EXHIBIT 99
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
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Contact: |
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Robert L.G. White
President and CEO
Phone: 908/206-3700 |
BREEZE-EASTERN REPORTS FISCAL 2008
SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Union, New Jersey — October 25, 2007 — Breeze-Eastern Corporation (AMEX:BZC) today reported
that net income for the 2008 fiscal second quarter was $0.8 million versus $0.9 million in the
prior-year period or income of $.09 per diluted share in the 2008 fiscal second quarter compared to
$.10 per diluted share in the prior-year period. Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal
2008 was $2.3 million compared to $2.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Sales of
$17.2 million in the fiscal second quarter of 2008 declined slightly from $17.7 million for the
same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA, as described under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”
in this press release, for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $2.6 million versus $2.9 million
in the prior year period. New orders received during the 2008 fiscal second quarter were $27.6
million compared to $25.7 million in the prior fiscal year’s second quarter. The Company’s
book-to-bill ratio for the fiscal 2008 second quarter was 1.6 compared with 1.5 in last year’s
fiscal second quarter and 1.4 for the full fiscal year 2007.
For the six month period ended September 30, 2007 the Company reported net income of $1.4 million
versus $0.9 million for the same period last year or income of $.15 per diluted share in the first
half of fiscal 2008 compared to $.10 per diluted share for the same period in fiscal 2007. The
first six months of fiscal 2007 included a pretax charge of $1.3 million related to the refinancing
of the Company’s debt. Operating income for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was $4.3 million
versus $5.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2007. Sales for the first six months of fiscal
2008 declined slightly to $33.5 million from $33.9 million for the same period last year. Adjusted
EBITDA was $4.9 million for the first six months of fiscal 2008 versus $6.0 million for the same
period last year. New orders received during the first six months of fiscal 2008 were $35.8
million compared to $73.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2007 which included an order from
Airbus for $21.5 million relating to the A400M Military Transport Program which is scheduled to
commence shipping in calendar 2009 and continue through 2020. The book-to-bill ratio for the first
six months of fiscal 2008 was 1.1 versus 1.5 in the in the first six months of fiscal 2007
excluding the order received from Airbus in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 of $21.5 million.
Robert L. G. White, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said, “In spite of lower
spare parts sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we reported an increase in gross margin in
the quarter that was the result of better performance in the production of new
700 Liberty Avenue • Union • New Jersey 07083
Tel. 908.686.4000 • Fax 908.686.7485 • www.breeze-eastern.com
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Breeze-Eastern Corporation — October 25, 2007
Fiscal 2008 Second Quarter Earnings Release
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equipment and the overhaul and repair sales. The shift in product mix which we experienced in
the first quarter of fiscal 2008 continued in the second quarter as sales of new equipment
accounted for 55% of total sales in the quarter bringing the six month total of new equipment
shipments to 54% of sales compared to 46% for the first six months of fiscal 2007. The demand for
spare parts remained weak during the second quarter due primarily, we believe, to the delay in
passage of the 2008 Federal Government Defense budget and had the biggest impact on the shift in
sales mix. While we remain confident that the unrealized portion of the spare parts sales will
eventually be ordered, it is not clear how much of it will fall into fiscal 2008 or 2009.
The gross margin of 41% for the first six months of fiscal 2008 versus 43% for the same period last
year reflects the shift in spare parts sales as these have substantially higher margins than our
sales of new equipment and overhaul and repair. The recovery of the shipment pattern to more
historical trends we have been expecting has not yet occurred due, we believe, to a continued delay
associated with appropriations under the 2008 Federal Government Defense budget. In spite of this,
we were very pleased to see the order rate for the overall business improve with a book-to-bill
ratio in the second quarter of 1.6 bringing the ratio to 1.1 for the first six months of fiscal
2008. The increase in general, administrative and selling expenses in the second quarter of fiscal
2008 was mainly due to costs associated with a threatened proxy contest which was settled during
the quarter. Although the selling, general and administrative costs for the first six months of
2008 as compared to 2007 are essentially flat, the 2008 level is approximately $0.4 million below
plan and reflects measures taken by us during the period to contain or reduce costs in view of the
order patterns mentioned above. Our debt, net of cash on hand, at the end of the second quarter of
fiscal 2008 was $38.2 million, an increase of $1.4 million from July 1, 2007. This increase is
principally due to increased accounts receivable reflecting shipments later in the quarter and
increased inventory levels as we continue to transition to a product mix more heavily weighted to
new equipment sales.”
Outlook for Fiscal 2008
Mr. White concluded, “While we face challenges in the last half of the fiscal year, we believe that
certain cost cutting measures already instituted along with continued prudence regarding
discretionary spending will help us in our commitment to achieve operating results roughly in line
with our previously stated targets. However, an extended delay in certain appropriations
associated with the Federal Government Defense budget will present an obstacle, especially in
regard to our gross margin and, therefore, EBITDA, which may prove to be impractical to overcome in
achieving these targets.”
Breeze-Eastern Corporation (http://www.breeze-eastern.com) is the world’s leading
designer and manufacturer of sophisticated lifting devices for military and civilian aircraft,
including rescue hoists, cargo hooks, and weapons-lifting systems. The Company, formerly known as
TransTechnology Corporation, which employs approximately 180 people at its facility in Union, New
Jersey, reported sales of $73.3 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
Non—GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), the Company also discloses operating income (gross profit
less general, administrative and selling expenses) and Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization, interest and other income/expense and loss on extinguishment
of debt). These are presented as supplemental measures of performance. The
Company presents Adjusted EBITDA because it considers it an important supplemental measure of
performance. Measures similar to Adjusted EBITDA are widely used by the Company and by others in
the Company’s industry to evaluate performance and price potential
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Breeze-Eastern Corporation — October 25, 2007
Fiscal 2008 Second Quarter Earnings Release
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acquisition candidates. The
Company believes Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to
period and company to company by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital
structure (affecting relative interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or
companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age and book
depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense). The Company
also presents Adjusted EBITDA because it believes it is frequently used by investors and other
interested parties as a basis for evaluating performance to formulate investment decisions.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or
as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. Some of the
limitations of Adjusted EBITDA are that (i) it does not reflect the Company’s cash expenditures for
capital assets, (ii) it does not reflect the significant interest expense or cash requirements
necessary to service interest or principal payments on the Company’s debt, and (iii) it does not
reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company’s working capital. Furthermore, other
companies in the aerospace and defense industry may calculate these measures differently than the
manner presented above. Accordingly, the Company focuses primarily on its GAAP results and uses
Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.
INFORMATION ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Acts”). Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact are deemed to
be forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current beliefs, estimates and
assumptions concerning the operations, future results, and prospects of the Company. As actual
operations and results may materially differ from those assumed in forward-looking statements,
there is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking
statements are subject to the safe harbors created in the Acts.
Any number of factors could affect future operations and results, including, without limitation
competition from other companies; changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations affecting the
Company in the locations in which it conducts its business; the availability of equity and/or debt
financing in the amounts and on the terms necessary to support the Company’s future business;
interest rate trends; determination by the Company to dispose of or acquire additional assets;
general industry and economic conditions; events impacting the U.S. and world financial markets and
economies; and those specific risks that are discussed in the Company’s previously filed Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended July 1, 2007.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information or future events.