Apogee 2nd Quarter Earnings Per Share Increase 30 Percent; Full-Year EPS Guidance Reconfirmed

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2006--Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:APOG) today announced fiscal 2007 second quarter earnings. Apogee develops and delivers value-added glass products and services for the architectural, large-scale optical and automotive industries.


SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
--  Revenues of $188.6 million were up 9 percent versus the prior-year
    period.
--  Earnings of $0.26 per share increased 30 percent from $0.20 per
    share a year earlier.
    --  As anticipated, the current quarter includes $0.04 per share
        from net proceeds of a class action lawsuit settlement with a
        flat glass manufacturer covering 1991 to 1995. The proceeds
        are included in operating income for each segment.
    --  The quarter also includes $0.01 per share expense related to
        adoption of FAS123R.
    --  Operating margin was 5.6 percent or 4.6 percent excluding the
        flat glass settlement. This compares to 4.4 percent in the
        prior-year period.
--  Architectural segment revenues were up 15 percent, and operating
    income, excluding the flat glass proceeds, doubled compared to the
    prior-year period.
--  Large-scale optical segment revenues decreased 24 percent, and
    operating income decreased 62 percent versus the unusually strong
    prior-year period.

Commentary

"We are pleased with our second quarter results, especially in our core architectural segment which achieved significant earnings growth," said Russell Huffer, Apogee chairman and chief executive officer. "The non-residential construction markets we serve remain strong, as seen in our backlog and bidding activity. We are feeling good about the strength the architectural business is bringing to Apogee's performance this fiscal year.

"The decline in the large-scale optical segment performance compared to the especially strong prior-year period was slightly greater than expected," he said. "Impacting results were an unfavorable framing product mix within value-added glass, along with a softer retail environment and lower pre-framed art sales."


SEGMENT AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Architectural Products and Services
--  Revenues of $163.2 million were up 15 percent over the prior-year
    period due primarily to higher architectural glass volume and
    pricing, and increased job flow in the installation business.
--  Operating income was $9.2 million, including flat glass settlement
    net proceeds of $1.1 million. Operating income was up 134 percent
    from a year ago as pricing and manufacturing operations continued
    to improve.
    --  Operating margin was 5.6 percent or 5.0 percent excluding the
        flat glass settlement. This compares to 2.8 percent in the
        prior-year period and 3.4 percent in the first quarter.
    --  Segment backlog was $391.0 million, compared to a backlog of
        $276.5 million in the prior-year period and $360.4 million at
        the end of the first quarter.

Large-Scale Optical Technologies
--  Revenues of $18.5 million were down 24 percent from the strong
    prior-year period. Last year's second quarter had an unusually
    high value-added product mix due to significant national retail
    customer inventory and promotional programs, which
    disproportionately impacted the second quarter compared to the
    rest of the year. These activities did not occur this year.
    --  The current quarter was impacted slightly more than expected
        by a less favorable value-added product mix, a softer retail
        environment and lower pre-framed art sales.
--  Operating income was $1.9 million, including flat glass settlement
    net proceeds of $0.4 million. Operating income was down 62 percent
    from the prior-year period primarily due to the less favorable
    value-added product mix.
    --  Operating margin in the second quarter was 10.2 percent or 8.1
        percent excluding the flat glass settlement. This compares to
        20.6 percent in the prior-year period, which included the more
        favorable product mix.

Automotive Replacement Glass and Services
--  Revenues of $7.0 million decreased 13 percent compared to the
    prior-year period. Sales of aftermarket automobile windshields
    were slightly lower than expected.
--  The segment was essentially break-even including flat glass
    settlement net proceeds of $0.3 million. This compares to an
    operating loss of $0.6 million in the prior-year period.

Equity in Affiliates
--  Earnings were $1.5 million from investment in PPG Auto Glass, LLC.
    This compares to earnings of $1.3 million in the prior-year
    period.

Financial Condition
--  Long-term debt was $56.5 million at the end of the second quarter,
    compared to $45.2 million at the end of fiscal 2006 and down from
    $59.9 in the first quarter.
    --  Long-term debt-to-total-capital ratio was 20.9 percent.
--  Non-cash working capital (current assets, excluding cash, less
    current liabilities) was $88.8 million, compared to $90.6 million
    at the end of the first quarter and $70.6 million at the end of
    fiscal 2006. It increased from the end of the prior year, driven
    by growth working capital requirements.
--  Depreciation and amortization were $10.1 million, up slightly from
    the prior year.
--  Capital expenditures were $16.1 million year to date, including
    investments in architectural glass fabrication capacity
    expansions. This compares to capital expenditures of $12.8 million
    in the prior-year period.

OUTLOOK

"Our strong first-half performance, due to robust commercial construction markets and continued improvement in architectural segment operations, positions us for solid earnings growth in fiscal 2007," said Huffer. "We are maintaining our fiscal 2007 earnings guidance range of $0.88 to $0.94 per share, which includes $0.05 per share for the non-cash expensing of options. This would be strong earnings growth compared to fiscal 2006, which at $0.85 per share included the impact of one-time net tax benefits of $0.07 per share.

"Our strong architectural backlog of $391 million with improving margins gives us confidence in our outlook for the year," he said, adding that approximately $224 million of the backlog is currently scheduled for fiscal 2007.

"Our outlook for the large-scale optical segment has declined slightly," said Huffer. "We are seeing some reduced demand due to softness in national retail accounts, partially offset by increases in picture framing glass sales to distributors. In addition, as certain markets adjust their value-added offerings, it is resulting in a less favorable product mix in fiscal 2007 compared to the prior year.

"We are pleased to have received net proceeds of $1.8 million from a class action lawsuit settlement with a flat glass manufacturer covering 1991 to 1995," he said. "As we indicated last quarter, these proceeds have been included in our current earnings outlook and are somewhat offset by higher health care costs for the year under our self-insured programs."


The following statements are based on current expectations for
fiscal 2007. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results
may differ materially.
--  Overall fiscal 2007 revenues for the year are expected to increase
    13 to 17 percent (prior guidance was 11 to 15 percent).
    --  Architectural segment revenues are expected to increase 17 to
        21 percent (prior guidance was 14 to 18 percent).
        --  Growth is expected due to market improvement and some
            market share gain despite capacity constraints.
    --  Large-scale optical segment revenues are expected to be down
        slightly (prior guidance was flat to slightly down).
    --  Auto glass segment revenues are expected to be down 5 to 10
        percent (prior guidance was for flat revenues).
--  Annual gross margins are expected to be approximately 18 percent
    as higher costs for wages, health care, energy, materials and
    freight are somewhat offset by pricing, operational improvements
    and cost reductions.
--  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales
    are projected to be approximately 13.5 percent, including the
    impact of expensing options.
--  Expected annual operating margins by segment are: architectural,
    4.5 to 4.7 percent; large-scale optical, approximately 11 percent
    (prior guidance was 11 to 12 percent); and auto glass,
    approximately breakeven.
--  Equity in affiliates, which reflects Apogee's portion of the
    results of the PPG Auto Glass joint venture, is expected to report
    earnings of approximately $3 million.
--  Capital expenditures are projected to be $40 to $45 million,
    including an estimated $25 million related to building the new
    architectural glass fabrication plant.
--  Depreciation and amortization are estimated at $20 million for the
    year.
--  Debt is expected to be approximately $50 to $60 million at year
    end, reflecting borrowings for the new architectural glass
    facility.
--  The effective tax rate for the full year is anticipated to be
    approximately 35 percent.
--  Earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to
    range from $0.88 to $0.94, including the $0.05 per share expense
    related to adoption of FAS123R and the $0.04 per share benefit
    from the flat glass class action settlement.

The discussion above, including all statements in the Outlook section, contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect Apogee management's expectations or beliefs as of the date of this release. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified by factors that may affect the operating results of the company, including the following: operational risks within (A) the architectural segment: i) competitive, price-sensitive and changing market conditions, including unforeseen delays in project timing and work flow; ii) economic conditions and the cyclical nature of the North American commercial construction industry; iii) product performance, reliability or quality problems that could delay payments, increase costs, impact orders or lead to litigation; iv) the segment's ability to fully utilize production capacity; and v) construction and ramp-up to full production of the announced third Viracon plant in a timely and cost-efficient manner; (B) the large-scale optical segment: i) markets that are impacted by consumer confidence and trends; ii) dependence on a relatively small number of customers; iii) changing market conditions, including unfavorable shift in product mix; and iv) ability to utilize manufacturing facilities; and (C) the auto glass segment: i) transition of markets served as Viracon/Curvlite focuses on selling to aftermarket manufacturers following the end of its long-term supply agreement with PPG Industries in the second quarter of fiscal 2006; ii) changes in market dynamics; iii) market seasonality; iv) highly competitive, fairly mature industry; and v) performance of the PPG Auto Glass, LLC joint venture. Additional factors include: i) revenue and operating results that are volatile; ii) self-insurance risk related to a material product liability event and to health insurance programs; iii) the costs of compliance with governmental regulations relating to hazardous substances; iv) management of discontinued operations exiting activities; and v) foreign currency risk related to discontinued operations. The company cautions readers that actual future results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The company wishes to caution investors that other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the company's results of operations. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. For a more detailed explanation of the foregoing and other risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 25, 2006.

TELECONFERENCE AND SIMULTANEOUS WEBCAST

Analysts, investors and media are invited to listen to Apogee's live teleconference or webcast at 10 a.m. Central Time tomorrow, September 21. To participate in the teleconference, call 1-866-713-8562 toll free or 617-597-5310 international, access code 62721479. The replay will be available from noon Central Time on Thursday, September 21, through midnight Central Time on Thursday, September 28 by calling 1-888-286-8010 toll free, access code 83267268. To listen to the live conference call over the internet, go to the Apogee web site at http://www.apog.com and click on "investor relations" and then the webcast link at the top of that page. The webcast also will be archived on the company's web site.


Apogee Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is a world
leader in technologies involving the design and development of
value-added glass products and services. The company is organized in
three segments:
--  Architectural products and services companies design, engineer,
    fabricate, install, maintain and renovate the walls of glass and
    windows comprising the outside skin of commercial and
    institutional buildings. Businesses in this segment are: Viracon,
    the leading fabricator of coated, high-performance architectural
    glass for global markets; Harmon, Inc., one of the largest U.S.
    full-service building glass installation, maintenance and
    renovation companies; Wausau Window and Wall Systems, a
    manufacturer of custom aluminum window systems and curtainwall;
    and Linetec, a paint and anodizing finisher of window frames and
    PVC shutters.
--  Large-scale optical segment consists of Tru Vue, a value-added
    glass and acrylic manufacturer for the custom framing and
    pre-framed art markets, and a producer of optical thin film
    coatings for consumer electronics displays.
--  Automotive replacement glass and services segment consists of
    Viracon/Curvlite, a U.S. fabricator of aftermarket foreign and
    domestic car windshields.


                Apogee Enterprises, Inc. & Subsidiaries
              Consolidated Condensed Statement of Income
                             (Unaudited)

                                        Thirteen    Thirteen
                                      Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended    %
Dollar amounts in thousands, except   September 2, August 27,  Change
 for per share amounts                    2006         2005
                                      ------------ ----------- -------

Net sales                                $188,642    $173,730       9%
Cost of goods sold                        153,380     141,681       8%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Gross profit                          35,262      32,049      10%
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                                  24,792      24,381       2%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Operating income                      10,470       7,668      37%
Interest income                               279         206      35%
Interest expense                              812         565      44%
Other income (expense), net                    30          73     -59%
Equity in income of affiliated
 companies                                  1,473       1,256      17%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Earnings before income taxes          11,440       8,638      32%
Income taxes                                4,107       3,130      31%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Net earnings                          $7,333      $5,508      33%
                                      ============ ===========

Net earnings per share - basic              $0.27       $0.20      35%
Average common shares outstanding      27,586,396  27,591,362       0%

Net earnings per share - diluted            $0.26       $0.20      30%
Average common and common
 equivalent shares outstanding         27,993,684  28,017,502       0%

Cash dividends per common share           $0.0650     $0.0625       4%


                                      Twenty-seven Twenty-six
                                      Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended    %
Dollar amounts in thousands, except   September 2, August 27,  Change
 for per share amounts                    2006         2005
                                      ------------ ----------- -------

Net sales                                $383,707    $337,862      14%
Cost of goods sold                        315,088     275,964      14%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Gross profit                          68,619      61,898      11%
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                                  50,179      48,044       4%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Operating income                      18,440      13,854      33%
Interest income                               601         393      53%
Interest expense                            1,649       1,182      40%
Other income (expense), net                   (29)         39     N/M
Equity in income of affiliated
 companies                                  1,283       1,446     -11%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Earnings before income taxes          18,646      14,550      28%
Income taxes                                6,571       5,102      29%
                                      ------------ -----------
     Net earnings                         $12,075      $9,448      28%
                                      ============ ===========

Net earnings per share - basic              $0.44       $0.34      29%
Average common shares outstanding      27,594,934  27,436,125       1%

Net earnings per share - diluted            $0.43       $0.34      26%
Average common and common
 equivalent shares outstanding         28,007,686  27,884,099       0%

Cash dividends per common share           $0.1300     $0.1250       4%

----------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Business Segments Information
                             (Unaudited)

                                        Thirteen    Thirteen
                                      Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended    %
                                      September 2, August 27,  Change
                                          2006         2005
                                      ------------ ----------- -------
Sales
Architectural                            $163,242    $141,339      15%
Large-Scale Optical                        18,513      24,333     -24%
Auto Glass                                  7,021       8,110     -13%
Eliminations                                 (134)        (52)   -158%
                                      ------------ -----------
Total                                    $188,642    $173,730       9%
                                      ============ ===========

Operating income (loss)
Architectural                              $9,193      $3,925     134%
Large-Scale Optical                         1,892       5,024     -62%
Auto Glass                                     38        (555)    N/M
Corporate and other                          (653)       (726)     10%
                                      ------------ -----------
Total                                     $10,470      $7,668      37%
                                      ============ ===========


                                      Twenty-seven Twenty-six
                                      Weeks Ended  Weeks Ended    %
                                      September 2, August 27,  Change
                                          2006         2005
                                      ------------ ----------- -------
Sales
Architectural                            $328,505    $276,168      19%
Large-Scale Optical                        40,278      45,099     -11%
Auto Glass                                 15,084      16,720     -10%
Eliminations                                 (160)       (125)    -28%
                                      ------------ -----------
Total                                    $383,707    $337,862      14%
                                      ============ ===========

Operating income (loss)
Architectural                             $14,760      $7,531      96%
Large-Scale Optical                         5,025       8,106     -38%
Auto Glass                                   (137)       (481)     72%
Corporate and other                        (1,208)     (1,302)      7%
                                      ------------ -----------
Total                                     $18,440     $13,854      33%
                                      ============ ===========

----------------------------------------------------------------------
                Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
                             (Unaudited)

                                           September 2,  February 25,
                                               2006          2006
                                           ------------- -------------
Assets
Current assets                                 $214,884      $203,134
Net property, plant and equipment               119,285       113,198
Other assets                                     88,029        87,626
                                           ------------- -------------
Total assets                                   $422,198      $403,958
                                           ============= =============

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities                            $121,406      $127,809
Long-term debt                                   56,500        45,200
Other liabilities                                30,920        31,896
Shareholders' equity                            213,372       199,053
                                           ------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity     $422,198      $403,958
                                           ============= =============


                Apogee Enterprises, Inc. & Subsidiaries
            Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
                              (Unaudited)

                                               Twenty-seven Twenty-six
                                               Weeks Ended    Weeks
                                                               Ended
Dollar amounts in thousands                    September 2, August 27,
                                                   2006        2005
                                               ------------ ----------

Net earnings                                       $12,075     $9,448
Depreciation and amortization                       10,113      9,111
Stock-based compensation                             2,449        676
Results from equity investments                     (1,283)    (1,446)
Other, net                                          (2,298)      (272)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities        (20,028)    (6,294)
                                               ------------ ----------
  Net cash provided by continuing operating
   activities                                        1,028     11,223
                                               ------------ ----------

Capital expenditures and acquisition of
 intangible assets                                 (16,066)   (12,768)
Proceeds on sale of property                         1,573        197
Net purchases of marketable securities                (235)      (154)
Other investing activities                           5,000          -
                                               ------------ ----------
  Net cash used in investing activities             (9,728)   (12,725)
                                               ------------ ----------

Net proceeds from long-term debt and revolving
 credit agreement                                   11,300      3,700
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of
 cancellations                                       2,050      2,596
Dividends paid                                      (5,474)    (3,478)
Other, net                                           1,282       (271)
                                               ------------ ----------
  Net cash provided by financing activities          9,158      2,547
                                               ------------ ----------

Cash used by discontinued operations                  (445)      (501)
                                               ------------ ----------

Increase in cash and cash equivalents                   13        544
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year       4,676      5,967
                                               ------------ ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period          $4,689     $6,511
                                               ============ ==========

CONTACT: Apogee Enterprises, Inc., Minneapolis
Investor Relations:
Mary Ann Jackson, 952-487-7538
mjackson@apog.com

SOURCE: Apogee Enterprises, Inc.