Wabtec Reports Record 4Q Sales and EPS, With Record Cash Generation in 2006; Company Also Affirms 2007 Guidance

WILMERDING, Pa., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Wabtec Corporation today reported its 2006 fourth quarter and full-year results, including the following highlights:

   * In the fourth quarter, earnings per diluted share were a record 53     cents, including a net tax benefit of 8 cents per diluted share.     Excluding the net tax benefit, earnings per diluted share were 45 cents,     32 percent higher than the year-ago quarter and the company’s 11th     consecutive quarterly earnings increase.   * Fourth quarter sales increased 9 percent to a record $294 million,     reflecting an expected increase in Transit Group sales; and operating     income, as a percent of sales, was 12.4 percent, 1.5 percentage points     higher than the year-ago quarter.   * For the full year, Wabtec had earnings per diluted share of $1.73     including the fourth quarter net tax benefit of 8 cents and a previously     announced restructuring charge of 9 cents in the third quarter;     excluding these items, Wabtec had earnings per diluted share of $1.74 in     2006.   * During the year, Wabtec generated more than $150 million of cash, a     majority of which was used for acquisitions and to repurchase Wabtec     stock.   * At year-end, the company’s multi-year backlog remained above $1 billion,     26 percent higher than a year ago.   

Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer, said: “From a financial and strategic perspective, 2006 was a good year for Wabtec. Our financial performance was strong, with double-digit earnings growth, expanding margins and record cash flow. Strategically, we made progress on several fronts: completing two acquisitions, investing in future growth initiatives and gaining acceptance for new technologies such as our Electronic Train Management System(R). In 2007, we expect to build on that performance with another year of revenue and earnings growth.”

2006 Fourth Quarter Results

Sales increased 9 percent, primarily due to higher sales of transit locomotives, locomotive components and radiators for non-rail markets, as well as acquisitions. Gross margin (gross profit divided by net sales) was 26.7 percent compared to 25.7 percent in the year-ago quarter.

Operating expenses were 14.4 percent of sales, slightly less than the year-ago quarter. The company’s operating margin (income from operations divided by net sales) increased to 12.4 percent compared to 10.9 percent in the year-ago quarter due to cost reductions and higher sales.

Interest expense, net was $238,000, compared to $1.8 million in the year ago quarter, due to higher interest income and a higher cash balance in 2006. The company’s effective tax rate was 25.4 percent compared to a normal rate of 36 percent. The lower rate was due to a net tax benefit of $3.8 million, or 8 cents per diluted share, resulting primarily from a reduction in the valuation allowance associated with certain net operating loss carryforwards.

At Dec. 31, 2006, the company had cash of $188 million and debt of $150 million compared to cash of $141 million and debt of $150 million at Dec. 31, 2005. During the quarter, Wabtec completed two acquisitions for a combined $87 million in cash. Wabtec acquired Schaefer Equipment, Inc., the leading manufacturer of forged brake rigging components for freight cars; and Becorit GmbH, a leading manufacturer of technology-based friction products in Europe. Both companies had annual sales of about $30 million each. Also during the quarter, Wabtec repurchased 171,500 shares of company stock at a cost of $5.3 million, as part of a previously announced, $50 million share repurchase program. To date, Wabtec has repurchased about 673,900 shares for $18.9 million under this program.

2007 Outlook Affirmed

Wabtec affirmed its previous guidance for 2007 earnings per diluted share of about $2.10 excluding restructuring expenses of about 5 cents per diluted share, primarily to complete the plan initiated and previously announced in 2006. This represents growth of about 20 percent in earnings per diluted share compared to 2006, on expected sales growth of 10-12 percent for the year.

Neupaver said: “We expect our core markets to remain strong this year, and we will also benefit from the ramp up of several long-term contracts, other strategic growth initiatives, integration of our 2006 acquisitions and our diversified business model. In addition, we are working to improve margins from continued application of the Wabtec Performance System and internal cost improvement programs. Our long-term financial goals are to average annual double-digit growth in sales and earnings per diluted share through the business cycle, and we are continuing to position the company to achieve these goals.”

Wabtec Corporation (http://www.wabtec.com/) is a global provider of value- added, technology-based products and services for the rail industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. The company also builds new switcher and commuter locomotives, and provides aftermarket services.

This release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding the company’s expectations about future earnings. Actual results could differ materially from the results suggested in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause or contribute to these material differences include, but are not limited to, a slowdown in the North American economy; a decrease in freight or passenger rail traffic; an increase in manufacturing costs, especially raw materials; and other factors contained in the company’s regulatory filings, which are herein incorporated by reference. The company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or advise of changes in the assumptions on which they are based.

The company will conduct a conference call with analysts and investors at 10 a.m., eastern time, today. To listen to the call via webcast, please go to http://www.wabtec.com/.

                               WABTEC CORPORATION                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS        FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)                                  (UNAUDITED)                                  Fourth    Fourth     For the       For the                               Quarter   Quarter  Twelve Months Twelve Months                                 2006      2005       2006          2005    Net sales                      $294,420  $270,257  $1,087,620  $1,034,024   Cost of sales                  (215,672) (200,767)   (790,843)   (774,378)     Gross profit                   78,748    69,490     296,777     259,646     Gross profit as a % of Net      Sales                          26.7%     25.7%       27.3%       25.1%    Selling, general and    administrative expenses        (32,703)  (31,248)   (130,294)   (121,696)   Engineering expenses             (8,495)   (7,914)    (32,701)    (32,762)   Amortization expense             (1,134)     (991)     (4,222)     (3,931)     Total operating expenses      (42,332)  (40,153)   (167,217)   (158,389)     SGA as a % of Net Sales         11.1%     11.6%       12.0%       11.8%     Operating expenses as a %      of Net Sales                   14.4%     14.9%       15.4%       15.3%         Income from operations      36,416    29,337     129,560     101,257        Income from operations         as a % of Net Sales         12.4%     10.9%       11.9%        9.8%    Interest income (expense), net     (238)   (1,802)     (1,586)     (8,686)   Other income (expense), net        (132)       15      (1,417)     (3,055)        Income from continuing         operations before income         taxes                      36,046    27,550     126,557      89,516    Income tax expense               (9,143)   (9,637)    (40,063)    (31,831)         Effective tax rate          25.4%     35.0%       31.7%       35.6%         Income from continuing         operations                 26,903    17,913      86,494      57,685    Discontinued operations        (Loss) income from         discontinued operations         (net of tax)                 (661)   (1,612)     (1,690)     (1,909)         Net income                 $26,242   $16,301     $84,804     $55,776      Earnings Per Common Share               Basic        Income from continuing         operations                  $0.56     $0.37       $1.79       $1.23        (Loss) income from         discontinued operations     (0.02)    (0.03)      (0.04)      (0.04)        Net income                   $0.54     $0.34       $1.75       $1.19               Diluted        Income from continuing         operations                  $0.55     $0.37       $1.76       $1.21        (Loss) income from         discontinued operations     (0.02)    (0.03)      (0.03)      (0.04)        Net income                   $0.53     $0.34       $1.73       $1.17    Weighted average shares    outstanding          Basic                     48,367    47,831      48,322      46,845          Diluted                   49,139    48,534      49,108      47,595      Sales by Segment (New Method)   Freight Group                  $174,494  $176,898    $709,353    $677,096   Transit Group                   119,926    93,359     378,267     356,928             Total                $294,420  $270,257  $1,087,620  $1,034,024       Sales by Segment (Old Method)   Freight Group                  $185,738  $188,426    $741,314    $713,748   Transit Group                   108,682    81,831     346,306     320,276             Total                $294,420  $270,257  $1,087,620  $1,034,024  

Wabtec Corporation

CONTACT: Tim Wesley of Wabtec Corporation, +1-412-825-1543,twesley@wabtec.com

Web site: http://www.wabtec.com/

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