COLMAR, Pa. – Dorman Products announced sales for the third quarter ended Sept. 28, 2013, of $178 million, an increase of 14 percent from $156.4 million in the third quarter of 2012. The company also announced income from continuing operations of $22.9 million, or 62 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter, up 16 percent from the prior year’s income from continuing operations of $19.8 million, or 54 cents per diluted share.
 
"Strong demand for our products, including those introduced in the past 24 months, resulted in the 14 percent sales increase during the third quarter," said Steven Berman, chairman and CEO. "We are especially pleased with this strong sales increase in light of the fact that sales growth in the third quarter of 2012 was 20 percent."
 
For the nine months ended Sept. 28, 2013, sales increased 14 percent over the prior year period to $494.7 million from $435.4 million last year. Income from continuing operations in 2013 increased 20 percent to $61.3 million from $51.2 million in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2013 rose 19 percent to $1.67 from $1.40 in the same period last year. Research and development spending for the year increased 22 percent to $9.5 million from $7.8 million last year.
 
"We continue to make investments in new product development activities to allow future growth opportunities for us and our customers. We are very excited about the launch of our Dorman Hybrid initiative. Early customer and end-user feedback on the initiative has been positive," said Berman. "Our booth at November’s Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX) will provide a showcase for many of our latest new-to-the-aftermarket parts, including our Hybrid Drive Batteries. As with prior years at AAPEX, everything at the Dorman booth will be new – giving our customers the opportunity to see highlights of the over 2,700 new parts we have released in 2013."