TRW Reports Record First Quarter 2011 Financial Results

LIVONIA, Mich., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in active and passive safety systems, today reported first quarter 2011 financial results with sales of $4.1 billion, an increase of 15 percent compared to the prior year period.  The Company reported GAAP first quarter net earnings of $281 million or $2.13 per diluted share, an increase of 32 percent compared to net earnings of $204 million or $1.61 per diluted share in the prior year period.

The first quarter 2011 GAAP net earnings contain several special items including debt retirement charges, a gain on a business acquisition and a charge related to the termination of a service contract.  The prior year first quarter period included restructuring charges of $7 million ($5 million after related tax benefits).  Excluding these special items, the Company reported first quarter 2011 net earnings of $292 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, an increase of 34 percent compared to $209 million or $1.65 per diluted share in the 2010 period.

"TRW's record first quarter results provide a solid start to 2011 as the Company takes advantage of its strong market position and profitably expands in the high-growth markets of the world," said John C. Plant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "We are confident TRW is positioned for long term success given its growth prospects, consistent ability to generate substantial positive cash flow and its expanding portfolio of innovative technologies."

First Quarter 2011

The Company reported first quarter 2011 sales of $4.1 billion, an increase of $526 million or 15 percent from the prior year period.  The increase in sales resulted from the higher level of global vehicle production volumes between the two periods and increasing demand for TRW's broad array of active and passive safety products.

The Company's first quarter 2011 operating income was $372 million, compared with operating income of $300 million in the 2010 period.  The 2011 period included a $10 million charge related to the termination of the transaction and monitoring fee agreement with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group L.P.  Restructuring and fixed asset impairment charges totaling $7 million were recognized in the 2010 period.  Excluding these charges from both periods, the Company's operating margin was 9.3% in the current quarter compared to 8.6% in the prior year.  The improvement in margin was driven primarily by the contribution from higher sales between the two quarters, partially offset by inflationary pressures, including higher raw material prices, and increased costs to support future planned growth.

Net interest expense for the first quarter of 2011 totaled $34 million, which compares favorably to $45 million in the 2010 period as a result of lower debt levels.  In addition, the 2011 period recognized a net loss on retirement of debt totaling $10 million.

The Company recognized a $9 million gain on an acquisition related to the purchase of a shock absorber manufacturing facility during the quarter.  The gain reflects the excess of fair value of the business in comparison to the purchase price.  The acquisition will provide incremental sales of approximately $10 million annually and is favorably aligned with the Company's aftermarket business.

Tax expense for the first quarter of 2011 was $56 million, which compares to a tax expense of $50 million in the prior year period.  The 2010 period included tax benefits related to restructuring actions totaling $2 million.

The Company reported 2011 first quarter GAAP earnings of $281 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, which compares to GAAP net earnings of $204 million, or $1.61 per diluted share in the 2010 period.

Excluding special items, the Company reported first quarter 2011 net earnings of $292 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, which compares to net earnings of $209 million or $1.65 per diluted share in the 2010 period.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and special items ("adjusted EBITDA") were $498 million in the first quarter of 2011, as compared to the prior year level of $425 million.  See page A5 for a description of the special items excluded in calculating adjusted EBITDA.

Cash Flow and Capital Structure

First quarter 2011 net cash flow provided by operating activities was $81 million, which compares to $21 million in the first quarter of 2010.  Capital expenditures were $67 million in the current quarter compared to $45 million last year.  First quarter free cash flow (cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures) was a positive $14 million, compared to an outflow of $24 million in the prior year quarter.  The favorable outcome compared with last year resulted primarily from the higher level of profitability in the current quarter partially offset by planned investments to support the Company's future growth initiatives.

As of April 1, 2011, the Company had $1,760 million of debt and $1,041 million of cash and cash equivalents, resulting in net debt (defined as debt less cash and cash equivalents) of $719 million.  This net debt outcome sets a new historic low for the Company, $49 million lower than the balance at the end of 2010 and $868 million lower than the balance at the end of the prior year first quarter.

Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of 2011, the Company reached an agreement with lenders comprising $175 million under the 2012 portion of the Company's revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date of their commitments to November 30, 2014, bringing the total 2014 portion of the revolving credit facility to $1,020 million.  The Company provided termination notice to the remaining lenders, comprising $284 million of commitments, which eliminated the 2012 portion of the Company's revolving credit facility effective May 2, 2011.  The Company's committed liquidity facilities, pro forma for the May 2, 2011 transactions, along with cash on hand of approximately $1.0 billion as of April 1, 2011, provide the Company with over $1.5 billion of available liquidity.

2011 Outlook

TRW expects full year production to total 13.0 million units in North America and 19.3 million units in Europe.  Within this forecast, the Company assumes a portion of the loss in light vehicle production occurring in the second quarter, due to supply chain disruptions at our customers resulting from the natural disasters in Japan, will be recovered in the second half of this year.  Production in China and the rest of world regions is expected to remain relatively stable throughout the year as near-term production disruptions are expected to have a lesser impact on those regions.  Based on these production levels and the Company's revised expectations for foreign currency exchange rates, full year 2011 sales are now expected to range between $15.7 billion and $16.0 billion, with second quarter sales expected to be approximately $3.9 billion.

"Vehicle production remained robust through the first quarter of 2011; however, we are cautious in the near-term due to supply chain disruptions caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which have resulted in certain vehicle manufacturers slowing or temporarily halting production," said Mr. Plant.  "Remaining focused on TRW's growth strategy and cash generation while managing through the present industry headwinds, such as these production disruptions and increased commodity prices, continues to be our top priority in 2011."

First Quarter 2011 Conference Call

The Company will host its first quarter conference call at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) today, Wednesday, May 4th, to discuss financial results and other related matters.  To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 852-7898 for U.S. locations, or (706) 634-1095 for international locations.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will be accessible afterward for approximately one week.  To access the replay, U.S. locations should dial (800) 642-1687, and locations outside the U.S. should dial (706) 645-9291. The replay code is 56897896.  A live audio webcast and replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company's website at www.trw.com.

Reconciliation to GAAP

In addition to GAAP results included within this press release, the Company has provided certain information which is not calculated according to GAAP ("non-GAAP"), such as net earnings, operating income and diluted earnings per share each excluding special items, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.  Management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate the operating performance of the Company and its business segments and to forecast future periods.  Management believes that investors will likewise find these non-GAAP measures useful in evaluating such performance.  Such measures are frequently used by security analysts, institutional investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.

Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.  For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the closest GAAP financial measure and for share amounts used to derive earnings per share, please see the financial schedules that accompany this release.

About TRW

With 2010 sales of $14.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 26 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.  TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services.  All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.  TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at www.trw.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  All forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (our "Form 10-K") such as: any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption due to the events in Japan or otherwise; tighter financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; a material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results or the viability of our supply base; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; increasing costs negatively impacting our profitability; the loss of any of our largest customers materially adversely affecting us; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to adversely alter contract terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; costs or liabilities relating to environmental, health and safety regulations adversely affecting our results; risks associated with non-U.S. operations adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; any increase in the expense of our pension and other postretirement benefits or the funding requirements of our pension plans reducing our profitability; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers adversely affecting our operations; volatility in our annual effective tax rate resulting from a change in our valuation allowances position or other factors;  any impairment of a significant amount of our goodwill or other intangible assets; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

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