Spartan Motors Form 8-K - 07/26/07


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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):  July 26, 2007

SPARTAN MOTORS, INC
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)

 

Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

0-13611
(Commission
File Number)

38-2078923
(IRS Employer
Identification no.)

 



1165 Reynolds Road
Charlotte, Michigan

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


48813
(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code:  (517) 543-6400

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):

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

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

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

o 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 July 26, 2007, Spartan Motors, Inc. issued a press release concerning its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The press release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is here incorporated by reference. This Report and the Exhibit are furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.


Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

          On July 26, 2007, Spartan Motors, Inc. issued the press release that is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.2 and is here incorporated by reference. This Exhibit is furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

 

(d)

Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

 

99.1

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated July 26, 2007. This Exhibit is furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

99.2

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated July 26, 2007. This Exhibit is furnished to, and not filed with, the Commission.










2


SIGNATURES

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


 

SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  July 26, 2007

By  /s/ James W. Knapp


 

     James W. Knapp
     Chief Financial Officer















3


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

 

                     Document

 

 

 

99.1

 

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated July 26, 2007.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Spartan Motors, Inc. Press Release dated July 26, 2007.










4

Spartan Motors Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K - 07/26/07

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spartan Motors Posts Record Second Quarter Highlighted
by 30.5 Percent Net Earnings Gain, Record Backlog

CHARLOTTE, Michigan, July 26, 2007 - Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) reported its best-ever second quarter results marked by a 39.7 percent increase in net sales and a 30.5 percent increase in net earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Spartan, a leading manufacturer of custom vehicle chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles, reported net earnings of $6.5 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, on net sales of $152.6 million in the second quarter of 2007, compared with net earnings of $5.0 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on net sales of $109.2 million in the second quarter of 2006. All financial information includes adjustments for the Company's 3-for-2 stock splits in June 2007 and Dec. 2006.

"This was another quarter in the right direction, highlighted by year-over-year improvements in sales, earnings, return on invested capital and backlog," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "We posted sales gains in every product group at Spartan Chassis, including ramping up production to meet current and future orders related to the military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program, and grew sales with our recreational vehicle and emergency-rescue products, despite stiff market and economic headwinds."

Through the first six months of 2007, Spartan's sales increased 38.8 percent compared with the same period of last year, while earnings increased 44.8 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2006. The company reported net earnings per diluted share of $0.42 per share for the first six months of 2007, compared with net earnings per diluted share of $0.32 per share in the same period of 2006.

"We remain on track for the best year in company history and see additional growth potential in the second half of 2007," Sztykiel said. "We have increased our production capacity at Spartan Motors by approximately 27 percent on a square-footage basis, which helped our production efficiency in fire trucks and positions us to meet our growing MRAP-related orders. Our goal is to use this increased production capacity to facilitate larger deliveries in the second half of 2007 versus the first half of the year.

"We are also looking at additional capacity increase options, as we believe we are in a strong position to increase our presence in the MRAP marketplace and are focused on ensuring we are not the bottleneck for this very important, life-saving product."

Spartan's gross margin decreased to 15.7 percent in the second quarter of 2007, compared with 17.1 percent for the same period in 2006, reflecting primarily a shift in product mix and margin pressures on specialty vehicle units due to increased competition. Operating margin declined modestly to 7.0 percent in the second quarter of 2007, compared with 7.4 percent in the same quarter of 2006.

-more-




Spartan Motors / Page 2 of 7

Spartan Motors' consolidated backlog increased 20.1 percent over the same quarter of last year to approximately $290.4 million as of June 30, 2007. This marks the largest backlog in company history and a $40.2 million increase from the first quarter 2007. Spartan Motors anticipates filling its current backlog orders by April 2008.

On a consolidated basis, Spartan posted a return on invested capital (ROIC) of 22.5 percent in the second quarter of 2007, a 1.4 percent increase compared to ROIC of 22.2 percent for the same quarter in 2006. (Spartan defines return on invested capital as operating income less taxes, on an annualized basis, divided by total shareholders' equity.)

The Company ended the quarter with $25.0 million in long-term debt, which includes financing for Spartan Chassis' new and renovated facilities and growth in working capital to support its increased sales. Spartan reported $1.6 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter of 2007.

Spartan Chassis
Sales at Spartan Chassis, the company's largest operating unit, increased 43.4 percent to $137.4 million, or 90.0 percent of Spartan Motors' total sales. Earnings at Spartan Chassis improved 25.5 percent in the current second quarter compared to the same quarter of last year , and the unit's backlog as of June 30, 2007 increased 31.1 percent year-over-year.

Spartan's RV chassis sales increased 2.0 percent in the 2007 second quarter, driven in part by a year-to-date 5.0 percent increase in industry wholesale shipments for Class A motorhomes as of May 2007, the latest industry data available from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Backlog for RV chassis decreased 18.4 percent year-over-year as of June 30, 2007, reflecting waning consumer confidence and slower retail traffic at RV dealers.

"Spartan Chassis as a whole continues to drive the business, and while the going is tough, we are optimistic that we can work to gain business in a difficult RV climate," said Sztykiel. "Though the RV industry as a whole continues to face challenges due to unstable and high fuel prices, the RVIA is forecasting a 4.9 percent increase in Class A motorhome shipments for 2007."

Sales of fire truck chassis increased 7.9 percent in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period last year. Backlog for fire truck chassis at the end of the first quarter was $72.1 million, a 36.1 percent decrease compared with last year. Spartan said the decline in order backlog reflects its ability to increase production rates and reduce lead times, but also a general softness in the fire truck market compared to 2006 when pre-buying occurred ahead of the significant 2007 engine emissions change.

Other product sales, including specialty vehicle chassis, parts and Spartan's subcontracts for military vehicle customers, increased 485.7 percent in the second quarter of 2007. Likewise, backlog for other products increased 316.6 percent to $131.8 million as of June 30, 2007. As reported in May 2007, Spartan Chassis received subcontract orders in the second quarter of 2007 from Force Protection, Inc. and General Dynamics Land Systems totaling $107.6 million.

"While our military business has been strong, we are staying focused on product innovation in all our market niches, and we remain on track to introduce a significant new custom chassis product in August 2007," said Sztykiel. "Initially targeted toward the commercial chassis segment of the fire truck market, this new product will also create opportunities in the ambulance market and other commercial markets over time."

Emergency Vehicle Team (EVTeam)
Spartan's EVTeam operating unit, consisting of its Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue subsidiaries, reported a sales increase of 5.1 percent in the 2007 second quarter compared with the prior year period. The EVTeam reported backlog of $62.7 million at the end of the quarter, an 8.0 percent decrease compared to the unit's backlog in the second quarter of 2006.




Spartan Motors / Page 3 of 7

"The EVTeam continued to improve over the first half of 2007 and we expect this momentum to continue moving into the second half of the year," Sztykiel said. "We expect the chassis production constraint affecting Crimson Fire and Crimson Fire Aerials will be alleviated by Spartan's new cab and chassis plant, which opened in May 2007. We also have added new leadership at Road Rescue and Crimson Fire, and these individuals are already implementing operational changes and executing plans to improve results at the EVTeam over the next six months.

"Emergency rescue, fire trucks and ambulances represent both growth and diversity for our stakeholders, and we are excited and focused relative to this market niche," Sztykiel added.

Conference Call, Webcast and Presentation
Spartan Motors will host a conference call for analysts and portfolio managers at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss these results and current business trends. To listen to a live webcast of the call, please visit http://www.spartanmotors.com/webcasts.asp .

About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, emergency-rescue and specialty vehicle markets. The Company's brand names - SpartanTM, Crimson FireTM, Crimson Fire AerialsTM, and Road RescueTM - are known for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. The Company employs approximately 1,300 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Spartan reported sales of $445 million in 2006 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise that could prevent the prompt implementation of the plans outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). Government contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding, extensive specification deve lopment and changes, price negotiations and milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime contractors and subcontractors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

###



CONTACT:

John Sztykiel, CEO, or Jim Knapp, CFO
Spartan Motors, Inc.
(517) 543-6400

Jeff Lambert or Ryan McGrath
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
(616) 233-0500 / rmcgrath@lambert-edwards.com




Spartan Motors / Page 4 of 7

Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 

 


 

June 30, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

$-000


 


$-000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,584

 

$

13,835

 

     Accounts receivable, net

 

76,906

 

 

62,620

 

     Inventories

 

78,748

 

 

64,173

 

     Deferred income tax assets

 

4,371

 

 

4,567

 

     Deposits on engines

 

2,746

 

 

10,900

 

     Taxes receivable

 

2,974

 

 

 

 

     Other current assets

 


1,366


 


 


1,882


 

          Total current assets

 

168,695

 

 

157,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

42,446

 

 

29,659

 

Goodwill

 

2,457

 

 

2,457

 

Other assets

 


506


 


 


555


 

Total assets

$


214,104


 


$


190,648


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Accounts payable

$

40,468

 

$

30,704

 

     Accrued warranty

 

8,122

 

 

6,381

 

     Accrued compensation and related taxes

 

5,831

 

 

7,712

 

     Accrued vacation

 

1,767

 

 

1,483

 

     Accrued customer rebates

 

2,257

 

 

3,471

 

     Deposits from customers

 

5,380

 

 

7,465

 

     Taxes on income

 

 

 

 

1,566

 

     Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

 

2,874

 

 

2,591

 

     Current portion of long-term debt

 


522


 


 


521


 

          Total current liabilities

 

67,221

 

 

61,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

24,957

 

 

25,218

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

1,008

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

89

 

 

355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Common stock

 

325

 

 

317

 

     Additional paid in capital

 

60,181

 

 

54,233

 

     Retained earnings

 


60,323


 


 


48,631


 

          Total shareholders' equity

 

120,829

 

 

103,181

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$


214,104


 


$


190,648


 




Spartan Motors / Page 5 of 7

Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
 
 

 


 

June 30, 2007

 

June 30, 2006

 

 

$-000-


 


%


 


$-000-


 


%


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

152,583

 

 

 

109,227

 

 

 

Cost of Products Sold

128,570


 


 


 


90,553


 


 


 

Gross Profit

24,013


 


15.7


 


18,674


 


17.1


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Research and Development

3,696

 

2.4

 

2,966

 

2.7

 

     Selling, General and Administrative

9,670


 


6.3


 


7,673


 


7.0


 

Total Operating Expenses

13,366

 

8.7

 

10,639

 

9.7

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating Income

10,647


 


7.0


 


8,035


 


7.4


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest Expense

(436

)

(0.3

)

(30

)

(0.0

)

     Interest and Other Income

192


 


0.1


 


211


 


0.2


 

Total Other Income (Expense)

(244

)

(0.2

)

181

 

0.2

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Earnings before Taxes on Income

10,403


 


6.8


 


8,216


 


7.6


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes on Income

3,887

 

2.5

 

3,223

 

3.0

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Earnings

6,516


 


4.3


 


4,993


 


4.6


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Basic Net Earnings per Share

0.20


 


 


 


0.17


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Diluted Net Earnings per Share

0.20


 


 


 


0.17


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

32,073

 

 

 

28,865

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

32,947

 

 

 

29,599

 

 

 




Spartan Motors / Page 6 of 7

Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
 
 

 


 

June 30, 2007

 

June 30, 2006

 

 

$-000-


 


%


 


$-000-


 


%


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

295,465

 

 

 

212,893

 

 

 

Cost of Products Sold

246,761


 


 


 


177,451


 


 


 

Gross Profit

48,704


 


16.5


 


35,442


 


16.6


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Research and Development

7,486

 

2.5

 

5,811

 

2.7

 

     Selling, General and Administrative

19,151


 


6.5


 


14,729


 


6.9


 

Total Operating Expenses

26,637

 

9.0

 

20,540

 

9.6

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating Income

22,067


 


7.5


 


14,902


 


7.0


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest Expense

(682

)

(0.3

)

(86

)

(0.0

)

     Interest and Other Income

329


 


0.1


 


515


 


0.2


 

Total Other Income (Expense)

(353

)

(0.2

)

429

 

0.2

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Earnings before Taxes on Income

21,714


 


7.3


 


15,331


 


7.2


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes on Income

7,992

 

2.7

 

5,857

 

2.7

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Earnings

13,722


 


4.6


 


9,474


 


4.5


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Basic Net Earnings per Share

0.43


 


 


 


0.33


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Diluted Net Earnings per Share

0.42


 


 


 


0.32


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

31,828

 

 

 

28,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

32,549

 

 

 

29,183

 

 

 




Spartan Motors / Page7 of 7

Spartan Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment
Quarter Ended June 30, 2007
 
 

 


Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 (amounts in thousands)


 

Business Segments


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chassis


 


 


EVTeam


 


 


Other


 


 


Consolidated


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motorhome Chassis Sales

60,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,390

Fire Truck Chassis Sales

28,868

 

 

 

 

 

(5,585

)

 

23,283

EVTeam Product Sales

 

 

 

20,770

 

 

 

 

 

20,770

Other Product Sales

48,140


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


48,140


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Net Sales

137,398


 


 


20,770


 


 


(5,585


)


 


152,583


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense (Income)

2

 

 

370

 

 

64

 

 

436

Depreciation Expense

407

 

 

299

 

 

160

 

 

866

Segment Net Earnings (Loss)

8,078

 

 

(955

)

 

(607

)

 

6,516


Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (amounts in thousands)


 

Business Segments


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chassis


 


 


EVTeam


 


 


Other


 


 


Consolidated


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motorhome Chassis Sales

116,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116,544

Fire Truck Chassis Sales

59,492

 

 

 

 

 

(12,116

)

 

47,376

EVTeam Product Sales

 

 

 

42,170

 

 

 

 

 

42,170

Other Product Sales

89,375


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


89,375


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Net Sales

265,411


 


 


42,170


 


 


(12,116


)


 


295,465


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense (Income)

2

 

 

678

 

 

2

 

 

682

Depreciation Expense

792

 

 

608

 

 

290

 

 

1,690

Segment Net Earnings (Loss)

16,438

 

 

(1,677

)

 

(1,039

)

 

13,722


Period End Backlog (amounts in thousands)


 

June 30, 2006


 


September 30, 2006


 


December 31, 2006


 


March 31, 2007


 


June 30, 2007


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Motorhome Chassis *

29,141

 

27,416

 

28,198

 

37,679

 

23,768

   Fire Truck Chassis *

112,874

 

81,889

 

84,445

 

84,416

 

72,097

   Other Product *

31,636


 


56,175


 


49,729


 


53,178


 


131,801


      Total Chassis

173,651

 

165,480

 

162,372

 

175,273

 

227,666

   EVTeam Product *

68,176


 


65,387


 


69,715


 


74,843


 


62,691


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Backlog

241,827


 


230,867


 


232,087


 


250,116


 


290,357


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  *  Anticipated time to
fill backlog orders; 2
months or less for
motorhome chassis and
4-10 months for fire truck
chassis, other product and
EVTeam product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spartan Motors Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K - 07/26/07

EXHIBIT 99.2


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Karen Hildebrant
Spartan Chassis, Inc.
(517) 543-6400 ext. 3111

Ryan McGrath, Jeff Lambert
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
(616) 233-0500

Spartan Chassis to Support Production of Mine Protected Vehicles
Michigan Company Awarded Subcontract to Supply Key Chassis Components

CHARLOTTE, Michigan, July 25, 2007 - Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), today announced it has received a subcontract award, worth nearly $30 million, from Force Protection, Inc. to supply and integrate key chassis components in the production of advanced tactical vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, program.

The order placed with Spartan Chassis by Force Protection, a Charleston, S.C.-based manufacturer of ballistic and mine-protected military vehicles, calls for 269 Category I Cougar 4x4 vehicles, which will go to all branches of the U.S. military. Production of the vehicles is slated for completion by the end of January 2008.

"Spartan Chassis' proven specialty chassis expertise has afforded us another opportunity to work with Force Protection," said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis. "These vehicles are in great demand and we are excited about this and future opportunities to work with Force Protection in supporting the U.S. military."

Force Protection is a leader in producing the world's most advanced mine protected vehicles that have become the gold standard for troop safety against the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), land mines, and roadside bombs.

About Spartan Chassis, Inc.:
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks and specialty vehicles. Spartan Motors, which also manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $445 million in 2006 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise that could prevent the prompt implementation of the plans outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the company's Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). Government contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding, extensive specification development and changes, pri ce negotiations and milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime contractors and subcontractors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


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