Global Ground Support's Corporate Parent Reports Third Quarter Results

Feb. 11, 2013
Backlog at Global Ground Support was $9.2 million

Air T reported consolidated net earnings of $633,000 ($0.26 per diluted share) for fiscal 2013's third quarter ended December 31, compared to consolidated net earnings of $579,000 ($0.24 per diluted share) for the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

In a release on February 1, the Company noted that it also reported year-to-date earnings for the nine months of $1,277,000 ($.52 per diluted share) compared to $1,340,000 ($.55 per diluted share) for the similar fiscal 2012 period.

Consolidated revenues for fiscal 2013's third quarter were $26,703,000, an increase of 4 percent compared to the similar 2012 fiscal quarter. Consolidated revenues for the first nine months of the 2013 fiscal year were $72,353,000 or 7 percent higher than the prior year comparable period. At December 31, the backlog at Global Ground Support, the Company's ground support equipment business, was $9.2 million, compared to $14.9 million at December 31, 2011.

Walter Clark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air T, said, "The focus on improving efficiencies at our equipment manufacturer bore fruit in this most recent quarter with an improved bottom line. Additionally, there has been a concerted effort to pare down inventory levels at Global Ground and that has begun to yield positive results as well. The ground support services subsidiary showed year over year improvement with both top and bottom line increases. The air cargo side of the equation continues to be a solid performer with some reduction in bottom line due to the filling of additional management positions."

Clark continued, "I am pleased to announce the appointment by Air T's board of directors of Brad Wilson as our lead independent director. Brad Wilson is currently President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and, among other achievements, currently serves on, and has served as Chairman of, the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Railroad Company. Air T is fortunate to have an individual of his capabilities willing to serve in this position. I and the rest of the Air T board look forward to working with Brad in his new capacity."

Air T, through its subsidiaries, provides overnight air freight service to the express delivery industry, manufactures and sells aircraft deicers and other special purpose industrial equipment, and provides ground support equipment and facilities maintenance to airlines. Air T is one of the largest, small-aircraft air cargo operators in the United States. Air T's Mountain Air Cargo (MAC) and CSA, Air subsidiaries currently operate a fleet of single and twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft nightly in the eastern half of the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands. Air T's Global Ground Support subsidiary manufactures deicing and other specialized military and industrial equipment and is one of the largest providers of deicers in the world. The Global Aviation Services subsidiary provides ground support equipment and facilities maintenance to domestic airline customers.

((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected]))

Copyright 2013 Close-Up Media, Inc.All Rights Reserved