Steinway Reports Q2 2006 Results

Steinway Reports Q2 2006 Results

Business Remains Strong Despite Labor Strike

Overall Revenues Up 3%

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (NYSE:LVB), one of the world's leading manufacturers of musical instruments, today announced results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006.

Revenues increased 3% for the quarter, despite the loss of an estimated $4.9 million in band instrument sales caused by a labor strike. The second quarter increase was led largely by improved performance in the Company's piano business, which achieved an 11% increase in sales. Many of the Company's band operating metrics and product lines showed substantial improvement as well. Profits were hurt by expenses associated with a refinancing transaction, the labor strike and the bankruptcy of a large customer. The strike negatively impacted gross profit for the quarter by approximately $3.0 million. An increase of $2.4 million in band inventory reserves and costs associated with a one-week shutdown at the Company's domestic piano plant also contributed to a gross profit decline. As a result, gross margins decreased from 29.1% to 25.0%.

Operating expenses increased 28% as compared to the prior year period, in large part from an increase in bad debt expense of $4.3 million related to the recent bankruptcy of a band customer. Sales and marketing expenses for the re-launch of the Essex piano line and stock-based compensation also contributed $0.7 million to the increase. Net interest expense decreased 14% as compared to the second quarter of 2005, as a result of the Company's successful debt refinancing.

For the quarter, the Company posted a loss per share of $0.10 compared to earnings per share of $0.30 in the prior year period. Adjusted loss per share was $0.03 compared to Adjusted earnings per share of $0.34 in the second quarter of 2005. Adjustments, which are comprised primarily of costs associated with a labor strike and a loss on the early extinguishment of debt, are detailed in the attached financial tables.

Band Operations

Band sales decreased 6% due to the lost sales caused by a labor strike at the Company's Elkhart brass facility. However, sales of instruments produced at the Company's Elkhart woodwind plant showed significant gains. In addition, percussion sales increased 26%, another indication of the band division's successful turnaround. Gross margins for the quarter decreased to 13.3% due to the strike, an increase in sales to customers taking advantage of cash discounts, and an increase in reserves for excess or obsolete inventory.

Sales for the six-month period ended June 30, 2006 rose 3%, driven by an increase in sales of percussion products and student woodwind instruments. Gross margins declined from 21.3% to 18.6% as a result of the items discussed above.

Piano Operations

An increase in demand worldwide led to improved piano sales for the second quarter, which increased 11%, to $51.7 million. Wholesale, retail and institutional sales were all strong during the period. As a result, worldwide unit shipments of Steinway pianos rose 20% while shipments of the Company's Boston and Essex pianos increased 8%. Gross margins decreased to 34.3% primarily as a result of the costs of a one-week plant shutdown.

Year-to-date piano sales were up 4% despite the negative impact of $1.8 million of foreign currency translation. Gross margins declined from 35.9% to 33.7% as a result of additional plant shutdowns as compared to the first half of 2005.

Comments

Discussing second quarter results of the piano segment, CEO Dana Messina stated, "We are extremely pleased with the results from our piano segment. Business was good on all fronts -- wholesale and retail, domestic and overseas. In June, we re-launched our Essex piano line. The pianos were well received by our dealers and we expect the new line to be a success."

Regarding band operations, Messina said, "Our financial results this quarter do not reflect the outstanding progress we have made. I believe our management team and employees are doing a very good job building long-term value. We have seen market share gains and margin improvements in many of our instrument categories. I firmly believe that we will see a substantial increase in profits as we continue to make these improvements. A great example of the progress we've made can be seen in the market share we rebuilt in our woodwind and percussion business."

Messina continued, "Our recent labor difficulties have obviously been disappointing. We are still negotiating with our Elkhart brass workers and have made extraordinary efforts to reach an agreement. We remain hopeful about reaching a resolution acceptable to both sides. In the meantime, managers and supervisors have been working in the plant, learning more about the process and product flow every day. We believe that the knowledge gained over recent months of hands-on experience will enable us to make improvements going forward. On July 1st, we began hiring replacement workers and now have over 40 motivated, excited individuals producing instruments. They have been trained and have learned the operations faster than we expected. We are hiring qualified replacement workers at a steady pace and believe that, regardless of the outcome of the labor negotiations, the company is well positioned for the future. We learned from our experience ramping up our woodwind facility that, while it is expensive in the short term to train new workers, there can be substantial upside over the long term. Our one woodwind plant is currently producing the same number of instruments that two plants produced a couple of years ago. We are willing to make a long-term investment in a productive and cooperative workforce. Our new workers are producing high quality instruments that several of our dealers have described as the best to ever come out of that plant. Our goal is to satisfy our customers in a profitable manner and we are taking steps to do so."

Conference Call

Management will be discussing the Company's second quarter results and outlook for the remainder of 2006 on a conference call today beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET. A live web cast and an archive of the call will be available to all interested parties on the Company's web site, http://www.steinwaymusical.com/.

About Steinway Musical Instruments

Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., through its Steinway and Conn-Selmer divisions, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of musical instruments. Its notable products include Bach Stradivarius trumpets, Selmer Paris saxophones, C.G. Conn French horns, Leblanc clarinets, King trombones, Ludwig snare drums and Steinway & Sons pianos.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Used by Steinway Musical Instruments

The Company uses the non-GAAP measurement Adjusted EBITDA, which it defines as earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA because it is useful to management and investors as a measure of the Company's core operating performance. The Company also believes Adjusted EBITDA is helpful in determining the Company's ability to meet future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. In addition, certain of the Company's debt covenants are based upon Adjusted EBITDA calculations and the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as the basis for determining bonuses for its managers. However, Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for operating income or a better indicator of liquidity than cash flows from operating activities, which are determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Company has provided other non-GAAP measurements which present operating results on a basis excluding certain non-comparable items. The Company has provided Adjusted financial information because management uses it to make meaningful comparisons of performance between periods. However, there are limitations in the use of such information because the Company's actual results do include the impact of these Adjustments. The non-GAAP measures are intended only as a supplement to the comparable GAAP measures.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release contains "forward-looking statements" which represent the Company's present expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that such statements are necessarily based on certain assumptions which are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in this release. These risk factors include the following: changes in general economic conditions; recent geopolitical events; increased competition; work stoppages and slowdowns; exchange rate fluctuations; variations in the mix of products sold; market acceptance of new product and distribution strategies; ability of suppliers to meet demand; fluctuations in effective tax rates resulting from shifts in sources of income; and the ability to successfully integrate and operate acquired businesses. Further information on these risk factors is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Julie A. Theriault
Telephone: 781-894-9770
E-mail: ir@steinwaymusical.com

STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
6/30/2006 6/30/2005 6/30/2006 6/30/2005
Net sales $92,423 $89,761 $187,617 $181,103
Cost of sales 69,274 63,635 138,476 129,280
Gross profit 23,149 26,126 49,141 51,823
25.0% 29.1% 26.2% 28.6%

Operating expenses 23,544 18,399 44,025 37,038
(Loss) income from
operations (395) 7,727 5,116 14,785
Interest expense, net 3,152 3,666 5,900 6,835
Other (income) expense, net 2,368 33 8,228 (406)
(Loss) income before
income taxes (5,915) 4,028 (9,012) 8,356
Income tax (benefit)
provision (5,054) 1,610 (6,309) 3,340
Net (loss) income ($861) $2,418 ($2,703) $5,016

(Loss) earnings per share
-- basic ($0.10) $0.30 ($0.33) $0.62
(Loss) earnings per share
-- diluted ($0.10) $0.29 ($0.33) $0.61
Weighted average common
shares -- basic 8,332 8,052 8,242 8,042
Weighted average common
shares -- diluted 8,332 8,276 8,242 8,259

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

6/30/2006 6/30/2005 12/31/2005
Cash $21,118 $17,742 $34,952
Receivables, net 90,307 90,354 81,880
Inventories 155,284 179,872 159,310
Other current assets 30,052 18,311 19,589
Total current assets 296,761 306,279 295,731

Property, plant and equipment,
net 96,448 98,739 96,664
Other assets 64,886 63,019 63,260
Total assets $458,095 $468,037 $455,655

Notes payable and current
portion of long-term debt $5,960 $13,794 $12,977
Other current liabilities 62,353 50,702 58,904
Total current liabilities 68,313 64,496 71,881

Long-term debt 187,544 210,887 191,715
Other liabilities 46,266 47,848 43,229
Stockholders' equity 155,972 144,806 148,830
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $458,095 $468,037 $455,655

STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended 6/30/06
GAAP Adjustments Adjusted
Band sales $40,759 $- $40,759
Piano sales 51,664 - 51,664
Total sales 92,423 - 92,423

Band cost of sales 35,324 (1,220) (1) 34,104
Piano cost of sales 33,950 - 33,950
Total cost of sales 69,274 (1,220) 68,054

Band gross profit 5,435 1,220 (1) 6,655
Piano gross profit 17,714 - 17,714
Total gross profit 23,149 1,220 24,369

Band GM% 13.3% 16.3%
Piano GM% 34.3% 34.3%
Total GM% 25.0% 26.4%

Operating expenses 23,544 - 23,544

(Loss) income from
operations (395) 1,220 825

Interest expense, net 3,152 - 3,152
Other (income) expense,
net 2,368 (3,063) (2) (695)

(Loss) income before
income taxes (5,915) 4,283 (1,632)

Income tax (benefit)
provision (5,054) 3,660 (3) (1,394)

Net (loss) income ($861) $623 ($238)

(Loss) earnings per
share - basic ($0.10) ($0.03)
(Loss) Earnings per
share - diluted ($0.10) ($0.03)
Weighted average common
shares - basic 8,332 8,332
Weighted average common
shares - diluted 8,332 8,332

Three Months Ended 6/30/05
GAAP Adjustments Adjusted
Band sales $43,368 $- $43,368
Piano sales 46,393 - 46,393
Total sales 89,761 - 89,761

Band cost of sales 33,709 (567) (4) 33,142
Piano cost of sales 29,926 - 29,926
Total cost of sales 63,635 (567) 63,068

Band gross profit 9,659 567 (4) 10,226
Piano gross profit 16,467 - 16,467
Total gross profit 26,126 567 26,693

Band GM% 22.3% 23.6%
Piano GM% 35.5% 35.5%
Total GM% 29.1% 29.7%

Operating expenses 18,399 - 18,399

Income from
operations 7,727 567 8,294

Interest expense, net 3,666 - 3,666
Other (income) expense,
net 33 - 33

Income before taxes 4,028 567 4,595

Provision for income
taxes 1,610 227 (3) 1,837

Net income $2,418 $340 $2,758

Earnings per share --
basic $0.30 $0.34
Earnings per share --
diluted $0.29 $0.33
Weighted average common
shares -- basic 8,052 8,052
Weighted average common
shares -- diluted 8,276 8,276

Notes to Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings
(1) Reflects $59 charges relating to the step-up of inventory and $1,161
of unabsorbed overhead associated with a labor strike.
(2) Reflects loss on extinguishment of debt.
(3) Reflects the tax effect of Adjustments at the Company's effective
rate for the period.
(4) Reflects charges relating to the step-up of inventory.

STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended 6/30/06
GAAP Adjustments Adjusted
Band sales $93,825 $- $93,825
Piano sales 93,792 - 93,792
Total sales 187,617 - 187,617

Band cost of sales 76,329 (1,291) (1) 75,038
Piano cost of sales 62,147 - 62,147
Total cost of sales 138,476 (1,291) 137,185

Band gross profit 17,496 1,291 (1) 18,787
Piano gross profit 31,645 - 31,645
Total gross profit 49,141 1,291 50,432

Band GM% 18.6% 20.0%
Piano GM% 33.7% 33.7%
Total GM% 26.2% 26.9%

Operating expenses 44,025 - 44,025

Income from
operations 5,116 1,291 6,407

Interest expense, net 5,900 - 5,900
Other (income) expense,
net 8,228 (9,674) (2) (1,446)

(Loss) income
before income taxes (9,012) 10,965 1,953

Income tax (benefit)
provision (6,309) 7,676 (3) 1,367

Net (loss) income ($2,703) $3,289 $586

(Loss) earnings per
share - basic ($0.33) $0.07
(Loss) earnings per
share - diluted ($0.33) $0.07
Weighted average common
shares - basic 8,242 8,242
Weighted average common
shares - diluted 8,242 8,242

Six Months Ended 6/30/05
GAAP Adjustments Adjusted
Band sales $90,935 $- $90,935
Piano sales 90,168 - 90,168
Total sales 181,103 - 181,103

Band cost of sales 71,523 (1,270) (4) 70,253
Piano cost of sales 57,757 - 57,757
Total cost of sales 129,280 (1,270) 128,010

Band gross profit 19,412 1,270 (4) 20,682
Piano gross profit 32,411 - 32,411
Total gross profit 51,823 1,270 53,093

Band GM% 21.3% 22.7%
Piano GM% 35.9% 35.9%
Total GM% 28.6% 29.3%

Operating expenses 37,038 - 37,038

Income from
operations 14,785 1,270 16,055

Interest expense, net 6,835 - 6,835
Other (income) expense,
net (406) - (406)

Income before taxes 8,356 1,270 9,626

Provision for income
taxes 3,340 508 (3) 3,848

Net income $5,016 $762 $5,778

Earnings per share --
basic $0.62 $0.72
Earnings per share --
diluted $0.61 $0.70
Weighted average common
shares -- basic 8,042 8,042
Weighted average common
shares -- diluted 8,259 8,259

Notes to Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings to Adjusted Earnings
(1) Reflects $130 charges relating to the step-up of inventory and $1,161
of unabsorbed overhead associated with a labor strike.
(2) Reflects loss on extinguishment of debt.
(3) Reflects the tax effect of Adjustments at the Company's effective
rate for the period.
(4) Reflects charges relating to the step-up of inventory.

STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Reconciliation from Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Adjusted
EBITDA
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
6/30/2006 6/30/2005
Cash flows from operating
activities $527 $(9,719)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities (894) 14,894
Stock based compensation expense (295) -
Income taxes, net of deferred tax
benefit 5,062 1,730
Net interest expense 3,152 3,666
Provision for doubtful accounts (4,505) (83)
Other 25 106
Non-recurring, infrequent or
unusual cash charges 1,220 567
Adjusted EBITDA $4,292 $11,161

Six Months Ended
6/30/2006 6/30/2005
Cash flows from operating
activities $4,389 $(10,097)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities 3,352 20,650
Stock based compensation expense (566) -
Income taxes, net of deferred tax
benefit 3,918 3,619
Net interest expense 5,900 6,835
Provision for doubtful accounts (4,562) (222)
Other (430) 145
Non-recurring, infrequent or
unusual cash charges 1,291 1,270
Adjusted EBITDA $13,292 $22,200

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Source: Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.

CONTACT: Julie A. Theriault of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.,
+1-781-894-9770, ir@steinwaymusical.com

Web site: http://www.steinwaymusical.com/

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