Trimble Reports First QuarterResults.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 1999--

Trimble Navigation Limited (Nasdaq:TRMB) today reported results for the first fiscal quarter ended April 3, 1999.

Revenues for continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 increased approximately 13% to $68,770,000

Revenues from the comparable period of 1998, from continuing operations, were $74,161,000. Net income from continuing operations in the first quarter of 1998 was $4,002,000, or $0.17 per share, diluted.

Operating expenses for the quarter decreased significantly to $31,834,000, or 46% of revenue, from $35,458,000, excluding restructuring, or 58% of revenue, in the immediately preceding quarter. Gross margins in the first quarter 1999 increased to 52%, compared to 45% in the fourth quarter of 1998.

Steven W. Berglund, president and chief executive officer, commented, "As my first opportunity to report our financial results, I am pleased to announce Trimble's return to profitability. Revenues and orders increased in the quarter over the prior quarter, validating both the demand for GPS solutions and Trimble's strength in the marketplace."

"We continue to experience strength in the United States and European markets, and we are pleased to see stronger than expected demand in Asia. During the quarter, we saw an increase in demand for products in our agricultural business, as well as increases in the satellite communications, automotive, and mapping businesses," continued Berglund.

"Trimble has begun to see the benefits of the restructuring programs initiated by Brad Parkinson, who has graciously acted as interim CEO while we have recruited Steve Berglund as the new Company leader," stated Robert Cooper, Chairman of the Board. "We have strengthened our commitment to our core growth markets, and are making substantial progress in recruiting the highest quality senior managers."

To the extent that the matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements, they involve risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

About Trimble

Trimble is a world leader in designing and developing innovative products enabled by GPS technology. The Company provides end-user and OEM solutions for diverse applications including surveying, mapping/GIS, agriculture, mining, military, commercial aviation, automotive, vehicle tracking and timing. Founded in 1978, Trimble now holds more than 200 U.S. patents on GPS and related technology, with over 180 additional patents pending. Located in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has been adding value to GPS since 1984.

For an interactive look at company news and products, visit Trimble's site on the World Wide Web at http://www.trimble.com. -0-

                                Trimble
                 Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (In thousands, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                                            Three Months Ended
                                      April 2,    Jan 1,      April 3,
                                       1999       1999(a)     1998(a)

Total revenue                        $ 68,770    $ 60,653    $ 74,161
Cost of sales                          33,203      33,518      35,835
Gross margin                           35,567      27,135      38,326
Gross margin (%)                         51.7%       44.7%       51.7%

Operating expenses:
  Research and development              8,507      11,047      11,154
  Sales and marketing                  13,304      14,334      15,826
  General and administrative           10,023      10,077       7,064
   Restructuring charges                    0       7,827           0
     Total operating expenses          31,834      43,285      34,044

Operating income (loss) from
 Continuing Operations                  3,733     (16,150)      4,282

Non-operating income (expense):
  Interest income                         691         735       1,043
  Interest and other expenses            (817)     (1,824)       (858)
  Foreign exchange gain                   (61)       (124)         35
     Total non-operating income          (187)     (1,213)        220

Income (loss) before taxes
 from Continuing Operations             3,546     (17,363)      4,502

Income tax provision                      532         350         500

Net income (loss) from
 Continuing Operations                  3,014     (17,713)      4,002

Loss from Discontinued
 Operations (net of tax)             $     --    $     --    $ (2,087)
Estimated loss on disposal
 of Discontinued Operations
 (net of tax)                        $     --    $   (417)   $     --

Net income (loss)                    $  3,014    $(18,130)   $  1,915

Basic net income (loss) per
 share from Continuing Operations    $   0.14    $  (0.80)   $   0.18
Basic net income (loss) per share
 from Discontinued Operations        $     --    $  (0.02)   $  (0.09)
Basic net income (loss) per share    $   0.14    $  (0.82)   $   0.08

Shares used in calculating
 basic net income per share            22,262      22,103      22,780

Diluted net income (loss) per
 share from Continuing Operations    $   0.14    $  (0.80)   $   0.17
Diluted net income (loss) per share
 from Discontinued Operations        $     --    $  (0.02)   $  (0.09)
Diluted net income (loss) per share  $   0.14    $  (0.82)   $   0.08

Shares used in calculating diluted
 net income (loss) per share           22,265      22,103      23,620

(a)  Certain amounts in this period related to certain product lines
     have been reclassified to include amounts in continuing
     operations that were previously included in discontinued
     operations.


                                Trimble
                      Consolidated Balance Sheet
                            (In thousands)
                              (Unaudited)

                                             April 2,       Jan 1,
                                               1999          1999
Assets

Current assets
 Cash and cash equivalents                   $  53,427    $  40,865
 Short term investments                          8,614       16,269
 Accounts and other receivable, net             37,079       33,431
 Inventories                                    34,879       37,166
 Other current assets                            5,042        4,173
   Total current assets of
    Continuing Operations                      139,041      131,904

 Net property and equipment                     15,001       15,104
 Intangible assets                               1,297        1,320
 Deferred income taxes                             408          405
 Other assets                                    8,191        7,546
   Total assets of Continuing Operations       163,938      156,279

   Total Assets                              $ 163,938    $ 156,279

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities
 Current portion of long-term debt           $   1,388    $   1,388
 Accounts payable                               14,418       13,000
 Accrued compensation and benefits               7,837        4,696
 Customer advances                                 997          808
 Accrued liabilities                            27,401       27,898
 Income taxes payable                            2,618        2,158
   Total current liabilities                    54,659       49,948

Non-current portion of long-term
 debt and other liabilities                     31,529       31,640

  Total liabilities                             86,188       81,588

Shareholders' equity
 Common stock                                  121,666      121,501
 Common stock warrants                             700          700
 Retained earnings(deficit)                    (43,704)     (46,718)
 Unrealized gain on investments                     12           19
 Cumulative translation adjustment                (924)        (811)
Total shareholders' equity                      77,750       74,691

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 163,938    $ 156,279