Plans to Reduce Manufacturing Production Rates
Providence, RI - March 31, 2009 - Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) today reaffirmed its 2009 cash outlook while
announcing that it will further lower 2009 manufacturing production
rates at Cessna and its Industrial business units. Most of the company’s
commercial markets continue to soften in the current economic
environment, and credit markets at Textron Financial Corporation (TFC)
remain challenging.
“Despite the tough environment, the company’s plan to generate cash from
the combination of manufacturing operations and the collection of
finance receivables at TFC is on track,” said Textron Chairman and CEO,
Lewis B. Campbell.
The company expects to achieve at least an $800 million reduction in
finance receivables by the end of the first quarter, which is well ahead
of plan. Furthermore, the sale of HR Textron to Woodward Governor is
scheduled to close on April 2, 2009, which will generate approximately
$265 million in after-tax cash. Textron expects to end the first quarter
with over $1.0 billion in cash.
Textron will update its full-year 2009 financial outlook when it
releases first quarter 2009 financial results on April 29, 2009.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28
countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its
global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial and
finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and
services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such
as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming,
E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release and other oral and written
statements made by us from time to time are forward-looking statements,
including those that discuss strategies, goals, outlook or other
non-historical matters, or project revenues, income, returns or other
financial measures. These forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in the statements,
including the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
and the following: (a) changes in worldwide economic or political
conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and
foreign exchange rates; (b) the interruption of production at our
facilities or our customers or suppliers; (c) performance issues with
key suppliers, subcontractors and business partners; (d) our ability to
perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the
U.S. Government; (e) the U.S. Government’s ability to unilaterally
modify or terminate its contracts with us for the U.S. Government’s
convenience or for our failure to perform, to change applicable
procurement and accounting policies, and, under certain circumstances,
to suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future
contract awards; (f) changing priorities or reductions in the U.S.
Government defense budget, including those related to Operation Iraqi
Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism;
(g) changes in national or international funding priorities, U.S. and
foreign military budget constraints and determinations, and government
policies on the export and import of military and commercial products;
(h) legislative or regulatory actions impacting our operations or demand
for our products; (i) the ability to control costs and successful
implementation of various cost-reduction programs, including the
enterprise-wide restructuring program; (j) the timing of new product
launches and certifications of new aircraft products; (k) the occurrence
of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are
sold or supplied or where Textron Financial Corporation (TFC) offers
financing; (l) changes in aircraft delivery schedules, or cancellation
or deferral of orders; (m) the impact of changes in tax legislation;
(n) the extent to which we are able to pass raw material price increases
through to customers or offset such price increases by reducing other
costs; (o) our ability to offset, through cost reductions, pricing
pressure brought by original equipment manufacturer customers; (p) our
ability to realize full value of receivables; (q) the availability and
cost of insurance; (r) increases in pension expenses and other
postretirement employee costs; (s) TFC’s ability to maintain portfolio
credit quality and certain minimum levels of financial performance
required under its committed credit facilities and under Textron’s
support agreement with TFC; (t) TFC’s access to financing, including
securitizations, at competitive rates; (u) our ability to successfully
exit from TFC’s commercial finance business, other than the captive
finance business, including effecting an orderly liquidation or sale of
certain TFC portfolios and businesses; (v) uncertainty in estimating
market value of TFC’s receivables held for sale and reserves for TFC’s
receivables to be retained; (w) uncertainty in estimating contingent
liabilities and establishing reserves to address such contingencies;
(x) risks and uncertainties related to acquisitions and dispositions,
including difficulties or unanticipated expenses in connection with the
consummation of acquisitions or dispositions, the disruption of current
plans and operations, or the failure to achieve anticipated synergies
and opportunities; (y) the efficacy of research and development
investments to develop new products; (z) the launching of significant
new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses;
(aa) bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers or
customers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain or difficulty
in collecting amounts owed by such customers; and (bb) continued
volatility and further deterioration of the capital markets.