SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc. (OTCQB:UNIR) or (the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2017.

“The second quarter proved to be difficult, with rapidly increasing volumes in our European plant being offset by declining volumes in our North America plant, as the US auto market has softened” stated Howard R. Curd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “While we are certainly not pleased with our results this quarter, we are taking dramatic action to improve productivity and cut costs at all global operations. This will lead to better operating performance as we progress through the second half of this year.”

Net Sales

Three Months Ended July 2, 2017

Net Sales for the second fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2017 were $26,077,549 versus $27,333,869 for the previous year, a decline of 4.6%.  Excluding changes in currency, Net Sales would have declined only 1.4% for the quarter. Global automotive sales which accounted for over 67% of overall sales for the quarter, declined 5.4% versus the previous year. The decline was primarily attributable to lower US domestic automotive volume, where industry production levels have slowed versus the second quarter of the previous year.  European automotive business continued to record strong improvement versus the previous year.

Net Sales for the Industrial Sector (33% of total Net Sales) declined 2.9% for the second fiscal quarter versus the previous year. This decline was less than the decline of the first quarter as sales to major off-highway equipment manufacturers showed improvement versus recent quarterly trends. The decline was partially offset by increases in the decorative and contract furnishings markets.

Six Months Ended July 2, 2017

Net Sales for the six months ended July 2, 2017 were $51,835,978 versus $52,301,464 for the previous year, a decline of 0.9%.  Excluding changes in currency, Net Sales would have increased 3.0% for the period. Global automotive sales for the six months ended July 2, 2017 increased 2% versus the previous year. European automotive business for the six months ended July 2, 2017 showed record improvement versus the previous year. This improvement was partially offset by the decline attributable to the lower US domestic automotive volume.

Net Sales for the Industrial Sector decreased 6.4% for the six months end July 2, 2017 versus the previous year. The decline in this sector slowed as sales during the current quarter to major off-highway equipment manufacturers showed improvements. The decline was partially offset by increases in the decorative and contract furnishings markets.

Operating Income

Three Months Ended July 2, 2017

Operating Income for the second fiscal quarter was $1,644,302 versus $2,614,414 for the second quarter of the previous year, a decline of 37.1%. The principal reason for the decline was a contraction in Gross Profit Margins to 20.5% from 24.4% in the second quarter of the previous year. Negatively affecting margins in the second quarter of this fiscal year by approximately 2% were global raw material price increases, principally due to inflation in the U.K. caused by a weaker British Pound Sterling. In addition, general operating inefficiencies, due to the decline in production levels as a result of lower US automotive sales combined with start-up issues at the European operation caused by the ramp up for new automotive platforms contributed to the decline in Gross Profit Margins.

Total Operating Expenses for the second fiscal quarter declined by $352,459 or 8.7% as the Company continues to focus on cost reduction programs to reduce General and Administrative overhead. Also contributing to the reduction was the currency effect of $158,000.

Six Months Ended July 2, 2017

Operating Income for the six months was $3,380,182 versus $4,487,868 for the six months of the previous year, a decline of 24.7%. The principal reason for the decline was a contraction in Gross Profit Margins to 20.7% from 23.7% in the six months of the previous year. As highlighted above, margins for the six months were negatively affected by approximately 1.5% from global raw material price increases principally due to inflation in the U.K. caused by a weaker British Pound Sterling. In addition, general operating inefficiencies, due to the decline in production levels as a result of lower US automotive sales combined with start-up issues at the European operation caused by the ramp up for new automotive platforms, contributed to the decline in Gross Profit Margins.

Total Operating Expenses for the six months ended July 2, 2017 declined by $565,198 or 7.2%, due to the focus on cost reduction programs to reduce General and Administrative overhead and the currency effect of $346,000.

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders

Three Months Ended July 2, 2017

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders declined in the second fiscal quarter to $214,466 from $1,181,726 in the second quarter of the previous year, as a result of the lower Gross Profit Margins. The tax provision was $191,343 for the three months ended July 2, 2017 compared to $198,134 for the prior year. The overall effective tax rate was higher for the current year due to UK taxes. Earnings per common share were $0.01 for the three months ended July 2, 2017 compared to $0.06 for the prior year.

Six Months Ended July 2, 2017

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders for the six months ended July 2, 2017 declined to $685,242 from $1,615,829 in the first six months of the previous year, principally due to the lower Gross Profit Margins. The tax provision was $425,929 for the six months ended July 2, 2017 compared to $327,900 for the period in the prior year. The overall effective tax rate was higher for the current year due to UK taxes. Earnings per common share were $0.04 for the six months ended July 2, 2017 compared to $0.09 for the prior year.

For further details, see the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2017.  The Company will have comments on the quarter in an earnings conference call on August 8, 2017 at 9:00 am (EDT). 

Persons wishing to access the conference call may do so by dialing 888-428-9498 (U.S.) and 719-325-2351 (International), and using the ID # 9457766.  Howard F. Curd, President, will discuss our earnings on the call and will be available for questions. The call will also be available by logging on to www.uniroyalglobal.com and accessing the webcast link (http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=125791) in the investor relations section. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning Tuesday August 8, 2017 through November 8, 2017 by calling 844-512-2921 (US) or 412-317-6671 (International) and Pin # 9457766.

About Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.:

Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc. (UNIR) is a leading manufacturer of vinyl coated fabrics that are durable, stain resistant, cost-effective alternatives to leather, cloth and other synthetic fabric coverings. Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.’s revenue in 2016 was derived 65% from the automotive industry and approximately 35% from the recreational, industrial, indoor and outdoor furnishings, hospitality and health care markets. Our primary brand names include Naugahyde^®, BeautyGard^®, Flameblocker™, Spirit Millennium^®, Ambla^®, Amblon^®, Velbex^®, Cirroflex^®, Plastolene^® and Vynide^®.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated” and “potential” and words of similar import, as well as all references to the future. These forward-looking statements are based on Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.’s current expectations. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the Company are not guarantees of future performance and that a variety of factors could cause the Company´s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company´s forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties which may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company´s business include, but are not limited to, the following: uncertainties relating to economic conditions, uncertainties relating to customer plans and commitments, the pricing and availability of equipment, materials and inventories, currency fluctuations, technological developments, performance issues with suppliers, economic growth, delays in testing of new products, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired operations, the Company’s dependence on key personnel, the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights, the effectiveness of cost-reduction plans, rapid technology changes and the highly competitive environment in which the Company operates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made.

Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS		July 2, 2017				January 1, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,103,761			$	1,321,586
Accounts receivable, net			17,161,964				14,555,463
Inventories, net			19,296,911				17,046,171
Other current assets			1,357,898				1,183,932
Related party receivable			24,750				25,456
Total Current Assets			38,945,284				34,132,608
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET			14,756,079				13,611,494
OTHER ASSETS
Intangible assets			3,224,341				3,133,564
Goodwill			1,079,175				1,079,175
Other long-term assets			6,903,506				6,665,375
Total Other Assets			11,207,022				10,878,114
TOTAL ASSETS		$	64,908,385			$	58,622,216
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Checks issued in excess of bank balance		$	717,220			$	679,494
Lines of credit			18,024,806				16,799,592
Current maturities of long-term debt			1,007,494				851,988
Current maturities of capital lease obligations			381,316				368,718
Accounts payable			10,263,688				7,331,213
Accrued expenses			4,457,360				3,645,526
Related party obligation			373,779				371,161
Current portion of postretirement benefit liability - health and life			158,527				158,527
Total Current Liabilities			35,384,190				30,206,219
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-term debt, less current portion			2,108,442				1,994,910
Capital lease obligations, less current portion			709,007				856,171
Related party lease financing obligations			2,158,080				2,162,151
Long-term debt to related parties			2,643,150				2,826,907
Postretirement benefit liability - health and life, less current portion			2,878,079				2,883,684
Other long-term liabilities			793,089				792,027
Total Long-Term Liabilities			11,289,847				11,515,850
Total Liabilities			46,674,037				41,722,069
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred units, Series A UEP Holdings, LLC, 200,000 units issued    and outstanding ($100 issue price)			617,571				617,571
Preferred units, Series B UEP Holdings, LLC, 150,000 units issued    and outstanding ($100 issue price)			463,179				463,179
Preferred stock, Uniroyal Global (Europe) Limited, 50 shares    issued and outstanding ($1.51 stated value)			75				75
Common stock, 95,000,000 shares authorized ($.001 par value)    18,698,030 and 18,727,782 shares issued and outstanding as of    July 2, 2017 and January 1, 2017, respectively			18,698				18,728
Additional paid-in capital			34,760,729				34,653,894
Accumulated deficit			(16,489,572	)			(17,174,814	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,136,332	)			(1,678,486	)
Total Stockholders' Equity			18,234,348				16,900,147
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	64,908,385			$	58,622,216

Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		July 2, 2017				July 3, 2016				July 2, 2017				July 3, 2016
NET SALES		$	26,077,549			$	27,333,869			$	51,835,978			$	52,301,464
COST OF GOODS SOLD			20,740,966				20,674,715				41,123,248				39,915,850
Gross Profit			5,336,583				6,659,154				10,712,730				12,385,614
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling			1,325,397				1,390,339				2,610,344				2,772,982
General and administrative			1,929,780				2,179,088				3,751,246				4,220,922
Research and development			437,104				475,313				970,958				903,842
OPERATING EXPENSES			3,692,281				4,044,740				7,332,548				7,897,746
Operating Income			1,644,302				2,614,414				3,380,182				4,487,868
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest and other debt related expense			(408,794	)			(421,225	)			(798,650	)			(838,413	)
Other income (expense)			(92,379	)			(88,564	)			6,875				(262,060	)
Net Other Expense			(501,173	)			(509,789	)			(791,775	)			(1,100,473	)
INCOME BEFORE TAX PROVISION			1,143,129				2,104,625				2,588,407				3,387,395
TAX PROVISION			191,343				198,134				425,929				327,900
NET INCOME			951,786				1,906,491				2,162,478				3,059,495
Preferred stock dividend			(737,320	)			(724,765	)			(1,477,236	)			(1,443,666	)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON   SHAREHOLDERS		$	214,466			$	1,181,726			$	685,242			$	1,615,829
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic		$	0.01			$	0.06			$	0.04			$	0.09
Diluted		$	0.01			$	0.06			$	0.04			$	0.09
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES   OUTSTANDING:
Basic			18,704,024				18,838,608				18,713,625				18,851,014
Diluted			18,809,598				18,893,949				18,810,191				18,906,355

Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc. Corporate Contact:

Elizabeth Henson, 941-870-3950 LHenson@UniroyalGlobal.com

or

Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc. Public Relations:

TTC Group, Inc.

Vic Allgeier, 646-290-6400 vic@ttcominc.com