Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.

Press Releases

Keystone Automotive Industries Reports Record Sales For Second Quarter 2004 Results

Net Sales Climb 15 Percent for Three-Month Period; Same Store Sales Up 11 Percent

POMONA, Calif., Nov. 10, 2003 -- Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:KEYS) today reported record sales for its fiscal second quarter and six months ended September 26, 2003.

The results during the first half of fiscal 2004 include four acquisitions and the establishment of two greenfield operations.

Net sales for the quarter increased 15.4 percent to $116.7 million from $101.1 million a year ago. Net income for the same period was $2.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared with $2.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, last year. Net income for the quarter included consolidation and other charges of $425,000 related to the company's acquisitions and a $200,000 insurance recovery settlement for a fire loss claim. Excluding the charge and the recovery, net income for the quarter was $2.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share.

Net sales for the six-month period increased 13 percent to $235 million compared with $208 million a year ago. Net income for the same period was $6.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared with $6.2 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, a year earlier. Excluding the charge and the recovery, net income for the six-month period was $7.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share.

Charles J. Hogarty, president and chief executive officer, said, "Results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2004 show strength across all of the company's main product groups, reflecting ongoing growth within the aftermarket collision repair business, increased insurance company participation and market acceptance of Keystone's Platinum Plus private label aftermarket parts product offerings."

Hogarty noted that same store sales for the second quarter and the six-month period increased 11 percent and 10 percent, respectively, compared with a year ago, after deducting same store sales increases from acquisitions and greenfields of four percent for the quarter and three percent for the six months.

Gross margins for the second quarter and the six months were 43.1 percent and 43.4, respectively. Hogarty noted that the gross margin for the second quarter was impacted by increased nickel prices, which currently stand at a ten-year high, as well as higher freight expenses for overseas shipments The company utilizes nickel for its chrome bumper plating business. Hogarty added that gross margins were also impacted by lower production for its chrome and recycled plastic bumpers business, which affected the company's ability to absorb overhead expenses. "We experienced some significant rework and higher related costs on certain types of bumpers during the quarter, due to the fact that certain new model vehicles require more labor and material due to a combination of textured and painted design features of the bumpers. These issues have been addressed by adapting new recycling processes and raising prices," Hogarty said.Since its fiscal year end in March, the company has converted an additional 34 distribution facilities to its new management information system, bringing to 45 the total number of conversions to date.

About Keystone

Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. distributes its products in the United States primarily to collision repair shops through its 124 distribution facilities, of which 22 serve as regional hubs, located in 38 states, Canada and Mexico. Its product lines consist of automotive body parts, bumpers, and remanufactured alloy wheels, as well as paint and other materials used in repairing a damaged vehicle. These products comprise more than 19,000 stock keeping units that are sold to more than 25,000 repair shops throughout the nation.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on the company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the company will be those anticipated by the company. Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the company) and are subject to change based upon various factors, including but not limited to the impact on the company as a result of (i) the cost, time and potential disruption of operations relating to the implementation of a new enterprise management information system which began in July 2002; (ii) the continuing impact of the verdict in the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company class action, which is on appeal; (iii) Keystone being named as defendant in an action by General Motors challenging the alleged use of certain of its trade marks; and (iv) the uncertainty involved in acquiring businesses and/or opening Greenfield operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the momentum in sales and net income experienced during the last two years will be sustainable. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed discussion of some of the ongoing risks and uncertainties of the Company's business, see the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 28, 2003, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                             #    #    #


                 Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.
             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
          (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                          (Unaudited)


                      Thirteen    Thirteen    Twenty-six   Twenty-six
                    Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended Weeks Ended

                      Sept. 26,   Sept. 27,    Sept. 26,    Sept. 27,
                        2003        2002         2003         2002
                      --------    --------     --------     ---------

 Net sales            $ 116,663     $ 101,137    $ 234,763  $ 207,861
 Cost of sales           66,393        57,259      132,962    117,509
                        -------       -------      -------    ------- 
 Gross profit            50,270        43,878      101,801     90,352

 Operating expenses:
  Selling and
    distribution         36,028        30,353       70,700     62,168
  General and
    administrative       10,311         9,356       20,660     18,398
                         ------        ------       ------     ------
 Operating income         3,931         4,169       10,441      9,786
 Other income               649           403        1,193        826
 Interest expense          (166)         (134)        (340)      (265)
                         ------        ------       ------     ------
 Income before
    income taxes          4,414         4,438       11,294     10,347
 Income taxes             1,727         1,775        4,427      4,139
                         ------        ------       ------     ------
 Net income             $ 2,687       $ 2,663      $ 6,867    $ 6,208
                        =======       =======      =======    =======

 Per Common Share:
  Net income per share:
      Basic              $ 0.18        $ 0.18       $ 0.46     $ 0.42
                         ======        ======       ======     ======
      Diluted            $ 0.18        $ 0.18       $ 0.45     $ 0.41
                         ======        ======       ======     ======
             
  Weighted average common shares outstanding:

      Basic          14,892,000    14,622,000   14,825,000 14,610,000

      Diluted        15,233,000    15,081,000   15,137,000 15,126,000


                    Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.
                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                    (In thousands, except share amounts)


                                               Sept. 26,    March 28,
                                                  2003        2003
                                               -----------  ---------
                                               (Unaudited)    (Note)

                          ASSETS

 Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                $   3,096    $   3,658
      Accounts receivable,net of allowance
         of $1,445 at September 2003
         and $1,291 at March 2003                 38,982       39,753
      Inventories, primarily
         finished goods                          103,675      101,594
      Other current assets                         9,129       10,017
                                                --------    --------- 
         Total current assets                    154,882      155,022


      Plant, property and 
         equipment, net                           28,092       23,658
      Goodwill                                     7,664        3,040
      Other intangibles, net of accumulated
         amortization of $3,348 at September
         2003 and $3,099 at March 2003             1,412        1,046
      Other assets                                 9,192        9,043
                                                --------    --------- 
      Total assets                             $ 201,242    $ 191,809
                                               =========    ========= 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current Liabilities:
      Credit facility                          $  21,633    $  16,606
      Accounts payable                            13,925       18,330
      Accrued liabilities                         11,985       12,992
      Current portion of long-term debt                6           15
                                                  ------       ------   
         Total current liabilities                47,549       47,943

      Other long-term liabilities                  1,985        2,224


 Shareholders' Equity:
      Preferred stock, no par value:
         Authorized shares--3,000,000
         None issued and outstanding                 --           --
      Common stock, no par value:
         Authorized shares--50,000,000
         Issued and outstanding shares 15,002,000 
         at September 2003 and 14,692,000
         at March 2003                            84,217       81,221

         Warrant                                     236          236

         Restricted Stock                            150           --


      Additional paid-in capital                   2,271        2,269
      Retained earnings                           65,986       59,119
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive loss                         (1,152)      (1,203)
                                                --------    --------- 
         Total shareholders'equity               151,708      141,642
                                                --------    ---------
         Total liabilities and shareholders'
           equity                              $ 201,242    $ 191,809
                                               =========    ========= 

Note: The balance sheet at March 28, 2003 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

CONTACT:  Maier & Company, Inc.
          Gary S. Maier
          (310) 442-9852