MILWAUKEE, Oct. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq:STRT) today reported operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 29, 2013.

Net sales for the Company's first quarter ended September 29, 2013 were $79.6 million, compared to net sales of $70.8 million for the prior year quarter ended September 30, 2012. Net income for the current year quarter was $3,211,000, compared to net income of $2,670,000 in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the current year quarter were $.91 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.78 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):

Increased sales to Chrysler Group LLC and Ford Motor Company in the current year quarter were primarily due to higher customer vehicle production volumes and increased product content on models for which we supply components. The reduction in sales to General Motors Company in the current year quarter over the same period in the prior year was mainly attributable to lower OE Service sales. Increased sales to Tier 1, Commercial and Other OEM customers during the current year quarter related principally to market growth and the increasing impact in our sales of other 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 reduction in sales to Hyundai / Kia in the current year quarter was primarily due to lower customer vehicle production volume on models for which we supply components.

The gross profit margin was 18.2 percent in the current year quarter compared to 19.4 percent in the prior year quarter. The reduction in gross profit margin in the current year quarter was impacted by a less favorable product sales mix, higher costs associated with new product launches and increased raw material costs for zinc.

Engineering, Selling and Administrative expense spending was fairly consistent between years and decreased as a percentage of net sales to 11.9 percent in the current year quarter from 12.9 percent in the prior year quarter.

During the current year quarter STRATTEC contributed $750,000 to its Defined Benefit Pension Trust.

Frank Krejci, President and CEO commented:

"STRATTEC continues to benefit from the solid performance of the North American automotive industry. Not only has it resulted in market growth, but new innovative industry designs have created opportunities for us to develop new products. Globally, as part of VAST, we continue to benefit from the growth and return to profitability of our VAST China operations as well as the benefits of leveraging technology, purchasing, customer support and manufacturing resources with our partners.

We also have had many other recent successes that do not get reflected in our earnings or our increased quarterly dividend. In addition to being named a Supplier of the Year by Chrysler a few months ago, during this quarter we won local awards as Healthiest Employer for our wellness programs and the Melvin Lurie Award for excellence in labor-management relations. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our Company and all of our associates."

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 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 (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