Briggs & Stratton Corporation Reports Earnings for the Third Quarter o

MILWAUKEE, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Briggs & Stratton Corporation -- Briggs & Stratton today announced fiscal 2005 third quarter consolidated net sales of $840.5 million and consolidated net income of $80.6 million or $1.56 per diluted share. The third quarter of fiscal 2004 had consolidated net sales of $654.7 million and consolidated net income of $71.3 million or $1.44 per diluted share. The consolidated net sales increase of $185.8 million or 28% was primarily due to the inclusion of $108.2 million of net sales from the Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc. ("Simplicity") acquisition in July of 2004 and the inclusion of $71.9 million of net sales of lawn and garden equipment as a result of the acquisition of selected assets of the bankrupt Murray, Inc. ("Murray") in February of 2005. Consolidated net income increased $9.4 million between years. Third quarter consolidated net income benefited from the recognition of an extraordinary gain of $30 million ($19.8 million after the tax effects of the transaction) related to the difference between the purchase price and the estimated realizable value of the Murray assets. The decrease in consolidated net income for the quarter, excluding the benefit of the extraordinary gain, was due to the impact of increased spending on raw materials and other manufacturing costs and lower production volume in the Engines segment which was offset in part by improvement in sales volume and a more favorable exchange rate on Euro denominated engine sales.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, the Company had consolidated net sales of $1,783.2 million and consolidated net income of $86.2 million or $1.66 per diluted share. For the same period a year ago, consolidated net sales were $1,402.1 million, and consolidated net income was $95.9 million or $1.97 per diluted share. The $381.1 million or 27% increase in consolidated net sales was due to the inclusion of $260.1 million of net sales from Simplicity, the inclusion of $71.9 million of net sales of Murray product and the strong generator sales that were experienced in the first half of the year. The nine-month consolidated net income was lower by $9.7 million. The after tax difference between the write-off of the trade receivable from Murray in the first half of the year and the extraordinary gain recognized in the third quarter accounts for $5.9 million of the decrease. The remainder of the decrease is attributable to the same factors discussed for the third quarter, except on a year to date basis lower production volume was primarily a Power Products segment factor.

Engines:

Fiscal third quarter net sales were $604.9 million versus $581.9 million for the same period a year ago, an increase of $23.0 million or 4%. The improvement in net sales was the result of a 12% engine unit shipment increase over the same period a year ago ($55.6 million) and a revenue improvement from favorable exchange rates on Euro denominated engine sales ($11.6 million). Offsetting the increased unit and Euro benefit was an engine mix that favored lower priced product ($27.4 million), a lower volume of service parts and component sales ($13.4 million) and an increase in sales incentives over the same period a year ago. The engine mix and sales incentive impacts were the expected reversal from the favorable mix that occurred in the first half of the year and the timing of sales incentives as they relate to selected sales. Service parts and component sales were lower than anticipated in the third quarter due to the distribution network lowering their inventories in the third quarter.

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 were $1,233.9 million versus $1,174.1 million in the prior year, an improvement of $59.7 million or 5%. The main drivers for the net sales increase were an engine unit shipment increase of 4% ($39.5 million) and a favorable price and Euro impact ($32.5 million). Offsetting the increases were lower service parts and component sales ($12.8 million), primarily in the third quarter.

Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was $85.5 million, down $24.5 million from $110.0 million during the same period in the prior year. The major contributors to the decrease were increased raw material and purchased component costs ($16.3 million), increases in overhead costs and operating expenses such as employee benefits and utilities ($6.7 million), the impact of lower production volumes ($6.2 million) and an unfavorable mix of shipments to lower priced, lower margined engines ($3.0 million). The decreases were partially offset by the increase in sales volume and the Euro impact described above.

Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 was $95.4 million, down $53.3 million from $148.7 million during the same period a year ago. The most significant reason for the decrease was the write-off of the trade receivable from Murray ($38.9 million). The write-off was recorded against income from operations in the first half of the year, however the gain recognized on the acquisition of Murray assets in the third quarter ($30.0 million) is recorded as an extraordinary gain that is not included in income from operations. The other major contributor to the decrease in income from operations is higher raw material and purchased component costs incurred to date ($35.6 million). The primary offset to the decreases in income from operations is the benefit received from the favorable Euro impact and price increases.

Power Products:

Fiscal third quarter net sales were $323.7 million versus $125.6 million from the same period a year ago, an increase of $198.0 million. The increase in net sales was primarily the result of the inclusion of $108.2 million of net sales from our Simplicity acquisition and $71.9 million of net sales from our Murray asset acquisition. The remaining improvement was the result of pressure washer and generator unit volume increases. Pressure washer net sales increased 17%, while unit volume increased 29%. Volume grew because of retail inventory build-up of redesigned product in anticipation of spring and summer consumer demand and the placement of incremental SKU's at retail. The difference between unit and Dollar sales growth is mix that favored smaller, lower priced units. Generator net sales increased 15%, while unit volume increased 12%. Generator demand continues to be strong due to continued replenishment of inventory following the power outages caused by the major hurricane activity in our fiscal first quarter. The difference between dollar and unit sales growth reflects pricing changes instituted in January of 2005.

Sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 were $714.9 million versus $348.8 million in the prior year, a $366.1 million or 105% increase. As in the third quarter, the increase in net sales was primarily the result of the inclusion of net sales from our Simplicity and Murray acquisitions of $260.1 million and $71.9 million, respectively. The remaining improvement is basically the result of a generator net sales increase of 21% supported by a unit volume of the same percentage. The generator volume increase resulted from the strong hurricane activity in the first quarter. Pressure washer unit volume is up 9% between years but a mix shift to smaller, lower priced units resulted in a net sales gain of 4%.

Income from operations was $14.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, an improvement of $7.4 million over the same period a year ago. The Simplicity acquisition accounts for $3.4 million of this increase, while the Murray acquisition is breakeven due to the impact of purchase accounting. The remainder of the improvement was experienced on the generator and pressure washer products. Lower spending on manufacturing costs and operating expenses, increased prices and increased unit sales were the major factors improving income from operations.

Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 was $19.2 million, a decrease of $2.7 million from the operating income generated for the same period a year ago. The Simplicity acquisition is responsible for $1.3 million of the decrease due to their operating loss through nine months. Simplicity's operating income reflects $12.1 million of expenses associated with purchase accounting on inventory and other long-term assets. The remainder of the decrease occurred in the first six months of the fiscal year when the benefit from increased generator sales volume was offset by increased manufacturing costs.

General:

Other income was greater in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2005 due to the recognition of dividends on preferred stock that we own. The effective tax rate is 34.0% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2005 versus the prior year's third quarter and nine-month rates of 33.6% and 33.2%, respectively.

The $30.0 million ($19.8 million after the tax effects of the transaction) extraordinary gain recorded in the third quarter, resulting from the acquisition of selected Murray assets, is our preliminary estimate of the realizable value in excess of our purchase price. During the last quarter of the fiscal year we will further evaluate the realizable value of the assets. In addition, we will determine what losses might result from reimbursement of costs associated with a contract manufacturing arrangement that was part of the Murray asset acquisition. We also believe we will be able to provide guidance no later than August on what our plans will be for the Murray product line.

Outlook:

We now believe that it will not be possible to recoup or make up the incremental increases that we project for material, component and other overhead costs being experienced in fiscal 2005. Therefore, we are lowering the top end of our forecast for fiscal 2005 to reflect this assumption. We presently are forecasting consolidated net income within the range of $143 to $148 million, or $2.76 to $2.85 per diluted share.

For the full fiscal year consolidated net sales should approximate $2.6 billion, with Murray being approximately $200 million of the total. At this time, we continue to assume we can achieve our projected sales targets for both business segments based upon our view of inventory levels and current orders. Our estimates could be affected by the retailer's perception of consumer demand due to a variety of factors, one of which is weather. Weather at the end of the third quarter was cooler than normal and it is our understanding that retail sales of lawn and garden equipment was not at the same level as a year ago. However, there has been good moisture and our forecast assumes that the "late" spring in terms of temperature will not affect our level of product shipment.

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 AM (EDT) to review this information. A live web cast of the conference call will be available on our corporate website: http://www.briggsandstratton.com/shareholders . Also available is a dial-in number to access the call real-time at (866) 219-5885. A replay will be offered beginning approximately two hours after the call ends and will be available for one week. Dial (888) 266-2081 to access the replay. The pass code will be 683055.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "objective", "plan", "project", "seek", "think", "will", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward- looking statements are based on the Company's current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that include, among other things, the ability to successfully forecast demand for our products and appropriately adjust our manufacturing and inventory levels; changes in our operating expenses; changes in interest rates; the effects of weather on the purchasing patterns of consumers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); actions of engine manufacturers and OEMs with whom we compete; the seasonal nature of our business; changes in laws and regulations, including environmental and accounting standards; work stoppages or other consequences of any deterioration in our employee relations; work stoppages by other unions that affect the ability of suppliers or customers to manufacture; acts of war or terrorism that may disrupt our business operations or those of our customers and suppliers; changes in customer and OEM demand; changes in prices of purchased raw materials and parts that we purchase; changes in domestic economic conditions, including housing starts and changes in consumer disposable income; changes in foreign economic conditions, including currency rate fluctuations; the ability to successfully realize the value of assets bought out of bankruptcy; new facts that come to light in the future course of litigation proceedings which could affect our assessment of those matters; and other factors that may be disclosed from time to time in our SEC filings or otherwise. Some or all of the factors may be beyond our control. We caution you that any forward-looking statement reflects only our belief at the time the statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward- looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made.

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Fiscal Periods Ended March (In Thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Third Quarter Nine Months 2005 2004 2005 2004 NET SALES $840,463 $654,681 $1,783,158 $1,402,060 COST OF GOODS SOLD 674,735 486,914 1,440,470 1,083,252 Gross Profit on Sales 165,728 167,767 342,688 318,808 ENGINEERING, SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 68,244 53,263 228,862 151,333 Income from Operations 97,484 114,504 113,826 167,475 INTEREST EXPENSE (10,240) (9,603) (27,154) (29,031) OTHER INCOME, Net 4,930 2,467 13,944 5,175 Income before Provision for Income Taxes 92,174 107,368 100,616 143,619 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 31,350 36,100 34,220 47,700 Income before Extraordinary Gain 60,824 71,268 66,396 95,919 Extraordinary Gain 19,800 - 19,800 - Net Income $80,624 $71,268 $86,196 $95,919 Average Shares Outstanding 51,194 44,307 51,428 44,430 Income before Extraordinary Gain 1.19 1.61 1.29 2.16 Extraordinary Gain 0.38 - 0.38 - BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $1.57 $1.61 $1.67 $2.16 Diluted Average Shares Outstanding 51,710 50,331 51,964 50,428 Income before Extraordinary Gain 1.18 1.44 1.28 1.97 Extraordinary Gain 0.38 - 0.38 - DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $1.56 $1.44 $1.66 $1.97 Segment Information (In Thousands) (Unaudited) Third Quarter Nine Months 2005 2004 2005 2004 NET SALES: Engines $604,866 $581,915 $1,233,852 $1,174,111 Power Products 323,650 125,637 714,912 348,800 Inter-Segment Eliminations (88,053) (52,871) (165,606) (120,851) Total* $840,463 $654,681 $1,783,158 $1,402,060 *Includes international sales of $173,318 $122,518 $345,241 $282,982 GROSS PROFIT ON SALES: Engines $133,710 $156,450 $266,636 $279,823 Power Products 34,741 14,146 76,788 42,107 Inter-Segment Eliminations (2,723) (2,829) (736) (3,122) Total $165,728 $167,767 $342,688 $318,808 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS: Engines $85,522 $110,019 $95,374 $148,731 Power Products 14,685 7,314 19,188 21,866 Inter-Segment Eliminations (2,723) (2,829) (736) (3,122) Total $97,484 $114,504 $113,826 $167,475 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the End of Fiscal March (In Thousands) (Unaudited) CURRENT ASSETS: 2005 2004 Cash and Cash Equivalents $40,755 $184,800 Accounts Receivable, Net 471,192 419,647 Inventories 530,907 331,092 Deferred Income Tax Asset 61,485 55,167 Other 20,371 14,669 Total Current Assets 1,124,710 1,005,375 OTHER ASSETS: Goodwill 251,395 154,070 Investments 45,661 43,489 Prepaid Pension 83,789 79,793 Deferred Loan Costs, Net 6,383 6,756 Other Long-Term Assets, Net 108,795 10,966 Total Other Assets 496,023 295,074 PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: At Cost 974,047 863,144 Less - Accumulated Depreciation 544,048 506,169 Plant and Equipment, Net 429,999 356,975 $2,050,732 $1,657,424 CURRENT LIABILITIES: 2005 2004 Accounts Payable $173,724 $149,485 Short-Term Borrowings 10,622 2,609 Accrued Liabilities 241,893 215,763 Total Current Liabilities 426,239 367,857 OTHER LIABILITIES: Deferred Income Tax Liability 107,221 65,529 Accrued Pension Cost 22,120 21,826 Accrued Employee Benefits 14,885 14,280 Accrued Postretirement Health Care Obligation 77,144 44,641 Other Long-Term Liabilities 15,780 14,990 Long-Term Debt 486,131 502,378 Total Other Liabilities 723,281 663,644 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT: Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital 55,566 38,186 Retained Earnings 987,736 895,930 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 7,293 1,190 Unearned Compensation on Restricted Stock (1,863) (981) Treasury Stock, at Cost (147,520) (308,402) Total Shareholders' Investment 901,212 625,923 $2,050,732 $1,657,424 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In Thousands) (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended Fiscal March CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 2005 2004 Net Income $86,196 $95,919 Extraordinary Gain (19,800) - Depreciation and Amortization 54,182 48,167 Loss on Disposition of Plant and Equipment 1,922 4,507 Provision for Deferred Income Taxes (15,428) 1,119 Increase in Accounts Receivable (137,850) (217,725) Increase in Inventories (49,996) (121,955) Decrease in Other Current Assets 5,960 3,460 Increase in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities 39,854 68,830 Other, Net (13,245) (12,975) Net Cash Used in Operating Activities (48,205) (130,653) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Additions to Plant and Equipment (61,027) (35,456) Proceeds Received on Disposition of Plant and Equipment 758 617 Proceeds Received on Sale of Certain B&S Canada Assets 4,050 - Cash Paid for Acquisitions, Net of Cash Received (350,044) - Dividends Received 18,351 3,500 Investment in Joint Venture (1,500) - Refund of Cash Paid for Acquisition - 5,686 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (389,412) (25,653) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Borrowings (Repayments) on Loans and Notes Payable 132,495 (331) Dividends (17,502) (14,667) Issuance Cost on Loans (925) - Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options 19,037 29,415 Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 133,105 14,417 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES 2,873 1,874 NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (301,639) (140,015) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning 342,394 324,815 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Ending $40,755 $184,800