Parker Reports Another Record Year

Earnings per diluted share for the year and the quarter also reached all time highs, while cash flow from operations reached a record $954.6 million, or 10.2 percent of sales, surpassing last year's record of $853.5 million.

For the full year, revenue reached a record $9.4 billion, an increase of 16.3 percent over the previous year, with organic growth driving nearly half of the increase. Income from continuing operations increased 19.7 percent to $638.3 million, and earnings per diluted share from continuing operations increased to $5.28. Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $5.36 for the year before the impact of an 8 cents loss on the divestiture of the company's Thermoplastics division in December 2005. In fiscal year 2005, the company had income from continuing operations of $533.2 million, or $4.43 per diluted share, on sales of $8.1 billion.

Fourth quarter sales increased 20.4 percent from the prior year, with almost half of the increase coming through organic growth. Sales in the fourth quarter reached $2.6 billion, compared to $2.2 billion in the same period last year. Fourth-quarter income from continuing operations increased 20.4 percent to $187.9 million and fourth quarter earnings per diluted share from continuing operations increased to $1.55. This compares to income from continuing operations of $156.1 million and earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $1.30 in the same period last year.

"By continuing to execute Parker's Win Strategy, our employees delivered another outstanding year of record results for our shareholders," said Chairman and CEO Don Washkewicz. "We have demonstrated our ability to grow our business year after year after year. In 2006, the company grew by more than 16 percent, nearly half of which was organic. This is the 2nd year in a row in which we've achieved organic growth of more than 8 percent. All segments contributed strongly to this growth, reflecting continued demand around the world for our motion and control technologies. We continue to rank our return on invested capital (ROIC) near the top quartile among our peers. In addition, our ability to generate record levels of cash flow enabled us to continue investing in strategic acquisitions during the year. Our focused and disciplined use of our cash flow allowed us to add nearly $1.0 billion in annualized revenues through 13 acquisitions this year, furthering our reputation as the motion and control industry consolidator of choice."

Segment Results

In the North American Industrial segment, fourth-quarter operating income improved 28.6 percent to $165.2 million on sales of $1.1 billion. For the full year, North American Industrial operating income was up 27.5 percent to $597.2 million on sales of $4.0 billion.

In the International Industrial segment fourth-quarter operating income increased 39.8 percent to $106.3 million on sales of $831.2 million. For the full year, International Industrial operating income was up 32.4 percent to $353.8 million on sales of $2.9 billion.

In the Climate & Industrial Controls segment, fourth-quarter operating income increased 31.2 percent to $31.0 million on sales of $293.9 million. For the full year, Climate & Industrial Controls operating income was up 11.2 percent to $83.3 million on sales of $985.1 million.

In the Aerospace segment, fourth-quarter operating income increased 18.4 percent to $64.4 million on sales of $419.9 million. For the full year, Aerospace reported operating income up 11 percent to $221.0 million on sales of $1.5 billion.

Outlook

The company projects earnings from continuing operations for fiscal year 2007 to range from $5.80 to $6.30 per diluted share.

"Our proven mix of organic and acquisitive growth, our balance of OEM and MRO sales, and our past, present and future execution of the Parker Win Strategy lead us to project another year of strong sales and earnings in fiscal 2007," added Washkewicz. "We will continue to use our strong cash flow to grow our business through both internal initiatives and strategic acquisitions. In addition, the diversity of the many markets we serve in the motion and control industry helps mitigate market risk, counter business cyclicality and create ever widening opportunities for profitable growth."

"Going forward, we will continue to rely on the dedication of our talented employees, the expertise of our global distribution network, and the opportunities provided by our customers to deliver value to shareholders."