Oneida Ltd. Reports Improved Operating Income for Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended October 29, 2005


ONEIDA, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Oneida Ltd. (OTCBB:ONEI) today announced operating and financial results for the third quarter and nine month period ended October 29, 2005. Operating income for the third quarter was $3.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $(16.8) million during the corresponding period last year. The operating results included goodwill impairment losses attributed to the Company's United Kingdom operation of $4.2 million and $15.5 million for the three month periods ending October 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004, respectively. The operating income improvement also reflects the favorable impact of the Company's comprehensive operational restructuring program. Oneida's operational restructuring efforts are focused on reducing the Company's cost structure and transitioning from fixed-cost manufacturing to variable-cost sourcing throughout its product line portfolio, thereby maximizing the Company's competitiveness in today's global marketplace. Net loss for the third quarter ended October 29, 2005 was $(6.0) million, equal to $(0.13) per share, compared to year-ago net loss of $(23.8) million, or $(0.57) per share.

Commenting on the Company's results, Terry G. Westbrook, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oneida, said, "Our results demonstrate that the operational restructuring initiatives we've undertaken have taken hold and are contributing strongly to continuing improvements in our performance. We have strong brands that connect with the consumer, the right business model for the demands of the market, and we are now focused on growing our revenue base, building our brands and strengthening our balance sheet for future growth."

Total revenues for the third quarter were $89.3 million, compared to $102.2 million in the third quarter of the previous fiscal year. Approximately $7.9 million of the revenue decline was attributed to the Company's foodservice division, where sales to equipment & supply distributors, chain restaurants and airlines were down from prior year levels. Other factors were the discontinuance of certain marginally profitable product lines, several large customers opting to dual source a portion of their tabletop product requirements, and the direct import strategy of certain large volume customers in the Company's commodity flatware and dinnerware market segment. The Consumer division's revenues were down approximately $3.2 million from the prior year, attributed to the August 2004 sale of Encore Promotions, Inc. and the closure of 23 unprofitable Oneida outlet stores during the previous twelve months, partially offset by an increase in the sale of dinnerware products to the retail sector. International division revenues were down approximately $1.6 million from the prior year, primarily in the United Kingdom.

Gross margins improved from $26.5 million (25.9% of revenues) during the three month period ended October 30, 2004, to $32.3 million (36.2% of revenues) during the quarter ended October 29, 2005. The Company's continued gross margin improvement was achieved as a result of the March 22, 2005 sale of the Sherrill, N.Y. manufacturing facility resulting in the complete outsourcing of the Company's manufacturing operations. Other positive activities were product line rationalization, reduction of LIFO valued inventory levels, and a reduction in the write-down of obsolete inventory.

Operating income was favorably impacted by the closure of unprofitable Oneida outlet stores; reductions in personnel, employee benefits, general & administrative expenses, and logistics costs. During the quarter the Company refined its calculation of the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, and reviewed its accrual for incentive compensation based on current projections, resulting in a favorable earnings adjustment of $1.2 million.

For the first nine months of the fiscal year ending January 2006, Oneida's operating income was $9.6 million, on total revenues of $258.8 million, compared to an operating loss of $(62.9) million on total revenues of $314.8 million during the first three quarters of the prior fiscal year. Net loss was $(16.1) million for the nine month period ended October 29, 2005, versus net loss of $(17.8) million during the corresponding period last year. The prior year's net loss included non-recurring income items, totaling $62.1 million, attributed to the net effect of eliminating the Company's post-retirement medical liabilities, termination of the Company's long-term disability plan and freezing two of the Company's domestic defined benefit pension plans. Additionally, non-recurring expense items, totaling $52.2 were recorded for impairment losses on goodwill and closure of the Sherrill, NY factory. Interest expense increased by $9.3 million to $24.2 million for the nine month period ended October 29, 2005 due to the higher effective interest rate and amortization of deferred financing costs associated with its restructured debt.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $1.0 million during the nine month period ended October 29, 2005, versus net cash used by operating activities of $(40.0) million during the corresponding period last year. Liquidity under the Company's U.S. revolving credit agreement and available cash balances was $20.0 million at October 29, 2005, which decreased from $22.2 million at January 29, 2005 and increased from $12.2 million at October 30, 2004, respectively.

Ongoing Restructuring Initiatives and Executive Appointments

The following actions were taken during the third quarter ended October 29, 2005:



 -- Appointed Robert Hack as Vice President -- Information Technology
    and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Hack will be responsible for
    Oneida's worldwide information technology strategy and
    implementation.  His prior experience includes a variety of
    senior level IT positions with the Eastman Kodak Company and
    Carrier Corporation, and most recently he was CIO at Marietta
    Corporation.

 -- Appointed John Ross as Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting
    Officer.  Prior to joining Oneida, Mr. Ross served in a variety
    of accounting and financial positions, including VP and
    Controller Accounting Operations of Pacer International, VP
    Finance of PIC International Group, Director of Accounting and
    Corporate Controller of Hubbell Inc.  Mr. Ross started his career
    at Deloitte-Touche and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 -- Signed a 5-year lease agreement for a 244,000 square foot
    warehouse and distribution facility with Tejon Ranch Company in
    order to relocate Oneida's west coast distribution center to
    Lebec, California.  The new facility, located approximately 90
    miles northwest of the port of Long Beach, CA, is expected to be
    operational during the first quarter of the next fiscal year, and
    will employ as many as 100 workers.  The conversion from Oneida's
    current third party logistics platform on the west coast to this
    Oneida-managed facility is expected to generate additional supply
    chain savings and service level improvements.

 -- Continued the rationalization and operational integration of
    Oneida's various product lines in order to leverage the Company's
    strengths in brand, design and global procurement.  Toward that
    end, during the third quarter, certain functions of the New York
    City-based dinnerware operation were integrated into the
    Company's headquarters located in Oneida, NY.  The Company also
    opened a new showroom at 41 Madison Avenue, New York City,
    featuring a combination of flatware, dinnerware and food service
    product lines including the launch of a new Buffalo China
    consumer dinnerware brand offered in a variety of shapes,
    patterns and colors.

 -- Engaged the New England Consulting Group, a leading marketing and
    branding consulting firm, to assist the Company in developing a
    strategic market positioning, growth and branding plan.

Oneida is a leading source of flatware, dinnerware, crystal and metal serveware for both the consumer and food service industries worldwide.

Forward Looking Information

With the exception of historical data, the information contained in this Press Release, as well as those other documents incorporated by reference herein, may constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Federal securities laws, including but not limited to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. As such, the Company cautions readers that changes in certain factors could affect the Company's future results and could cause the Company's future consolidated results to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in national or international political conditions; civil unrest, war or terrorist attacks; general economic conditions in the Company's own markets and related markets; availability or shortage of raw materials; difficulties or delays in the development, production and marketing of new products; financial stability of the Company's contract manufacturers, and their ability to produce and deliver acceptable quality product on schedule; the impact of competitive products and pricing; certain assumptions related to consumer purchasing patterns; significant increases in interest rates or the level of the Company's indebtedness; inability of the Company to maintain sufficient levels of liquidity; failure of the company of obtain needed waivers and/or amendments relative to its finance agreements; foreign currency fluctuations; major slowdowns in the retail, travel or entertainment industries; the loss of several of the Company's key executives, major customers or suppliers; underutilization of, or negative variances at, some or all of the Company's distribution facilities; the Company's failure to achieve the savings and profit goals of any planned restructuring or reorganization programs; future product shortages resulting from the Company's transition to an outsourced manufacturing platform; international health epidemics such as the SARS outbreak; impact of changes in accounting standards; potential legal proceedings; changes in pension and medical benefit costs; and the amount and rate of growth of the Company's selling, general and administrative expenses.



                              ONEIDA LTD.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             (Thousands of Dollars, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                                  For the               For the  
                             Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                            Oct. 29,   Oct. 30,   Oct. 29,   Oct. 30, 
                              2005      2004        2005       2004
                            -------------------   -------------------
 Revenues:
  Net sales                  $88,577   $101,273   $257,006   $312,938
  License fees                   732        951      1,821      1,838
                            --------   --------   --------   --------
 Total Revenues               89,309    102,224    258,827    314,776
                            --------   --------   --------   --------
 Cost of sales                56,972     75,742    166,901    236,201
                            --------   --------   --------   --------

 Gross margin                 32,337     26,482     91,926     78,575
                            --------   --------   --------   --------

 Operating expenses:
  Selling, distribution 
   and administrative
   expense                    23,957     27,591     75,921     94,051
  Restructuring expense        1,194         27      2,370       (110)
  Impairment loss on 
   depreciable assets            --         --         --      34,016
  Impairment loss on 
   other assets                4,233     15,473      4,475     18,173
 (Gain) loss on the 
  sale of fixed assets            (4)       157       (449)    (4,680)
                            --------   --------   --------   --------  
  Total                       29,380     43,248     82,317    141,450
                            --------   --------   --------   --------
 Operating income (loss)       2,957    (16,766)     9,609    (62,875)
  
 Other income                   (467)       --      (2,068)   (66,123)
 Other expense                   712        612      2,014      5,265
 Interest expense 
  including
  amortization of
  deferred financing 
  costs                        8,206      7,190     24,188     14,923
                            --------   --------   --------   -------- 

 (Loss) before income
  taxes                       (5,494)   (24,568)   (14,525)   (16,940)
 Income tax expense
  (benefit)                      525       (719)     1,557        815
                            --------   --------   --------   -------- 
 Net (loss)                  $(6,019)  $(23,849)  $(16,082)  $(17,755)
                            ========   ========   ========   ========
 
 Preferred stock 
  dividends                      (32)       (32)       (97)       (97)
 Net (loss) available
  to common
  shareholders               $(6,051)  $(23,881)  $(16,179)  $(17,852)
                            ========   ========   ========   ========
 (Loss) per share 
  of common stock
   Net loss:
    Basic                     $(0.13)     $(.57)    $(0.35)     $(.71)
    Diluted                   $(0.13)     $(.57)    $(0.35)     $(.71)



  ONEIDA LTD
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                         (Thousand of Dollars)

                                              Unaudited     Audited
                                               Oct. 29,     Jan. 29,
                                                 2005         2005
                                               --------     -------- 
 ASSETS
 Current assets:                               $    814    $   2,064
 Cash
   Trade accounts receivables, 
     less allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $2,069 and $3,483, 
     respectively                                55,428       53,226
   Other accounts and notes receivable            2,665        1,398
   Inventories, net of reserves of 
    $8,307 and $22,405, respectively            102,127      106,951

   Other current assets                           5,391        3,789
                                         
 
 Total current assets                           166,425      167,428
 Property, plant and equipment, net              18,292       23,149
 Assets held for sale                             5,605        1,263
 Goodwill                                       116,228      121,103
 Other assets                                     8,045       15,869
                                               --------     --------
 Total assets                                  $314,595     $328,812
                                               ========     ========
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 Current liabilities:
  Short-term debt                              $  7,758    $   9,577
 
  Accounts payable                               13,049       14,735
  Accrued liabilities                            27,066       33,651
  Accrued restructuring                           1,311          524
  Accrued pension liabilities                    18,076       17,667
 
  Deferred income taxes                           1,214        1,214
  Long term debt classified as                    5,220        2,572
   current               
 Total current                                   73,634       79,940
  liabilities
 Long term debt                                 212,992      204,344
 Accrued postretirement liability                 2,654        2,633
                                                                       
 Accrued pension liability                       23,778       24,254
                                                                       
 Deferred income taxes                           10,298        9,087
 Other liabilities                               11,971       12,173
                                               --------     --------
 Total liabilities                              335,327      332,431
 
 Commitments and contingencies
 Stockholders' (deficit):
 Cumulative 6% preferred stock -- 
  $25 par value; authorized 
  10,000,000 shares, issued 86,036 
  shares, callable at $30 per share
  respectively                                    2,151        2,151

 Common stock -- $l.00 par value; 
  authorized 100,000,000 shares,
  issued 47,781,288 shares for 
  both periods                                   47,781       47,781

 Additional paid-in capital                      84,719       84,719
 Retained deficit                              (100,144)     (84,062)
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (33,670)     (32,639)
 
 Less cost of common stock held in 
  treasury; 1,149,364 shares for 
  both periods                                  (21,569)     (21,569)
                                               --------     --------
 Total stockholders' (deficit):                 (20,732)      (3,619)
                                               --------     --------
 Total liabilities and 
  stockholders' (deficit)                      $314,595     $328,812
                                               ========     ========

                              ONEIDA LTD.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 29, 2005 AND OCTOBER 30, 2004
                              (Unaudited)
                            (In Thousands)

                                                Nine months ended      
                                              Oct. 29,      Oct. 30,
                                                2005          2004
                                                ----          ----

 CASH FLOW PROVIDED BY (USED) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 Net (loss)                                   $(16,082)   $(17,755)
 Adjustments to reconcile net              
  (loss) income to net cash 
  provided by (used in) operating 
  activities:

 Non-cash interest (Payment in                  
  Kind)                                         10,872       2,651
 (Gain) on disposal of fixed assets               (449)     (4,680)
 Depreciation and amortization                   1,779       6,994
 Deferred income taxes                             (35)        143
 Impairment of long lived assets                   242      34,016
 Impairment of other assets                      4,233      18,173
 Accrued restructuring                             --       (6,477)
 Inventory write-downs                             --        9,607
 Pension plan amendment                            --        2,577
 Post retirement health care                      
  plan amendment                                   --      (61,973)
 (Increase) decrease in working capital:
 Receivables                                    (3,792)     (2,708) 
 Inventories                                     3,676       5,566
 Other current assets                           (1,664)      1,382
 Other assets                                    7,903     (10,229)
 Decrease in accounts payable                   (1,252)     (3,181)
 Decrease in accrued liabilities                (1,560)     (4,165)
 Pension plan contributions                     (2,918)     (4,324)
 Increase (decrease) in other  
  liabilities                                       23      (5,638)
                                               -------     ------- 
 Net cash provided by (used in)  
  operating activities                             976     (40,021)
                                               -------     ------- 
 CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Purchases of properties and               
  equipment                                     (2,036)     (3,381)
 Proceeds from dispositions of 
  properties and equipment                       1,408      13,565
                                               -------     ------- 
 Net cash (used in) provided by 
  investing activities                            (628)     10,184
                                               -------     -------
 CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from issuance of common                  --           56
  stock
 Proceeds from short-term debt                     --        1,850
 Proceeds from long-term debt                      424      20,872
 Payment of short-term debt                     (1,819)        --
                                               -------     -------
 Net cash (used in) provided by 
  financing activities                          (1,395)     22,778
                                               -------     -------
 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES 
  ON CASH                                         (203)        (47)
                                               -------     -------
 NET (DECREASE) IN CASH                         (1,250)     (7,106)
 CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                       2,064       9,886
                                               -------     -------
 CASH AT END OF PERIOD                         $   814     $ 2,780
                                               =======     =======
 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
  Non-cash issuance of common stock               --       $30,000
                                               =======     =======
 Cash paid during the nine months for:
 Interest                                      $11,194     $ 9,933
                                               =======     =======


            

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