Company Announces Strong Quarter Despite Industry Headwinds in North
America
TROY, Mich., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc.
(NYSE: ARM) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended
March 31, 2008.
Highlights for Second-Quarter Fiscal Year 2008
-- Sales of $1.8 billion - approximately $150 million higher than the same
period last year primarily due to the effects of changes in foreign
currency.
-- Net income was $20 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to a
net loss of $94 million, or $1.34 per diluted share in the second
quarter of fiscal year 2007.
-- Income from continuing operations, before special items, was $27
million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $12 million, or $0.17
per diluted share one year ago.
-- Cash flow from operations, net of capital expenditures, was $134
million compared to an outflow of $71 million in the same period last
year.
-- Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) EBITDA margins increased by 1.5
percentage points, before special items, in the second quarter of
fiscal year 2008 compared to the same period last year, despite lower
commercial vehicle volumes in North America.
-- Performance Plus initiatives were implemented during the second quarter
that will result in savings of $32 million on an annual run-rate basis.
The company continues to expect Performance Plus cost reductions of $75
million this year net of known risks; growth opportunities previously
announced will provide incremental profit opportunities.
"In spite of the downturn in the North American commercial vehicle
market that has lasted longer than we anticipated, and volume declines in
the light vehicle market in North America, we delivered strong results this
quarter," said Chairman, CEO and President Chip McClure. "Initiatives
driven through Performance Plus, including lean improvements in our global
manufacturing operations, are helping us put in place a solid foundation
for continued earnings growth."
Results for the Second-Quarter Fiscal Year 2008
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, ArvinMeritor posted sales
from continuing operations of $1.8 billion, up from the same period last
year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, sales were
approximately flat due to a continued weak economy in North America, offset
by strong sales growth in South America, Europe and Asia.
EBITDA, before special items, was $104 million, up $27 million from the
same period last year. This increase is primarily due to improved pricing
and commodity cost recovery actions; cost reductions in direct material,
overhead, labor and burden; increased throughput in the company's European
facilities resulting from improved operational performance; stronger
volumes in South America and higher sales of off-highway products in China
and U. S. military products - all partially offset by lower vehicle volumes
in North America and sharply rising commodity prices.
On a GAAP basis, the company's income from continuing operations was
$24 million or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to a loss from continuing
operations of $13 million or $0.19 per diluted share in the same period
last year.
Income from continuing operations, before special items, was $27
million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $12 million, or $0.17 per
diluted share, a year ago. The only special item for the quarter was a $3
million after-tax charge associated with the company's previously announced
restructuring program, compared to special items totaling $25 million
after- tax in the same quarter of last year.
Free cash flow (cash flow from operations net of capital expenditures)
was $134 million in the second quarter. Excluding non-recourse sales of
receivables, free cash flow was $52 million this quarter compared to an
outflow of $88 million one year ago. Free cash flow included $28 million in
proceeds from the termination of interest rate swaps, but did not include
$28 million received in connection with the final purchase price adjustment
from the sale of our Emissions Technologies business.
Update on Performance Plus
As previously announced, ArvinMeritor expects cost reductions driven by
its Performance Plus transformation program to generate $150 million in net
savings by 2009, with $75 million occurring by the end of fiscal year 2008.
The company originally defined three areas of Performance Plus as cost
reduction targets: Direct Material Optimization, Manufacturing and
Overhead. In the second quarter, achievements in each of these areas
contributed to the company's cost reduction targets including:
-- In-sourced manufacturing for certain CVS products to result in annual
savings of $7 million.
-- Continued performance improvements resulting from implementation of the
ArvinMeritor Production System.
-- Selected a single source provider for North American industrial labor
and global professional and clerical labor resulting in annual savings
of $4 million.
Performance Plus also included initiatives to enhance the company's
profitable growth. The following growth actions were implemented this
quarter:
-- Awarded a long-term, multi-million dollar, supply agreement to provide
remanufactured transmissions and axle carriers to Navistar Parts.
-- Launched remanufactured transmissions in the Plainfield, Ind.,
aftermarket facility.
-- Entered into a multi-year agreement with Tata Consultancy Services in
India to enhance Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) engineering capabilities
including product development and support in Asia Pacific.
-- Re-established the company's off-highway original equipment and
aftermarket components business in North America, South America, Europe
and Africa.
-- Awarded new business in conjunction with 2,200 new MRAP orders since
January 2008.
-- Booked new business with an Asian manufacturer to supply more than two
million additional window regulator motors in China beginning in mid-
2008.
-- Announced new products designed specifically for the Asian market
including the New Asian Latch product range of modular door latch
designs, and a new sliding door latch system.
Manufacturing Footprint Improvements
In addition, several actions were implemented in the second quarter of
fiscal year 2008 to improve the company's global manufacturing footprint.
-- Building three new light vehicle manufacturing plants in Asia Pacific
to support increased business in the region.
-- Began production at the LVS facility in Salonta, Romania, to supply
window regulators, cables, latches and actuators directly to Dacia - as
well as for export to Western European customers.
-- On track for July 2008 completion of the company's new commercial
vehicle Monterrey, Mexico facility; also upgrading the company's
Asheville, N.C. axle facility to include a new carrier assembly line
for the NG14X - the next generation line haul axle to be launched in
February 2009.
Mitigating Rising Steel Prices
The commodity markets are currently experiencing unprecedented
volatility. Scrap steel, iron ore, and coking coal prices have
simultaneously risen faster and higher than levels seen in the past. One of
the world's largest steel producers has recently announced a $250 per short
ton surcharge on contract sales of sheet steel.
Other factors contributing to the volatility include:
-- Weak dollar resulting in a decline in imported steel
-- Global consolidation in the steel industry
-- Fuel and energy costs
-- Global demand
The combined impact of these factors has created a situation more
significant to the global transportation industry than the effect of steel
price increases encountered in 2004.
While ArvinMeritor continues to drive lean improvement actions
throughout the company's global operations, and strives to implement
Performance Plus initiatives to gain additional efficiencies, it will not
be possible to mitigate increases of this proportion through existing cost
reduction programs alone. The company has steel cost recovery programs with
most major OEMs, and will aggressively pursue additional recovery actions
to address these extraordinary costs.
Outlook
The company's calendar year 2008 forecast for light vehicle sales is
15.2 million vehicles in North America, down from the previous forecast.
The company's forecast for Western Europe is 17.1 million vehicles,
unchanged from the prior forecast.
ArvinMeritor's fiscal year 2008 forecast for North American Class 8
truck production is in the range of 200,000 to 220,000 units. The company's
fiscal year 2008 forecast for heavy and medium truck volumes in Western
Europe is 565,000 to 575,000. On a calendar year basis, the company
anticipates North America Class 8 truck production to be in the range of
220,000 to 240,000 units; and heavy and medium truck volumes in Western
Europe to be in the range of 580,000 to 590,000.
The company now expects sales from continuing operations in fiscal year
2008 in the range of $7.1 billion to $7.3 billion, up $200 million from the
previous guidance primarily due to foreign exchange movements and continued
growth outside the U.S.
The outlook for full-year EBITDA from continuing operations, before
special items, is expected to be in the range of $390 million to $410
million for the fiscal year. ArvinMeritor reaffirms its forecast for
diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, before special
items, to be in the range of $1.40 to $1.60. This guidance is based on the
assumption of 1.4 percent U.S. GDP growth, and excludes gains or losses on
divestitures and restructuring costs. Arv reaffirms its forecast for free
cash flow to be in the range of negative $75 million to negative $125
million.
"Commodity prices are spiking in a dramatic fashion," said McClure.
"These increases, combined with resulting higher energy costs, require us
to take additional recovery actions to mitigate future impact. For fiscal
year 2008, we remain focused on our strategy to deliver results and are
confident we will achieve our full-year guidance."
About ArvinMeritor
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier global supplier of a broad range of
integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry.
The company serves commercial truck, trailer and specialty original
equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets, and light vehicle
manufacturers. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs
approximately 18,000 people in 24 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more
information, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.arvinmeritor.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements relating to future results of
the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are
"forward- looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically
identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "should," "are likely to be," "will" and similar expressions.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of
certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to global
economic and market cycles and conditions; the demand for commercial,
specialty and light vehicles for which the company supplies products;
availability and sharply rising cost of raw materials, including steel and
oil; risks inherent in operating abroad (including foreign currency
exchange rates and potential disruption of production and supply due to
terrorist attacks or acts of aggression); OEM program delays; demand for
and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development
of new products; reliance on major OEM customers; labor relations of the
company, its suppliers and customers, including potential disruptions in
supply of parts to our facilities or demand for our products due to work
stoppages; the financial condition of the company's suppliers and
customers, including potential bankruptcies; possible adverse effects of
any future suspension of normal trade credit terms by our suppliers;
potential difficulties competing with companies that have avoided their
existing contracts in bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings; successful
integration of acquired or merged businesses; the ability to achieve the
expected annual savings and synergies from past and future business
combinations and the ability to achieve the expected benefits of
restructuring actions; success and timing of potential divestitures;
potential impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; potential
adjustment of the value of deferred tax assets; competitive product and
pricing pressures; the amount of the company's debt; the ability of the
company to continue to comply with covenants in its financing agreements;
the ability of the company to access capital markets; credit ratings of the
company's debt; the outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings,
including any litigation with respect to environmental or asbestos-related
matters; the outcome of actual and potential product liability and warranty
and recall claims; rising costs of pension and other post-retirement
benefits and possible changes in pension and other accounting rules; as
well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those
detailed herein and from time to time in other filings of the company with
the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date
hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
All earnings per share amounts are on a diluted basis. The company's
fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest Sept. 30, and its fiscal quarters
end on the Sundays nearest Dec. 31, March 31 and June 30. All year and
quarter references relate to the company's fiscal year and fiscal quarters,
unless otherwise stated.
Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") included
throughout this press release, the company has provided information
regarding income from continuing operations, diluted earnings per share and
operating income before special items, which are non-GAAP financial
measures. These non- GAAP measures are defined as reported income or loss
from continuing operations, reported diluted earnings or loss per share,
and operating income or loss plus or minus special items. Other non-GAAP
financial measures include EBITDA and EBITDA, before special items, and
free cash flow. EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes, depreciation and amortization and loss of
sale on receivables. EBITDA, before special items, is defined as EBITDA,
plus or minus special items. Free cash flow represents net cash provided by
operating activities, less capital expenditures.
Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures used in this
press release are useful to both management and investors in their analysis
of the company's financial position and results of operations. Management
uses EBITDA as the primary basis to evaluate the performance of each of its
reportable segments.
Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful measure of performance as it
is commonly utilized by management and investors to analyze operating
performance and entity valuation. Management, the investment community and
the banking institutions routinely use EBITDA, together with other
measures, to measure operating performance in our industry. Free cash flow
is useful in analyzing the company's ability to service and repay its debt.
Further, management uses these non-GAAP measures for planning and
forecasting in future periods.
These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for the
reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA should not be
considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating
performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Free cash flow
should not be considered a substitute for cash provided by operating
activities or other cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with
GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. In addition, the calculation of free
cash flow does not reflect cash used to service debt or cash received from
the divestitures or businesses or sales of other assets and thus does not
reflect funds available for investment or other discretionary uses.
These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for the
reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial
measures, as determined and presented by the company, may not be comparable
to related or similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Set forth on the following pages are reconciliations of these non-GAAP
financial measures, if applicable, to the most directly comparable
financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Second-Quarter Results Conference Call
ArvinMeritor will host a conference call and Web cast to present its
fiscal year 2008 second-quarter financial results on Tuesday, April 29,
2008, at 8 a.m. (ET).
To participate, call (617) 213-4859, ten minutes prior to the start of
the call. Please reference Passcode 50118706 when dialing in. Investors can
also listen to the conference call in real time - or for 90 days by
recording - by visiting http://www.arvinmeritor.com.
A replay of the call will be available from 10 a.m. April 29, 2008,
until 11:59 p.m. May 2, 2008, by calling (888) 286-8010 within the United
States and Canada, or (617) 801-6888 for international callers. Please
reference Passcode 35483669.
To access the listen-only audio Web cast, visit the ArvinMeritor Web site
at http://www.arvinmeritor.com and select the Web cast link from the home page or the
investor page.
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Sales $1,781 $1,627 $3,444 $3,195
Cost of sales (1,614) (1,484) (3,147) (2,948)
GROSS MARGIN 167 143 297 247
Selling, general and
administrative (105) (99) (197) (172)
Restructuring costs (5) (37) (15) (37)
Other income (expense), net (1) 10 (1) 12
OPERATING INCOME 56 17 84 50
Equity in earnings of
affiliates 6 7 17 14
Interest expense, net (20) (34) (47) (61)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME
TAXES 42 (10) 54 3
Provision for income taxes (14) - (24) (1)
Minority interests (4) (3) (7) (5)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING
OPERATIONS 24 (13) 23 (3)
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS (4) (81) (15) (84)
NET INCOME (LOSS) 20 (94) 8 (87)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS)
PER SHARE
Continuing operations $0.33 $(0.19) $0.32 $(0.04)
Discontinued operations (0.05) (1.15) (0.21) (1.20)
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share $0.28 $(1.34) $0.11 $(1.24)
Diluted average common shares
outstanding 72.5 70.2 72.5 69.8
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)
March 31, September 30,
2008 2007
(Unaudited)
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $377 $409
Receivables, trade and other, net 1,229 1,223
Inventories 621 541
Other current assets 229 216
Net property 752 738
Goodwill 526 520
Other assets 1,117 1,142
TOTAL ASSETS $4,851 $4,789
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
Short-term debt $229 $18
Accounts payable 1,282 1,342
Other current liabilities 567 719
Long-term debt 1,070 1,130
Retirement benefits 782 763
Other liabilities 245 209
Minority interests 72 65
Shareowners' equity 604 543
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY $4,851 $4,789
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
(in millions)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Sales:
Commercial Vehicle Systems $1,192 $1,075 $2,272 $2,121
Light Vehicle Systems 589 552 1,172 1,074
Total sales $1,781 $1,627 $3,444 $3,195
EBITDA:
Commercial Vehicle Systems $84 $60 $155 $123
Light Vehicle Systems 19 8 21 22
Total Segment EBITDA 103 68 176 145
Unallocated Corporate Costs (4) (1) (5) (1)
ET Corporate Allocations - (11) - (18)
Total EBITDA 99 56 171 126
Loss on Sale of Receivables (5) (1) (9) (3)
Depreciation and Amortization (36) (34) (68) (64)
Interest Expense, Net (20) (34) (47) (61)
Provision for Income Taxes (14) - (24) (1)
Income (Loss) Continuing
Operations $24 $(13) $23 $(3)
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
Six Months
Ended March 31,
2008 2007
(Unaudited)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Income (loss) from continuing operations $23 $(3)
Adjustments to income (loss) from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization 68 64
Gain on divestitures - (2)
Adjustment to impairment reserves, net - (10)
Restructuring costs, net of payments (5) 20
Loss on debt extinguishment 3 6
Pension and retiree medical expense 52 67
Other adjustments to income (loss) from continuing
operations (8) 1
Pension and retiree medical contributions (43) (136)
Proceeds from terminations of interest rate swaps 28 -
Changes in off-balance sheet receivable securitization
and factoring 197 20
Changes in assets and liabilities (409) (81)
Cash flows used for continuing operations (94) (54)
Cash flows used for discontinued operations (14) (9)
CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES (108) (63)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (63) (48)
Acquisitions of businesses and investments, net of
cash acquired (41) (2)
Proceeds from disposition of property and businesses 8 11
Proceeds from investments and marketable securities 5 5
Net investing cash flows provided by (used for)
discontinued operations 55 (23)
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES (36) (57)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings on senior secured revolving credit
facility - 74
Borrowings (payments) on accounts receivable
securitization program 128 (40)
Issuance of convertible notes - 200
Repayment of notes (5) (227)
Borrowings (payments) on lines of credit and
other, net 4 (1)
Net change in debt 127 6
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs (6) (10)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options - 6
Cash dividends (15) (14)
Other financing activities - (1)
Net financing cash flows used for discontinued
operations - (1)
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 106 (14)
EFFECT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 6 6
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (32) (128)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 409 350
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $377 $222
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION - RECONCILIATION
Non-GAAP
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
Q2 FY 08
Before
Q2 FY 08 Special
Reported Restructuring Items
Sales $1,781 $- $1,781
Gross Margin 167 - 167
Operating Income 56 5 61
Income from Continuing Operations 24 3 27
Diluted Earnings Per Share - Continuing
Operations $0.33 $0.04 $0.37
Segment EBITDA:
Commercial Vehicle Systems $84 $- $84
Light Vehicle Systems 19 5 24
Total Segment EBITDA $103 $5 $108
Segment EBITDA Margins
Commercial Vehicle Systems 7.0% 7.0%
Light Vehicle Systems 3.2% 4.1%
Total Segment EBITDA Margins 5.8% 6.1%
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION - RECONCILIATION
Non-GAAP
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
Ride Control
Q2 FY 07 Fair Value Product
Reported Adjustments Disruptions Restructuring
Sales $1,627 $- $- $-
Gross Margin 143 - (6) -
Operating Income 17 (10) (6) 37
Income (Loss) from
Continuing Operations (13) (6) (4) 23
Diluted Earnings (Loss)
Per Share - Continuing
Operations $(0.19) $(0.08) $(0.05) $0.32
Segment EBITDA:
Commercial Vehicle Systems $60 $- $(9) $8
Light Vehicle Systems 8 (10) 3 29
Total Segment EBITDA $68 $(10) $(6) $37
Segment EBITDA Margins
Commercial Vehicle Systems 5.6%
Light Vehicle Systems (1) 1.4%
Total Segment EBITDA Margins 4.2%
Debt Q2 FY 07 Before
Extinguishment Income Taxes Special Items
Sales $- $- $1,627
Gross Margin - - 137
Operating Income - - 38
Income (Loss) from Continuing
Operations 4 8 12
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per
Share - Continuing
Operations $0.06 $0.11 $0.17
Segment EBITDA:
Commercial Vehicle Systems $- $- $59
Light Vehicle Systems - - 30
Total Segment EBITDA $- $- $89
Segment EBITDA Margins
Commercial Vehicle Systems 5.5%
Light Vehicle Systems (1) 5.2%
Total Segment EBITDA Margins 5.4%
(1) LVS margins before special items are adjusted to reflect the impact of
reduced volumes in our Brussels operation.
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
EBITDA Before Special Items Reconciliation
Non-GAAP
(Unaudited, in millions)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2008 2007
Total EBITDA - Before Special Items $104 $77
Restructuring Costs (5) (37)
Ride Control Fair Value Adjustment - 10
Product Disruptions - 6
Loss on Sale of Receivables (5) (1)
Depreciation and Amortization (36) (34)
Interest Expense, net (20) (34)
Provision for Income Taxes (14) -
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations $24 $(13)
ARVINMERITOR, INC.
FREE CASH FLOW - RECONCILIATION
Non-GAAP
(Unaudited, in millions)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2008 2007
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities $163 $(30)
Less: Capital expenditures (1) (29) (41)
Free cash flow $134 $(71)
(1) Includes capital expenditures of discontinued operations of $13
million in the prior year.
SOURCE ArvinMeritor, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.arvinmeritor.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010524/ARVINLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/762401.html /
CONTACT:
Media: Lin Cummins, +1-248-435-7112,
linda.cummins@arvinmeritor.com; Investors: Terry Huch,
+1-248-435-9426, terry.huch@arvinmeritor.com, both of
ArvinMeritor, Inc.
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