NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dorman faces 30-50% downside risk as the company's financial presentation, accounting and limited disclosures obscure the pressures it is facing to grow amidst a slowing and rapidly changing environment.


    --  Revenue Growth Slowing and Overstated: Dorman's Revenue growth has
        slowed from a 13% CAGR (2009 to 2015) to less than 6% in 2016 (adjusted
        for extra week). Analysts expect DORM to continue growing top-line sales
        at 7% which Spruce Point believes to be difficult given its largest
        customers are growing at low single digits and showing signs of decline.
    --  Product Innovation Slowing, Prices Deflating: Unique products introduced
        declined 13% in 2016, the first contraction in years. Piecing together
        clues from DORM's various disclosures, Spruce Point estimates average
        revenue from new part introductions has been in a multiyear decline,
        while its annual R&D spend increases.
    --  Hidden Margin Benefits From Aggressive Capitalization and FX Tailwinds
        Coming To An End: Spruce Point believes DORM's earnings leverage is
        waning as revenue and gross profit from active accounts slowed to low
        single digits in 2016. The weakening of the Chinese Yuan has been a
        hidden tailwind to gross margins in the last three years since DORM
        sources heavily from China/Taiwan. Spruce Point estimates that DORM's
        gross margins benefited by ~350bps cumulatively from 2014-2016 due to
        the Yuan weakening.
    --  Risk/Reward Unattractive at Current Price Levels: DORM is at or
        approaching peak valuation levels for the cycle across multiple metrics.
        Street analysts see just 16% upside and fundamental investors and
        management have been selling into the company's buyback.

The research report can be found on our website at www.sprucepointcap.com/dorman-products-inc and updates will be posted on twitter @sprucepointcap.

Spruce Point Capital has a short position in Dorman Products, Inc. and stands to benefit if its share price falls.

About Spruce Point Capital
 Spruce Point Capital Management, LLC, is a forensic fundamentally-oriented investment manager that focuses on short-selling, value and special situation investment opportunities.

Contact
Sean Donohue
Spruce Point Capital Management
sean.donohue@sprucepointcap.com
212-519-9813

Spruce Point Capital Management, LLC is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, CRD number 288248.

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SOURCE Spruce Point Capital Management, LLC