Franklin Electric Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results


BLUFFTON, Ind., July 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (Nasdaq:FELE) reported diluted earnings per share of $0.25 for the second quarter 2009, a decrease of 62 percent compared to 2008 second quarter earnings per share of $0.66. Earnings per share before restructuring charges were $0.36, a decrease of 45 percent versus the prior year. Second quarter 2009 sales were $165.3 million, a decrease of 18 percent compared to 2008 second quarter sales of $201.7 million.

Scott Trumbull, Franklin Chairman and Chief Executive commented:

"While our second quarter sales continued to trail prior year due to the housing decline and reduced demand for the California vapor recovery systems, we were encouraged by several metrics which we believe indicate that the Company is positioned for improved results during the second half of 2009:



 -- During the second quarter 2009, gross profit margin improved
    sequentially versus the first quarter. We anticipate that gross
    profit margin will continue to improve sequentially during the
    second half of the year as we realize the benefits of more fully
    utilizing our expanded Linares, Mexico facility and the permanent
    reduction of manufacturing capacity in higher cost North American
    facilities. Our gross profit margin should also benefit from lower
    raw material costs during the second half of 2009.

 -- During the second quarter 2009, fixed manufacturing was reduced by
    $3.8 million and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A")
    spending was reduced by $3.6 million or, combined, about 12
    percent compared to the second quarter of 2008. These reductions
    occurred in spite of increased research, development and
    engineering spending during the first and second quarter as the
    Company continues to support growth initiatives. We anticipate
    that fixed manufacturing and SG&A expenses will continue to be
    lower than 2008 in both the third and fourth quarters of 2009.

 -- During the first half of 2009 the Company's cash flow from
    operations improved by $57.6 million versus the first half of
    2008. Management's focus on inventory reduction during the first
    half of 2009 reduced cash used in inventory by $39.1 million
    compared to the first half of 2008. Inventory balances were
    reduced to $154.2 million at the end of the second quarter 2009 as
    compared to $178.6 million at the end of the second quarter 2008.
    Our plan is to continue to reduce inventory balances in the second
    half of 2009.

 -- While the decision by the State of California to defer enforcement
    of the vapor control deadline from April 1, 2009 to December 31,
    2009 curtailed our sales in the first half of the year; it is
    expected to benefit our Fueling Systems sales during the fourth
    quarter of 2009

On balance, we expect that our sales will continue to be less than prior year in the third quarter by 15 to 20 percent. In the fourth quarter 2009, we expect our sales to exceed the fourth quarter of 2008 as we anticipate more robust Fueling Systems sales in California; more favorable foreign currency translation rates; and we compare to depressed fourth quarter prior year Water Systems sales. Further, because of the cost reduction efforts mentioned above, we expect overall operating margin before restructuring will be in line with 2008 during the third quarter and significantly exceed 2008 levels during the fourth quarter of 2009. Water Systems operating margin should exceed the prior year in both the third and fourth quarters of 2009."



 Key Performance Indicators:
 ---------------------------

 Earnings and Earnings Per Share
  Before and After Restructuring
  Expense
 (in Millions except Earnings            For the Second Quarter
  Per Share)                        2008         2009        Change
                                    ----         ----        ------

 Net Income attributable to FE
  Co., Inc.                     $      15.3  $       5.8          -62%

 Restructuring Expense (Before
  Tax)                          $        --  $       3.8

 Average Fully Diluted Shares
  Outstanding                        23.174       23.286            0%

 Fully Diluted Earnings Per
  Share Reported                $      0.66  $      0.25          -62%

 Restructuring Expense Per
  Share, net of tax             $        --  $      0.11

 Fully Diluted Earnings Per
  Share Before Restructuring
  Expense                       $      0.66  $      0.36          -45%


 Net Sales                                For the Second Quarter
 (in Millions)                      Water       Fueling   Consolidated
                                    -----       -------   ------------

 Sales for 2008                 $     157.4  $      44.3  $     201.7

 Acquisitions                           6.3           --          6.3
 Foreign Exchange                      (8.7)        (0.3)        (9.0)
 Organic Change                       (20.5)       (13.2)       (33.7)
                                -----------  -----------  -----------

 Sales for 2009                 $     134.5  $      30.8  $     165.3


 Operating Income and Margins
 Before and After Restructuring Expense

 (in Millions)                  For the Second Quarter 2009
                      Water        Fueling     Corporate  Consolidated
                      -----        -------     ---------  ------------
 Reported Operating
  Income           $      15.5  $       4.9  $      (9.6) $      10.8
 Restructuring
  Expense          $       3.5  $       0.1  $       0.2  $       3.8
 Operating Income
  before Restruc-
  turing Expense   $      19.0  $       5.0  $      (9.4) $      14.6
 % Operating Income
   To Net Sales           11.5%        15.9%                      6.5%
 % Operating Income
   Before Restruc-
   turing Expense
   To Net Sales           14.1%        16.2%                      8.8%

                                For the Second Quarter 2008
                      Water        Fueling     Corporate  Consolidated
                      -----        -------     ---------  ------------
 Reported Operating
  Income           $      26.4  $      10.9  $     (10.9) $      26.4
 Restructuring
  Expense          $        --  $        --  $        --  $        --
 Operating Income
  before Restruc-
  turing Expense   $      26.4  $      10.9  $     (10.9) $      26.4
 % Operating Income
   To Net Sales           16.8%        24.6%                     13.1%
 % Operating Income
   Before Restruc-
   turing Expense
   To Net Sales           16.8%        24.6%                     13.1%

Water Systems

During the second quarter 2009, Water Systems revenues declined by $22.9 million or about 15 percent overall from the second quarter of 2008. The organic sales decline, excluding foreign currency translation and acquisitions, was $20.5 million or about 13 percent. In international markets, Water Systems sales declined organically by 5 percent as sales gains in Latin America and the Asia/Pacific region were offset by a decline in Europe. In the United States and Canada, Water Systems sales declined organically by 19 percent due primarily to the housing recession and inventory reductions by distributors.

Sequentially, Water Systems operating margin before restructuring expenses of 14.1 percent improved by about 53 percent from 9.2 percent of sales in the first quarter 2009 on a sales increase of about 18 percent from the first quarter 2009. Operating margin before restructuring expenses for Water Systems was 14.1 percent of sales versus 16.8 percent in the second quarter 2008. SG&A expenses were lower in the second quarter of 2009 by $2.2 million from the same quarter of 2008 which partially offset the impact of lower sales volumes.

Fueling Systems

Fueling Systems sales declined by about 30 percent during the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year. Fueling Systems sales in the United States and Canada declined by 32 percent during the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008 primarily due to reduced sales of vapor control systems in California. Fueling Systems sales in international markets were down overall due to lower sales in China but were up in all other international markets.

In California, the State has limited enforcement actions until January 1, 2010 against filling stations which had not complied with the April 1, 2009 mandate for vapor recovery conversions. As a result, the Company estimates that those stations that had not completed the conversion will now more likely complete their conversions nearer to the end of 2009.

Operating margin before restructuring expenses in Fueling Systems was 16.2 percent of sales in the second quarter 2009 versus 24.6 percent of sales in the second quarter 2008, all attributable to lost leverage on the fixed manufacturing and SG&A expenses from lower sales volumes.

Overall

The Company's consolidated gross profit was $49.2 million for the second quarter of 2009, down $15.5 million from $64.7 million in the second quarter of 2008. Correspondingly, the gross profit margin decreased to 29.7 percent for the second quarter of 2009 from 32.1 percent for the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of 240 basis points. Gross profit margin was significantly impacted by the decline in Fueling Systems sales in the second quarter.

During the second quarter 2009, SG&A expenses decreased by $3.6 million consistent with management's fixed cost reduction initiatives started in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Restructuring expenses for the second quarter of 2009 were approximately $3.8 million and reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.11. Restructuring expenses include asset impairments, severance expenses and manufacturing equipment relocation costs.

The Company has generated $57.6 million more cash from operations in the first half of 2009 versus the first half of 2008. The focus on reducing inventory levels in the first half of 2009 has resulted in a $39.1 million improvement in cash used for inventory versus the first half of 2008. The Company has also reduced its debt outstanding by about $21.0 million during the first half of 2009 and ended the second quarter of 2009 with a revolver debt balance of $14.0 million versus a revolver debt balance of $60.0 million as of the end of the second quarter of 2008. The Company expects to have no revolver debt balance by the end of its fiscal year.

The Company believes that internally generated funds and existing credit arrangements provide sufficient liquidity to meet current commitments and service existing debt. At the end of the second quarter 2009, the Company's key debt covenant ratio of gross debt divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was 1.9 versus the current covenant limit per the debt agreement of 3.0 and compared to 2.3 at the end of the second quarter 2008. The Company's revolving loan agreement with its banks is in place until the end of 2011 and the Company has no scheduled principal payments on its long term debt until 2015.

Additionally, on Friday, July 24, the Board of Directors of Franklin Electric declared a quarterly cash dividend of twelve and one half cents per share payable August 27, 2009 to shareowners of record on August 13, 2009.

A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence Monday, July 27, 2009 at approximately 5:00pm ET. The second quarter 2009 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

http://investor.shareholder.com/media/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=70787&CompanyID=FELE&e=1&mediaKey=C4B19AAFCE9C290E8A6AC02D50918CEB

You can add this webcast into your MS-Outlook calendar by clicking on the following link:

http://apps.shareholder.com/PNWOutlook/t.aspx?m=37849&k=CBCFF2A2

If you intend to ask questions during the call, please dial in using 800-967-7185 for domestic calls and 719-457-2604 for international calls.

A replay of the conference call will be available Monday July 27, 2009 at 8pm ET through midnight ET on Thursday August 20, 2009, by dialing 888-203-1112 for domestic calls and 719-457-0820 for international calls. The replay pass code is 9894245.

Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and automotive fuels. Recognized as a technical leader in its specialties, Franklin serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications.

The Franklin Electric Co., Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5939

The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measures of net income before restructuring expense, net income per share before restructuring expense, operating income before restructuring expense and percent operating income before restructuring expense to net sales because the Company believes the information helps investors understand underlying trends in the Company's business more easily. The differences between these measures and the most comparable GAAP measures are reconciled in the tables above.

The Company presents the non-GAAP measure gross debt to EBITDA ratio because maintaining the ratio below 3.0 is an important covenant in the Company's principal credit agreements that is closely monitored by management. A table showing how EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is derived from net income and the calculation of the ratio follows the financial statements included in this press release.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company's financial results, expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company's business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, technology factors, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company's accounting policies, future trends, and other risks which are detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending January 3, 2009 , Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.



                      FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                              (Unaudited)

 (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                  Second Quarter        First Half
                                      Ended               Ended
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                 July 4,  June 28,   July 4,  June 28,
                                  2009     2008       2009     2008
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Net sales                     $165,276  $201,696  $315,075  $377,706

 Cost of sales                  116,119   136,979   222,719   261,530
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Gross profit                    49,157    64,717    92,356   116,176

 Selling, general and
  administrative expenses        34,630    38,274    69,080    74,585

 Restructuring expense            3,756        --     4,647        82
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Operating income                10,771    26,443    18,629    41,509

 Interest expense                (2,401)   (2,780)   (4,774)   (5,404)
 Other income                       273      (146)      533       455
 Foreign exchange gain/(loss)       270       (64)      378      (391)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Income before income taxes       8,913    23,453    14,766    36,169

 Income taxes                     2,906     8,004     4,706    12,442
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Net income                    $  6,007  $ 15,449  $ 10,060  $ 23,727

 Less: Net income attributable
  to noncontrolling interest       (184)     (168)     (389)     (298)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

 Net income attributable to
  Franklin Electric Co., Inc.  $  5,823  $ 15,281  $  9,671  $ 23,429
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

 Net income per share:
    Basic                      $   0.25  $   0.67  $   0.42  $   1.02
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    Diluted                    $   0.25  $   0.66  $   0.42  $   1.01
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

 Weighted average shares and
  equivalent shares
  outstanding:

    Basic                        23,074    22,882    23,054    22,956
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    Diluted                      23,286    23,174    23,229    23,230
                               ========= ========= ========= =========


                      FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              (Unaudited)


 (In thousands)                                     July 4,   Jan. 03,
                                                     2009       2009
                                                   --------- ---------

 ASSETS:

 Cash and equivalents                              $ 38,271  $ 46,934
 Receivables                                         89,113    68,048
 Inventories                                        154,249   169,873
 Other current assets                                25,729    32,805
                                                   --------- ---------
 Total current assets                               307,362   317,660

 Property, plant and equipment, net                 148,247   144,535
 Goodwill and other assets                          250,735   231,862
                                                   --------- ---------
 Total assets                                      $706,344  $694,057
                                                   ========= =========

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:

 Accounts payable                                  $ 30,201  $ 24,505
 Accrued liabilities                                 47,222    56,230
 Current maturities of long-term debt and short-
  term borrowings                                    14,767       677
                                                   --------- ---------
 Total current liabilities                           92,190    81,412

 Long-term debt                                     151,752   185,528
 Deferred income taxes                                5,878     4,161
 Employee benefit plan obligations                   69,274    69,142
 Other long-term liabilities                          8,820     3,707

 Redeemable noncontrolling interest                   6,715        --

 Shareowners' equity                                371,715   350,107
                                                   --------- ---------
 Total liabilities and shareowners' equity         $706,344  $694,057
                                                   ========= =========


                      FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                              (Unaudited)

                                                     First Half Ended
 (In thousands)                                     July 4,   June 28,
                                                     2009       2008
                                                   --------- ---------

 Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                      $ 10,060  $ 23,727
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash flows from operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                   12,566    12,318
     Stock based compensation                         3,281     2,196
     Deferred income taxes                            1,593       782
     Loss on disposals of plant and equipment         2,784        49
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
       Receivables                                  (11,898)  (46,106)
       Inventories                                   22,110   (17,013)
       Accounts payable and other accrued expenses   (5,278)   11,327
       Income taxes, net                              4,787     2,508
       Excess tax from share-based payment
        arrangements                                     --      (122)
       Employee benefit plans                           512    (1,204)
       Other, net                                    (1,479)   (7,034)
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net cash flows from operating activities            39,038   (18,572)
                                                   --------- ---------
 Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to property, plant and equipment        (5,642)  (12,566)
   Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment             46        10
   Additions to other assets                             --      (700)
   Purchases of securities                               --    (9,000)
   Proceeds from sale of securities                      --     9,000
   Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (16,767)  (38,331)
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net cash flows from investing activities           (22,363)  (51,587)
                                                   --------- ---------
 Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from short-term debt                     23,000    70,000
   Repayment of short-term debt                     (44,000)  (10,019)
   Additions to long-term debt                           --        83
   Repayment of long-term debt                         (542)     (950)
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock                --       353
   Excess tax from share-based payment arrangements      --       122
   Purchases of common stock                             --    (7,813)
   Dividends paid                                    (6,114)   (5,632)
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net cash flows from financing activities           (27,656)   46,144
                                                   --------- ---------
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
  equivalents                                         2,318     1,598
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net change in cash and equivalents                  (8,663)  (22,417)
 Cash and equivalents at beginning of period         46,934    65,252
                                                   --------- ---------
 Cash and equivalents at end of period             $ 38,271  $ 42,835
                                                   ========= =========


 EBITDA reconciliation to net income
 (unaudited)                                       For LTM ended
 (in Million US$)                                 Second Quarter
                                                2008          2009
                                                ----          ----

 Net income (as reported)                    $      40.6  $      30.4
 Depreciation and amortization               $      22.7  $      24.5
 Interest expense, net                       $      10.1  $      10.4
 Provision for income taxes                  $      21.5  $      15.2
 Estimated EBITDA for acquisitions (a)       $       2.9  $       2.1
 Add-back for certain costs (b)                           $       3.2
                                             -------------------------
 Earnings before interest, taxes,
  depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)     $      97.8  $      85.8

 Total debt (as reported)                    $     222.1  $     166.5

 Total debt divided by EBITDA                        2.3          1.9

 The Company presents the non-GAAP measure gross debt to EBITDA ratio
 because it is an important covenant in the Company's principal credit
 agreements that is closely monitored by management. A table showing
 how EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
 amortization) is derived from net income and the calculation of the
 ratio follows the financial statements included in this press release.

 (a) For 2008, includes impact of Monarch, Pump Brands, and Industrias
 Schneider acquisitions. For 2009, includes impact of Vertical
 acquisition.
 (b) In 2009, the Company agreed with the lenders that
 certain of the restructuring costs will be added back to the EBITDA
 calculation.


 Calculation of LTM
  (last twelve
  months)                       Depreciation               Provision
                                      &        Interest       for
                    Net Income  Amortization   Expense    Income Taxes
                   -----------  ------------ -----------  ------------
 Full year 2007    $      28.7  $      20.4  $       8.1  $      15.4
 less: First half
  2007             $      11.5  $      10.0  $       3.4  $       6.3
 add: First half
  2008             $      23.4  $      12.3  $       5.4  $      12.4
                   ---------------------------------------------------
 LTM               $      40.6  $      22.7  $      10.1  $      21.5

 Full year 2008    $      44.1  $      24.2  $      11.0  $      22.9
 less: First half
  2008             $      23.4  $      12.3  $       5.4  $      12.4
 add: First half
  2009             $       9.7  $      12.6  $       4.8  $       4.7
                   ---------------------------------------------------
 LTM               $      30.4  $      24.5  $      10.4  $      15.2


            

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