Sun Hydraulics Reports Strong First Quarter Results With Sales of $55 Million and Earnings of $0.41 per Share

SARASOTA, FL -- (Marketwire) -- 05/07/12 -- Sun Hydraulics Corporation (NASDAQ: SNHY) today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2012 as follows:


 (Dollars in millions except net income per share)

                                         March 31,     April 2,
                                              2012         2011    Increase

           Three Months Ended
Net Sales                                $    55.3    $    50.7           9%
Net Income                               $    10.6    $     9.8           8%
Net Income per share:
  Basic                                  $    0.41    $    0.38           8%
  Diluted                                $    0.41    $    0.38           8%


Note: The Company announced a three-for-two stock split, effected in the
 form of a 50% stock dividend, to shareholders of record on June 30, 2011,
 payable on July 15, 2011. All earnings per share and weighted average
 share information reflect the 50% stock dividend.

"First quarter sales and earnings rebounded nicely after a soft fourth quarter," said Allen Carlson, Sun's CEO and president. "Results were driven by strong North American demand, which was responsible for most of the year-over-year first quarter increase in both sales and earnings. Asian and European sales, which decreased in the second half of 2011, rebounded to first quarter 2011 levels. European sales were consistent with last year despite non-recurring sales of about $1.8 million relating to a onetime project in the prior year."

"As we announced in January, we have begun site work for a third factory in Sarasota," Carlson continued. "Total spending for site work and the building in 2012 will be approximately $6 million. The new capacity is expected to be completed in the first half of 2013, with a total expenditure of $16 million. This expansion will provide the infrastructure necessary for Sun's future growth."

"North American demand continues to drive our second quarter forecast," Carlson concluded. "European and Asian demand is expected to be stable in the second quarter. The first half of 2012 will be strong. The 54.8 PMI number announced last week indicates the U.S. manufacturing sector's expansion, in place now for 33 months, is continuing. This signals a good environment for accelerated growth in the second half of 2012."

Outlook

Second quarter 2012 revenues are expected to be approximately $56 million, up approximately 2% from the second quarter of 2011. Earnings per share are estimated to be $0.41 to $0.43, compared to $0.41 in the same period a year ago.

Webcast

Sun Hydraulics Corporation will broadcast its 2012 first quarter financial results conference call live over the Internet at 9:00 A.M. E.T. tomorrow, May 8, 2012. To listen to the webcast, go to the Investor Relations section of www.sunhydraulics.com.

Webcast Q&A

If an individual wishes to ask questions directly during the webcast, the conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-888-278-8471 and using 3117204 as the access code. Questions also may be submitted to the Company via email by going to the Sun Hydraulics website, www.sunhydraulics.com, and clicking on Investor Relations on the top menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on contact email: investor@sunhydraulics.com, which will open an email window to type in your message. Sun management will then answer these and other questions during the Company's webcast. A copy of this earnings release is posted on the Investor Relations page of our website under "Press Releases."

Sun Hydraulics Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds for worldwide industrial and mobile markets. For more information about Sun, please visit our website at www.sunhydraulics.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain oral statements made by management from time to time and certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, because such statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including those in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations, estimates or projections of the Company, its Directors or its Officers about the Company and the industry in which it operates, and assumptions made by management, and include among other items, (i) the Company's strategies regarding growth, including its intention to develop new products; (ii) the Company's financing plans; (iii) trends affecting the Company's financial condition or results of operations; (iv) the Company's ability to continue to control costs and to meet its liquidity and other financing needs; (v) the declaration and payment of dividends; and (vi) the Company's ability to respond to changes in customer demand domestically and internationally, including as a result of standardization. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the anticipated results will occur.

Important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other items, (i) the economic cyclicality of the capital goods industry in general and the hydraulic valve and manifold industry in particular, which directly affect customer orders, lead times and sales volume; (ii) conditions in the capital markets, including the interest rate environment and the availability of capital; (iii) changes in the competitive marketplace that could affect the Company's revenue and/or cost bases, such as increased competition, lack of qualified engineering, marketing, management or other personnel, and increased labor and raw materials costs; (iv) changes in technology or customer requirements, such as standardization of the cavity into which screw-in cartridge valves must fit, which could render the Company's products or technologies noncompetitive or obsolete; (v) new product introductions, product sales mix and the geographic mix of sales nationally and internationally; and (vi) changes relating to the Company's international sales, including changes in regulatory requirements or tariffs, trade or currency restrictions, fluctuations in exchange rates, and tax and collection issues. Further information relating to factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated is included but not limited to information under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and under the heading "Business" and particularly under the subheading, "Business Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands except per share data)

                                                   Three months ended
                                             March 31, 2012   April 2, 2011
                                               (unaudited)     (unaudited)

Net sales                                    $       55,274  $       50,703

Cost of sales                                        33,056          30,761
                                             --------------  --------------

Gross profit                                         22,218          19,942

Selling, engineering and administrative
 expenses                                             6,954           6,031
                                             --------------  --------------

Operating income                                     15,264          13,911

Interest income, net                                   (341)           (163)
Foreign currency transaction gain, net                  (11)            (54)
Miscellaneous income, net                              (125)           (289)
                                             --------------  --------------

Income before income taxes                           15,741          14,417

Income tax provision                                  5,118           4,647
                                             --------------  --------------

Net income                                   $       10,623  $        9,770
                                             ==============  ==============

Basic net income per common share (1)        $         0.41  $         0.38

Weighted average basic shares outstanding
 (1)                                                 25,785          25,547

Diluted net income per common share (1)      $         0.41  $         0.38

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
 (1)                                                 25,834          25,602

Dividends declared per share (1)             $        0.210  $        0.133

(1) The Company announced a three-for-two stock split, effected in the form
 of a 50% stock dividend, to shareholders of record on June 30, 2011,
 payable on July 15, 2011. All per share and weighted average share
 information reflect the 50% stock dividend.


SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

                                                 March 31,     December 31,
                                                    2012           2011
                                                (unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                    $      53,337         51,262
  Restricted cash                                         48             46
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $101 and $83                  21,702         16,227
  Inventories                                         14,199         12,829
  Income taxes receivable                                  -            120
  Deferred income taxes                                  260            260
  Marketable securities                               26,083         21,832
  Other current assets                                 2,000          1,354
                                               -------------  -------------
    Total current assets                             117,629        103,930

Property, plant and equipment, net                    57,367         56,959
Other assets                                           6,491          6,639
                                               -------------  -------------

Total assets                                   $     181,487  $     167,528
                                               =============  =============

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                             $       5,635  $       4,402
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities               4,414          7,466
  Income taxes payable                                 3,964              -
  Dividends payable                                    2,331          2,318
                                               -------------  -------------
    Total current liabilities                         16,344         14,186

Deferred income taxes                                  6,920          6,917
Other noncurrent liabilities                           1,233          1,149
                                               -------------  -------------

    Total liabilities                                 24,497         22,252

Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock                                            26             26
  Capital in excess of par value                      53,480         48,944
  Retained earnings                                  103,599         98,426
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                (115)        (2,120)
                                               -------------  -------------
    Total shareholders' equity                       156,990        145,276
                                               -------------  -------------

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity     $     181,487  $     167,528
                                               =============  =============


SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

                                                      Three months ended
                                                    March 31,     April 2,
                                                       2012         2011
                                                   (unaudited)  (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                         $    10,623  $     9,770
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization                            1,793        1,689
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets                          (21)        (139)
Unrealized foreign exchange gain                           (19)           -
Provision for deferred income taxes                          3            6
Allowance for doubtful accounts                             18           (1)
Stock-based compensation expense                           641          402
(Increase) decrease in, net of acquisition:
  Accounts receivable                                   (5,493)      (3,743)
  Inventories                                           (1,370)      (1,211)
  Income taxes receivable                                  120        1,154
  Other current assets                                    (646)        (667)
  Other assets                                              93         (296)
Increase (decrease) in, net of acquisition:
  Accounts payable                                       1,233        2,265
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities                   701        1,187
  Income taxes payable                                   3,964        3,148
  Other noncurrent liabilities                              84          266
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities               11,724       13,830

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of joint venture                          -        1,451
Capital expenditures                                    (1,786)      (1,111)
Proceeds from dispositions                                  21          140
Purchases of marketable securities                      (4,638)      (1,989)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities                712        1,059
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net cash used in investing activities                   (5,691)        (450)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from stock issued                                 142          133
Dividends to shareholders                               (5,437)      (3,411)
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net cash used in financing activities                   (5,295)      (3,278)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
 equivalents                                             1,337        1,283
                                                   -----------  -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents                                             2,075       11,385

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period          51,262       33,206
                                                   -----------  -----------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period           $    53,337  $    44,591
                                                   ===========  ===========

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid:
  Income taxes                                     $     1,032  $       339
Supplemental disclosure of noncash transactions:
  Common stock issued for shared distribution
   through accrued expenses and other liabilities  $     3,753  $     2,412


                  United                  United
                  States  Korea  Germany  Kingdom Elimination   Consolidated

Three Months
Ended March 31,
 2012
Sales to
 unaffiliated
 customers       $35,620 $5,952 $  7,421 $  6,281 $         -  $      55,274
Intercompany
 sales             9,075      -       23      374      (9,472)             -
Operating income  11,781    706    1,545    1,134          98         15,264
Depreciation       1,325     27       82      218           -          1,652
Capital
 expenditures      1,593     11       17      165           -          1,786

Three Months
Ended April 2,
 2011
Sales to
 unaffiliated
 customers       $30,467 $6,023 $  7,188 $  7,025 $         -  $      50,703
Intercompany
 sales             9,489      -       52      376      (9,917)             -
Operating income   9,976    941    1,740    1,206          48         13,911
Depreciation       1,292     25       99      241           -          1,657
Capital
 expenditures        896    122       45       48           -          1,111

Contact:
Richard K. Arter
Investor Relations
941-362-1200

Tricia Fulton
Chief Financial Officer
941-362-1200

Source: Sun Hydraulics Corporation