Earnings are out:
  Tuesday October 27, 8:08 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release SOURCE: Elamex S.A. de C.V.
  Elamex Reports 3Q98 Results
  EL PASO, Texas, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Elamex S.A. de C.V. (Nasdaq: ELAMF - news),  a leading contract manufacturer, today reported third quarter and nine month results for September 27, 1998. Sales for the third quarter were $30.8 million, a 6.4 percent decrease from sales of $32.9 million for the third quarter of 1997. Net income was $680,649 or $0.09 per share compared with $1.7 million or $0.23 per share for the same period in 1997. 
  Operating Income for the quarter was $ 1.3 million (4.3% of Sales) compared with $ 2.0 million in 3Q97 (6.1% of Sales) and $ 1.0 million (3.4% of Sales) during the second quarter of 1998. 
  Sales for the first nine months of 1998 were $89.7 million which compared with $100.5 million in 1997. Net income for the period was  $2.3 million or $0.31 per share versus $5.5 million or $0.75 per share for the first nine months of last year. 
  Hector M. Raynal, Elamex's Chief Executive Officer said: ''During the quarter, we initiated the gradual ramp up of three new projects. These  ramp ups are progressing according to plan. Although we have added  five new projects over the past six months, their impact does not yet  fully compensate sales lost by the two previously announced departing  projects and a reduction in the quarter in the level of activity of  two existing projects.'' 
  Gross Profit for the quarter was impacted by start-up expenses,  including those related to the gradual utilization of a 50% increase  in our SMT capacity, where we invested $3.0 million dollars in  equipment needed to meet forecasted customer demand. 
  Other Income for the quarter at $ 0.84 million compares favorably with $0.35 in 3Q97, reflecting mainly the gain on the sale to GE  International Mexico of a minority interest in our Plastics and Metal  Stamping operation. 
  Elamex's functional currency is the U.S. dollar and the Company keeps  its books in accordance with U.S. GAAP. During the quarter, we  experienced a devaluation of the Mexican Peso. This devaluation does  not have an impact in our U.S. GAAP based Balance Sheet. However, for  tax purposes in Mexico, the Company recognized an exchange rate gain  arising from its net monetary asset position in dollars. This taxable  gain caused our tax provision to jump to $ 1.5 million, a 68.5% tax  rate versus a 26.5% tax rate provision in the similar quarter of last  year and 28.3% during 2Q98. 
  ''We continue to see high levels of interest from our prospect  accounts, and having completed the GE Joint Venture transaction, we  are now again pursuing our growth option via acquisitions'', Mr. Raynal concluded. 
  Elamex is a Mexican contract manufacturing service provider. The  Company delivers high quality finished assemblies to U.S. and Canadian  Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's) in the consumer,  telecommunications, computer, industrial, medical and automotive  industries. Elamex participates in an accelerated growth industry,  where its unique competitive advantage results from its demonstrated  capability to leverage low cost, highly productive labor, strategic  North American locations, recognized world class quality, and proven  ability to combine high technology with labor intensive manufacturing  processes. 
  This press release includes forward looking statements that involve  risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks  associated with the Company's future growth and profitability, the  ability of the Company to increase sales to existing customers and to  make sales to new customers, the effects of competitive and general  economic conditions and the ability of Elamex's own customers to meet  their expectations and projections. 
                      ELAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES                      Consolidated Statements of Earnings             (In Thousand U. S. Dollars, except per share amounts)                                  (Unaudited)
                            3 Weeks ended             39 Weeks ended             September 27, September 28, September 27, September 28,                    1998        1997          1998            1997
  Net sales           $30,757       $32,872      $89,731      $100,514 Cost of sales        27,146        28,656       78,989        86,597
  Gross Profit          3,611         4,216       10,742        13,917
  Operating expenses: General and   administrative      1,528         2,047        5,476         6,076 Selling                 480           164        1,223           509 Research and  development            284            --        1,274            -- Total operating  expenses             2,292         2,211        7,973         6,586
  Operating income      1,319         2,004        2,769         7,331
   Other income (expense): Interest income         258           187          742           310 Interest expense        (43)          (50)        (132)         (151) Other, net              626           214        1,046           435 Total other income       (expense)         842           352        1,656           595
  Income before income       taxes           2,160         2,356        4,424         7,926
  Income tax provision  1,479           625        2,136         2,378
  Net income             $681        $1,731       $2,288        $5,548
  Net income per common       share           $0.09         $0.23        $0.31         $0.75 Weighted average shares       outstanding  7,350,000     7,400,000    7,361,219     7,400,000
                      ELAMEX, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES                     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                          (In Thousand U. S. Dollars)
                              September 27,            December 31,                                      1998                    1997                               (Unaudited)     Assets
      Current assets                $53,537                  45,399     Property, plant and equipment,       net                          32,670                  28,503     Other assets, net                 494                     743
                                     86,701                  74,645
      Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      Current liabilities          $21,009                  13,622     Long-term debt and       liabilities                   4,025                   3,991      Total liabilities             25,035                  17,613
      Minority interest               2,569                      --
      Stockholders' equity           59,097                  57,032                                   $86,701                  74,645
  SOURCE: Elamex S.A. de C.V.  |