Linamar survived — and thrived

Article Excerpt

LINAMAR CORP. $20 (Toronto symbol LNR; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 64.7 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.6; Dividend yield: 1.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.linamar.com) makes transmission and driveline systems for carmakers in North America, Europe and Asia. Other products include engines and self-propelled, scissor-type elevating work platforms, which it sells under the Skyjack name. The stock fell to $2 in March 2009, as the credit crisis and recession cut new car sales. Linamar responded with a restructuring, including layoffs. That helped it profit as car demand rebounded. Linamar also attracted new clients as some of its weaker competitors went out of business. In the three months ended March 31, 2011, Linamar’s sales rose 32.2%, to $675.2 million from $510.7 million a year earlier. Most of the gain was due to a 27.8% sales increase at the powertrain/driveline division (which accounted for 90% total sales). Sales at the industrial products division (10% of sales)…