EX-99.1 2 ex99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 ex99_1.htm
Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE
 
   
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
R. D. Leslie
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
   
(936) 637-5325

LUFKIN INDUSTRIES REPORTS SECOND-QUARTER EARNINGS OF
$1.15 PER DILUTED SHARE


LUFKIN, Texas -- (July 18, 2007) -- Lufkin Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUFK) today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007.  Sales were $144.5 million for the second quarter compared with $147.7 million for the second quarter of 2006.  Net earnings for the second quarter of 2007 were $17.5 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, compared with $17.5 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2006.

For the first six months of 2007, sales were $292.6 million, up from $281.1 million for the comparable period in 2006.  Net earnings rose to $35.3 million, or $2.32 per diluted share, for the first half of 2007 from $32.6 million, or $2.16 per diluted share, for the first six months last year.

“Lufkin’s earnings for the second quarter, which were in the range of our established guidance for the quarter, reflected the continuation of significant trends evident in the first quarter of the year,” commented Douglas V. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Lufkin. “Specifically, these trends included reduced demand for oil field pumping units in North America, largely offset by increased international demand; significant growth in sales and backlog for our power transmission products and services; and soft demand for flatbed and dump trailers, which accentuated the sales impact of our previously discussed decision in the third quarter of 2006 to exit the van trailer business.  Due to the mix of these trends, our overall sales, margins and earnings were relatively stable for the second quarter on both a comparable-quarter and sequential-quarter basis.

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Lufkin Industries, Inc. w 601 South Raguet w Lufkin, Texas 75902 w (936) 634-2211
 
 
LUFK Announces Second-Quarter Results
Page 2
July 18, 2007

“Our oil field sales for the second quarter of 2007 were $93.2 million compared with $96.7 million for the second quarter last year and $101.3 million for the first quarter of this year.  We have continued to experience growing demand for pumping units in both the Middle East and Latin America, supported by higher energy prices and our multi-year efforts to increase our penetration of these important markets.  Demand for pumping units decreased slightly in the U.S. when comparing second-quarter bookings to the first quarter.  The U.S. decrease is more pronounced comparing the first half of 2007 to the first half of 2006, due primarily to the energy price volatility seen in the latter part of 2006 and early 2007.  Pumping unit demand in Canada is down significantly both on a sequential and comparable-quarter basis.  This decrease reflects the more difficult economics of oil and gas production in recent months complicated by very challenging weather circumstances in Canada.  Based on increased energy prices and input from our customers, we continue to expect improved North American bookings, particularly in the U.S., for pumping equipment to complement ongoing international growth during the second half of 2007 and in 2008.  North American sales for both the Company’s oil field automation and oil field services businesses have not slowed in 2007. Our overall oil field division backlog was down 3.9% sequentially to $55.8 million at the end of the second quarter.

“Lufkin’s power transmission business produced substantial growth for the second quarter. Sales of $40.4 million increased 30.4% for the quarter from $31.0 million for the second quarter of 2006 and 19.9% from $33.7 million for the first quarter of 2007.  The power transmission backlog rose to $112.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2007, up 45.1% and 9.1% on a comparable-quarter and sequential-quarter basis, respectively.  Consistent with the first quarter, our growth was driven by continued strength domestically and internationally in high-speed gears for applications related to energy, such as for oil and gas production, power generation, refining, petrochemical and marine applications.  In addition our repair and retrofit services provided through our facilities in the U.S and France expanded.

“As anticipated, second-quarter bookings for the trailer division primarily reflected our decision to exit the lower-margin van trailer business, as well as softer flatbed and dump trailer demand.  Trailer sales of $10.9 million for the second quarter of 2007 were 45.3% and 16.5% below the comparable and sequential quarters, respectively, while the trailer backlog was reduced by 70.0% and 25.5%, respectively.  We expect trailer demand to remain flat in 2007 based on economic projections and customer input.”

Lufkin completed the second quarter with an aggregate backlog of $180.6 million, a 13.3% decrease from the same time in 2006 and a 1.7% increase from the end of the first quarter of 2007. Based on this backlog, the Company’s results for the second quarter and first half of 2007 and its outlook regarding industry conditions in each of its businesses, Lufkin, as previously announced, narrowed the range of its established guidance for earnings per diluted share for 2007 to $4.60 to $5.00.  Today the Company established its guidance for earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2007 in a range of $1.15 to $1.35.

Mr. Smith concluded, “While not discounting the impact of short-term volatility in energy prices, we are optimistic about the strong longer-term outlook for energy demand and the potential that demand represents for Lufkin Industries.  We remain well prepared organizationally to respond to the challenges and opportunities inherent in short-term volatility.  We will also continue our strategic focus on strengthening our competitive leadership in each of our businesses to leverage the longer-term expansion opportunities before us and, thereby, to achieve further profitable growth and increased shareholder value.”

Lufkin will discuss its results for the second quarter in a teleconference call today at 9:00 a.m. (central time).  To listen to the call, participants should dial (913) 981-5592 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.  A telephonic replay will be available from 12:00 p.m. (central time) July 18, through 7:00 p.m. (central time) July 25, 2007, by dialing (719) 457-0820 and entering reservation number 3341793.

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LUFK Announces Second-Quarter Results
Page 3
July 18, 2007


This release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management.  When used in this release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to certain events and are subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the Company.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) oil prices, (ii) capital spending levels of oil producers, (iii) availability and prices for raw materials and (iv) general industry and economic conditions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.  The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and information.

Lufkin Industries, Inc. sells and services oil field pumping units, foundry castings, power transmission products and highway trailers throughout the world.  The Company has vertically integrated all vital technologies required to design, manufacture and market its products.

LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
    
Six Months Ended
  
   
June 30,
    
June 30,
  
   
2007
    
2006
    
2007
    
2006
  
Sales
   $
144,505
     $
147,690
     $
292,585
     $
281,080
  
Cost of sales
    
104,181
      
108,539
      
212,210
      
206,489
  
Gross profit
    
40,324
      
39,151
      
80,375
      
74,591
  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    
14,699
      
13,099
      
29,243
      
25,236
  
Operating income
    
25,625
      
26,052
      
51,132
      
49,355
  
Interest and other income (expense), net
    
1,555
      
438
      
2,489
      
832
  
Earnings before income taxes
    
27,180
      
26,490
      
53,621
      
50,187
  
Income tax provision
    
9,659
      
9,035
      
18,331
      
17,565
  
Net earnings
   $
17,521
     $
17,455
     $
35,290
     $
32,622
  
                                 
Net earnings per share:
                                
Basic
   $
1.17
     $
1.18
     $
2.35
     $
2.21
  
Diluted
   $
1.15
     $
1.16
     $
2.32
     $
2.16
  
Weighted average shares outstanding
                                
Basic
    
15,027
      
14,809
      
14,991
      
14,791
  
Diluted
    
15,230
      
15,091
      
15,209
      
15,092
  
Cash dividends per share
   $
0.21
     $
0.15
     $
0.42
     $
0.26
  

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LUFK Announces Second-Quarter Results
Page 4
July 18, 2007

LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Balance Sheet Highlights
(Thousands of dollars)

   
June 30,
2007
    
Dec. 31,
2006
  
Current assets
   $
275,036
     $
243,452
  
Total assets
    
465,992
      
429,069
  
Current liabilities
    
58,934
      
61,495
  
Shareholders’ equity
    
366,228
      
328,140
  
Working capital
    
216,102
      
181,957
  
 

LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Division Performance
(In thousands)

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
    
Six Months Ended
June 30,
  
   
2007
    
2006
    
2007
    
2006
  
Sales:
                        
Oil field
   $
93,173
     $
96,741
     $
194,459
     $
183,309
  
Power transmission
    
40,402
      
30,975
      
74,100
      
60,549
  
Trailer
    
10,930
      
19,974
      
24,026
      
37,222
  
Total
   $
144,505
     $
147,690
     $
292,585
     $
281,080
  
                                 
           
June 30,
2007
    
March 31,
2007
    
June 30,
2006
  
Backlog:
                                
Oil field
           $
55,787
     $
58,057
     $
91,028
  
Power transmission
            
112,903
      
103,509
      
77,784
  
Trailer
            
11,867
      
15,932
      
39,506
  
Total
           $
180,557
     $
177,498
     $
208,318
  
 
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