News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal 2014 Second Quarter Results

January 23, 2014 at 4:00 PM EST

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq:STRT) ("STRATTEC" or the "Company") today reported operating results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 29, 2013.

Net sales for the Company's second quarter ended December 29, 2013 were $81.5 million, compared to net sales of $72.2 million for the second quarter ended December 30, 2012. Net income for the current quarterly period was $3.9 million, compared to net income of $2.4 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the current quarterly period were $1.09 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.70 during the prior year quarter.

For the six months ended December 29, 2013, net sales were $161.1 million compared to net sales of $143.1 million during the prior year six month period. Net income during the current year six month period was $7.1 million compared to net income of $5.1 million during the prior year six month period. Diluted earnings per share were $2.00 for the current year six month period ended December 29, 2013 compared to diluted earnings per share of $1.48 for the prior year six month period ended December 30, 2012.

Net sales to each of our customers or customer groups in the current year quarter and prior year quarter were as follows (in millions):

  Three Months Ended
  December 29, 2013 December 30, 2012
Chrysler Group LLC $ 28.7 $ 23.0
General Motors Company 16.0 13.5
Ford Motor Company 11.3 10.5
Tier 1 Customers 15.2 15.0
Commercial and Other OEM Customers 8.6 7.7
Hyundai / Kia 1.7 2.5
TOTAL $ 81.5 $ 72.2

Increased sales to Chrysler Group LLC, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company in the current quarter were primarily due to increased customer vehicle production volumes on models for which we supply components. Increased sales to Tier 1, Commercial and Other OEM customers during the current quarter related to market growth and the increasing impact of sales of other vehicle access control products such as latches, fobs, and driver controls that have been developed in recent years to complement our historic locks and keys access control products. The reduction in sales to Hyundai / Kia in the current quarter was principally due to lower customer vehicle production volume on models for which we supply components.

Gross profit margins were 19.6 percent in the current quarter compared to 17.0 percent in the prior year quarter. The benefits of higher customer production volumes and lower pension expense provisions attributed to a significantly improved funded status on our frozen Defined Benefit Pension Plan increased our gross profit margin in the current year quarter over the same period in the prior year. Gross profit margins during the current quarter were also negatively impacted by increased provisions under our incentive bonus plans due to increased profitability and higher raw material costs for zinc.

Operating expenses as a percent of net sales in the current year quarter decreased to 11.4% from 11.7% in comparison to the prior year quarter. This expense percentage would have declined further except for increased costs primarily for provisions under our incentive bonus plans as discussed above.

Frank Krejci, President and CEO commented: "Given the normal disruptions of customer shutdowns and the holidays during this quarter, we feel that our reported results are even more noteworthy. It was our best quarterly earnings per share since the quarter ending March 2006. This quarter is also a significant milestone. We have now completed 105 years in business, 86 years of that as part of Briggs & Stratton Corp. Over the last 19 years, we have greatly expanded our products and geographic reach in serving the automotive industry.  There are ever increasing opportunities being created both tactically and strategically through working with our partners to advance the VAST brand. We are encouraged by the expectations of continued strong automotive production, substantial progress at our VAST China operations and the long-term opportunities with biometric security in both automotive and non-automotive markets through our recent investment in NextLock (www.getnextlock.com)."

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive Access Control Products, including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products. These products are provided to customers in North America, and on a global basis through a unique strategic relationship with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under this relationship, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market our products to global customers under the "VAST" brand name. STRATTEC's history in the automotive business spans over 100 years.

Certain statements contained in this release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will," and "would."   Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties in the Company's operations and business environment. These uncertainties include general economic conditions, in particular, relating to the automotive industry, consumer demand for the Company's and its customers' products, competitive and technological developments, customer purchasing actions, foreign currency fluctuations, and fluctuations in costs of operations (including fluctuations in the cost of raw materials). Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. In addition, such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed further in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Results of Operations
(In Thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
         
   Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
  December 29, 2013 December 30, 2012 December 29, 2013  December 30, 2012
Net Sales $81,484 $72,243 $161,079 $143,050
         
Cost of Goods Sold 65,541 59,936 130,621 117,030
         
Gross Profit 15,943 12,307 30,458 26,020
         
Engineering, Selling &        
Administrative Expenses 9,250 8,481 18,720 17,601
         
         
Income from Operations 6,693 3,826 11,738 8,419
         
Interest Income 21 10 27 13
         
Equity Earnings (Loss) of Joint Ventures 297 (99) 591 (111)
         
Interest Expense (15) (10) (29) (15)
         
Other (Expense) Income, Net (54) 187 225 169
         
  6,942 3,914 12,552 8,475
         
Provision for Income Taxes 2,261 1,074 4,017 2,320
         
Net Income  4,681 2,840 8,535 6,155
Net Income Attributable        
 to Non-Controlling Interest (808) (446) (1,451) (1,091)
         
Net Income Attributable to        
 STRATTEC SECURITY        
 CORPORATION $3,873 $2,394 $7,084 $5,064
         
Earnings Per Share:        
Basic $1.11 $0.71 $2.05 $1.50
Diluted $1.09 $0.70 $2.00 $1.48
Average Basic        
 Shares Outstanding 3,413 3,317 3,397 3,313
         
Average Diluted        
 Shares Outstanding 3,487 3,353 3,473 3,346
         
Other        
 Capital Expenditures $3,574 $2,477 $6,450 $5,188
Depreciation & Amortization $2,055 $1,773 $4,167 $3,531
 
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
     
Condensed Balance Sheet Data
(In Thousands)
     
     
   December 29, 2013 June 30, 2013
  (Unaudited)
ASSETS    
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $20,388 $20,307
Receivables, net 44,348 47,514
Inventories, net 30,035 24,312
Other current assets 14,855 14,366
Total Current Assets 109,626 106,499
Investment in Joint Ventures 9,809 9,166
Other Long-term Assets 6,867 2,420
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 53,570 51,415
  $179,872 $169,500
     
     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current Liabilities:    
Accounts Payable $25,923 $25,543
Borrowings Under Credit Facility 3,000 2,250
Other 23,138 22,932
Total Current Liabilities 52,061 50,725
Accrued Pension and Post Retirement Obligations  4,145 4,181
Deferred Income Taxes 1,090 1,009
Other Long-term Liabilities 1,753 1,705
Shareholders' Equity 270,104 262,368
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (21,471) (22,212)
Less: Treasury Stock (135,928) (135,938)
Total STRATTEC SECURITY    
CORPORATION Shareholders' Equity 112,705 104,218
Non-Controlling Interest 8,118 7,662
Total Shareholders' Equity 120,823 111,880
  $179,872 $169,500
 
 
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
(In Thousands)
 (Unaudited)
         
  Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
  December 29, 2013 December 30, 2012 December 29, 2013 December 30, 2012
         
         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net Income $4,681 $2,840 $8,535 $6,155
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to      
Cash Provided by Operating Activities:        
Equity (Earnings) Loss in Joint Ventures (297) 99 (591) 111
Depreciation and Amortization 2,055 1,773 4,167 3,531
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss (Gain) 174 (142) (38) 313
Unrealized Gain on Foreign Currency Option Contracts -- (38) -- (349)
Stock Based Compensation Expense 276 394 630 470
Change in Operating Assets/Liabilities 4,030 (622) (6,010) (4,194)
Other, net (12) (31) 74 (61)
         
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 10,907 4,273 6,767 5,976
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Investment in Joint Ventures -- -- -- (200)
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment (3,574) (2,477) (6,450) (5,188)
Proceeds from Sale of Property and Equipment 13 31 21 61
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (3,561) (2,446) (6,429) (5,327)
         
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:        
Borrowings on Line of Credit Facility -- 750 750 2,250
Dividends Paid to Non-Controlling Interest of Subsidiary -- -- (984) (1,131)
Dividends Paid (384) (352) (764) (688)
Exercise of Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchases 691 52 789 71
         
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities 307 450 (209) 502
         
Effect of Foreign Currency Fluctuations on Cash (71) 18 (48) (69)
         
Net Increase in Cash & Cash Equivalents 7,582 2,295 81 1,082
         
Cash and Cash Equivalents:        
Beginning of Period 12,806 16,274 20,307 17,487
End of Period $20,388 $18,569 $20,388 $18,569
CONTACT: Pat Hansen
         Senior Vice President and
         Chief Financial Officer
         414-247-3435
         www.strattec.com

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STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION