Cummins reported lower sales and profit in the first quarter as the global recession affected demand for the company's products around the world.


Sales for the quarter were $2.44 billion, down 30 percent from $3.47 billion during the same period in 2008. Earnings Before Interest and Taxes of $28 million, or 1.1 percent of sales, fell 91 percent from $315 million, or 9.1 percent of sales, in the first quarter 2008. Net income attributable to Cummins Inc. was $7 million, or $0.04 a share, a 96 percent decrease from $190 million ($0.97 a share) a year ago.

The first quarter results include a $66 million charge to cover the costs associated with job reduction actions taken in the quarter. Cummins announced plans to reduce its workforce by more than 4,100 employees and contract workers during the quarter in response to lower demand for its products. Excluding the restructuring charge, net income attributable to Cummins Inc. was $51 million, or $0.26 a share, and EBIT was $94 million, or 3.9 percent of sales.

All four of the company's business segments experienced sales decreases compared to the first quarter 2008, with the largest declines coming from the Engine and Components segments.

The company now expects 2009 sales to be slightly more than 30 percent lower than 2008 and anticipates EBIT of 5 percent of sales for the year, excluding the restructuring charge.

"The first quarter was, as we expected, extremely challenging and we do not see the economy or our markets improving for the remainder of 2009," said Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Solso. "We have taken significant actions to lower our costs and improve our productivity in response to the global recession, which has affected virtually every market in which we operate around the world."

In addition to reducing its workforce worldwide, Cummins has made significant reductions in discretionary spending and has further prioritized capital expenditures to focus on the most critical projects, especially those associated with the launch of new emission compliant products in 2010. Capital spending in the first quarter was $64 million, compared to $90 million in the same period a year ago and $213 million in the fourth quarter 2008.

"Cash management is a top priority for the company this year," said Pat Ward, chief financial officer. "We remain well positioned with a strong balance sheet, low debt and significant liquidity. Despite the challenging economic conditions, the Company did not need to use any of the $1.1 billion credit facility that was put in place last summer."

In the Engine Segment, sales of $1.49 billion were 32 percent lower than $2.21 billon in the first quarter 2008. Segment EBIT fell to a loss of $16 million, compared to a profit of $194 million during the same period a year ago.

Nearly every market experienced declines compared to the first quarter 2008, with worldwide heavy-duty truck engine shipments down 30 percent; shipments to Chrysler down 45 percent; global medium-duty truck engine shipments down 42 percent and construction industry shipments down 69 percent.

The engine segment's joint ventures reported a $3 million loss in the quarter, compared to a $33 million profit the same period in 2008. Selling, Administrative and Research and Development (SAR) expenses fell in absolute dollars, but increased as a percentage of sales from a year ago.

In the Components segment, sales of $530 million declined 35 percent from $820 million in the first quarter 2008. Segment EBIT of $1 million (0.2 percent of sales) fell from $37 million (4.5 percent of sales) the same period a year ago.

Revenues fell across all businesses in the segment and in all major geographic markets, as a result of volume declines associated with the global recession. Most of the revenue declines were the result of lower OEM and aftermarket sales in North America and Europe.

Filtration business sales decreased 33 percent; turbocharger sales fell 42 percent; fuel systems sales declined 38 percent and exhaust aftertreatment sales decreased 24 percent. SAR expenses fell in total dollars, but increased as a percentage of sales compared to the first quarter 2008.