News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal First Quarter Results

October 20, 2005 at 4:02 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq: STRT) today reported sales and operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended October 2, 2005.

Net sales for the three months ended October 2, 2005 were $44.8 million compared to net sales of $44.6 million for the three months ended September 26, 2004. Net income for the period was $1.7 million, compared to $3.6 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $.46 compared to $.94 in the prior year quarter. The primary factor causing the first quarter operating results to be less than last year was a $3.2 million ($2.02 million after tax) charge to increase the Company's reserve for uncollectible trade accounts receivable related to the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by Delphi Corporation on October 8, 2005. This reduced the current quarter's earnings per share by $.54.

Sales to STRATTEC's largest customers decreased slightly in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels. Sales to General Motors Corporation were $8.2 million compared to $11.4 million due to a combination of discontinued models and lower levels of production on certain vehicles. Sales to Delphi Corporation were $6.2 million compared to $6.8 million due to pre-programmed price reductions and lower levels of production. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $6.6 million compared to $7.5 million, due to price reductions and lower vehicle production. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation increased significantly during the current quarter to $14.6 million compared to $11.0 million due to a more favorable vehicle content mix. Sales to Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. were $1.6 million compared to $1.2 million due to higher vehicle production volumes. Sales to new customers contributed to the overall sales increase for the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter.

Gross profit margin was 21.8 percent in the current quarter compared to 24.2 percent in the prior year quarter. The decrease in gross profit margin was attributed to higher purchased material costs for brass, zinc, and magnesium along with an unfavorable Mexico peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate.

Normal operating expenses were $5.3 million in the current quarter, compared to $5.2 million in the prior year quarter.

During the current quarter, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard 123(R) to recognize stock-based compensation expense in its financial statements. The impact of adopting this new standard reduced the current quarter earnings per share by $.04.

The provision for income taxes in the current quarter includes a state refund claim recovery that positively impacted earnings per share by $.13.

During the quarter, the Company contributed $6.0 million to its Pension Fund and repurchased 23,595 STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION shares under the Company's stock repurchase program at a cost of $1.2 million.

At the Company's 2005 Annual Meeting held October 4, 2005, STRATTEC shareholders re-elected Mr. Michael Koss to the Company's Board of Directors for an additional three-year term. In addition, the shareholders also approved the proposal to amend and restate the Company Stock Incentive Plan.

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufacturers and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks, latches, and related access control products for global automotive manufacturers. Its products are shipped to customers in the United States, Mexico, Europe and South America. The Company's history in the automotive business spans more than 95 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 costs of operations. 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)

                                                       First Quarter Ended

                                                    October 2,   September 26,
                                                      2005            2004
                                                          (Unaudited)

    Net Sales                                        $44,793        $44,591

    Cost of Goods Sold                                35,019         33,818

    Gross Profit                                       9,774         10,773

    Engineering, Selling &
     Administrative Expenses                           5,285          5,166

    Provision for Doubtful Accounts                    3,200              -

    Income from Operations                             1,289          5,607

    Interest Income                                      489            183

    Other Income (Expense), Net                           40            (37)

    Income Before Provision for Income Taxes           1,818          5,753

    Provision for Income Taxes                            78          2,129

    Net Income                                       $ 1,740        $ 3,624

    Earnings Per Share:
    Basic                                               $.46           $.95

    Diluted                                             $.46           $.94

    Average Basic
     Shares Outstanding                                3,746          3,805

    Average Diluted
     Shares Outstanding                                3,754          3,855

    Other:
     Capital Expenditures                             $1,580           $698
     Depreciation & Amortization                      $1,824         $1,864



                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

                         Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                                (In Thousands)


                                                 October 2, 2005  July 3, 2005
    ASSETS
     Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                        $47,771        $56,950
      Receivables, net                                  29,680         26,053
      Inventories                                       11,548         11,654
      Other current assets                               9,538         10,030
        Total Current Assets                            98,537        104,687
     Deferred Income Taxes                               1,796          1,796
     Investment in Joint Venture                         1,512          1,412
     Other Long Term Assets                                600            603
     Property, Plant and Equipment, Net                 29,344         29,592
                                                      $131,789       $138,090


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Current Liabilities:
      Accounts Payable                                 $17,066        $17,218
      Other                                             10,260         12,850
        Total Current Liabilities                       27,326         30,068
     Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facility              -              -
     Accrued Pension and Post Retirement Obligations    10,825         16,271
     Shareholders' Equity                              223,326        220,261
     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss              (12,032)       (12,047)
     Less: Treasury Stock                             (117,656)      (116,463)
        Total Shareholders' Equity                      93,638         91,751
                                                      $131,789       $138,090


                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

                      Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
                                (In Thousands)


                                                       First Quarter Ended
                                                    October 2,   September 26,
                                                       2005          2004
                                                           (Unaudited)

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
    Net Income                                        $1,740         $3,624
    Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
     Cash Used in Operating Activities:
      Depreciation                                     1,824          1,864
      Stock Option Compensation Expense                  209              -
      Tax Benefit from Options Exercised                  61            406
      Change in Operating Assets/Liabilities         (11,213)       (10,656)
      Other, net                                         (84)            16

    Net Cash Used in Operating Activities             (7,463)        (4,746)

    Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
     Investment in Joint Ventures                          -            (75)
     Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment       (1,580)          (698)
    Net Cash Used in Investing Activities             (1,580)          (773)

    Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
     Purchase of Common Stock                         (1,196)        (5,467)
     Exercise of Stock Options                         1,060          2,048


    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities               (136)        (3,419)


    Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents         (9,179)        (8,938)


    Cash and Cash Equivalents:
      Beginning of Period                             56,950         54,231
      End of Period                                  $47,771        $45,293

SOURCE STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
/CONTACT: Pat Hansen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, +1-414-247-3435