Fuel Systems Solutions Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results




        - Revenue increased to $116.2 million, up 10% year-over-year -
          - Improves gross margins 260 basis points vs. prior year -
                 - Achieves 47,000 DOEM systems installations -
                       - Increases 2009 annual guidance -

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS) reported results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Mariano Costamagna, Fuel Systems' CEO, said, "During the quarter, we made great strides advancing Fuel Systems' leadership position in the alternative fuel systems markets. Our acquisitions complement Fuel Systems' existing global businesses and the integrations are proceeding smoothly. Throughout the year, we increased our delayed original equipment manufacturer (DOEM) capacity by adding more lines within facilities to capture automotive demand. During the third quarter, we reached a record 47,000 systems installations. We believe the demand from Europe will continue, and we are on track to exceed 170,000 installations in 2009."

Matthew Beale, Fuel Systems' President, CFO and Secretary, said, "We delivered revenue of $116.2 million, representing a 10% increase from the third quarter of 2008, reflecting strong demand for alternative fueled vehicles, especially in Italy, and our 2009 acquisitions offset by weakness in our industrial business and the negative impact from foreign exchange rates. We continue to demonstrate the scalability of our DOEM model to meet market demand. Now, we are implementing new GFI and IMPCO product development programs to leverage our expanded product range, manufacturing and engineering capabilities. Our transportation business won new commercial fleet customers for the U.S. Automotive market and our industrial business received regulatory approval for the 2010 North American industrial emissions cycle."

Recent Operational Highlights



 * Acquired Teleflex Incorporated's Power Systems business, which
   includes industrial and transportation alternative fuel components
   and systems and auxiliary power systems, for $14.6 million in an all
   cash transaction in August 2009.
 * Reached 47,000 DOEM installations in the third quarter 2009, up from
   37,000 and 30,000 in the second and first quarters of 2009,
   respectively.
 * Secured initial orders of EPA-certified bi-fuel systems to key
   commercial fleet corporate and municipality customers for U.S.
   Automotive market. Customers include Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
   Apache Corporation, Anadarko Energy, DCP Midstream Partners, Laredo
   Energy and National Oilwell Varco, as well as state and municipal
   entities, including the Texas Department of Transportation, the
   Railroad Commission of Texas and the City of Norman Oklahoma.
 * Received regulatory approval from the California Air Resources Board
   (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its range
   of propane and gasoline GM industrial engines for the North American
   industrial emissions cycle which begins on January 1, 2010.

Financial Results

Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 was $116.2 million, including approximately $5 million in negative foreign exchange impact, compared to $105.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. Gross profit for the third quarter 2009 was $39.4 million, or 34% of revenue, compared to $30.7 million, or 29% of revenue a year ago, reflecting increased operating efficiencies. Operating income for the period totaled $23.1 million, or 20% of revenue, compared to $18.2 million, or 17% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2008. During the quarter, the company recorded a gain of $2.0 million ($0.11 per share) in (other income, net) on the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the WMTM joint venture in Brazil. Including this gain, net income for the third quarter 2009 was $15.5 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared to $11.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, in the 2008 third quarter.

For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2009, total revenues were $288.6 million, including a negative foreign exchange impact of approximately $27 million, compared to $298.4 million for the same period in 2008. Including the gain of $2.0 million ($0.11 per share) noted above, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $30.0 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, compared to $22.7 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, in the year ago period.

Company Outlook

"While the soft global economy continues to impact the transportation aftermarket and industrial businesses, OEM/DOEM transportation demand has gained momentum during the second half of 2009. While no final determination on next year's subsidy program in Italy have been announced, the current programs provide visibility for continued growth in the fourth quarter of this year. We have, therefore, increased our annual guidance accordingly," concluded Beale.

Based on the current market outlook, margin improvements and acquisitions, the company expects full year 2009 revenue to be between $415 million and $425 million. The company is targeting 2009 gross margin between 30% and 32% and 2009 operating margin to be between 14% and 16%.

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call on November 5th at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time to discuss its third quarter 2009 financial results. To listen to the call live, please dial 877-356-8063 at least 10 minutes before the start of the conference. International participants may dial 706-679-2544. The pass code for the conference call will be 36561639. The call is also being webcast and can be accessed from the "Investor Relations" section of the company's website at www.fuelsystemssolutions.com. A telephone replay will be available until midnight ET on November 10th by dialing 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 and entering pass code 36561639#. A replay will also be available at the web address above for 90 days.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, expressed or implied statements concerning the company's sales and its ability to achieve 2009 revenue between $415 million and $425 million with gross profit margin between 30 percent and 32 percent and operating margin between 14 percent and 16 percent, as well as the success of products and the success and integration of recent acquisitions. Such statements represent only our opinions and predictions. The Company's actual results may differ materially. Factors that may cause the Company's results to differ include, but are not limited to, risks that we cannot integrate the acquired assets into our business promptly and efficiently, that the patents or certifications acquired are insufficient or not useable by us, that expected sales do not materialize, that changes in emissions regulations may not significantly increase demand for the Company's products, the global economic downturn may reduce customers' demand for new automobiles and/or our products, original equipment automobile manufacturers do not adopt the Company's fuel systems as expected, that expected sales not based on long-term contracts will materialize, that changes in emissions regulations will not significantly impact demand for the Company's products, that a global economic downturn may reduce customers' demand for our products, that reduction in oil prices will reduce the demand for our products and that currency fluctuations will reduce our revenue or financial condition. Readers also should consider the risk factors set forth in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements or guidance even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

About Fuel Systems Solutions

Fuel Systems Solutions (Nasdaq:FSYS) is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of proven, cost-effective alternative fuel components and systems for use in transportation and industrial applications. Fuel Systems' components and systems control the pressure and flow of gaseous alternative fuels, such as propane and natural gas, used in internal combustion engines. These components and systems feature the company's advanced fuel system technologies, which improve efficiency, enhance power output and reduce emissions by electronically sensing and regulating the proper proportion of fuel and air required by the internal combustion engine. In addition to the components and systems, the company provides engineering and systems integration services to address unique customer requirements for performance, durability and configuration. The company is composed of two operating subsidiaries: IMPCO Technologies and BRC. IMPCO Technologies is a leader in the heavy duty, industrial, power generation and stationary engines sectors. BRC is a leader in the light duty and automobile alternative fuel sectors and has established alliances with several major automobile manufacturers for OEM projects. Additional information is available at www.fuelsystemssolutions.com.

The Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6644



                                - Tables to Follow -


                     FUEL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   (In thousands, except share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                                             September 30, December 31,
                                                 2009         2008
                                             ------------  -----------

 ASSETS
 Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                  $     44,562  $    26,477
  Accounts receivable less allowance
   for doubtful accounts of $5,297 and
   $3,293 at September 30, 2009 and
   December 31, 2008, respectively                112,923       70,009
  Inventories:
    Raw materials and parts                        55,300       38,925
    Work-in-process                                 1,766        1,700
    Finished goods                                 43,702       50,253
    Inventory on consignment with
     unconsolidated affiliates                        701        1,732
                                             ------------  -----------
     Total inventories                            101,469       92,610
  Deferred tax assets, net                          6,537        5,734
  Other current assets                              7,817        5,749
  Related party receivables                           170           69
                                             ------------  -----------
    Total current assets                          273,478      200,648
                                             ------------  -----------

 Equipment and leasehold improvements:
  Dies, molds and patterns                          5,043        3,889
  Machinery and equipment                          36,724       25,996
  Office furnishings and equipment                 14,303       11,198
  Automobiles and trucks                            3,013        2,235
  Leasehold improvements                           10,141        8,098
                                             ------------  -----------
                                                   69,224       51,416
  Less accumulated depreciation and
   amortization                                    29,552       23,744
                                             ------------  -----------
    Net equipment and leasehold improvements       39,672       27,672
 Goodwill                                          56,183       41,295
 Deferred tax assets, net                             164          174
 Intangible assets, net                            25,187       10,021
 Investment in unconsolidated affiliates            3,777        3,334
 Other assets                                       3,381        4,183
                                             ------------  -----------
      Total Assets                           $    401,842  $   287,327
                                             ============  ===========


                     FUEL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   (In thousands, except share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                                             September 30, December 31,
                                                 2009         2008
                                             ------------  -----------

 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                           $     56,429  $    65,224
  Accrued expenses                                 61,504       34,212
  Current revolving lines of credit                 3,177        2,413
  Current portion of term loans and other
   loans                                            7,920        4,470
  Current portion of capital leases                   213          192
  Deferred tax liabilities, net                       750          112
  Related party payables                            8,002       11,263
                                             ------------  -----------
    Total current liabilities                     137,995      117,886
 Term loans and other loans                        22,111        4,689
 Capital leases                                       206          238
 Other liabilities                                  7,203        6,258
 Deferred tax liabilities                           8,221        4,301
                                             ------------  -----------
    Total liabilities                             175,736      133,372
                                             ------------  -----------



 Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par value,
   authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued
   and outstanding at September 30, 2009 and
   December 31, 2008                                   --           --
  Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized
   200,000,000 shares; 17,600,164 issued and
   17,584,672 outstanding at September 30,
   2009; and 15,801,745 issued and
   15,749,783 outstanding at December 31,
   2008                                                18           16
  Additional paid-in capital                      257,286      220,270
  Shares held in treasury 15,492 and 51,962
   shares at September 30, 2009 and 
   December 31, 2008, respectively                   (652)      (1,399)
  Accumulated deficit                             (49,380)     (79,354)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income           18,834       14,422
                                             ------------  -----------
    Total stockholders' equity                    226,106      153,955
                                             ------------  -----------
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
     Equity                                  $    401,842  $   287,327
                                             ============  ===========


                     FUEL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
            (In thousands, except share and per share data)
                             (Unaudited)

                             Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                September 30,         September 30,
                            --------------------  --------------------
                               2009       2008       2009       2008
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Revenue                    $ 116,203  $ 105,539  $ 288,608  $ 298,423
 Cost of revenue               76,800     74,841    196,242    211,661
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
   Gross profit                39,403     30,698     92,366     86,762
 Operating expenses:
   Research and development
    expense                     3,839      2,706     10,053      8,236
   Selling, general and
    administrative expense     12,337      9,730     34,995     32,560
   Goodwill impairment loss        --         --         --      3,907
   Amortization of
    intangible assets             140         91        393        282
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating expenses   16,316     12,527     45,441     44,985
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Operating income              23,087     18,171     46,925     41,777
 Other income (expense), net    2,683        370      4,234       (794)
 Interest expense, net           (459)       (51)    (1,368)      (443)
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Income before income
  taxes, equity share in
  income (loss) of
  unconsolidated affiliates
  and extraordinary gains      25,311     18,490     49,791     40,540
 Equity share in income
  (loss) of unconsolidated
  affiliates                      188        (58)       494         19
 Income tax expense            (9,989)    (6,769)   (20,311)   (17,187)
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Income before
  extraordinary gain           15,510     11,663     29,974     23,372
 Extraordinary gain                --        243         --        243
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Net Income                    15,510     11,906     29,974     23,615
 Less: Net income
  attributable to
  non-controlling interests        --         39         --        914
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Net income attributable to
  Fuel Systems              $  15,510  $  11,867  $  29,974  $  22,701
                            =========  =========  =========  =========
 Basic earnings per share:
   Income before
    extraordinary gain
    attributable to Fuel
    Systems                 $    0.88  $    0.74  $    1.81  $    1.44
                            =========  =========  =========  =========
   Per share effect of
    extraordinary gain      $      --  $    0.01  $      --  $    0.01
                            =========  =========  =========  =========
   Net income attributable
    to Fuel Systems         $    0.88  $    0.75  $    1.81  $    1.45
                            =========  =========  =========  =========
 Diluted earnings (loss):
   Income before
    extraordinary gain
    attributable to Fuel
    Systems                 $    0.88  $    0.73  $    1.80  $    1.42
                            =========  =========  =========  =========
   Per share effect of
    extraordinary gain      $      --  $    0.02  $      --  $    0.02
                            =========  =========  =========  =========
   Net income attributable
    to Fuel Systems         $    0.88  $    0.75  $    1.80  $    1.44
                            =========  =========  =========  =========


                     FUEL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In thousands)
                              (Unaudited)

                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                    ------------------
                                                      2009      2008
                                                    --------  --------

 Net income                                         $ 29,974  $ 23,615
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization expense               5,826     4,911
   Amortization of intangibles                         3,057     2,164
   Provision for doubtful accounts                       (68)      225
   Provision for inventory reserve                     5,205     2,266
   Provision for loan to unconsolidated affiliate         --       540
   Goodwill impairment loss                               --     3,907
   Gain on acquisition                                (1,993)       --
   Extraordinary gain                                     --      (243)
   Equity share in income of unconsolidated
    affiliates                                          (494)      (19)
   Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates              196       230
   Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange         (1,541)      371
   Loss on disposal of asset                             242       146
   Stock-based compensation expense                      188       297
 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
  acquisitions:
   Increase in accounts receivable                   (27,909)  (17,440)
   Decrease (increase) in inventory                   11,735   (13,891)
   Decrease (increase) in other current assets           416    (3,015)
   Increase in deferred income taxes                    (730)   (2,160)
   (Decrease) increase in accounts payable           (19,491)    6,151
   Increase in accrued expenses                       10,353    16,670
   Increase in other assets                           (1,043)     (441)
   (Decrease) increase in long term liabilities          (70)      555
   Receivables from/payables to related party, net    (2,435)    2,013
                                                    --------  --------
 Net cash provided by operating activities            11,418    26,852
                                                    --------  --------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements  (10,041)   (7,561)
   Purchase of noncontrolling interest in
    consolidated subsidiary                               --    (6,311)
   Investment in joint venture                            10        --
   Acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $1.1
    million                                          (28,055)       --
   Purchase of intangible asset                           --      (193)
   Proceeds from sale of assets                          128         3
                                                    --------  --------
 Net cash used in investing activities               (37,958)  (14,062)
                                                    --------  --------

                     FUEL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                    ------------------
                                                      2009      2008
                                                    --------  --------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
   Borrowing (Payment) on revolving lines of
    credit, net                                          240    (2,274)
   Payments on term loans                             (4,437)   (3,050)
   Proceeds from term loans                           19,757        --
   Payment of capital lease obligations                 (304)     (374)
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of
    expenses of $2.3 million                          27,717        --
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options and
    warrants                                              43     2,384
   Purchase of the sale of common shares held in
    trust, net                                           (20)      (95)
   Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest in
    consolidated subsidiaries                             --      (900)
                                                    --------  --------
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing
  activities                                          42,996    (4,309)
                                                    --------  --------
 Net increase in cash                                 16,456     8,481
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash               1,629      (993)
                                                    --------  --------
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents            18,085     7,488
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     26,477    26,797
                                                    --------  --------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $ 44,562  $ 34,285
                                                    ========  ========

 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
   Non-cash financing activities:
 Acquisition of equipment under capital lease       $     52  $     81
                                                    ========  ========

 Issuance of 1,382 shares and 5,321 shares of
  restricted stock in 2009 and 2008, respectively   $     15  $     99
                                                    ========  ========

 Issuance of 282,932 shares of common stock for the
  acquisition of Distribuidora Shopping             $  8,654  $     --
                                                    ========  ========

 Issuance of 39,868 shares from treasury stock for
  the acquisition of Distribuidora Shopping         $  1,220  $     --
                                                    ========  ========


            

Coordonnées