AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) today reported higher sales and earnings for both the fourth quarter of 2011 and the full year compared to the prior year.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO )

"I am very pleased with our record sales and segment operating income performance in 2011 as we successfully managed a challenging economic environment," said Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer.  "With full-year segment operating income of nearly $1.4 billion worldwide and $276 million in North American Tire, its best performance since 2000, we made strong progress toward our 2013 targets," he added.  

"Despite lower fourth quarter unit volume, all four of our tire businesses achieved record fourth quarter and full-year sales as we improved price/mix and gained branded share in our targeted market segments," Kramer said.

"We feel good about the progress we have made in improving our business model and remain confident in our long-term strategy."

Goodyear's fourth quarter 2011 sales were $5.7 billion, up 12 percent from a year ago.  Tire unit volumes totaled 43.2 million, down 5 percent from 2010, reflecting declining replacement industry volumes in mature markets along with business challenges in Latin America and flooding in Thailand.

Fourth quarter sales reflect strong price/mix performance, which drove revenue per tire up 19 percent year-over-year, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.  Unfavorable unit volume and foreign currency translation reduced sales by $174 million and $49 million, respectively.

The company achieved segment operating income of $196 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, down $28 million from the 2010 period.  Segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2011 reflected improved price/mix of $702 million, which more than offset $631 million in higher raw material costs ($583 million net of raw material cost reduction actions).  

Segment operating income was negatively impacted by $37 million in lower volume and $19 million due to lower profits from other tire-related businesses, primarily third-party chemical sales in North America.  Costs resulting from business disruptions and the temporary closure of the company's factory in Thailand due to flooding in that country also negatively impacted segment operating income.  Cost inflation along with higher North American Tire profit sharing, inefficiencies related to a plant closing in North America and poor productivity at factories in France more than offset the benefit of cost saving programs.

Goodyear's fourth quarter 2011 net income available to common shareholders was $18 million (7 cents per share).  The company recorded a net loss of $177 million (73 cents per share) in the 2010 fourth quarter.  All per share amounts are diluted.  

The 2011 fourth quarter included total charges of $24 million (10 cents per share) due to rationalizations, asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation; a loss of $16 million (7 cents per share) related to business disruptions and costs resulting from the temporary closure of the company's factory in Thailand due to flooding in that country; a net loss of $8 million (3 cents per share) on asset sales; and net discrete tax benefits of $60 million (24 cents per share) primarily due to the release of valuation allowances on foreign operations.  All amounts are after taxes and minority interest.

See the table at the end of this release for a list of significant items impacting the 2011 and 2010 quarters.

Full-Year Results

Goodyear's 2011 annual sales were a record $22.8 billion, up 21 percent from $18.8 billion in 2010.  Sales reflect strong price/mix performance, which drove revenue per tire up 17 percent over 2010, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.  Sales were also positively impacted by an $875 million increase in sales in other tire-related businesses, primarily third-party chemical sales in North America.  Tire unit volumes were essentially flat compared with 2010.  Favorable foreign currency translation increased sales by $599 million.  The sale of the Latin American farm tire business negatively impacted sales by $67 million.

The company achieved record full-year segment operating income of nearly $1.4 billion in 2011, which was up 49 percent from $917 million in 2010.  Segment operating income reflects record sales in all four of the company's business units.  Compared to the prior year, 2011 segment operating income also benefitted from $2.4 billion in improved price/mix, which more than offset $1.8 billion in higher raw material costs.  Raw material costs reflect $177 million in actions taken to reduce their impact.  The sale of the Latin American farm tire business in April 2011 negatively impacted segment operating income by $25 million.  

Goodyear's 2011 net income available to common shareholders of $321 million ($1.26 per share) compares to a net loss of $216 million (89 cents per share) in 2010.  All per share amounts are diluted.

Business Segment Results

See the note at the end of this release for further explanation and a segment operating income reconciliation table.

North American Tire

North American Tire's fourth quarter 2011 sales increased 17 percent from 2010 to $2.6 billion, a record for any quarter.  Sales reflect improved price/mix, which drove a 19 percent increase in revenue per tire, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, compared to 2010's fourth quarter.  Tire unit volumes decreased 2 percent.  Original equipment unit volume was up 7 percent.  Replacement tire shipments were down 3 percent, primarily reflecting lower industry demand.  Sales were positively impacted by $118 million from higher sales in other tire-related businesses, primarily third-party chemical sales.

Fourth quarter 2011 segment operating income of $21 million was $10 million above the prior year.  Improved price/mix of $289 million more than offset $241 million of higher raw material costs.  Fixed cost recovery due to higher utilization rates contributed $15 million to segment operating income.  Segment operating income also benefited from a $21 million reduction in SAG expenses primarily related to lower general and product liability expense, offset by costs resulting from manufacturing inefficiencies primarily related to the closure of a factory in Tennessee.  Segment operating income also was negatively impacted by $20 million in lower profits from other tire-related businesses, primarily third-party chemical sales, and $15 million in higher USW profit sharing expense.  

Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire

Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire's fourth quarter sales increased 11 percent from 2010 to $1.9 billion, a fourth quarter record.  Sales reflect improved price/mix, which drove a 21 percent increase in revenue per tire, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, compared to 2010's fourth quarter.  Tire unit volumes decreased 5 percent.  Original equipment unit volume was up 6 percent.  Replacement tire shipments were down 8 percent, reflecting lower industry demand.  

Fourth quarter 2011 segment operating income of $88 million was $28 million above the prior year.  Improved price/mix of $280 million more than offset $201 million of higher raw material costs.  Fixed cost recovery due to higher production levels contributed $16 million to segment operating income.  Higher SAG expense and poor productivity at the company's factories in France were partial offsets.

Latin American Tire

Latin American Tire's fourth quarter sales increased 2 percent from 2010 to $596 million, a fourth quarter record.  Increased sales reflect price/mix improvements.  Tire unit volumes decreased 8 percent.  Original equipment unit volume was down 6 percent and replacement tire shipments were down 9 percent.  Fourth quarter revenue per tire increased 12 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.  Sales were negatively impacted by $25 million due to unfavorable foreign currency translation and $19 million resulting from the sale of the farm tire business.  

Fourth quarter segment operating income of $48 million was down $45 million from a year ago.  Raw material cost increases of $82 million, more than offset price/mix improvements of $66 million.  Segment operating income was negatively impacted by $16 million resulting from lower volume and $9 million due to the sale of the farm tire business.

Asia Pacific Tire

Asia Pacific Tire's fourth quarter sales increased 5 percent from 2010 to $591 million, a fourth quarter record.  Sales reflect strong price/mix performance and favorable foreign currency translation.  Tire unit volumes decreased 10 percent.  Original equipment unit volume was down 11 percent and replacement tire shipments were down 10 percent, reflecting lower industry demand in Australia and flooding in Thailand.  Fourth quarter revenue per tire increased 17 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.  

Fourth quarter segment operating income of $39 million was $21 million lower than the prior year.  Improved price/mix of $67 million more than offset $59 million of higher raw material costs. Segment operating income was negatively impacted by $10 million in higher costs related to the start up of a new factory in China.

The company estimates that business disruptions and costs resulting from the temporary closure of its factory in Thailand due to flooding in that country reduced Asia Pacific Tire's fourth quarter segment operating income by $12 million.  

2012 Outlook

Goodyear expects long-term growth in the global tire industry to continue, but at a slower pace near term than previously forecast due to continued economic weakness in multiple markets.  The company expects that its full-year tire unit volume for 2012 will be essentially flat with 2011.

For the full year of 2012 in North America, Goodyear expects the consumer replacement market to be flat to down 2 percent, consumer original equipment flat to up 3 percent, commercial replacement up between 2 percent and 6 percent and commercial original equipment up between 10 percent and 15 percent.

For the full year in Europe, the consumer replacement industry is expected to be flat to down 2 percent, consumer original equipment down between 5 percent and 9 percent, commercial replacement down between 3 percent and 8 percent and commercial original equipment down between 20 percent and 25 percent.

Goodyear anticipates its raw material costs for the first quarter of 2012 will increase between 20 percent and 25 percent over the prior year.  Smaller increases are expected for the second quarter of 2012 compared with the year-ago quarter.  For the second half of 2012, the company expects raw material costs to decrease compared with the second half of 2011.  For the full year of 2012, Goodyear expects its raw material costs will increase approximately 5 percent compared with 2011.

Conference Call

Goodyear will hold an investor conference call at 8:30 a.m. today.  Approximately 45 minutes prior to the commencement of the call, the company will post the financial and other related information that will be presented on its investor relations Web site: http://investor.goodyear.com.

Participating in the conference call will be Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer, and Darren R. Wells, executive vice president and chief financial officer.  

Investors, members of the media and other interested persons can access the conference call on the Web site or via telephone by calling (706) 645-4847 before 8:25 a.m.  A taped replay will be available later in the day by calling (404) 537-3406, Conference ID 48469469.  The replay will also remain available on the Web site.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the assumptions, expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:  our ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from our cost reduction initiatives or to implement successfully other strategic initiatives; increases in the prices paid for raw materials and energy; pension plan funding obligations; actions and initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors; deteriorating economic conditions or an inability to access capital markets; work stoppages, financial difficulties or supply disruptions at our suppliers or customers; the adequacy of our capital expenditures; a labor strike, work stoppage or other similar event; our failure to comply with a material covenant in our debt obligations; potential adverse consequences of litigation involving the company; as well as the effects of more general factors such as changes in general market, economic or political conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

(financial statements follow)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents total segment operating income, which is an important financial measure for the company but is not a financial measure defined by U.S. GAAP.

Total segment operating income is the sum of the individual strategic business units' segment operating income as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Management believes that total segment operating income is useful because it represents the aggregate value of income created by the company's SBUs and excludes items not directly related to the SBUs for performance evaluation purposes. See the table below for the reconciliation of total segment operating income.

Fourth Quarter Significant Items (after tax and minority interest)

2011

• Rationalizations, asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation, $24 million (10 cents per share)
• Loss related to business disruptions and costs resulting from flooding in Thailand, $16 million (7 cents per share)
• Net loss on asset sales, $8 million (3 cents per share)
• Net discrete tax benefits primarily due to the release of valuation allowances on foreign operations, $60 million (24 cents per share)

 

2010

 

• Rationalizations, asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation, $213 million (87 cents per share)
• Loss related to the elimination of the subsidized essential goods exchange rate in Venezuela, $20 million (8 cents per share)
• Charge related to a claim regarding the use of value-added tax credits in prior periods, $18 million (7 cents per share)
• Net gains on asset sales, primarily in Asia, $31 million (13 cents per share)
• Net tax benefits primarily due to tax law changes in the U.S. and other countries, $22 million (9 cents per share)

 

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company