Bell Industries Reports Financial Results for 2008 Second Quarter, Six Months


INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Bell Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets:BIUI) today reported financial results for its second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Revenues from continuing operations for the 2008 second quarter were $26.2 million, down 19.5% from $32.5 million a year ago, with $4.3 million of the decrease in revenues related to the company's Technology Solutions Group and $2.0 million of the decrease related to its Recreational Products Group. The company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million, or $0.17 per share, for the 2008 second quarter. This reflects a significant improvement over the prior-year second quarter loss from continuing operations of $4.2 million, or $0.49 per share. Bell incurred a net loss in the 2008 second quarter of $4.8 million, or $0.56 per share, including a loss from discontinued operations of $3.4 million, equal to $0.39 per share. This compares with a net loss of $4.8 million, or $0.56 per share, including a loss from discontinued operations of $617,000, or $0.07 per share, for the 2007 second quarter.

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. In June 2008, Bell completed the sale of the balance of its SkyTel division to Velocita Wireless LLC for a total consideration of $7.5 million, comprised of $3.0 million in cash at closing, a $3.0 million secured note which was paid in July and a $1.5 million unsecured note payable in June 2009. The consideration is subject to adjustment based upon the closing net current assets as defined by the agreement. 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 six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

For the first half of 2008, revenues from continuing operations were $49.2 million, down 20.6% from $62.1 million a year ago, with $10.0 million of the decrease in revenues related to the company's Technology Solutions Group and $2.9 million related to its Recreational Products Group. The company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $2.1 million, or $0.24 per share, for the year-to-date period. This reflects a significant improvement over the prior-year first six months loss from continuing operations of $6.1 million, or $0.71 per share. Bell incurred a net loss for the 2008 first half of $4.0 million, or $0.46 per share, including a loss from discontinued operations of $1.9 million, equal to $0.22 per share. This compares with a net loss of $6.3 million, or $0.74 per share, including a loss from discontinued operations of $283,000, equal to $0.03 per share.

The Technology Solutions Group posted revenues of $14.2 million for the 2008 second quarter, compared with $18.5 million in the 2007 second quarter. This decline is related to several factors, including the termination of an unprofitable large-scale customer relationship management engagement in conjunction with the closing of Bell's Springfield, Missouri call center, the decision to cease acting as an authorized reseller for a certain hardware product line, the timing of completion of certain projects and a focus on improving gross profits. Operating income for the 2008 second quarter amounted to $34,000, increasing by approximately $2.8 million over the prior-year second quarter. This increase is attributed to the closure of the unprofitable Springfield call center, which included a $2.3 million bad debt expense related to its Springfield call center customer, SunRocket, ceasing operations, improved operational efficiencies on several service engagements and significant reductions in overhead costs.

Bell's Recreational Products Group reported revenues of $11.9 million for the 2008 second quarter, compared with $14.0 million in the 2007 second quarter. The company attributed the decrease in revenues primarily to lower sales in the marine and recreational vehicle product lines, which is attributed to a decline in general economic conditions, including significantly higher gas prices, as well as unfavorable weather conditions in the upper Midwestern United States compared with the 2007 second quarter. Although revenues were down year-over-year, operating income for the 2008 second quarter increased by $96,000 over the prior-year period to $688,000, principally reflecting a 260 basis point improvement in gross profit margins and reductions in headcount, freight and facility costs.

"With the SkyTel divestiture now completed, our focus is entirely on our two remaining businesses," said Kevin J. Thimjon, president and chief financial officer of Bell Industries. "We are pleased that both of our operating units posted improved results versus the 2007 second quarter, generating operating income for the quarter for each division, as we continue to reduce our corporate costs."

Bell's corporate costs for the 2008 second quarter totaled $775,000, down more than $1.2 million from $2.0 million in the 2007 second quarter. The 2008 second quarter results benefited from a $200,000 reduction in the settlement amount for a litigation matter. The balance of the decrease is attributed to reductions in headcount and related travel and benefits, the closure of the company's former corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and lower marketing and telecommunications expenses.

About Bell Industries, Inc.

Bell Industries is comprised of two operating units, Bell's Technology Solutions Group and its Recreational Products Group. The company's Technology Solutions Group offers a comprehensive portfolio of customizable and scalable technology solutions ranging from information technology asset lifecycle management services to reverse logistics and mobile/wireless solutions. 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 the encouragement by the cost reductions achieved in the businesses, 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 Operating Results     
                   (In thousands, except per share data)     
                                (Unaudited)                    
                                                                       
                               Three months ended   Six months ended   
                                    June 30,            June 30,       
                               ------------------  ------------------  
                                 2008      2007      2008      2007    
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Net revenues:                                                         
   Products                    $ 19,569  $ 23,708  $ 35,299  $ 43,064  
   Services                       6,585     8,799    13,943    18,989  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Total net revenues              26,154    32,507    49,242    62,053  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
                                                                       
 Costs and expenses:                                                   
   Cost of products sold         15,513    19,261    28,273    35,589  
   Cost of services provided      4,747     5,892     9,686    13,149  
   Selling, general and                                                
    administrative expense        5,947    11,557    11,861    21,312  
   Interest expense, net            307        --       446        --  
   Loss on extinguishment                                              
    of debt                       1,053        --     1,053        --  
   Gain on sale of assets            --        --        --    (1,976) 
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Total costs and expenses        27,567    36,710    51,319    68,074  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Loss from continuing                                                  
  operations before                                                    
  provision for income taxes     (1,413)   (4,203)   (2,077)   (6,021) 
 Provision for income taxes          17         8        33        31  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Loss from continuing                                                  
  operations                     (1,430)   (4,211)   (2,110)   (6,052) 
 Discontinued operations:                                              
   Loss from discontinued                                              
    operations, net of tax       (2,881)     (617)   (1,362)     (283) 
   Loss on sale of                                                     
    discontinued operations,                                           
    net of tax                     (500)       --      (500)       --  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Loss from discontinued                                                
  operations, net of tax         (3,381)     (617)   (1,862)     (283) 
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Net loss                      $ (4,811) $ (4,828) $ (3,972) $ (6,335) 
                               ========  ========  ========  ========  
                                                                       
 Share and per share data                                              
 Basic and Diluted:                                                    
   Loss from continuing                                                
    operations                 $  (0.17) $  (0.49) $  (0.24) $  (0.71) 
   Loss from discontinued                                              
    operations                    (0.39)    (0.07)    (0.22)    (0.03) 
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
   Net loss                    $  (0.56) $  (0.56) $  (0.46) $  (0.74) 
                               ========  ========  ========  ========  
   Weighted average                                                    
    common shares                                                      
    outstanding                   8,650     8,629     8,650     8,615  
                               ========  ========  ========  ========  
                                                                       
 --------------------------------------------------------------------  
 OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT                                 
                                                                       
 Net revenues:                                                         
 Technology Solutions Group                                            
   Products                    $  7,641  $  9,743  $ 13,480  $ 18,989  
   Services                       6,585     8,799    13,943    18,427  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
   Total Technology                                                    
    Solutions Group              14,226    18,542    27,423    37,416  
 Recreational Products Group     11,928    13,965    21,819    24,637  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Total net revenues            $ 26,154  $ 32,507  $ 49,242  $ 62,053  
                               ========  ========  ========  ========  
                                                                       
 Operating income (loss):                                              
 Technology Solutions Group    $     34  $ (2,793) $    458  $ (3,845) 
 Recreational Products Group        688       592       876       214  
 Corporate costs                   (775)   (2,002)   (1,912)   (4,366) 
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Total operating loss               (53)   (4,203)     (578)   (7,997) 
 Gain on sale of assets              --        --        --    (1,976) 
 Loss on extinguishment                                                
  of debt                         1,053        --     1,053        --  
 Interest expense, net              307        --       446        --  
                               --------  --------  --------  --------  
 Loss from continuing                                                  
  operations before                                                    
  income taxes                 $ (1,413) $ (4,203) $ (2,077) $ (6,021) 
                               ========  ========  ========  ========  
                                                                       
                                                                       
                      Bell Industries, Inc.                          
              Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet                   
                         (In thousands)                              
                                                                     
                                         June 30, December 31,       
                                           2008      2007            
                                         --------  --------          
                  ASSETS               (unaudited)                   
 Current assets:                                                     
   Cash and cash equivalents             $  1,389  $    409          
   Accounts receivable, net                13,238    12,304          
   Inventories, net                         8,541    10,323          
   Notes receivable                         4,500        --          
   Prepaid expenses and                                              
    other current assets                    5,814     1,982          
   Assets held for sale                        --    27,814          
                                         --------  --------          
     Total current assets                  33,482    52,832          
                                                                     
 Fixed assets, net                          2,079     1,956          
 Assets held for sale                          --     5,000          
 Other assets                                 614     2,231
                                         --------  --------          
     Total assets                        $ 36,175  $ 62,019          
                                         ========  ========          
                                                                     
   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                              
 Current liabilities:                                                
   Floor plan payables                   $    428  $  1,064          
   Revolving credit facility                2,022     4,775          
   Accounts payable                         8,912    10,438          
   Accrued payroll                          2,307     1,639          
   Liabilities associated                                            
    with assets held for sale                  --    19,084          
   Other accrued liabilities                6,664     5,849          
                                         --------  --------          
     Total current liabilities             20,333    42,849          
                                                                     
 Convertible note                          10,601     8,969          
 Other long-term liabilities                4,002     5,418          
                                         --------  --------          
     Total liabilities                     34,936    57,236          
                                                                     
 Shareholders' equity                       1,239     4,783          
                                         --------  --------          
     Total liabilities and                                           
      shareholders' equity               $ 36,175  $ 62,019          
                                         ========  ========          

            

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