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Curtiss-Wright Reports: to Curtiss-Wright Reports 2002 Financial Results

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CURTISS-WRIGHT REPORTS: TO CURTISS-WRIGHT REPORTS 2002 FINANCIAL RESULTS

March 12, 2003

2002 Sales and Operating Income up 50% and 31%, Respectively; New Orders and Backlog are at Record Levels Seventh Consecutive Year of Revenue Growth

ROSELAND, N.J., Mar 12, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW; CW.B) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2002.

  • Net sales for the fourth quarter rose 79% to $174,073,000 from $97,226,000 for the fourth quarter of last year. Acquisitions from 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001 contributed $89,838,000 to sales in the quarter. Net sales for the full year 2002 increased 50% to $513,278,000 from $343,167,000 in 2001. Acquisitions in 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001 contributed $181,831,000 to sales for the full year 2002.
  • Reported operating income of $21,286,000 for the fourth quarter of 2002 represents an increase of 81% from operating income of $11,729,000 for the fourth quarter of last year. Operating margins in the fourth quarter of 2002 were adversely affected by approximately $2,200,000 pertaining to purchase accounting adjustments related to our Electro-Mechanical Division ("EMD") acquisition made on October 28, 2003. The fourth quarter of both years included nonrecurring items. Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2002 included a net settlement of a lawsuit for $1,000,000 while last year's fourth quarter included a net gain of $1,217,000 associated with the demutualization of an insurance company. After adjusting for nonrecurring items, "normalized" operating income for the fourth quarter of 2002 was $20,286,000 representing an increase of 93% over normalized operating income of $10,512,000 for the same period of 2001. Acquisitions in 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001 contributed $12,873,000 to operating income in the quarter.
  • Reported operating income for the year 2002 of $61,829,000 represents an increase of $14,671,000, or 31% over last year's operating income of $47,158,000. The full year 2002 includes the $2,200,000 purchase accounting adjustments relative to EMD referred to above. Both years included nonrecurring items (see table below). After adjusting for nonrecurring items, normalized operating income for the year 2002 was $61,280,000, an increase of 33% over normalized operating income of $45,941,000 for 2001. Acquisitions in 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001 contributed $19,667,000 to operating income for the full year 2002.
  • Reported net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $13,692,000, or $1.31 per diluted share as compared to $34,473,000, or $3.37 per diluted share for the same quarter of 2001. The fourth quarter of both years included nonrecurring items (see table below). After adjusting for nonrecurring items, normalized net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $12,142,000, or $1.16 per diluted share, comprised of $12,230,000 or $1.17 per diluted share from operations and a reduction of $88,000 or $0.01 per diluted share from nonoperating sources. Normalized net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2001 from operating segments were $6,503,000 or $0.64 per diluted share and $5,723,000 or $0.56 per diluted share from nonoperating sources. The increase in number of shares outstanding had a negative impact of $0.03 on diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2002.
  • Reported net earnings for the year 2002 were $45,136,000, or $4.33 per diluted share as compared to net earnings of $62,880,000, or $6.14 per diluted share, for the year 2001. Both years included nonrecurring items (see table below). After adjusting for nonrecurring items, normalized net earnings for the year 2002 were $41,642,000 or $3.99 per diluted share, comprised of $37,760,000 or $3.62 per diluted share from operations and $3,881,000 or $0.37 per diluted share from non-operating sources. Normalized net earnings in 2001 was $40,633,000 or $3.97 per diluted share comprised of $28,267,000 or $2.76 per diluted share from operating segments and $12,366,000 or $1.21 per diluted share from non-operating sources. The increase in number of shares outstanding had a negative impact of $0.08 on diluted earnings per share for the full year 2002.
  • Backlog at December 31, 2002 was $478,494,000 which was 98% higher than backlog of $242,257,000 at the end of 2001. Acquisitions made during 2002 represented $246,919,000 of the backlog at December 31, 2002. New orders received in 2002 of $478,197,000 were 46% higher than 2001 new orders of $326,475,000. Acquisitions contributed $67,641,000 to new orders received in 2002.

Overall sales improvements in 2002 for both the fourth quarter and full year as compared to 2001 were due to both acquisitions and increases in some of our base businesses, most notably in aerospace defense and flow control products for the nuclear power generation markets, nuclear naval programs, and the heavy truck OEM market. Although down slightly for the full year, sales of overhaul and repair services to the aerospace industry experienced a sharp increase in the fourth quarter of 2002 over the same period in 2001, and more importantly continued to show improvement in operating margins when compared to the prior year. Sales to the commercial aerospace OEM market and processing industries were down for both the full year and the quarter. Acquisitions consummated in 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001 contributed $89,838,000 and $181,831,000 of sales in the fourth quarter and full year 2002, respectively.

Curtiss-Wright's 2002 performance continues to reflect a deliberate shift in the components of earnings from nonoperating to operating elements. Increased business segment operating income in 2002 more than offset the decrease from the Company's 2001 nonoperating rental and investment income. Last year's financial results included rental income associated with a property which was sold in December 2001 and higher investment income generated from cash resources which have since been utilized for acquisitions. Operating income from our business segments increased $8,643,000 and $15,240,000 for the fourth quarter and full year of 2002, respectively, as compared to last year's comparable periods. The increase in business segment operating income equates improved earnings per diluted share of $0.51 and $0.92 for the fourth quarter and full year 2002, respectively, as compared to the prior year. The decreases in nonoperating income elements described above, when comparing 2002 to 2001, reduced net earnings in 2002 by $0.09 and $0.27 per diluted share for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. The shift of resources from nonoperating to operating assets is producing the desired benefits.

In both 2002 and 2001, the Company recognized several nonrecurring items. In 2002, the Company recorded net gains related to the sale of rental property, a net gain relating to the reallocation of postretirement medical benefits for certain active employees to our pension plan, costs associated with the relocation of a shot-peening facility, release of an indemnification reserve related to the sale of rental property that was no longer required, a net legal settlement and a refund due from the Internal Revenue Service relative to a research and development credit. The results for 2001 included a gain associated with the sale of rental property, recapitalization costs and a net nonrecurring benefit gain. These items, which are presented in the tables below, had a net positive impact on net earnings of $3,494,000, or $0.34 per diluted share in 2002 and $22,247,000, or $2.17 per diluted share in 2001. The following tables depict the Company's "normalized" results, which is intended to present what management believes is a clearer picture of after-tax performance by adjusting net earnings based upon accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for the impact of certain nonrecurring items. This schedule may not be comparable to similarly titled financial measures of other companies, does not represent alternative measures of the Corporation's cash flows or operating income, and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative for measures of performance presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

                              NONRECURRING ITEMS


    4th QUARTER:                  2002                      2001

    (In thousands,
     except per share
     figures)          Operating  Non-    Total  Operating  Non-     Total
                                  Oper.                     Oper.
    GAAP Net earnings  $ 12,846  $ 846  $ 13,692 $ 7,251  $ 27,222  $ 34,473
    Gain on sale of
     non operating
     property               -       -        -       -     (22,999)  (22,999)
    Recapitalization
     costs                  -       -        -       -       1,500     1,500
    Net nonrecurring
     benefit gain           -       -        -      (748)      -        (748)
    Legal settlement       (616)    -       (616)    -         -         -
    IRS refund due          -      (934)    (934)    -         -         -
    Normalized net
     earnings          $ 12,230  $  (88)$ 12,142 $ 6,503  $  5,723  $ 12,226
    Diluted Shares
     Outstanding         10,484  10,484   10,484  10,224    10,224    10,224
    Normalized
     earnings per
     diluted share        $1.17  $(0.01)   $1.16   $0.64     $0.56     $1.20


    FULL YEAR:                    2002                      2001


    (In thousands,
     except per share
     figures)          Operating  Non-    Total  Operating  Non-     Total
                                  Oper.                     Oper.
    GAAP Net earnings  $ 38,098  $7,038 $ 45,136 $29,015  $ 33,865  $ 62,880
    Gain on sale of
     non operating
     property               -      (435)    (435)    -     (22,999)  (22,999)
    Postretirement and
     post employment
     adjustments, net       -      (986)    (986)    -         -         -
    Facility
     consolidation costs    278      -       278     -         -         -
    Recapitalization costs  -        -        -      -       1,500     1,500
    Net nonrecurring
     benefit gain           -        -        -     (748)       -       (748)
    Release of
     indemnification
     reserve                -      (801)    (801)    -          -         -
    Legal settlement       (616)     -      (616)    -          -         -
    IRS refund due          -      (934)    (934)    -          -         -
    Normalized net
     earnings          $ 37,760  $3,882 $ 41,642  $28,267 $ 12,366  $ 40,633
    Diluted Shares
     Outstanding         10,434  10,434   10,434   10,236   10,236    10,236
    Normalized
     earnings per
     diluted share        $3.62   $0.37    $3.99    $2.76    $1.21     $3.97

Martin Benante, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright stated, "We are very proud to have achieved our seventh consecutive year of revenue increase despite the challenges in some of the markets we serve. The Company's normalized net earnings have also seen an increase for the fourth consecutive year. While sales have greatly benefited from our acquisition program, sales in our base businesses have remained level with the prior year. The industrial and commercial aerospace markets have been particularly challenging. Our diversification strategy is producing the balance of business that has allowed us to continue achieving profitable growth from our business segments during a weak economic cycle. The seven acquisitions made during 2001 and six made in 2002 significantly increased our market penetration, particularly within the defense industry, and also expanded our geographic reach and technological capabilities, giving us reason to remain optimistic about the coming year.

In addition, the projected increase in military procurement spending to the highest levels since 1991 should provide opportunities for us in the future. Our position on many defense programs is outstanding, with a mix of products for aerospace, land-based and naval defense platforms that have never been stronger. This balanced blend of projects will provide both short and long-term benefits."

SEGMENT PERFORMANCE

Motion Control -- Sales for 2002 of $233.4 million increased 70% over last year due principally to the acquisitions of Lau Defense Systems and Vista Controls in November of 2001 and Penny & Giles and Autronics in April of 2002. The base business did experience some lower sales associated with the overhaul and repair services provided to the global airline industry, lower production of commercial aircraft by Boeing and a slight drop in the global ground defense businesses. These lower sales were partially offset by stronger military aerospace sales primarily related to the F-22 program and F-16 spare parts. The business segment also benefited from favorable currency translation.

Operating margins for both the fourth quarter and the year benefited from margin improvements on aerospace overhaul and repair services and aerospace defense products. Offsetting these improvements were lower margins related to our OEM products for commercial aerospace due primarily to the lower volume. Operating margins in 2002 benefited from favorable currency translation of approximately $0.3 million and the elimination of goodwill amortization in 2002, which totaled $0.6 million in 2001. However, 2002's results include $1.7 million amortization of other intangible assets relative to the recent acquisitions.

Flow Control -- Sales for this segment of $172.5 million for 2002 were up 76% over last year. The higher sales reflect the acquisitions of the Electro-Mechanical Division of Westinghouse Government Services Company and TAPCO International, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2002 and the full year contributions from the acquisitions of Solent & Pratt, Peerless Instruments, Inc. and Deltavalve, Inc. completed during 2001. In addition to the benefits from these acquisitions, we experienced sales growth in our base businesses which was driven by stronger sales of nuclear products for both the navy and commercial power generation markets, and higher sales to the heavy truck markets.

Overall, operating income for this segment increased 109% for the quarter and 93% for the full year over the comparable prior year periods. In addition to the benefit of acquisitions, increased operating profits from our base businesses contributed to the higher overall operating income. Operating income of our base businesses improved 21% from the prior year. Margin improvements on flow control products for nuclear applications and heavy truck markets, and overall cost reduction programs contributed to this operating income performance. Margins also benefited from the elimination of goodwill amortization in 2002, which totaled $1.0 million in 2001.

Metal Treatment -- This business segment's sales for 2002 of $107.4 million was virtually flat with sales of 2001. There were lower sales related to shot-peening, particularly in the European market, which was impacted by softness in the aerospace and automotive sectors, which were partially offset by the acquisition of a Swedish facility earlier in the year and sales from our new laser-peening technology. The business segment realized higher heat-treating sales in the United States due primarily to the full year contribution of acquisitions made in the fourth quarter of 2001. Foreign exchange translation also had a favorable impact on sales.

Operating earnings declined for both the quarter and the year. Contributing factors for the year were unfavorable sales mix, start-up costs at new facilities, and certain nonrecurring costs associated with the relocation of a shot-peening facility. Margins benefited in the year from favorable currency translation of approximately $0.6 million and the elimination of goodwill amortization in 2002, which totaled $0.2 million in 2001.

Mr. Benante concluded, "We begin the year 2003 confident in our ability to build on our solid business foundation and generate long-term shareholder value by increasing sales and earnings. Although 2003 is likely to present a challenging business environment, we will increase shareholder value by executing our strategies and achieving our financial targets. Our diversification strategy and ongoing emphasis on technology should continue to generate growth opportunities in each of our three business segments."

The Company will hold a conference call with financial analysts to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2002 results at 10:00 Friday, March 14, 2003. A live webcast of the call can be heard on the Internet by visiting the company's website at curtisswright2014.q4web.com and clicking on the investor information page or by visiting other websites that provide links to corporate webcasts.

                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                     (In thousands except per share data)


                              Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                                 December 31,              December 31,
                             2002          2001        2002          2001


    Net sales            $ 174,073      $ 97,226    $ 513,278     $ 343,167
    Cost of sales          119,040        62,444      337,192       215,350
    Gross profit            55,033        34,782      176,086       127,817


    Research & development
     costs                   4,020         1,204       11,624         4,383
    Selling expenses         8,422         4,870       29,553        18,325
    General and
     administrative
     expenses               21,314        16,909       71,843        57,784
    Environmental expenses
     (recoveries), net          (9)           70        1,237           167


    Operating income        21,286        11,729       61,829        47,158


    Investment (loss)
     income, net               (38)          272          591         2,599
    Rental income, net           0         1,114          148         3,585
    Pension income, net        446         3,491        7,208        11,042
    Gain on sale of
     real property               0        38,882          681        38,882
    Other income, net          218           540        3,088           111
    Interest expense          (771)         (263)      (1,810)       (1,180)


    Earnings before income
     taxes                  21,141        55,765       71,735       102,197
    Provision for income
     taxes                   7,449        21,292       26,599        39,317


    Net earnings         $  13,692      $ 34,473    $  45,136     $  62,880


    Basic earnings
     per share              $ 1.34        $ 3.44       $ 4.43        $ 6.25
    Diluted earnings
     per share              $ 1.31        $ 3.37       $ 4.33        $ 6.14


    Dividends per share     $ 0.15        $ 0.15       $ 0.60        $ 0.54


    Weighted average
     shares outstanding:
      Basic                 10,256        10,075       10,199        10,061
      Diluted               10,484        10,216       10,434        10,236


    Certain prior year information has been reclassified to conform to current
     presentation.




                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (In thousands)


                           December 31, December 31,          Change
                               2002        2001           $             %
    Assets
    Current Assets:
     Cash and cash
      equivalents        $  47,717     $  25,495    $  22,222         87.2%
     Short-term
      investments              330        41,658      (41,328)       -99.2%
     Receivables, net      142,800        87,055       55,745         64.0%
     Inventories, net       80,166        55,784       24,382         43.7%
     Deferred income
      taxes                 21,840         9,565       12,275        128.3%
     Other current assets    8,833         5,770        3,063         53.1%
      Total current assets 301,686       225,327       76,359         33.9%
    Property, plant and
     equipment, at cost    354,990       227,100      127,890         56.3%
     Less: Accumulated
      depreciation         135,941       121,949       13,992         11.5%
     Property, plant
      and equipment, net   219,049       105,151      113,898        108.3%
     Prepaid pension
      costs                 76,072        70,796        5,276          7.5%
     Goodwill, net         181,101        83,585       97,516        116.7%
     Other Intangible
      Assets, net           21,982         9,045       12,937        143.0%
     Other assets           13,034         6,524        6,510         99.8%


      Total Assets       $ 812,924     $ 500,428    $ 312,496         62.4%


    Liabilities
    Current Liabilities:
     Current portion
      of long-term debt  $  32,837     $     -     $  32,837           N/A
     Accounts payable       41,188        19,362      21,826        112.7%
     Accrued expenses       32,321        23,163       9,158         39.5%
     Income taxes payable    4,528        17,704     (13,176)       -74.4%
     Other current
      liabilities           53,575        15,867      37,708        237.6%
      Total current
       liabilities         164,449        76,096      88,353        116.1%
    Long-term debt         119,041        21,361      97,680        457.3%
    Deferred income taxes    6,605        26,043     (19,438)       -74.6%
    Accrued pension &
     postretirement
     benefit costs          77,438         6,611      70,827       1071.4%
    Long-term portion of
     environmental reserves 22,585         9,525      13,060        137.1%
    Other liabilities       11,578        10,838         740          6.8%
      Total Liabilities    401,696       150,474     251,222        167.0%


    Stockholders' Equity
    Common stock,
     $1 par value           10,618        10,618         -             N/A
    Class B common stock,
     $1 par value            4,382         4,382         -             N/A
    Capital surplus         52,200        52,532        (332)        -0.6%
    Retained earnings      508,298       469,303      38,995          8.3%
    Unearned portion
     of restricted stock       (60)          (78)         18        -23.9%
    Accumulated other
     comprehensive income    6,482        (6,831)     13,313       -194.9%
                           581,920       529,926      51,994          9.8%
    Less: Common treasury
     stock, at cost        170,692       179,972      (9,280)        -5.2%
      Total Stockholders'
       Equity              411,228       349,954      61,274         17.5%


    Total Liabilities
     and Stockholders'
     Equity             $  812,924    $  500,428   $ 312,496         62.4%


    Certain prior year information has been reclassified to conform to
    current presentation.




                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                             SEGMENT INFORMATION
                                (In thousands)


                         Three Months Ended          Twelve Months Ended
                            December 31,
                December 31,
                                              %                           %
                         2002       2001    Change    2002      2001    Change
    Sales:
       Motion Control  $ 69,519   $ 41,412   67.9% $ 233,437 $ 137,103   70.3%
         Flow Control    76,906     29,429  161.3%   172,455    98,257   75.5%
      Metal Treatment    27,648     26,385    4.8%   107,386   107,807   -0.4%


       Total Segments  $174,073   $ 97,226   79.0% $ 513,278 $ 343,167   49.6%



     Operating Income:
       Motion Control  $  9,140   $  4,561  100.4% $  29,579 $ 19,219    53.9%
         Flow Control     9,136      4,377  108.7%    20,693   10,703    93.3%
      Metal Treatment     3,833      4,528  -15.3%    14,403   19,513   -26.2%


       Total Segments    22,109     13,466   64.2%   64,675    49,435    30.8%
    Corporate & Other      (823)    (1,737) -52.6%   (2,846)   (2,277)   25.0%


    Total Operating
     Income            $ 21,286   $ 11,729   81.5% $ 61,829  $ 47,158    31.1%


    Operating Margins:
       Motion Control     13.1%      11.0%            12.7%     14.0%
         Flow Control     11.9%      14.9%            12.0%     10.9%
      Metal Treatment     13.9%      17.2%            13.4%     18.1%


    Total
     Curtiss-Wright       12.2%      12.1%            12.0%     13.7%

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a diversified provider of highly engineered products and services to the Motion Control, Flow Control and Metal Treatment industries. The firm employs approximately 4,200 people. More information on Curtiss-Wright can be found on the Internet at curtisswright2014.q4web.com.

Forward-looking statements in this release related to expectations of continued high revenues continued sales and income growth, and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: a reduction in anticipated orders; an economic downturn; changes in the need for additional machinery and equipment and/or in the cost for the expansion of the Corporation's operations; changes in government spending; changes in the competitive marketplace and/or customer requirements; an inability to perform customer contracts at anticipated cost levels; and other factors that generally affect the business of aerospace, defense, marine, and industrial companies. Please refer to the Company's SEC filings under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for further information.

SOURCE Curtiss-Wright Corporation

CONTACT:
Gary Benschip of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, +1-973-597-4721,
[email protected]