Dover Reports Third Quarter 2002 Results

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Dover Reports Third Quarter 2002 Results

NEW YORK, Oct 21, 2002 -- Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) earned $57.3 million or $.28 diluted earnings per share (DEPS) from continuing operations in the third quarter ended September 30, 2002, compared to $5.7 million or $.03 per diluted share from continuing operations in the comparable period last year. Sales in the third quarter of 2002 were $1.1 billion, basically unchanged when compared to the prior year. The operating earnings results (net of tax) included restructuring, inventory and other charges of $3.8 million ($.02 DEPS) in 2002 and $32.0 million ($.16 DEPS) in 2001. Net earnings for the third quarter of 2002, which included results of discontinued operations, were $56.4 million or $.28 per diluted share compared to $2.6 million or $.01 per diluted share in the third quarter of last year.

Net earnings from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2002 were $168.1 million or $.83 per diluted share compared to $132.3 million or $.65 per diluted share from continuing operations in the comparable period last year. For the first nine months of 2002, net earnings before changes in accounting principles were $156.8 million or $.77 per diluted share, including $11.4 million or $.06 per diluted share in losses from discontinued operations, compared to $225.0 million or $1.10 per share in 2001, which included $92.7 million or $.45 per share in earnings from discontinued operations. The nine months' earnings results (net of tax), included restructuring, inventory and other charges of $8.2 million ($.04 DEPS) in 2002 and $43.9 million ($.21 DEPS) in 2001. Year-to-date sales for 2002 were $3.2 billion compared to $3.4 billion last year, a decrease of 6%.

For the first nine months of 2002, net earnings were a loss of $136.3 million or $.67 per diluted share compared to earnings of $225.0 or $1.10 per diluted share in 2001. The current year's results include the impact of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The adoption resulted in a goodwill impairment charge of $345.1 million ($293.0 million net of tax or $1.44 DEPS) for Dover, which was recognized as a change in accounting principle in the first quarter of 2002. The adoption of the Statement also discontinues the amortization of goodwill, effective January 1, 2002. Goodwill amortization totaled $11.1 million net of tax or $.05 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2001 and $31.7 million net of tax or $.15 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2001.

Segment earnings for the quarter were $100.6 million, an increase of 223% or $69.4 million from $31.2 million last year. In the Dover Industries segment, earnings increased 4% to $34.0 million from the comparable quarter last year on a sales decline of 1%. Dover Diversified's earnings increased 63% to $36.3 million on a 1% sales increase. In Dover Resources, quarterly earnings were $30.5 million, a 17% increase over last year on a sales decrease of 6%.

The Dover Technologies segment recorded a slight loss of $0.2 million in the third quarter compared to a loss of $49.8 million last year. Sales of $276.4 million were up 4% from last year's third quarter results.

Commenting on the results and the current outlook, Thomas L. Reece, Chairman and CEO, said, "Our performance in the third quarter represents a significant improvement over last year's results, which reflected substantial inventory reserves and other charges we took to address the difficult market conditions we were facing. Since that time, all of our businesses have continued to make good progress in cost reduction and operating efficiency, and the positive results of their efforts can be seen in the improved operating leverage at many of our companies, even where sales have declined compared to prior year periods. In the long run, these efforts will yield additional dividends once a sustained economic recovery takes hold.

For now, however, the current economic climate remains challenging, particularly in the markets served by our CBAT and SEC companies. In fact, these companies will be taking additional steps to further reduce their cost structure to help ensure that they can deliver consistent profits while responding to the changing needs of their electronics and telecommunications customers. There are likely to be charges in the fourth quarter for the additional restructurings. As we have done throughout the current downturn, we continue to encourage and support new product development across our organization so that we will be well-positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities created by a sustained recovery. Enhancing our geographic diversity is also a long-term priority, and a number of our companies, particularly in the Technologies segment, are committed to substantially increasing their presence and activities in Asia to better serve those growing markets."

SEGMENT RESULTS

Dover Industries' third quarter segment earnings increased 4% or $1.4 million to $34.0 million and sales declined 1% or $3.3 million to $286.3 million from the comparable period last year. Segment margins increased slightly to 12% for the quarter. The impact of goodwill amortization on earnings in the third quarter of 2001 was $3.6 million. Segment bookings in the quarter were $278.4 million, an increase of 3% from last year and the book-to-bill ratio was .97 for the current quarter. Backlog increased 1% from the beginning of the current year to $167.5 million.

Heil Environmental continued to produce sales and earnings well below both the prior quarter and prior year, reflecting continued industry weakness. Substantial efforts are being taken to improve profitability at these reduced sales levels. Rotary Lift and PDQ continued to perform at levels consistent with the third quarter of 2001, while Marathon has experienced growth in sales and earnings over the comparable prior year period. Two of the other larger Industries' companies, Heil Trailer and Tipper Tie, showed modest operating improvement on some increases in sales, although Tipper Tie's actual results were off due to a restructuring charge to exit an inconsequential, under-performing product line.

The balance of Industries' companies experienced flat to down sales, with corresponding profits that were relatively consistent with the prior year, except for declines at Chief Automotive, and improvements at Somero and Triton Systems. Chief Automotive experienced losses for the quarter, as it continued to work through a major change in its distribution system, which has resulted in a meaningful short-term decline in sales. Somero's profits improved on stronger sales, but were compared to a weak prior year period.

There was some very positive news at Triton, the off-premises ATM manufacturer, which had a substantial profit improvement on stronger sales. Its successful introduction of a new "low-cost" ATM model, that uses a cash dispenser developed in-house, has been extremely well-received, and now accounts for more than half of its sales. On an overall basis, Triton's improvement in profits went a long way to offset the earnings declines at Heil Environmental, Tipper Tie and Chief Automotive.

Dover Diversified's third quarter segment earnings were $36.3 million, an increase of $14.1 million or 63% over the comparative period last year, and sales in the quarter were $299.4 million, a $3.2 million or 1% increase compared to 2001. The impact of goodwill amortization on earnings in the third quarter of 2001 was $3.8 million. Bookings in the quarter were $286.6 million and the quarter book-to-bill ratio was .96. Backlog at the end of the quarter was $367.2 million, 4% lower than the beginning of the year. Six out of Diversified's ten operating companies had higher sales, and seven had better earnings than the comparable prior year quarter.

Overall performance benefited largely from a continued focus on cost reductions and operating efficiency at a number of companies. Crenlo, despite flat sales year to year, continued to show profit improvement for the third consecutive quarter, compared to a substantial loss in the same period last year. Similarly, Mark Andy more than doubled its earnings on essentially the same sales level as last year. Strong quarterly bookings driven by increased printing press demand, left Mark Andy with its highest backlog level in recent history. Hill Phoenix continues to be well positioned in its market, with earnings and margins improvements on modest sales growth as compared to the prior year. Belvac benefited from large overseas orders in the past two quarters, resulting in sales and earnings that bettered both the second quarter and prior year results. The increased orders have pushed backlog to the highest level in over four years. Tranter produced record sales for the quarter which resulted in earnings that were higher than the prior year and were flat with the second quarter. On a modest sales increase, Waukesha Bearings had earnings which bettered the second quarter results, although they were slightly lower than the prior year quarter. The full effects of the power generation market downturn are not expected to be seen by Waukesha until the fourth quarter. PMI experienced a seasonal downturn resulting in weaker sales and earnings than second quarter levels, while the effect of acquisitions improved overall results when compared to the prior year. The only significant decline in performance was experienced by Sargent, which had lower sales and earnings for the quarter compared to the prior year period, reflecting the decrease in demand for its commercial aerospace products.

Dover Resources' segment earnings increased $4.4 million or 17% to $30.5 million on a sales decrease of 6% or $14.9 million to $216.0 million, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The impact of goodwill amortization on earnings in the third quarter of 2001 was $2.6 million. Bookings in the quarter of $210.4 million were down 4% from the prior year and the book-to-bill ratio for the quarter was .97. Ending backlog was $81.8 million, a 4% increase from the end of last year.

Earnings for the oil and gas equipment companies (Petroleum Equipment Group, Quartzdyne, and Cook), while up 4% over this year's second quarter on a slight sales decline, decreased 24% from last year's comparable quarter on a sales decrease of 13% as capital spending among the major oil companies remains depressed due to oil and gas price uncertainty. On the other hand, the Resources' pump companies, Blackmer and Wilden, with increased margins and improved Asian sales, had sales and earnings increases of 7% and 32%, respectively, compared to 2001. The OPW Fueling Components and Fluid Transfer Group companies had flat sales and earnings were down 10% compared to last year in extremely competitive markets. De-Sta-Co Industries and De-Sta-Co Manufacturing realized the benefits of cost reduction initiatives and had a 107% increase in earnings on a 3% sales increase. Ronningen-Petter and Tulsa Winch group saw significant revenue and earnings shortfalls compared to last year as markets served remain weak. Hydro Systems continues to perform well, with solid earnings improvements on modest sales growth.

Dover Technologies' recorded a segment earnings loss of $.2 million for the current quarter compared to a loss of $49.8 million last year and earnings of $1.7 million in the previous quarter. The current quarter's results include foreign exchange losses of $3.1 million. Also included in these amounts were inventory, restructuring and other charges of $3.8 million in the current quarter and $38.2 million in the comparable period of 2001. Third quarter sales were $276.4 million, an increase of $10.7 million or 4% from the same period of the prior year and slightly less than the second quarter of 2002. The impact of goodwill amortization on earnings in the third quarter of 2001 was $3.3 million.

Technologies' CBAT business recorded a loss of $3.5 million for the third quarter, which included restructuring and other charges of $2.7 million, compared to a loss of $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2002, and a loss of $37.9 million in the third quarter of 2001, which included charges of $27.7 million. Third quarter sales were $163.3 million, an increase of $19.4 million or 13% from last year, and an increase of $3.9 million or 2% from the second quarter. Bookings, at $153.2 million, were up 40% from the same period last year but were 13% lower than the second quarter of 2002. The CBAT book-to-bill ratio was .94 for the third quarter with backlog at $74.6 million, 39% higher than at the end of 2001. Despite the poor results, the CBAT companies continue to pursue appropriate market and product development opportunities and believe that they have increased their respective shares of these contracting markets. At the same time, the CBAT companies have concluded that current difficult market conditions are likely to persist for the foreseeable future, and accordingly, serious efforts are underway to further reduce the size and scope of the CBAT operations to achieve profitability at these reduced operating levels. While no quantification has been made, CBAT will make additional provisions in the fourth quarter to reflect these changes.

In Technologies' SEC business sales in the quarter were $52.2 million compared to $64.4 million in last year's third quarter and $62.2 million in the second quarter of the current year, representing declines of 19% and 16%, respectively. SEC reported a loss of $4.6 million, which included charges of $1.1 million, compared to a loss of $5.1 million in last year's third quarter, which included charges of $10.0 million, and a loss of $2.4 million in this year's second quarter. Net bookings in the third quarter of $54.2 million were higher than the same period last year and decreased slightly compared to the second quarter of the current year. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.04 for the quarter with backlog at $48.5 million at the end of the period (a 4% decline from the beginning of the current year). Much like the CBAT companies, the SEC businesses are now evaluating their organizations to adapt to current levels of demand, and expect that further steps will be taken in the fourth quarter to adjust to these new circumstances and return to profitability.

In the quarter, Imaje, the French-based industrial ink-jet printer and ink manufacturer, had sales of $61.0 million, up 6% from both the comparable period last year and the prior quarter. Earnings fell by 4% to $14.5 million from the comparable 2001 quarter, although they were up 17% over the second quarter of 2002. Imaje had a strong finish to the quarter even with somewhat reduced margin levels which continue to reflect the sales of lower margin Markpoint products (a second quarter 2001 acquisition). Despite depressed economic conditions throughout many of the global markets served, Imaje continues to improve its sales and market coverage.

Dover Corporation did not make any acquisitions in the third quarter. On October 1, 2002 Dover acquired Hover-Davis Inc., a manufacturer of component feeder systems for the electronic assembly automation industry. Hover-Davis will be reported as a stand-alone operating company in the Circuit Board Assembly and Test (CBAT) group in the Dover Technologies subsidiary. Acquisitions completed in the last twelve months added $6.1 million in sales for the quarter, with almost no impact on segment earnings after acquisition write-offs.

The consolidated tax rate for continuing operations was 27.7% for the third quarter and for the current year. This low effective tax rate is attributable to non-recurring benefits related to foreign tax planning strategies.

Dover's cash flow was strong with cash from operations of $123.2 million and free cash flow at $113.0 for the current quarter (10.5% of sales). Cash from operations was $208.4 million and free cash flow was $140.9 million for the first nine months of 2002 (4.4% of sales). Dover's net debt levels decreased by $61.8 million to $900.2 million during the quarter and the debt to total capital ratio fell to 27.7% from 29.2%. Dover made a discretionary contribution of $44 million to its defined benefit pension plan in the third quarter of 2002 to offset decreases in pension plan asset values. During the current quarter, Dover repurchased 511,400 shares of stock on the open market at an average price of $27.45.

After the quarter closed, Dover completed a new $600 million syndicated credit facility, replacing its existing $750 million facility. The new arrangement, which includes a $300 million 364-day facility and a $300 million 3-year facility, will be used primarily as a commercial paper back-up for the company. Rates and terms were competitive and consistent with the Company's continued strong credit rating.

Dover also successfully unwound two interest rate swaps tied to its $250 million ten-year notes due in 2005, receiving $8.4 million in proceeds. The gains related to these transactions will be deferred and amortized over the balance of the term of that issue, permanently reducing Dover's effective interest cost on that issue from 6.5% to 5.3%.

Additional unaudited information on Dover and its operating companies can be found on the company website. (http://www.dovercorporation.com). Dover makes no representation about the utility of this data or the validity of any conclusions that might be reached by referring to it. In addition, Dover will post to the website supplemental financial information for the third quarter 2002.

The Dover website will host a Webcast of the third quarter conference call at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 22, 2002. The conference call will also be made available for replay on the website.

Dover Corporation makes information available to the public, orally and in writing, which may use words like "expects" and "believes," which are "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the performance of Dover Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to, failure to achieve expected synergies, failure to successfully integrate acquisitions, failure to service debt, continuing impacts from the terrorist events of September 11, 2001 on the worldwide economy, economic conditions, customer demand, increased competition in the relevant market, and others. Dover Corporation refers you to the documents that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as the Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which contain additional important factors that could cause its actual results to differ from its current expectations and from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

                      DOVER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             MARKET SEGMENT RESULTS
                                   (unaudited)

                                          Third quarter ended September 30,

                    SALES                             2002       2001

    Dover Industries                          $286,256,000      $289,600,000
    Dover Diversified                          299,401,000       296,170,000
    Dover Resources                            215,985,000       230,920,000
    Dover Technologies                         276,440,000       265,695,000

       Total Continuing (after
        intramarket eliminations)           $1,076,095,000    $1,081,005,000

               EARNINGS (Loss)

    Dover Industries                           $33,972,000       $32,595,000
    Dover Diversified                           36,348,000        22,279,000
    Dover Resources                             30,513,000        26,079,000
    Dover Technologies                            (247,000)      (49,777,000)
       Subtotal Continuing                     100,586,000        31,176,000
    Corporate expense                           (6,678,000)       (5,429,000)
    Net interest expense                       (14,650,000)      (17,887,000)
    Earnings from Continuing Operations,
     before taxes on income                     79,258,000         7,860,000
    Taxes on income                             21,916,000         2,151,000
    Net Earnings from Continuing
     Operations                                 57,342,000         5,709,000
    Net Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued
     Operations*                                  (900,000)       (3,102,000)
    Net Earnings (Loss)                        $56,442,000        $2,607,000
    Net Earnings (Loss) per diluted
     common share:
    Continuing Operations                            $0.28             $0.03
    Discontinued Operations*                            --             (0.02)
    Net Earnings (Loss)                              $0.28             $0.01

    Average number of diluted shares
     outstanding                               203,541,000       204,210,000

    Impact of goodwill amortization on
     continuing diluted EPS:
      EPS from Continuing Operations                 $0.28             $0.03
        Goodwill amortization (net of
         tax)**                                         --              0.05
      EPS before goodwill amortization               $0.28             $0.08
        Other acquisition write-offs (net
         of tax)***                                   0.03              0.04
      EPS before all acquisition write-
       offs                                          $0.31             $0.12


    *In accordance with the adoption of SFAS No. 144, the earnings
    (net of tax) from discontinued operations were separately presented for
    all reported periods in earnings from discontinued operations.  In the
    second quarter of 2002, Vectron GmbH, formerly of the Technologies
    segment, qualified for discontinued operations presentation.
    **In accordance with the 1/1/2002 adoption of SFAS No.142, goodwill and
    indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized on a periodic
    basis but are subjected to impairment testing on at least an annual basis.
    ***Acquisition write-offs include depreciation and amortization of
    purchase accounting asset step-ups.


                       DOVER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             MARKET SEGMENT RESULTS
                                   (unaudited)

                                           Nine months ended September 30,

                    SALES                             2002       2001

    Dover Industries                          $851,006,000      $879,246,000
    Dover Diversified                          896,865,000       827,889,000
    Dover Resources                            647,687,000       701,853,000
    Dover Technologies                         790,032,000       987,674,000

       Total Continuing (after
        intramarket eliminations)           $3,180,793,000    $3,392,361,000

               EARNINGS (Loss)

    Dover Industries                          $115,475,000      $108,361,000
    Dover Diversified                          105,791,000        77,825,000
    Dover Resources                             87,581,000        86,932,000
    Dover Technologies                          (7,472,000)       (1,265,000)
       Subtotal Continuing                     301,375,000       271,853,000
    Corporate expense                          (19,626,000)      (17,173,000)
    Net interest expense                       (49,236,000)      (57,295,000)
    Earnings from Continuing Operations,
     before taxes on income                    232,513,000       197,385,000
    Taxes on Income                             64,373,000        65,098,000
    Net Earnings from Continuing
     Operations                                168,140,000       132,287,000
    Net Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued
     Operations*                               (11,381,000)       92,704,000
    Net Earnings before cumulative effect
     of change in accounting principle         156,759,000       224,991,000
    Cumulative effect of change in
     accounting principle, net of tax**       (293,049,000)               --
    Net Earnings (Loss)                      $(136,290,000)     $224,991,000
    Net Earnings (Loss) per diluted
     common share:
    Continuing Operations                            $0.83             $0.65
    Discontinued Operations*                         (0.06)             0.45
    Net Earnings before cumulative effect
     of change in accounting principle                0.77              1.10
    Cumulative effect of change in
     accounting principle, net of tax**              (1.44)               --
    Net Earnings (Loss)                             $(0.67)            $1.10

    Average number of diluted shares
     outstanding                               203,541,000       204,210,000

    Impact of goodwill amortization on
     continuing diluted EPS:
      EPS from Continuing Operations                 $0.83             $0.65
        Goodwill amortization (net of
         tax)**                                        -                0.15
      EPS before goodwill amortization               $0.83             $0.80
        Other acquisition write-offs (net
         of tax)***                                   0.09              0.11
      EPS before all acquisition write-
       offs                                          $0.92             $0.91

    *In accordance with the adoption of SFAS No. 144, the earnings (net of
    tax) from discontinued operations were separately presented for all
    reported periods in earnings from discontinued operations.  In the second
    quarter of 2002, Vectron GmbH, formerly of the Technologies segment,
    qualified for discontinued operations presentation.
    **Reflects the transitional provisions of SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and
    Other Intangible Assets" (adopted 1/1/02), which resulted in a
    $293 million write down (net of $52 million in tax) of impaired goodwill
    to fair value.  In addition, beginning in 2002 goodwill and
    indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized on a periodic
    basis but are subjected to impairment testing on at least an annual basis.
    ***Acquisition write-offs include depreciation and amortization of
    purchase accounting asset step-ups.



                          DOVER CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED
                                    (unaudited)

                                           September 30,      December 31,
    CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET ('000)              2002              2001

    Assets:
    Cash, equivalents and marketable
     securities                                   $174,632          $176,598
    Receivables, net of allowances for
     doubtful accounts                             746,709           672,789
    Inventories                                    629,045           653,548
    Prepaid expenses & deferred tax asset          179,690           141,707
    Net property, plant & equipment                722,182           756,351
    Goodwill*                                    1,662,869         1,946,423
    Intangibles, net of amortization               183,980           173,194
    Other assets                                    51,667            55,990
    Assets of discontinued operations**             15,067            25,602
                                                $4,365,841        $4,602,202

    Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity:
    Short term debt                                $44,712           $43,780
    Payables and accrued expenses                  595,924           616,131
    Taxes payable (including deferred)             182,736           258,153
    Other deferrals                                136,442           106,878
    Long-term debt                               1,030,109         1,033,243
    Liabilities of discontinued
     operations**                                   21,044            24,478
    Stockholders' equity                         2,354,874         2,519,539
                                                $4,365,841        $4,602,202

    *The transitional provisions of SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and Other
    Intangible Assets" (adopted 1/1/02) resulted in a $345 million write down
    of impaired goodwill to fair value.
    **In accordance with the 2001 adoption of SFAS No. 144, the assets and
    liabilities from discontinued operations have been separately presented on
    the Balance Sheet for all periods presented.



                                               Nine Months Ended September 30,
    CONDENSED CASH FLOWS ('000)                        2002             2001

    Operating activities:
    Net Earnings (Loss)                          $( 136,290)        $224,991
    Cumulative effective of change in
     accounting principle                           293,049               --
    (Earnings) loss from discontinued
     operations, net of tax                           4,073              434
    (Gain) loss on sale of discontinued
     business, net of tax                             7,308          (93,138)
    Depreciation                                    108,771          108,117
    Amortization - goodwill                              --           38,431
    Amortization - other                             13,332           13,185
    Increase (decrease) in other
     deferrals                                       30,625          (26,306)
    Working capital changes (excluding
     taxes)*                                        (91,578)         169,711
    Federal & other taxes on income                 (36,726)          63,495
    Other, net                                       15,866            1,670
      Net cash from (used in) operating
       activities                                   208,430          500,590

    Investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                            (69,361)        (128,869)
    Acquisitions, net of cash and cash
     equivalents                                    (50,827)        (268,115)
      Net cash from (used in) investing
       activities                                  (120,188)        (396,984)

    Financing activities:
    Increase (decrease) in notes payable                913         (630,001)
    Increase (decrease) in long-term debt            (3,543)         407,919
    Proceeds from interest rate swap
     terminations                                     8,434               --
    Cash dividends                                  (82,112)         (78,219)
    Purchase of treasury stock                      (15,139)         (32,114)
    Proceeds from exercise of stock
     options                                          6,215            2,975
      Net cash from (used in) financing
       activities                                   (85,232)        (329,440)

    Discontinued operations                          (4,280)         266,704

    Net increase (decrease) in cash &
     equivalents                                     (1,270)          40,870
    Cash & cash equivalents at beginning
     of period                                      175,601          180,560
    Cash & cash equivalents at end of
     period                                        $174,331         $221,430

    *Working capital use of funds in 2002 primarily attributable to increases
    in receivables of $51 million and prepaid assets of $44 million due to a
    third quarter discretionary pension plan contribution.
SOURCE Dover Corporation

CONTACT: Robert G. Kuhbach, Acting Vice President Finance of Dover, +1-212-922-1640