EX-99.1 2 pressrelease22813.htm METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC PRESS RELEASE DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Press Release 2/28/13


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. REPORTS FISCAL 2013
THIRD-QUARTER YEAR-OVER-YEAR SALES GROWTH OF
9.8 PERCENT

Chicago, IL - February 28, 2013 - Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI), a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions, today announced financial results for the Fiscal 2013 third quarter and nine months ended January 26, 2013.


Third-Quarter Fiscal 2013
Methode's third-quarter Fiscal 2013 net sales increased $11.0 million, or 9.8 percent, to $123.0 million from $112.0 million in the same quarter of Fiscal 2012.

Net income increased $2.5 million to $3.3 million, or $0.09 per share, in the third quarter of Fiscal 2013 from $0.8 million, or $0.02 per share, in the same period of Fiscal 2012. Year over year, Fiscal 2013 third-quarter net income benefitted from:
lower costs related to third-party inspection, premium freight and over-time expenses of $1.2 million;
higher Other segment income as a result of increased torque-sensing product sales of $0.6 million;
lower stock award amortization of $0.4 million:
lower income tax expense of $0.3 million;
lower legal expenses of $0.3 million; and
higher sales.

Year over year, Fiscal 2013 third-quarter net income was negatively impacted by:
higher costs related to the design, development, engineering and launch of a large North American automotive program due to launch in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014 of $0.5 million;
costs related to the delayed launch of a laundry program of $0.3 million;
costs related to the newly acquired Hetronic business in Italy of $0.3 million; and
manufacturing inefficiencies due to lower sales and an unfavorable product mix within the Power Products segment.

Consolidated gross margins as a percentage of sales were 16.3 percent in the Fiscal 2013 third quarter compared to 17.2 percent in the same period of Fiscal 2012. The decrease was due primarily to increased design, development and engineering costs for a new automotive program launching in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014, increased sales of automotive product that has higher prime cost due to the current high percentage of purchased content, the delayed launch of a laundry program and costs related to the newly acquired Hetronic business in Italy in the Interconnect segment, as well as manufacturing inefficiencies due to lower sales and an unfavorable product mix in the Power Products segment, partially offset by higher sales, lower costs related to third-party inspection, premium freight and over-time expenses and lower material costs in the Other segment.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 5.4 percent, to $15.9 million in the Fiscal 2013 third quarter compared to $16.8 million in the prior-year third quarter due primarily to lower legal expenses, as well as lower stock award amortization expense. Selling and administrative expenses as a



Methode Electronics, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2013 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results
Page 2

percentage of net sales decreased to 12.9 percent for the Fiscal 2013 third quarter compared to 15.0 percent in the same period last year.

In the Fiscal 2013 third quarter, income tax expense decreased $0.3 million to $0.9 million compared to $1.2 million for the Fiscal 2012 period. For the Fiscal 2012 period, the income tax expense primarily relates to income taxes on foreign profits.

Third-Quarter Fiscal 2013 Segment Comparison
Comparing the Automotive segment's third quarter of Fiscal 2013 to the same period of Fiscal 2012,
Net sales increased 12.7 percent attributable to
a 19.6 percent sales improvement in North America due to higher sales for the Ford center console program and transmission lead-frame assembly; and
a 22.3 percent sales increase in Europe primarily due to new product launches; partially offset by
a 6.4 percent sales decrease in Asia due to the planned partial transfer of transmission lead-frame assembly products to the Company's Mexico facility.
Gross margins as a percentage of sales increased to 12.5 percent from 12.4 percent due to lower costs related to third-party inspection costs, premium freight and over-time expenses, partially offset by increased design, development and engineering costs for a North American automotive program launching in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014 and the increased sales of automotive product that has higher prime cost due to the current high purchased content.
Income from operations improved to $3.3 million from $1.2 million due to higher sales, lower costs related to third-party inspection costs, premium freight and over-time expenses, lower legal, salary, severance and bad debt expense, partially offset by higher design, development and engineering costs.

Comparing the Interconnect segment's third quarter of Fiscal 2013 to the same period of Fiscal 2012,
Net sales improved 7.8 percent attributable to
a 12.9 percent sales improvement in North America due to higher appliance and data solutions sales; partially offset by
flat sales in Asia; and
an 8.3 percent sales decrease in Europe due primarily to lower radio remote control and sensor sales.
Gross margins as a percentage of sales decreased to 25.0 percent from 28.0 percent due primarily to costs related to the delayed launch of a laundry program, as well as costs related to the newly acquired business in Italy and new product development in North America.
Income from operations declined to $3.7 million from $4.1 million due to costs related to a delayed laundry program launch and to the newly acquired business in Italy, partially offset by improved sales.

Comparing the Power Products segment's third quarter of Fiscal 2013 to the same period of Fiscal 2012,
Net sales declined 1.5 percent attributable to
flat sales in North America driven by higher busbar and cabling product sales offset by lower heat sink product sales;
flat sales in Europe; and
a 5.1 percent sales decrease in Asia due to lower busbar demand.
Gross margins as a percentage of sales declined to 16.4 percent from 16.9 percent due to manufacturing inefficiencies because of lower sales volumes in Asia, as well as an unfavorable sales mix.
Income from operations decreased to $0.5 million from $0.7 million due to lower sales,



Methode Electronics, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2013 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results
Page 3

manufacturing inefficiencies, unfavorable product mix and higher selling and administrative expenses in Europe.

Nine-Month Period Fiscal 2013
Methode's nine-month Fiscal 2013 net sales increased $32.8 million, or 9.7 percent, to $371.5 million from $338.7 million in the same period of Fiscal 2012.

In September 2012, the Company and various Delphi parties agreed to settle all Delphi related litigation matters. In addition to resolving all claims between the parties, the Company assigned certain patents to Delphi and entered into a non-compete with respect to the related technology. In exchange, the Company received a payment of $20.0 million, half of which was paid in October 2012 and half of which was paid in January 2013. The Company recorded the entire gain in the second quarter of Fiscal 2013, in the income from settlement section of its consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended January 26, 2013.

Net income increased $28.0 million to $30.6 million, or $0.81 per share, in the nine months of Fiscal 2013 compared to $2.6 million, or $0.07 per share, in the same period of Fiscal 2012. Year over year, Fiscal 2013 nine-month net income benefitted from:
the gain recorded in connection with the legal settlement (as discussed above) of $20.0 million;
higher Other segment income primarily as a result of increased torque-sensing product sales of $3.3 million;
lower selling and administrative expenses related to compensation, travel, advertising and marketing, and professional fees of $3.0 million;
lower costs related to third-party inspection costs, premium freight and over-time expenses of $1.8 million;
commodity pricing adjustments in the Automotive segment of $1.4 million;
lower legal expenses of $1.3 million;
the one-time reversal of accruals related to a customer bankruptcy of $1.1 million;
lower currency exchange losses of $0.6 million;
lower stock-based compensation costs of $0.6 million; and
higher sales.

Year over year, Fiscal 2013 nine-month net income was negatively affected by:
higher costs related to the design, development, engineering and launch of a large North American automotive program due to launch in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014 of $2.3 million;
higher income tax expense of $1.1 million;
costs related to the delayed launch of a laundry program of $0.6 million;
the lack of a gain on the acquisition of AMD in Fiscal 2012 of $0.3 million;
costs related to the newly acquired Hetronic business in Italy of $0.3 million; and
manufacturing inefficiencies, lower sales and an unfavorable product mix within the Power segment.

Excluding the impact of the pre-tax gain of $20.0 million, recorded in connection with the legal settlement and its effect on income tax expense, Methode's Fiscal 2013 nine-month net income is $11.4 million, or $0.30 per share.

Consolidated gross margins as a percentage of sales were 17.2 percent in the Fiscal 2013 nine-month period compared to 17.7 percent in the same period of Fiscal 2012. The decrease was due primarily to higher design, development and engineering costs for a new automotive program launching in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014, increased sales of automotive product that has higher prime cost due to the current



Methode Electronics, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2013 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results
Page 4

high percentage of purchased content, as well as manufacturing inefficiencies due to launch delays in Interconnect and lower Power Products sales, partially offset by a favorable commodity pricing adjustment in the Automotive segment and higher sales in the Other segment.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $5.4 million, or 10.1 percent, to $48.3 million in the Fiscal 2013 nine-month period compared to $53.7 million in the prior-year period due primarily to the reversal of customer bankruptcy accruals, lower legal expenses, as well as lower salary, stock-based compensation, severance, travel and professional fees.

In the Fiscal 2013 nine-month period, income tax expense increased $1.1 million to $4.5 million compared to $3.4 million for the Fiscal 2012 period. For the Fiscal 2012 period, the income tax expense relates to income taxes on foreign profits of $3.3 million and foreign dividend tax of $0.9 million, partially offset by a tax benefit of $1.1 million at the Company's Malta facility.

Nine-Month Fiscal 2013 Segment Comparison
Comparing the Automotive segment's first nine months of Fiscal 2013 to the same period of Fiscal 2012,
Net sales increased 15.0 percent attributable to
a 63.0 percent sales improvement in North America due primarily to higher sales for the Ford center console program and transmission lead frame assembly and to sales from the AMD acquisition; and
a 10.6 percent sales increase in Europe primarily due to new product launches and favorable pricing adjustments for commodity cost increases; partially offset by
a 12.7 percent sales decrease in Asia due to the planned partial transfer of transmission lead frame assembly products to the Company's Mexico facility.
Gross margins as a percentage of sales decreased to 13.6 percent from 14.2 percent due to increased design, development and engineering costs for a North American automotive program launching in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014, as well as the increased sales of automotive product that has higher prime cost due to the current high purchased content, partially offset by lower third-party inspection costs, premium freight and over-time expenses and commodity pricing adjustments.
Income from operations improved to $32.4 million from $6.7 million due to the litigation settlement, increased sales, favorable commodity pricing adjustments, lower third-party inspection costs, premium freight and over-time expenses and lower legal and other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher design, development and engineering costs and higher prime costs.

Comparing the Interconnect segment's first nine months of Fiscal 2013 to the same period of Fiscal 2012,
Net sales increased 3.6 percent attributable to
higher North American sales of 12.2 percent due to improved appliance and data solutions sales; partially offset by
lower European sales of 12.0 percent due to lower safety radio remote control device and sensor sales; and
lower Asian sales of 15.7 percent primarily due to lower legacy products sales from the planned exit of a product line and lower safety radio remote control device sales.
Gross margins as a percentage of sales declined to 26.6 percent from 27.4 percent due primarily to costs related to the delayed launch of a laundry program.
Income from operations increased to $12.7 million from $12.1 million primarily due to higher sales and lower selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by costs related to the delayed launch of a laundry program.




Methode Electronics, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2013 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results
Page 5

Comparing the Power Products segment's first nine months of Fiscal 2013 to the same period of Fiscal 2012,
Net sales declined 5.6 percent driven by
a 4.6 percent sales decrease in North America due to lower busbar and heat sink demand, partially offset by higher demand for flexible cabling products;
a 8.6 percent sales decrease in Asia due to lower busbar demand; and
flat sales in Europe.
Gross margins as a percentage of sales declined to 15.0 percent from 17.7 percent due primarily to manufacturing inefficiencies due to lower sales and an unfavorable product mix.
Income from operations decreased to $0.6 million from $1.8 million due to manufacturing inefficiencies due to lower sales in North America, an unfavorable product mix and higher selling and administrative expenses in Europe.

General Motors Center Console Program
The General Motors center console program, awarded in November 2011, with average annual revenue of $216 million at full launch in Fiscal 2016, was originally scheduled to launch in April 2013. Due to a delay by General Motors, the truck portion of the program is now expected to launch one month later, in May 2013, and the SUV portion of the program is expected to launch in late January 2014.

Management Comments
President and Chief Executive Officer Donald W. Duda said, “Third-quarter Fiscal 2013 sales came in higher than we expected due mainly to strong sales for the Ford center console and transmission lead frame assembly products, as well as new product launches in our European Automotive operations, partially offset by weaker demand in our European industrial operations. Year to date, lower industrial sales, which is typically a higher margin business line, coupled with notably higher design, development and engineering costs for the General Motors center console program compared to last year, contributed to lower year-over-year consolidated gross margins.”

Mr. Duda concluded, “Although the launch of the General Motors center console program has been essentially moved to the first quarter of our Fiscal 2014, the last three phases of the laundry program have launched in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year. As such, we anticipate fourth-quarter sales and earnings will be the strongest of Fiscal 2013.”

Guidance
Methode anticipates sequentially higher sales and earnings in its Fiscal 2013 fourth quarter compared to the Fiscal 2013 third quarter due to the launch of the last three phases of the laundry program, offset by the delay of the launch of the General Motors center console program to the first quarter of Fiscal 2014 and weakening economic conditions in Europe. For Fiscal 2013, the Company anticipates sales at the high end of the guidance range of $470 million to $500 million. However, because of lower-than-anticipated sales in the second half of the year at the Company's higher margin businesses, for Fiscal 2013, the Company confirms earnings per share at the low end of the guidance range of $0.45 to $0.60 (exclusive of income from the legal settlement discussed above).

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



Methode Electronics, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2013 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results
Page 6

through the 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 March 7 by dialing (877) 660-6853 (domestic) or (201) 612-7415 (international) and providing Conference ID number 409447. 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, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, safety 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) further downturns in the automotive industry or the bankruptcy of certain automotive customers; (4) the ability to successfully launch a significant number of programs; (5) ability to compete effectively; (6) customary risks related to conducting global operations; (7) dependence on the availability and price of raw materials; (8) dependence on our supply chain; (9) ability to keep pace with rapid technological changes; (10) ability to improve gross margin due to a variety of factors, (11) ability to avoid design or manufacturing defects; (12) ability to protect our intellectual property; (13) ability to withstand price pressure; (14) the usage of a significant amount of our cash and resources to launch new North American automotive programs; (15) location of a significant amount of cash outside of the U.S.; (16) currency fluctuations; (17) ability to successfully benefit from acquisitions and divestitures; (18) ability to withstand business interruptions; (19) income tax rate fluctuations; (20) ability to implement and profit from newly acquired technology; and (21) the future trading price of our stock.

For Methode Electronics, Inc. - Investor Contacts:
Kristine Walczak, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7205, kwalczak@dresnerco.com
Philip Kranz, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7240, pkranz@dresnerco.com






METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
($ in thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
January 26,
2013
 
January 28,
2012
 
January 26,
2013
 
January 28,
2012
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
122,982

 
$
112,000

 
$
371,478

 
$
338,694

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
 
102,949

 
92,746

 
307,686

 
278,540

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margins
 
20,033

 
19,254

 
63,792

 
60,154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
15,776

 
16,838

 
48,250

 
53,679

Income from settlement
 

 
 
 
(20,000
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
4,257

 
2,416

 
35,542

 
6,475

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest (income)/expense
 
20

 
(164
)
 
27

 
(160
)
Other expense, net
 
114

 
615

 
609

 
767

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
4,123

 
1,965

 
34,906

 
5,868

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
855

 
1,180

 
4,519

 
3,423

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
3,268

 
785

 
30,387

 
2,445

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
(57
)
 
(24
)
 
(189
)
 
(170
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
 
$
3,325

 
$
809

 
$
30,576

 
$
2,615

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts per common share attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.82

 
$
0.07

Diluted
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.07

Cash dividends:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
0.07

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.21

Weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
 
37,413,490

 
37,309,890

 
37,406,270

 
37,299,029

Diluted
 
37,995,292

 
37,540,222

 
37,937,894

 
37,522,475












METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
As of
 
As of
 
 
January 26, 2013
 
April 28, 2012
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 

 
 

CURRENT ASSETS
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
73,375

 
$
86,797

Accounts receivable, net
 
94,420

 
98,359

Inventories:
 
 
 
 

Finished products
 
8,849

 
7,001

Work in process
 
17,663

 
14,235

Materials
 
27,270

 
22,325

 
 
53,782

 
43,561

Deferred income taxes
 
3,571

 
3,529

Prepaid and refundable income taxes
 
439

 
1,015

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
7,872

 
7,172

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
 
233,459

 
240,433

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
293,562

 
277,451

Less allowances for depreciation
 
200,182

 
200,299

 
 
93,380

 
77,152

GOODWILL
 
17,257

 
16,422

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
 
17,046

 
16,620

PRE-PRODUCTION COSTS
 
12,784

 
16,215

OTHER ASSETS
 
37,158

 
36,806

 
 
84,245

 
86,063

TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
411,084

 
$
403,648

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 

 
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
46,472

 
$
54,775

Other current liabilities
 
32,447

 
37,102

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
78,919

 
91,877

LONG-TERM DEBT
 
40,000

 
48,000

OTHER LIABILITIES
 
3,375

 
3,413

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
 
5,557

 
4,801

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
106

 
333

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 

 
 

Common stock, $0.50 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,402,678 and 38,375,678 shares issued as of January 26, 2013 and April 28, 2012, respectively
 
19,201

 
19,188

Additional paid-in capital
 
80,111

 
77,652

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
18,173

 
15,573

Treasury stock, 1,342,188 shares as of January 26, 2013 and April 28, 2012
 
(11,377
)
 
(11,377
)
Retained earnings
 
176,804

 
154,008

TOTAL METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
282,912

 
255,044

Noncontrolling interest
 
215

 
180

TOTAL EQUITY
 
283,127

 
255,224

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
411,084

 
$
403,648











METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
January 26, 2013
 
January 28, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
30,387

 
$
2,445

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Provision for depreciation
 
11,622

 
10,558

Amortization of intangibles
 
1,278

 
1,367

Amortization of stock awards and stock options
 
2,472

 
3,113

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
(12,828
)
 
(5,897
)
Other
 
(30
)
 
362

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
32,901

 
11,948

 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
(30,013
)
 
(16,608
)
Acquisition of businesses
 
(1,434
)
 
(6,349
)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
(31,447
)
 
(22,957
)
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 

 
198

Cash dividends
 
(7,781
)
 
(7,772
)
Proceeds from borrowings
 
28,500

 
39,500

Repayment of borrowings
 
(36,500
)
 

NET CASH (USED IN)/PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
(15,781
)
 
31,926

 
 
 
 
 
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
 
905

 
(1,551
)
 
 
 
 
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(13,422
)
 
19,366

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
86,797

 
57,445

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
 
$
73,375

 
$
76,811