MILWAUKEE, Oct. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq:STRT) today reported operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 28, 2014.

Net sales for the Company's first quarter ended September 28, 2014 were $122.2 million, compared to net sales of $79.6 million for the prior year quarter ended September 29, 2013. Net income for the current year quarter was $9.3 million, compared to net income of $3.2 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the current year quarter were $2.55 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.91 in the prior year quarter.

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

The increase in sales to General Motors Company in the current year quarter was primarily attributed to incremental service parts sales of $28 million, The incremental sales are expected to adjust to lower levels during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, after which the service parts sales may return to more normal levels. Higher vehicle production volumes, and greater product content on vehicle models for which we supply components introduced for the 2015 model year also attributed to the sales increase.  

Increased sales to Chrysler Group LLC in the current year quarter were primarily due to higher customer vehicle production volumes and increased content on models for which we supply components. Sales to Ford Motor Company in the current year quarter were flat. Sales to Tier 1 Customers during the current year quarter increased slightly in comparison to the prior year quarter. These customers primarily represent purchasers of vehicle access control products, such as latches, fobs, and driver controls, that we have developed in recent years to complement our historic core business of locks and keys. The increase in sales to Hyundai / Kia in the current year quarter was principally due to the ramp-up of a new model introduction for which we supply components.

The gross profit margin was 23.0 percent in the current year quarter compared to 18.2 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross profit margin in the current year quarter was attributed to higher production volumes and a more favorable product mix, offset by higher costs associated with new product launches, higher bonus expense provisions in the current year quarter and a lump sum bonus paid to the Company's Milwaukee represented hourly workers resulting from a new 4-year labor contract ratified on September 18, 2014.

Engineering, Selling and Administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10.8 percent in the current year quarter from 11.9 percent in the prior year quarter. Overall, expenses were higher due to higher bonus provisions recorded during the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter.

Included in "Other Income, Net" in the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter were the following items (in thousands of dollars):

Frank Krejci, President and CEO commented: "On behalf of all STRATTEC Associates, it is a great pleasure for us to announce the results of an outstanding three months. In our core business, we experienced the combination of a strong automotive market and benefits from our strategic initiatives which resulted in an 18% increase in sales versus last year.   For a limited period of time, unpredictable market circumstances in our service business added another 35% to our revenues. Extra ordinary efforts by our  hourly and salary associates to respond to unusual customer demands and higher utilization of assets combined to generate significant incremental margin. It resulted in an unusually good quarter in which sales and profit broke our previous records. In addition to the positive metrics, we completed a four-year agreement with our unionized Milwaukee associates and were awarded Supplier of the Year by Ford Rotunda for outstanding service to their dealers. That recognition makes us especially proud, as it highlights the service side of our business that has historically been overshadowed by our manufacturing. It is also a nice follow–on to last year's Supplier of the Year award from Chrysler."

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 companies' products to global customers under the "VAST" brand name. STRATTEC's history in the automotive business spans over 105 years.

Certain statements contained in this release are "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 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.

CONTACT: Pat Hansen
         Senior Vice President and
         Chief Financial Officer
         414-247-3435
         www.strattec.com