September 1, 2004 - 8K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



DATE OF REPORT: September 1, 2004
(Date of earliest event reported)


POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Nevada
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)


8550 Mosley Drive
Houston, Texas

(Address of Principal
Executive Offices)
0-6050
(Commission File Number)
88-0106100
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)


77075-1180

(Zip Code)

(713) 944-6900

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


Item 2.02 – Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On September 1, 2004, the Company held a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2004 third quarter results, as reflected in the attached press release dated September 1, 2004 released earlier that day. The press release refers to free cash flow for the third quarter of $4.0 million which is defined as total cash flow from operations of $5.8 million less all capital expenditures of $1.8 million. A replay of our audio webcast can be accessed through the “Investor Relations/Events” tab at www.powellind.com. The webcast contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties in that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the course of operations, the Company is subject to certain risk factors, including but not limited to competition and competitive pressures, sensitivity to general economic and industrial conditions, international political and economic risks, availability and price of raw materials and execution of business strategy. The information in this Current Report is being furnished pursuant to Item 12, Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Pursuant to general instruction B.6. of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

On September 1, 2004, Powell Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: POWL) announced results for the fiscal 2004 third quarter ended July 31, 2004. A copy of the press release announcing the results is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

(c) Exhibits:

Exhibit
    Number    
Description
99.1 Press Release dated September 1, 2004


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                        


Date: September 2, 2004
POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.


By: /s/ DON R. MADISON                                         
       Don R. Madison
       Vice President
       Chief Financial Officer
       (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
2004 Third Quarter Press Release

EXHIBIT 99.1

PRESS RELEASE




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Don R. Madison, CFO
Powell Industries, Inc.
713-947-4422

Ken Dennard / ksdennard@drg-e.com
Karen Roan / kcroan@drg-e.com
DRG&E / 713-529-6600


POWELL INDUSTRIES REPORTS
FISCAL 2004 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

HOUSTON – SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 – Powell Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: POWL), a leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for the management and control of electrical energy and other critical processes, today announced results for the fiscal 2004 third quarter ended July 31, 2004.

         Revenues for the third quarter of 2004 were $52.8 million compared to revenues of $60.4 million for the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the third quarter was $0.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago. Included in 2004 third quarter pre-tax results are expenses of $1.2 million associated with the company’s actions to consolidate operations. The company generated $4.0 million in free cash flow, defined as total cash flow from operations of $5.8 million less all capital expenditures of $1.8 million, in the third quarter. The company uses this measure because it believes free cash flow is a good indicator of operating efficiency.

         Thomas W. Powell, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “Overall our booking levels are encouraging. New order bookings increased both sequentially and year over year in our Electrical Power Products segment. Our plans to consolidate operations are on track, and costs associated with these efforts impacted our diluted earnings per share by seven cents in the quarter.” Mr. Powell added, “We continue to be optimistic about our opportunities for 2005.”

         The Electrical Power Products segment recorded revenues of $43.3 million in the third quarter compared to $53.1 million in the third quarter a year ago. Income from continuing operations before income taxes for Electrical Power Products totaled $185 thousand versus $1.8 million in last year’s third quarter.

         Process Control Systems’ revenues for the third quarter were $9.5 million compared to $7.3 million for the same period a year ago. Income from continuing operations before income taxes for Process Control Systems totaled $473 thousand versus $386 thousand a year ago.

         The company’s order backlog as of July 31, 2004, was $120.4 million, compared to $131.2 million at the end of the second quarter of 2004 and $178.4 million at the end of the third quarter one year ago. New orders placed during the third quarter of 2004 totaled $42.1 million versus $45.3 million in this year’s second quarter and $35.8 million in the third quarter a year ago.

         Revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 were $157.5 million compared to revenues of $196.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003. Net income for the first nine months was $1.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, versus $5.9 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, including the effect of a change in accounting principle of $510,000 for the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Excluding the effect of a change in accounting principle, net income for the first nine months of 2003 was $6.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share.

OUTLOOK

         The following statements are based on the current expectations of the company. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially as further elaborated in the last paragraph below.

         Based on current booking trends, Powell Industries now expects fiscal 2004 fourth quarter earnings to range between $0.01 and $0.06 per diluted share, and full year 2004 earnings to range between $0.18 and $0.23 per diluted share, which includes pre-tax expenses associated with the consolidation of operations of approximately $3.0 million for the full year. The company’s annual guidance in its second quarter earnings release on June 3, 2004 did not include estimated costs associated with the consolidation of our Elyria and Northlake operations. The company has tightened its revenue estimate for fiscal 2004 with revenue now expected to range between $205 million and $215 million, and free cash flow, defined as total cash flow from operations less all capital expenditures, is now expected to range between $10 million and $15 million, above the prior guidance of $5 to $10 million.

CONFERENCE CALL

        Powell Industries has scheduled a conference call for Wednesday, September 1, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. eastern time. To participate in the conference call, dial (303) 262-2130 at least 10 minutes before the call begins and ask for the Powell Industries conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible until September 8, 2004. To access the replay, dial (303) 590-3000 using a passcode of 11006587.

        Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting http://www.powellind.com. To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call and will remain available for approximately 30 days at http://www.powellind.com.


         Powell Industries, Inc., headquartered in Houston, TX, designs, manufactures and services equipment and systems for the management and control of electrical energy and other critical processes. Powell provides products and services to the transportation, environmental, industrial and utility industries. For more information, please visit www.powellind.com.

Any forward-looking statements in the preceding paragraphs of this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty in that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the course of operations, we are subject to certain risk factors, including but not limited to competition and competitive pressures, sensitivity to general economic and industrial conditions, international political and economic risks, availability and price of raw materials and execution of business strategy. For further information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from the Company without charge.


– Tables to follow –




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS


Three Months Ended
July 31,
Nine Months Ended
July 31,
     2004           2003           2004           2003     
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenues     $ 52,805   $ 60,382   $ 157,508   $ 196,163  
Cost of goods sold    43,488    49,767    130,017    159,192  




Gross profit    9,317    10,615    27,491    36,971  
Selling, general and administrative expenses    8,849    8,498    25,574    26,815  




Income before interest and income taxes    468    2,117    1,917    10,156  
Interest expense    45    178    108    346  
Interest income    (235 )  (207 )  (602 )  (387 )




Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative  
  effect of change in accounting principle    658    2,146    2,411    10,197  
Income tax provision    (79 )  810    567    3,810  




Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change  
  in accounting principle   $ 737   $ 1,336   $ 1,844   $ 6,387  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax   $ --   $ --   $ --   $ (510 )




Net income   $ 737   $ 1,336   $ 1,844   $ 5,877  





Net earnings per common share:
  

Basic:
  
  Earnings from continuing operations   $ 0.07   $ 0.13   $ 0.17   $ 0.60  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle    --    --    --    (0.04 )




  Net earnings   $ 0.07   $ 0.13   $ 0.17   $ 0.56  




Diluted:  
  Earnings from continuing operations   $ 0.07   $ 0.13   $ 0.17   $ 0.60  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle    --    --    --    (0.05 )




  Net earnings   $ 0.07   $ 0.13   $ 0.17   $ 0.55  








Weighted average number of common shares outstanding    10,701    10,586    10,676    10,580  




Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares  
  outstanding    10,777    10,662    10,768    10,672  




SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:

  
Capital Expenditures   $ 1,785   $ 588   $ 4,920   $ 3,390  




Depreciation and amortization   $ 1,057   $ 1,281   $ 3,396   $ 3,780  







POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


July 31,
     2004     
October 31,
     2003     
(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Assets:

           
     Current assets   $ 138,115   $ 141,313  

     Property, plant and equipment (net)

    
45,096

   
43,998

 
     Other assets    5,938    5,029  


         Total assets   $ 189,149   $ 190,340  



Liabilities & stockholders’ equity:

  
     Current liabilities   $ 39,634   $ 44,424  

     Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current maturities

    
7,046

   
6,891

 
     Deferred and other long-term liabilities    2,668    2,421  

     Stockholders’ equity
    
139,801
   
136,604
 


         Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 189,149   $ 190,340  





POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
BUSINESS SEGMENTS


Three Months Ended
July 31,
Nine Months Ended
July 31,
     2004           2003           2004           2003     
(In thousands) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)

Revenues:
                   
           Electrical Power Products   $ 43,256   $ 53,063   $ 133,408   $ 176,777  
           Process Control Systems    9,549    7,319    24,100    19,386  




           Total revenues   $ 52,805   $ 60,382   $ 157,508   $ 196,163  





Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative
  
 effect of change in accounting principle:

  
           Electrical Power Products   $ 185   $ 1,760   $ 1,386   $ 9,367  
           Process Control Systems    473    386    1,025    830  




  Total income from continuing operations before income taxes and  
  cumulative effect of change in accounting principle   $ 658   $ 2,146   $ 2,411   $ 10,197  








July 31,
     2004     
October 31,
     2003     
(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Assets:

           
            Electrical Power Products   $ 114,022   $ 127,721  
            Process Control Systems    11,970    14,269  
            Corporate    63,157    48,350  


            Total assets   $ 189,149   $ 190,340  



Backlog:

  
            Electrical Power Products   $ 72,968   $ 96,986  
            Process Control Systems    47,467    60,473  


            Total backlog   $ 120,435   $ 157,459