


|


|
Topic
Top news source/blog that we're missing
Why do you recommend this news source?
|
||

WIKI ANALYSIS
|
SPX (NYSE: SPW) manufactures industrial-grade power infrastructure products and specialty diagnostic tools. Its products range from pumps and valves to power transformers and specialty automobile diagnostic tools. SPX targets two end markets in particular: the energy industry (33% of 2007 revenue) and the automotive industry (19.7% of 2007 revenue).[1]
With aging energy infrastructure in the United States, combined with new legislation requiring higher efficiency for energy transmission, electric companies are projected to invest $28 billion in transmission by 2010.[2] SPX's products are used in all aspects of the energy production process -- pumps and pipes for transferring fuel and byproducts, thermal products for regulating temperatures during electricity generation, and power transformers for transmission and distribution.[3] At the same time, SPX earned 81% of its 2007 diagnostic tools revenue from vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, and repair facilities.[4] Since this business is concentrated primarily in North America, its growth fluctuates with changes in the American automobile industry,[5] where new car sales declined 10% year-over-year in the first half of 2008.[6]
Business Overview
Segments
Geographic DistributionSince 2004, SPX has attempted to decrease its reliance on North American markets. Including revenue from recent acquisitions, 51% of 2007 revenue came from outside North America, up from to 30% in 2004.[13] However, Test and Measurement (59% of 2007 revenue from North America) and Industrial Products and Services (81% of 2007 revenue from North America) are still primarily based in North American markets.
| Annual income data, in millions[14] | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3,730 | $4,168 | $4,822 | |
| Cost of Goods Sold | $2,702 | $2,998 | $3,429 | |
| Other Operating Expenses | $764 | $849 | $968 | |
| Operating Income | $264 | $321 | $426 | |
| Net Income | $1,090 | $171 | $294 | |
Trends and Forces
Declining domestic automobile sales have hurt sales of vehicle diagnostic tools.In the first half of 2008, domestic new car sales fell 10.1% year-over-year,[16] leading to a 3% organic decline in sales of SPX's vehicle diagnostic products.[17] These diagnostic tools (sold through the Test and Measurement division) brought in 19.7% of total company revenue in 2007.[18] With 59% of this segment's 2007 revenue generated in North America,[19] its performance depends heavily on conditions in the United States automobile market.[20]
SPX benefits from rising global energy demand, with 33% of 2007 revenue coming from the energy industryWorld Energy Outlook estimates that $22 trillion will be spent on global energy infrastructure development by 2030,[21] 63% of which will occur in developing countries.[22] SPX is positioned to benefit from this anticipated demand increase, with 51% of the 2007 revenue coming from outside North America.[23] Also, SPX's products -- such as pumps, filters, thermal transfer equipment, and transformers -- are used in all levels of power generation and transmission. Finally, SPX's products can be integrated into any form of energy infrastructure, regardless of fuel source.[24]
Aging U.S. energy infrastructure and stricter reliability standards driving heavy transmission investmentAn Edison Electric Institute study stated that electric companies plan to invest over $28 billion in transmission by 2010.[26] The failure rate for an electricity transformer rises sharply 30 years after installation, and the United States' last major investment in transformers occurred in the 1970s, peaking at 185 giga-voltage amperes installed in 1974.[27] As a result, power companies throughout the United States are beginning to replace aging transformer units, which benefits SPX's Waukesha Electric division (8.8% of 2007 revenue).[28] Moreover, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 now mandates the strict enforcement of electricity reliability standards.[29] The threat of severe penalties (up to $1 million per day) for ineffective transmission has prompted power distributors to invest in all aspects of their energy grids, including outdated transformers.[30]
CompetitionFlow Technology[31]
Test and Measurement
Thermal Equipment and Services
Industrial Products and Services
References



| ||||||
