Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
February 14, 2008
Page 5 of 10
Exhibit 99.1
     
(ASTRONICS CORPORATION LOGO)   NEWS
RELEASE
Astronics Corporation •130 Commerce Way • East Aurora, NY • 14052-2164
     
For more information contact:
   
David C. Burney, Chief Financial Officer
  Deborah K. Pawlowski
Phone: (716) 805-1599, ext. 159
  Kei Advisors LLC
Fax: (716) 805-1286
  Phone: (716) 843-3908
Email: david.burney@astronics.com
  Email: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
  §   Full year 2007 sales up 42.9% to $158.2 million
 
  §   Fourth quarter sales up 25.4% to $36.3 million
 
  §   2007 diluted earnings per share were $1.80 and $0.24 for the fourth quarter
EAST AURORA, NY, February 14, 2008 – Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a trusted leader in innovative, high performance lighting, power generation, control and distribution systems for the global aerospace industry, today reported 2007 full year sales increased 42.9% to $158.2 million from $110.8 million in 2006. Fourth quarter sales increased by 25.4% to $36.3 million from $28.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income for 2007 was $15.4 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, compared with net income of $5.7 million, or $0.69 per diluted share in 2006. For the fourth quarter of 2007, net income was $2.1 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared with $0.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the same period the prior year.
Strong Performance in 2007
Commercial transport sales led sales growth for the full year, increasing 64% to $100.5 million compared with $61.3 million in 2006. Driving sales growth for the full year, particularly the first half, was the cabin electronics product line used to power in-flight entertainment systems (IFE) and provide in seat power for passengers’ computers and personal electronic devices. Several commercial fleet upgrade projects combined with the increased demand from a major supplier of IFE to global commercial airlines drove the growth in sales.
Sales to the business jet market increased 36% to $31.2 million in 2007 compared with $22.9 million in 2006. Expanded ship set content on new models of business jets, which began to ramp up production in 2007, together with the overall strength of the business jet market were the primary drivers for sales growth in this market.
For the full year, military sales were $25.4 million, relatively flat compared with sales of $25.3 million in 2006.
Gross profit for the full year was $40.9 million, or 25.8% of sales, compared with $23.2 million, or 21.0% of sales, in 2006. Increased sales provided strong leverage for margin expansion. For the year, engineering and development expenditures (E&D), which are included in the cost of sales, grew to $14.8 million, up from $10.9 million in 2006.
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Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
February 14, 2008
Page 6 of 10
Peter J. Gundermann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Astronics commented, “By any measure, 2007 was a great year for Astronics. We experienced strong demand from both the commercial transport and business jet markets, and made important progress on our various development programs. Market conditions continue to be strong, and there are plenty of exciting opportunities before us.”
Fourth Quarter Results
Sales to the commercial transport market increased 25% to $21.0 million, while sales to the business jet market increased 48% to $9.3 million and military sales increased 2% to $5.7 million. As has been the recent pattern, strong growth in the commercial transport and business jet markets drove strong financial results.
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $7.6 million, or 21.1% of sales, compared with $5.0 million, or 17.1% of sales, in the same period the prior year. E&D was $3.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with $3.2 million in the same period the prior year.
Mr. Gundermann commented, “The fourth quarter turned out as we expected with slightly lower revenue and profit, but similar to the third quarter when you exclude the $0.9 million third quarter overhead cost absorption adjustment that resulted in increased margins in that period. It was a solid close to an exceptional year.”
Liquidity and Capital Expenditures
Cash and cash equivalents were $2.8 million at December 31, 2007, a $2.6 million increase from $0.2 million at December 31, 2006. The Company has a $25 million line of credit of which $17.7 million was available at the end of 2007.
Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2007 and full year were $2.0 million and $9.6 million, respectively, compared with $3.1 million and $5.4 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2006, respectively. Year-over-year capital expenditures increased primarily as a result of the 57 thousand square foot expansion of the Company’s East Aurora, New York facility and increases in capital equipment used to manufacture product.
Outlook
Backlog at December 31, 2007 was $92.4 million of which approximately $80 million is scheduled for shipment in 2008. Astronics expects 2008 revenue will rise to $170 million.
Mr. Gundermann, noted, “Our backlog remains strong and positions us well for 2008. Timing and circumstances are such that the backlog total does not compare easily to the past, but we are comfortable with its quality and our market prospects.”
He added, ”We believe 2008 will be another very good year for Astronics, characterized less by the explosive growth of the recent past, and more by program wins and product development that will shape our future. Continued strength in market fundamentals and an excellent pipeline of opportunities will lead to increased engineering and development spending in 2008, likely totaling more than $20 million. As has been our plan for years, we will continue to invest heavily in areas that we believe will add to the long-term value of the business. For example, we have been chosen to supply the power distribution system for a newly announced business jet and are currently in contract negotiations. The number, quality and magnitude of the projects currently on the table and in the pipeline bode very well for Astronics’ future growth.”
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2007 Webcast and Conference Call
The Company will host a teleconference at 11 a.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 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 (201) 689-8562 and requesting conference ID number 268509 approximately 5 — 10 minutes prior to the call.
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Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
February 14, 2008
Page 7 of 10
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 (201) 612-7415 and referencing account number 3055 and conference ID number 268509.
The telephonic replay will be available from 2 p.m. ET the day of the call through 11:59 p.m. ET on February 21, 2008.
ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Astronics Corporation is a trusted leader in innovative, high performance lighting, power generation, control and 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 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.
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Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
February 14, 2008
Page 8 of 10
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
(unaudited)
                                   
    Three months ended     Twelve months ended
(in thousands except per share data)   12/31/2007   12/31/2006     12/31/2007   12/31/2006
           
Sales
  $ 36,273     $ 28,920       $ 158,240     $ 110,767  
Cost of products sold
    28,630       23,969         117,370       87,519  
Gross margin
    21.1 %     17.1 %       25.8 %     21.0 %
Selling general and administrative
    3,851       3,651         16,408       13,582  
           
Income from operations
    3,792       1,300         24,462       9,666  
Operating margin
    10.5 %     4.5 %       15.5 %     8.7 %
Interest expense, net
    298       246         1,370       896  
Other (income) expense
    105       50         94       11  
           
Income before tax
    3,389       1,004         22,998       8,759  
Income taxes
    1,320       197         7,607       3,023  
           
Net Income
  $ 2,069     $ 807       $ 15,391     $ 5,736  
           
 
                                 
Basic earnings per share:
  $ 0.25     $ 0.10       $ 1.91     $ 0.72  
Diluted earnings per share:
  $ 0.24     $ 0.10       $ 1.80     $ 0.69  
 
                                 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    8,683       8,446         8,569       8,269  
 
                                 
           
Capital Expenditures
  $ 2,026     $ 3,100       $ 9,592     $ 5,400  
Depreciation and Amortization
  $ 993     $ 969       $ 3,440     $ 2,929  
           
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(unaudited)
                 
(in thousands)   12/31/2007     12/31/2006  
     
ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,818     $ 222  
Accounts receivable
    20,720       17,165  
Inventories
    36,920       31,570  
Other current assets
    3,563       2,699  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    30,083       23,436  
Other assets
    10,017       7,446  
     
Total Assets
  $ 104,121     $ 82,538  
     
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Current maturities of long term debt
  $ 951     $ 923  
Note payable
    7,300       8,100  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    23,670       25,196  
Long-term debt
    14,684       9,426  
Other liabilities
    8,284       7,545  
Shareholders’ equity
    49,232       31,348  
     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 104,121     $ 82,538  
     
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Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
February 14, 2008
Page 9 of 10
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY MARKET
                                                         
    Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended     2007  
                    %                     %     YTD  
($, in thousands)   12/31/2007     12/31/2006     change     12/31/2007     12/31/2006     change     %  
Military
  $ 5,700     $ 5,614       2 %   $ 25,396     $ 25,338       0 %     16 %
Commercial Transport
    21,017       16,846       25 %     100,450       61,293       64 %     63 %
Business Jet
    9,297       6,262       48 %     31,249       22,931       36 %     20 %
Other
    259       198       31 %     1,145       1,205       -5 %     1 %
 
                                                       
 
                                         
Total
  $ 36,273     $ 28,920       25 %   $ 158,240     $ 110,767       43 %     100 %
 
                                         
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY PRODUCT
                                                         
    Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended     2007  
                    %                     %     YTD  
($, in thousands)   12/31/2007     12/31/2006     change     12/31/2007     12/31/2006     change     %  
Cockpit Lighting
  $ 9,388     $ 7,041       33 %   $ 36,452     $ 30,623       19 %     23 %
Cabin Electronics
    16,849       13,120       28 %     83,195       45,778       82 %     53 %
Airframe Power
    5,200       4,614       13 %     19,772       16,934       17 %     12 %
Exterior Lighting
    2,614       1,821       44 %     9,051       7,672       18 %     6 %
Cabin Lighting
    1,963       2,126       -8 %     8,625       8,555       1 %     5 %
Other
    259       198       31 %     1,145       1,205       -5 %     1 %
 
                                                       
 
                                         
Total
  $ 36,273     $ 28,920       25 %   $ 158,240     $ 110,767       43 %     100 %
 
                                         
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Astronics Corporation Reports 2007 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
February 14, 2008
Page 10 of 10
ASTRONICS CORPORATION
ORDER AND BACKLOG TREND
                             
                                                   
        2006
        Q1 2006     Q2 2006     Q3 2006     Q4 2006   Twelve Months
  ($, in thousands)     4/1/06     7/1/06     9/30/06     12/31/06   12/31/06
                           
 
Sales
    $ 25,263       $ 28,832       $ 27,752       $ 28,920     $ 110,767  
 
Net Income
    $ 1,318       $ 1,963       $ 1,648       $ 807     $ 5,736  
 
Bookings
    $ 23,850       $ 23,929       $ 25,985       $ 40,411     $ 114,175  
 
Backlog
    $ 94,706       $ 89,803       $ 88,036       $ 99,527     $ 99,527  
 
Book:Bill
      0.94         0.83         0.94         1.40       1.03  
                                                   
        2007
        Q1 2007     Q2 2007     Q3 2007     Q4 2007   Twelve Months
        3/31/07     6/30/07     9/29/07     12/31/07   12/31/07
                           
 
Sales
    $ 42,875       $ 41,368       $ 37,724       $ 36,273     $ 158,240  
 
Net Income
    $ 4,695       $ 4,501       $ 4,126       $ 2,069     $ 15,391  
 
Bookings
    $ 40,351       $ 38,711       $ 33,347       $ 38,712     $ 151,121  
 
Backlog
    $ 97,003       $ 94,346       $ 89,969       $ 92,408     $ 92,408  
 
Book:Bill
      0.94         0.94         0.88         1.07       0.96  
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