Company Press Release

Lufkin Industries Reports Third-Quarter Earnings of $0.76 Per Diluted Share

Strong Bookings Drive Growth in Backlog

2005 Earnings Guidance Increased to $2.90 to $3.05 Per Diluted Share

LUFKIN, Texas, October 19 -- Lufkin Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUFK) today announced results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005. Sales for the third quarter were $123.7 million, an increase of 29.1% from $95.8 million for the third quarter of 2004. Net earnings increased 132.7% to $11.3 million for the third quarter of 2005 from $4.9 million for the comparable quarter the prior year. Net earnings per diluted share grew 117.1% to $0.76 for the third quarter of 2005 from $0.35 for the third quarter of 2004. Prior-period financial data in this release reflect the two-for-one stock split effected in April 2005.

Sales for the first nine months of 2005 increased 39.3% to $346.8 million from $248.9 million for the first nine months of 2004. Net earnings rose 189.6% to $29.2 million for the first nine months of 2005 from $10.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. Net earnings per diluted share were $2.00 for the first nine months of 2005, up 174.0% from $0.73 for the first nine months of 2004.

"We are very pleased with Lufkin's third-quarter performance and very thankful to be able to report that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had only a minimal direct impact on facilities in East Texas," said Douglas V. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Lufkin. "We lost about three days of production due to storm preparation and absenteeism following Hurricane Rita. We also estimate that third-quarter revenues were reduced by approximately $5 million because of the storms. For the quarter, however, the Company still produced strong bookings, driving substantial growth in sales for the quarter and an even greater expansion in the Company's backlog. In addition, we continued to benefit from a more stable cost and supply environment than we experienced in 2004 and from increasing operating efficiencies as we expanded production to meet strong demand. The growing operating leverage that resulted from these improvements accounted for our stronger profit margins for the quarter, with net earning as a percentage of sales increasing to 9.1% for the latest quarter from 5.1% for the third quarter last year.

"Our oil field business led our growth for the quarter, with sales increasing 32.5% to $75.8 million and our oil field backlog expanding 53.5% to $72.7 million. Consistent with our experience throughout 2005, demand remained strong for our pumping units for use in both oil and gas applications and in both domestic and international markets. To meet this demand, we are steadily expanding production in our facilities in Lufkin, as well as in Argentina and Canada. Oil field sales for the third quarter also reflect continued significant growth in our oil field automation and services business, as high energy demand generates an increasing focus on improving the productivity of existing wells. In addition, our foundry again operated at nearly full capacity for the quarter due to increased internal demand and to greater commercial demand for metal castings. Oil field sales declined 0.6% from the second quarter of 2005, while the backlog rose 10.5% from the end of the second quarter of 2005.

"Sales for the power transmission business increased 29.2% to $25.1 million for the third quarter of 2005 from the third quarter of 2004 and 1.4% from the second quarter of 2005. We have continued to be pleased with the strength of the domestic industrial markets throughout 2005, which employ our low speed gears. As the year has progressed, we have also benefited from increased demand for high speed gears, especially for applications in the energy and power generation markets in the U.S. and abroad. Stronger economic growth and high energy demand have also driven stronger results in our power transmission repair and service business. Reflecting the improved momentum throughout our power transmission businesses, our backlog increased 68.6% to $64.6 million at the end of the third quarter of 2005 from the same time in 2004, while growing 7.4% from the end of the second quarter of 2005.

"The trailer division produced 18.9% growth in sales for the third quarter to $22.7 million from $19.1 million for the third quarter last year. In addition, sales rose 9.8% compared sequentially with sales for the second quarter of 2005. This growth reflected firm demand for trailer products such as flatbed and dump trailers during the third quarter, although van trailer sales remained less robust. While the trailer backlog increased 87.7% to $28.1 million at the end of the third quarter of 2005 from the end of the third quarter of 2004, rising fuel prices contributed to an 11.3% reduction in the backlog from the end of the second quarter of 2005."

Based on Lufkin's better-than-expected performance for the first nine months of 2005, its total backlog of $165.4 million at the end of the third quarter and its outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company today increased its guidance for earnings per diluted share for 2005 to a range of $2.90 to $3.05 from a range of $2.45 to $2.70. The Company also established its guidance for earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2005 in a range of $0.90 to $1.05, compared with $0.31 for the fourth quarter of 2004.

Mr. Smith concluded, "We remain confident about Lufkin's prospects for further profitable growth, in spite of the challenges presented by volatile energy markets, the aftermath of the hurricanes, ongoing procurement issues and our efforts to drive increased operating efficiencies, even as we expand capacity. In addition to our solid backlog, our confidence is supported by strong energy markets and continued domestic economic growth. As a leader in our markets, and with the demonstrated management and financial resources to implement our growth strategies, we believe Lufkin is well positioned to achieve its objectives for 2005."

Lufkin will discuss its results for the third quarter in a teleconference call today at 9:00 a.m. (central time). To listen to the call, participants should dial (913) 981-5559 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay will be available from 12:00 p.m. (central time) October 19, through 7:00 p.m. (central time) October 26, 2005, by dialing (719) 457-0820 and entering reservation number 9544109.

This release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to certain events and are subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) oil prices, (ii) capital spending levels of oil producers, (iii) availability and prices for raw materials and (iv) general industry and economic conditions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and information.

Lufkin Industries, Inc. sells and services oil field pumping units, foundry castings, power transmission products and highway trailers throughout the world. The Company has vertically integrated all vital technologies required to design, manufacture and market its products.

                           LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             Financial Highlights
                    (In thousands, except per share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                            Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                               September 30,             September 30,
                            2005         2004         2005         2004

    Sales                 $123,681      $95,766     $346,757     $248,923
    Cost of sales           95,292       78,744      267,893      204,815
    Gross profit            28,389       17,022       78,864       44,108
    Selling, general and
     administrative
     expenses               10,962        9,438       33,307       28,027
    Operating income        17,428        7,584       45,557       16,081
    Interest and other
     income (expense),
     net                       249            5           36         (215)
    Earnings before
     income taxes           17,677        7,589       45,593       15,866
    Income tax provision     6,364        2,728       16,413        5,791
    Net earnings           $11,313       $4,861      $29,180      $10,075

    Net earnings per share:
       Basic                 $0.78        $0.36        $2.04        $0.75
       Diluted               $0.76        $0.35        $2.00        $0.73
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding
       Basic                14,537       13,602       14,269       13,477
       Diluted              14,887       13,946       14,587       13,826
    Cash dividends per
     share                   $0.09        $0.09        $0.27        $0.27



                           LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
                           Balance Sheet Highlights
                            (Thousands of dollars)

                                                   Sept. 30,      December 31,
                                                      2005            2004

     Current assets                                 $183,268       $136,336
     Total assets                                    348,722        300,269
     Current liabilities                              56,619         49,105
     Shareholders' equity                            246,902        208,932
     Working capital                                 126,649         87,231



                           LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             Division Performance
                                (In thousands)

                               Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                 September 30,             September 30,
                               2005         2004         2005        2004
    Sales:
      Oil field              $75,832      $57,220     $214,751     $151,212
      Power transmission      25,138       19,451       72,174       55,322
      Trailer                 22,711       19,095       59,832       42,389
         Total              $123,681      $95,766     $346,757     $248,923


                                         Sept. 30,     June 30,    Sept. 30,
                                           2005          2005         2004
    Backlog:
      Oil field                           $72,725      $65,805      $47,366
      Power transmission                   64,633       60,167       38,333
      Trailer                              28,065       31,631       14,954
         Total                           $165,423     $157,603     $100,653