News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal First Quarter Results

October 18, 2007 at 4:02 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq: STRT) today reported improved operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2007 were $42.7 million compared to net sales of $38.1 million for the three months ended October 1, 2006. Net income for the period was $2.4 million, compared to $.7 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $.69 compared to $.21 in the prior year quarter.

Sales to STRATTEC's largest customers overall increased in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter. Sales to General Motors Corporation in the current quarter were $12.5 million compared to $7.9 million in the prior year quarter due to higher product content on certain GM vehicles and the takeover of certain passenger car lockset production from another supplier. Sales to Chrysler LLC were $10.6 million compared to $12.5 million and sales to Delphi Corporation were $4.0 million compared to $4.5 million due to reduced component content. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $5.5 million compared to $4.6 million, due to higher product content and higher production on the vehicles we supply. Sales during the month of September were weaker than anticipated for the above four customers. Subsequently, these customers' announced production cuts that will effect our 2nd fiscal quarter ending December 30, 2007.

Gross profit margin was 19.6 percent in the current quarter compared to 13.9 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily attributed to a more favorable sales content mix, higher levels of production as a result of increased orders from some of our customers and price increases to recover higher purchased raw material costs.

Normal operating expenses were $5.8 million in the current quarter, compared to $5.1 million in the prior year quarter. The increased spending is attributed to new product development and higher stock based compensation costs.

During the current quarter, the Company contributed $1.5 million to its Pension Fund and paid a special dividend of $1.00 per share and a quarterly dividend of $.15 per share that totaled $4.1 million.

At the Company's 2007 Annual Meeting held October 9, 2007, STRATTEC shareholders re-elected Mr. Frank J. Krejci to the Company's Board of Directors for an additional three-year term.

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufacturers and markets mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches and related access control products for North American automotive customers, and for global automotive manufacturers through the VAST Alliance in which it participates with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Company's history in the automotive business spans nearly 100 years.

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 30, 2007  October 1, 2006
                                                (Unaudited)

    Net Sales                              $42,739      $38,050
    Cost of Goods Sold                      34,345       32,768
    Gross Profit                             8,394        5,282

    Engineering, Selling &
      Administrative Expenses                5,793        5,056
    Income from Operations                   2,601          226

    Interest Income                            913          922
    Interest Expense                             -            -
    Other Income, Net                          308           28
    Minority Interest                           49            -
                                             3,871        1,176

    Provision for Income Taxes               1,452          435

    Net Income                              $2,419         $741

    Earnings Per Share:
    Basic                                     $.69         $.21
    Diluted                                   $.69         $.21
    Average Basic
        Shares Outstanding                   3,519        3,598

    Average Diluted
        Shares Outstanding                   3,525        3,600

    Other:
      Capital Expenditures                  $1,746         $915
      Depreciation & Amortization           $1,738       $1,749



                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

                         Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                                (In Thousands)

                                              September 30, 2007 July 1, 2007
                                                  (Unaudited)
    ASSETS
      Current Assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                    $60,823        $65,491
        Receivables, net                              25,641         26,890
        Inventories                                    9,532          7,166
        Other current assets                          13,788         13,017
          Total Current Assets                       109,784        112,564
      Deferred Income Taxes                            2,420          2,117
      Investment in Joint Ventures                     2,988          2,813
      Prepaid Pension Cost                             5,666          4,385
      Other Long Term Assets                              38             41
      Property, Plant and Equipment, Net              26,503         26,526
                                                    $147,399       $148,446


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Current Liabilities:
        Accounts Payable                             $14,380        $16,575
        Other                                         17,021         14,906
          Total Current Liabilities                   31,401         31,481
      Borrowings Under Line of Credit Facility             -              -
      Accrued Pension and Postretirement
       Obligations                                    13,603         13,431
      Minority Interest                                  862            574
      Shareholders' Equity                           242,764        244,119
      Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss           (14,416)       (14,341)
      Less: Treasury Stock                          (126,815)      (126,818)
        Total Shareholders' Equity                   101,533        102,960
                                                    $147,399       $148,446



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

                                                       First Quarter Ended
                                                   September 30,    October 1,
                                                       2007           2006
                                                           (Unaudited)

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
    Net Income                                        $2,419           $741
    Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
      Cash Used in Operating Activities:
        Minority Interest                                (61)             -
        Depreciation and Amortization                  1,738          1,749
        Stock Based Compensation Expense                 313            193
        Change in Operating Assets/Liabilities        (3,419)           134
        Other, net                                      (218)            99

    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities            772          2,916

    Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
      Investment in Joint Ventures                         -              -
      Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment      (1,746)          (915)
      Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant
       and Equipment                                       -             21

    Net Cash Used in Investing Activities             (1,746)          (894)

    Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
      Purchase of Common Stock                             -         (3,326)
      Dividends Paid                                  (4,050)             -
      Contribution from Minority Interest                349              -
      Reissue/Exercise of Stock Options                    7              9

    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities             (3,694)        (3,317)

    Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents         (4,668)        (1,295)

    Cash and Cash Equivalents:
      Beginning of Period                             65,491         65,712
      End of Period                                  $60,823        $64,417
SOURCE STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
CONTACT: Pat Hansen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, +1-414-247-3435
Web site: http://www.strattec.com
(STRT)