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Stoneridge Reports Fourth-Quarter 2012 Results

Companies mentioned in this article: Stoneridge, Inc.

WARREN, Ohio, March 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

    --  Strong Cash Flow Drives Debt Reduction in 2012
    --  Continued Operating Improvements in the Fourth Quarter
    --  Reaffirms 2013 Guidance of $0.75 - $0.95 per share

Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012.

Fourth-quarter 2012 net sales were $222.7 million, an increase of $36.7 million, or 19.7%, compared with $186.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase in the current quarter's net sales was primarily due to the consolidation of the operating results of PST, the Brazilian subsidiary of which the Company acquired controlling interest on December 29, 2011. Excluding PST in the fourth quarter of 2012, net sales were $178.3 million, a decrease of $7.8 million, or 4.2%, from the same period a year ago, primarily as a result of lower sales in the Company's Wiring business segment, including lower sales to a large North American commercial vehicle customer, and lower sales to European commercial vehicle customers in the Company's Electronics business segment.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $2.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared with net income of $38.6 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a $65.4 million pretax gain ($42.5 million after-tax gain) or $1.72 per share recognized in conjunction with Stoneridge's purchase of additional ownership in its Brazil-based PST joint venture on December 29, 2011.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported net sales of $938.5 million, a 22.6% increase from $765.4 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in the current year's net sales was primarily due to the consolidation of the operating results of PST. Excluding the net sales of PST in 2012, net sales were $758.1 million, a decrease of $7.3 million, or 1.0%, from a year ago, primarily as a result of lower sales in the Company's Wiring business segment and lower sales to European commercial vehicle customers in the Company's Electronics business segment.

Net income for the year was $5.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, down from $49.4 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, for the prior year which included the $1.72 per share gain recognized in conjunction with the PST purchase.

"As we announced in our press release of February 7, we finished 2012 with strong cash flow and we have exceeded our debt reduction targets. We finished the year generating approximately $49.1 million in free cash flow (net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures)," said John C. Corey, President and Chief Executive Officer.

As of December 31, 2012, Stoneridge's consolidated cash position was $44.6 million, a decrease of $34.2 million from December 31, 2011. The change in the cash balance was partially the result of the $19.8 million in cash used to fund the final portion of the PST transaction, which was completed on January 5, 2012. The Company also reduced its debt by $65.7 million during 2012. Stoneridge repaid $38.0 million of borrowing on its asset-based lending facility, and the remaining $27.7 million was primarily due to PST's repayment of indebtedness.

"While our cost-reduction and other initiatives continued to drive gross margin and operating margin improvements in the fourth quarter compared with the second and third quarters of 2012, our earnings performance in the fourth quarter was below our expectations and due primarily to a slower recovery in the Brazilian market than anticipated and lower than expected sales in our European operations as European OEMs extended their holiday shutdown," Corey noted. "We have adjusted our cost structures to reflect the market weakness and expect to see continued financial improvement in 2013 and reaffirm our full 2013 guidance as published on February 7, 2013," Corey added.

Wiring as a Separate Reporting Segment

In the fourth quarter of 2012, Stoneridge changed its reportable segments in accordance with accounting guidelines, which will provide better visibility to Stoneridge's four operating segments: Control Devices, Electronics, PST and Wiring. The revised segment information constitutes a reclassification and has no impact on reported net income or earnings per share for any period. These changes do not restate information previously reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Company for any period.

Conference Call on the Web

A live Internet broadcast of Stoneridge's conference call regarding 2012 fourth-quarter results can be accessed at 11 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, March 1, 2013, at www.stoneridge.com, which will also offer a webcast replay.

A Non-GAAP Financial Measure

This press release includes the financial measure free cash flow. This measure is defined as a non-GAAP financial measure by the Securities and Exchange Commission and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company believes that free cash flow is helpful when presented in conjunction with the net cash provided by operating activities, which was $75.5 million for 2012. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Reconciliation for 2012: Net cash provided by operating activities of $75.5 million less capital expenditures of $26.4 million equals free cash flow of $49.1 million. Free cash flow is considered a liquidity measure and provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated after the capital expenditures. A limitation of free cash flow is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance for the period.

About Stoneridge, Inc.

Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Warren, Ohio, is an independent designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems principally for the commercial vehicle, automotive and agricultural, motorcycle and off-highway vehicle markets. Additional information about Stoneridge can be found at www.stoneridge.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this release. Things that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors, the loss of a major customer; a significant volume change in commercial vehicle, automotive or agricultural, motorcycle and off-highway vehicle production; disruption in the OEM supply chain due to bankruptcies; a significant change in general economic conditions in any of the various countries in which the Company operates; labor disruptions at the Company's facilities or at any of the Company's significant customers or suppliers; the ability of the Company's suppliers to supply the Company with parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis; customer acceptance of new products; and the failure to achieve successful integration of any acquired company or business. In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management's best analysis only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements contained in this release can be found in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

    (Unaudited)


                                                               Three Months Ended             For the years ended

                                                                     December 31,                    December 31,

    (in thousands, except per share data)                         2012                2011      2012                  2011
    ------------------------------------                          ----                ----      ----                  ----



    Net sales                                                 $222,725            $186,048  $938,513              $765,373


    Costs and expenses:

    Cost of goods sold                                         168,116             153,730   713,869               618,596

    Selling, general and administrative                         45,961              34,957   195,915               128,306

    Goodwill impairment charge                                       -               4,945         -                 4,945
    --------------------------                                     ---               -----       ---                 -----


    Operating income (loss)                                      8,648              (7,584)   28,729                13,526


    Interest expense, net                                        4,638               4,432    20,033                17,234

    Equity in earnings of investees                               (317)             (4,957)     (760)              (10,034)

    Gain on previously held equity interest                          -             (65,372)        -               (65,372)

    Other expense, net                                           1,521                 220     4,896                    56
    ------------------                                           -----                 ---     -----                   ---


    Income before income taxes                                   2,806              58,093     4,560                71,642


    Provision for income taxes                                      95              22,727       812                26,105
    --------------------------                                     ---              ------       ---                ------


    Net income                                                   2,711              35,366     3,748                45,537


    Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest       90              (3,209)   (1,613)               (3,820)
    ---------------------------------------------------------      ---              ------    ------                ------


    Net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.                 $2,621             $38,575    $5,361               $49,357
    -------------------------------------------                 ------             -------    ------               -------


    Earnings per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:

    Basic                                                        $0.10               $1.58     $0.20                 $2.04
    -----                                                        -----               -----     -----                 -----

    Diluted                                                      $0.10               $1.56     $0.20                 $2.00
    -------                                                      -----               -----     -----                 -----


    Weighted average shares outstanding:

    Basic                                                       26,435              24,380    26,377                24,181
    -----                                                       ------              ------    ------                ------

    Diluted                                                     27,177              24,760    27,032                24,645
    -------                                                     ------              ------    ------                ------


    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    (Unaudited)


    As of December 31 (in thousands)                                                         2012      2011
    -------------------------------                                                          ----      ----


    ASSETS


    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                             $44,555   $78,731

    Accounts receivable, less reserves of $3,394 and $1,485, respectively                 141,503   162,354

    Inventories, net                                                                       96,032   120,482

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                              28,964    27,897
    -----------------------------------------                                              ------    ------

    Total current assets                                                                  311,054   389,464
    --------------------                                                                  -------   -------


    Long-term assets:

    Property, plant and equipment, net                                                    119,147   124,944

    Other assets

    Intangible assets, net                                                                 84,397    98,039

    Goodwill                                                                               66,381    71,855

    Investments and other long-term assets, net                                            11,712    11,193
    -------------------------------------------                                            ------    ------

    Total long-term assets                                                                281,637   306,031
    ----------------------                                                                -------   -------

    Total assets                                                                         $592,691  $695,495
    ------------                                                                         --------  --------


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


    Current liabilities:

    Current portion of debt                                                               $18,925   $44,246

    Revolving credit facilities                                                             1,160    39,181

    Accounts payable                                                                       76,303    83,509

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                         57,081    90,994
    ----------------------------------------------                                         ------    ------

    Total current liabilities                                                             153,469   257,930
    -------------------------                                                             -------   -------


    Long-term liabilities:

    Long-term debt, net                                                                   181,311   183,711

    Deferred income taxes                                                                  59,819    67,721

    Other long-term liabilities                                                             4,258     5,494
    ---------------------------                                                             -----     -----

    Total long-term liabilities                                                           245,388   256,926
    ---------------------------                                                           -------   -------


    Shareholders' equity:

    Preferred Shares, without par value, authorized 5,000 shares, none issued                   -         -

    Common Shares, without par value, authorized 60,000 shares, issued 28,433 and 27,097

    shares and outstanding 27,913 and 26,222 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011,

    respectively, with no stated value                                                          -         -

    Additional paid-in capital                                                            184,822   170,775

    Common Shares held in treasury, 520 and 875 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011,

    respectively, at  cost                                                                 (1,885)   (1,870)

    Accumulated deficit                                                                   (22,902)  (28,263)

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                  (10,282)   (9,615)
    ------------------------------------                                                  -------    ------

    Total Stoneridge Inc. and subsidiaries shareholders' equity                           149,753   131,027

    Noncontrolling interest                                                                44,081    49,612
    -----------------------                                                                ------    ------

    Total shareholders' equity                                                            193,834   180,639
    --------------------------                                                            -------   -------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                           $592,691  $695,495
    ------------------------------------------                                           --------  --------



     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     (Unaudited)


                                                                       Three months ended           For the Years Ended

                                                                             December 31,                  December 31,

     Years ended December 31 (in thousands)                               2012               2011     2012                 2011
     -------------------------------------                                ----               ----     ----                 ----


     Net income                                                         $2,711            $35,366   $3,748              $45,537
     ----------                                                         ------            -------   ------              -------

     Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

     Foreign currency translation adjustments                           (1,175)            (2,505) (10,502)              (5,971)

     Pension liability adjustments                                         (27)                 -      (27)                   -

     Unrealized gain on marketable securities                                -                  -        -                   16

     Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives                                 398              5,391    9,862               (7,722)
     -------------------------------------                                 ---              -----    -----               ------

     Other comprehensive income (loss)                                    (804)             2,886     (667)             (13,677)
     --------------------------------                                     ----              -----     ----              -------

     Consolidated comprehensive income                                   1,907             38,252    3,081               31,860

     Comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest      90             (3,209)  (1,613)              (3,820)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------     ---             ------   ------               ------


     Comprehensive income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.              $1,817            $41,461   $4,694              $35,680
     -----------------------------------------------------              ------            -------   ------              -------


    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

    (Unaudited)
    ----------


    Years ended December 31 (in thousands)                      2012     2011
    -------------------------------------                       ----     ----


    OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net cash provided by operating activities                $75,545     $921
    -----------------------------------------                -------     ----


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    Capital expenditures                                     (26,352) (26,290)

    Proceeds from sale of fixed assets                           521    3,863

    Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest              -      397

    Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired              (19,779)  (7,753)
    -------------------------------------------              -------   ------

    Net cash used for investing activities                   (45,610) (29,783)
    --------------------------------------                   -------  -------


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    Proceeds from issuance of other debt                      22,146    1,408

    Repayments of other debt                                 (48,327)    (968)

    Revolving credit facility borrowings                      21,579   38,993

    Revolving credit facility payments                       (59,600)    (554)

    Other financing costs                                          -     (605)

    Repurchase of shares to satisfy employee tax withholding  (1,273)    (752)
    ------------------------------------------------          ------     ----

    Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities     (65,475)  37,522
    ------------------------------------------------         -------   ------


    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
     equivalents                                               1,364   (1,903)
    ------------------------------------------------           -----   ------


    Net change in cash and cash equivalents                  (34,176)   6,757


    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period          78,731   71,974
    ------------------------------------------------          ------   ------


    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period               $44,555  $78,731
    ------------------------------------------               -------  -------


    Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing
     activities:

    Change in fair value of interest rate swap                $1,134   $4,095

    Issuance of Common Shares for acquisition of additional
     PST interest                                            $10,197   $5,113
    -------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------

SOURCE Stoneridge, Inc.