• Highest-ever quarterly revenue of $1.888 billion, up 26% year-over-year
• Record-high net income of $50 million, up from $40 million a year ago
• Record-high EBIT of $113 million

Lake Forest, Illinois, July 29, 2011 – Tenneco Inc. (NYSE: TEN) reported second quarter net income of $50 million, or 81-cents per diluted share, versus net income of $40 million, or 66-cents per diluted share in second quarter 2010. Adjusted for the items below, net income was $50 million, or 81-cents per diluted share, compared with $38 million, or 62-cents per diluted share a year ago. The tables in this press release reconcile GAAP results to non-GAAP results.

EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes and noncontrolling interests) was $113 million, a 22% increase from $93 million in second quarter 2010. Adjusted EBIT improved to $115 million, versus $97 million a year ago, driven by higher OE volumes globally and the launch and ramp-up of higher-margin light and commercial vehicle business. The improvement was partially offset by previously announced higher year-over-year aftermarket customer changeover costs. Favorable currency had a $10 million year-over-year impact on EBIT.

EBITDA including noncontrolling interests (EBIT before depreciation and amortization) was $146 million, up from $72 million in second quarter 2009. Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests was $149 million, compared with $79 million a year ago.

"I am pleased with how we are capitalizing on a much improved production environment with strong year-over-year revenue and earnings growth, and solid cash performance," said Gregg Sherrill, chairman and CEO, Tenneco. "We are on track in executing on our growth plans and, equally important, converting that growth to profit with the cost structure we now have in place and actions to continuously improve our operational performance."

 

EBITDA including noncontrolling interests (EBIT before depreciation and amortization) rose 14% to $167 million, compared with $146 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests was $169 million, versus $149 million in second quarter 2010.

 

"We are making excellent progress on growing our businesses, particularly as we launch and ramp-up commercial vehicle emission control programs, which contributed to our record-high quarterly revenue and earnings," said Gregg Sherrill, chairman and CEO, Tenneco. "We are also pleased with our robust growth in emerging markets including China, where we are investing to keep pace with expanding opportunities."

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUE
Total revenue in the quarter rose to $1.888 billion up 26% from $1.502 billion in second quarter 2010. Value-add revenue (revenue minus substrate pass thru sales) was $1.453 billion, a 21% increase versus $1.198 billion a year ago. Industry light vehicle production was up 2% year-over-year in Tenneco’s operating regions. The revenue increase was driven by higher OE light vehicle production volumes; the launch of new commercial vehicle emissions control business, which drove a 64% year-over-year increase in commercial and specialty OE revenue; and an increase in global aftermarket sales. The estimated revenue loss in the quarter due to the Japan earthquake was about $60 million. Revenue included $118 million in favorable currency. 

EBIT MARGIN
Tenneco’s EBIT as a percent of revenue was 6.0% in the quarter compared with 6.2% a year ago. The comparison reflects an increase in substrate sales in the quarter to 23% of revenue, versus 20% the prior year. Consequently, EBIT as a percent of value-add revenue was 7.8% in the quarter, even with a year ago.

The company’s EBIT margins benefited from strong OE light vehicle volumes and the company’s strong position on top-selling vehicles, the ramp-up on commercial vehicle business and new light vehicle launches. Higher North America aftermarket sales also had a positive impact and the company invested in North America aftermarket growth this quarter, incurring customer changeover costs. Headwinds this quarter were a mix shift in the Europe aftermarket, the timing on price recoveries in the Europe aftermarket and in South America, and industry production declines in Australia.

CASH FLOW AND DEBT
Tenneco generated $104 million in cash flow from operations, versus $112 million in second quarter 2009. This strong performance was the result of higher earnings and efficiently managing working capital. The company generated cash from working capital in the quarter despite an increased demand for working capital, driven by the industry recovery with significantly higher year-over-year OE production and higher aftermarket sales.

Tenneco ended the second quarter with net debt at $1.108 billion, down from $1.409 billion at the end of second quarter 2009. The year-over-year debt reduction was generated by positive cash flow as well as $188 million in proceeds from the company’s common stock offering in fourth quarter 2009.

The company’s leverage ratio – net debt to adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests – was 2.3x, down significantly from 5.5x at June 30, 2009.

"Our stronger earnings, combined with working capital efficiencies, helped generate solid cash flow in the quarter," Sherrill said. "We also continue to reduce our debt, which remains one of our top priorities as reflected in the fact that our leverage ratio is at an all-time low."

Capital expenditures incurred in the quarter were $30 million, versus $24 million a year ago. The expenditures reflect Tenneco’s ongoing investments to support customer programs, expansion activities in emerging markets and future growth opportunities.

CASH

Cash generated from operations was $67 million, compared with $104 million a year ago. The demand for working capital to support higher revenue as well as the timing of accounts receivable collections from a large global customer drove the higher use of cash in the quarter.

The increase in capital expenditures to $47 million from $30 million a year ago reflects timing on investments to support future growth including new manufacturing facilities in China and preparing for new customer programs, particularly launching commercial vehicle emission control business in Europe and South America. The company still expects its capital expenditures to be in the range of $190 million to $210 million for full-year 2011.

In the second quarter, Tenneco announced plans to repurchase up to 400,000 shares of the company’s outstanding common stock to offset dilution from shares issued to employees in 2011. At quarter-end, the company has repurchased 270,500 shares on the open market for $10.5 million.

DEBT
Tenneco’s net debt was $1.133 billion at June 30, 2011, versus $1.108 billion a year ago.

The leverage ratio (net debt to adjusted LTM EBITDA including noncontrolling interests) was 2.0x, down from 2.3x at June 30, 2010.

OUTLOOK
According to IHS Automotive forecasts, industry light vehicle production in the third quarter is expected to increase year-over-year in the regions where Tenneco operates. Light vehicle production is expected to rise 6% in North America, 5% in Europe, 1% in China, 7% in South America and 3% in Australia. These forecasts include the initial recovery from the impact of the Japan earthquake as the supply chain returns to normal.

In addition to capitalizing on recovering light vehicle production volumes, the company is continuing to launch and ramp-up incremental commercial vehicle emission control business to help customers meet stricter diesel emissions standards for on-road and off-road vehicles. Tenneco is launching these diesel aftertreatment programs with 13 commercial vehicle and engine manufacturers globally including new programs that will launch in Europe and Brazil later this year.

"Tenneco’s growth drivers remain unchanged. Our revenue has outpaced industry growth rates due to our strong position on top-selling vehicles and the continued ramp-up of new light and commercial vehicle business. In addition, the North America aftermarket business continues to make solid contributions," said Sherrill. "We are pleased with progress on our program launches and top-line growth. At the same time, we are focused on several areas to help improve our performance including price recoveries in the Europe aftermarket and South America businesses and continuing to adjust our operations in Australia to the market."

SECOND QUARTER REPORTING SEGMENTS

 

(millions except percents)		Q2 11 Revenues		% Change vs. Q2 10			Q2 11 Revenues Excluding Currency & Substrate Sales		% Change vs. Q2 10
North America Original Equipment
	Ride Control	$	161		15%		$	159		13%
	Emission Control	$	520		25%		$	274		16%
	Total North America Original Equipment	$	681		22%		$	433		15%
North America Aftermarket
	Ride Control	$	145		5%		$	143		4%
	Emission Control	$	48		13%		$	48		12%
	Total North America Aftermarket	$	193		7%		$	191		6%
Total North America		$	874		18%		$	624		12%

 

• OE revenue, excluding currency and substrate sales, was up 15% versus a 3% industry light vehicle production decline on higher volumes across most of Tenneco’s platforms including increases on the Ford F-150 pick-up, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Equinox and the GM Sierra/Silverado and Tahoe/Yukon platform. Incremental revenue from commercial vehicle programs with Caterpillar and Navistar also contributed to the increase. The estimated North America revenue loss in the quarter due to the impact from the Japan earthquake was about $53 million.
• Higher sales volumes in both product lines drove the increase in aftermarket revenue.
• North America EBIT was up 24% to $62 million from $50 million a year ago on higher OE light vehicle volumes and aftermarket sales and the addition of new commercial vehicle business. The strong improvement was partially offset by the impact of lost revenue due to the Japan crisis, an increase in certain manufacturing and freight expenses and higher year-over-year customer changeover costs for the addition of new aftermarket customers. EBIT includes $4 million in currency transaction benefits this year compared to $2 million in transaction losses last year.
• Adjusting for restructuring and related expenses, EBIT was $63 million, versus $53 million a year ago.

EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA AND INDIA

(millions except percents)		Q2 11 Revenues		% Change vs. Q2 10			Q2 11 Revenues Excluding Currency & Substrate Sales		% Change vs. Q2 10
Europe Original Equipment
	Ride Control	$	151		32%		$	131		14%
	Emission Control	$	385		44%		$	222		18%
	Total Europe Original Equipment	$	536		40%		$	353		17%
Europe Aftermarket
	Ride Control	$	70		25%		$	60		8%
	Emission Control	$	44		8%		$	38		(7%)
	Total Europe Aftermarket	$	114		18%		$	98		2%
South America & India		$	167		31%		$	128		13%
Total Europe, South America & India		$	817		35%		$	579		13%

• The strong increase in Europe OE revenue, versus a 4% rise in industry light vehicle production, was due to strong volumes on key platforms including the VW Golf and Polo, Audi A6 and A1, Mercedes E-class, Opel Astra and Zafira, Ford Focus and Mercedes Sprinter. A rise in commercial and specialty revenue also contributed to the increase.
• Europe aftermarket revenue, excluding currency, was impacted by a decline in emission control sales, almost completely offsetting ride control sales increases.
• Total South America and India revenue was up with each region reporting higher OE and aftermarket revenues.
• Europe, South America and India EBIT was $37 million, up 23% from $30 million a year ago. The stronger production environment with higher OE volumes in all three regions was partially offset by a Europe aftermarket mix shift toward Eastern Europe and the timing of price recoveries for material costs in the Europe aftermarket and for inflation-driven material and wage costs in South America. EBIT includes $3 million in favorable currency.
• Adjusted EBIT was $38 million versus $31 million a year ago.
  • Second quarter 2011 and 2010 EBIT includes $1 million in restructuring and related expenses.

ASIA PACIFIC

(millions except percents)		Q2 11 Revenues		% Change vs. Q2 10			Q2 11 Revenues Excluding Currency & Substrate Sales		% Change vs. Q2 10
Asia		$	155		29%		$	124		32%
Australia		$	42		11%		$	32		(11%)
Total Asia Pacific		$	197		25%		$	156		21%

• The Asia revenue increase was driven by strong volumes in China, particularly on Audi, Ford and Nissan platforms. The estimated revenue loss in the quarter due to the impact from the Japan earthquake was about $7 million.
• Australia revenue, excluding currency, was down due to the continued decline in industry production.
• Asia Pacific EBIT improved to $14 million, versus $13 million a year ago, on strong volumes and operational performance in China. The strong China performance was almost entirely offset by the weak production environment in Australia as well as planned start-up costs related to the opening and ramping up of several new plants in China to meet a significant increase in market demand.

 

Attachment 2:

CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on Friday, July 29, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in number is 800 857-5157 (domestic) or 415 228-3914 (international). The passcode is TENNECO. The call and accompanying slides will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco web site at www.tenneco.com. A recording of the call will be available one hour following completion of the call on July 29, 2011 through August 29, 2011. To access this recording, dial 866 485-6429 (domestic) or 203 369-1628 (international). The purpose of the call is to discuss the company’s operations for the quarter, as well as other matters that may impact the company’s outlook. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco web site.

Tenneco is a $5.9 billion global manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 22,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco is one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet™ and Clevite®Elastomer brand names.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "expects," "anticipate," "projects," "will," and "outlook" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the company (including its subsidiaries). Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the company's plans, actions and actual results could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause these plans, actions and results to differ materially from current expectations are:
(i) general economic, business and market conditions;
(ii) the company’s ability to source and procure needed materials, components and other products and services in accordance with customer demand and at competitive prices, including any impact on the company’s ability to source and procure such items and services due to supply disruptions caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan;
(iii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets at favorable rates, and the credit ratings of the company’s debt;
(iv) changes in consumer demand, prices and our ability to have our products included on top selling vehicles, including any shifts in consumer preferences to other lower margin vehicles, for which we may or may not have supply contracts;
(v) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products such as the significant production cuts during recent years by automotive manufacturers in response to difficult economic conditions;
(vi) the overall highly competitive nature of the automobile and commercial vehicle parts industries, and any resultant inability to realize the sales represented by the company’s awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life;
(vii) the loss of any of our large original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") customers (on whom we depend for a substantial portion of our revenues), or the loss of market shares by these customers if we are unable to achieve increased sales to other OEMs;
(viii) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions;
(ix) increases in the costs of raw materials, including the company’s ability to successfully reduce the impact of any such cost increases through materials substitutions, cost reduction initiatives, customer recovery and other methods;
(x) the negative impact of higher fuel prices on transportation and logistics costs, raw material costs and discretionary purchases of vehicles or aftermarket products;
(xi) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector and longer product lives of automobile parts;
(xii) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans;
(xiii) product warranty costs;
(xiv) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and the impact of changes in and compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations and the adoption of the current mandated timelines for worldwide emissions regulations;
(xv) economic, exchange rate and political conditions in the countries where we operate or sell our products;
(xvi) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market;
(xvii) changes by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies to authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies;
(xviii) changes in accounting estimates and assumptions, including changes based on additional information;
(xix) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals, as well as the impact of changes to and compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to environmental concerns, pensions or other regulated activities;
(xx) acts of war and/or terrorism as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where the company operates; and
(xxi) the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of transactions and events which may be subject to circumstances beyond the control of the company and its subsidiaries.

The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. 

 

CONTACT:
Jane Ostrander
Media Inquiries
(1) 847 482-5607
jostrander@tenneco.com

Linae Golla
Investor Inquiries
(1) 847 482-5162
lgolla@tenneco.com