-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, NoKvmHZT6duMnFXpNV0uupSl4cyDT6zj8fvZe2EtDk9ROBz+X/e0djNnkwzcjFit e9a3QcnnyDIA7YZBO2NaSg== 0000897069-03-001238.txt : 20031015 0000897069-03-001238.hdr.sgml : 20031013 20031015125613 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000897069-03-001238 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031014 ITEM INFORMATION: ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20031015 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SMITH A O CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000091142 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOTORS & GENERATORS [3621] IRS NUMBER: 390619790 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-00475 FILM NUMBER: 03941309 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 245009 CITY: MILWAUKEE STATE: WI ZIP: 53224-9509 BUSINESS PHONE: 4143594000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 245009 CITY: MILWAUKEE STATE: WI ZIP: 53224-9509 8-K 1 cmw211.txt CURRENT REPORT SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ----------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ----------------------- Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 14, 2003 A. O. Smith Corporation ----------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-475 39-0619790 - ---------------- --------- ----------------- (State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.) incorporation) P.O. Box 245008, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224-9508 ------------------------------------------------ (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) (414) 359-4000 -------------- (Registrant's telephone number) Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is being filed herewith: (99.1) Press Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated October 14, 2003. (99.2) Script from the Third Quarter 2003 Earnings Conference Call held on October 14, 2003 at 10:21 a.m. Eastern Time. Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On October 14, 2003, A. O. Smith Corporation ("the Company") issued a press release announcing the Company's results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and its earnings outlook for 2003. A copy of the Company's press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this "Current Report") and is incorporated by reference herein. On October 14, 2003, the Company held its Third Quarter 2003 Earnings Conference call in connection with the announcement of the Company's results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. A copy of the Company's script for such conference call is attached as Exhibit 99.2, to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference herein. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Date: October 15, 2003 By: /s/ Kenneth W. Krueger ----------------------------- Kenneth W. Krueger Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2 A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K Dated October 14, 2003 Exhibit Number Description - ------ ----------- (99.1) Press Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated October 14, 2003. (99.2) Script from the Third Quarter 2003 Earnings Conference Call held on October 14, 2003 at 10:21 a.m. Eastern Time. 3 EX-99.1 3 cmw211a.txt PRESS RELEASE A. O. SMITH CORPORATON NEWS RELEASE For further information contact: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEDIA INQUIRES: ANALYST/INVESTOR INQUIRES: A.O. Smith Corporation Edward J. O' Connor Craig Watson P.O. Box 245008 414-359-4100 414-359-4009 Milwaukee, WI 53224-9508 414-359-4000 NYSE: AOS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2003 A. O. Smith announces third quarter earnings of $.20 per share Milwaukee, Wis.--A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS-NYSE) today announced third quarter net earnings of $6.0 million or $.20 per share, in line with the estimate announced in September but lower than third quarter 2002 net earnings of $10.0 million or $.34 per share. Sales for the quarter ended Sept. 30 were $356.4 million, $4 million higher than sales for the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2003, net earnings for the Milwaukee-based manufacturer of electric motors and water heaters were $39.6 million, compared with $40.1 million earned during the same period of 2002. Revenues for the nine-month period were $1.16 billion compared with 2002 nine-month revenues of $1.11 billion. As indicated in its Sept. 24 press release, the company incurred costs in the third quarter due to timing delays and disruptions, as both of its businesses undertook significant transitions. These transitions included the transfer of electric motor production to lower-cost facilities in Mexico and China, as well as the introduction of flammable vapor resistant water heaters. According to Robert J. O'Toole, chairman and chief executive officer, "While we are disappointed in our financial performance in the third quarter, we are pleased in achieving major milestones in both businesses. We expect to begin receiving the benefits of these efforts in the fourth quarter and to be fully on track with our long-term strategic direction by year-end." -more- A. O. Smith Earnings add 1 The company also announced that it has entered into a letter of intent to acquire the assets of Taicang Special Motor Co., Ltd., near Shanghai. Taicang will serve to expand the company's China manufacturing capability to include hermetic motors. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter. Electrical Products Third quarter sales of $201.2 million were modestly higher than third-quarter 2002 sales of $197.5 million. Operating earnings of $9.6 million were $700,000 lower than the same period in 2002, due to expenses in relocating production to lower-cost facilities, which adversely impacted manufacturing costs and finished goods inventories. Water Systems Water Systems' sales of $155.2 million were flat compared with the third quarter of 2002. Higher sales in China, coupled with price increases related to steel costs and newly launched products, were offset by lower unit sales of residential and commercial water heaters. Operating profit of $7.9 million was approximately $5.5 million lower than the third quarter of 2002 as a result of one-time manufacturing and freight costs due to the flammable vapor resistant product launch. Outlook "As we indicated in our Sept. 24 press release, we expect earnings for 2003 to range between $1.75 and $1.80 per share. This reduction from our previous forecast was due to the disruptions in the third quarter and efforts to reduce electric motor inventory in the fourth quarter," O'Toole commented. "We expect these implementation difficulties to be behind us as we enter 2004. Accordingly, we expect earnings per share to be in line with our strategic plan, in a range of $2.40 to $2.60 per share." A. O. Smith Corporation will broadcast a live conference call beginning at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. The call can be heard on the company's web site, -more- A. O. Smith Earnings add 2 www.aosmith.com. An audio replay of the call will be available on the company's web site after the live event. Forward-looking statements This release contains statements that we believe are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Factors that could cause such a variance include the following: instability in the company's electric motor and water products markets; inability to generate the synergistic cost savings from the acquisition of State Industries; the inability to implement cost-reduction programs; adverse changes in general economic conditions; significant increases in raw material prices; competitive pressures on the company's businesses; and the potential that assumptions on which the company based its expectations are inaccurate or will prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release, and the company is under no obligation to upgrade these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to the company, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified entirely by these cautionary statements. A. O. Smith Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., is one of North America's largest manufacturers of electric motors and a leading marketer and manufacturer of commercial and residential water heating equipment. The company employs approximately 17,000 people at facilities in the United States, Canada, China, England, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, and the Netherlands. A. O. SMITH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES (condensed consolidated financial statements - dollars in millions, except per share data) Statement of Earnings
Three Months ended Nine Months ended September 30 September 30 --------------------------------- ------------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 -------------- ------------- ----------- ------------ Electrical Products $ 201.2 $ 197.5 $ 641.9 $ 612.9 Water Systems 155.2 154.9 520.0 497.7 -------------- ------------- ----------- ------------ Net sales 356.4 352.4 1,161.9 1,110.6 Cost of products sold 294.9 286.1 938.4 885.9 -------------- ------------- ----------- ------------ Gross profit 61.5 66.3 223.5 224.7 Selling, general and administrative 48.8 48.3 154.5 151.7 Interest expense 3.1 3.2 9.0 11.1 Other (income) / expense 0.3 (0.1) 0.6 0.6 -------------- ------------- ----------- ------------ 9.3 14.9 59.4 61.3 Tax provision 3.3 4.9 19.8 21.2 -------------- ------------- ----------- ------------ Net Earnings $ 6.0 $ 10.0 $ 39.6 $ 40.1 ============== ============= =========== ============ Net Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Diluted) $ 0.20 $ 0.34 $ 1.33 $ 1.49 ============== ============= =========== ============ Average Common Shares Outstanding (000's omitted) 29,780 29,451 29,653 27,018
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Balance Sheet (dollars in millions)
September 30 December 31 2003 2002 --------------------- --------------------- ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 35.4 $ 32.8 Receivables 225.7 215.5 Inventories 248.7 200.4 Deferred income taxes 21.9 26.7 Other current assets 14.0 12.9 ------------------ ------------------ Total Current Assets 545.7 488.3 Net property, plant and equipment 352.2 362.7 Goodwill and other intangibles 309.0 309.2 Other assets 67.2 64.7 ------------------ ------------------ Total Assets $ 1,274.1 $ 1,224.9 ================== ================== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Trade payables $ 148.1 $ 131.4 Accrued payroll and benefits 35.3 38.7 Product warranty 19.3 19.5 Long-term debt due within one year 8.6 11.7 Other current liabilities 45.7 60.4 ------------------ ------------------ Total Current Liabilities 257.0 261.7 Long-term debt 259.8 239.1 Other liabilities 110.1 114.7 Pension liability 82.0 90.8 Deferred income taxes 17.0 7.5 Stockholders' equity 548.2 511.1 ------------------ ------------------ Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,274.1 $ 1,224.9 ================== ==================
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in millions)
Nine Months ended September 30 ------------------------------------ 2003 2002 -------------- -------------- Operating Activities Continuing - ---------- Net earnings $ 39.6 $ 40.1 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation & amortization 38.7 37.7 Net change in current assets and liabilities (49.0) 22.1 Net change in noncurrent assets and liabilities (2.5) (0.8) Other (0.7) (0.7) -------------- -------------- Cash Provided by Operating Activities 26.1 98.4 -------------- -------------- Investing Activities Capital expenditures (28.1) (25.8) Acquisitions (3.1) (11.8) -------------- -------------- Cash Used in Investing Activities (31.2) (37.6) -------------- -------------- Financing Activities Debt incurred 50.0 - Debt retired (32.3) (174.9) Proceeds from common stock offering - 127.5 Other stock transactions 2.6 5.3 Dividends paid (12.5) (10.2) -------------- -------------- Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities 7.8 (52.3) Discontinued - ------------ Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations (0.1) 3.7 -------------- -------------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 2.6 12.2 Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 32.8 20.7 -------------- -------------- Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period $ 35.4 $ 32.9 ============== ==============
A. O. SMITH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Business Segments (dollars in millions)
Three Months ended Nine Months ended September 30 September 30 ------------------------------ ------------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net sales Electrical Products $ 201.2 $ 197.5 $ 641.9 $ 612.9 Water Systems 155.2 154.9 520.0 497.7 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ $ 356.4 $ 352.4 $ 1,161.9 $ 1,110.6 ============ ============ ============ ============ Earnings before interest and taxes Electrical Products $ 9.6 $ 10.3 $ 45.9 $ 46.0 Water Systems 7.9 13.4 37.7 43.6 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Business Segment Earnings 17.5 23.7 83.6 89.6 Corporate expenses (5.1) (5.6) (15.2) (17.2) Interest expense (3.1) (3.2) (9.0) (11.1) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Earnings before income taxes 9.3 14.9 59.4 61.3 Provision for income taxes (3.3) (4.9) (19.8) (21.2) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net earnings $ 6.0 $ 10.0 $ 39.6 $ 40.1 ============ ============ ============ ============
EX-99.2 4 cmw211b.txt SCRIPT FROM CONFERENCE CALL A. O. Smith Corporation - Script Third Quarter 2003 Earnings Conference Call October 14, 2003 at 10:21 a.m. Eastern Time Slide 1 A. O. Smith Corporation Logo Third Quarter 2003 Conference Call Introduction - Craig Watson Good morning ladies and gentlemen and thank you for joining us on this conference call. With me this morning participating in the call are Ken Krueger, Chief Financial Officer; and John Kita; Treasurer and Controller. Before we begin with Ken's remarks I would like to remind you that some of the comments that will be made during this conference call, including answers to your questions, could constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks that could cause actual results to be materially different. Those risks include, among others, matters that we have described in this morning's press release. I'd also like to point out that this conference call is accompanied by slides on our website so please feel free to follow along while we conduct the call. Ken ... Thank you Craig. Slide 2 Third Quarter Results (in millions, except per share) 2003 2002 change ------ ------ ------ Sales $356.4 $352.4 $4.0 Net Earnings 6.0 10.0 (4.0) EPS $0.20 $0.34 $(0.14) ====== ====== ====== Third Quarter Results - Ken Krueger Third quarter earnings were 20 cents per share or approximately $6.0 million, compared with 34 cents per share or $10 million earned in last year's third quarter. Third quarter sales were $356 million compared with $352 million last year. I will address comparisons to last year later under business unit performance. From a forecast perspective, on September 24th we announced an expected shortfall in pretax earnings of approximately $11 million, compared with our prior forecast of approximately $20 million. This shortfall was due to the costs related to timing delays and disruptions caused by significant transitions in both businesses. These transitions included the repositioning of electric motor manufacturing to Mexico and China, and the launch of flammable vapor resistant water heaters. Slide 3 Earnings Forecast Q4 03 $.42 - $.47 2003 $1.75 - $1.80 2004 $2.40 - $2.60 Earnings Forecast Due to the lower third quarter results, as well as fourth quarter inventory reduction initiatives in the motors business, we lowered the full year outlook for 2003 to a range of between $1.75 and $1.80 per share. We are disappointed in this earnings reduction, but expect to be back on track as we move forward. In the fourth quarter, we believe our water heater business will be generating double digit operating margins. And though our motors business will experience some fixed cost absorption issues in the fourth quarter, we expect to see significant cost advantages in 2004. As a result of the efforts to reposition manufacturing, we believe the motors business should generate incremental pretax earnings of at least fifteen million dollars in 2004. In Water Systems, the introduction of new regulation mandated product, as well as product standardization efforts and plant rationalization programs, are expected to generate in excess of twenty million pretax dollars. Accordingly, we are projecting 2004 earnings to range between $2.40 and $2.60 per share, compared with this year's estimate of $1.75 to $1.80. Now I would like to go through a more detailed review of the third quarter. Slide 4 Third Quarter Results (in millions, except per share earnings) 2003 2002 change ------- ------- ------ Electrical Products $ 201.2 $ 197.5 $ 3.7 Water Systems 155.2 154.9 0.3 ------- ------- ------ Total Sales $ 356.4 $ 352.4 $ 4.0 Net Earnings 6.0 10.0 (4.0) EPS $ 0.20 $ .034 $(0.14) ======= ======== ====== Shares 29.8 29.5 0.3 Third quarter financials Third quarter pretax earnings were approximately $11 million lower than our forecast at the end of the second quarter. As you'll recall, in anticipation of the launch of the flammable vapor resistant product in the third quarter, customers purchased significant quantities of residential gas water heaters in the second quarter. The resulting sales reduction in the third quarter, coupled with the disruption in manufacturing schedules caused by the pre-buy activity and the launch of the new product, negatively impacted forecasted profits by approximately $6.5 million in the third quarter. We believe this disruption has run its course and expect performance in the water heater business to be back on track in the fourth quarter. In the electric motor business, profits fell about $4.5 million below forecast due to a combination of reasons. Sales volumes were below expectations, generating operating profit that was $3 million less than forecasted. Previously announced efforts to reposition U.S. production to lower cost Mexican facilities were largely completed, although somewhat later in the quarter than we had forecasted. As a result, savings from this transition came later than anticipated generating a profit shortfall of $1.5 million in the quarter. Manufacturing costs were higher than expected during the final stages of the transition, also negatively impacting third quarter profitability by approximately $2.5 million. As you may recall from last quarter, motor inventory levels have grown in order to assure customer deliveries during the shift in production. Inventories are also higher due to manufacturing schedules that anticipated higher sales levels. Motor inventory levels increased during the quarter, causing an improvement in fixed cost absorption of approximately $2.5 million. As we reduce production to rebalance inventory in the fourth quarter, we will under-absorb fixed costs. This under-absorption will adversely affect fourth quarter operating profit. Slide 5 2003 Cash Flow Cash Flow from Operations ($ in millions) Q1 (11) Q2 5 Q3 32 Cash Flow Operating cash flow for the first nine months of the year was $26 million dollars. During the third quarter, the company generated $32 million in operating cash flow. Cash flow is typically weighted to the second half of the year due to the seasonality of motor sales to the HVAC and pump markets in the first half of the year, which tends to build up receivables at June 30. In addition to this seasonality, two other factors had pronounced impacts, causing increases in receivables and inventory. Electrical Products repositioning to Mexico and China required increased inventory levels to minimize customer service disruption through the transition. The launch of flammable vapor resistant water heaters on July 1 caused pressure on both receivables and inventories at Water Systems at the end of the second quarter. During the third quarter, receivables declined $47 million while inventories increased $16 million. For the full year, we are projecting operating cash flow of approximately $60 to $70 million, as working capital returns to normalized levels, coupled with specific efforts to reduce motor inventory. Year to date, capital spending is $28 million compared with depreciation of $39 million. For the full year, we are projecting capital spending of approximately $40 to $45 million and depreciation of about $50 million. Slide 6 Debt-to-Capital 12/31/02 33% 6/30/03 34% 9/30/03 33% Debt to Capital As a result of the positive cash flow in the third quarter, our debt to capital ratio declined to 33% from 34% at the end of June. Now I'd like to move on to a discussion of the operating performance in our Electrical Products and Water Systems businesses compared to last year. Slide 7 Electrical Products (in millions) Q3 03 Q3 02 change % ----- ----- ------ ------- Sales 197.2 197.5 (0.3) 0% China 4.0 - 4.0 ----- ----- ------ Total 201.2 197.5 3.7 2% EBIT 9.6 10.3 (0.7) -7% EBIT Margin 4.8% 5.2% Electrical Products Sales of $201 million in our Electrical Products business were slightly higher compared with last year's third quarter. Sales from last year's China acquisition and increased sales of air conditioning motors and motors sold through the distribution channel, offset lower sales of motors for pump, subfractional and general industry applications. Operating profit at Electrical Products declined to $9.6 million from $10.3 million last year. Third quarter EBIT margin was 4.8% of sales. The decline in operating margin was due to the repositioning disruptions as well as last year's acquisitions, whose sales do not yet contribute to profitability. Slide 8 EPC Plant & Production Repositionings o 3 plants closed in 2003 - Monticello - closed Q1 - Athens - closed Q2 - Ripley - closed Q3 o Significant production from 4 other plants o Shenzhen - capacity for 30,000 motors per day o Changzhou - production start-up in fourth quarter o Taicang hermetic motor manufacturing EPC Repositioning Though we are disappointed with the earnings shortfall related to the repositioning activities at Electrical Products, we also believe we have achieved significant results considering the number of simultaneous relocation activities. During 2003, three facilities were closed: Monticello, Indiana; Athens, Tennessee and Ripley, Tennessee. Additionally, we have moved significant amounts of production from four other U.S. facilities. In China, we are producing 25,000 motors a day at our Shenzhen facility and have begun to qualify product for manufacture in our newly acquired facilities outside of Shanghai. On a related note, we are happy to announce the pending acquisition of Taicang Special Motor Co., Ltd. We have a letter of intent in place, and expect to close this transaction in the next several weeks. This addition expands our motor manufacturing capability in China, by adding hermetic motor manufacturing capacity. Slide 9 Water Systems (in millions) Q3 03 Q3 02 change % ----- ----- ------ ------ Sales 155.2 154.9 0.3 0% EBIT 7.9 13.4 (5.5) -41% EBIT Margin 5.1% 8.6% Water Systems Water Systems third quarter sales of $155 million were flat compared with the third quarter of last year. Higher sales driven by the price increase introduced earlier in the year to offset higher steel costs, as well as higher prices for flammable vapor product, and a more than 40 percent increase in sales at our Chinese operation offset lower unit sales of both residential and commercial water heaters. Operating profit of 7.9 million dollars was 5.5 million lower than last year due to the disruptions related to the flammable vapor resistant product launch discussed earlier. Slide 10 Water Systems Regulatory Changes & New Products o Flammable Vapor - All 30, 40 and 50 gallon gas water heaters; manufacturing began July 1 - All other gas heaters in 2004 o NAECA efficiency mandate - Jan. 2004 Regulatory Product Introductions The wholesaler inventory levels related to the flammable vapor resistant product pre-buy have diminished and we believe production and deliveries will return to normal in the fourth quarter. Right now, the flammable vapor resistant product line consists of all gas units in the 30, 40 and 50-gallon capacities. In 2004, the balance of the residential gas product line will be subject to the mandate. NAECA, the National Appliance and Energy Conservation Act will require an efficiency improvement of four percentage points for electric water heaters and five percentage points for gas water heaters, beginning in January 2004. Slide 11 Water Systems Standardization Program o Leverage flammable vapor & new efficiency products to standardize the residential product line o Facility rationalization - Ashland City - residential product - McBee - commercial product - Juarez o $5 million in pretax savings in 2004 Product Standardization In connection with the introduction of the new products, we have launched a program to "standardize and customize" the Water Systems product line. This program will benefit our business in three ways: first, standardizing the basic design will allow us to build product in plants closest to their end market, maximizing logistics and shipping efficiencies. Secondly, these products, while having a standard "chassis", will allow for customized configuration further along in the assembly process, minimizing the cost of product variation. And third, this "standardize and customize" program allows us to streamline our manufacturing operation while enhancing customer service. In connection with product standardization, we recently announced plans to consolidate the North American manufacture of residential water heaters at our Ashland City, Tenn., and Juarez, Mexico, facilities. The initiative, which will involve transferring residential production from the McBee, S. C. plant, will be complete by the first quarter of 2004. At the same time, we are consolidating most of our commercial manufacturing in our McBee facility, which involves the transfer of production from Ashland City, Tennessee and El Paso, Texas. We expect the product standardization and plant rationalization programs to generate approximately $5 million in incremental savings in 2004. Slide 12 2003 Earnings Forecast 2003 est. 2002 --------- ---- Fourth Quarter $.42 - .47 $ 0.38 Full Year $1.75 - 1.80 $ 1.86 Outlook Now I'd like to talk about the outlook. As I said earlier, we are committed to inventory reduction in our motors business, which will cause underabsorption of fixed costs and margin compression in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, we expect strong margin performance in the water heater business, as the costs and disruption due to the new product launch are now behind us. In summary, we expect full year earnings of between $1.75 and $1.80 per share. Slide 13 2004 2004 Earnings Forecast $2.40 - $2.60 o Incremental pretax earnings - EPC - reduced conversion costs: $15 million - WPC regulatory changes, new product: $15 million - WPC/State standardization: $5 million As we look ahead to 2004, we have a strong base for performance. The year 2003 has been one of both challenge and accomplishment. During the year we have transferred half of our domestic motor manufacturing operations to lower cost facilities in Mexico and China. In the water heater business we have undergone the most significant product line transformation in our history. These transformations will be largely behind us by year-end, and we expect to be on track with our long-term strategic direction. Accordingly, we expect financial performance in 2004 to be in line with our strategic plan, in a range of $2.40 to $2.60 per share. This profit improvement will be driven largely by the efforts completed in 2003. In the motors business, we expect that a full year's impact of the transition to Mexico, as well as the ramp-up in China, will generate pretax earnings of $15 million. In the water heater business, a full year's sales of flammable vapor resistant product, as well as the introduction of NAECA compliant product will generate $15 million pre-tax. The focusing of commercial water heater production in our McBee, South Carolina plant, with residential product transitioned to Ashland City, Tennessee is expected to provide $5 million in pre-tax impact. These three items will generate a collective $35 million pre-tax improvement and serve as the underlying drivers for the projection of $2.40 to $2.60 per share earnings in 2004. Slide 14 A. O. Smith Corporation Logo Q&A (Craig speaks) That completes our opening remarks and we are now ready for your questions. As a reminder please limit your inquiries to one or two questions at a time so that everyone interested has an opportunity to participate. Operator .... (Ken speaks) Conclusion While we are not happy about our financial results in the third quarter, we are confident that the programs in place will significantly enhance our operating margins In the long run. We look forward to updating you again next quarter. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----