Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter Sales

Net Sales Climb 14 percent; Same Store Sales Up 8 percent


POMONA, Calif., Oct. 31, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:KEYS) today reported record sales for its fiscal second quarter, supported by an eight percent increase in same store sales.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 ended September 27, 2002 was $2.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2002. The loss was the result of a special charge of $6.8 million related to the company's write-off of its investment in an enterprise software system. Excluding the special charge, net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2002 would have been $1.8 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 14.0 percent to a record $101.1 million from $88.7 million a year earlier.

Net income for the twenty-six week period ended September 27, 2002 was $6.2 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $29.0 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, a year earlier. Net sales for the same period increased 15.3 percent to $207.9 million from $180.3 million a year ago. For the twenty-six week period, same store sales increased nine percent over the prior year.

The net loss for the first six months of fiscal 2002 was due to a $28.7 million charge (net of tax) related to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, made retroactive to the first quarter of fiscal 2002, as a result of the early adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS No. 142) "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," as well as the charge relating to the investment in an enterprise software system.

"Operating results for the quarter represent the seventh consecutive year-over-year increase in quarterly operating performance for Keystone," said Charles J. Hogarty, president and chief executive officer.

He cited several factors that continue to positively impact Keystone's sales, including more frequent specification of aftermarket parts by certain insurance companies and a growing acceptance of Keystone's private label Platinum Plus brand of products.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter Keystone announced it had received its ISO 9001 registration by NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

"Achieving ISO 9001 certification highlights Keystone's ongoing commitment to quality and has the additional benefit of further distinguishing Keystone as the industry leader for aftermarket collision replacements parts. As the aftermarket collision replacement parts industry continues to gain momentum, we remain optimistic about Keystone's prospects and the outlook for the balance of fiscal 2003," Hogarty added.

Separately, the company said that while it was not adversely impacted by the initial dock-workers strike at West Coast ports, if the strike resumes in late December and were to continue for a prolonged period of time, it could have a material adverse impact on the company.

Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. distributes its products in the United States primarily to collision repair shops through its 114 distribution facilities, of which 21 serve as regional hubs, located in 37 states, Vancouver, Canada and Tijuana, Mexico. Its product lines consist of automotive body parts, bumpers, and remanufactured alloy wheels, as well as paint and other materials used in repairing a damaged vehicle. These products comprise more than 19,000 stock keeping units that are sold to more than 25,000 repair shops throughout the nation.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on the company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the company will be those anticipated by the company. Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the company) and are subject to change based upon various factors, including but not limited to the impact on the company as a result of (i) the cost, time and potential disruption of operations relating to the implementation of a new enterprise management information system which began in July 2002; (ii) the possible closure of West Coast ports through which Keystone obtains a significant amount of its inventory; (iii) the continuing impact of the verdict in the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company class action, which is on appeal; (iv) Keystone being named as an additional defendant in a class action in Philadelphia challenging the use of aftermarket parts in repairing an insured vehicle; and (v) the uncertainty involved in acquiring businesses and/or opening greenfield operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the momentum in sales and net income experienced during the last seven fiscal quarters and the increased operating margin enjoyed to date during fiscal 2003, will be sustainable. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed discussion of some of the ongoing risks and uncertainties of the Company's business, see the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 29, 2002, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                 Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
          (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                              (Unaudited)


                       Thirteen    Thirteen    Twenty-six  Twenty-six
                     Weeks Ended Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended
                      Sept. 27,    Sept. 28,    Sept. 27,   Sept. 28,
                         2002        2001         2002        2001
                     ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- 
                                                           (restated)

 Net sales           $   101,137 $    88,734  $   207,861 $   180,261
 Cost of sales            57,259      50,927      117,509     103,580
                     ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- 
 Gross profit             43,878      37,807       90,352      76,681
 Operating expenses:
  Selling and
   distribution           30,353      27,414       62,168      55,544
  General and
   administrative          9,356       7,747       18,398      15,210
  Non-recurring               --       6,796           --       6,796
                     ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- 
 Operating income
  (loss)                   4,169      (4,150)       9,786        (869)
 Other income                403         485          826       1,008
 Interest expense           (134)       (204)        (265)       (433)
                     ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- 
 Income (loss) before
  income taxes and
  cumulative effect
  of a change in
  accounting
  principle                4,438      (3,869)      10,347        (294)
 Income tax provision
  (Benefit)                1,775      (1,488)       4,139         (30)
                     ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- 
 Income (loss) before
  cumulative effect
  of a change in
  accounting
  principle                2,663      (2,381)       6,208        (264)
 Cumulative effect
  of a change in
  accounting
  principle
  (net of tax of
  $4,835)                     --          --           --     (28,691)
                     ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- 
 Net income (loss)   $     2,663 $    (2,381) $     6,208 $   (28,955)
                     =========== ===========  =========== =========== 
 Per Common Share:
  Income (loss)
   before cumulative
   effect of a change
   in accounting
   principle:
    Basic            $      0.18 $     (0.16) $      0.42 $     (0.02)
    Diluted          $      0.18 $     (0.16) $      0.41 $     (0.02)
  Cumulative effect
   of a change in
   accounting
   principle (net
   of tax):
    Basic            $        -- $        --  $        -- $     (1.99)
    Diluted          $        -- $        --  $        -- $     (1.99)
  Net income (loss)
   per share:
    Basic            $      0.18 $     (0.16) $      0.42 $     (2.01)
                     =========== ===========  =========== =========== 
    Diluted          $      0.18 $     (0.16) $      0.41 $     (2.01)
                     =========== ===========  =========== =========== 
  Weighted average
   common shares
   outstanding:
    Basic             14,622,000  14,442,000   14,610,000  14,405,000
                     =========== ===========  =========== =========== 
    Diluted           15,081,000  14,442,000   15,126,000  14,405,000
                     =========== ===========  =========== =========== 



                 Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 (In thousands, except share amounts)

                                              Sept. 27,    March 29, 
                                                 2002        2002
                                              ---------    ---------
                              ASSETS         (Unaudited)    (Note)
 Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                   $   2,373    $   3,652
  Accounts receivable, net of
   allowance of $1,440 at
   September 2002 and $1,046
   at March 2002                                 33,002       33,524
  Inventories, primarily
   finished goods                                89,772       81,503
  Other current assets                            7,242        8,090
                                              ---------    ---------
   Total current assets                         132,389      126,769

 Plant, property and equipment, net              21,284       19,344
 Goodwill                                         2,245        1,805
 Other intangibles, net of
   accumulated amortization of
   $2,850 at September 2002 and
   $2,755 at March 2002                           1,154        1,397
 Other assets                                    10,334       10,371
                                              ---------    ---------
    Total assets                              $ 167,406    $ 159,686
                                              =========    =========

                   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current Liabilities:
  Credit facility                             $  10,762    $   6,832
  Accounts payable                               12,381       14,589
  Accrued liabilities                             9,497        9,889
  Current portion of
   long-term debt                                    43           75
                                              ---------    ---------
    Total current liabilities                    32,683       31,385

  Long-term debt, less current
    portion                                           1           14
  Other long-term liabilities                     1,653        1,973


 Shareholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, no par
   value:
    Authorized shares--3,000,000
    None issued and outstanding                    --           --
  Common stock, no par
   value:
    Authorized shares--50,000,000
    Issued and outstanding shares
     14,639,000 at September 2002
     and 14,583,000 at March 2002                80,930       80,383

    Warrant                                         236          236

  Additional paid-in capital                      1,864        1,864
  Retained earnings                              50,580       44,372
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss             (541)        (541)
                                              ---------    ---------
   Total shareholders' equity                   133,069      126,314
                                              ---------    ---------
   Total liabilities and shareholders'
    equity                                    $ 167,406    $ 159,686
                                              =========    =========

 NOTE: The balance sheet at March 29, 2002 has been derived from the
       audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does
       not include all of the information and footnotes required by
       accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
       for complete financial statements.


            

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