CHARLOTTE, Mich., July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30,
2003, highlighted by progress on key operating initiatives and increased
orders for emergency-rescue vehicles and chassis.
The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom motorhome chassis, fire-
truck chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles reported net earnings of $0.7
million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on sales of $55.1 million in the 2003
second quarter, compared with net earnings of $3.0 million, or $0.25 per
diluted share, on sales of $65.3 million in the same period last year. The
2003 second-quarter results include a pretax adjustment of $1.3 million
related to inventory at its fire truck operations, as well as an after-tax
gain of $1.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the Company’s
discontinued school bus operation.
“The second quarter was disappointing from both a market perspective as
well as within our own operations,” said John Sztykiel, chief executive
officer of Spartan Motors. “Softness in the motorhome industry, expenses
related to the relocation of our ambulance operations and costs related to the
merger of our fire apparatus units created a significant drain on earnings.
That said, we are confident the worst is behind us. Our markets are showing
positive signs, and we have stepped up our efforts to complete these key
transitions by the end of the third quarter. What we are going through in
2003 must be done if we are to establish the right foundation for profitable
growth in the emergency-rescue sector.”
Spartan said operational changes within its emergency vehicle team
(EVTeam) — which makes Road Rescue(R) ambulances and Crimson Fire(R) fire
apparatus — increased expenses in the second quarter, but are expected to
yield improved profitability beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003. Spartan
is completing the process of merging the operations of its two fire truck
companies into one company, Crimson Fire, and earlier in the second quarter
announced plans to move its Minnesota Road Rescue operations into its new
state-of-the-art facility in South Carolina. Additionally, Spartan said the
launch of the Gladiator Evolution fire truck chassis had started slowly, but
is improving in terms of production efficiency and margin contribution.
“Our progress on these key initiatives and the recent growth in orders
should yield improved results as we move forward. In the interim, we are
instilling a sense of urgency among associates to increase production, improve
efficiency and reduce expenses — without sacrificing quality or service,”
Sztykiel said.
Second-Quarter Operating Highlights
Spartan Motors said consolidated sales declined 15.6 percent versus last
year’s strong second quarter, reflecting lower sales of motorhome chassis,
ambulances and fire trucks. The decline was offset partly by increased sales
of fire truck chassis, which grew 9.3 percent over last year’s second quarter.
Expenses related to EVTeam operational changes, combined with lower sales
and the changing product mix, contributed to a lower consolidated gross margin
versus last year’s second quarter. Gross margin for the EVTeam was also
adversely impacted by a negative physical inventory and other costing
adjustments. Gross margin totaled 12.8 percent for the second quarter of
2003, versus 17.8 percent for the same period last year. Investments in R&D,
new products and new marketing initiatives contributed to a 3.6 percent
increase in operating expenses versus the year-ago quarter. Interest expense
decreased slightly versus the year-ago quarter, reflecting the Company’s
efforts to manage working capital and keep long-term debt levels at zero.
“We have challenged our subsidiaries to trim operating expenses while
continuing to invest in new product development, innovation and marketing,”
Chief Financial Officer James Knapp said. “Our goal is to reduce quarterly
operating expenses, even as we work to develop new products, such as our new
aerial fire truck initiative.”
Spartan Motors Chassis (SMC)
For the second quarter in a row, increased sales of Spartan(R) fire-truck
chassis helped offset a double-digit decline in motorhome chassis sales versus
the prior-year period. Spartan Motors attributed the increase to higher sales
of Big Easy and Gladiator Evolution chassis models. Sales of motorhome
chassis decreased 23 percent versus last year’s second quarter, reflecting
continued softness in the motorhome market.
“Our fire-truck chassis business continues to do well, reflecting demand
created by new emissions standards as well as the response by fire apparatus
OEMs to the Evolution and Big Easy chassis,” Sztykiel said. “Orders are
accelerating and our production output is increasing, putting us on track to
sell more than 500 fire truck chassis in 2003, the most ever in a single
year.”
Commenting on SMC’s motorhome chassis business, Sztykiel said: “A number
of market factors made for a tough quarter, including model-year changeover,
overstocked dealer inventories and pricing pressure at the retail level. We
took an aggressive stance on cutting operating expenses and increasing our
focus on sales. Order intake has picked up in the third quarter, but we
remain cautious about the short-term recovery of the motorhome market.”
Emergency Vehicle Team (EVTeam)
Spartan Motors said sales in its EVTeam segment decreased 24.3 percent
compared with last year’s second quarter, reflecting lower production volumes
of Road Rescue(R) ambulances and Crimson Fire(R) fire trucks. Lower sales
levels, combined with higher expenses related to the operational restructuring
at each of the units, resulted in decreased margins.
“We are making progress with the EVTeam companies,” Sztykiel said.
“Crimson Fire has streamlined production, added key dealers and reduced
redundant costs that had been in place prior to the merger of our former
Luverne and Quality subsidiaries. We are seeing signs that bode well for the
future — our build times are improving, and Crimson’s order intake rate in
the second quarter was the best it has been in a year.”
“The consolidation of our two Road Rescue plants under one roof in Marion,
South Carolina is proceeding slowly,” Sztykiel said. “While we are
maintaining a high level of quality and our order intake rate for ambulances
is accelerating, total shipments in the second quarter were down 25 percent
versus the same quarter a year ago. We are focusing on making significant
improvements in production volume and shipments over the next three months.”
Spartan Profit and Return (SPAR)/Backlog
Spartan Motors generated $2.2 million in cash flows from continuing
operations in the second quarter, due primarily to efforts to manage working
capital.
Consolidated backlog was $76.4 million as of June 30, 2003 — an increase
of 5.4 percent over the backlog level at March 31, 2003. The Company said the
backlog for Road Rescue ambulances and Spartan fire-truck chassis increased,
due partially to strong order rates, while backlog levels for motorhome
chassis and Crimson Fire vehicles remained comparable to the first quarter
2003.
CFO Knapp concluded: “2003 continues to be a challenge, but we are
determined to improve our performance in the second half of the year by
controlling our own destiny. Each of Spartan’s 750 associates is being
challenged to be accountable to the business basics of making a great product,
generating cash flow and improving our return on invested capital. We expect
to improve profitability in the back half of the year and are making
substantial investments to prepare the Company for more significant
improvement in 2004.”
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. (theshyftgroup.com ) designs, engineers and
manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire
truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets. The company’s brand names —
Spartan(R), Crimson Fire(R) and Road Rescue(R) — are known in their market
niches for quality, value, service and being the first to market with
innovative products. Spartan Motors employs more than 750 at facilities in
Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama, Minnesota and South Carolina and is publicly
traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol SPAR.
The statements contained in this news release include certain predictions
and projections that may be considered “forward-looking statements” under the
securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words
or phrases indicating that the Company or management “expects,” “believes” or
is “confident” that a particular result “may” or “should” occur, that a
particular item “bodes well,” that the Company is “on track” toward a
particular result, or similar statements. Accounting estimates are inherently
forward-looking. These statements involve many risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to
economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the
Company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices. Additional
information about these and other factors that may adversely affect these
forward-looking statements are contained in the Company’s reports and filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
developments or information obtained after the date of this news release.
Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, December 31,
2003 2002
$-000- $-000-
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $9,558 $8,082
Accounts receivable, net 25,166 28,823
Inventories 29,724 25,205
Taxes receivable 708 -
Other current assets 4,928 4,751
Current assets of discontinued operations 241 307
Total current assets 70,325 67,168
Property, plant and equipment, net 15,158 15,155
Goodwill, net 4,543 4,543
Other assets 1,372 1,446
Total assets $91,398 $88,312
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $17,956 $15,940
Other current liabilities and
accrued expenses 2,430 2,202
Accrued warranty 2,569 2,768
Taxes on income - 1,412
Accrued vacation, compensation and
related taxes 3,356 5,449
Deposits from customers 5,473 4,098
Current liabilities of
discontinued operations - 9
Total current liabilities 31,784 31,878
Long-term debt, less current portion - -
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - -
Common stock 121 120
Additional paid in capital 31,613 30,776
Retained earnings 27,880 25,538
Total shareholders' equity 59,614 56,434
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $91,398 $88,312
Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002
June 30, 2003 June 30, 2002
$-000- % $-000- %
Sales 55,117 65,315
Cost of Sales 48,088 53,678
Gross Profit 7,029 12.8 11,637 17.8
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development 1,854 3.4 1,727 2.6
Selling, General and Administrative 5,537 10.1 5,406 8.3
Total Operating Expenses 7,391 13.5 7,133 10.9
Operating Income (362) (0.7) 4,504 6.9
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Expense (117) (0.2) (124) (0.2)
Interest and Other Income 129 0.3 107 0.2
Total Other Income (Expense) 12 0.1 (17) 0.0
Earnings before Taxes (350) (0.6) 4,487 6.9
Taxes (129) (0.2) 1,757 2.7
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations (221) (0.4) 2,730 4.2
Discontinued Operations:
Gain on Disposal of Carpenter 955 1.7 302 0.4
Net Earnings 734 1.3 3,032 4.6
Basic Net Earnings per Share:
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations (0.02) 0.24
Discontinued Operations:
Gain on Disposal of Carpenter 0.08 0.03
Basic Net Earnings per Share 0.06 0.27
Diluted Net Earnings per Share:
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations (0.02) 0.23
Gain from Discontinued Operations:
Gain on Disposal of Carpenter 0.08 0.02
Diluted Net Earnings per Share 0.06 0.25
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding 12,122 11,438
Diluted Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding 12,403 12,070
Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002
June 30, 2003 June 30, 2002
$-000- % $-000- %
Sales 115,535 132,034
Cost of Sales 98,922 108,172
Gross Profit 16,613 14.4 23,862 18.1
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development 3,603 3.1 3,655 2.8
Selling, General and Administrative 10,807 9.4 10,863 8.2
Total Operating Expenses 14,410 12.5 14,518 11.0
Operating Income 2,203 1.9 9,344 7.1
Other Income (Expense):
Interest Expense (169) (0.1) (215) (0.2)
Interest and Other Income 262 0.2 52 0.1
Total Other Income (Expense) 93 0.1 (163) (0.1)
Earnings before Taxes 2,296 2.0 9,181 7.0
Taxes 427 0.4 3,212 2.5
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations 1,869 1.6 5,969 4.5
Discontinued Operations:
Gain on Disposal of Carpenter 1,465 1.3 378 0.3
Net Earnings 3,334 2.9 6,347 4.8
Basic Net Earnings per Share:
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations 0.16 0.54
Discontinued Operations:
Gain on Disposal of Carpenter 0.12 0.03
Basic Net Earnings per Share 0.28 0.57
Diluted Net Earnings per Share:
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations 0.15 0.51
Gain from Discontinued Operations:
Gain on Disposal of Carpenter 0.12 0.03
Diluted Net Earnings per Share 0.27 0.54
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding 12,090 11,199
Diluted Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding 12,445 11,685
SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.