Bell Industries Reports Financial Results for 2009 Third Quarter, Nine Months


INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bell Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets:BLLI) today reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Revenues from continuing operations for the 2009 third quarter were $34.9 million, up 3.3% from $33.8 million a year ago, with a $1.9 million increase in revenues related to the company's Bell Techlogix's business partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease in revenues related to its Recreational Products Group. The company had income from continuing operations of $732,000, or $1.69 per basic share for the 2009 third quarter. This reflects a significant improvement over the prior-year third quarter loss from continuing operations of $169,000, or $0.39 per basic share. In the third quarter of 2008, the company also had income from discontinued operations of $0.2 million, or $0.46 per basic share, resulting in net income for the prior year third quarter of $31,000, or $0.07 per basic share.

The company announced in February 2008 that it completed the sale of SkyTel's automated vehicle location business to SkyGuard LLC for $7.0 million. On June 13, 2008, the company completed the sale of the remainder of the SkyTel business to Velocita Wireless, LLC ("Velocita") for total consideration of $7.5 million. Subsequent to the closing, Velocita agreed to pay the company additional consideration in the form of a working capital adjustment in the amount of $1.5 million. As a result of these transactions, the SkyTel division has been reflected as a discontinued operation in the company's results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

For the first nine months of 2009, revenues from continuing operations were $80.7 million, down 2.7% from $83.0 million a year ago, with a $4.2 million decrease in revenues related to the company's Recreational Products Group partially offset by a $1.9 million increase in revenues related to the company's Bell Techlogix business. The company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $0.9 million, or $2.14 per share, for the year-to-date period. This reflects an improvement over the loss from continuing operations of $2.3 million, or $5.26 per share, for the first nine months of 2008. In the first nine months of 2008, the company also had a loss from discontinued operations of $1.7 million, or $3.84 per share, resulting in a net loss for the first nine months of 2008 of $3.9 million, or $9.10 per share.

The Bell Techlogix business posted revenues of $24.7 million for the 2009 third quarter, compared with $22.8 million in the 2008 third quarter. This increase was due primarily to software sales into the K-12 and higher education markets and an increase in services revenue primarily related to a large project during the quarter and a contract termination fee. Operating income for the 2009 third quarter amounted to $1.3 million, increasing by approximately $0.9 million over the prior-year third quarter. This increase was attributed to an increase of gross profit, primarily related to higher software revenues at a higher gross margin than the third quarter of 2008, a contract termination fee, and a decrease in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses due primarily to the consolidation of certain overhead and support functions.

The company's Recreational Products Group reported revenues of $10.2 million for the 2009 third quarter, compared with $11.0 million in the 2008 third quarter. The company attributed the decrease in revenues primarily to lower sales in the marine and power sports (snowmobile, motorcycle and ATV) product lines resulting from a continued decline in consumer spending at dealers partially offset by a 4.4% increase in revenues in the recreational vehicle product line. The operating income of $615,000 for the third quarter of 2009 represented a $274,000 increase from the operating income of $341,000 for the third quarter of 2008. Although revenues were down year-over year, there was a 52 basis point improvement in gross profit margins and SG&A expenses decreased from $2.7 million for the 2008 third quarter to $2.3 million for the 2009 third quarter due to reductions in headcount, freight and facility costs.

"We are pleased that for the second consecutive quarter both of our operating units generated operating income for the quarter on improved results versus the 2008 comparable quarter, and the fact that our consolidated results for the quarter generated net income," said Kevin J. Thimjon, president and chief financial officer of Bell Industries. "We continue to look for opportunities to make investments in our business to drive profitable growth while we closely manage our costs."

Bell's corporate costs for the 2009 third quarter totaled $865,000, a decrease of $211,000 from the $1.1 million in costs for the 2008 third quarter. The decrease in costs was primarily related to reductions in headcount and the related benefits and travel costs and reductions in insurance and telecommunications costs.

About Bell Industries, Inc.

Bell Industries is comprised of two operating units, Bell Techlogix and the Recreational Products Group. Bell Techlogix is a provider of integrated technology product and service solutions for organizations throughout the United States. The Recreational Products Group is a wholesale distributor of aftermarket parts and accessories for the recreational vehicles and other leisure-related vehicle markets, including marine, snowmobile, cycle and ATV.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including, but not limited to closely managing costs and making investments in our business where we see the best opportunities for profitable growth, are based upon current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the nature of the company's industry, including changing customer demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on existing management and general economic conditions. Bell Industries' Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect the business, results of operations and financial condition. The company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.



                         Bell Industries, Inc.
               Consolidated Condensed Operating Results
                 (In thousands, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                               Three months ended   Nine months ended
                                  September 30,        September 30,
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                  2009      2008      2009      2008
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Net revenues:
    Products                   $ 27,731  $ 27,561  $ 61,422  $ 62,860
    Services                      7,153     6,208    19,313    20,151
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
 Total net revenues              34,884    33,769    80,735    83,011
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Costs and expenses:
    Cost of products sold        23,009    23,080    50,183    51,353
    Cost of services provided     5,231     4,442    14,049    14,128
    Selling, general and
     administrative               5,610     6,584    16,635    18,445
    Interest expense, net           306       225       804       671
    Loss on extinguishment of
     debt                            --        --        --     1,053
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
 Total costs and expenses        34,156    34,331    81,671    85,650
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations before benefit
  from income taxes                 728      (562)     (936)   (2,639)
 Benefit from income taxes           (4)     (393)      (11)     (360)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations                        732      (169)     (925)   (2,279)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
 Income (loss) from
  discontinued operations, net
  of tax                             --       200        --    (1,662)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
 Net income (loss)             $    732  $     31    $ (925) $ (3,941)
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

 Share and per share data
 Basic:
    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations     $   1.69  $  (0.39)  $ (2.14) $  (5.26)
    Income (loss) from
     discontinued operations         --      0.46        --     (3.84)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Net income (loss)          $   1.69  $   0.07   $ (2.14) $  (9.10)
                               ========= ========= ========= =========
    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding             433       433       433       433
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

 Diluted
    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations     $   0.24  $  (0.10)  $ (2.14) $  (5.26)
    Income (loss) from
     discontinued operations         --      0.14        --     (3.84)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Net income (loss)          $   0.24  $   0.04   $ (2.14) $  (9.10)
                               ========= ========= ========= =========
    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding           3,337     1,750       433       433
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 Net revenues:
   Bell Techlogix
    Products                   $ 17,532  $ 16,588  $ 32,868  $ 30,068
    Services                      7,153     6,208    19,313    20,151
                               --------- --------- -------------------
    Total Bell Techlogix         24,685    22,796    52,181    50,219
   Recreational Products Group   10,199    10,973    28,554    32,792
                               --------- --------- -------------------
 Total net revenues            $ 34,884  $ 33,769  $ 80,735  $ 83,011
                               ========= ========= ===================

 Operating income (loss):
    Bell Techlogix              $ 1,284  $    398  $  1,133  $    856
    Recreational Products Group     615       341     1,445     1,217
    Corporate costs                (865)   (1,076)   (2,710)   (2,988)
                               --------- --------- -------------------
 Total operating loss             1,034      (337)     (132)     (915)
 Loss on extinguishment of debt      --        --        --     1,053
 Interest expense, net              306       225       804       671
                               --------- --------- -------------------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations before income
  taxes                        $    728  $   (562) $   (936) $ (2,639)
                               ========= ========= ===================


                         Bell Industries, Inc.
                 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet
                            (In thousands)

                                          September 30,   December 31,
                                              2009            2008
                                          -------------  -------------
                      ASSETS               (Unaudited)
 Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents             $      1,933   $      3,233
    Accounts receivable, net                    11,939          8,096
    Inventories, net                             7,017          8,770
    Notes receivable                               700          3,000
    Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets                                      1,185          1,819
                                          -------------  -------------
      Total current assets                      22,774         24,918

 Fixed assets, net                                 939          1,475
 Other assets                                      842            867
                                          -------------  -------------
      Total assets                        $     24,555   $     27,260
                                          =============  =============

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 Current liabilities:
    Floor plan payables                   $         --   $        291
    Accounts payable                             5,770          7,189
    Accrued payroll                              2,186          1,462
    Other accrued liabilities                    2,956          3,671
                                          -------------  -------------
      Total current liabilities                 10,912         12,613

 Convertible note                               11,217         10,840
 Other long-term liabilities                     3,553          4,063
                                          -------------  -------------
      Total liabilities                         25,682         27,516

 Shareholders' deficit                          (1,127)          (256)
                                          -------------  -------------
      Total liabilities and shareholders'
       deficit                            $     24,555   $     27,260
                                          =============  =============

            

Contact Data