News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

April 26, 2012 at 4:02 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE, Apr 26, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq:STRT) today reported operating results for the fiscal third quarter ended April 1, 2012.

Net sales for the Company's third quarter ended April 1, 2012 were $70.6 million, compared to net sales of $65.7 million for the third quarter ended March 27, 2011. The higher net sales for the current quarter can be primarily attributed to increased customer production volumes. Higher content on certain products also contributed to the net sales improvement during the current quarter.

Net income for the current quarterly period was $2.7 million, compared to a net income of $55,000 in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the current quarterly period were $.82 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.02 in the prior year quarter. The lower net income for the prior year quarter was significantly affected by a combination of STRATTEC's share of the cost associated with a customer's specific warranty claim, and an adjustment for customer price concessions. These two items resulted in a pre-tax provision of $1.8 million during the prior year quarter and reduced diluted earnings per share by $.33 in the prior year quarter.

For the nine months ended April 1, 2012, the Company's net sales were $202.9 million compared to net sales of $186.7 million in the prior year period. Net income during the current year to date period was $5.6 million compared to net income of $2.7 million in the prior year period and diluted earnings per share during the current year to date period were $1.67 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.82 in the prior year period.

The year-over-year net sales increase for the current quarter reflected increased sales to STRATTEC's three largest customers. Sales to Chrysler Group LLC were $23.6 million in the current quarter compared to $21.6 million in the prior year quarter. Sales to General Motors Company were $16.8 million compared to $14.8 million. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $8.4 million compared to $7.0 million. Sales to Hyundai/Kia were $3.6 million compared to $4.0 million.

Gross profit margins were 18.5 percent in the current quarter compared to 13.9 percent in the prior year quarter. The higher gross profit margin in the current year quarter was primarily the result of a favorable Mexico Peso to U.S. Dollar exchange rate positively affecting the Company's operations in Mexico and favorable customer vehicle production volumes, which increased overhead absorption of STRATTEC's manufacturing costs, offset by higher expense provisions for the Company's Economic Value Added (EVA(R)) incentive bonus plan. Items negatively impacting the year-over-year comparison of the prior year quarter gross margin was the $1.8 million pre-tax provision mentioned above, in connection with STRATTEC's share of the cost associated with a customer specific warranty claim and an adjustment for customer price concessions which reduced the prior year gross profit margin by 2.7 percentage points.

Operating expenses were $8.7 million in the current quarter, compared to $8.0 million in the prior year quarter. As referenced above, this increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by the higher incentive bonus expense incurred during the current quarter.

Included in Other (Expense) Income in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter were the following items (in thousands of dollars):

                                                          April   March
                                                           1,     27,

                                                          2012    2011
                                                         ------  ------

  Foreign Currency Transaction Loss                      $(698)  $(368)
  Impact of Mexican Peso Option Contracts, Net Gain
   (Loss)                                                 1,126   (114)
  Rabbi Trust Gain                                          161      75
  Equity (Loss) Earnings of VAST LLC Joint Venture        (140)     197

  Other                                                      73      50
                                                         ------  ------

                                                           $522  $(160)
                                                         ======  ======

As reported in our previous fiscal 2012 quarterly operating results, the VAST LLC operations in China and Brazil both incurred relocation costs associated with moves to new facilities and start-up costs associated with a new product line. Both of these items resulted in STRATTEC incurring an equity loss from this joint venture in all three quarters of fiscal year 2012 compared to the same quarters in the prior year in which STRATTEC had equity earnings from the joint venture. We anticipate these transition costs and losses to continue over the remaining 2012 calendar year.

During the current quarter the Company voluntarily contributed $500,000 to its Defined Benefit Pension Trust.

EVA(R) is a registered trademark of Stern, Stewart & Co.

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive Access Control Products, including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding side door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles and related products. These products are provided to customers in North America, and on a global basis through a unique strategic relationship with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under this relationship, STRATTEC, WITTE and ADAC market our products to global customers under the "VAST" brand name. STRATTEC's history in the automotive business spans over 100 years.

The STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4700

Certain statements contained in this release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will," and "would." Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties in the Company's operations and business environment. These uncertainties include general economic conditions, in particular, relating to the automotive industry, consumer demand for the Company's and its customers' products, competitive and technological developments, customer purchasing actions, foreign currency fluctuations, and costs of operations (including fluctuations in the cost of raw materials). Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. In addition, such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed further in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                      STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Results of Operations
                 (In Thousands except per share amounts)
                               (Unaudited)

                                  Third Quarter
                                      Ended         Nine Months Ended

                               April 1,   March     April 1,  March 27,
                                 2012    27, 2011     2012       2011
                               --------  --------  ---------  ---------
  Net Sales                    $ 70,608  $ 65,650  $ 202,871  $ 186,711


  Cost of Goods Sold             57,556    56,531    167,075    157,466
                               --------  --------  ---------  ---------

  Gross Profit                   13,052     9,119     35,796     29,245

  Engineering, Selling &

  Administrative Expenses         8,720     7,953     24,907     24,436
                               --------  --------  ---------  ---------

  Income from Operations          4,332     1,166     10,889      4,809

  Interest Income                    15        36         47         84

  Interest Expense -- Related
   Parties                         (19)      (38)       (73)      (134)


  Other Income (Expense), Net       522     (160)      (155)        899
                               --------  --------  ---------  ---------

                                  4,850     1,004     10,708      5,658


  Provision for Income Taxes      1,136       262      2,717      1,394
                               --------  --------  ---------  ---------

  Net Income                      3,714       742      7,991      4,264
  Net Income Attributable to
   Non-Controlling Interest         986       687      2,433      1,544
                               --------  --------  ---------  ---------
  Net Income Attributable to
   STRATTEC SECURITY
   CORPORATION                  $ 2,728      $ 55    $ 5,558    $ 2,720
                               ========  ========  =========  =========

  Earnings Per Share:

  Basic                          $ 0.83    $ 0.02     $ 1.68     $ 0.83
                               ========  ========  =========  =========

  Diluted                        $ 0.82    $ 0.02     $ 1.67     $ 0.82
                               ========  ========  =========  =========
  Average Basic Shares
   Outstanding                    3,303     3,286      3,299      3,284

  Average Diluted Shares
   Outstanding                    3,333     3,339      3,329      3,322


  Other
  ---------------------------
   Capital Expenditures         $ 3,296   $ 2,245    $ 9,585    $ 5,727
   Depreciation &
    Amortization                $ 1,752   $ 1,677    $ 5,083    $ 4,904


              STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
  -----------------------------------------------------

               Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                     (In Thousands)




                                  April 1,     July 3,
                                    2012         2011
                                 -----------  ---------
                                 (Unaudited)
  ASSETS
   Current Assets:
    Cash and Cash Equivalents       $ 15,664   $ 17,250
    Receivables, Net                  41,591     39,649
    Inventories                       23,059     22,135

    Other Current Assets              17,366     15,368
                                 -----------  ---------
     Total Current Assets             97,680     94,402
   Deferred Income Taxes               3,667      3,639
   Loan to Joint Venture                  --      1,500
   Investment in Joint Venture         8,890      7,276
   Other Long Term Assets                560        635
   Property, Plant and
    Equipment, Net                    44,425     40,636
                                 -----------  ---------

                                   $ 155,222  $ 148,088
                                 ===========  =========


  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
   EQUITY
   Current Liabilities:
    Accounts Payable                $ 24,373   $ 22,851

    Other                             28,875     28,137
                                 -----------  ---------
     Total Current Liabilities        53,248     50,988
   Borrowings Under Line of
    Credit Facility                       --         --
   Accrued Pension and Post
    Retirement Obligations             5,414      7,036
   Other Long Term Liabilities            85         --
   Shareholders' Equity              249,197    243,974
   Accumulated Other
    Comprehensive Loss              (22,982)   (21,750)

   Less: Treasury Stock            (135,980)  (136,009)
                                 -----------  ---------
     Total STRATTEC SECURITY
      CORPORATION Shareholders'
      Equity                          90,235     86,215

     Non-Controlling Interest          6,240      3,849
                                 -----------  ---------

   Total Shareholders' Equity         96,475     90,064
                                 -----------  ---------

                                   $ 155,222  $ 148,088
                                 ===========  =========


                             STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
                                    (In Thousands)
                                     (Unaudited)

                                                 Third Quarter
                                                     Ended         Nine Months Ended

                                              April 1,   March    April 1,   March
                                                2012    27, 2011    2012    27, 2011
                                              --------  --------  --------  --------


  Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net Income                                   $ 3,714     $ 742   $ 7,991   $ 4,264
  Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to
    Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating
     Activities:
     Equity Loss (Earnings) in VAST LLC
      Joint Venture                                140     (197)       452   (1,000)
     Depreciation and Amortization               1,752     1,677     5,083     4,904
     Foreign Currency Transaction Loss
      (Gain)                                       698       368     (907)       558
     Unrealized (Gain) Loss Foreign Currency
      Option Contracts                         (1,174)       114       542       114
     Stock Based Compensation Expense              251       155       622       453
     Change in Operating Assets/Liabilities      (728)   (5,453)   (3,936)   (9,650)

     Other, net                                   (10)        32         6        49
                                              --------  --------  --------  --------

  Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating
   Activities                                    4,643   (2,562)     9,853     (308)

  Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
    Investment in Joint Ventures                    --     (150)     (200)     (300)
    Restricted Cash                                 --        --        --     2,100
    Purchase of Additional Interest in
     ADAC-STRATTEC LLC                              --        --        --      (22)
    Additions to Property, Plant and
     Equipment                                 (3,296)   (2,245)   (9,585)   (5,727)
    Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant
     and Equipment                                   9        21         9        21
                                              --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net Cash Used in Investing Activities        (3,287)   (2,374)   (9,776)   (3,928)

  Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
    Dividends Paid                               (336)        --   (1,006)   (3,989)
    Repayment of Loan to Related Parties            --     (100)     (850)     (850)
    Exercise of Stock Options and  Employee
     Stock Purchases                                10        16        74        44
                                              --------  --------  --------  --------

  Net Cash Used in Financing Activities          (326)      (84)   (1,782)   (4,795)

  Effect of Foreign Currency Fluctuations on
   Cash                                          (129)     (111)       119     (156)
                                              --------  --------  --------  --------

  Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash & Cash
   Equivalents                                     901   (5,131)   (1,586)   (9,187)

  Cash and Cash Equivalents:

    Beginning of Period                         14,763    17,811    17,250    21,867
                                              --------  --------  --------  --------

    End of Period                             $ 15,664  $ 12,680  $ 15,664  $ 12,680
                                              ========  ========  ========  ========

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

(Logo: http://media.primezone.com/cache/9942/int/5239.jpg)

CONTACT: Pat Hansen
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
414-247-3435
www.strattec.com