EX-99 2 cmw3396a.htm PRESS RELEASE
 
Gehl Company Tel: 262/334-9461
143 Water Street Fax: 262/334-7517
P.O. Box 179 http://www.gehl.com
West Bend, WI 53095-0179
USA

Contact:
Thomas M. Rettler
Chief Financial Officer
262-334-6632

News Release

GEHL COMPANY REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2007 RESULTS;
ISSUES 2008 FULL YEAR OUTLOOK

        WEST BEND, WISCONSIN, March 3, 2008 – Gehl Company (NASDAQ GSM: GEHL), today reported 2007 income from continuing operations of $24.9 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, on net sales of $457.6 million, and fourth quarter income from continuing operations of $4.7 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on net sales of $102.2 million.

        Net sales for full year 2007 were $457.6 million compared with $486.2 million for 2006, a decrease of 6%. Sales outside of the United States were $131.0 million, or 29% of total Company sales, for 2007, an increase of 31% versus 2006. Continuation of market share gains in the Company’s two primary product categories, skid loaders and telehandlers, strong agricultural markets and growth of the Company’s international distribution footprint partially offset the impact of weaker North American residential construction activity and lower capital investments by equipment rental companies.

        Although industry retail demand in North America for skid loaders and telehandlers was down 8% and 28%, respectively, for the full year 2007 compared to 2006, the Company’s retail performance continued to reflect market share gains in these two key product categories as its skid loader and telehandler retail settlements decreased only 3% and 9%, respectively.

        Gross margin improved to 22.6% for the full year 2007 compared to 21.5% in 2006. The increase was primarily driven by the favorable results the Company continued to achieve from enhanced supply chain management and investments in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $59.6 million during 2007 compared to $58.3 million in 2006. As a percent of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 13.0% compared to 12.0% in the prior year, which reflected planned incremental increases in research and development and information technology projects that totaled $2.5 million. In addition, due to the weakening North American economy, the Company recorded an increase of $3.7 million in bad debt reserves on its non-securitized finance contract portfolio.

( M O R E )


Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 2

        Net other expense was $5.5 million for 2007 compared to $3.9 million in 2006. The change reflects an increase in expected losses within the securitized finance contract portfolio, also a result of the weakening North American economy, of $2.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in other costs of selling finance contracts as a result of a $46.3 million decrease in the volume of finance contracts sold in 2007 compared to 2006.

        Income from continuing operations was $24.9 million, or $2.00 per share, in 2007 compared to $28.1 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, in 2006. This includes a decrease in the Company’s effective income tax rate to 33.2% in 2007 compared to 34.5% in 2006, reflecting a higher domestic manufacturing deduction and research and development credit.

        Net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007 were $102.2 million, a decrease of 1% from the 2006 fourth quarter net sales of $103.6 million. Net sales remained solid in the quarter despite continued weakness in North American residential construction activity. The Company’s North American retail skid loader volume increased 12% during the fourth quarter of 2007 versus the same period of 2006, while the overall industry retail numbers increased 5% for the quarter. The Company’s telehandler retail demand declined 16% in the fourth quarter in an industry-wide market that declined over 24%.

( M O R E )


Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 3

        Gross margin improved to 23.1% in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to 20.9% in the fourth quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily driven by the favorable results the Company continued to achieve from its added supply chain resources and the favorable impact of changes in customer and product mix. These increases were partially offset by the impact of currency-related product cost increases and increased manufacturing spending.

        Operating expenses were 13.5% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2007, up from 13.3% in the fourth quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily driven by $2.8 million of additional bad debt reserves on the Company’s non-securitized finance contract portfolio and the planned incremental increases in research and development and information technology projects that totaled $0.6 million in the quarter.

        Income from continuing operations was $4.7 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with income from continuing operations of $4.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006. This includes a decrease in the Company’s effective income tax rate to 26.9% in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to 34.5% in 2006, reflecting a higher domestic manufacturing deduction and research and development credit.

        “We are pleased to report significant improvement in the Company’s performance in difficult domestic markets, as reflected by our continued market share gains,” said William D. Gehl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Gross margin expansion and the growth of our international sales are positive developments reflecting our global compact equipment strategy, investments in product research and development and continued emphasis on cost reductions.”

2008 Full Year Outlook

        The Company does not anticipate that North American housing conditions will improve appreciably in 2008. While the Company anticipates continued growth in the international markets, current forecasts anticipate that the North American compact equipment markets will decline 10% to 30% in 2008, varying by product category. The Company’s backlog as of February 22, 2008 of $95.9 million was up $56.3 million, or 142%, from the December 31, 2007 backlog level of $39.6 million.

( M O R E )


Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 4

        Based on current 2008 market forecasts, current Company backlog position, new product acceptance rate, targeted market share gains and field inventory adjustments, the Company expects 2008 net sales to be in the range of $405 million to $425 million. The Company intends to continue to reduce North American field inventory levels in 2008 to position dealer inventory levels in advance of new product introductions in 2009. Gross margin in 2008 is expected to decline due to a change in product mix, increasing commodity costs, primarily steel, and lower production volumes compared to 2007. In addition, operating expenses will increase due to planned incremental investments in product research and development, information technology projects and programs designed to enhance dealer communication totaling approximately $3.2 million. The Company expects income per share from continuing operations of $0.95 to $1.20 in 2008. The Company anticipates generating operating cash flow of $40 million to $60 million driven by decreases in field and factory inventory.

Conference Call

        A conference call is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST on Monday, March 3, 2008. The call will review 2007 fourth quarter and annual results and discuss the Company’s 2008 full year outlook.

        All interested parties are invited to listen to the presentation. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (866) 700-5192 or (617) 213-8833 up to 15 minutes before the call begins. The passcode is 80698705. Access may also be gained through the Company’s web site (www.gehl.com) by first clicking on the Investor Relations tab, then clicking on Webcasts, and then selecting the 4th Quarter 2007 Financial Earnings Conference Call Webcast. An archive of the presentation will be available for one year after the call on the Company’s web site.  A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. CST on March 3rd and will be available for one week after the call by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888. The replay passcode is 85110939.

( M O R E )


Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 5

Forward-Looking Statements

Gehl Company (the “Company” or “Gehl”) intends that certain matters discussed in this release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates” or “projects” or words of similar meaning are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Factors that could cause such a variance include, but are not limited to, those risk factors cited in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any adverse change in general economic conditions, unanticipated changes in capital market conditions, the Company’s ability to implement successfully its strategic initiatives (including cost reduction initiatives), market acceptance of newly introduced products, unexpected issues related to the pricing and availability of raw materials (including steel and rubber) and component parts, unanticipated difficulties in securing product from third party manufacturing sources, the ability of the Company to increase its prices to reflect higher prices for raw materials and component parts, the cyclical nature of the Company’s business, the Company’s and its customers’ access to credit, competitive pricing, product initiatives and other actions taken by competitors, disruptions in production capacity, excess inventory levels, the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including government subsidies and international trade regulations), technological difficulties, changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates, the Company’s ability to secure sources of liquidity necessary to fund its operations, changes in environmental laws, the impact of any strategic transactions effected by the Company, and employee and labor relations. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are only made as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. In addition, the Company’s expectations for the future, including those listed in the “2008 Full Year Outlook” above, are based in part on certain assumptions made by the Company, including those relating to commodities prices, which are strongly affected by weather and other factors and can fluctuate significantly, housing starts and other construction activities, which are sensitive to, among other things, interest rates and government spending, and the performance of the U.S. economy generally. The accuracy of these or other assumptions could have a material effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its expectations.

( M O R E )


Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 6

About Gehl Company

        Gehl Company (Nasdaq GSM: GEHL) is a manufacturer of compact equipment used worldwide in construction and agricultural markets. Founded in 1859, the Company is headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin. The Company markets its products under the Gehl ® and Mustang ® brand names. Mustang product information is available on the Mustang Manufacturing website (www.mustangmfg.com). CE Attachments, Inc. information is available at (www.ceattach.com). Gehl Company information is available at (www.gehl.com) or contact: Gehl Company, 143 Water Street, West Bend, WI 53095 (telephone: 262-334-9461).









(TABLES TO FOLLOW)


Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 7

GEHL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)

For the Fourth Quarter Ended
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2007

December 31,
2006

December 31,
2007

December 31,
2006

Net sales     $ 102,185   $ 103,618   $ 457,612   $ 486,217  
    Cost of goods sold    78,566    81,949    354,393    381,813  





Gross profit
    23,619    21,669    103,219    104,404  

    Selling, general and administrative expenses
    13,776    13,730    59,609    58,270  





Income from operations
    9,843    7,939    43,610    46,134  

    Interest expense
    (1,366 )  (872 )  (4,714 )  (3,646 )
    Interest income    839    1,290    3,942    4,309  
    Other expense, net    (2,930 )  (824 )  (5,489 )  (3,929 )





Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    6,386    7,533    37,349    42,868  

    Provision for income taxes
    1,718    2,598    12,400    14,790  





Income from continuing operations
    4,668    4,935    24,949    28,078  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (39 )  (386 )  (255 )  (774 )

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
    (287 )  (42 )  (287 )  (7,797 )





Net income
   $ 4,342   $ 4,507   $ 24,407   $ 19,507  





Diluted net income (loss) per share:
  
    from continuing operations   $ 0.38   $ 0.40   $ 2.00   $ 2.26  
    from discontinued operations    (0.03 )  (0.03 )  (0.04 )  (0.69 )




      Total diluted net income per share   $ 0.35   $ 0.36   $ 1.96   $ 1.57  





    Weighted average number of common
  
    shares and common stock equivalents    12,434    12,445    12,459    12,421  

Basic net income (loss) per share:
  
    from continuing operations   $ 0.38   $ 0.41   $ 2.05   $ 2.33  
    from discontinued operations    (0.03 )  (0.04 )  (0.04 )  (0.71 )




      Total basic net income per share   $ 0.36   $ 0.37   $ 2.01   $ 1.62  





    Weighted average number of common
  
    shares    12,190    12,115    12,148    12,051  

Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 8

GEHL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited and in thousands)

December 31, 2007
December 31, 2006

ASSETS
           
     Cash   $ 10,349   $ 6,892  
     Accounts receivable - net    190,439    187,582  
     Finance contracts receivable - net    4,675    8,371  
     Inventories    49,093    48,649  
     Assets of discontinued operations - net    262    3,783  
     Deferred income taxes    8,849    9,128  
     Retained interest in sold finance contracts    47,730    20,318  
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets    4,723    6,310  


        Total current assets    316,120    291,033  

     Property, plant and equipment - net
    35,510    32,415  
     Goodwill    11,748    11,748  
     Other assets    44,584    29,914  



     Total assets
   $ 407,962   $ 365,110  



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  
     Total current liabilities   $ 108,559   $ 89,504  
     Long-term debt obligations    21,425    25,183  
     Other long-term liabilities    16,948    19,642  
     Total shareholders’ equity    261,030    230,781  



     Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
   $ 407,962   $ 365,110  



Gehl Company
Gehl Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Reults;
Issues 2008 Full Year Outlook

March 3, 2008
page 9

GEHL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)

For the Year Ended
December 31, 2007
December 31, 2006

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
   Net income   $ 24,407   $ 19,507  
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash  
      (used for) provided by operating activities:  
       Loss on discontinued operations (non-cash), net of taxes    --    5,916  
       Depreciation and amortization    4,576    4,553  
       Compensation expense for share based payments    1,906    1,605  
       Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment    (33 )  (38 )
       Cost of sales of finance contracts    4,666    4,288  
       Deferred income taxes    (1,344 )  (653 )
       Proceeds from the sales of finance contracts    145,784    207,821  
       Increase in finance contracts receivable    (149,019 )  (186,188 )
       Increase in retained interest in sold finance contracts    (38,682 )  (19,257 )
       (Decrease) increase in cash due to changes in:  
         Accounts receivable - net    421    (19,425 )
         Inventories    1,401    (4,057 )
         Accounts payable    (5,125 )  (5,966 )
         Other    1,243    (168 )


           Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities    (9,799 )  7,938  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  
   Property, plant and equipment additions    (6,364 )  (6,447 )
   Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment    101    2,326  
   Other    17    (25 )


           Net cash used for investing activities    (6,246 )  (4,146 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  
   Repayments on revolving credit loans    (3,662 )  (26,731 )
   Proceeds from other borrowings - net    24,845    22,239  
   Purchase of treasury shares    (2,283 )  --  
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock    602    2,750  


           Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities    19,502    (1,742 )

   Net increase in cash
    3,457    2,050  
   Cash, beginning of period    6,892    4,842  


   Cash, end of period   $ 10,349   $ 6,892