The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast via TriMas' website at www.trimascorp.com, under the "Investors" section, with an accompanying slide presentation.  

A replay of the conference call will be available on the TriMas website or by dialing (866) 837-8032 (Access Code # 1450908) beginning April 29th at 2:00 p.m. EDT through May 6th at 11:59 p.m. EDT.  

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-looking Statements

Any "forward-looking" statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company's financial condition and results, expense reductions, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company's business and industry, the Company's substantial leverage, liabilities imposed by the Company's debt instruments, market demand, competitive factors, the Company's ability to maintain compliance with the listing requirements of NASDAQ, supply constraints, material and energy costs, technology factors, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company's accounting policies, future trends, and other risks which are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

About TriMas

Headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, TriMas Corporation (Nasdaq: TRS) provides engineered and applied products for growing markets worldwide. TriMas is organized into five strategic business segments: Packaging, Energy, Aerospace & Defense, Engineered Components and Cequent. TriMas has approximately 3,900 employees at more than 60 different facilities in 11 countries. For more information, visit www.trimascorp.com.

SOURCE TriMas Corporation