Expansion Enhances Linamar’s Prospects

Article Excerpt

LINAMAR CORP. $17 (Toronto symbol LNR; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 69.8 million; Market cap: $1.2 billion; SI Rating: Speculative) is Canada’s second-largest maker of automobile parts after Magna International Inc. Major customers include General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Caterpillar. Linamar is positioned to benefit from the increasing sophistication and technological content of cars and trucks. Investments in new facilities have also helped it win contracts with carmakers. Non-auto businesses help cut risk The company is making progress with its plan to reduce its reliance on the auto industry, which supplies 85% of its revenue. It owns Skyjack, a leading maker of self-propelled, scissor-type elevating work platforms. Linamar is now applying its precision manufacturing expertise to other industries, such as machinery for the mining and oil exploration markets. Linamar’s revenue rose from $1.3 billion in 2002 to $2.3 billion in 2006. Restructuring costs cut earnings from $0.91 a share (total $64.1 million) in 2002 to $0.68 a share ($48.1 million)…