EX-99 2 ex99.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 28, 2006

 
 
Exhibit 99
 

TITAN REPORTS 33% HIGHER SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME
 
Quincy, IL. - Titan International, Inc. (NYSE: TWI)
July 28, 2006

Second quarter highlights:
·  
Titan’s net income result was 33 percent higher in the second quarter, up to $5.6 million, compared to $4.2 million of net income in the second quarter of 2005.

·  
Basic earnings per share achieved a 12 percent increase to $.28 in the second quarter, as compared to $.25 in the second quarter of 2005.

·  
Diluted earnings per share also improved to $.24 for the second quarter, as compared to $.23 in the second quarter of 2005.

·  
Titan’s stockholders’ equity increased $6.4 million in the second quarter to $187.7 million at June 30, 2006, from $181.3 million equity balance at the end of first quarter 2006.

·  
Titan announced on April 24, 2006, that it is in negotiations with Continental Tire North America (CTNA) to acquire the assets of its off-the-road (OTR) tire manufacturing facility in Bryan, Ohio.

Recent developments:
It is anticipated that the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 890L of Bryan, Ohio, will vote on a new collective bargaining agreement with Titan Tire Corporation of Bryan on Saturday, July 29, 2006. As of July 27, 2006, CTNA, current owner of the OTR manufacturing facility, has agreed on substantially all of the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement and related agreements with Titan, but under CTNA’s existing labor agreement with USW Local 890L, an agreement must be reached between Titan and the union to close the transaction. The transaction is also subject to the consent of all shareholders of CTNA. If USW Local 890L ratifies the contract on Saturday, July 29, and CTNA obtains shareholder consent by July 31, Titan and CTNA will tentatively close the transaction on Monday, July 31, 2006.
 
Statement of Chief Executive Officer:
“Titan achieved another positive quarter,” stated Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr., “even with facing the strong head wind of an estimated five percent decrease in U.S. agricultural equipment demand and ever-higher raw material costs, especially in petroleum-based products. Titan continues to evaluate pricing in relation to these rising raw materials costs.
 
“In addition, our efforts with Continental Tire North America continue regarding the purchase of the off-the-road tire assets of the Bryan, Ohio, facility. Our goal is to finalize this transaction as soon as possible.”



Financial overview:
Titan International, Inc.’s net sales of $175.2 million for the second quarter of 2006 were higher than the second quarter 2005 sales of $134.7 million. Net sales for the first half of 2006 were $357.8 million, up from the $270.8 million recorded in the first half of 2005. The significantly higher sales level was attributed to an increase in market share related to the manufacturing capacity from the Freeport, Illinois, facility, which was acquired in December 2005.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2006 was $22.4 million, as compared to $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2005. Year-to-date gross profit was $53.6 million for 2006, as compared to $46.6 million for 2005.

Income before taxes for the second quarter of 2006 was $9.3 million, as compared to $3.8 million in 2005. Year-to-date income totaled $23.7 million in 2006, as compared to $16.2 million in 2005.

The company recorded income tax expense of $3.7 million and $9.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to an income tax benefit of $0.4 million and income tax expense of $0.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005.

Net income was $5.6 million for the second quarter of 2006, compared to $4.2 million in second quarter 2005. Year-to-date, net income was $14.2 million in 2006 and $15.4 million year-to-date in 2005.

For second quarter 2006, basic earnings per share were $.28, compared to $.25 at June 30, 2005. Year-to-date basic earnings per share were $.72, compared to $.93 year-to-date 2005.

Diluted earnings per share were $.24 for the second quarter of 2006 compared to $.23 in 2005. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share were $.60 for 2006 and $.74 for 2005. The company’s lower year-to-date diluted earnings per share resulted from the higher effective tax rate of 40 percent in 2006 versus 5 percent in 2005.

The company’s stockholders’ equity increased $19.9 million, or 12 percent, in the first half of 2006. Titan’s equity balance reached $187.7 million at June 30, 2006, a significant increase from the $167.8 million at December 31, 2005.


Form 10-Q:
For additional information and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, see the company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2006.



Negotiations with CTNA to purchase Bryan, Ohio, assets:
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., announced on April 24, 2006, that it is in negotiations with Continental Tire North America (CTNA) to acquire the assets of its off-the-road (OTR) tire manufacturing facility in Bryan, Ohio.

The asset purchase, if completed, will be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of Titan and CTNA, CTNA’s shareholders and government regulations. In addition, the asset purchase is contingent upon the negotiation of an agreement between Titan and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) and its Local Union No. 890L. Sales at CTNA’s Bryan facility are approximately $125 million per year.
 
It is anticipated that the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 890L of Bryan, Ohio, will vote on a new collective bargaining agreement with Titan Tire Corporation of Bryan on Saturday, July 29, 2006. As of July 27, 2006, CTNA, current owner of the OTR manufacturing facility, has agreed on substantially all of the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement and related agreements with Titan, but under CTNA’s existing labor agreement with USW Local 890L, an agreement must be reached between Titan and the union to close the transaction. The transaction is also subject to the consent of all shareholders of CTNA. If USW Local 890L ratifies the contract on Saturday, July 29, and CTNA obtains shareholder consent by July 31, Titan and CTNA will tentatively close the transaction on Monday, July 31, 2006.
 
Termination of cash merger discussions:
On October 11, 2005, the company received an offer from One Equity Partners LLC (One Equity), a private equity affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co., indicating One Equity’s interest in acquiring Titan International, Inc., in a cash merger for $18.00 per share of Titan common stock. On April 12, 2006, Titan and One Equity announced the termination of discussions regarding the proposed cash merger. On April 17, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors met and thanked the Special Committee, which had been formed to pursue discussions regarding One Equity’s proposed cash merger, for all their efforts expended and agreed that their Special Committee responsibilities have now been completed.
 
Safe harbor statement:
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks as detailed in Titan International, Inc.’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The company cautions that any forward-looking statements included in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
 
Company description:
QUINCY, Ill.—Titan International, Inc. (NYSE: TWI), a holding company, owns subsidiaries that supply wheels, tires and assemblies for off-highway equipment used in agricultural, earthmoving/construction and consumer (including all terrain vehicles and trailers) applications.





Titan International, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

 
Amounts in thousands except earnings per share data.
 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 
June 30,
     
2006
 
 
2005
 
 
2006
 
 
2005
 
Net sales
 
$
175,194
 
$
134,709
 
$
357,771
 
$
270,838
 
Cost of sales
   
152,752
   
112,207
   
304,215
   
224,255
 
Gross profit
   
22,442
   
22,502
   
53,556
   
46,583
 
                           
Selling, general & administrative expenses
   
8,589
   
8,228
   
19,954
   
16,838
 
Royalty expense
   
1,214
   
0
   
2,839
   
0
 
Idled assets marketed for sale depreciation
   
904
   
1,334
   
1,820
   
2,680
 
Income from operations
   
11,735
   
12,940
   
28,943
   
27,065
 
                           
Interest expense
   
(3,709
)
 
(2,353
)
 
(7,432
)
 
(4,942
)
Noncash convertible debt conversion charge
   
0
   
(7,225
)
 
0
   
(7,225
)
Other income
   
1,313
   
404
   
2,149
   
1,314
 
Income before income taxes
   
9,339
   
3,766
   
23,660
   
16,212
 
                           
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
3,736
   
(434
)
 
9,464
   
811
 
                           
Net income
 
$
5,603
 
$
4,200
 
$
14,196
 
$
15,401
 
                           
Earnings per common share:
                         
Basic
 
$
.28
 
$
.25
 
$
.72
 
$
.93
 
Diluted
   
.24
   
.23
   
.60
   
.74
 
                           
Average common shares outstanding:
                         
Basic
   
19,695
   
16,900
   
19,639
   
16,628
 
Diluted
   
26,081
   
25,186
   
26,003
   
25,128
 


Segment Information
Revenues from external customers (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 
June 30,
     
2006
 
 
2005
 
 
2006
 
 
2005
 
Agricultural
 
$
116,267
 
$
90,819
 
$
240,694
 
$
180,278
 
Earthmoving/Construction
   
29,005
   
35,721
   
60,806
   
74,862
 
Consumer
   
29,922
   
8,169
   
56,271
   
15,698
 
Total
 
$
175,194
 
$
134,709
 
$
357,771
 
$
270,838
 

 



Titan International, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)


Amounts in thousands
             
 
   
June 30, 
   
December 31,
 
Assets
   
2006
   
2005
 
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
239
 
$
592
 
Accounts receivable
   
98,231
   
47,112
 
Inventories
   
147,895
   
122,692
 
Deferred income taxes
   
11,604
   
20,141
 
Prepaid and other current assets
   
16,848
   
15,630
 
Total current assets
   
274,817
   
206,167
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
133,989
   
140,382
 
Idled assets marketed for sale
   
16,121
   
18,267
 
Investment in Titan Europe Plc
   
52,177
   
48,467
 
Goodwill
   
11,702
   
11,702
 
Other assets
   
15,247
   
15,771
 
Total assets
 
$
504,053
 
$
440,756
 
               
Liabilities & stockholders’ equity
             
Current liabilities:
             
Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)
 
$
5,501
 
$
11,995
 
Accounts payable
   
62,680
   
24,435
 
Other current liabilities
   
24,200
   
11,753
 
Total current liabilities
   
92,381
   
48,183
 
               
Long-term debt
   
189,615
   
190,464
 
Deferred income taxes
   
14,880
   
13,581
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
19,468
   
20,715
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
187,709
   
167,813
 
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity
 
$
504,053
 
$
440,756
 
 
 
Contact: Courtney Leeser, Communications Coordinator
(217) 221-4489