NEW YORK, May 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS) reported results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2011.
Mariano Costamagna, Fuel Systems' CEO, said, "Our first quarter 2011 revenue of $90.8 million and gross margin of 24% both improved sequentially from the prior quarter reflecting the benefits of our continued revenue diversification and the improvement of our baseline profitability by further aligning our expense base with market conditions in Europe. We recently reorganized our senior leadership roles to reinforce our support of our continuing global investments in our automotive and industrial businesses. This team is off to a solid start, and our focus remains on cultivating emerging growth in our markets."
Matthew Beale, Fuel Systems' Co-President, said, "Fuel Systems executed well in the first quarter as volumes began to improve in February and March after weaker levels in December and January, and this positive trend is continuing into the second quarter. Our industrial business continued to grow and expand operating profitability as these markets recover further. So far in the year, we have invested capital raised in 2010 into the expansion of our US automotive capabilities at our Indiana and Michigan facilities, and completed the acquisition of NaturalDrive in our IMPCO division that improve our strategic and technological positioning in our markets and enhance the products we can deliver to customers. As we anticipated, 2011 will in some respects be a transitional year as we focus on building our North American automotive operations and investing in growth in Asia and Latin America. We continue to focus on execution and cost management, on prudent investing in our portfolio of businesses, and on delivering seamlessly on newly committed customer projects. Our outlook for the year remains unchanged."
First Quarter Financial Results
Revenue for the first quarter of 2011 was $90.8 million compared to $161.7 million in the first quarter of 2010. The revenue decrease is primarily attributable to a lower level of revenue from DOEM installations after the expiration of the Italian government's 2009 incentive program, partially offset by an increase in the industrial and other automotive business and the contribution of acquisitions made in 2010. Gross profit for the first quarter 2011 was $21.6 million, or 24% of revenue, compared to $63.6 million, or 39% of revenue a year ago, reflecting the reduction in DOEM volumes versus last year, changes in the mix of transportation revenue and lower margins in the industrial and US automotive business. Operating income for the period totaled $3.0 million, or 3% of revenue, compared to $44.7 million, or 28% of revenue, in the first quarter of 2010, and reflects lower volumes and gross margin and greater R&D expenses than last year's quarter as the Company invested in new technologies, which were partially offset by lower SG&A. The impact of foreign exchange was insignificant when comparing the first quarter of 2011 to the same period in 2010. Although first quarter comparisons to 2010 are challenging, the Company is encouraged that revenue, gross profit and operating income all have improved versus the fourth quarter of 2010.
Net income for the first quarter 2011 was $0.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to $28.0 million, or $1.59 per diluted share in the first quarter 2010.
On a segment basis, first quarter 2011 revenues from BRC Operations decreased $84.5 million to $54.6 million from the same quarter a year ago, and revenues from IMPCO Operations increased 58% to $38.2 million from the same quarter a year ago. BRC first quarter 2011 operating income was $3.4 million compared to $45.7 million in the same period a year ago; IMPCO first quarter 2011 operating income increased 88% to $0.9 million from the same period a year ago. A table presenting operating segment data can be found in the tables below.
Company Outlook
Fuel Systems affirms its 2011 outlook, which calls for continued soft European automotive trends and a continued strengthening in the IMPCO business. As revenue growth and cost efficiencies gain traction during the year, the Company expects full year 2011 revenue to be between $375 million and $400 million and expects 2011 gross margin of 23% to 25% and 2011 operating margin of 5% to 7%. The company's gross margin target continues to be in excess of 25% and mid-teen EBITDA margins over the medium term.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call today, May 5th at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time to discuss its first quarter 2011 financial results and other matters. To listen to the call live, please dial 877-356-8063 at least 10 minutes before the start of the conference. International participants may dial 706-679-2544. The conference ID will be 60820549. The call is also being webcast and can be accessed from the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at . A telephone replay will be available until midnight Eastern Time on May 9th by dialing 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 and entering pass code 60820549. A replay will also be available at the web address above for 90 days.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, expressed or implied statements concerning the Company's outlook for 2011, as well as its position in the market place, the success of products and the success and integration of recent acquisitions. Such statements represent only our opinions and predictions. The Company's actual results may differ materially. Factors that may cause the Company's results to differ include, but are not limited to our ability to integrate recently acquired businesses and to realize the expected synergies; economic uncertainties caused by political instability in certain of the local markets we do business in; the potential growth of non-gaseous alternative fuel products and other new technologies; currency rate fluctuations and devaluations; our ability to realign costs with current market conditions; potential changes in tax policies and government incentives and their effect on the economic benefits of our products to consumers; the weakness in financial and credit markets and the economy; and the repeal or implementation of government regulations relating to reducing vehicle emissions and potential supply chain disruptions resulting from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Readers also should consider the risk factors set forth in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements or guidance even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.
About Fuel Systems Solutions
Fuel Systems Solutions (Nasdaq:FSYS) is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of proven, cost-effective alternative fuel components and systems for use in transportation and industrial applications. Fuel Systems' components and systems control the pressure and flow of gaseous alternative fuels, such as propane and natural gas, used in internal combustion engines. These components and systems feature the Company's advanced fuel system technologies, which improve efficiency, enhance power output and reduce emissions by electronically sensing and regulating the proper proportion of fuel and air required by the internal combustion engine. In addition to the components and systems, the Company provides engineering and systems integration services to address unique customer requirements for performance, durability and configuration. The Company is composed of two operating subsidiaries: IMPCO Technologies and BRC. IMPCO Technologies is a leader in the heavy duty, industrial, power generation and stationary engines sectors and recently established a U.S. Automotive division. BRC is a leader in the light duty and automobile alternative fuel sectors and has established alliances with several major automobile manufacturers for OEM projects. Additional information is available at .
CONTACT: Company Contact: Matthew Beale, Co- President Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (646) 502-7170 Investor Relations Contacts: Lippert / Heilshorn & Associates Carolyn M. Capaccio [email protected] Cathy Mattison [email protected] (415) 433-3777
