Exhibit

TriMas reported fourth quarter net sales of $211.4 million, an increase of 8.3% compared to $195.2 million in fourth quarter 2017. The Company reported operating profit of $25.5 million in fourth quarter 2018 compared to $18.6 million in fourth quarter 2017. Adjusting for Special Items⁽¹⁾, fourth quarter 2018 adjusted operating profit was $25.7 million, an increase of 9.4% compared to the prior year period, as the favorable impact of volume increases was partially offset by higher material costs.

The Company reported fourth quarter 2018 net income of $16.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2017 primarily related to one-time tax charges of approximately $12.7 million resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Fourth quarter 2018 adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $17.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, a 21.0% increase from $14.5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

"We are pleased to report another strong quarter to conclude 2018, a year in which we achieved 7% organic sales growth and 25% adjusted earnings per share growth compared to the prior year," said Thomas Amato, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. "This performance demonstrated great execution by our team, as we continued to leverage the TriMas Business Model to enhance our businesses and better serve our customers, all while generating excellent cash flow and completing the year with a strong balance sheet. During the year, we successfully overcame the impact of higher material costs and the onset of tariffs through improved operating performance, incremental volume and commercial actions."

"In addition to the strong operational and financial performance, we achieved continued progress on numerous strategic initiatives that better position TriMas for profitable growth in the future. For example, we completed numerous Kaizen projects which accelerated our continuous improvement efforts and ramped-up our corporate development initiatives, closing on the acquisition of Plastic Srl in January 2019. We also executed upon our share buyback program, retiring nearly 1% of shares outstanding, or approximately 443,000 shares, during the year."

"In 2019, our objectives are to continue our momentum under the TriMas Business Model, better position our businesses strategically to drive growth through innovation, and capitalize on market opportunities through manufacturing efficacy. We anticipate organic sales growth of 3% to 5% compared to 2018, and free cash flow conversion greater than 100% of net income, both in line with our longer-term targets. We expect full year 2019 diluted EPS to range between $1.82 to $1.92 per share. Our performance in 2018 was outstanding, and we remain excited about our prospects for 2019 and beyond," Amato concluded.

TriMas ended 2018 with $108.2 million of cash, $393.1 million of cash and aggregate availability under its revolving credit facility, and a leverage ratio of 1.3x as defined in the Company's credit agreement. TriMas reported total debt of $293.6 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to $303.1 million as of December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company reduced Net Debt⁽³⁾ during 2018 by $90.1 million to $185.4 million, compared to $275.5 million as of December 31, 2017.

During the fourth quarter, the Company purchased 318,494 shares of its outstanding common stock for approximately $8.6 million, bringing the total for the year ended December 31, 2018 to 442,632 shares for $12.1 million. As announced this morning, TriMas' Board of Directors has authorized an increase in the Company's share repurchase program, enabling the Company to purchase up to $75 million of its outstanding common stock.

The Company reported net cash provided by operations of $46.2 million for fourth quarter 2018, compared to $47.4 million in fourth quarter 2017. On a full year basis, TriMas reported net cash provided by operations of $129.3 million, an increase of 7.7% compared to $120.1 million for 2017. As a result, the Company reported Free Cash Flow⁽⁴⁾of $37.6 million for fourth quarter 2018, compared to $36.7 million in fourth quarter 2017. For 2018, TriMas reported a record Free Cash Flowof $108.3 million, an increase of 8.0% compared to $100.2 million in 2017. The Company exceeded its previously provided 2018 Free Cash Flow guidance. Please see Appendix I for further details.

TriMas' Packaging segment, which consists primarily of the Rieke^® brand, develops and manufactures specialty dispensing and closure applications for the health, beauty and home care, food and beverage, and industrial markets. Net sales for the fourth quarter increased 5.1% compared to the year ago period, primarily as a result of higher sales of health, beauty and home care, and industrial products, related to new product introductions and continued growth in Asia. Fourth quarter operating profit and the related margin percentage increased, as the favorable impact of increased sales volumes more than offset a less favorable product sales mix.

TriMas' Aerospace segment, which includes the Monogram Aerospace Fasteners^™, Allfast Fastening Systems^®, Mac Fasteners^™ and Martinic Engineering^™ brands, develops, qualifies and manufactures highly-engineered, precision fasteners and machined products to serve the aerospace market. Net sales for the fourth quarter increased 6.2% compared to the year ago period, due to higher demand levels for more complex fasteners. Fourth quarter operating profit increased and the related margin percentage decreased slightly, as the impact of higher sales was mitigated primarily by the lower profit level of the standard fastener plant.

TriMas' Specialty Products segment, which includes the Norris Cylinder^™, Lamons^®and Arrow^® Engine brands, designs, manufactures and distributes highly-engineered steel cylinders, sealing and fastener products, and wellhead engines and compression systems for use within the industrial, petrochemical, and oil and gas exploration and refining markets. Fourth quarter net sales increased 13.6% compared to the year ago period, with higher sales levels of all brands due to refocused commercial efforts and increased end market demand. Fourth quarter operating profit and the related margin level increased, as the impact of higher sales levels and prior realignment actions offset the impact of higher material costs.

Effective with the first quarter of 2019, the Company will report its machined components operations, located in Stanton, California and Tolleson, Arizona, in the Specialty Products segment. These operations were previously reported in the Aerospace segment. This modification allows the Company to better leverage its machining competencies and resources across the businesses within the Specialty Products segment, as well as provides the opportunity to expand sales of these products to customers outside of the aerospace market. In addition, this change enables the TriMas

The Company is estimating that 2019 full year organic sales growth will be 3% to 5% compared to 2018. The Company expects full year 2019 diluted earnings per share range to be between $1.82 to $1.92 per share. In addition, the Company is targeting 2019 Free Cash Flow⁽⁴⁾ to be greater than 100% of net income. All of the above amounts considered as 2019 guidance are after adjusting for any current or future amounts that may be considered Special Items.

TriMas will host its fourth quarter and full year 2018 earnings conference call today, Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The call-in number is (877) 260-1479. Participants should request to be connected to the TriMas Corporation fourth quarter and full year 2018 earnings conference call (Confirmation Code 533510). The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast via TriMas' website at www.trimascorp.com, under the "Investors" section, with an accompanying slide presentation. A replay of the conference call will be available on the TriMas website or by dialing (888) 203-1112 (Replay Passcode 533510) beginning February 28, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. ET through March 7, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Any "forward-looking" statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, contained herein, including those relating to the Company’s business, financial condition or future results, involve risks and uncertainties with respect to, including, but not limited to: general economic and currency conditions; material and energy costs; risks and uncertainties associated with intangible assets, including goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges; competitive factors; future trends; the Company’s ability to realize its business strategies; the Company’s ability to identify attractive acquisition candidates, successfully integrate acquired operations or realize the intended benefits of such acquisitions; information technology and other cyber-related risks; the performance of subcontractors and suppliers; supply constraints; market demand; intellectual property factors; litigation; government and regulatory actions, including, but not limited to, the impact of tariffs, quotas and surcharges; the Company’s leverage; liabilities imposed by debt instruments; labor disputes; changes to fiscal and tax policies; contingent liabilities relating to acquisition activities; the disruption of operations from catastrophic or extraordinary events, including natural disasters; the potential impact of Brexit; tax considerations relating to the Cequent spin-off; the Company’s future prospects; and other risks that are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

TriMas is a diversified industrial manufacturer of products for customers in the consumer products, aerospace, industrial, petrochemical, refinery and oil & gas end markets with approximately 4,000 dedicated employees in 15 countries. We provide customers with a wide range of innovative and quality product solutions through our market-leading businesses, which operate in three segments: Packaging, Aerospace and Specialty Products. The TriMas family of businesses has strong brand names in the markets served, and operates under a common set of values and strategic priorities under the TriMas Business Model. TriMas is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “TRS,” and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.trimascorp.com.



	December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	108,150	$	27,580
Receivables, net	123,110		112,220
Inventories	173,120		155,350
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,430		16,120
Total current assets	411,810		311,270
Property and equipment, net	187,800		190,250
Goodwill	316,650		319,390
Other intangibles, net	174,530		194,220
Deferred income taxes	1,080		9,100
Other assets	8,650		8,970
Total assets	$	1,100,520	$	1,033,200
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	93,430	$	72,410
Accrued liabilities	48,300		49,470
Total current liabilities	141,730		121,880
Long-term debt, net	293,560		303,080
Deferred income taxes	5,560		5,650
Other long-term liabilities	39,220		58,570
Total liabilities	480,070		489,180
Total shareholders' equity	620,450		544,020
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,100,520	$	1,033,200



	Three months ended December 31,						Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(unaudited)
Net sales	$	211,350		$	195,210		$	877,140		$	817,740
Cost of sales	(154,110		)	(146,000		)	(633,020		)	(598,350		)
Gross profit	57,240			49,210			244,120			219,390
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(31,600		)	(32,800		)	(121,800		)	(129,140		)
Net gain (loss) on dispositions of assets	(180		)	2,140			(250		)	(1,080		)
Operating profit	25,460			18,550			122,070			89,170
Other expense, net:
Interest expense	(3,250		)	(4,040		)	(13,910		)	(14,400		)
Debt financing and related expenses	—			—			—			(6,640		)
Other income (expense), net	150			(630		)	(2,180		)	(1,920		)
Other expense, net	(3,100		)	(4,670		)	(16,090		)	(22,960		)
Income before income tax expense	22,360			13,880			105,980			66,210
Income tax expense	(5,650		)	(17,890		)	(22,680		)	(35,250		)
Net income (loss)	16,710			(4,010		)	83,300			30,960
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.37		$	(0.09	)	$	1.82		$	0.68
Weighted average common shares - basic	45,747,659			45,721,160			45,824,555			45,682,627
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.36		$	(0.09	)	$	1.80		$	0.67
Weighted average common shares - diluted	46,085,202			45,721,160			46,170,464			45,990,252



	Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	83,300		$	30,960
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on dispositions of assets	250			1,080
Depreciation	24,580			26,950
Amortization of intangible assets	19,440			19,920
Amortization of debt issue costs	1,290			1,320
Deferred income taxes	7,200			15,260
Non-cash compensation expense	7,170			6,780
Debt financing and related expenses	—			6,640
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(11,420		)	1,220
(Increase) decrease in inventories	(18,690		)	4,350
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets	9,060			(310		)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,340			3,640
Other operating activities	2,800			2,250
Net cash provided by operating activities	129,320			120,060
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(25,050		)	(36,800		)
Net proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment	250			4,450
Net cash used for investing activities	(24,800		)	(32,350		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit and accounts receivable facilities	59,060			401,300
Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit and accounts receivable facilities	(68,490		)	(517,310		)
Payments to purchase common stock	(12,140		)	—
Shares surrendered upon exercise and vesting of equity awards to cover taxes	(2,380		)	(510		)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	—			300,000
Repayments of borrowings on term loan facilities	—			(257,940		)
Debt financing fees	—			(6,070		)
Other financing activities	—			(310		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(23,950		)	(80,840		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Increase for the year	80,570			6,870
At beginning of year	27,580			20,710
At end of year	$	108,150		$	27,580
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	13,800		$	9,430
Cash paid for income taxes	$	7,380		$	16,230



	Three months ended December 31,						Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Packaging
Net sales	$	89,660		$	85,310		$	368,200		$	344,570
Operating profit	$	20,140		$	18,980		$	84,590		$	80,610
Special Items to consider in evaluating operating profit:
Business restructuring and severance costs	—			40			—			1,710
Adjusted operating profit	$	20,140		$	19,020		$	84,590		$	82,320

Aerospace
Net sales	$	45,420		$	42,760		$	185,920		$	184,310
Operating profit	$	6,610		$	6,550		$	27,290		$	26,410
Special Items to consider in evaluating operating profit:
Business restructuring and severance costs	250			—			250			—
Adjusted operating profit	$	6,860		$	6,550		$	27,540		$	26,410

Specialty Products
Net sales	$	76,270		$	67,140		$	323,020		$	288,860
Operating profit	$	7,650		$	510		$	34,260		$	12,280
Special Items to consider in evaluating operating profit:
Business restructuring and severance costs	30			4,550			1,910			15,350
Adjusted operating profit	$	7,680		$	5,060		$	36,170		$	27,630

Corporate Expenses
Operating loss	$	(8,940	)	$	(7,490	)	$	(24,070	)	$	(30,130	)
Special Items to consider in evaluating operating loss:
Business restructuring and severance costs	—			390			—			750
Reversal of legacy related party liability	$	—		$	—		$	(8,150	)	$	—
Adjusted operating loss	$	(8,940	)	$	(7,100	)	$	(32,220	)	$	(29,380	)

Total Company
Net sales	$	211,350		$	195,210		$	877,140		$	817,740
Operating profit	$	25,460		$	18,550		$	122,070		$	89,170
Total Special Items to consider in evaluating operating profit	280			4,980			(5,990		)	17,810
Adjusted operating profit	$	25,740		$	23,530		$	116,080		$	106,980



	Three months ended December 31,						Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net income (loss), as reported	$	16,710		$	(4,010	)	$	83,300		$	30,960
Special Items to consider in evaluating quality of net income (loss):
Business restructuring and severance costs	250			5,580			2,830			18,130
Reversal of legacy related party liability	—			—			(8,150		)	—
Debt financing and related expenses	—			—			—			6,640
Defined benefit pension plan settlement charge	—			—			2,500			—
Tax reform adjustments ⁽¹⁾	700			12,660			(400		)	12,660
Income tax effect of Special Items ⁽²⁾	(120		)	270			910			(4,010		)
Adjusted net income	$	17,540		$	14,500		$	80,990		$	64,380

	Three months ended December 31,						Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, as reported	$	0.36		$	(0.09	)	$	1.80		$	0.67
Special Items to consider in evaluating quality of EPS:
Business restructuring and severance costs	—			0.12			0.06			0.40
Reversal of legacy related party liability	—			—			(0.17		)	—
Debt financing and related expenses	—			—			—			0.14
Defined benefit pension plan settlement charge	—			—			0.05			—
Tax reform adjustments ⁽¹⁾	0.02			0.28			(0.01		)	0.28
Income tax effect of Special Items ⁽²⁾	—			—			0.02			(0.09		)
Adjusted diluted EPS	$	0.38		$	0.31		$	1.75		$	1.40
Weighted-average shares outstanding	46,085,202			45,721,160			46,170,464			45,990,252

⁽¹⁾As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Company recognized one-time charges of $12.7 million in December 2017 from the estimated impact of the inclusion of foreign earnings and revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. In 2018, the Company finalized its accounting related to foreign earnings and recognized approximately $0.7 million of additional tax obligation in the three months ended December 31, 2018. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a net tax benefit of $0.4 million associated with finalizing its estimates of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

⁽²⁾Income tax effect of Special Items is calculated on an item-by-item basis, utilizing the tax rate in the jurisdiction where the Special Item occurred. For the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the income tax effect of Special Items varied from the tax rate inherent in the Company’s reported GAAP results, primarily as a result of certain of the Special Items in each period being incurred in jurisdictions where no tax benefit could be recorded due to valuation allowance assessments.



	Three months ended December 31,
	2018									2017
	As reported			Special Items			As adjusted			As reported			Special Items		As adjusted
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	46,230		$	530		$	46,760		$	47,410		$	1,970	$	49,380
Less: Capital expenditures	(9,160		)	—			(9,160		)	(12,680		)	—		(12,680		)
Free Cash Flow	37,070			530			37,600			34,730			1,970		36,700
Net income (loss)	16,710			830			17,540			(4,010		)	18,510		14,500
Free Cash Flow as a percentage of net income (loss)	222		%				214		%	n/m					253		%

	Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018									2017
	As reported			Special Items			As adjusted			As reported			Special Items		As adjusted
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	129,320		$	3,980		$	133,300		120,060			$	16,970	$	137,030
Less: Capital expenditures	(25,050		)	—			(25,050		)	(36,800		)	—		(36,800		)
Free Cash Flow	104,270			3,980			108,250			83,260			16,970		100,230
Net income	83,300			(2,310		)	80,990			30,960			33,420		64,380
Free Cash Flow as a percentage of net income	125		%				134		%	269		%			156		%



	Three months ended December 31,						Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net income (loss), as reported	$	16,710		$	(4,010	)	$	83,300		$	30,960
Depreciation expense	5,950			8,060			24,580			26,950
Amortization expense	4,840			5,000			19,440			19,920
Interest expense	3,250			4,040			13,910			14,400
Income tax expense	5,650			17,890			22,680			35,250
Non-cash compensation expense	2,770			1,690			7,170			6,780
Adjusted EBITDA, before Special Items	$	39,170		$	32,670		$	171,080		$	134,260
Adjusted EBITDA impact of Special Items	350			3,010			(3,830		)	20,570
Adjusted EBITDA	$	39,520		$	35,680		$	167,250		$	154,830
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales	18.7		%	18.3		%	19.1		%	18.9		%


•	Increased net sales by 7.3% to $877.1 million, with sales increases in all segments


•	Increased operating profit to $122.1 million, while adjusted operating profit⁽¹⁾ increased by 8.5% to $116.1 million


•	Increased net income to $83.3 million, while adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ increased by 25.8% to $81.0 million


•	Increased diluted EPS to $1.80, while adjusted diluted EPS⁽¹⁾ increased by 25.0% to $1.75


•	Increased Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ by $12.4 million to $167.3 million, or 19.1% of sales


•	Increased net cash provided by operating activities by 7.7% to $129.3 million, and ended 2018 with $108.2 million of cash on hand


•	Reduced debt less cash and cash equivalents by $90.1 million, to $185.4 million as of December 31, 2018


⁽²⁾	The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus expense (benefit) for interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash compensation, all as adjusted for the impact of Special Items. Please see Appendix I for additional details.


⁽³⁾	The Company defines Net Debt as Total Debt less Cash and Cash Equivalents. Please see Appendix I for additional details.


⁽⁴⁾	The Company defines Free Cash Flow as Net Cash Provided by/Used for Operating Activities, excluding the cash impact of Special Items, less Capital Expenditures. Please see Appendix I for additional details.