Press Release

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sep 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Sparton Corporation (NYSE: SPA) today announced results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 ended June 30, 2011. The Company reported fourth quarter sales of $60.9 million, or an increase of 52%, from $40.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Reported net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $0.7 million or $0.07 per share, compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.21 per share, in the same quarter a year ago. Excluding the charges outlined in the non-GAAP reconciliations included later in this press release, fourth quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted net income was $2.9 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to adjusted net income of $0.7 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior year quarter.

Consolidated results for the quarters and years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:

Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted income per share - basic and diluted are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude or add the effect of certain charges. Sparton believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial information provides useful supplemental information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to the Company's financial results. More detailed information, including period over period segment comparisons, non-GAAP reconciliation tables and the reasons management believes non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors, is included later in this press release.

Highlights for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter are summarized below:

• Net sales of $60.9, representing a 52% increase from the same quarter last year.
• Gross profit of $10.4 million, Sparton's largest quarterly gross profit in over five years.
• Adjusted net income of $2.9 million, or $0.28 per share, versus adjusted net income of $0.7 million, or $0.07 per share in the prior year quarter.
• Impairments of goodwill and customer relationships of $13.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively, related to the Company's Ohio Medical business purchased in fiscal 2006.
• Reinstatement of approximately $11.7 million of deferred tax assets.

Additional highlights for the fiscal 2011 full year are summarized below:

• Net sales increased $29.4 million, or 17%, to $203.4 million.
• Gross profit increased $6.6 million, or 25%, to $33.2 million.
• Adjusted net income of $6.6 million, or $0.64 per share, versus adjusted net income of $4.0 million, or $0.40 per share in the prior year, representing a 63% increase.
• Invested $1.1 million on internal research and development related to new product development within our DSS segment.
• Completed acquisition of the contract manufacturing business of Delphi Medical Systems, LLC ("Delphi Medical") located in Frederick, CO, resulting in a gain on acquisition of $2.6 million.
• Completed acquisition of Byers Peak, Incorporated ("Byers Peak"), a contract manufacturing business located near Denver, Colorado.
• Sold last remaining idle facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for approximately $4.2 million.

Sparton President and CEO Cary Wood commented, "We are extremely pleased to have closed out fiscal 2011 with a strong fourth quarter from both a revenue and adjusted net income perspective. For the year, we experienced 17% growth in revenue from fiscal 2010, the first year of increasing revenue since our restructuring activities began in fiscal 2009. The successful completion of our two Colorado acquisitions within the Medical segment and our continuing business development efforts across the Company helped offset declining revenue within our Complex Systems segment and our legacy Medical business in Ohio. On an adjusted earnings per share basis, we increased from $.40 per share in fiscal 2010 to $.64 per share in fiscal 2011. From an operational standpoint, we continued to experience improvements in consolidated gross margins, from 15% in fiscal 2010 to 16% in fiscal 2011. While pleased with our fiscal 2011 accomplishments, I am disappointed to report that Siemens informed us in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 of their intent to dual source certain programs with us during fiscal 2012. While we don't yet know the ultimate impact this action will have on future results, it contributed to the recognition of a $16.8 million impairment charge against the goodwill and customer list intangible related to the fiscal 2006 acquisition of our Ohio medical business. We believe that, while this non-cash charge had a negative impact on our fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2011 reported results, we are well positioned to successfully grow our Medical segment as well as our other business segments well into the future."

Fourth Quarter Consolidated Results

Net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 were $60.9 million, an increase of 52% from the prior year quarter, due to additional sales in the current year quarter from the acquisitions of Delphi Medical and Byers Peak, and increased U.S. Navy sonobuoy sales from our DSS segment. Consolidated gross profit percentage for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 increased to 17% compared to 14% in the same quarter last year. The increased margin reflects improved results from the Company's Complex Systems segment, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of the decreased contribution of foreign sonobuoy sales from the Company's DSS segment.

Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 8.5% of sales from 10.5% in the prior year quarter. The Company incurred $0.5 million of internally funded research and development expenses in the quarter ended June 30, 2011. No internally funded research and development expense was recognized in fiscal 2010. The Company recognized impairments of goodwill and customer relationship intangibles of $13.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively, in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter related to the Company's Ohio Medical business which was acquired in fiscal 2006. These impairments are reflective of recent downward trends in volume within the Ohio reporting unit, including the impact of a customer disengagement and Siemens' fiscal 2011 fourth quarter notification of its intent to dual source certain programs with us as part of an overall dual sourcing strategy for certain of its critical programs. Annual sales related to the affected Siemens programs aggregated approximately $27.8 million in fiscal 2011. Sparton incurred no restructuring charges for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to $2.0 million of restructuring charges in the same quarter of fiscal 2010. Fiscal 2010 fourth quarter included a gain of $3.1 million gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment, reflecting the execution of a long-term lease of the Company's Coors Road property.

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $11.6 million in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter compared to an income tax expense of approximately $0.1 million for the prior year quarter. The fiscal 2011 income tax benefit reflects the June 30, 2011 reinstatement of approximately $11.7 million of deferred tax assets as the Company now believes that it will be able to utilize these tax benefits in future periods.

Reported net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $0.7 million or $0.07 per share, compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.21 per share, in the same quarter a year ago. Excluding the charges outlined in the non-GAAP reconciliations included later in this press release, fourth quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted net income was $2.9 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to adjusted net income of $0.7 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior year quarter.

Fiscal Year Consolidated Results

Net sales for the year ended June 30, 2011 were $203.4 million, an increase of 17% from the prior year, due to additional sales in the current year from the acquisitions of Delphi Medical and Byers Peak, and increased U.S. Navy sonobuoy sales from our DSS segment, partially offset by decreased sales from our Complex Systems segment and decreased Medical sales from our Ohio facility. Consolidated gross profit percentage for the year ended June 30, 2011 increased to 16% compared to 15% in the prior year. The increased margin reflects improved results from the Company's Complex Systems segment, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of the decreased contribution of foreign sonobuoy sales from the Company's DSS segment.

Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 10.2% of sales from 10.5% in the prior year. The Company incurred $1.1 million of internally funded research and development expenses in the year ended June 30, 2011. No internally funded research and development expense was recognized in fiscal 2010. Restructuring charges were $0.1 million and $4.1 million for the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As referred to above, the Company recognized impairments of goodwill and customer relationship intangibles of $13.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively, in fiscal 2011 related to the Company's Ohio Medical business. The Company recorded a gain on acquisition of $2.6 million during the year ended June 30, 2011 in relation to its acquisition of Delphi Medical. Gains on sale of property, plant and equipment, net were $0.1 million and $3.1 million for the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The fiscal 2010 gain reflects the long-term lease of the Company's Coors Road property.

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $11.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2011 compared to an income tax benefit of approximately $1.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2010. The fiscal 2011 income tax benefit reflects the June 30, 2011 reinstatement of approximately $11.7 million of deferred tax assets as the Company now believes that it will be able to utilize these tax benefits in future periods. The fiscal 2010 benefit reflects the release of $2.3 million of deferred tax asset valuation allowance in relation to tax regulation changes related to carryback provisions.

Reported net income for fiscal 2011 was $7.5 million or $0.73 per share, compared to net income of $7.4 million, or $0.75 per share, in the prior year. Excluding the charges outlined in the non-GAAP reconciliations included later in this press release, fiscal 2011 adjusted net income was $6.6 million, or $0.64 per share, compared to adjusted net income of $4.0 million, or $0.40 per share, in the prior year.

Segment Results

Medical Device ("Medical")

Fourth Quarter Results

Medical sales in the quarter ended June 30, 2011 included $14.2 million of additional sales from the acquisitions of Delphi Medical and Byers Peak. Excluding these fiscal year 2011 incremental sales, Medical sales increased approximately $0.5 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2011 as compared with the same quarter last year. This increase in comparable sales reflects increased demand for certain programs, partially offset by the disengagement of one customer during fiscal 2011. The gross profit percentage on Medical sales remained consistent at 13% for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Selling and administrative expenses relating to the Medical segment were $1.5 million and $0.8 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, reflecting increased direct and allocated expenses related to the Company's recent acquisitions and increased business development efforts in the current fiscal quarter. Medical recognized impairments of goodwill and customer relationship intangibles of $13.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively, in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter related to the Company's Ohio Medical business which was acquired in fiscal 2006. These impairments are reflective of recent downward trends in volume within the Ohio reporting unit, including the impact of a customer disengagement and Siemens' fiscal 2011 fourth quarter notification of its intent to dual source certain programs with us as part of an overall dual sourcing strategy for certain of its critical programs. Medical reported an operating loss of $14.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to operating income of $0.9 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating income was $2.0 million in the current year quarter compared to adjusted operating income of $0.9 million in the prior year quarter.

Fiscal Year Results

Medical sales in the year ended June 30, 2011 included $42.3 million of additional sales from the acquisitions of certain assets related to the contract manufacturing businesses of Delphi Medical and Byers Peak. Excluding these fiscal year 2011 incremental sales, legacy Medical sales decreased approximately $8.7 million in the year ended June 30, 2011 as compared with the prior year, primarily reflecting the suspension of production during fiscal 2011 by one customer to make product enhancement modifications and another customer's disengagement during fiscal 2011. The gross profit percentage on Medical sales remained consistent at 13% for each of the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Selling and administrative expenses relating to the Medical segment were $6.0 million and $3.5 million for the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, primarily reflecting increased direct and allocated expenses related to the Company's recent acquisitions. The Company recorded a gain on acquisition of $2.6 million during the year ended June 30, 2011 in relation to its acquisition of Delphi Medical. As referred to above, Medical recognized impairments of goodwill and customer relationship intangibles of $13.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively, in fiscal 2011 related to the Company's Ohio Medical business which was acquired in fiscal 2006. Medical reported an operating loss of $8.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2011 compared to operating income of $4.6 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income was $6.4 million in the current year compared to adjusted operating income of $4.6 million in the prior year.

Complex Systems ("CS")

Fourth Quarter Results

CS sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 increased approximately $2.3 million as compared with the same quarter last year. This increase primarily reflects increased intercompany sales, as well as increased volume for a number of smaller program customers. The gross profit percentage on CS sales increased to 12% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to (2)% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The quarter over quarter comparison reflects favorable product mix, improved operating performance and the impact of the overall increase in sales volume. Selling and administrative expenses relating to the CS segment were $0.8 million for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. CS reported operating income of $1.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to an operating loss of $1.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Fiscal Year Results

CS sales for the year ended June 30, 2011 decreased approximately $7.6 million as compared with last year. This decrease primarily reflects Sparton's disengagement from Honeywell during the first half of fiscal 2010 and certain other program losses, primarily with two customers, partially offset by increased intercompany sales. The gross profit percentage on CS sales increased to 10% for the year ended June 30, 2011 compared to 4% for the year ended June 30, 2010. The year over year comparison reflects favorable product mix due to increased DSS product sales, improved performance, completion of the consolidation of CS operations in fiscal 2010 and an aggressive continuous improvement program, partially offset by the overall decrease in sales volume. Selling and administrative expenses relating to the CS segment were $3.3 million for each of the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. Restructuring/impairment charges relating to the CS segment were $1.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2010. No restructuring/impairment charges relating to the CS segment were recognized in the current year. CS reported operating income of $1.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2011 compared to an operating loss of $2.2 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income was $1.5 million in the current year compared to an adjusted operating loss of $1.2 million in the prior year.

Defense & Security Systems ("DSS")

Fourth Quarter Results

DSS sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 increased by $5.4 million from the prior fiscal year quarter, reflecting higher U.S. Navy sonobuoy production in the current year quarter and, to a lesser extent, increased digital compass sales. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in sonobuoy sales to foreign governments and in engineering revenue. The gross profit percentage on DSS sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was 21% compared to 23% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. Gross profit percentage was adversely affected in the current year quarter by decreased sales to foreign governments as compared to the prior year quarter, partially offset by favorable mix on increased U.S. Navy sales. Selling and administrative expenses relating to the DSS segment were $0.9 million and $0.7 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, reflecting increased business development efforts in the current fiscal quarter. The Company incurred $0.5 million of internally funded research and development expenses in the quarter ended June 30, 2011. No internally funded research and development expense was recognized in fiscal 2010. DSS reported operating income of $3.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared to operating income of $3.3 million in the prior year quarter.

Fiscal Year Results

DSS sales for the year ended June 30, 2011 increased by $5.9 million from the prior fiscal year, reflecting higher U.S. Navy sonobuoy production in the current year and, to a lesser extent, increased digital compass sales. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in sonobuoy sales to foreign governments and in engineering revenue. The gross profit percentage on DSS sales for the year ended June 30, 2011 was 22% compared to 25% for the year ended June 30, 2010. Gross profit percentage was adversely affected in the current year by decreased sales to foreign governments as compared to the prior year, partially offset by favorable product mix on increased U.S. Navy sonobuoy sales. Selling and administrative expenses relating to the DSS segment were $3.4 million and $2.7 million for the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, reflecting increased business development efforts in the current fiscal year. The Company incurred $1.1 million of internally funded research and development expenses in the year ended June 30, 2011. No internally funded research and development expense was recognized in fiscal 2010. DSS reported operating income of $10.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2011 compared to operating income of $13.2 million in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Mr. Wood commented, "For the third consecutive year, we continued to generate positive cash flows from our operations. This positive cash flow trend has allowed us to remain relatively debt free while funding both of the Colorado acquisitions in fiscal 2011. In addition, our cash balances have positioned us to execute on our recently announced plan to repurchase up to $3.0 million of the Company's common stock over the next two years. We believe this plan demonstrates our commitment to increase shareholder value, and continues to leave the Company well capitalized to execute on current and future growth initiatives."

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had $25 million in cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings against available funds on its $20 million revolving credit facility provided in August 2009 by PNC Bank, National Association. The credit facility is subject to certain customary covenants which it was in compliance with at June 30, 2011.

Outlook

Mr. Wood further commented, "Despite the declines in the Ohio Medical business in fiscal 2011 and anticipated further decreases in fiscal 2012, we believe we have positioned the Company to offset these reductions with incremental revenue from our Colorado acquisitions combined with increases in volume from across the Company as our business development efforts begin to take hold. I am encouraged by some of the new opportunities won in fiscal 2011 and the size of our still developing new business funnel. Additionally, we continue to remain acquisitive in our search for potential acquisitions. While we do not expect to maintain quarterly segment volume levels consistent with those achieved in our fiscal 2011 fourth quarter, particularly within DSS, I remain optimistic that our current momentum will continue in a positive direction."

Conference Call

Sparton will host a conference call with investors and analysts on September 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. CST to discuss its fiscal year 2011 fourth quarter and fiscal year financial results, provide a general business update, and respond to investor questions. To participate, callers should dial (800) 738-1032. Participants should dial in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. A Web presentation link is also available for the conference call: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/gc_min_pro_usa/join?id=ZBCH7B&role=attend. Investors and financial analysts are invited to ask questions after the presentation is made. The presentation and a replay of the call will be available on Sparton's Web site: http://www.sparton.com in the "Investor Relations" section for up to two years after the conference call.

About Sparton Corporation

Sparton Corporation (NYSE:SPA), now in its 111th year, is a provider of complex and sophisticated electromechanical devices with capabilities that include concept development, industrial design, design and manufacturing engineering, production, distribution, and field service. The primary market classifications served are Navigation & Exploration, Defense & Security, Medical, and Complex Systems. Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, Sparton currently has five manufacturing locations worldwide. Sparton's Web site may be accessed at http://www.sparton.com.

Safe Harbor and Fair Disclosure Statement

Certain statements described in this press release are forward-looking statements within the scope of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "estimate," "will" or "intend" and similar words or expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect Sparton's current views with respect to future events and are based on currently available financial, economic and competitive data and its current business plans. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect Sparton's operations, markets, prices and other factors. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Sparton's financial performance and the implementations and results of its ongoing strategic initiatives. For a more detailed discussion of these and other risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in Sparton's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sparton undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE: Sparton Corporation

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