Mobile Solutions

Fourth quarter 2009 Mobile Solutions revenue was $38.0 million, down approximately 5 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily due to churn among smaller accounts that were impacted by the economic environment throughout the year.  

For the full year 2009 Mobile Solutions revenue was $154.9 million, down approximately 7 percent as compared to 2008 primarily due to reduced sales of ready mix products for construction.

Operating income in Mobile Solutions for the fourth quarter 2009 was $4.2 million, or 11.0 percent of revenue, as compared to $3.3 million, or 8.3 percent of revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Non-GAAP operating income in Mobile Solutions was $5.2 million, or 13.7 percent of revenue, as compared to $4.5 million, or 11.2 percent of revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2008 due to cost reductions.  

Operating income in Mobile Solutions for the full year 2009 was $14.3 million, or 9.3 percent of revenue, as compared to $11.3 million, or 6.8 percent of revenue, in 2008.  For the full year 2009 non-GAAP operating income in Mobile Solutions was $18.6 million, or 12.0 percent of revenue, as compared to $16.1 million, or 9.6 percent of revenue, in 2008.  Improvements in the non-GAAP operating margin are primarily due to improving operational efficiency.

Advanced Devices

Fourth quarter 2009 Advanced Devices revenue was $28.1 million, up approximately 3 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.  

Full year 2009 Advanced Devices revenue was $101.0 million, down approximately 16 percent as compared to 2008 due to reduced sales of embedded and aerial survey products.  

Operating income in Advanced Devices for the fourth quarter 2009 was $3.6 million, or 12.8 percent of revenue, as compared to $6.3 million, or 23.3 percent of revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Non-GAAP operating income in Advanced Devices was $4.1 million, or 14.7 percent of revenue, as compared to $6.7 million, or 24.7 percent of revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2008.  

Operating income in Advanced Devices for the full year 2009 was $17.2 million, or 17.0 percent of revenue, as compared to $24.4 million, or 20.4 percent of revenue, in 2008.  For the full year 2009 non-GAAP operating income in Advanced Devices was $18.8 million, or 18.6 percent of revenue, as compared to $25.8 million, or 21.6 percent of revenue, in 2008.  The reduction in non-GAAP operating margin was due primarily to reduced revenue and product mix.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To help our readers understand our past financial performance and our future results, we supplement the financial results that we provide in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, with non-GAAP financial measures. The specific non-GAAP measures which we use along with a reconciliation to the nearest comparable GAAP measures and the explanation for why management chose to exclude selected items and the additional purposes for which these non-GAAP measures are used can be found at the end of this release. The method we use to produce non-GAAP results is not computed according to GAAP and may differ from the methods used by other companies. Our non-GAAP results are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our management regularly uses our supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business, and to make operating decisions. These non-GAAP measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. Management generally compensates for the limitations in the use of non-GAAP financial measures by relying on comparable GAAP financial measures and providing investors with a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure or measures. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP results, which is attached to this earnings release.  Additional financial information about our use of non-GAAP results can be found on the investor relations page of our Web site at http://investor.trimble.com.

Forward Looking Guidance

For the first quarter of 2010 Trimble expects revenue between $308 million and $313 million, with GAAP earnings per share of $0.19 to $0.21 and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.30 to $0.32. Non-GAAP guidance for the first quarter of 2010 excludes the amortization of intangibles of $14.0 million related to previous acquisitions and the anticipated impact of stock-based compensation expense of $4.9 million. Both GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share assume a 27 to 29 percent tax rate and 123.5 million shares outstanding.  

Investor Conference Call / Webcast Details

Trimble will hold a conference call on Feb. 2, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. PT to review its fourth quarter 2009 results. It will be broadcast live on the Web at http://investor.trimble.com.  Investors without Internet access may dial into the call at (800) 528-9198 (U.S.) or (706) 634-6089 (international).  A replay of the call will be available for seven days at (800) 642-1687 (U.S.) or (706) 645-9291 (international) and the pass code is 51195518. The replay will also be available on the Web at the address above.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information visit Trimble's Web site at www.trimble.com.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include expectations for future financial market and economic conditions, the ability to deliver the operating margins, revenue, and earnings per share that Trimble has guided for the first quarter and full year 2010, changes in tax-rate, the anticipated impact of stock-based compensation expense and the amortization of intangibles related to previous acquisitions.  These forward-looking statements are subject to change, and actual results may materially differ from those set forth in this press release due to certain risks and uncertainties. If the current economic conditions in the U.S. and Europe worsen or do not improve it may negatively impact our customers' purchasing decisions worldwide, including in emerging markets. In addition, the Company's results may be adversely affected if the Company is unable to market, manufacture, and ship new products.  Any weakening of our accounts receivable or write-off of goodwill could also impair our financial results. Any failure to achieve predicted results could negatively impact the Company's revenues, cash flow from operations, and other financial results. The Company's financial results will also depend on a number of other factors, including the risks detailed from time to time in reports filed with the SEC, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10- K. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement contained herein, especially in light of greater uncertainty than normal in the economy in general. These statements reflect the Company's position as of the date of this release. The Company expressly disclaims any undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any statements to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change of events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.