WAUKEGAN, Ill., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Coleman Cable, Inc. (Bloomberg tickers: Equity 502222Z and Bond COLCAB) today announced double-digit net sales and operating income growth in its record year ended December 31, 2004.

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $285.8 million compared to $233.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $52.2 million, or 22.4%. The increase in net sales was due to continued market penetration and higher selling prices driven by significant increases in the cost of raw materials, primarily copper. Growth remained relatively consistent across all product categories and markets.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $19.2 million compared to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $2.6 million, or 15.7%. The increase in operating income was due primarily to the increased sales volume, enhanced gross margins and 2004 cost control initiatives such as the realignment of distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.

"Our business platform, serving a multitude of end markets with a highly diversified product offering, continues to provide opportunities for ongoing market penetration. Our 2004 results benefited from the acquisition of new customers, the continued development of our existing account base, and the solid execution of our cost containment initiatives," said President and CEO Gary Yetman.

In 2004 we undertook a comprehensive debt refinancing which we completed on September 28th. In connection with this refinancing, we recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $13.9 million and paid special cash and stock bonuses of $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. This debt refinancing resulted in a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 of $9.0 million compared to net income of $5.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2003.

Coleman Cable is a leading designer, developer, manufacturer and supplier of electrical wire and cable products in the United States.

Additional information on Coleman Cable can be found on our Web site at: http://www.colemancable.com/ .

This news release may contain forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Please see the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in our most recent Annual Report for a discussion of certain important factors that relate to forward-looking statements contained in this release.

CONTACT: Richard Burger of Coleman Cable, Inc., +1-847-672-2309

Web site: http://www.colemancable.com/