Features
May 12, 2008 – Finance Digest
Kawasaki’s North American sales rise 5 percent
Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ sales in North America rose for a fourth consecutive year, according to a company financial report.
Kawasaki’s North American sales for all of its divisions for its fiscal year, which ended March 31, amounted to more than $2.9 billion, about a 5 percent increase over the prior year.
The company’s total sales totaled more than $14.9 billion, a 4 percent increase over last year.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ consumer products and machinery division, which includes powersports, had more than $4.3 billion in sales, a 29 percent rise from the prior year.
KTM reports growing U.S. market share
Despite growing U.S. sales, KTM did not meet its sales expectations, according to its recently released semi annual financial report.
The Austrian manufacturer reported a revenue increase of 9.5 percent to euro 288.1 million ($449.6 million) for the first half of its current fiscal year. However, the company said unforeseen exchange rates resulted in less total revenue than expected.
In its U.S market, KTM was able to boost its sales by 21 percent to euro 81.7 million ($127.5 million). The company said its strong ATV sales were one reason for the sales gain. KTM’s registrations increased nearly 4 percent in the United States while the market overall fell 7.5 percent, the company reported. KTM officials also said their U.S. market share jumped 0.4 percentage points compared to last year to 3.3 percent.
KTM also increased its market share in Europe, although by a smaller margin. The increase was 0.2 percentage points to 5.2 percent. Registration increases occurred in Great Britain (by 16 percent), Germany (7.2 percent) and France (nearly 4 percent).
For all of its markets, KTM said it manufactured more than 46,500 vehicles. That is less than planned because of lower than expected demand for SX motocycles and the 990 Adventure and the 690 Supermoto models. However, that production number is still roughly a 5 percent increase over the previous year.
KTM also announced that it will build 5,000 more motorcycles this year than last year. The company had originally expected to build 8,000 more than last year’s total.
Bell Industries reports 2007 results
Bell Industries had a down year overall, with the company’s Recreational Products Group, which includes powersports products, down slightly as well, according to a company press release.
For the period ended Dec. 31, revenues from continuing operations were $119.9 million, compared with $120.3 million for 2006. The loss primarily reflects a reduction in benefits from income taxes in 2007.
The company incurred a net loss of $15.2 million for 2007, including a loss from discontinued operations related to the company’s SkyTel division.
The Recreational Products Group posted $44.6 million in revenue for the year, down slightly compared from 2006.
Recreational Products Group revenues for the fourth quarter were up slightly compared to the 2006 period. The division brought in $8.1 million, a 10.9 percent increase over the previous year quarter. The company attributed the increase to better seasonal weather as 2006 was impacted by warm winter conditions. During the fourth quarter of 2007, Bell Industries experienced increases in its snowmobile product sales versus the prior year period.
Bell has filed with the Securities Exchange Commission its intention to voluntarily de-list the company’s common stock from the American Stock Exchange. After withdrawal of common stock from listing on the American Stock Exchange, the company expects the shares will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.
