News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal Third Quarter Results

April 19, 2007 at 4:02 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq: STRT) today reported operating results for the fiscal third quarter ended April 1, 2007.

Net sales for the Company's three months ended April 1, 2007 were $45.6 million, compared to net sales of $46.6 million for the three months ended April 2, 2006. Net income for the period was $2.9 million, compared to $4.1 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $.82 compared to $1.10 in the prior year quarter.

During the prior year quarter, the Company sold approximately $3.4 million of pre-petition Chapter 11 accounts receivable due from Delphi Corporation to a third party for $1.78 million. As a result, this increased the prior year quarter operating results by $1.58 million ($994,000 after tax) and increased the prior year quarter diluted earnings per share by $.27. For further explanation see Note (A) in the "Results of Operations."

For the nine months ended April 1, 2007, net sales were $121.6 million compared to net sales of $134.6 million in the prior year period. Net income was $4.7 million compared to $8.5 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.33 compared to $2.27 in the prior year.

Sales to STRATTEC's largest customers overall decreased in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation increased slightly during the current quarter to $15.9 million compared to $15.7 million due to additional product content. Sales to General Motors Corporation were $9.5 million compared to $8.5 million due to higher product content on certain GM vehicles. Sales to Delphi Corporation were $4.8 million compared to $6.7 million due primarily to reduced component content. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $5.7 million compared to $6.9 million due to lower Ford vehicle production volumes. Sales to Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America were $525,000 compared to $1.3 million due to the previously announced phase-out of this customer relationship.

Gross profit margins were 18.3 percent in the current quarter compared to 19.6 percent in the prior year quarter. The lower gross profit margins in the current year quarter were primarily the result of higher purchased raw material costs for brass and zinc that reduced gross profit margins by $2.2 million or approximately 4.9% from the prior year quarter. Despite the decline in the current quarter's gross margin as compared to the prior year, this quarter's gross margin improved over those reported for the first six months of this fiscal year. The improvement reflects two positive developments. First, the higher raw material costs we have been experiencing were partially offset by raw material adjustments received from some of our customers. Second, we began to experience the results of our cost reduction activities implemented during the previously reported quarters.

Operating expenses were $5.0 million in the current quarter, compared to $5.5 million in the prior year quarter.

Provision for income taxes in the current quarter was our normal effective income tax rate of 37% while the prior year quarter included a favorable State income tax adjustment that positively impacted diluted earnings per share by $.04.

During the third quarter, the Company contributed $4.0 million to its Pension Trust.

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufacturers and markets mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches and related access control products for North American automotive customers, and for global automotive manufacturers through the VAST Alliance in which it participates with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Plastics, Inc. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Company's history in the automotive business spans nearly 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 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)

                           Third Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended
                           April 1,    April 2,     April 1,     April 2,
                             2007        2006         2007         2006
                               (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)

    Net Sales              $45,647      $46,575     $121,610     $134,646
    Cost of Goods Sold      37,293       37,453      102,934      107,208
    Gross Profit             8,354        9,122       18,676       27,438

    Engineering, Selling &
     Administrative
     Expenses                4,974        5,467       14,882       16,246
    Provision (Recovery)
     for Doubtful
     Accounts, net               -       (1,578)(A)        -        1,622
    Income from Operations   3,380        5,233        3,794        9,570

    Interest Income            879          670        2,706        1,733
    Interest Expense             -            -            -            -
    Other Income, Net          341          408          490          572
    Minority Interest           25            -           25            -
                             4,625        6,311        7,015       11,875

    Provision for Income
     Taxes                   1,711        2,195        2,266        3,363

    Net Income              $2,914       $4,116       $4,749       $8,512

    Earnings Per Share:
    Basic                    $0.82        $1.11        $1.33        $2.28
    Diluted                  $0.82        $1.10        $1.33        $2.27

    Average Basic
     Shares Outstanding      3,537        3,722        3,558        3,737

    Average Diluted
     Shares Outstanding      3,541        3,725        3,561        3,742

    Other
      Capital Expenditures  $1,353         $883       $3,645       $4,723
      Depreciation &
       Amortization         $1,699       $1,757       $5,216       $5,389


    NOTE A:
              Pre-petition Chapter 11 Accounts Receivable due
               from Delphi Corporation                           $3,399

              Provision for Doubtful Accounts recorded during
               the first quarter                                ($3,200)

              Sale of pre-petition accounts receivable to
               third party                                      ($1,777)

              Net recovery during third quarter                 ($1,578)



                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

                         Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                                (In Thousands)

                                                April 1, 2007    July 2, 2006
                                                  (Unaudited)

    ASSETS
      Current Assets:
        Cash and Cash Equivalents                    $62,619        $65,712
        Receivables, net                              25,354         25,357
        Inventories                                    8,660          9,337
        Other Current Assets                          10,620         10,468
          Total Current Assets                       107,253        110,874
      Investment in Joint Ventures                     2,586          2,202
      Prepaid Pension Obligations                     13,469          7,602
      Other Long Term Assets                             187            197
      Property, Plant and Equipment, Net              26,177         27,764
                                                    $149,672       $148,639


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Current Liabilities:
        Accounts Payable                             $17,255        $17,701
        Other                                         11,286         11,825
          Total Current Liabilities                   28,541         29,526
      Borrowings Under Line of Credit                      -              -
      Deferred Income Taxes                            4,266          4,266
      Accrued Post Retirement Obligations              4,588          4,572
      Minority Interest                                  250              -
      Shareholders' Equity                           240,406        234,989
      Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss            (2,712)        (2,958)
      Less: Treasury Stock                          (125,667)      (121,756)
        Total Shareholders' Equity                   112,027        110,275
                                                    $149,672       $148,639



                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                      Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
                                (In Thousands)

                            Third Quarter Ended       Nine Months Ended
                           April 1,     April 2,     April 1,     April 2,
                             2007         2006         2007         2006
                                (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)

    Cash Flows from
     Operating Activities:
    Net Income              $2,914       $4,116       $4,749       $8,512
    Adjustment to
     Reconcile Net Income
     to Cash Used in
     Operating Activities:
       Minority Interest       (25)           -          (25)           -
       Depreciation and
        Amortization         1,699        1,757        5,216        5,389
       Stock Based
        Compensation Expense   187          301          566          861
       Tax Benefit from
        Options Exercised       13            -           13           61
       Provision (Recovery)
        for Doubtful Accounts    -       (1,578)           -        1,622
       Change in Operating
        Assets/Liabilities  (7,280)       5,242       (6,294)      (4,470)
       Other, net             (177)         (71)         (45)           6

    Net Cash Provided (Used)
     by Operating
     Activities             (2,669)       9,767        4,180       11,981

    Cash Flows from
     Investing Activities:
       Investment in Joint
        Ventures                 -            -         (100)         (50)
       Additions to
        Property, Plant
        and Equipment       (1,353)        (883)      (3,645)      (4,723)
       Proceeds from Sale
        of Property, Plant
        and Equipment            -            -           21           22
    Net Cash Used in
     Investing Activities   (1,353)        (883)      (3,724)      (4,751)

    Cash Flow from
     Financing Activities:
       Purchase of Common
        Stock                    -       (1,797)      (3,922)      (2,993)
       Investment by
        Minority Interest      274            -          274            -
       Reissue/Exercise of
        Stock Options           82            9           99        1,077

    Net Cash Provided (Used)
     by Financing Activities   356       (1,788)      (3,549)      (1,916)



    Net Increase (Decrease)
     in Cash & Cash
     Equivalents            (3,666)       7,096       (3,093)       5,314

    Cash and Cash
     Equivalents:
       Beginning of Period  66,285       55,168       65,712       56,950
       End of Period       $62,619      $62,264      $62,619      $62,264

SOURCE  STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    -0-                             04/19/2007
    /CONTACT:  Pat Hansen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, +1-414-247-3435/
    /Web site:  http://www.strattec.com /
    (STRT)

CO:  STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
ST:  Wisconsin
IN:  AUT HTS CPR
SU:  ERN

AX-JK
-- AQTH518 --
0589 04/19/2007 16:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com