22nd
October 2008 - Federal-Mogul
Corporation Delivers Solid Sales, Gross Margin, Net Income and Cash Flow
in Midst of Unprecedented Downturn
Federal
Mogul Corporation today reported
solid year-over-year results with third quarter sales of $1,692 million,
gross margin of $279 million, pre-tax earnings of $22 million and net
income of $4 million. Cash flow(4) in the third quarter 2008 improved to
$25 million versus a negative cash flow of $(114) million in the same
period of 2007. These sales and operating results are comparable to
year-ago levels, however third quarter 2008 performance was attained in
a far more challenging market environment than in the third quarter of
the prior year. The third quarter of 2008 was marked by a faltering
global automotive market where new vehicle sales and production rates
fell as a result of a major automotive market downturn.
Financial Summary (in
$millions)
| |
Three Months
Ended |
Nine Months
Ended |
| |
September 30 |
September 30 |
| |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
| Net sales |
$1,692 |
$1,686 |
$5,546 |
$5,165 |
| Gross margin |
279 |
279 |
941 |
910 |
| Adjusted gross
margin (2) |
279 |
279 |
1,009 |
910 |
| Selling, general
& admin expenses |
192 |
208 |
613 |
627 |
| Pre-tax income |
22 |
7 |
133 |
68 |
| Net income |
4 |
14 |
62 |
22 |
| Adjusted net
income (3) |
4 |
14 |
125 |
22 |
| Operational
EBITDA (1) |
178 |
166 |
640 |
578 |
| Cash flow (4) |
25 |
(114) |
141 |
(35) |
"The third quarter was
increasingly difficult for the automotive industry. Our strong operating
fundamentals served to limit the negative impact of the market downturn.
As a result of our diversification, Federal-Mogul realized continued
strong sales. The company's decisive response to the declining global
automotive market, including sharp cuts in discretionary spending,
coupled with a global restructuring program designed to eliminate excess
operating capacity, reduce requirements for operations support and
streamline SG&A, enabled Federal-Mogul to realize another profitable
quarter and positioned the company for this challenging market," said
Jose Maria Alapont, Federal-Mogul President and CEO.
Federal-Mogul sales for the
three-month period ending September 30, 2008, increased $6 million to
$1,692 million, compared to $1,686 million during the same period a year
ago. Favorable foreign currency exchange lifted sales by $65 million in
Europe and offset volume declines occurring largely in North America,
while Asia-Pacific and other markets continued to perform.
Federal-Mogul, in Q3 2008,
recorded a gross margin of $279 million or 16.5 percent of sales,
compared to the same results, $279 million or 16.5 percent of sales in
Q3 2007. The company's Operational EBITDA(1) was $178 million or 10.5
percent of sales, compared to $166 million or 9.8 percent of sales
during the same period in 2007, representing an increase of $12 million
or seven percent. The company recorded pre-tax income of $22 million
compared to $7 million in the third quarter of 2007. Federal-Mogul
reported net income of $4 million or earnings per share of $0.04, down
from $14 million in the third quarter 2007, due to non-recurrence of tax
benefits of $24 million in Q3 2007. Selling, General and Administrative
(SG&A) expenses were reduced to 11.3 percent of sales during the
quarter, compared to 12.3 percent of sales in the same period of 2007.
The company realized a reduction in SG&A expense of $22 million,
partially offset by
foreign currency exchange impact of $6 million, resulting in a net
improvement of $16 million.
Federal-Mogul announced, on
September 17, 2008, a global restructuring plan designed to improve
operating performance and respond to the challenging conditions in the
global automotive industry. The plan, when combined with other workforce
adjustments, is expected to reduce the company's global workforce by
approximately 4,000 positions or eight percent. The planned actions
include several initiatives designed to streamline business processes,
consolidate or close selected locations, and reduce general and
administrative staffing.
The company, during Q3,
recorded $11 million in restructuring expenses for workforce severance
costs. Federal-Mogul continues to implement restructuring actions under
the plan, and expects to finalize them and announce closure of a number
of facilities during 2009.
"During these challenging
times, consistent execution of the company's proven strategy for
sustainable global profitable growth helped to offset the market
downturn and strengthen overall performance," explained Alapont.
"Federal-Mogul has an established track record for restructuring to
sustain operating performance and, furthermore, we possess a solid
capital structure, considerable liquidity and a favorable bank financing
package. This should enable us to retain our leading market position and
prepare the company for future growth opportunities through organic
growth or market consolidation," he added.
"We will continue to focus
on our strong fundamentals, including world-class engineering and
manufacturing with a cost-competitive global footprint; leading
technology and innovation in vehicle and industrial products for fuel
economy, alternative energies, emissions reduction and safety systems;
with long-term customer relationships built on excellence in products
and services, supply chain and operating performance," Alapont
continued.
Federal-Mogul, during the
quarter, continued to benefit from leading technology and innovation, as
demonstrated by winning major business awards relating to fuel
efficiency, emissions and vehicle safety at leading European automakers.
One example is the company's highly-regarded Monosteel(R) pistons
featuring superior strength and performance due to a unique closed
gallery architecture essential for the next generation of
emissions-compliant heavy-duty diesel engines.
The design addresses
increasing thermal, mechanical, abrasion and corrosion challenges placed
on diesel engines. In addition, Federal-Mogul's innovative aluminum
pistons can be manufactured using a proprietary re-melting process that
improves durability in highly-charged light-duty engines where
downsizing has been employed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2
emissions.
Federal-Mogul reported sales
of $5,546 million for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2008,
an increase of $381 million or 7 percent versus $5,165 million for the
same period in 2007.
Gross margin increased to
$941 million in the first nine months of 2008 versus $910 million in
2007. Operational EBITDA(1) increased 11 percent, or
$62 million, to $640 million in the first nine months of 2008, as
compared to $578 million in the same period the prior year.
The company recorded pre-tax
income of $133 million in the first nine months of 2008 versus $68
million for the same period in 2007.
Net income was $62 million
during the first three quarters of 2008 from $22 million during the
first three quarters of 2007.
The company recorded
positive cash flow(4) of $141 million in the first nine months of 2008,
which compares to negative cash flow of $(35) million in the same period
of 2007.
"Federal-Mogul remains a
strong company with profitable financial performance, a solid balance
sheet, considerable liquidity, favorable financing and a diverse
portfolio of leading products and customers. Our sustainable global
profitable growth strategy continues to guide the company as we prepare
for challenging market conditions during the remainder of 2008 and in
2009," Alapont said.
(1) Operational EBITDA is
defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization, and certain items such as restructuring and impairment
charges, Chapter 11 related reorganization expenses, gains or losses on
the sales of businesses, and the impact on gross margin of the
fresh-start reporting valuation of inventory as described in the
attached reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
(2) Adjusted gross margin is
equal to reported gross margin excluding the $68 million impact on gross
margin of the fresh-start reporting valuation of inventory recorded in
the first quarter 2008 as described in the attached reconciliation of
non-GAAP financial measures.
(3) Adjusted net income is
equal to reported net income excluding the $68 million impact on gross
margin on the fresh- start reporting of inventory adjusted for the tax
benefit on the inventory adjustment of $5 million recorded in the first
quarter 2008 as described in the attached reconciliation of non-GAAP
financial measures.
(4) Cash flow is equal to
net cash provided by operating activities less net cash used by
investing activities as described in the attached statement of cash
flows.
About Federal-Mogul
Federal-Mogul Corporation is
a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety technologies, serving
the world's foremost original equipment manufacturers of automotive,
light commercial, heavy-duty and off-highway vehicles, as well as in
power generation, aerospace, marine, rail, industrial, and the worldwide
aftermarket. The company's leading technology and innovation, lean
manufacturing expertise, as well as marketing and distribution deliver
world-class products, brands and services with quality excellence at a
competitive cost. Federal-Mogul is focused on its sustainable global
profitable growth strategy, creating value and satisfaction for its
customers, shareholders and employees. Federal-Mogul was founded in
Detroit in 1899. The company is headquartered in Southfield,
Michigan, and employs nearly 47,000 people in 31 countries.
Source:
Federal-Mogul Press Release