ASTE Astec Industries Inc

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Astec Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTE) today reported results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenues for 2007 were $869 million and net income for 2007 was $57 million, each of which is a historical high for the Company. Net income was $2.53 per diluted share for 2007 compared to $1.81 per diluted share for 2006, for an increase of $0.72, or 40% per diluted share. Revenues for 2007 were $869 million compared with $711 million for 2006, for an increase of 22%. Domestic sales were $591 million for 2007, or 68% of 2007 revenues, compared to domestic sales of $518 million for 2006, or 73% of 2006 revenues. International sales were $278 million for 2007, a 45% increase over 2006, or 32% of 2007 revenues, compared to international sales of $192 million for 2006, or 27% of 2006 revenues. Gross margins for 2007 compared to 2006 increased 40 basis points. The Company reported net income of $57 million, or $2.53 per diluted share, for 2007 compared with a net income of $40 million, or $1.81 per diluted share for 2006, resulting in a 40% increase in diluted earnings per share. Income from operations increased 44% from $60 million in 2006 to $87 million in 2007. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $221 million compared with $162 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, for an increase of 36%. Domestic sales were $136 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 62% of 2007 fourth quarter revenues, compared to domestic sales of $114 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, or 70% of 2006 fourth quarter revenues. International sales were $85 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 38% of 2007 fourth quarter revenues, compared to international sales of $49 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, or 30% of 2006 fourth quarter revenues. The Company reported net income of $11 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with net income of $6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006, resulting in a 72% increase in diluted earnings per share. The Company's previous historical high for fourth quarter earnings was $0.29 per diluted share in 1998 and 2006. Consolidated financial statements for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007 and additional information related to segment revenues and profits are attached as addenda to this press release. The Company's backlog at December 31, 2007 was $272 million compared to $246 million at December 31, 2006, including the backlog of Peterson Pacific Corp. acquired in July 2007, for a $26 million increase. The Company's backlog at January 31, 2008 was $293 million compared to $267 million, including Peterson, at January 31, 2007, for a $26 million increase. Commenting on the announcement, Dr. J. Don Brock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our 2007 results. We are beginning the year with a strong backlog indicative of what we believe will be improved sales in the first six months of 2008. Our efforts to increase international sales will continue this year. The ConExpo Show, held every three years, is in March and is the largest equipment show in the United States. ConExpo will be attended by many of our customers to evaluate the latest equipment offerings and capabilities. We expect to achieve 15% growth in net sales in 2008. We expect inflation pressures on the cost of materials and components to continue in 2008. We will be diligent in managing costs and increasing prices where needed. Based on our outlook at this time, we expect net sales to be approximately $1 billion in 2008 and diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.80 to $2.95." Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast Astec will conduct a conference call on February 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EST to review its fourth quarter and fiscal 2007 financial results as well as its near term general outlook for 2008. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 407-9210. Please reference Astec Industries. The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of the conference call. The live broadcast of Astec's conference call will be available online at the Company's website at: http://www.astecindustries.com/www/docs/100. An archived webcast will be available for 90 days at http://www.astecindustries.com/. A replay of the conference call will be available through midnight on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 for international callers; Account #: 286; Conference ID #: 275273. A transcription of the conference call will be made available under the investor relations section of the Astec Industries, Inc. website within seven days after the call. Astec Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialized equipment for building and restoring the world's infrastructure. Astec's manufacturing operations are divided into four business segments: aggregate processing and mining equipment; asphalt production equipment; mobile asphalt paving equipment; and underground boring, directional drilling and trenching equipment. We also have a company engaged in the wood grinding and processing industry. The information contained in this press release contains "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding the future performance of the Company, including statements about the Company's financial performance for 2008, including projected net sales and diluted earnings per share, the effects on the Company from its backlog, the effects of inflation pressures on the cost of materials and components, and the effects of our efficiency initiatives. These forward- looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based upon currently available information, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or anticipated. Future events and actual results, financial or otherwise, could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause future events or actual results to differ materially include: general uncertainty in the economy, future downturns in the economy, rising oil and liquid asphalt prices, rising steel prices, a failure to comply in the future with covenants in the Company's credit facility or to obtain waivers thereof, rising interest rates, decreased funding for highway projects, production capacity, general business conditions in the industry, demand for the Company's products, seasonality and cyclicality in operating results, seasonality of sales volumes or lower than expected sales volumes, lower than expected margins on custom equipment orders, competitive activity and those other factors listed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the Company's quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2007. The Company plans to file its Form 10-K timely by February 29, 2008. Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) (Unaudited) Dec 31 Dec 31 2007 2006 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $34,636 $44,878 Receivables, net 87,487 66,673 Inventories 210,819 157,835 Prepaid expenses and other 15,790 13,631 Total current assets 348,732 283,017 Property and equipment, net 141,528 113,914 Other assets 52,310 24,931 Total assets $542,570 $421,862 Liabilities and shareholders' equity Current liabilities Accounts payable - trade $54,840 $42,561 Other accrued liabilities 89,054 62,308 Total current liabilities 143,894 104,869 Other non-current liabilities 21,204 20,128 Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary 883 699 Total shareholders' equity 376,589 296,166 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $542,570 $421,862 Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Dec 31 Dec 31 2007 2006 2007 2006 Net sales $220,810 $162,151 $869,025 $710,607 Cost of sales 172,909 127,485 659,247 542,320 Gross profit 47,901 34,666 209,778 168,287 Selling, general, administrative & engineering expenses 30,276 27,707 123,050 107,944 Income from operations 17,625 6,959 86,728 60,343 Interest expense 88 404 853 1,672 Other income, net of expenses 493 716 2,531 1,637 Income before income taxes and minority interest 18,030 7,271 88,406 60,308 Income taxes 6,586 972 31,398 20,638 Minority interest in earnings 60 - 211 82 Net income $11,384 $6,299 $56,797 $39,588 Earnings per Common Share Net income Basic $0.51 $0.29 $2.59 $1.85 Diluted $0.50 $0.29 $2.53 $1.81 Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 22,224,429 21,561,820 21,967,985 21,428,738 Diluted 22,595,714 21,786,613 22,444,866 21,917,123 Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries Segment Revenues and Profits For the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands) (Unaudited) Aggregate Mobile and Asphalt Under- Asphalt Mining Paving ground All Group Group Group Group Others Total 2007 Revenues 56,722 85,045 28,827 31,390 18,826 220,810 2006 Revenues 37,631 71,528 26,187 26,805 - 162,151 Change $ 19,091 13,517 2,640 4,585 18,826 58,659 Change % 50.7% 18.9% 10.1% 17.1% - 36.2% 2007 Gross Profit 13,172 18,853 7,261 5,461 3,154 47,901 2007 Gross Profit % 23.2% 22.2% 25.2% 17.4% 16.8% 21.7% 2006 Gross Profit (Loss) 8,450 17,656 5,336 3,520 (296) 34,666 2006 Gross Profit % 22.5% 24.7% 20.4% 13.1% - 21.4% Change 4,722 1,197 1,925 1,941 3,450 13,235 2007 Profit (Loss) 7,881 8,033 3,117 833 (8,508) 11,356 2006 Profit (Loss) 3,664 8,535 2,243 (461) (7,093) 6,888 Change $ 4,217 (502) 874 1,294 (1,415) 4,468 Change % 115.1% (5.9%) 39.0% 280.7% (19.9%) 64.9% Segment revenues are reported net of intersegment revenues. Segment gross profit is net of profit on intersegment revenues. A reconciliation of total segment profits to the Company's consolidated net income is as follows: For the three months ended December 31 2007 2006 Total profit for all segments $11,356 $6,888 Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary (60) - Recapture (elimination) of intersegment profit 88 (589) Consolidated net income $11,384 $6,299 Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries Segment Revenues and Profits For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands) (Unaudited) Aggregate Mobile and Asphalt Under- Asphalt Mining Paving ground All Group Group Group Group Others Total 2007 Revenues 240,229 338,183 146,489 114,378 29,746 869,025 2006 Revenues 186,657 289,471 129,385 105,094 - 710,607 Change $ 53,572 48,712 17,104 9,284 29,746 158,418 Change % 28.7% 16.8% 13.2% 8.8% - 22.3% 2007 Gross Profit 61,530 81,297 36,260 25,670 5,021 209,778 2007 Gross Profit % 25.6% 24.0% 24.8% 22.4% 16.9% 24.1% 2006 Gross Profit (Loss) 46,447 70,878 29,995 21,303 (336) 168,287 2006 Gross Profit % 24.9% 24.5% 23.2% 20.3% - 23.7% Change 15,083 10,419 6,265 4,367 5,357 41,491 2007 Profit (Loss) 37,707 38,892 17,885 7,348 (45,042) 56,790 2006 Profit (Loss) 24,387 33,263 14,369 4,866 (36,439) 40,446 Change $ 13,320 5,629 3,516 2,482 (8,603) 16,344 Change % 54.6% 16.9% 24.5% 51.0% (23.6%) 40.4% Segment revenues are reported net of intersegment revenues. Segment gross profit is net of profit on intersegment revenues. A reconciliation of total segment profits to the Company's consolidated net income is as follows: For the twelve months ended December 31 2007 2006 Total profit for all segments $56,790 $40,446 Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary (211) (82) Recapture (elimination) of intersegment profit 218 (776) Consolidated net income $56,797 $39,588 Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries Backlog by Segment December 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands) (Unaudited) Aggregate Mobile and Asphalt Under- Asphalt Mining Paving ground All Group Group Group Group Others Total 2007 Backlog 124,857 113,031 12,142 13,347 9,045 272,422 2006 Backlog 111,053 109,370 12,404 9,709 3,704 246,240 Change $ 13,804 3,661 (262) 3,638 5,341 26,182 Change % 12.4% 3.3% (2.1%) 37.5% 144.2% 10.6% DATASOURCE: Astec Industries, Inc. CONTACT: J. Don Brock, Chairman of the Board & C.E.O., +1-423-867-4210, Fax: +1-423-867-4127, , F. McKamy Hall, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, +1-423-899-5898, Fax: +1-423-899-4456, , Stephen C. Anderson, Director of Investor Relations, +1-423-899-5898, Fax: +1-423-899-4456, , all for Astec Industries, Inc. Web site: http://www.astecindustries.com/

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