Bell Industries Reports Financial Results for 2009 Second Quarter, Six Months


INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 14, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bell Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets:BLLI) today reported financial results for its second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009.

Revenues from continuing operations for the 2009 second quarter were $27.5 million, up 5.2% from $26.1 million a year ago, with a $2.3 million increase in revenues related to the company's Bell Techlogix's business partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in revenues related to its Recreational Products Group. The company had income from continuing operations of $216,000, or $0.49 per basic share for the 2009 second quarter. This reflects a significant improvement over the prior-year second quarter loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million, or $3.30 per share. In the second quarter of 2008, the company also had a loss from discontinued operations of $3.4 million, or $7.81 per share, resulting in a net loss for the prior year second quarter of $4.8 million, or $11.11 per share.

The company announced in February 2008 that it completed the sale of SkyTel's automated vehicle location business to SkyGuard LLC for $7.0 million. On June 13, 2008, the company completed the sale of the remainder of the SkyTel business to Velocita Wireless, LLC ("Velocita") for total consideration of $7.5 million. Subsequent to the closing, Velocita agreed to pay the company additional consideration in the form of a working capital adjustment in the amount of $1.5 million. As a result of these transactions, the SkyTel division has been reflected as a discontinued operation in the company's results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.

For the first half of 2009, revenues from continuing operations were $45.9 million, down 6.9% from $49.2 million a year ago, with the entire decrease in revenues related to the company's Recreational Products Group. The company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $1.7 million, or $3.82 per share, for the year-to-date period. This reflects an improvement over the loss from continuing operations of $2.1 million, or $4.87 per share, for the first half of 2008. In the first half of 2008, the company also had a loss from discontinued operations of $1.9 million, or $4.30 per share, resulting in a net loss for the first six months of 2008 of $3.9 million, or $9.17 per share.

The Bell Techlogix business posted revenues of $16.5 million for the 2009 second quarter, compared with $14.2 million in the 2008 second quarter. This increase was due primarily to hardware and software sales into the K-12 and higher education markets. Operating income for the 2009 second quarter amounted to $438,000, increasing by approximately $404,000 over the prior-year second quarter. This increase was attributed to an increase of gross profit primarily related to higher product revenues and a contract termination fee and a decrease in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses due primarily to reductions in salaries and wages and shipping costs.

The company's Recreational Products Group reported revenues of $11.0 million for the 2009 second quarter, compared with $11.9 million in the 2008 second quarter. The company attributed the decrease in revenues primarily to lower sales in the recreational vehicle and marine product lines resulting from a continued decline in consumer spending at dealers. The operating income of $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2009 represented a $314,000 increase from the operating income of $688,000 for the second quarter of 2008. Although revenues were down year-over year, there was a 230 basis point improvement in gross profit margins and SG&A expenses decreased from $2.6 million for the 2008 second quarter to $2.3 million for the 2009 second quarter due to reductions in headcount, freight and facility costs.

We are pleased that both of our operating units generated operating income for the quarter on improved results versus the 2008 second quarter, and the fact that our consolidated results for the quarter generated $216,000 of net income," said Kevin J. Thimjon, president and chief financial officer of Bell Industries. "We continue to closely manage our costs and make investments in our businesses where we see the best opportunities for profitable growth."

Bell's corporate costs for the 2009 second quarter totaled $939,000, an increase of approximately $164,000 from the $775,000 for the 2008 second quarter. The 2008 second quarter results benefited from a $200,000 favorable legal settlement.

About Bell Industries, Inc.

Bell Industries is comprised of two operating units, Bell Techlogix and the Recreational Products Group. Bell Techlogix is a provider of integrated technology product and service solutions for organizations throughout the United States. The Recreational Products Group is a wholesale distributor of aftermarket parts and accessories for the recreational vehicles and other leisure-related vehicle markets, including marine, snowmobile, cycle and ATV.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including, but not limited to closely managing costs and making investments in our business where we see the best opportunities for profitable growth, are based upon current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the nature of the company's industry, including changing customer demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on existing management and general economic conditions. Bell Industries' Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect the business, results of operations and financial condition. The company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.



                             (Tables Follow)

                        Bell Industries, Inc.
            Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
           (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)


                                Three months ended   Six months ended
                                     June 30,             June 30,
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                  2009      2008      2009      2008
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Net revenues:
     Products                   $ 21,190  $ 19,569  $ 33,691  $ 35,299
     Services                      6,334     6,585    12,160    13,943
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total net revenues               27,524    26,154    45,851    49,242
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

 Costs and expenses:
     Cost of products sold        16,959    15,513    27,174    28,273
     Cost of services provided     4,421     4,747     8,818     9,686
     Selling, general and
      administrative expenses      5,643     5,947    11,025    11,861
     Interest expense, net           290       307       498       446
     Loss on extinguishment
      of debt                         --     1,053        --     1,053
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total costs and expenses         27,313    27,567    47,515    51,319
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations before provision
  for (benefit from) income
  taxes                              211    (1,413)   (1,664)   (2,077)
 Provision for (benefit from)
  income taxes                        (5)       17        (7)       33
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations                         216    (1,430)   (1,657)   (2,110)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Loss from discontinued
  operations, net of tax              --    (3,381)       --    (1,862)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Net income (loss)              $    216  $ (4,811) $ (1,657) $ (3,972)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Share and per share data
   Basic:
     Income (loss) from
      continuing operations     $   0.49  $  (3.30) $  (3.82) $  (4.87)
     Loss from discontinued
      operations                      --     (7.81)       --     (4.30)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
     Net income (loss)          $   0.49  $ (11.11) $  (3.82) $  (9.17)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========
     Weighted average common
      shares outstanding             433       433       433       433
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

   Diluted
     Income (loss) from
      continuing operations     $   0.06  $  (3.30) $  (3.82) $  (4.87)
     Loss from discontinued
      operations                      --     (7.81)       --     (4.30)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
     Net income (loss)          $   0.06  $ (11.11) $  (3.82) $  (9.17)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========
     Weighted average common
      shares outstanding           3,308       433       433       433
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 Net revenues:
   Bell Techlogix
     Products                   $ 10,182  $  7,641  $ 15,336  $ 13,480
     Services                      6,334     6,585    12,160    13,943
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
     Total Bell Techlogix         16,516    14,226    27,496    27,423
   Recreational Products Group    11,008    11,928    18,355    21,819
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total net revenues             $ 27,524  $ 26,154  $ 45,851  $ 49,242
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Operating income (loss):
     Bell Techlogix             $    438  $     34  $   (151) $    458
     Recreational Products
      Group                        1,002       688       830       876
     Corporate costs                (939)     (775)   (1,845)   (1,912)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total operating income
  (loss)                             501       (53)   (1,166)     (578)
 Loss on extinguishment
  of debt                             --     1,053        --     1,053
 Interest expense, net               290       307       498       446
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes           $    211  $ (1,413) $ (1,664) $ (2,077)
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

                        Bell Industries, Inc.
                 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
                        (Dollars in thousands)


                                                   June 30,   Dec. 31,
                                                    2009        2008
                                                  ---------  ---------
                          ASSETS                 (Unaudited)  
 Current assets:                                              
   Cash and cash equivalents                      $      39   $  3,233 
   Accounts receivable, net                          12,688      8,096 
   Inventories, net                                   7,545      8,770 
   Notes receivable                                   1,000      3,000 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets          1,259      1,819 
                                                  ---------  ---------
     Total current assets                            22,531     24,918 
                                                                       
 Fixed assets, net                                    1,094      1,475 
 Other assets                                           971        867 
                                                  ---------  ---------
     Total assets                                 $  24,596   $ 27,260 
                                                  =========  =========
                                                                       
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT                                 
 Current liabilities:                                                  
   Floor plan payables                            $      --   $    291 
   Revolving credit facility                            461         -- 
   Accounts payable                                   6,461      7,189 
   Accrued payroll                                    1,577      1,462 
   Other accrued liabilities                          3,277      3,671 
                                                  ---------  ---------
     Total current liabilities                       11,776     12,613 
                                                                       
 Convertible note                                    11,091     10,840 
 Other long-term liabilities                          3,606      4,063 
                                                  ---------  ---------
     Total liabilities                               26,473     27,516 
                                                                       
 Shareholders' deficit                               (1,877)      (256)
                                                  ---------  ---------
     Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit  $  24,596   $ 27,260 
                                                  =========  =========

            

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