Printer Friendly
The Free Library
5,673,334 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

Featherlite's Second-Quarter Profits Grow to $1 Million On Stronger Margins and Lower Expenses.


Business Editors

CRESCO, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2002

Featherlite, Inc. (Nasdaq:FTHR FTHR Farther
FTHR Full Throttle Hot Rod (magazine) 
), a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty aluminum trailers and luxury motorcoaches, today reported profits of $1.0 million, or 14 cents per diluted di·lute  
tr.v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes
1. To make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water.

2. To lessen the force, strength, purity, or brilliance of, especially by admixture.
 share, in the second quarter of 2002, which ended June 30th. This compares with a net loss of $4.1 million, or a loss of 63 cents per diluted share in the second quarter last year. Featherlite's profitability has remained strong in 2002 though second quarter sales of $47.6 million were down from $57.4 in the same quarter in 2001, primarily due to discontinuing production in the second quarter last year of Vogue Vogue

leading fashion magazine in France and America. [Fr. and Amer. Culture: Misc.]

See : Fashion
 coaches in Pryor, Oklahoma.

"We are pleased with Featherlite's results in the second quarter of 2002," Conrad Clement Clement, in the Bible
Clement, in Philippians, one of Paul's coworkers. He is traditionally identified with St. Clement of Rome, the likely author of a letter written from there to the Corinthian church in c.A.D. 96.
, chairman and chief executive officer, said. "With our improved gross profit margins Gross profit margin

Gross profit divided by sales, which is equal to each sales dollar left over after paying for the cost of goods sold.


gross profit margin

A measure calculated by dividing gross profit by net sales.
 and reduced selling and administrative costs administrative costs,
n.pl the overhead expenses incurred in the operation of a dental benefits program, excluding costs of dental services provided.
, Featherlite is moving ahead under its strategic plan to improve profitability and shareholder value. Though gross sales Gross Sales

A measure of overall sales that isn't adjusted for customer discounts or returns, calculated simply by adding all sales invoices, and not including operating expenses, cost of goods sold, payment of taxes, or any other charge.
 in the second quarter were down, our sales levels and net income are in line with Company expectations."

Trailer sales increased by 6.0% in the second quarter of 2002 compared to the same period last year. Motorcoach sales declined by 38.0%, with both new and preowned pre·owned  
adj.
Previously owned or used; secondhand: a preowned car. 
 coach revenues off from 2001.

Gross margins increased by $5.3 million to $7.7 million in the second quarter of 2002, up from $2.4 million in 2001. As a percentage of sales, gross profit margin for the quarter was 16.1% compared to 4.2% in the previous year. The prior year percentage was reduced by 5.1 percentage points due to $2.9 million in restructuring charges restructuring charge

The expense of reorganizing a company's operations. A restructuring charge is an infrequent expense that generally results from asset writedowns or facility closings.
 included in the cost of sales in 2001, which were related to the closing of the Pryor, Okla. facility. The current quarter reflects improved gross margins from 2002 sales in both the trailer and motorcoach divisions.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased in 2002 by $334,000 or 5.7%, primarily as a result of consolidating motorcoach operations. Motorcoach expenses were down 27%.

Profits up in first six months

Featherlite net income for the six-month period ending June 30, 2002, was $2.1 million or 30 cents per diluted share. This compares with a loss of $4.1 million, or a loss of 62 cents per share Cents per share

The amount of a mutual fund's dividend or capital gains distributions that a shareholder will receive for each share owned.
 in 2001.

The improvement in profitability reflects a non-recurring $4.1 million in restructuring charges in 2001 from closure of the Pryor, Okla. motorcoach facilities, as well as improved margins in 2002 in both divisions.

"Featherlite's financial performance in the first half of 2002 is substantially on track with our projections," Clement said. "Our debt levels--and our interest expense--continue to decline. This combined with our improved efficiencies and SGA SGA
abbr.
small for gestational age


Small-for-gestational-age (SGA)
A term used to describe newborns who are below the 10th percentile in height or weight for their estimated gestational age.
 due to our consolidation initiatives are all contributing to the positive results.

"We believe Featherlite is gaining market share, and we expect sales, gross margin and bottom line performance to improve as the economic recovery continues," Clement said.

Long-term financing Long-term financing

Liabilities repayable in more than one year plus equity.
 renewed with existing lenders

Featherlite announced Aug. 1 that long-term financing has been renewed and amended with its existing lenders, including a three-year agreement with U.S. Bank National Association (U.S. Bank), formerly Firstar, and a two-year agreement with Deutsche Financial Services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject.
Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page.
 Corporation (Deutsche).

Featherlite signed an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement in the aggregate amount of $23.2 million with U.S. Bank including $14 million as an asset based revolving credit Revolving Credit

A line of credit where the customer pays a commitment fee and is then allowed to use the funds when they are needed. It is usually used for operating purposes, fluctuating each month depending on the customers current cash flow needs.
 commitment, $7.2 million as a term loan for existing real estate and equipment and the remaining $2 million as a term loan for new equipment purchases.

The Deutsche agreement is a $25 million floor plan line for new and preowned motorcoaches held by the Company in inventory.

About Featherlite

Featherlite, Inc., is an innovative leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing high quality aluminum specialty trailers, transporters and luxury motorcoaches. With more that 75 percent of its business in the leisure, recreation and entertainment categories, Featherlite has highly diversified product lines offering hundreds of standard model and custom-designed aluminum specialty trailers, specialized transporters, mobile marketing trailers and luxury motorcoaches.

Featherlite(R) is the "Official Trailer" of NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. , Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), Indy Race League (IRL 1. (jargon, chat) IRL - In real life. Generally synonymous with f2f.
2. (language, robotics) IRL - Industrial Robot Language.
), SPORTSCAR, Automobile Racing Club of America Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is an auto racing sanctioning body in the United States founded in 1953 by John Marcum. The current president of ARCA is Ron Drager.  (ARCA), World of Outlaws The World of Outlaws (often abbreviated WoO) is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars.  (W.O.O.) and the National Hot Rod Association
"NHRA" redirects here. NHRA is also an acronym for the National Human Resources Association and the National Horseracing Authority.


The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
 (NHRA NHRA National Hot Rod Association
NHRA Northland Human Resource Association
NHRA National Human Resources Association
NHRA Nursing Home Reform Act
NHRA National Hospice Regatta Alliance
NHRA National Heritage Resources Act (South Africa) 
). Featherlite also is sponsor of many equine equine

Any member of the ungulate family Equidae, which includes the modern horses, zebras, and asses, all in the genus Equus, as well as more than 60 species known only from fossils. Equines descended from the dawn horse (see Eohippus).
 and livestock events and its products are displayed in over 1,000 fairs, trade shows, races and other events throughout North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere.  each year.

Through its Featherlite Vantare'(R) product line, Featherlite is the "Official Luxury Motorcoach" of NASCAR, IRL, SPORTSCAR and NHRA. For more information about the Company, please visit Featherlite's website at www.fthr.com.

Safe Harbor Safe Harbor

1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated.

2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive.
 Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and : Certain statements in this release are forward-looking, including those that reflect our current views of future events and financial performance, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or facts to be materially different. Some of these risks include, but are not limited to, product acceptance and demand in each segment of our markets, the price of aluminum, competition, facilities utilization, and other risks described from time to time in our reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should take such risks into account when making investment decisions. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements forward-looking statement

A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections.
, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Featherlite undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.


                           FEATHERLITE, INC
                    Condensed Statements of Income
                              (Unaudited)
               (In Thousands, except for per share data)


                                 Three months Ended  Six months Ended
                                      June 30            June 30
                                 -----------------  ------------------
                                  2002      2001     2002      2001
                                --------  -------  --------  --------


Net Sales                      $ 47,624 $ 57,412  $ 108,229 $ 122,093
Cost of Sales                    39,953   52,069     92,704   109,725
Restructure charge                    0    2,950          0     2,950
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
      Gross profit                7,671    2,393     15,525     9,418
Selling and admininistrative
 expenses                         5,476    5,810     10,786    11,618
Restructure charge                    0    1,150          0     1,150
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
      Income (loss) from
       operations                 2,195   (4,567)     4,739    (3,350)
Other income (expense)
      Interest                     (782)  (1,129)    (1,593)   (2,461)
      Other, net                    210      155        225       380
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
      Total Other expense          (572)    (974)    (1,368)   (2,081)
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
Income before taxes               1,623   (5,541)     3,371    (5,431)
Provision (benefit) for income
 taxes                              600   (1,403)     1,247    (1,358)
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
      Net income (loss)        $  1,023 $ (4,138) $   2,124 $  (4,073)
                                ========  =======   ========  ========


Net income per share-
           Basic               $   0.16 $  (0.63) $    0.33 $   (0.62)
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
           Diluted             $   0.14 $  (0.63) $    0.30 $   (0.62)
                                --------  -------   --------  --------

Weighted average shares
 outstanding -
           Basic                  6,535    6,535      6,535     6,535
                                --------  -------   --------  --------
           Diluted                7,112    6,535      6,995     6,535
                                --------  -------   --------  --------



                           Featherlite, Inc.
                       Condensed Balance Sheets
                              (Unaudited)
                            (In thousands)


                                                June 30,  Dec. 31,
                         ASSETS                  2002       2001
                                                -------   -------
Current assets
 Cash                                          $    271   $   247
 Receivables                                      7,104     5,001
 Refundable income taxes                           --       2,755
 Inventories                                     57,575    66,215
 Prepaid expenses                                 1,676     1,977
                                                -------   -------
 Total current assets                            66,626    76,195

Property and equipment, net                      16,338    17,024

Other assets                                      4,270     3,952
                                                -------   -------
                                               $ 87,234   $97,171
                                                =======   =======

                  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Current liabilities
 Current maturities of long-term debt          $  8,472   $ 9,299
 Bank line of credit                              6,324     7,226
 Checks issued not yet presented                  3,684     3,061
 Wholesale financing and other notes payable     21,046    27,713
 Subordinated convertible debt                    1,448      --
 Motorcoach shell costs payable                   6,068     7,531
 Accounts payable                                 2,912     5,902
 Trade creditor repayment plan                    2,966     3,253
 Accrued liabilities                              9,570     8,365
 Customer deposits                                  760     2,204
                                                -------   -------
 Total current liabilities                       63,250    74,554
                                                -------   -------
Long-term debt, net of current maturities         6,517     7,386
Other long-term liabilities                          83        90
Shareholders' equity                             17,384    15,141
                                                -------   -------
                                               $ 87,234   $97,171
                                                =======   =======
COPYRIGHT 2002 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2002, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Comment:Featherlite's Second-Quarter Profits Grow to $1 Million On Stronger Margins and Lower Expenses.
Publication:Business Wire
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Aug 6, 2002
Words:1305
Previous Article:Stability in Bolivia Contributes to Gold Production Start-Up for Golden Eagle.
Next Article:Paice Hyperdrive Meets Powertrain Needs for 21st Century Cars and Trucks.
Topics:



Related Articles
Falcon Products Inc.(Brief Article)
HEWLETT-PACKARD REPORTS SLOW QUARTER.(BUSINESS)(Statistical Data Included)
Featherlite Announces Increased Third-Quarter Net Income.
Featherlite Announces 2002 Earnings; Company Posts $2.7 Million in Profits or $0.38 Per Diluted Share as Margins Improve.
Featherlite Announces First Quarter Results; Company Posts Loss of $676,000 or $0.09 Per Diluted Share.
Featherlite Posts Second-Quarter Profits; Rebound in Earnings over First Quarter of 2003 Due in Part to Strong New Coach Sales, Additional Orders for...
Featherlite Posts Third-Quarter Earnings; Increase of 12.6% in 3Q Sales Spurs Continued Earnings Rebound.
Featherlite Announces 4th Quarter Results and 2003 Earnings; Company Posts $705,000 in Earnings or $0.10 Per Diluted Share for 2003.
Featherlite 1st Quarter Earnings Top $1.2 Million; Company Posts Consolidated Sales of $56.4 Million, up 35 Percent.
Company Watch - FedEx.

Terms of use | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles