Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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) February 22, 2007

 


WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

1-13782   25-1615902
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1001 Airbrake Avenue  
Wilmerding, Pennsylvania   15148
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(412) 825-1000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 22, 2007, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting, among other things, the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 2.02 by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing, and as set forth in Item 8.01 herein.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

On February 22, 2007, the Company issued a press release reporting, among other things, updated earnings guidance for fiscal year 2007. A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and the portion entitled “2007 Outlook Affirmed” is incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibit is furnished with this report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1

   Press release dated February 22, 2007.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE

TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

  By:   /s/ Alvaro Garcia-Tunon
     
    Alvaro Garcia-Tunon
    Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: February 22, 2007

   


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

  

Description

  

Method of Filing

99.1

   Press release dated February 22, 2007.    Filed herewith.
Press release

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

News Release

Wabtec Reports Record 4Q Sales And EPS, With Record Cash Generation In 2006; Company Also Affirms 2007 Guidance

WILMERDING, PA, Feb. 22, 2007 – Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) today reported its 2006 fourth quarter and full-year results, including the following highlights:

 

 

 

In the fourth quarter, earnings per diluted share were a record 53 cents, including a net tax benefit of 8 cents per diluted share. Excluding the net tax benefit, earnings per diluted share were 45 cents, 32 percent higher than the year-ago quarter and the company’s 11th consecutive quarterly earnings increase.

 

   

Fourth quarter sales increased 9 percent to a record $294 million, reflecting an expected increase in Transit Group sales; and operating income, as a percent of sales, was 12.4 percent, 1.5 percentage points higher than the year-ago quarter.

 

   

For the full year, Wabtec had earnings per diluted share of $1.73 including the fourth quarter net tax benefit of 8 cents and a previously announced restructuring charge of 9 cents in the third quarter; excluding these items, Wabtec had earnings per diluted share of $1.74 in 2006.

 

   

During the year, Wabtec generated more than $150 million of cash, a majority of which was used for acquisitions and to repurchase Wabtec stock.

 

   

At year-end, the company’s multi-year backlog remained above $1 billion, 26 percent higher than a year ago.

Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer, said: “From a financial and strategic perspective, 2006 was a good year for Wabtec. Our financial performance was strong, with double-digit earnings growth, expanding margins and record cash flow. Strategically, we made progress on several fronts: completing two acquisitions, investing in future growth initiatives and gaining acceptance for new technologies such as our Electronic Train Management System®. In 2007, we expect to build on that performance with another year of revenue and earnings growth.”

2006 Fourth Quarter Results

Sales increased 9 percent, primarily due to higher sales of transit locomotives, locomotive components and radiators for non-rail markets, as well as acquisitions. Gross margin (gross profit divided by net sales) was 26.7 percent compared to 25.7 percent in the year-ago quarter.

Operating expenses were 14.4 percent of sales, slightly less than the year-ago quarter. The company’s operating margin (income from operations divided by net sales) increased to 12.4 percent compared to 10.9 percent in the year-ago quarter due to cost reductions and higher sales.

LOGO

Tim Wesley

 

Phone: 412.825.1543

E-mail: twesley@wabtec.com

Website: www.wabtec.com

 

Wabtec Corporation

1001 Air Brake Avenue

Wilmerding, PA 15148


LOGO

News Release

Interest expense, net was $238,000, compared to $1.8 million in the year ago quarter, due to higher interest income and a higher cash balance in 2006. The company’s effective tax rate was 25.4 percent compared to a normal rate of 36 percent. The lower rate was due to a net tax benefit of $3.8 million, or 8 cents per diluted share, resulting primarily from a reduction in the valuation allowance associated with certain net operating loss carryforwards.

At Dec. 31, 2006, the company had cash of $188 million and debt of $150 million compared to cash of $141 million and debt of $150 million at Dec. 31, 2005. During the quarter, Wabtec completed two acquisitions for a combined $87 million in cash. Wabtec acquired Schaefer Equipment, Inc., the leading manufacturer of forged brake rigging components for freight cars; and Becorit GmbH, a leading manufacturer of technology-based friction products in Europe. Both companies had annual sales of about $30 million each. Also during the quarter, Wabtec repurchased 171,500 shares of company stock at a cost of $5.3 million, as part of a previously announced, $50 million share repurchase program. To date, Wabtec has repurchased about 673,900 shares for $18.9 million under this program.

2007 Outlook Affirmed

Wabtec affirmed its previous guidance for 2007 earnings per diluted share of about $2.10 excluding restructuring expenses of about 5 cents per diluted share, primarily to complete the plan initiated and previously announced in 2006. This represents growth of about 20 percent in earnings per diluted share compared to 2006, on expected sales growth of 10-12 percent for the year.

Neupaver said: “We expect our core markets to remain strong this year, and we will also benefit from the ramp up of several long-term contracts, other strategic growth initiatives, integration of our 2006 acquisitions and our diversified business model. In addition, we are working to improve margins from continued application of the Wabtec Performance System and internal cost improvement programs. Our long-term financial goals are to average annual double-digit growth in sales and earnings per diluted share through the business cycle, and we are continuing to position the company to achieve these goals.”

Wabtec Corporation (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of value-added, technology-based products and services for the rail industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. The company also builds new switcher and commuter locomotives, and provides aftermarket services.

This release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding the company’s expectations about future earnings. Actual results could differ materially from the results suggested in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause or contribute to these material differences include, but are not limited to, a slowdown in the North American economy; a decrease in freight or passenger rail traffic; an increase in manufacturing costs, especially raw materials; and other factors contained in the company’s regulatory filings, which are herein incorporated by reference. The company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or advise of changes in the assumptions on which they are based.

The company will conduct a conference call with analysts and investors at 10 a.m., eastern time, today. To listen to the call via webcast, please go to www.wabtec.com.

LOGO

Tim Wesley

 

Phone: 412.825.1543

E-mail: twesley@wabtec.com

Website: www.wabtec.com

 

Wabtec Corporation

1001 Air Brake Avenue

Wilmerding, PA 15148

 


WABTEC CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Fourth
Quarter
2006
    Fourth
Quarter
2005
    For the
Twelve Months
2006
    For the
Twelve Months
2005
 

Net sales

   $ 294,420     $ 270,257     $ 1,087,620     $ 1,034,024  

Cost of sales

     (215,672 )     (200,767 )     (790,843 )     (774,378 )
                                

Gross profit

     78,748       69,490       296,777       259,646  

Gross profit as a % of Net Sales

     26.7 %     25.7 %     27.3 %     25.1 %

Selling,general and administrative expenses

     (32,703 )     (31,248 )     (130,294 )     (121,696 )

Engineering expenses

     (8,495 )     (7,914 )     (32,701 )     (32,762 )

Amortization expense

     (1,134 )     (991 )     (4,222 )     (3,931 )
                                

Total operating expenses

     (42,332 )     (40,153 )     (167,217 )     (158,389 )

SGA as a % of Net Sales

     11.1 %     11.6 %     12.0 %     11.8 %

Operating expenses as a % of Net Sales

     14.4 %     14.9 %     15.4 %     15.3 %

Income from operations

     36,416       29,337       129,560       101,257  

Income from operations as a % of Net Sales

     12.4 %     10.9 %     11.9 %     9.8 %

Interest income (expense), net

     (238 )     (1,802 )     (1,586 )     (8,686 )

Other income (expense), net

     (132 )     15       (1,417 )     (3,055 )
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     36,046       27,550       126,557       89,516  

Income tax expense

     (9,143 )     (9,637 )     (40,063 )     (31,831 )
                                

Effective tax rate

     25.4 %     35.0 %     31.7 %     35.6 %

Income from continuing operations

     26,903       17,913       86,494       57,685  

Discontinued operations

        

(Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of tax)

     (661 )     (1,612 )     (1,690 )     (1,909 )
                                

Net income

   $ 26,242     $ 16,301     $ 84,804     $ 55,776  
                                
Earnings Per Common Share         
Basic         

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.56     $ 0.37     $ 1.79     $ 1.23  

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

     (0.02 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.04 )

Net income

   $ 0.54     $ 0.34     $ 1.75     $ 1.19  
Diluted         

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.55     $ 0.37     $ 1.76     $ 1.21  

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

     (0.02 )     (0.03 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )

Net income

   $ 0.53     $ 0.34     $ 1.73     $ 1.17  

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

Basic

     48,367       47,831       48,322       46,845  
                                

Diluted

     49,139       48,534       49,108       47,595  
                                
Sales by Segment (New Method)         

Freight Group

   $ 174,494     $ 176,898     $ 709,353     $ 677,096  

Transit Group

     119,926       93,359       378,267       356,928  
                                

Total

   $ 294,420     $ 270,257     $ 1,087,620     $ 1,034,024  
                                
Sales by Segment (Old Method)         

Freight Group

   $ 185,738     $ 188,426     $ 741,314     $ 713,748  

Transit Group

     108,682       81,831       346,306       320,276  
                                

Total

   $ 294,420     $ 270,257     $ 1,087,620     $ 1,034,024