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PACCAR Announces First Quarter Revenues and Earnings
April 28, 2009, Bellevue, Washington PACCAR reported lower revenues and net income for the first quarter of 2009, said Mark C. Pigott, chairman and chief executive officer. PACCARs results reflect the impact of a slower economy on freight shipments and truck purchases worldwide. I am very proud of our 17,000 employees who have delivered good performance to our shareholders and customers in todays very challenging business conditions. PACCARs strengths continue to be exceptional quality products and services, geographic diversification and strong aftermarket revenues and financial services income.
PACCARs excellent balance sheet and positive cash flow have enabled ongoing investments to enhance operating efficiency and develop innovative products such as new diesel engines and hybrid vehicles. These investments will contribute to the companys achievement of its long-term growth objectives, noted Pigott. The difficult recession continues to affect our business in North America and Europe as truck markets remain weak. The first quarter 2009 financial results were negatively impacted by lower build rates, temporary plant shutdowns and reduced gross margins. These challenging market conditions are continuing as we enter the second quarter of 2009. PACCAR has rigorously reduced operating expenses and capital expenditures to align its business with the current market.
PACCAR earned $26.3 million ($.07 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2009 compared to $292.3 million ($.79 per diluted share) earned in the first quarter last year. First quarter net sales and financial services revenues were $1.99 billion compared to $3.94 billion reported for the first quarter of 2008.
Quarterly Dividend
PACCARs Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of eighteen cents ($.18) per share, payable on June 5, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 19, 2009.
Global Truck Markets
DAFs premium vehicles are the quality and resale value leaders in Europe. DAF achieved an excellent market share in the above 15-tonne market of 14.1 percent in 2008 and has a medium-term market share goal of 20 percent. The estimate for 2009 industry sales in the above 15-tonne truck market in Europe is being adjusted lower to a range of 180,000-220,000 units, noted Aad Goudriaan, DAF president.
Class 8 industry retail sales in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be in the range of 100,000-130,000 vehicles in 2009, reflecting continued economic weakness, specifically in lower housing starts and auto production. The good news is that even though freight tonnage is below year-ago levels, it has improved slightly in the last two months. Additionally, our customers profitability is benefiting from lower fuel prices and good availability of drivers, said Dan Sobic, PACCAR executive vice president. Truck retail sales are below the five-year average of 235,000 units resulting in the highest average age of the North American fleet in 15 years because of low replacement levels. The truck industry is generating steady parts and service business due to the aging fleet and truck sales are poised to rebound when economic conditions improve, added Sobic.
Financial Highlights First Quarter 2009
Highlights of PACCARs financial results during the first quarter of 2009 include:
- Consolidated sales and revenues of $1.99 billion.
- Net income of $26.3 million.
- Manufacturing cash and marketable securities of $2.03 billion.
- Financial Services pretax income of $15.3 million.
- Truck and Other SG&A expense reduced by $37.7 million from a year ago.
- Research and development expenses of $52.3 million.
- Pension cash contribution of $150 million.
- Positive operating cash flow of $90.8 million.
- Issued medium-term notes of $928.5 million.
Strong Dealer Performance Worldwide
PACCAR has a very profitable independent dealer network. Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF dealers invested over $275 million in 2008 as they added more than 100 new locations to their existing 1,800 locations, installed state-of-the-art inventory management systems and enhanced their customer support programs. Tom Plimpton, PACCAR vice chairman, commented, The industry leadership of PACCARs dealers benefits our customers and the global transportation industry. With a record 1.5 million PACCAR vehicles in operation, DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers are benefiting from excellent parts and service businesses, high-quality products, and comprehensive finance and leasing programs."
New Technology Centers Open
In the first quarter of 2009, PACCAR launched innovative Technology Centers at its Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF manufacturing facilities. These interactive showplaces demonstrate PACCARs extensive leading-edge technology innovations, as well as its range of engines, customer services and the full suite of PACCAR vehicles. The new PACCAR Technology Centers include interactive platforms featuring exciting surface computer technology, product demonstrations and the latest concepts for in-dash and in-cab electronic applications, said Jim Cardillo, president. PACCAR Financial, PacLease, PACCAR Parts, PACCAR Winch and Dynacraft displays illustrate the applied technology developed by each division to benefit our customers. These new Centers offer customers, dealers and suppliers tremendous insight into PACCARs technology and quality leadership, as well as PACCARs ongoing investment in new products and service innovation.
Financial Services Companies Achieve Good Results in Difficult Markets
PACCAR Financial Services (PFS) has a portfolio of more than 156,900 trucks and trailers, with total assets of $9.1 billion. PACCAR Leasing, a major full-service truck leasing company in North America with a fleet of 31,000 vehicles, is included in this segment. First quarter pretax income was $15.3 million compared to the $67.3 million earned in the first quarter of 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, profit was impacted by an increased provision for credit losses due to higher truck repossessions in Europe and lower finance margins worldwide. A smaller portfolio and higher borrowing costs contributed to the lower finance margins. The provision for credit losses was $25.0 million in the first quarter of 2009 versus $26.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Credit losses are high due to the global recession, said Tim Henebry, president, PACCAR Financial. The good news is that credit losses in the U.S. and Canada markets have improved every quarter since last summer and used truck pricing in the U.S. appears to be stabilizing.
PACCARs strong balance sheet, complemented by its AA- credit rating, enables PFS to offer competitive retail financing to Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF dealers and customers, said Ron Armstrong, PACCAR senior vice president. Good margins, strong credit quality and excellent portfolio management are providing steady earnings. PACCAR Financial Services utilizes funding instruments such as commercial paper, as well as medium-term note markets. PFS recently issued $178.5 million of two-year floating rate notes and PACCAR Inc issued $750 million of three- and five-year notes under their current shelf registrations. Armstrong added, Our good access to short- and long-term capital markets allows PACCAR Financial Services to profitably support the sale of PACCAR trucks in 20 countries on three continents at a time when many lenders have exited the transportation finance business.
Environmental Leadership
PACCAR is a leader in the development of environmentally friendly technologies, said Bob Christensen, PACCAR senior vice president. All PACCAR manufacturing facilities have earned the prestigious ISO 14001 environmental certification. This distinction recognizes that the facilities have implemented rigorous energy-saving measures and innovative design features to reduce thermal output. Many PACCAR facilities in the U.S. and Europe have also successfully achieved 'zero waste to land fill' status.
Other green environmental initiatives include:
- Kenworth Trucks recently announced a large order for diesel-electric hybrid medium-duty vehicles with Coca-Cola Enterprises, the worlds largest bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola products. Coca-Cola Enterprises Kenworth hybrid vehicles will contribute towards increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in its beverage delivery truck fleet.
- Peterbilt is partnering with Wal-Mart to test environmentally friendly heavy-duty vehicles. Wal-Mart operates Peterbilt Model 386 vehicles both in diesel-electric hybrid and liquefied natural gas (LNG) configurations. Wal-Mart is committed to improving the efficiency of its fleet and reducing its environmental footprint. Peterbilt is very pleased to be able to assist Wal-Mart with these exciting new products, said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager.
Kenworth Model T370 Diesel-Electric Hybrid
Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing Generate Savings and Improve Efficiency
PACCARs application of Six Sigma tools together with Lean Manufacturing techniques have generated cumulative benefits for PACCAR of $1.2 billion since 1998, commented Helene Mawyer, PACCAR vice president. Thirteen thousand PACCAR employees have been trained in Six Sigma and over 10,000 projects have been implemented throughout the company. Six Sigma and Lean projects are integrated in all PACCAR facilities and have improved product quality and reduced costs in the factories and offices.
Awards and Recognition
J.D. Power and Associates honored PACCAR in February 2009 with its prestigious Founders Award for the companys leadership in delivering outstanding customer satisfaction in the commercial vehicle industry. The Founders Award is presented periodically to recognize individuals or companies demonstrating dedication, commitment and sustained improvement in serving customers. PACCAR is very pleased to be the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to receive this notable award, commented Tom Plimpton, PACCAR vice chairman.
PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.
PACCAR will hold a conference call with securities analysts to discuss first quarter earnings on April 28, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time. Interested parties may listen to the call by selecting Live Webcast at PACCARs homepage. The Webcast will be available on a recorded basis through May 6, 2009. PACCAR shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, symbol PCAR, and its homepage is www.paccar.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on managements current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors. More information about these factors is contained in PACCARs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.