Ingram Micro Reports First Quarter 2003 Results

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 29, 2003 -- Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM), the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2003 (ended March 29, 2003).

Sales for the quarter were $5.47 billion, a decline of 2.5 percent versus sales of $5.62 billion in the year-ago quarter.

First-quarter net income based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) was $10.1 million or $0.07 per diluted share. This compares to a GAAP net loss of $265.4 million in the first quarter of 2002, which was primarily attributable to the company's adoption of a new accounting standard, Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142). Before the cumulative effect of the adoption of this new accounting standard, net income for the first quarter of 2002 was $15.5 million or $0.10 per diluted share.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income excluding major-program costs increased 72 percent over the prior year to $23.2 million or $0.15 per diluted share. Major-program costs of $20.2 million ($13.1 million net of tax) were primarily related to the company's profit-enhancement program announced on Sept. 18, 2002. In the year-ago quarter, net income excluding special items was $13.5 million or $0.09 per diluted share, which excluded reorganization costs of $3.4 million ($2.1 million net of tax) and gains on the sale of securities totaling $6.5 million ($4.1 million net of tax).

"We continue to navigate this tough demand environment with skill and leadership," said Kent B. Foster, chairman and chief executive officer, Ingram Micro Inc. "The flexibility of our operating model is evident. Despite slightly lower sales compared to last year, we've made substantial improvements in our earnings and operating income excluding major-program costs. We delivered sales and earnings excluding major-program costs within the range of guidance we issued in February."

Additional First Quarter Highlights
For additional detail regarding the results outlined below, please refer to the financial statements attached to this news release. Details on major-program costs and special items are also explained later in this release.

• Balance Sheet 12K, Excel
• Consolidated Statement Of Income 20K, Excel
• Consolidated Income From Operations 12K, Excel

Regional Sales

• North American sales were 50 percent of the worldwide total or $2.75 billion, a decline of 11.6 percent versus the year-ago quarter and 6.9 percent sequentially.
• European sales were approximately 35 percent of the total or $1.93 billion, a 9.6 percent increase versus a year ago (but approximately a nine percent decrease in local currencies) and a decrease of 7.0 percent sequentially.
• Sales in the Other International regions (Latin America and Asia-Pacific) were 15 percent of the total or $790 million, an increase of 6.8 percent versus a year ago and a 7.7 percent decline sequentially.

Gross Margin

• On a GAAP basis, the gross margin was flat with the prior year at 5.41 percent.
• Gross margin excluding major-program costs was 5.42 percent, a one basis point improvement over the first quarter a year ago.

Operating Expenses

• On a GAAP basis, total operating expenses were $269.1 million or 4.92 percent of revenues versus $272.8 million or 4.86 percent of revenues in the year-ago quarter. Operating expenses on a GAAP basis were significantly impacted by the major-program costs associated with the company's profit-enhancement program.
• Operating expenses excluding major-program costs were $249.4 million or 4.56 percent of revenues, a reduction of 7.4 percent or 24 basis points versus operating expenses excluding reorganization costs of $269.4 million or 4.80 percent of revenues posted in the year-ago quarter.

Operating Income -- Worldwide

• On a GAAP basis, income from operations was $27.1 million or 0.49 percent of revenues compared to $30.8 million or 0.55 percent of revenues in the year-ago quarter.
• Income from operations excluding major-program costs increased 38 percent or 25 basis points to $47.3 million or 0.86 percent of revenues from income from operations excluding reorganization costs of $34.2 million or 0.61 percent of revenues a year ago.

Operating Income -- North America

• On a GAAP basis, income from operations was $14.9 million or 0.54 percent of revenues versus $23.3 million or 0.75 percent of revenues in the year-ago quarter.
• Operating income excluding major-program costs was $26.8 million or 0.97 percent of revenues, 10 percent and 19 basis points higher than operating income excluding reorganization costs of $24.3 million or 0.78 percent of revenues in the year-ago quarter.

Operating Income -- Europe

• On a GAAP basis, income from operations was $11.4 million or 0.59 percent of revenues versus $12.7 million or 0.72 percent of revenues in the year-ago quarter.
• Operating income excluding major-program costs increased 39 percent or 21 basis points to $19.5 million or 1.01 percent of revenues from operating income excluding reorganization costs of $14.0 million or 0.80 percent of revenues in the year-ago quarter.

Operating Income -- Other International (Latin America and Asia-Pacific)

• On a GAAP basis, income from operations was $805,000 or 0.10 percent of revenues versus an operating loss of $5.2 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Operating income excluding major-program costs was $977,000 or 0.12 percent of revenues, compared with an operating loss excluding reorganization costs of $4.1 million a year ago.

Depreciation and Capital Expenditures

• Total depreciation (including accelerated depreciation of $5.1 million, a component of our major-program costs) was $23.0 million.
• Capital expenditures were approximately $11.5 million.

Balance Sheet Items

• Inventory was $1.49 billion, 1 percent lower than a year ago. Inventory turns and days on hand, at 14 and 26 respectively, were stable sequentially and versus last year.
• Total debt on a GAAP basis was $429 million or 21 percent of capitalization, compared to debt of $348 million or 18 percent of capitalization at the end of last year's first quarter. Including the $72 million associated with the company's off-balance sheet accounts receivable financing programs, total debt on a non-GAAP basis was $501 million, relatively flat with a year ago, with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 23 percent versus 24 percent a year ago.

"Our profit-enhancement efforts are driving our financial improvements," said Thomas A. Madden, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Ingram Micro Inc. "The geographic consolidations implemented last year, along with a strong focus on gross margins, contributed to Europe's 39 percent increase in operating income excluding major-program costs. In North America, the initiatives we implemented over the last few months helped us cut the worldwide expense ratio by 24 basis points (excluding major-program costs) in a soft-demand environment. In our Other International regions, we downsized several of our unprofitable Latin American operations, while Asia-Pacific benefited from our earlier infrastructure investments and experienced strong top-line growth."

Detail on Major-Program Costs and Special Items

Major-program costs for the first quarter totaled $20.2 million before taxes, of which $19.7 million were recorded as operating expenses, including: 1) reorganization costs of $11.9 million primarily for facility consolidations and workforce reductions throughout the world; and 2) $7.8 million of period costs primarily comprised of accelerated depreciation of fixed assets and asset write-offs associated with the planned exit of facilities and outsourcing of our IT infrastructure, relocation and transition costs, and other related costs. In addition, $0.5 million in inventory and losses related to the exit of certain markets were recorded as cost of sales.

Approximately $11.9 million of these costs were directly associated with the profit-enhancement program announced on Sept. 18, 2002. At that time, the company indicated that additional costs in connection with new opportunities may be incurred. In the first quarter, the company incurred an additional $8.3 million primarily in connection with further consolidation of the Nordic areas of Europe, which were not part of the original profit-enhancement program. These actions will lead to additional operating income improvements for the European region toward the end of this year.

For comparison purposes, reorganization costs in the first quarter of 2002 were $3.4 million before taxes, primarily related to facility consolidations and workforce reductions. Additionally in the year-ago quarter, the company posted a $6.5 million (pre-tax) gain on the sale of securities and recorded a one-time, non-cash charge of $280.9 million, net of income taxes, for the cumulative effect of the adoption of a new accounting standard (SFAS 142).

Financial results excluding these costs and items, as well as those including off-balance sheet debt, are considered non-GAAP and are presented as supplemental information to enhance the public's understanding of, and highlight trends in, the company's financial results excluding reorganization costs, major-program costs and special items, as well as other financial metrics such as accounts receivables, days of sales outstanding and total borrowings including off-balance sheet debt. Ingram Micro's management utilizes these non-GAAP financial measures, along with primary GAAP measures, in analyzing and measuring the performance of the company's core operations.

Outlook for the Second Quarter

The following statements are based on the company's current expectations and internal forecasts. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially, as outlined in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the company's forecast for the second quarter ending June 28, 2003, sales are expected to range from $4.9 billion to $5.1 billion, with net income excluding any major-program costs and other special items ranging from $14 million to $19 million, or $0.09 to $0.12 per diluted share.

"Our outlook for the second quarter is influenced by softer demand in North America," said Madden. "Within this environment, we intend to maintain our gross-margin achievements through intelligent, strategic pricing decisions and strong management of vendor programs. Our operations in Europe and the Other International regions are not experiencing similar market dynamics."

The company's net results, required to be reported based on GAAP, will likely differ significantly from this forecast because of major-program costs related to the profit-enhancement program, announced on Sept. 18, 2002, or other actions that may be implemented. The company's major-program costs, and therefore GAAP earnings, in any one quarter cannot be reasonably estimated.

"As the industry leader, we must ensure that IT distribution is appropriately recognized for the value it brings to the supply chain," said Foster. "We have a heritage of doing what is right for our company and our industry, including taking a leadership role in lifting gross margins three years ago. At the same time, we are diligent in generating opportunities for profitable growth and pursuing avenues that will secure our future."

Conference Call and Webcast

Additional information about Ingram Micro's financial results will be presented in a conference call with presentation slides today at 5 p.m. EDT. To listen to the conference call, visit the company's Web site at www.ingrammicro.com/corp (Investor Relations section) or call (888) 455-0750 (toll-free within the United States and Canada) or (630) 395-0024 (other countries) and mention "Ingram Micro." The accompanying presentation slides also will be available at www.ingrammicro.com/corp (Investor Relations section).

The replay of the conference call and presentation slides will be available for one week at www.ingrammicro.com/corp (Investor Relations section) or by calling (800) 678-3180 or (402) 220-3063 outside the United States and Canada.

Cautionary Statement for the Purpose of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The matters in this press release that are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements about future sales levels, margins, restructuring charges, major-program costs, cost savings, operating efficiencies, and profitability, are based on current management expectations that involve certain risks which if realized, in whole or in part, could have a material adverse effect on Ingram Micro's business, financial condition and results of operations, including, without limitation: (1) the company's failure to achieve the objectives of its profit enhancement program as announced in September 2002 or other process or organizational changes, in whole or in part, or delays in implementing components of the program; (2) intense competition, regionally and internationally, including competition from alternative business models, such as manufacturer-to-end-user selling, may lead to reduced prices, lower sales or reduced sales growth, lower gross margins, extended payment terms with customers, increased capital investment and interest costs, bad debt risks and product supply shortages; (3) termination of a supply or services agreement with a major supplier or customer or a significant change in supplier terms or conditions of sale; (4) failure of information systems and/or failure to successfully transition certain components of the company's IT infrastructure to its third-party provider could result in significant disruption to business or additional cost, or may not generate the intended level of cost savings; (5) disruptions in business operations due to reorganization activities; (6) the continuation or worsening of the severe downturn in economic conditions (particularly purchases of technology products) and failure to adjust costs in a timely fashion in response to a sudden decrease in demand; (7) losses resulting from significant credit exposure to reseller customers and negative trends in their businesses; (8) rapid product improvement and technological change and resulting obsolescence risks; (9) possible disruption in commercial activities in Asia-Pacific, Canada and other regions as a result of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); (10) possible disruption in commercial activities caused by terrorist activity or armed conflict, including changes in logistics and security arrangements as a result thereof, and reduced customer demand; (11) dependence on key individuals and inability to retain personnel; (12) reductions in credit ratings and/or unavailability of adequate capital; (13) interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations; (14) adverse impact of governmental controls and actions or political or economic instability could adversely affect foreign operations; (15) failure to attract new sources of business from expansion of products or services or entry into new markets; (16) inability to manage future adverse industry trends; (17) difficulties and risks associated with integrating operations and personnel in acquisitions; (18) future periodic assessments required by current or new accounting standards may result in additional charges; and (19) dependence on independent shipping companies.

Ingram Micro has instituted in the past and continues to institute changes to its strategies, operations and processes to address these risk factors and to mitigate their impact on Ingram Micro's results of operations and financial condition. However, no assurances can be given that Ingram Micro will be successful in these efforts. For a further discussion of significant factors to consider in connection with forward-looking statements concerning Ingram Micro, reference is made to Exhibit 99.01 of Ingram Micro's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2002; other risks or uncertainties may be detailed from time to time in Ingram Micro's future SEC filings. Ingram Micro disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements.

About Ingram Micro Inc.

As the world's leading wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services, Ingram Micro is the best way to get technology from the people who make it to the people who use it. Visit www.ingrammicro.com/corp.