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Letter to the Editor

FinishMaster Q1 Net Income Down 11 Percent

"We began 2003 with soft market conditions in the industry as a whole," stated J. A. Lacy, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Inclement weather during January and February in the eastern half of the United States impacted demand for automotive paint and related accessories. Many of our customers' collision repair facilities were closed periodically and their operations disrupted. Slow overall economic conditions also impacted sales, with minor collision damage repair being delayed or cancelled by many automobile owners. We also continue to be impacted by the longer-term trend of a flat to declining vehicular repair environment and productivity improvements in the use of automotive paints by our customers."

The decrease in net income for the quarter compared to the prior year period was a result of lower net sales and gross margin dollars, and higher overall expense levels.

The decline in net sales was due to a decrease in same-store sales of approximately 3.5 percent for the quarter.

Lower gross margin dollars resulted from decreased sales volume and a 30 basis point decline in the margin rate. The deterioration in margin rate was a result of higher shipping and handling costs as a percentage of net sales.

Operating, selling and G&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 50 basis points to 24 percent. Higher costs, principally sales labor and marketing expenses, associated with the Company's efforts to increase sales and market share were the primary causes of this increase in expenses.

Lower effective interest rates resulted in a decrease in interest expense.

Favorable net working capital changes resulted in an $18,052,000 reduction in debt during the quarter.

FinishMaster is a national independent distributor of automotive paints, coatings, and related accessories to the automotive collision repair industry. The company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and operates three major distribution centers and 157 branches in 25 of the 35 largest metropolitan areas in the country.

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