MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 18, 2008--Actuant Corporation (NYSE: ATU) today announced sales and earnings for its first quarter ended November 30, 2008.

Sales for the quarter declined 8% to $380 million compared to $415 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Excluding the impact of foreign currency rate changes (-3%) and acquisitions (+6%), core sales declined 11%.

Net income and EPS in the fiscal 2009 first quarter were $11.6 million and $0.19, respectively compared to $27.4 million and $0.43, respectively, in the comparable quarter last year. Fiscal 2009 first quarter results include a non-cash impairment charge related to the Company’s recreational vehicle (“RV”) product line of $26.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. First quarter 2008 results included European Electrical restructuring charges of $5.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. Excluding these items, EPS was $0.45 in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, 13% lower than the $0.52 per diluted share in the prior year’s quarter. (See attached reconciliation of earnings).

Robert C. Arzbaecher, Chairman and CEO of Actuant commented, “We experienced a challenging first quarter as the speed and magnitude of declining end market demand was extraordinary. While overall core sales declined 11% in the quarter, we did see continued strong performance from our Industrial segment which delivered 12% year-over-year core sales improvement. This was driven by the diversity of its end markets and geographies, the maintenance nature of its products and services as well as its strong brands and market positions. We were also pleased with the performance of the recently acquired Cortland business, and the integration activities and financial results are progressing as anticipated.”

First quarter fiscal 2009 Industrial segment sales increased 20% to $165 million. Excluding currency translation and acquisitions, Industrial segment core sales grew 12% driven by continued strong global demand for joint integrity maintenance products and services for the oil & gas and power generation markets, as well as for high-force hydraulic tools. Acquisitions contributed approximately 14% of the segment’s sales growth, while the strengthening US dollar caused a 6% sales decline. First quarter operating profit margin declined 240 basis points from the prior year due to unfavorable sales and acquisition mix.

(1) Results for the three months ended November 30, 2007 exclude European Electrical restructuring charges of $5.5 million.

Fiscal 2009 first quarter Electrical segment sales declined 24% to $102 million. Core sales decreased 22% reflecting continued weak demand from retail, marine and transformer customers, the impact of SKU reductions in the European Electrical product line and the previously disclosed loss of certain retail business in North America. Segment operating profit margin declined to 3.7% reflecting lower production volumes, unfavorable sales mix and costs associated with facility consolidations and headcount reductions. Total headcount declined approximately 9% since August 31, 2008 and has been reduced by more than 25% during the past year.

(2) Results for the three months ended November 30, 2008 exclude the $26.6 million pre-tax RV asset impairment charge.

Actuation Systems segment first quarter fiscal 2009 sales declined 24% (-24% core, -3% currency translation and +3% acquisitions) to $85 million reflecting sharply lower demand from the Company’s RV, European truck and automotive customers. Operating profit margins were 190 basis points lower than the prior year due primarily to the impact of lower production levels. Excluding the addition of Cortland Sanlo, the segment’s headcount was reduced by approximately 12% since August 31, 2008.

The Company recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge (primarily goodwill) in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 related to the RV product line, which currently generates approximately two percent of Actuant’s consolidated revenues. The Company’s sales to the motorhome industry’s three largest Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) declined approximately 75% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009, reflecting lower retail sell-through and dealer inventory reduction efforts. Given current credit market conditions and low consumer confidence levels, the Company does not expect RV demand will improve in the near term.

Fiscal 2009 first quarter Engineered Products segment sales decreased to $28 million from $31 million in the prior year reflecting a 9% core sales decline. The 11.1% operating profit margin in the first quarter reflects the lower volumes as well as costs associated with headcount reductions.

First quarter fiscal 2009 corporate expenses were $3.2 million lower than the comparable prior year period due primarily to a reduction in incentive compensation expense and other spending cuts.

Net debt at November 30, 2008 was $670 million (total debt of $700 million less $30 million of cash), an increase of $218 million from the beginning of the quarter. During the quarter the Company deployed approximately $230 million of capital to complete the acquisition of Cortland and approximately $5 million in debt issuance costs. Actuant’s first quarter cash flow was also impacted by seasonal trends including the payment of prior year employee incentive compensation.

The Company had $244 million of available liquidity at November 30, 2008 including committed revolver capacity of $214 million and $30 million of cash. The Company’s debt due within the next twelve months is less than $6 million.

On December 10, 2008 the Company provided full year fiscal 2009 sales and EPS guidance in the range of $1.50-1.55 billion and $1.60-1.80 per share (excluding the RV asset impairment charge), respectively. In addition to confirming that guidance, the Company provided its outlook for the second fiscal quarter. Sales and EPS are expected to be in the range of $335-355 million, and $0.20-0.28 per share, respectively.

Arzbaecher continued “We are taking actions to further reduce costs and optimize cash flow in response to market challenges. Excluding employees added through the Cortland acquisition, we reduced headcount in the first quarter by over 500, or about 7% of our global workforce. We are carefully reviewing capital expenditures and working to reduce working capital. We believe our financial liquidity and variable cost structure provide us with ample flexibility to navigate these challenging times and capitalize on growth opportunities.”

An investor conference call is scheduled for 10am CT today, December 18, 2008. Webcast information and conference call materials will be made available on the Actuant company website (www.actuant.com) prior to the start of the call.

Certain of the above comments represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Management cautions that these statements are based on current estimates of future performance and are highly dependent upon a variety of factors, which could cause actual results to differ from these estimates. Actuant’s results are also subject to general economic conditions, variation in demand from customers, the impact of geopolitical activity on the economy, continued market acceptance of the Company’s new product introductions, the successful integration of acquisitions, restructuring, operating margin risk due to competitive pricing and operating efficiencies, supply chain risk, material and labor cost increases, foreign currency fluctuations and interest rate risk. See the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding risk factors.

Actuant, headquartered in Butler, Wisconsin, is a diversified industrial company with operations in more than 30 countries. The Actuant businesses are market leaders in highly engineered position and motion control systems and branded hydraulic and electrical tools and supplies. Since its creation through a spin-off in 2000, Actuant has grown its sales from $482 million to $1.66 billion in fiscal 2008. The Company employs a workforce of more than 7,000 worldwide. Actuant trades on the NYSE under the symbol ATU. For further information on Actuant and its business units, visit the Company's website at www.actuant.com.


Actuant Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

			November 30,			August 31,
			2008			2008

ASSETS
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	30,218		$	122,549
	Accounts receivable, net			211,576			226,564
	Inventories, net			223,450			215,391
	Deferred income taxes			11,729			11,870
	Other current assets			15,901			16,092
		Total current assets		492,874			592,466

Property, plant and equipment, net				141,200			134,550
Goodwill				698,446			639,862
Other intangible assets, net				381,749			292,359
Other long-term assets				13,512			9,145

		Total assets	$	1,727,781		$	1,668,382


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
	Short-term borrowings		$	-		$	339
	Trade accounts payable			145,426			166,863
	Accrued compensation and benefits			33,189			59,023
	Income taxes payable			24,136			24,867
	Current maturities of long-term debt			4,336			-
	Other current liabilities			66,829			60,033
		Total current liabilities		273,916			311,125

Long-term debt, less current maturities				696,049			573,818
Deferred income taxes				125,152			99,634
Pension and postretirement benefit accruals				25,902			27,641
Other long-term liabilities				26,062			26,658

Shareholders' equity
	Capital stock			11,276			11,200
	Additional paid-in capital			(318,627	)		(324,898	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income			(59,590	)		7,149
	Stock held in trust			(2,336	)		(2,081	)
	Deferred compensation liability			2,336			2,081
	Retained earnings			947,641			936,055
		Total shareholders' equity		580,700			629,506

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity			$	1,727,781		$	1,668,382


Actuant Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


		Three Months Ended
		November 30,			November 30,
		2008			2007

Net sales		$	379,980		$	415,143
Cost of products sold			248,088			274,309
	Gross profit		131,892			140,834

Selling, administrative and engineering expenses			76,218			81,296
European electrical restructuring charge			-			5,521
Impairment charge			26,553			-
Amortization of intangible assets			4,457			3,257
	Operating profit		24,664			50,760

Financing costs, net			12,235			9,300
Other (income) expense, net			(534	)		(1,110	)
	Earnings from operations before income
	tax expense and minority interest		12,963			42,570

Income tax expense			1,370			15,149
Minority interest, net of income taxes			(5	)		(6	)

Net earnings		$	11,598		$	27,427


Earnings per share
	Basic	$	0.21		$	0.49
	Diluted		0.19			0.43

Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		56,022			55,609
	Diluted		64,395			64,654


Actuant Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	November 30,			November 30,
	2008			2007

Operating Activities
Net earnings	$	11,598		$	27,427
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		12,747			10,464
Stock-based compensation expense		1,537			1,603
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes		(10,360	)		6,220
Impairment charge		26,552			-
Other		64			192
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of the business acquisitions
Accounts receivable		4,974			(22,767	)
Accounts receivable securitization program		483			4,924
Inventories		(5,332	)		(7,024	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(38	)		948
Trade accounts payable		(19,683	)		238
Income taxes payable		1,895			2,452
Accrued compensation and benefits		(21,074	)		(8,298	)
Other accrued liabilities		12,457			12,345
Net cash provided by operating activities		15,820			28,724

Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		94			8,321
Capital expenditures		(7,634	)		(9,036	)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(231,768	)		(47,437	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(239,308	)		(48,152	)

Financing Activities
Net borrowings on revolving credit facilities and other debt		187,995			134
Proceeds from term loan		115,000			-
Principal repayments on term loans		(155,000	)		(994	)
Debt issuance and amendment costs		(5,333	)		-
Cash dividend		(2,251	)		(2,221	)
Stock option exercises, related tax benefits, and other		2,479			2,013
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		142,890			(1,068	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(11,733	)		2,557
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(92,331	)		(17,939	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period		122,549			86,680
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$	30,218		$	68,741


ACTUANT CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL UNAUDITED DATA
	(Dollars in thousands)

			FISCAL 2008					FISCAL 2009
			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	TOTAL	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	TOTAL
SALES
	INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT		$ 137,089	$ 130,802	$ 160,035	$ 158,972	$ 586,898	$ 164,506				$ 164,506
	ELECTRICAL SEGMENT		133,962	130,779	129,142	111,915	505,798	101,999				101,999
	ACTUATION SYSTEMS SEGMENT		112,899	109,764	122,850	100,070	445,583	85,347				85,347
	ENGINEERED PRODUCTS SEGMENT		31,193	28,284	32,629	33,558	125,664	28,128				28,128
		TOTAL	$ 415,143	$ 399,629	$ 444,656	$ 404,515	$ 1,663,943	$ 379,980				$ 379,980

% SALES GROWTH
	INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT		32%	36%	38%	29%	34%	20%				20%
	ELECTRICAL SEGMENT		10%	6%	1%	-15%	0%	-24%				-24%
	ACTUATION SYSTEMS SEGMENT		7%	12%	10%	-4%	6%	-24%				-24%
	ENGINEERED PRODUCTS SEGMENT		174%	22%	9%	12%	33%	-10%				-10%
		TOTAL	21%	17%	15%	4%	14%	-8%				-8%

OPERATING PROFIT
	INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT		$ 37,976	$ 32,757	$ 43,692	$ 47,369	$ 161,794	$ 41,544				$ 41,544
	ELECTRICAL SEGMENT		10,426	11,239	8,074	3,858	33,596	3,762				3,762
	ACTUATION SYSTEMS SEGMENT		10,059	8,301	13,705	8,263	40,328	5,979				5,979
	ENGINEERED PRODUCTS SEGMENT		4,235	3,146	4,260	5,373	17,014	3,129				3,129
	CORPORATE / GENERAL		(6,415)	(7,743)	(8,203)	(8,549)	(30,910)	(3,197)				(3,197)
		TOTAL - EXCLUDING IMPAIRMENT / RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	$ 56,281	$ 47,700	$ 61,528	$ 56,314	$ 221,822	$ 51,217				$ 51,217
	IMPAIRMENT CHARGE		-	-	-	-	-	(26,553)				(26,553)
	EUROPEAN ELECTRICAL RESTRUCTURING CHARGE		(5,521)	(4,952)	-	-	(10,473)	-				-
		TOTAL	$ 50,760	$ 42,748	$ 61,528	$ 56,314	$ 211,349	$ 24,664				$ 24,664

OPERATING PROFIT %
	INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT		27.7%	25.0%	27.3%	29.8%	27.6%	25.3%				25.3%
	ELECTRICAL SEGMENT		7.8%	8.6%	6.3%	3.4%	6.6%	3.7%				3.7%
	ACTUATION SYSTEMS SEGMENT		8.9%	7.6%	11.2%	8.3%	9.1%	7.0%				7.0%
	ENGINEERED PRODUCTS SEGMENT		13.6%	11.1%	13.1%	16.0%	13.5%	11.1%				11.1%
		TOTAL (INCLUDING CORPORATE) - EXCLUDING IMPAIRMENT / RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	13.6%	11.9%	13.8%	13.9%	13.3%	13.5%				13.5%

EBITDA
	INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT		$ 42,570	$ 37,386	$ 48,388	$ 52,998	$ 181,342	$ 48,600				$ 48,600
	ELECTRICAL SEGMENT		13,226	13,661	10,562	6,087	43,535	5,144				5,144
	ACTUATION SYSTEMS SEGMENT		13,292	11,428	16,402	12,136	53,258	9,336				9,336
	ENGINEERED PRODUCTS SEGMENT		5,399	4,445	5,400	6,451	21,695	4,527				4,527
	CORPORATE / GENERAL		(6,632)	(7,522)	(7,991)	(8,163)	(30,308)	(3,110)				(3,110)
		TOTAL - EXCLUDING IMPAIRMENT / RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	$ 67,855	$ 59,398	$ 72,761	$ 69,509	$ 269,522	$ 64,497				$ 64,497
	IMPAIRMENT CHARGE		-	-	-	-	-	(26,553)				(26,553)
	EUROPEAN ELECTRICAL RESTRUCTURING CHARGE		(5,521)	(4,952)	-	-	(10,473)	-				-
		TOTAL	$ 62,334	$ 54,446	$ 72,761	$ 69,509	$ 259,049	$ 37,944				$ 37,944

EBITDA %
	INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT		31.1%	28.6%	30.2%	33.3%	30.9%	29.5%				29.5%
	ELECTRICAL SEGMENT		9.9%	10.4%	8.2%	5.4%	8.6%	5.0%				5.0%
	ACTUATION SYSTEMS SEGMENT		11.8%	10.4%	13.4%	12.1%	12.0%	10.9%				10.9%
	ENGINEERED PRODUCTS SEGMENT		17.3%	15.7%	16.5%	19.2%	17.3%	16.1%				16.1%
		TOTAL (INCLUDING CORPORATE) - EXCLUDING IMPAIRMENT / RESTRUCTURING CHARGES	16.3%	14.9%	16.4%	17.2%	16.2%	17.0%				17.0%

Note: The total of the individual quarters may not equal the annual total due to rounding.


ACTUANT CORPORATION
Reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures
	(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

			FISCAL 2008															FISCAL 2009
			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			TOTAL			Q1			Q2	Q3	Q4	TOTAL

NET EARNINGS EXCLUDING RESTRUCTURING CHARGE AND TAX ADJUSTMENTS / CREDITS (1)
	NET EARNINGS (GAAP MEASURE)		$	27,427		$	22,239		$	38,635		$	34,243		$	122,544		$	11,598					$	11,598
		RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, NET OF TAX BENEFIT		5,521			4,729			-			-			10,250			-						-
		IMPAIRMENT CHARGE, NET OF TAX BENEFIT		-			-			-			-			-			16,463						16,463
		TAX ADJUSTMENTS / CREDITS		-			-			(2,625	)		-			(2,625	)		-						-
	TOTAL (NON-GAAP MEASURE)		$	32,948		$	26,968		$	36,010		$	34,243		$	130,169		$	28,061					$	28,061

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE EXCLUDING RESTRUCTURING CHARGE AND TAX ADJUSTMENTS / CREDITS (1)
	NET EARNINGS (GAAP MEASURE)		$	0.43		$	0.35		$	0.60		$	0.54		$	1.93		$	0.19					$	0.19
		RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, NET OF TAX BENEFIT		0.09			0.07			-			-			0.16			-						-
		IMPAIRMENT CHARGE, NET OF TAX BENEFIT		-			-			-			-			-			0.26						0.26
		TAX ADJUSTMENTS / CREDITS		-			-			(0.04	)		-			(0.04	)		-						-
	TOTAL (NON-GAAP MEASURE)		$	0.52		$	0.43		$	0.56		$	0.54		$	2.05		$	0.45					$	0.45

EBITDA (2)
	NET EARNINGS (GAAP MEASURE)		$	27,427		$	22,239		$	38,635		$	34,243		$	122,544		$	11,598					$	11,598
		FINANCING COSTS, NET		9,300			9,032			9,190			8,887			36,409			12,235						12,235
		INCOME TAX EXPENSE		15,149			12,154			13,465			14,598			55,365			1,370						1,370
		DEPRECIATION & AMORTIZATION		10,464			11,028			11,434			11,783			44,709			12,746						12,746
		MINORITY INTEREST, NET OF INCOME TAX		(6	)		(7	)		37			(2	)		22			(5	)					(5	)
		EBITDA (NON-GAAP MEASURE)	$	62,334		$	54,446		$	72,761		$	69,509		$	259,049		$	37,944					$	37,944
		IMPAIRMENT CHARGE		-			-			-			-			-			26,553						26,553
		EUROPEAN ELECTRICAL RESTRUCTURING CHARGE		5,521			4,952			-			-			10,473			-						-
		EBITDA (NON-GAAP MEASURE) - EXCLUDING RESTRUCTURING CHARGE	$	67,855		$	59,398		$	72,761		$	69,509		$	269,522		$	64,497					$	64,497

(1)		Net earnings and diluted earnings per share excluding restructuring charges and income tax adjustments / credits represent net earnings and diluted earnings per share per the Consolidated Statement of Earnings net of charges or credits for items to be highlighted for comparability purposes. These measures should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or diluted earnings per share as an indicator of the company's operating performance. However, this presentation is important to investors for understanding the operating results of the current portfolio of Actuant companies. The total of the individual components do not equal diluted earnings per share excluding restructuring charges and income tax adjustments / credits due to rounding.

(2)		EBITDA represents net earnings before financing costs, net, income tax expense, depreciation & amortization and minority interest. EBITDA is not a calculation based upon generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The amounts included in the EBITDA calculation, however, are derived from amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings data. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or operating profit as an indicator of the company's operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Actuant has presented EBITDA because it regularly reviews this as a measure of the company's ability to incur and service debt. In addition, EBITDA is used by many of our investors and lenders, and is presented as a convenience to them. However, the EBITDA measure presented may not always be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies due to differences in the components of the calculation. The total of the individual quarters may not equal the annual total due to rounding.

CONTACT:
Actuant Corporation
Karen Bauer
Director, Investor Relations
262-373-7462

	Three Months Ended
	November 30,
	2008			2007
Sales	$	164.5		$	137.1
Operating Profit	$	41.5		$	38.0
Operating Profit %		25.3	%		27.7	%