EX-99.1 2 a10-16689_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. REPORTS

FISCAL 2011 FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS

 

Net Sales Improve 9.5% Year Over Year

MDI Awarded Custom Sensor for Measurement of Linear Position

 

Chicago, IL — September 2, 2010 — Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI), a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions, today announced operating results for the Fiscal 2011 first quarter ended July 31, 2010.

 

First-Quarter Fiscal 2011

 

Methode’s first-quarter Fiscal 2011 net sales increased $8.5 million, or 9.5 percent, to $98.3 million from $89.8 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2010 notwithstanding the loss of sales to Delphi, which were $7.5 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2010. Net income increased to $4.1 million, or $0.11 per share, in the Fiscal 2011 period compared to breakeven in the same period of Fiscal 2010. No restructuring expenses, a gain of $1.2 million on a life insurance policy, and favorable selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower other income and higher tax expenses, contributed to higher net income in the Fiscal 2011 first quarter compared to the same period last year.

 

Methode recorded no restructuring charges during the Fiscal 2011 first quarter compared to restructuring charges of $3.6 million, before and after-tax, or $0.10 per share, during the Fiscal 2010 first quarter. Excluding restructuring charges, Methode’s net income was $3.5 million, or $0.10 per share, in the first quarter of Fiscal 2010.

 

Consolidated gross margins (including other income) as a percentage of sales decreased to 19.8 percent in the Fiscal 2011 first quarter from 22.6 percent in the comparable period of Fiscal 2010, due in part to the loss of sales to Delphi, higher design and overhead costs in the Company’s U.S.-based Automotive and Power Products businesses, as well as lower other income in the Fiscal 2011 period compared to the Fiscal 2010 period relating to lower engineering design fees received in the Company’s European Automotive business.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 1.9 percent, to $15.6 million in the Fiscal 2011 first quarter compared to $15.9 million in the prior-year first quarter due to lower bonus and professional fees in the Fiscal 2011 period compared to the Fiscal 2010 period. Professional fees were lower year-over-year

 

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even though the Company incurred higher legal expenses of $1.5 million related to the Delphi supply agreement and patent dispute in the Fiscal 2011 period compared to $0.4 million in the Fiscal 2010 period.

 

In the first quarter of Fiscal 2011, income tax expense increased $0.3 million to $0.6 million compared to $0.3 million in the same period of Fiscal 2010. First-quarter taxes include taxes on foreign profits of $0.5 million and $0.2 million in the Fiscal 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively. Non-Federal U.S. taxes were $0.1 million in both Fiscal 2010 and 2011 first quarters.

 

Comparing the Automotive segment’s first quarter of Fiscal 2011 to the same period of Fiscal 2010,

 

·                  Net sales decreased $2.9 million, or 3.7 percent, attributable to no net sales to Delphi Corporation compared to $7.5 million of sales to Delphi, partially offset by strong European and Asian market sales. Translation of foreign income also decreased net sales $1.7 million.

 

·                  Gross margins (including other income) as a percentage of sales decreased to 20.5 percent from 22.5 percent due to the loss of higher margin sales to Delphi, lower other income and increased costs relating to new product development, partially offset by improved European and Asian gross margins.

 

·                  Income before income taxes remained constant at $2.8 million due to lower sales and gross margins and higher legal expenses, offset by no restructuring charges and lower currency exchange rate expenses.

 

Comparing the Interconnect segment’s first quarter of Fiscal 2011 to the same period of Fiscal 2010,

 

·                  Net sales increased 40.1 percent attributable to solid growth in the interface solutions and data solutions businesses.

 

·                  Gross margins (including other income) as a percentage of sales increased to 26.6 percent from 25.1 percent due primarily to higher sales volume and sales mix.

 

·                  Income before income taxes improved $3.5 million to $3.7 million from $0.2 million as a result of increased net sales and gross profit and no restructuring expense, partially offset by higher commissions, advertising expenses and patent fees.

 

Comparing the Power Products’ segment first quarter of Fiscal 2011 to the same period of Fiscal 2010,

 

·                  Net sales improved 2.7 percent driven by higher busbar demand in Asia, partially offset by lower North American demand for busbars, flexible cabling and heat sink products.

 

·                  Gross margins (including other income) as a percentage of sales decreased to 20.0 percent from 20.5 percent.

 

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·                  Income before income taxes decreased to $0.1 million from $0.6 million to $0.5 million due to higher selling and professional fees partially offset by no restructuring charges.

 

MDI Award

 

Methode’s MDI business unit was recently awarded a contract to provide a major automotive OEM with a custom sensor for the measurement of clutch plate position in the new, fuel-efficient, dual clutch, six-speed transmissions. Initially, the award represents approximately $32 million in revenue over five years and is likely to gain additional volume. To meet the harsh environment conditions within the transmission, MDI has developed this new sensor employing Methode’s patented magneto-elastic technology that allows for the measurement of linear position with resolution that is nearly ten times that of current, commercially viable technology, and operates at temperatures greater than 180 degrees Celsius.

 

Management Comments

 

President and Chief Executive Officer Donald W. Duda said, “Methode began Fiscal 2011 with strong net sales, which improved year over year and nearly three percent sequentially over the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2010.  Additionally, we are very pleased to announce MDI’s award to provide an automotive OEM with a custom sensor for use in their new transmissions.  This sensor based on Methode’s magneto-elastic technology required over 5 years of development effort and represents the first major deployment of the technology in the automobile.”

 

Mr. Duda concluded, “While we are encouraged by our first-quarter sales, we remain cautious about our business outlook for the next few quarters as the global financial recovery remains tenuous. However, given our strong balance sheet and robust portfolio of products and solutions, we continue to believe Methode is well positioned for sustained long-term, profitable growth when economic conditions stabilize.”

 

Conference Call

 

The Company will conduct a conference call and Webcast to review financial and operational highlights led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Donald W. Duda, and Chief Financial Officer, Douglas A. Koman, at 10:00 a.m. Central time today.

 

To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 407-8031 (domestic) or (201) 689-8031 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start of the event. A simultaneous Webcast can be accessed through the

 

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Company’s Web site, www.methode.com, by selecting the Investor Relations page, and then clicking on the “Webcast” icon.

 

A replay of the conference call, as well as an MP3 download, will be available shortly after the call through September 16 by dialing (877) 660-6853 (domestic) or (201) 612-7415 (international) and providing Account number 286 and Conference ID number 355469. On the Internet, a replay will be available for 30 days through the Company’s Web site, www.methode.com, by selecting the Investor Relations page and then clicking on the “Webcast” icon.

 

About Methode Electronics, Inc.

 

Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI) is a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in China, the Czech Republic, Germany, India, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States,. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, radio remote control, sensing and optical technologies to control and convey signals through sensors, interconnections and controls. Our business is managed on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interconnect, Power Products and Other. Our components are in the primary end markets of the automobile, computer, information processing and networking equipment, voice and data communication systems, consumer electronics, appliances, aerospace vehicles and industrial equipment industries. Further information can be found on Methode’s Web site www.methode.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor protection provided under the securities laws. Methode undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in Methode’s expectations on a quarterly basis or otherwise. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in Methode’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our annual and quarterly reports. Such factors may include, without limitation, the following: (1) dependence on a small number of large customers, including two large automotive customers; (2) dependence on the automotive, appliance, computer and communications industries; (3) seasonal and cyclical nature of some of our businesses; (4) ability to compete effectively; (5) customary risks related to conducting global operations; (6) ability to keep pace with rapid technological changes; (7) ability to avoid design or manufacturing defects; (8) ability to protect our intellectual property; (9) dependence on the availability and price of raw materials; (10) ability to successfully benefit from

 

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acquisitions; (11) currency fluctuations; (12) unfavorable tax laws; (13) the future trading price of our stock; and (14) the risk of owning real property.

 

For Methode Electronics Inc. - Investor Contacts:

 

Philip Kranz, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7240, pkranz@dresnerco.com

 

Kristine Walczak, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7205, kwalczak@dresnerco.com

 

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Methode Electronics, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights

 

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

August 1,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

98,285

 

$

89,776

 

Other income

 

688

 

1,387

 

Cost of products sold

 

79,529

 

70,909

 

Restructuring

 

 

3,611

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

15,595

 

15,874

 

Income from operations

 

3,849

 

769

 

Interest expense, net

 

(26

)

(102

)

Other income/(expense), net

 

849

 

(394

)

Income before income taxes

 

4,672

 

273

 

Income tax expense

 

642

 

286

 

Net income/(loss)

 

4,030

 

(13

)

Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(35

)

6

 

Net income/(loss) attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.

 

$

4,065

 

$

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted income/(loss) per common share

 

$

0.11

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

37,046

 

36,863

 

Diluted

 

37,290

 

36,863

 

 

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Methode Electronics, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights

 

Summary Balance Sheets

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

July 31,

 

May 1,

 

 

 

2010

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

56,449

 

$

63,821

 

Accounts receivable - net

 

75,617

 

68,649

 

Inventories

 

34,072

 

29,760

 

Other current assets

 

21,689

 

22,366

 

Total Current Assets

 

187,827

 

184,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment - net

 

59,520

 

61,876

 

Goodwill

 

12,096

 

12,096

 

Intangible assets - net

 

18,256

 

18,811

 

Other assets

 

35,629

 

33,444

 

Total Assets

 

$

313,328

 

$

310,823

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

36,098

 

$

29,743

 

Other current liabilities

 

23,560

 

29,002

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

59,658

 

58,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

12,658

 

12,136

 

Total Methode Electronics, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

237,790

 

236,754

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

3,222

 

3,188

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

241,012

 

239,942

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

313,328

 

$

310,823

 

 

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Methode Electronics, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights

 

Summary Statements of Cash Flows

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

August 1,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

4,030

 

$

(13

)

Provision for depreciation

 

3,356

 

5,038

 

Impairment of intangible assets

 

 

710

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

556

 

565

 

Amortization of stock awards and stock options

 

342

 

299

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

(10,518

)

1,070

 

Other

 

22

 

19

 

Net Cash (Used)/Provided by Operating Activities

 

(2,212

)

7,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(1,956

)

(3,266

)

Acquisitions of businesses and technology

 

(750

)

(87

)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

(2,706

)

(3,353

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

13

 

 

Dividends

 

(2,576

)

(2,616

)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

(2,563

)

(2,616

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

 

109

 

1,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(7,372

)

3,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

63,821

 

54,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

56,449

 

$

57,052

 

 

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