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Kaman Reports 2008 Third Quarter Results Sales Increase 22%, Net Earnings Increase 43%
 

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.,Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kaman Corp. (Nasdaq: KAMN) today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 26, 2008.

For the third quarter of 2008, the company reported net earnings from continuing operations of $13.5 million, or $0.53 per share diluted, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $9.4 million, or $0.38 per share diluted, in the third quarter of 2007. The company's results for the third quarter of 2008 include a pre-tax loss of $1.6 million related to the cancellation of an ineffective currency-hedging contract at the company's Aerostructures Brookhouse Holdings, Limited subsidiary (this charge is not included in the segment's operating results). The results for the third quarter of 2007 included pretax charges of $0.8 million related to the company's Australia helicopter program. Net sales from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2008 were $335.1 million, an increase of 21.9% over the $274.9 million reported in the third quarter of 2007.

For the first three quarters of 2008, net earnings from continuing operations increased slightly to $28.5 million, or $1.12 per share diluted, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $27.5 million, or $1.11 per share diluted in the year ago period. Year-to-date results include a goodwill impairment charge of $7.8 million taken in the second quarter, which is not deductible for tax purposes, and the $1.6 million loss on the hedging contract. Results for the 2007 first three quarters include pretax charges of $5.6 million related to the company's Australia helicopter program. Net sales from continuing operations for the 2008 nine-month period were $937.2 million, an increase of 15.2% over the $813.8 million reported in the first three quarters of last year.

On October 29, 2008, the Company executed a new $50 million four-year Term Loan Credit Agreement with several banks. The Term Loan Agreement is in addition to our current $200 million Revolving Credit Agreement. The company may increase the term loan, up to an aggregate of $50 million, with approval of the banks. Most of the proceeds of the loan will be used to pay down borrowings under the company's Revolving Credit Agreement.

Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "During the third quarter we continued to build on the progress we made in the first half of the year. Specialty Bearings had another outstanding quarter, both our Helicopters and Precision Products businesses delivered improved profitability and Aerostructures made progress toward resolving the issues in Wichita. Our Industrial Distribution segment performed extremely well in the quarter despite an at times challenging and uncertain economic environment. The integration of Brookhouse and ISC, both acquired during our second quarter, is progressing well and we successfully completed the acquisition of INRUMEC, early in the fourth quarter.

Within Aerostructures, we continued our steady performance on the BLACKHAWK cockpit program, received additional C-17 orders that will extend that program through 2010 and are now in the early stages of the new A-10 program. As mentioned earlier, the integration of Brookhouse is progressing and was slightly accretive to EPS for the quarter. While our Wichita facility negatively impacted our results for the quarter, we continue to make progress as demonstrated by achieving AS9100 recertification in September.

Precision Products delivered improved results primarily due to good performance from legacy missile programs. In addition, JPF production exceeded our goal for the second consecutive quarter and some foreign sales of the fuze were recorded during the period. Helicopters turned in a strong profit performance despite the wind down of the Australian Service Center program. And finally, the Specialty Bearings team continued their outstanding performance."

Segment reports follow:

Aerostructures: Operating income for the 2008 third quarter was $0.2 million, compared to $1.6 million in the 2007 third quarter. Continued operational issues at the Wichita facility impacted the profit for the third quarter. Segment sales were $44.0 million, an increase of more than 70% over sales of $25.7 million in the third quarter of 2007.

The segment's sales increase for the period primarily reflects the addition of Brookhouse Holdings, Limited, which was acquired during the second quarter and contributed sales of $15.2 million, combined with higher BLACKHAWK cockpit volumes. However, operational issues in Wichita resulted in charges of $3.9 million significantly reducing profitability.

For the 2008 nine-month period, the Aerostructures segment reported net sales of $103.8 million, compared to $74.2 million for the first nine months of 2007. The segment had an operating loss of $7.1 million in the first three quarters of 2008 (including a $7.8 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in the second quarter), compared to operating income of $9.9 million in the first three quarters of 2007.

Precision Products (formerly Fuzing): Operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was $3.6 million, compared to $2.7 million in the year ago period. Sales were $32.6 million for the 2008 third quarter, compared to $22.1 million in the third quarter last year.

The sales increase primarily reflects higher JPF program shipments to the U.S. Government while the profit increase was driven primarily by strong performance on legacy missile programs. The third quarter of 2007 included profit from the JPF Facilitization program and 40mm sales, which did not recur in the third quarter of 2008.

For the first three quarters of 2008, sales in the Precision Products segment totaled $84.0 million, compared to $64.6 million in the first three quarters of 2007. Segment operating income totaled $6.3 million in the first three quarters of 2008, compared to $9.2 million in the first three quarters of 2007.

Helicopters: Operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was $3.5 million, compared to $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2007, which included a pretax charge of $0.8 million related to the company's Australian helicopter program. Segment sales in the third quarter of 2008 were $17.4 million, compared to $18.2 million in the same period last year.

Sales were lower largely due to reduced service center revenues from the Australia helicopter program, partially offset by higher revenue from Sikorsky subcontract work. The improvement in the third quarter operating results for the Helicopters segment principally reflects the absence of a charge for the Australian helicopter program.

Helicopter segment sales for the first nine months of 2008 totaled $50.1 million, compared to $54.7 million in the first three quarters of 2007. For the first three quarters of 2008, the segment generated operating income of $7.2 million, compared to $1.0 million in the year ago period, which included $5.6 million in pretax charges for the company's Australia helicopter program.

Specialty Bearings: Operating income rose 25.6% to $13.6 million from $10.9 million in the third quarter of last year. Segment sales in the period were a record $36.8 million, compared to $30.7 million in the third quarter of 2007, an increase of 19.9%.

Results reflect increased demand across most markets, and higher profit margins as a result of the segment's leverage from increased sales volume.

Sales in the Specialty Bearings segment rose 16.4% in the first nine months of 2008 to $109.6 million from $94.2 million in the first nine months of 2007. For the first nine months of the year, the segment has generated operating income of $40.6 million, a 28.2% increase over operating income of $31.6 million in the first nine months of 2007.

Industrial Distribution: Operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was $10.7 million, an increase of 18.3% over operating income of $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2007. Segment sales increased 14.7% in the 2008 third quarter to $204.3 million from $178.1 million a year ago. Organic sales growth in the quarter was 7.1%, compared with 6.8% in the prior year period, with the remaining growth coming from the acquisition of Industrial Supply Corporation (ISC) during the second quarter.

The Industrial Distribution segment's results for the 2008 third quarter reflect strong demand in our served markets, the continued success of the company's efforts to expand its national accounts business, and the addition of ISC. Operating profits in the period improved as a result of higher sales volumes and a focus on cost management, which continues to be offset somewhat by cost growth associated with new branch openings, as the segment continues to expand its operations in order to support its growing business. Overall, the operating profit margin for the quarter was 5.2%, a slight improvement over the prior year profit margin of 5.1% despite the integration of ISC, which had the effect of diluting Industrial Distribution's overall operating profit margin slightly for the quarter.

For the 2008 nine-month period, net sales in the Industrial Distribution segment totaled $589.8 million, compared with $526.1 million in the year ago period. Organic growth for the first three quarters of 2008 was 6.9%, compared with 3.6% in the same period last year. Segment operating income in the first three quarters of 2008 totaled $29.5 million, compared to $26.0 million in the first nine months of 2007.

Commenting on the performance of the Industrial Distribution segment, Mr. Keating said, "In the third quarter, Industrial Distribution continued the solid performance it had demonstrated in the first half of the year. Organic sales growth has been healthy despite the uncertainty of the economic environment and a tougher comparison from a strong third quarter last year. I am proud of the progress being demonstrated by the KIT team, and believe our expansion into Puerto Rico through the acquisition of INRUMEC will enable us to serve our growing list of national account customers who have facilities on the island."

Mr. Keating concluded, "We are very pleased with our performance in the third quarter, which demonstrates the continued success of our operating strategy across our business segments. Going forward, the effects of the current unprecedented macroeconomic environment have yet to be fully realized, and we recognize that the current environment calls for constant vigilance; however, we believe with our diversified operations, commitment to operational excellence and financial strength we are well positioned to navigate these difficult times and continue to grow our businesses."

Please see the MD&A section of the company's SEC Form 10-Q filed concurrent with the issuance of this release for greater detail on the quarter's results and various company programs.

A conference call has been scheduled for tomorrow, October 31, 2008 at 11:00 AM EDT. Listeners may access the call live over the Internet through a link on the home page of the company's website at http://www.kaman.com. In its discussion, management may include certain non-GAAP measures related to company performance. If so, a reconciliation of that information to GAAP will be provided in the exhibits to the conference call and will be available through the Internet link provided above.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report may contain forward-looking information relating to the company's business and prospects, including the Aerospace and Industrial Distribution businesses, operating cash flow, and other matters that involve a number of uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Those uncertainties include, but are not limited to: 1) the successful conclusion of competitions for government programs and thereafter contract negotiations with government authorities, both foreign and domestic; 2) political conditions in countries where the company does or intends to do business; 3) standard government contract provisions permitting renegotiation of terms and termination for the convenience of the government; 4) domestic and foreign economic and competitive conditions in markets served by the company, particularly the defense, commercial aviation and industrial production markets; 5) risks associated with successful implementation and ramp up of significant new programs; 6) management's success in resolving operational issues at the Aerostructures Wichita facility, including successful negotiation of the Sikorsky TRP program; 7) successful implementation of the Deed of Settlement agreed upon with the Commonwealth of Australia, which terminates the Australia SH-2G (A) program with a mutual release of claims; 8) receipt and successful execution of production orders for the JPF U.S. government contract, including the exercise of all contract options, successful negotiation of price increases with the U.S. government, and receipt of orders from allied militaries, as all have been assumed in connection with goodwill impairment evaluations; 9) satisfactory resolution of the company's litigation with the U.S. Army procurement agency relating to the FMU-143 program; 10) continued support of the existing K-MAX helicopter fleet, including sale of existing K-MAX spare parts inventory; 11) cost growth in connection with environmental remediation activities at the Bloomfield, Moosup and New Hartford, CT facilities; 12) profitable integration of acquired businesses into the company's operations; 13) changes in supplier sales or vendor incentive policies; 14) the effect of price increases or decreases; 15) pension plan assumptions and future contributions; 16) future levels of indebtedness and capital expenditures; 17) continued availability of raw materials and other commodities in adequate supplies and the effect of increased costs therefore; 18) the effects of currency exchange rates and foreign competition on future operations; 19) changes in laws and regulations, taxes, interest rates, inflation rates, general business conditions and other factors; and 20) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the company's annual, quarterly and current reports, and proxy statements. Any forward-looking information provided in this report should be considered with these factors in mind. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report.

A summary of segment information follows:

                           Summary of Segment Information
                                   (In thousands)

                                       For the Three        For the Nine
                                        Months Ended         Months Ended
                                    Sept. 26,  Sept. 28,  Sept. 26,  Sept. 28,
                                      2008       2007       2008       2007
     Net sales:
       Aerostructures               $44,047    $25,713   $103,784    $74,214
       Precision Products            32,599     22,104     83,965     64,566
       Helicopters                   17,373     18,220     50,092     54,703
       Specialty Bearings            36,839     30,729    109,585     94,179
         Subtotal Aerospace
          Segments                  130,858     96,766    347,426    287,662
       Industrial Distribution      204,275    178,090    589,773    526,106
     Net sales from continuing
      operations                   $335,133   $274,856   $937,199   $813,768

     Operating income (loss):
       Aerostructures                  $173     $1,631    $(7,090)    $9,862
       Precision Products             3,598      2,687      6,283      9,232
       Helicopters                    3,453      2,283      7,177      1,014
       Specialty Bearings            13,641     10,859     40,550     31,622
         Subtotal Aerospace Segments 20,865     17,460     46,920     51,730
       Industrial Distribution       10,704      9,045     29,512     26,043
       Net gain (loss) on sale of
        assets                          301          1         94         15
       Corporate expense (1)         (7,422)    (9,498)   (23,704)   (28,997)
     Operating income from
      continuing operations         $24,448    $17,008    $52,822    $48,791

    (1) "Corporate expense" decreased for the third quarter and nine months
        ended September 26, 2008 compared to the same periods of 2007, as
        shown below: 

                                       For the Three         For the Nine
                                        Months Ended         Months Ended
                                       -------------        -------------
                                    Sept. 26,  Sept. 28,  Sept. 26,  Sept. 28,
                                      2008       2007       2008       2007

     Corporate expenses before
      breakout items                $(4,190)   $(4,989)  $(13,036)  $(13,657)

     Breakout items:
       Incentive compensation plans  (1,906)    (2,849)    (5,772)    (8,662)
       Supplemental employees'
        retirement plan              (2,217)    (1,504)    (5,087)    (4,511)
       Group insurance                  891       (156)       191     (2,167)

     Corporate expense - total      $(7,422)   $(9,498)  $(23,704)  $(28,997)

                         KAMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                       (In thousands except per share amounts)

                                       For the Three        For the Nine
                                        Months Ended         Months Ended
                                    Sept. 26,  Sept. 28,  Sept. 26,  Sept. 28,
                                      2008       2007       2008       2007

     Net sales                     $335,133   $274,856   $937,199   $813,768

     Cost of sales                  246,260    198,399    685,463    587,566
      Selling, general and
       administrative expense        64,726     59,450    191,198    177,426
     Goodwill impairment                  -          -      7,810          -
     Net (gain)/loss on sale of
      assets                           (301)        (1)       (94)       (15)
                                    310,685    257,848    884,377    764,977
      Operating income from
       continuing operations         24,448     17,008     52,822     48,791

     Interest expense (income), net   1,073      1,672      1,535      4,872
     Loss on derivative contract      1,587          -      1,587          -
     Other expense (income), net        658         75      1,120        291

      Earnings from cont.
       operations before
       income taxes                  21,130     15,261     48,580     43,628
     Income tax expense              (7,600)    (5,824)   (20,092)   (16,111)
      Net earnings from continuing
       operations                    13,530      9,437     28,488     27,517

      Earnings from discont.
       operations before inc. taxes       -      3,721          -      7,000
      Gain on disposal of
       discontinued operations            -          -        506          -
     Income tax expense                   -     (1,421)      (183)    (2,646)
      Net earnings from discontinued
       operations                         -      2,300        323      4,354

     Net earnings                   $13,530    $11,737    $28,811    $31,871

     Net earnings per share:
        Basic net EPS from
         continuing operations         0.54       0.39       1.13       1.13
        Basic net EPS from
         discontinued operations          -       0.09          -       0.18
        Basic net EPS from disposal
         of discont. op.                  -          -       0.01          -
        Basic net earnings per share  $0.54      $0.48      $1.14      $1.31

        Diluted net EPS from
         continuing operations         0.53       0.38       1.12       1.11
        Diluted net EPS from
         discontinued operations          -       0.09          -       0.17
        Diluted net EPS from disposal
         of discont. op.                  -          -       0.01          -
       Diluted net earnings per
        share                         $0.53      $0.47      $1.13      $1.28

     Average shares outstanding:
       Basic                         25,265     24,438     25,199     24,288
       Diluted                       25,548     25,336     25,479     25,217

     Dividends declared per share     $0.14      $0.14      $0.42      $0.39

                        KAMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                  (In thousands)

                                               Sept. 26,     Dec. 31,
                                                 2008         2007
     Assets
      Current assets:
           Cash and cash equivalents           $14,834      $73,898
           Accounts receivable, net            210,743      158,435
           Inventories                         247,097      210,341
           Deferred income taxes                24,189       28,724
           Other current assets                 21,851       20,231
                Total current assets           518,714      491,629
      Property, plant and equipment, net        79,256       53,645
      Goodwill and other intangible
       assets, net                             121,658       46,188
      Deferred income taxes                      3,099        3,594
      Overfunded pension                        31,292       30,486
      Other assets                              11,398        9,321
                                              $765,417     $634,863

      Liabilities and shareholders' equity
      Current liabilities:
           Notes payable                        $1,652       $1,680
           Accounts payable - trade             99,751       74,236
           Accrued salaries and wages           21,389       25,328
           Accrued pension costs                 5,927       14,202
           Accrued contract losses              10,430        9,513
           Other accruals and payables          49,740       45,670
           Income taxes payable                  2,474       12,002
                Total current liabilities      191,363      182,631
       Long-term debt, excluding current
        portion                                 99,406       11,194
      Deferred income taxes, long-term           8,181          199
      Other long-term liabilities               50,812       46,313
      Shareholders' equity                     415,655      394,526
                                              $765,417     $634,863


SOURCE Kaman Corp.