EX-99.1 2 a07-14059_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

HARDINGE INC.

Contact:

 

One Hardinge Drive

Kelly R. Baker, Treasurer

 

Elmira, N.Y. 14902

(607) 378-4302

 

Hardinge EPS Up 173% In First Quarter 2007

Orders Increase By 25% Over Prior Year Quarter

·                  Orders were up 25% to $ 95.6 million compared to first quarter 2006

·                  Net sales increased by 15% to $87.0 million compared with the prior year

·                  Net income increased by 173% to $5.3 million

·                  Operating margin of 10.3% up from 4.8% in prior year quarter

ELMIRA, N.Y. — May 10, 2007 — Hardinge Inc. (NASDAQ: HDNG), a leading international provider of advanced material-cutting solutions, today reported increased orders, net sales, net income and EPS during the first quarter of 2007, compared to the same quarter in 2006.

Net sales were $87.0 million in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 15% compared to $75.4 million of net sales in the first quarter of 2006.  Net income was $5.3 million, or $0.61 per basic share and $0.60 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.22 per basic and diluted share in the first quarter of 2006.  Orders were $95.6 million, an increase of 25%, compared to $76.7 million in the first quarter of 2006.

“Hardinge continues to build on its solid 2006 performance,” said J. Patrick Ervin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “A strong 25% increase in orders and 15% increase in sales provided an encouraging start to the year.  As a result of the continued execution of our focused growth strategy, we realized significant improvement in our operating and net margins for the quarter.  And, we successfully raised more than $55 million in new capital, positioning the company to continue to build on its strong global manufacturing and sales presence.”

The following table summarizes the Company’s orders by geographical region for the first quarters of 2007 and 2006:

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

Orders from customers in:

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

% Change

 

North America

 

$

33,995

 

$

29,107

 

17

%

Europe

 

45,353

 

32,605

 

39

%

Asia & Other

 

16,220

 

15,018

 

8

%

Total

 

$

95,568

 

$

76,730

 

25

%

 

— more —

 




 

North American orders were positively influenced by a $4.9 million order for grinding machines for use in turbine blade manufacturing.  Without this order the North American market would have been relatively flat for the quarter.  European market orders were driven by continued strong demand for all products. Asia & Other orders were negatively impacted by a biannual trade show held in April 2007 in China, which resulted in our Chinese customers holding orders until the trade show. We anticipate these orders will be placed in the second quarter of 2007.

The following table summarizes the Company’s sales by geographical region for the first quarter of 2007 versus 2006:

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

Net Sales to customers in:

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

% Change

 

North America

 

$

27,780

 

$

29,181

 

(5

)%

Europe

 

41,263

 

29,221

 

41

%

Asia & Other

 

17,923

 

17,034

 

5

%

Total

 

$

86,966

 

$

75,436

 

15

%

 

Our 41% increase in European net sales was driven by continued strong regional demand for our turning and grinding products.  In total, Asia & Other net sales increased by 5% for the quarter; however, excluding the sales of special grinding machines used in turbine blade manufacturing to one customer in both the first quarter of 2006 and 2007, net sales in Asia and Other increased 18%. North American net sales were down in the quarter because of reduced demand for grinding and milling products, which was partially offset by growth in turning products.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2007 were positively impacted by $3.4 million related to the favorable effects of net foreign currency translation, almost entirely due to the changes between the value of the U.S. dollar versus the Swiss franc, euro and British pound.

Gross profit was $28.0 million, or 32.2% of net sales, compared to $22.9 million, or 30.4% of net sales in the first quarter of 2006.  The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the increase in net sales.  The increase in gross margin percentage resulted from changes in channel and product mix.  Gross profit for the first quarter of 2007 was positively impacted by $0.9 million related to the favorable effects of net foreign currency translation.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $19.0 million, or 21.8% of net sales in the first quarter of 2007, compared to $19.3 million, or 25.5% of net sales in the first quarter of 2006.  SG&A for the first quarter of 2007 was in alignment with our expectations.

Interest expense was $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2006.  This increase was primarily due to higher average borrowings for working capital to support sales growth.

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2




 

The provision for income taxes was $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2006.  The effective income tax rate was 30.6% for the first quarter of 2007 compared to 25.6% for the same period of 2006.  This difference was driven by the mix of earnings by country.  Each quarter, an estimate of the full year tax rate for jurisdictions not subject to a fu1l valuation allowance is developed based upon anticipated annual results and an adjustment is made, if required, to the year to date income tax expense to reflect the full year anticipated effective tax rate.  We expect the 2007 effective income tax rate to be in the range of 21% to 24%.  The anticipated full-year tax rate for 2007 is lower than the first-quarter tax rate due to anticipated income to be earned in the final nine months of the year by the U.S. and Canadian operations that will be subject to a 0% tax rate due to their respective valuation allowances.

Stock Offering

“Along with solid performance highlighted by sales and earnings growth during the first quarter, on April 25, 2007, we successfully completed a follow-on stock offering of 2,553,000 shares of common stock, which included the fully exercised over-allotment and raised approximately $55.9 million in new capital,” continued Mr. Ervin.  “Our enhanced financial position enables the company to explore ways to diversify and expand product offerings and markets served, as well as identify opportunities to further utilize and develop our global manufacturing capabilities and market presence.”

Dividend Declared

The company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share on the Company’s common stock.  The dividend is payable on June 8, 2007 to stockholders of record as of May 30, 2007.

The Company will host a conference call at 11:00 AM Eastern Time today to provide additional detail related to first quarter performance.  The call can be accessed by dialing 1-866-838-2057, or via the internet live at http://videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=39597.  It may also be accessed in replay form within the “Investor Relations” section at the Company’s website, www.hardinge.com, where it will be posted for one full year.  You may also access a recording approximately one hour after its completion by dialing 1-888-284-7564, and entering the reference number: 203689.  This telephone recording will be available through the second quarter, ending June 30, 2007.

— more —

3




 

Hardinge is a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of machine tools, specializing in high-precision, computer controlled, material-cutting machines.  The Company’s products are distributed to most of the industrialized markets around the world and in 2006 more than 60% of sales were from outside of North America.  Hardinge has a very diverse international customer base and serves a wide variety of end-user markets.  Along with metalworking manufacturers which make parts for a variety of industries, our customers include a wide range of end users in the aerospace, agricultural, transportation, basic consumer goods, communications and electronics, construction, defense, energy, pharmaceutical and medical equipment, and recreation industries, among others.  The Company has manufacturing operations in the United States, Switzerland, Taiwan and China.  Hardinge’s common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol, “HDNG.”  For more information, please visit http://www.hardinge.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Such statements are based on management’s current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact or that are about future events may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “ should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking statements. The Company’s actual results or outcomes and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those discussed in any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

— Financial Tables Follow —

4




 

HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

15,402

 

$

6,762

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

72,783

 

73,149

 

Notes receivable, net

 

4,037

 

4,930

 

Inventories, net

 

140,431

 

132,834

 

Deferred income taxes

 

741

 

747

 

Prepaid expenses

 

9,167

 

9,216

 

Total current assets

 

242,561

 

227,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

177,025

 

176,754

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

114,656

 

112,702

 

Net property, plant and equipment

 

62,369

 

64,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable, net

 

1,657

 

1,983

 

Deferred income taxes

 

233

 

246

 

Other intangible assets

 

11,709

 

11,849

 

Goodwill

 

19,219

 

19,110

 

Other

 

6,082

 

5,782

 

 

 

38,900

 

38,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

343,830

 

$

330,660

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

5




 

HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets - Continued

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 December 31, 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

31,860

 

$

31,462

 

Notes payable to banks

 

7,546

 

4,525

 

Accrued expenses

 

22,299

 

22,542

 

Accrued income taxes

 

5,221

 

3,640

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,778

 

2,717

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

5,752

 

5,758

 

Total current liabilities

 

75,456

 

70,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

70,955

 

67,578

 

Accrued pension expense

 

27,139

 

26,814

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,737

 

1,673

 

Accrued postretirement benefits

 

2,249

 

2,414

 

Other liabilities

 

4,475

 

4,428

 

 

 

106,555

 

102,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, Series A, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 2,000,000; issued—none

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value:

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized shares—20,000,000; Issued shares—9,919,992 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

99

 

99

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

58,995

 

59,741

 

Retained earnings

 

120,957

 

116,438

 

Treasury shares—1,029,133 at March 31, 2007 and 1,083,117 shares at December 31, 2006.

 

(13,118

)

(13,916

)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)

 

(5,114

)

(5,253

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

161,819

 

157,109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

343,830

 

$

330,660

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

6




HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

86,966

 

$

75,436

 

Cost of sales

 

58,986

 

52,533

 

Gross profit

 

27,980

 

22,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

18,992

 

19,261

 

Income from operations

 

8,988

 

3,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

1,369

 

1,146

 

Interest (income)

 

(53

)

(122

)

Income before income taxes

 

7,672

 

2,618

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

2,347

 

671

 

Net income

 

$

5,325

 

$

1,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

.61

 

$

.22

 

 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

8,786

 

8,767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

$

.60

 

$

.22

 

 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

8,845

 

8,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared

 

$

.05

 

$

.03

 

 

See accompanying notes.

7




HARDINGE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,325

 

$

1,947

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,477

 

2,333

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

155

 

30

 

Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss

 

(668

)

91

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,923

 

2,295

 

Notes receivable

 

1,207

 

455

 

Inventories

 

(7,260

)

1,327

 

Prepaid expenses/other assets

 

105

 

(2,279

)

Accounts payable

 

(958

)

(1,380

)

Accrued expenses

 

817

 

(399

)

Accrued postretirement benefits

 

(165

)

(168

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,958

 

4,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(425

)

(832

)

Purchase Bridgeport kneemill technical information

 

 

(5,000

)

Purchase of minority interest in Hardinge Taiwan

 

 

(110

)

Purchase of U-Sung Co. Ltd.

 

 

(5,071

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(425

)

(11,013

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in short-term notes payable to bank

 

3,296

 

798

 

Increase in long-term debt

 

3,172

 

3,796

 

Net purchases of treasury stock

 

(6

)

(332

)

Dividends paid

 

(444

)

(266

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

6,018

 

3,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

89

 

84

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

8,640

 

(2,681

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

6,762

 

6,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

15,402

 

$

3,871

 

 

See accompanying notes.

8