News Release

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION Reports Fiscal Third Quarter Results

April 27, 2010 at 4:06 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE, Apr 27, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Nasdaq:STRT) today reported operating results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 28, 2010.

Net sales for the Company's third quarter ended March 28, 2010 were $52.9 million, compared to net sales of $29.3 million for the third quarter ended March 29, 2009. Net income for the period was $781,000, compared to a net loss of $2.8 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the period were $.24 compared to diluted loss per share of $.87 in the prior year quarter. The higher net sales and net income for the current quarter can be primarily attributed to increased customer production volumes from an improved and more stable U.S. economy. The significant decline last year was the direct result of the severe economic recession impacting both North America and other major markets in the rest of the world. The prior year quarter also included a $500,000 pre-tax provision for potential uncollectible trade accounts receivable relating to Chrysler LLC's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for their U.S. legal entities on April 30, 2009.

For the nine months ended March 28, 2010, net sales were $146.6 million compared to net sales of $97.9 million in the prior year period. Net income was $2.6 million compared to net a loss of $4.0 million in the prior year period and diluted earnings per share were $.78 compared to diluted loss per share of $1.22.

Sales to STRATTEC's largest customers overall increased in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels primarily due to higher vehicle production volumes. Sales to Chrysler Group LLC were $17.0 million in the current quarter compared to $11.1 million in the prior year quarter. Sales to General Motors Company were $13.5 million compared to $6.6 million. Included in the current quarter sales to General Motors were $1.7 million of sales to Nexteer Automotive, formerly a unit of Delphi Corporation, which is now owned by General Motors. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $4.5 million compared to $3.6 million. In the current quarter, sales to Hyundai/Kia of $2.8 million were generated by the STRATTEC POWER ACCESS business.

Gross profit margins were 16.8 percent in the current quarter compared to 7.0 percent in the prior year quarter. The higher gross profit margin in the current year quarter was primarily the result of higher customer vehicle production volumes compared to the prior year quarter which increased overhead absorption of our manufacturing costs. Also impacting the current quarter to a lesser extent were lower purchased raw material costs for zinc offset by an unfavorable Mexico Peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate affecting the Company's operations in Mexico.

Operating expenses were $7.6 million in the current quarter, compared to $7.2 million in the prior year quarter.

During the current quarter the Company contributed $1.0 million to its Defined Benefit Pension Trust.

At the end of fiscal year 2009, we changed our method of accounting for inventories from last-in, first-out (LIFO) to first-in, first-out (FIFO). The prior year reported information has been retrospectively adjusted on a FIFO basis.

STRATTEC designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive Security Products, including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings; and Access Control Products including 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 the VAST Alliance in which STRATTEC participates with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 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. 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

                             March
                              28,     March     March     March
                             2010    29, 2009  28, 2010  29, 2009
                            -------  --------  --------  --------
                                     (Note A)            (Note A)

  Net Sales                 $52,883   $29,348  $146,604   $97,878

  Cost of Goods Sold         44,022    27,285   123,292    87,480
                            -------  --------  --------  --------
  Gross Profit                8,861     2,063    23,312    10,398

  Engineering, Selling &
   Administrative Expenses    7,620     7,175    21,274    19,796
   Impairment Charge             --        --       223        --
   Environmental                 --        --   (1,125)        --
   Provision (Recovery)
    for

    Doubtful Accounts            --       500     (421)       500
                            -------  --------  --------  --------


  Income (Loss) from
   Operations                 1,241   (5,612)     3,361   (9,898)

  Interest Income                16        91        58       693

  Other Income, Net             120       104       795       884
                            -------  --------  --------  --------
                              1,377   (5,417)     4,214   (8,321)

  Provision (Benefit) for
   Income Taxes                 328   (2,095)     1,390   (3,716)
                            -------  --------  --------  --------


  Net Income (Loss)          $1,049  ($3,322)    $2,824  ($4,605)
                            =======  ========  ========  ========

  Net Income (Loss) Attributable to

  Non-Controlling Interest      268     (500)       256     (601)
                            -------  --------  --------  --------

  Net Income (Loss) Attributable to
  STRATTEC SECURITY

  CORPORATION                  $781  $(2,822)    $2,568  $(4,004)
                            =======  ========  ========  ========

  Earnings (Loss) Per
   Share:

  Basic                       $0.24   $(0.87)     $0.79   $(1.22)
                            =======  ========  ========  ========

  Diluted                     $0.24   $(0.87)     $0.78   $(1.22)
                            =======  ========  ========  ========

  Average Basic
  Shares Outstanding          3,273     3,261     3,270     3,285

  Average Diluted
  Shares Outstanding          3,284     3,262     3,275     3,290


  Other
  ------------------------
  Capital Expenditures       $1,841    $2,418    $4,945   $10,929
  Depreciation &
   Amortization              $1,757    $1,673    $5,335    $4,528

NOTE A: Prior year balances have been restated to reflect the change from LIFO to FIFO accounting for inventories.


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

              Condensed Balance Sheet Data
                     (In Thousands)


                                 March 28,    June 28,
                                   2010         2009
                                -----------  ---------
                                (Unaudited)
  ASSETS
   Current Assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents       $15,198    $22,764
    Restricted Cash (A)               2,100         --
    Receivables, net                 33,122     17,235
    Inventories                      16,836     16,589

    Other current assets             18,960     15,970
                                -----------  ---------
     Total Current Assets            86,216     72,558
   Deferred Income Taxes              9,976     13,143
   Investment in Joint Venture        4,811      4,483
   Other Long Term Assets             2,262      1,069
   Property, Plant and
    Equipment, Net                   37,013     36,936
                                -----------  ---------

                                   $140,278   $128,189
                                ===========  =========

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Current Liabilities:
    Accounts Payable                $20,972    $11,369

    Other                            20,708     19,479
                                -----------  ---------
     Total Current Liabilities       41,680     30,848
   Borrowings Under Line of
    Credit Facility                      --         --
   Accrued Pension and Post
    Retirement Obligations           22,270     24,784
   Shareholders' Equity             241,100    238,601
   Accumulated Other
    Comprehensive Loss             (30,118)   (31,094)

   Less: Treasury Stock           (136,055)  (136,089)
                                -----------  ---------
     Total STRATTEC SECURITY
      CORPORATION
       Shareholders' Equity          74,927     71,418

     Non-Controlling Interest         1,401      1,139
                                -----------  ---------

  Total Shareholders' Equity         76,328     72,557
                                -----------  ---------

                                   $140,278   $128,189
                                ===========  =========

NOTE A: Represents a commercial guarantee by STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION relating to a promissory note issued by Vehicle Access Systems Technology, LLC (VAST, LLC).


                       STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Condensed Cash Flow Statement Data
                               (In Thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)
                                                Third               Nine
                                                Quarter            Months
                                                Ended              Ended

                                       March              March
                                        28,     March      28,     March
                                       2010    29, 2009   2010    29, 2009
                                      -------  --------  -------  --------
                                               (Note A)           (Note A)

  Cash Flows from Operating
   Activities:
  Net Income (Loss)                      $781  $(2,822)   $2,568  $(4,004)
  Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income
   (Loss) to
   Cash Used in Operating
    Activities:
    Non-Controlling Interest              268     (500)      256     (601)
    Depreciation                        1,732     1,649    5,261     4,495
    Intangible Amortization                25        24       74        33
    Stock Based Compensation Expense      136        92      340       309
    Provision (Recovery) for
     Doubtful Accounts                     --       500    (421)       500
    Deferred Tax Provision                 --        --    3,258        --
    Curtailment Loss                       --        --      505        --
    Impairment Charge                      --        --      223        --
    Environmental                          --        --  (1,125)
    Change in Operating
     Assets/Liabilities               (7,622)   (5,268)  (9,162)   (8,219)

    Other, net                             21     (159)    (279)  ($1,429)
                                      -------  --------  -------  --------

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by
   Operating Activities               (4,659)   (6,484)    1,498   (8,916)

  Cash Flows from Investing
   Activities:
   Investment in Joint Ventures            --        --    (100)     (388)
   Restricted Cash                         --        --  (2,100)        --
   Loan to Joint Venture, net              --        --  (1,500)       `--
   Purchase of Delphi Power Products       --   (1,118)       --   (4,931)
   Additions to Property, Plant and
    Equipment                         (1,841)   (2,418)  (4,945)  (10,929)
   Proceeds from Sales of Property,
    Plant

    and Equipment                          --        --       10        --
                                      -------  --------  -------  --------

  Net Cash Used in Investing
   Activities                         (1,841)   (3,536)  (8,635)  (16,248)

  Cash Flow from Financing
   Activities:
   Purchase of Common Stock                --        --       --   (6,214)
   Dividends Paid                          --     (488)       --   (1,511)
   Contribution from Non-Controlling
    Interest                               --       224       --       986
   Net Borrowing (Repayment) of
    Loan from Non-Controlling
     Interest                           (225)     1,000    (225)     2,175
   Exercise of Stock Options and

    Employee Stock Purchases               10        10       33        30
                                      -------  --------  -------  --------

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by
   Financing Activities                 (215)       746    (192)   (4,534)

  Effect of Foreign Currency
   Fluctuations on Cash                 (103)       (6)    (237)       795
                                      -------  --------  -------  --------

  Net Decrease in Cash & Cash
   Equivalents                        (6,818)   (9,280)  (7,566)  (28,903)

  Cash and Cash Equivalents:

   Beginning of Period                 22,016    31,878   22,764    51,501
                                      -------  --------  -------  --------

   End of Period                      $15,198   $22,598  $15,198   $22,598
                                      =======  ========  =======  ========

NOTE A: Prior year balances have been restated to reflect the change from LIFO to FIFO accounting for inventories.

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

SOURCE: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

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