Astec Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and 2007 Results With Historical Highs In Revenues and Net Income

Astec Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and 2007 Results With Historical Highs In Revenues and Net Income

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Astec Industries, Inc. NASDAQ: ASTE today reported results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenues for 2007 were $869 million and net income for 2007 was $57 million, each of which is a historical high for the Company. Net income was $2.53 per diluted share for 2007 compared to $1.81 per diluted share for 2006, for an increase of $0.72, or 40% per diluted share.

Revenues for 2007 were $869 million compared with $711 million for 2006, for an increase of 22%. Domestic sales were $591 million for 2007, or 68% of 2007 revenues, compared to domestic sales of $518 million for 2006, or 73% of 2006 revenues. International sales were $278 million for 2007, a 45% increase over 2006, or 32% of 2007 revenues, compared to international sales of $192 million for 2006, or 27% of 2006 revenues. Gross margins for 2007 compared to 2006 increased 40 basis points. The Company reported net income of $57 million, or $2.53 per diluted share, for 2007 compared with a net income of $40 million, or $1.81 per diluted share for 2006, resulting in a 40% increase in diluted earnings per share.

Income from operations increased 44% from $60 million in 2006 to $87 million in 2007.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $221 million compared with $162 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, for an increase of 36%. Domestic sales were $136 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 62% of 2007 fourth quarter revenues, compared to domestic sales of $114 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, or 70% of 2006 fourth quarter revenues. International sales were $85 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 38% of 2007 fourth quarter revenues, compared to international sales of $49 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, or 30% of 2006 fourth quarter revenues. The Company reported net income of $11 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with net income of $6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006, resulting in a 72% increase in diluted earnings per share. The Company's previous historical high for fourth quarter earnings was $0.29 per diluted share in 1998 and 2006.

Consolidated financial statements for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007 and additional information related to segment revenues and profits are attached as addenda to this press release.

The Company's backlog at December 31, 2007 was $272 million compared to $246 million at December 31, 2006, including the backlog of Peterson Pacific Corp. acquired in July 2007, for a $26 million increase. The Company's backlog at January 31, 2008 was $293 million compared to $267 million, including Peterson, at January 31, 2007, for a $26 million increase.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. J. Don Brock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our 2007 results. We are beginning the year with a strong backlog indicative of what we believe will be improved sales in the first six months of 2008. Our efforts to increase international sales will continue this year. The ConExpo Show, held every three years, is in March and is the largest equipment show in the United States. ConExpo will be attended by many of our customers to evaluate the latest equipment offerings and capabilities. We expect to achieve 15% growth in net sales in 2008. We expect inflation pressures on the cost of materials and components to continue in 2008. We will be diligent in managing costs and increasing prices where needed. Based on our outlook at this time, we expect net sales to be approximately $1 billion in 2008 and diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.80 to $2.95."

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Astec will conduct a conference call on February 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EST to review its fourth quarter and fiscal 2007 financial results as well as its near term general outlook for 2008. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 407-9210. Please reference Astec Industries.

The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of the conference call. The live broadcast of Astec's conference call will be available online at the Company's website at: www.astecindustries.com/www/docs/100. An archived webcast will be available for 90 days at www.astecindustries.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through midnight on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 for international callers; Account #: 286; Conference ID #: 275273. A transcription of the conference call will be made available under the investor relations section of the Astec Industries, Inc. website within seven days after the call.

Astec Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialized equipment for building and restoring the world's infrastructure. Astec's manufacturing operations are divided into four business segments: aggregate processing and mining equipment; asphalt production equipment; mobile asphalt paving equipment; and underground boring, directional drilling and trenching equipment. We also have a company engaged in the wood grinding and processing industry.

The information contained in this press release contains "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding the future performance of the Company, including statements about the Company's financial performance for 2008, including projected net sales and diluted earnings per share, the effects on the Company from its backlog, the effects of inflation pressures on the cost of materials and components, and the effects of our efficiency initiatives. These forward- looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based upon currently available information, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or anticipated. Future events and actual results, financial or otherwise, could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause future events or actual results to differ materially include: general uncertainty in the economy, future downturns in the economy, rising oil and liquid asphalt prices, rising steel prices, a failure to comply in the future with covenants in the Company's credit facility or to obtain waivers thereof, rising interest rates, decreased funding for highway projects, production capacity, general business conditions in the industry, demand for the Company's products, seasonality and cyclicality in operating results, seasonality of sales volumes or lower than expected sales volumes, lower than expected margins on custom equipment orders, competitive activity and those other factors listed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the Company's quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2007. The Company plans to file its Form 10-K timely by February 29, 2008.



                   Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                       Dec 31      Dec 31
                                                        2007        2006
                      Assets
    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                          $34,636     $44,878
    Receivables, net                                    87,487      66,673
    Inventories                                        210,819     157,835
    Prepaid expenses and other                          15,790      13,631
    Total current assets                               348,732     283,017
    Property and equipment, net                        141,528     113,914
    Other assets                                        52,310      24,931
    Total assets                                      $542,570    $421,862

         Liabilities and shareholders' equity
    Current liabilities
    Accounts payable - trade                           $54,840     $42,561
    Other accrued liabilities                           89,054      62,308
    Total current liabilities                          143,894     104,869
    Other non-current liabilities                       21,204      20,128
    Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary           883         699
    Total shareholders' equity                         376,589     296,166
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity        $542,570    $421,862



                   Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                    Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                  Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                                        Dec 31                  Dec 31
                                   2007        2006        2007        2006
    Net sales                    $220,810    $162,151    $869,025    $710,607
    Cost of sales                 172,909     127,485     659,247     542,320
    Gross profit                   47,901      34,666     209,778     168,287
    Selling, general,
     administrative &
     engineering expenses          30,276      27,707     123,050     107,944
    Income from operations         17,625       6,959      86,728      60,343
    Interest expense                   88         404         853       1,672
    Other income, net of expenses     493         716       2,531       1,637
    Income before income taxes
     and minority interest         18,030       7,271      88,406      60,308
    Income taxes                    6,586         972      31,398      20,638
    Minority interest in earnings      60         -           211          82
    Net income                    $11,384      $6,299     $56,797     $39,588


    Earnings per Common Share
    Net income
              Basic                 $0.51       $0.29       $2.59       $1.85
              Diluted               $0.50       $0.29       $2.53       $1.81


    Weighted average common
      shares outstanding
              Basic         22,224,429   21,561,820   21,967,985   21,428,738
              Diluted       22,595,714   21,786,613   22,444,866   21,917,123



                   Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                           Segment Revenues and Profits
              For the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
                                  (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                 Aggregate  Mobile
                                    and     Asphalt  Under-
                         Asphalt   Mining   Paving   ground    All
                          Group    Group    Group    Group    Others   Total
    2007 Revenues         56,722   85,045   28,827   31,390   18,826  220,810
    2006 Revenues         37,631   71,528   26,187   26,805      -    162,151
    Change $              19,091   13,517    2,640    4,585   18,826   58,659
    Change %               50.7%    18.9%    10.1%    17.1%      -      36.2%

    2007 Gross Profit     13,172   18,853    7,261    5,461    3,154   47,901
    2007 Gross Profit %    23.2%    22.2%    25.2%    17.4%    16.8%    21.7%
    2006 Gross Profit
     (Loss)                8,450   17,656    5,336    3,520     (296)  34,666
    2006 Gross Profit %    22.5%    24.7%    20.4%    13.1%      -      21.4%
    Change                 4,722    1,197    1,925    1,941    3,450   13,235

    2007 Profit (Loss)     7,881    8,033    3,117      833   (8,508)  11,356
    2006 Profit (Loss)     3,664    8,535    2,243     (461)  (7,093)   6,888
    Change $               4,217     (502)     874    1,294   (1,415)   4,468
    Change %              115.1%    (5.9%)   39.0%   280.7%   (19.9%)   64.9%


    Segment revenues are reported net of intersegment revenues.  Segment gross
    profit is net of profit on intersegment revenues.  A reconciliation of
    total segment profits to the Company's consolidated net income is as
    follows:


                                        For the three months ended December 31
                                                     2007     2006
    Total profit for all segments                  $11,356   $6,888
    Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary        (60)      -
    Recapture (elimination) of intersegment profit      88     (589)
    Consolidated net income                        $11,384   $6,299


                   Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                         Segment Revenues and Profits
            For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
                                (in thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                 Aggregate  Mobile
                                    and     Asphalt  Under-
                         Asphalt   Mining   Paving   ground    All
                          Group    Group    Group    Group    Others   Total
    2007 Revenues        240,229  338,183  146,489  114,378   29,746  869,025
    2006 Revenues        186,657  289,471  129,385  105,094      -    710,607
    Change $              53,572   48,712   17,104    9,284   29,746  158,418
    Change %               28.7%    16.8%    13.2%     8.8%      -      22.3%

    2007 Gross Profit     61,530   81,297   36,260   25,670    5,021  209,778
    2007 Gross Profit %    25.6%    24.0%    24.8%    22.4%    16.9%    24.1%
    2006 Gross Profit
     (Loss)               46,447   70,878   29,995   21,303     (336) 168,287
    2006 Gross Profit %    24.9%    24.5%    23.2%    20.3%      -      23.7%
    Change                15,083   10,419    6,265    4,367    5,357   41,491

    2007 Profit (Loss)    37,707   38,892   17,885    7,348  (45,042)  56,790
    2006 Profit (Loss)    24,387   33,263   14,369    4,866  (36,439)  40,446
    Change $              13,320    5,629    3,516    2,482   (8,603)  16,344
    Change %               54.6%    16.9%    24.5%    51.0%   (23.6%)   40.4%

    Segment revenues are reported net of intersegment revenues.  Segment gross
    profit is net of profit on intersegment revenues.  A reconciliation of
    total segment profits to the Company's consolidated net income is as
    follows:


                                       For the twelve months ended December 31
                                                     2007     2006
    Total profit for all segments                  $56,790  $40,446
    Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary       (211)     (82)
    Recapture (elimination) of intersegment profit     218     (776)
    Consolidated net income                        $56,797  $39,588


                   Astec Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                              Backlog by Segment
                          December 31, 2007 and 2006
                                (in thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                 Aggregate  Mobile
                                    and     Asphalt  Under-
                         Asphalt   Mining   Paving   ground   All
                           Group    Group    Group    Group   Others    Total
        2007 Backlog     124,857  113,031   12,142   13,347    9,045  272,422
        2006 Backlog     111,053  109,370   12,404    9,709    3,704  246,240
          Change $        13,804    3,661     (262)   3,638    5,341   26,182
          Change %         12.4%     3.3%    (2.1%)   37.5%   144.2%    10.6%
Website: http://www.astecindustries.com//




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