TriMas Corporation Reports Record First Quarter Results

TriMas Corporation (NASDAQ: TRS) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The Company reported record first quarter net sales of $367.7 million, an increase of 8.9% compared to first quarter 2013. The Company reported first quarter 2014 net income attributable to TriMas Corporation of $18.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, as compared to income of $13.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, during first quarter 2013. Excluding Special Items⁽¹⁾, first quarter 2014 diluted earnings per share would have been $0.43, as compared to $0.44 in first quarter 2013, while absorbing 13.6% higher weighted average shares outstanding in first quarter 2014 as compared to first quarter 2013.

TriMas Highlights

• Reported record first quarter net sales of $367.7 million, an increase of 8.9% as compared to first quarter 2013, due to results from bolt-on acquisitions and the successful execution of numerous growth initiatives.
• Improved net income attributable to TriMas Corporation⁽¹⁾ by 10.7%, excluding the impact of Special Items, compared to first quarter 2013.
• Continued initiatives to expand operating profit margins with a 30 basis point improvement, after Special Items⁽¹⁾, in first quarter 2014 as compared to first quarter 2013, while investing in the many recent acquisitions completed in 2013 and absorbing the lower margin rates associated with these acquisitions. The Company will continue to improve margins through a variety of initiatives.
• Acquired the remaining 30% interest of Arminak & Associates, a leader in the design, manufacture and supply of foamers, lotion pumps, fine mist sprayers and other packaging solutions for the cosmetic, personal care, beauty aids and household product markets.
• Reduced interest expense by more than 30% as compared to first quarter 2013. In October 2013, the Company entered into new senior secured credit facilities, which reduced interest rates, extended maturities and increased available liquidity. Also in April 2014, the Company amended its $105.0 million accounts receivable facility to lower rates and extend the maturity until October 2018.
• Continued to invest in a lean and flexible manufacturing footprint to optimize manufacturing costs long-term, add needed capacity, enhance customer service and support future growth.

"We are off to a good start in 2014 as our team is focused on the many growth and margin improvement programs in each of our businesses and headquarters," said David Wathen, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. "These initiatives contributed positively to our quarter, and will also position TriMas for continued sales and earnings growth, driving additional shareholder value into the future. During the quarter, we achieved 8.9% sales growth, despite the challenges we continued to face in our energy end markets, and the reduction of sales resulting from our third quarter 2013 divestiture of the Italian rings and levers business. We also improved our operating profit and related margin percentage, which was partially offset by a higher tax rate and higher weighted average shares outstanding in first quarter 2014 as compared to a year ago."

"We continue to identify the bright spots and leverage our recent bolt-on acquisitions. We also secured new business in Asia for our packaging business, continued to ramp-up new products in our aerospace business, increased volumes at our energy branches in Asia and continued to leverage Cequent's global platform. We remain committed to increasing margins across all of our businesses, growing faster in our higher margin businesses, exiting and reducing some lower margin business, and implementing productivity and lean programs throughout the organization," Wathen continued.

"Looking forward, we remain committed to TriMas' ability to attain our strategic aspirations, while continuing our intense efforts to increase earnings, operating margins and cash flow. Based on our first quarter results, we continue to estimate 2014 top-line growth of 6% to 8% as compared to 2013. We expect full-year 2014 diluted earnings per share to range between $2.15 and $2.25 per share, taking into account the uncertainty in our energy end markets and a higher effective tax rate, as well as more than 9% higher weighted average shares outstanding expected for 2014 as compared to 2013. We continue to be confident in our ability to grow the top-line faster than the economy, improve our margins and generate strong cash flow - to deliver increased returns on capital,” Wathen concluded.

First Quarter Financial Results

• TriMas reported record first quarter net sales of $367.7 million, an increase of 8.9% as compared to $337.8 million in first quarter 2013. During first quarter, net sales increased in four of the six reportable segments, primarily as a result of additional sales from bolt-on acquisitions, as well as geographic expansion, new customer wins and strength in certain end markets as compared to first quarter 2013. These sales increases were partially offset by approximately $3.6 million of unfavorable currency exchange.
• The Company reported operating profit of $32.6 million in first quarter 2014, an increase of 37.3% as compared to first quarter 2013. Excluding Special Items⁽¹⁾ related to the facility consolidation and relocation projects within Cequent Americas in both years, first quarter 2014 operating profit would have been $33.6 million, an increase of 13.5% as compared to $29.6 million during first quarter 2013. First quarter 2014 operating profit margin percentage, excluding Special Items, improved due to productivity and cost reduction initiatives primarily in the Packaging and Engineered Components segments, partially offset by a less favorable product sales mix related to recent acquisitions, which have lower initial margins. The Company continued to generate significant savings from capital investments, productivity projects and lean initiatives, which contributed to the funding of growth initiatives.
• Excluding noncontrolling interests related to Arminak & Associates, first quarter 2014 net income attributable to TriMas Corporation was $18.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to TriMas Corporation of $13.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, during first quarter 2013. Excluding Special Items⁽¹⁾, first quarter 2014 net income attributable to TriMas Corporation would have been $19.2 million, an improvement of 10.7%, and diluted earnings per share would have been $0.43, as compared to $0.44 in first quarter 2013, primarily due to higher operating profit and lower interest expense which was more than offset by significantly higher income tax expense and 13.6% higher weighted average shares outstanding in first quarter 2014 as compared to first quarter 2013.
• The Company reported a Free Cash Flow use (defined as Cash Flow from Operating Activities less Capital Expenditures) of $33.7 million for first quarter 2014, compared to a use of $51.9 million in first quarter 2013. The Company expects to generate between $55 million and $65 million in Free Cash Flow for 2014, while continuing to invest in capital expenditures, working capital investments in acquisitions and future growth and productivity programs.
• Through March 31, 2014, the Company invested $9.0 million in capital expenditures (included in Free Cash Flow above) primarily in support of future growth and productivity opportunities and used $51.0 million to acquire the remaining interest of Arminak & Associates in the Packaging reportable segment.

Financial Position

TriMas reported total indebtedness of $398.2 million as of March 31, 2014, as compared to $305.7 million as of December 31, 2013. TriMas ended first quarter 2014 with $352.4 million of cash and aggregate availability under its revolving credit and accounts receivable facilities.

Business Segment Results⁽²⁾

Packaging

Net sales for first quarter increased 9.5% compared to the year ago period primarily due to increases in specialty systems product sales resulting from additional demand from North American and European dispensing customers, as well as customer opportunities in Asia. Excluding the impact of the loss of sales related to the third quarter 2013 divestiture of the Italian rings and levers business, industrial closures sales improved due to increased demand in Europe. Operating profit and the related margin percentage for the quarter increased primarily due to higher sales levels, a more favorable product sales mix, savings from ongoing productivity and automation initiatives, and continued margin expansion of past acquisitions. During the quarter, the Company also acquired the remaining 30% interest in Arminak & Associates. The Company continues to develop specialty dispensing and closure applications for growing end markets, including personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutrition and food/beverage, and expand into complementary products.

Energy

First quarter net sales decreased 3.9% compared to the year ago period primarily due to the significant slow down and postponement of turnaround activity and maintenance spend in the North American refining and petrochemical end markets, partially offset by sales related to acquisitions. First quarter operating profit and the related margin percentage decreased, as manufacturing productivity was more than offset by the impact of weaker refinery shutdown activity, which resulted in a less favorable product mix shift towards standard gaskets and bolts, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses in support of our recent acquisitions. On a sequential basis, sales, operating profit and the related margin percentage improved in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company continues to optimize its sales and service branch network in support of its global customers, while focusing on improving margins.

Aerospace & Defense

Net sales for the first quarter increased 40.9% compared to the year ago period primarily due to the results of the acquisitions of Mac Fasteners in October 2013 and Martinic Engineering in January 2013, improved demand for blind bolts and one-sided installation products resulting from new programs with airplane frame manufacturers and the recent introduction of new collar products. First quarter operating profit increased, while the related margin percentage decreased slightly, as the increase in operating profit resulting from higher sales levels was impacted by a less favorable product sales mix within the product lines and lower profit margins associated with the recent acquisitions. The Company continues to invest in this segment by developing and marketing highly-engineered products for aerospace applications and leveraging bolt-on acquisitions, as well as continuing to manage existing defense contracts.

Engineered Components

First quarter net sales increased 19.8% compared to the year ago period primarily due to a large order for compressor packages by a significant customer and an increase in industrial cylinder sales related to the asset acquisition from Worthington in November 2013. First quarter operating profit and the related margin percentage increased compared to the prior year period primarily due to the increased sales levels, with margin improvement resulting from continued productivity and cost reduction initiatives as well as the operating leverage from relatively flat selling, general and administrative expense spending. The Company continues to develop new products and expand its international sales efforts.

Cequent APEA

Net sales for first quarter increased 23.0% compared to the year ago period primarily due to the April 2013 acquisition of C.P. Witter and the July 2013 acquisition of the towing assets of AL-KO, partially offset by the negative impact of currency exchange. First quarter operating profit and the related margin percentage decreased primarily as the sales impact related to recent acquisitions, was more than offset by the incremental ongoing selling, general and administrative expenses and integration costs. The Company continues to reduce fixed costs and leverage Cequent's strong brand positions to capitalize on growth opportunities in new markets.

Cequent Americas

Net sales for first quarter were relatively flat compared to the year ago period, as increased sales within the retail channel were offset by a decrease in sales in the aftermarket channel related to higher than normal sales levels in the first quarter of 2013 as customers built safety stock in anticipation of the move of production to lower cost country facilities. First quarter operating profit and the related margin percentage were relatively flat compared to the prior year period, as savings generated from the manufacturing move to Mexico were offset by incremental expenses related to inefficiencies and changing the distribution footprint in connection with the move completion, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses in support of growth initiatives. The Company continues to reduce fixed costs and leverage Cequent's strong brand positions and new products for increased market share in the United States and faster growing markets.

2014 Outlook

The Company reaffirmed its 2014 outlook previously provided on February 20, 2014. The Company estimates that 2014 sales will increase 6% to 8% as compared to 2013. The Company expects full-year 2014 diluted earnings per share to be between $2.15 and $2.25 per share, while absorbing approximately 9% higher weighted average shares outstanding for 2014 as compared to 2013 and excluding any future events that may be considered Special Items. In addition, the Company expects 2014 Free Cash Flow, defined as Cash Flow from Operating Activities less Capital Expenditures, to be between $55 million and $65 million.

Conference Call Information

TriMas Corporation will host its first quarter 2014 earnings conference call today, Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The call-in number is (888) 417-8516. Participants should request to be connected to the TriMas Corporation first quarter 2014 earnings conference call (Conference ID #6663958). The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast via TriMas' website at www.trimascorp.com, under the "Investors" section, with an accompanying slide presentation. A replay of the conference call will be available on the TriMas website or by dialing (888) 203-1112 (Replay Code #6663958) beginning April 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. ET through May 6, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any "forward-looking" statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company's financial condition and results, expense reductions, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company's business and industry, the Company's substantial leverage, liabilities imposed by the Company's debt instruments, market demand, competitive factors, supply constraints, material and energy costs, technology factors, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company's accounting policies, future trends, and other risks which are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

In this release, certain non-GAAP financial measures are used. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure may be found at the end of this release. Additional information is available at www.trimascorp.com under the “Investors” section.

About TriMas

Headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, TriMas Corporation (NASDAQ: TRS) provides engineered and applied products for growing markets worldwide. TriMas is organized into six reportable segments: Packaging, Energy, Aerospace & Defense, Engineered Components, Cequent APEA and Cequent Americas. TriMas has approximately 6,000 employees at more than 60 different facilities in 17 countries. For more information, visit www.trimascorp.com.

⁽¹⁾ Appendix I details certain costs, expenses and other charges, collectively described as “Special Items,” that are included in the determination of net income attributable to TriMas Corporation under GAAP, but that management would consider important in evaluating the quality of the Company's operating results.

⁽²⁾ Business Segment Results include Operating Profit that excludes the impact of Special Items. For a complete schedule of Special Items by segment, see “Company and Business Segment Financial Information.”