News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal First Quarter Results

October 14, 2004 at 4:02 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq: STRT) today reported sales and operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 26, 2004.

Net sales for the three months ended September 26, 2004 were $44.6 million compared to net sales of $44.4 million for the three months ended September 28, 2003. Net income was $3.6 million in both the current and the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share were $.94 for the three months ended September 26, 2004 and in the prior year quarter.

Sales to STRATTEC's largest customers overall remained flat in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation increased significantly during the current quarter to $11.0 million compared to $8.8 million due to a more favorable vehicle content mix. Sales to Delphi Corporation were $6.8 million compared to $7.0 million due to pre-programmed price reductions. Sales to General Motors Corporation were $11.4 million compared to $12.6 million due to a combination of pre- programmed price reductions, discontinued models and lower levels of production on certain vehicles. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $7.5 million compared to $7.9 million, due to price reductions and lower vehicle production. Sales to Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. were $1.2 million compared to $1.7 million due to lower vehicle production volumes.

Gross profit margin was 24.2 percent in the current quarter compared to 23.5 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross profit margin was attributed to the Company's ongoing cost reduction initiatives, offset by higher purchased material costs for brass and zinc.

Operating expenses were $5.2 million in the current quarter, compared to $4.9 million in the prior year quarter.

During the quarter, the Company contributed $5.0 million to its Pension Fund and repurchased approximately 88,000 STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION shares under the Company's stock repurchase program at a cost of $5.5 million.

At the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting held October 5, 2004, STRATTEC shareholders re-elected Mr. Frank Krejci to the company's Board of Directors for an additional three-year term.

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION designs, develops, manufactures and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks and related access control products for North American and global automotive manufacturers.

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. 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)

                                              First Quarter Ended
                                   September 26, 2004   September 28, 2003
                                                 (Unaudited)

    Net Sales                             $44,591              $44,420

    Cost of Goods Sold                     33,818               33,962

    Gross Profit                           10,773               10,458

    Engineering, Selling &
    Administrative Expenses                 5,166                4,918

    Income from Operations                  5,607                5,540

    Interest Income                           183                   89

    Other Income (Expense), Net               (37)                 102

                                            5,753                5,731

    Provision for Income Taxes              2,129                2,149

    Net Income                            $ 3,624              $ 3,582

    Earnings Per Share:
    Basic                                    $.95                 $.95

    Diluted                                  $.94                 $.94

    Average Basic
     Shares Outstanding                     3,805                3,760

    Average Diluted
     Shares Outstanding                     3,855                3,818

    Other:
      Capital Expenditures                   $698               $1,096
      Depreciation & Amortization          $1,864               $2,017


                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
                         Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                                (In Thousands)

                                   September 26, 2004      June 27, 2004
                                       (Unaudited)

    ASSETS
      Current Assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents         $45,293              $54,231
        Receivables, Net                   31,844               30,931
        Inventories                        11,122                8,361
        Other current assets                8,872               10,903
          Total Current Assets             97,131              104,426
      Investment in Joint Ventures          1,400                1,336
    Property, Plant and Equipment, Net     30,242               31,428
                                         $128,773             $137,190


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
      Accounts Payable                    $17,558              $18,787
      Other                                13,290               16,497
        Total Current Liabilities          30,848               35,284
    Borrowings Under Revolving Credit
     Facility                                   -                    -
    Deferred Income Taxes                     543                  543
    Accrued Pension and Post Retirement
     Obligations                            6,938               11,511
    Shareholders' Equity                  206,790              200,713
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss   (5,406)              (5,385)
    Less: Treasury Stock                 (110,940)            (105,476)
        Total Shareholders' Equity         90,444               89,852
                                         $128,773             $137,190

CONTACT:
Pat Hansen
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
1-414-247-3435
Web site: http://www.strattec.com