Salton Announces Second Quarter Results.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Salton, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : SFP SFP Small Form-factor Pluggable (optical transceiver module) SFP Société Française de Physique (French Physics Society; Paris) Sfp Svenska Folkpartiet (Finnish: Swedish People~s Party) ) announced today fiscal results for its second quarter ended December 30, 2006. The Company reported net sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight of $190.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and a loss of $6.3 million, or $(0.44) per share, versus net sales of $230.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 and a loss of $27.8 million, or $(2.06) per share. The net loss reported in fiscal 2006 included a $28.1 million non-cash charge Non-Cash Charge A charge off, made by a company against earnings, that does not require an initial outlay of cash. Notes: Non-cash charges are typically against the depreciation, amortization, and depletion accounts on a company's balance sheet. for recording a valuation allowance on a portion of Salton's deferred tax assets. Net sales decreased domestically by $44.6 million. There were $8.9 million of planned reductions of discontinued non-core products including certain housewares house·wares pl.n. Cooking utensils, dishes, and other small articles used in a household, especially in the kitchen. and personal care product lines. The majority of the remaining reductions in net sales resulted primarily from specific product level decisions involving opening price point items and other lower margin lines. These actions involved changes to promotional activities, elimination of items and price increases to compensate for higher material costs. These product mix decisions have resulted in varying impacts to customer demand. In addition, there were also some delays in receiving product from the Company's suppliers early in the quarter due to liquidity constraints A liquidity constraint in economic theory is a form of imperfection in the capital market. It causes difficulties for models based on intertemporal consumption. Many economic models require individuals to save or borrow money from time to time. . Foreign sales were generally stable, with continued growth in certain regions. Net sales in these operations increased by $5.2 million, helped by $6.9 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations. Gross profit for the second quarter declined from $64.4 million (28.0%) in fiscal 2006 to $49.8 million (26.1%) in fiscal 2007. These decreases are primarily a result of the decreases in net sales in the domestic business, coupled with rising prices from suppliers due to increased cost of raw materials. Domestic gross profit percentages remained stable from second quarter 2006 to second quarter 2007, in spite of rising costs, due to the actions associated with product mix. Additionally, margins were adversely impacted by the write down of certain obsolete inventories Obsolete Inventory Term that refers to inventory that is at the end of its product life cycle and has not seen any sales or usage for a set period of time usually determined by the industry. This type of inventory has to be written down and can cause large losses for a company. resulting from discontinued product lines. These decreases in gross profit were partially offset by a $1.5 million decline in distribution expenses resulting from the previous domestic restructuring efforts, as well as lower sales and inventory levels. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $46.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to $53.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2006. U.S. operations reduced selling, general and administrative expenses by $3.7 million primarily driven by a $2.6 million decline in promotional expenditures such as television, certain other media and cooperative advertising expenses. The remaining reduction was a result of decreased expenditures in Europe in an effort to align costs with current business levels. The average amount of all debt outstanding was $366.2 million for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $409.7 million for the second quarter of 2006. Net interest expense was $10.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to $9.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2006 driven largely by increases in interest rates. On February 12, 2007, the Company sought and received an amendment under its senior secured credit facility which among other things, extends the additional liquidity from the ninth amendment through June 30, 2007, eliminates the fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) A metric used to show a company's profitability, but not its cash flow. EBITDA became popular in the 1980s to show the potential profitability of leveraged buyouts, but has become covenant through June 2007 and extends the monthly cash flow covenant through June 2007. For the six months ended December 30, 2006, Salton had net sales of $329.3 million and a loss of $16.4 million, or ($1.14) per share versus net sales of $378.8 million and net income of $1.9 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. Fiscal 2006 net income included a $27.8 million gain associated with the sale of the Company's 52.6% ownership interest in Amalgamated a·mal·ga·mate v. a·mal·ga·mat·ed, a·mal·ga·mat·ing, a·mal·ga·mates v.tr. 1. To combine into a unified or integrated whole; unite. See Synonyms at mix. 2. Appliances and $21.7 million gain from the early retirement of debt, partially offset by a $28.1 million valuation allowance recorded on a portion of the deferred tax assets. Gross profit for the first half of fiscal 2007 was $84.2 million, improving to 25.6%, compared to $93.9 million, or 24.8% in the year earlier period. This margin improvement reflects the product line changes driven by the domestic restructuring efforts. On February 7, 2007, Salton, its wholly-owned subsidiary SFP Merger Sub, Inc., and APN APN abbr. advanced practice nurse Holding Company, Inc. entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby SFP Merger Sub will merge with and into APN Holding Company, the entity that acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Applica Incorporated on January 23, 2007. The merger would result in Applica and its subsidiaries becoming subsidiaries of Salton. Applica Incorporated is a marketer and distributor of a wide range of small appliances Small appliance refers to a class of home appliances that are semi-portable or which are used on tabletops, countertops, or other platforms. Such items are contrasted with major appliances, which are typically fixtures that cannot be easily moved. for use in and outside the home. Applica markets products under licensed brand names such as Black & Decker[R], company-owned brand names such as Littermaid(TM), Infrawave(TM), Belson[R] and various private label brand names, primarily in 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. , Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. and the Caribbean. The transaction, which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to be completed on or before June 30, 2007. "Our fiscal second quarter results continue to reflect the highly challenging nature of the small appliance industry," said Leonhard Dreimann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Salton. "Recent declines in the housing market have had a direct impact on our industry and our business. We have successfully eliminated many underperforming product lines and despite these market pressures, along with continued high costs for raw materials, we are very satisfied with our progress in the area of cost reduction and product rationalization. We are excited about our recent announcement of the renewal of the George Foreman George Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949) is an American two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. He is the oldest man ever to win the heavyweight title, and also has been named one of the 25 greatest fighters of all time by Ring magazine. contract which helps to facilitate our plans to release new products worldwide. We also recently announced a promotional arrangement with Al Roker Al Roker (born August 20, 1954) is an American television broadcaster, best known as the weather anchor for NBC's Today show. He holds American Meteorological Society Television Seal #238. , to promote our Smart Mill and Brew[TM] coffee maker with MSN (1) (MicroSoft Network) A family of Internet-based services from Microsoft, which includes a search engine, e-mail (Hotmail), instant messaging (Windows Live Messaging) and a general-purpose portal with news, information and shopping (MSN Directory). [R] Direct, providing real time weather information. "The recently announced combination with Applica will also improve our competitiveness," said Mr. Dreimann. "We expect the combination to result in expanded brand portfolios, a strengthened international presence, improved capital structure and a lower cost structure. We look forward to completing this transaction in an expeditious ex·pe·di·tious adj. Acting or done with speed and efficiency. See Synonyms at fast1. ex manner." The Company will not hold a conference call in connection with the release of its fiscal second quarter results. It anticipates holding a call for the investment community when it is able to announce additional details on the merger with Applica. About Salton, Inc. Salton, Inc. is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of branded, high-quality small appliances, home decor and personal care products. Its product mix includes a broad range of small kitchen and home appliances, electronics for the home, time products, lighting products and personal care and wellness products. The Company sells its products under a portfolio of well recognized brand names such as Salton[R], George Foreman[R], Westinghouse (TM), Toastmaster toast·mas·ter n. A man who proposes the toasts and introduces the speakers at a banquet. toastmaster Noun a person who introduces speakers and proposes toasts at public dinners Noun 1. [R], Melitta[R], Russell Hobbs Russell Hobbs is a British manufacturer of household appliances in Failsworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester. History After working with REME in World War II and leaving in 1947 as a Major, Bill Russell (1920-2006) joined Morphy Richards and helped to design the pop-up [R], Farberware[R], Ingraham[R] and Stiffel[R]. It believes its strong market position results from its well-known brand names, high-quality and innovative products, strong relationships with its customer base and its focused outsourcing strategy. The statements contained in the news release that are not historical facts are "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. " within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Salton undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Among the factors that could cause plans, actions and results to differ materially from current expectations are, without limitation: (1) the ability of APN Holdco to obtain executed debt commitment letters within 45 days of the date of the merger agreement and the funding thereof, (2) the failure to obtain approval of the merger from Salton stockholders, (3) the failure to obtain required third party consents to the merger, (4) the ability of the two businesses to be integrated successfully, (5) the ability of the new company to fully realize the cost savings and any synergies from the proposed transaction within the proposed time frame, (6) disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers, (7) the failure to maintain continued listing on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. of Salton's common stock, (8) customer acceptance of the new combined entity, (9) changes in the sales prices, product mix or levels of consumer purchases of kitchenware and small electric household appliances, economic conditions and the retail environment, (10) bankruptcy of or loss of major retail customers or suppliers, (11) changes in costs including transportation costs, of raw materials, key component parts or sourced products, (12) delays in delivery or the unavailability of raw materials, key component parts or sourced products, (13) changes in suppliers, (14) exchange rate fluctuations, changes in the foreign import tariffs An import tariff or import duty is a schedule of duties imposed by a country on imported goods. It is paid at a border or port of entry to the relevant government to allow a good to pass into that government's territory. and monetary policies, and other changes in the regulatory climate regulatory climate The extent to which a regulated firm or industry is permitted to earn an adequate return on the stockholders' investment. This term is nearly always used in reference to utilities, which are required to obtain approval for rate changes. in the foreign countries in which Salton and Applica buy, operate and/or sell products, (15) product liability, regulatory actions or other litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. , warranty claims or returns of products, (16) customer acceptance of changes in costs of, or delays in the development of new products, (17) delays in or increased costs of restructuring programs and (18) increased competition, including consolidation within the industry; as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Salton's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement Proxy Statement A document containing the information that a company is required by the SEC to provide to shareholders so they can make informed decisions about matters that will be brought up at an annual stockholder meeting. when it becomes available and any other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction because it will contain important information about Salton, Applica Incorporated and the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents when they become available through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Salton may be obtained free of charge by directing such requests to Salton, Inc., 1955 W. Field Court, Lake Forest, Illinois Lake Forest is a city in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 20,059 at the 2000 census. The city is south of Waukegan, Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the North Shore. 60045, Attention: Corporate Secretary, Telephone (847) 803-4600, or from Salton's website at www.salton.com. Salton and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation solicitation In criminal law, the act of asking, inducing, or directing someone to commit a crime. The person soliciting another becomes an accomplice to the crime. The term also refers to the act of obtaining bribes, as well as to the crime of a prostitute who offers sexual of proxies from Salton stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the interests of these officers and directors in the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement. In addition, information about Salton's directors, executive officers and members of management is contained in Salton's most recent proxy statement, which is available on Salton's website and at www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement and other relevant documents filed with the SEC. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] |
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