EX-99 2 ex99.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED 2-24-05 PRESS RELEASE DATED 2-24-05


Titan International, Inc. reports 30 percent increase in pro forma sales for fourth quarter 2004

Quincy, IL. - February 24, 2005 - Titan International, Inc. (NYSE: TWI) reported net sales of $105.9 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004, up 30 percent from $81.5 million pro forma (adjusted to reflect the April 2004 sale of Titan Europe) for the fourth quarter of 2003. Pro forma net sales for the year 2004 totaled $461.1 million, increasing 32 percent over 2003 pro forma net sales of $347.9 million.

Gross profit increased to $13.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to $7.9 million for the same quarter of 2003, a 66 percent improvement in gross profit. For the year, gross profit more than doubled to $79.5 million in 2004 from $29.7 million in 2003.

Net income for the year improved $47.8 million to a profit of $11.1 million versus a loss of $(36.7) million a year earlier. Fully diluted earnings per share were $.61 in 2004 versus a loss of $(1.75) in 2003, for a $2.36 year-over-year gain.

Included in the fourth quarter and year-end 2004 results is a $5.3 million depreciation charge for idled assets marketed for sale. Titan continues the sales process for these idled assets, including facilities in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Walcott, Iowa, and equipment in Natchez, Mississippi, and Brownsville, Texas.

“Titan has experienced another remarkable quarter and we are proud to report a profitable 2004,” stated Maurice Taylor Jr., Titan president and CEO. “The operating results for the year show Titan’s employees worked hard to return the company to profitability when presented with increased demand in the agricultural and construction markets. Although it’s been a bumpy ride, we will not forget to maintain focus on reducing costs and further enhancing efficiencies. Many of our customers are predicting another strong year in 2005.”

For additional financial information and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, see the company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2005.

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks as detailed in Titan International, Inc.’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Titan International, Inc., a holding company, owns subsidiaries that supply wheels, tires and assemblies for off-highway equipment used in agricultural, earthmoving/construction, and consumer (i.e. all terrain vehicles and trailers) applications.




Titan International, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

Amounts in thousands except earnings per share data

   
 
 
Three Months Ended 
Twelve Months Ended
   
 December 31,
 December 31,
     
2004
   
2003
   
2004
   
2003
 
Net sales
 
$
105,920
 
$
120,469
 
$
510,571
 
$
491,672
 
Cost of sales
   
92,830
   
112,529
   
431,071
   
461,969
 
Gross profit
   
13,090
   
7,940
   
79,500
   
29,703
 
                           
Selling, general & administrative expenses
   
8,455
   
11,066
   
36,040
   
43,174
 
Research & development expenses
   
345
   
727
   
1,875
   
2,749
 
Idled assets marketed for sale - depreciation
   
5,275
   
0
   
5,275
   
0
 
Goodwill impairment on Titan Europe
   
0
   
0
   
2,988
   
0
 
(Loss) income from operations
   
(985
)
 
(3,853
)
 
33,322
   
(16,220
)
                           
Interest expense
   
(2,561
)
 
(5,130
)
 
(16,159
)
 
(20,231
)
Debt termination expense
   
0
   
0
   
(3,654
)
 
0
 
Equity income from unconsolidated affiliate
   
857
   
0
   
1,278
   
0
 
Loss on investment
   
0
   
0
   
0
   
(2,707
)
Other income
   
189
   
2,762
   
428
   
5,490
 
(Loss) income before income taxes
   
(2,500
)
 
(6,221
)
 
15,215
   
(33,668
)
                           
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
   
(1,207
)
 
2,989
   
4,108
   
2,989
 
                           
Net (loss) income
 
$
(1,293
)
$
(9,210
)
$
11,107
 
$
(36,657
)
                           
(Loss) income per common share:
                         
Basic
 
$
(.08
)
$
(.44
)
$
.62
 
$
(1.75
)
Diluted
   
(.08
)
 
(.44
)
 
.61
   
(1.75
)
                           
Average common shares outstanding:
                         
Basic
   
16,326
   
21,168
   
17,798
   
20,984
 
Diluted
   
16,326
   
21,168
   
21,574
   
20,984
 

 

Net sales with and without Titan Europe (Unaudited)
Amounts in thousands

   
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
2004
 
2003
 
Net sales
 
$
105,920
 
$
120,469
 
$
510,571
 
$
491,672
 
Less Titan Europe included in historical sales
   
0
   
39,002
   
49,446
   
143,724
 
Net sales without Titan Europe
 
$
105,920
 
$
81,467
 
$
461,125
 
$
347,948
 






Segment Information
Revenues from external customers (Unaudited)
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Three Months Ended 
Twelve Months Ended
 
December 31, 
December 31,
     
2004
   
2003
   
2004
   
2003
 
Agricultural
 
$
62,652
 
$
71,675
 
$
316,235
 
$
288,545
 
Earthmoving/Construction
   
35,751
   
42,129
   
160,297
   
169,087
 
Consumer
   
7,517
   
6,665
   
34,039
   
34,040
 
Total
 
$
105,920
 
$
120,469
 
$
510,571
 
$
491,672
 


 
 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Amounts in thousands


   
Dec. 31,
 
Dec. 31
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
Assets
             
Current assets:
             
   Cash & cash equivalents
 
$
1,130
 
$
6,556
 
   Accounts receivable
   
52,781
   
83,975
 
   Inventories
   
84,658
   
112,496
 
   Assets held for sale
   
0
   
37,775
 
   Deferred income taxes
   
6,711
   
20,343
 
   Other current assets
   
9,388
   
25,801
 
Total current assets
   
154,668
   
286,946
 
               
Property, plant & equipment, net
   
80,644
   
138,482
 
Idled assets marketed for sale
   
31,245
   
0
 
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
   
30,040
   
0
 
Restricted cash deposits
   
24,500
   
51,039
 
Goodwill
   
11,702
   
18,823
 
Other assets
   
21,367
   
27,794
 
Total assets
 
$
354,166
 
$
523,084
 
               
Liabilities & stockholders’ equity
             
Current liabilities:
             
   Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)
 
$
217
 
$
21,161
 
   Accounts payable
   
26,733
   
51,931
 
   Other current liabilities
   
12,820
   
29,883
 
Total current liabilities
   
39,770
   
102,975
 
               
Long-term debt
   
169,688
   
248,397
 
Deferred income taxes
   
9,164
   
22,796
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
28,663
   
36,960
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
106,881
   
111,956
 
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity
 
$
354,166
 
$
523,084
 

Contact: Lisa Ross
Titan Communications Coordinator
(217) 221-4489