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8-K - 8-K - INTERLINE BRANDS, INC./DEibiq4fy138-k.htm
Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
February 25, 2014

Interline Brands Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2013 Sales and Earnings Results

Jacksonville, Fla. - February 25, 2014 - Interline Brands, Inc. (“Interline” or the “Company”), a leading distributor and direct marketer of broad-line maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products to the facilities maintenance end-market, reported sales and earnings for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 27, 2013(1).

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2013 Highlights:

Sales increased 20.5% to $390.1 million in the fourth quarter
Adjusted EBITDA increased 20.3% to $32.4 million in the fourth quarter
Sales increased 20.9% to $1,598.1 million in 2013
Adjusted EBITDA increased 9.6% to $133.1 million in 2013
Net debt(2) as of year-end to 2013 Further Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.8x
Total liquidity as of year-end of $153.5 million

Michael J. Grebe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We closed out the year with strong momentum as we achieved our highest quarterly organic sales growth since the third quarter of 2006. I am particularly encouraged by the strength of the market fundamentals that underpinned our growth across all of our facilities maintenance end-markets. In addition, the strategic investments we have made over the past few years to add sales associates in underpenetrated geographies, enhance our technology platforms, and drive scale in our business led to above-market growth in our institutional and multi-family businesses. Given our success with these initiatives, we expect to continue these investments in 2014 to further accelerate our long-term growth rate. We continue to feel very good about our position in the markets we serve, and will remain focused on executing our strategic initiatives to grow national accounts, leverage our investments in talent and technology, and bring more products closer to our customers. Despite some limited weather impact to date in 2014, we enter the year with a great deal of excitement and confidence.”

Fourth Quarter 2013 Results

Sales for the quarter ended December 27, 2013 were $390.1 million, a 20.5% increase compared to sales of $323.7 million for the quarter ended December 28, 2012. On an organic sales basis, sales increased 5.9% for the quarter. Sales to our institutional facilities customers, comprising 50% of sales, increased 40.8% for the quarter, and 6.3% on an organic sales basis. Sales to our multi-family housing facilities customers, comprising 28% of sales, increased 8.6% for the quarter. Sales to our residential facilities customers, comprising 22% of sales, increased 1.4% for the quarter.

Gross profit increased $18.0 million, or 15.3%, to $136.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $117.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased 150 basis points to 34.9% from 36.4% due to the inclusion of JanPak.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased $14.7 million, or 15.4%, to $109.9 million from $95.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses were 28.2% compared to 29.4%, a decrease of 120 basis points. SG&A expenses for the quarter ended December 27, 2013 include approximately $2.7 million of expenses primarily related to our expansion initiatives during the quarter. On an organic basis and excluding distribution center consolidation and restructuring costs, acquisition costs, share-based compensation and litigation related costs, but including the cost of the expansion initiatives, SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased by 50 basis points year-over-year.

Fourth quarter 2013 Adjusted EBITDA of $32.4 million, or 8.3% of sales, increased 20.3% compared to $26.9 million, or 8.3% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2012. Excluding the impact on Adjusted EBITDA of our expansion initiatives of $0.7 million, Adjusted EBITDA would have been $33.1 million.

Kenneth D. Sweder, President and Chief Operating Officer commented, "We remain focused on enhancing our operating scale and efficiency, driving wider and deeper customer penetration, and ultimately, generating higher growth across our business. Our strong fourth quarter results were aided by key investments in our sales team, targeted geographic expansion and national account growth, more cross-selling, focused merchandising and marketing initiatives, and expanded technology and supply chain capabilities. For example, we added over 35 associates in the fourth quarter and over 100 associates throughout 2013 related to our expansion initiatives. A majority of these new associates are part of our sales organization, and we are encouraged




by their initial contributions to our growth and success. We will continue to invest prudently in 2014 to exploit the many opportunities in front of us to enhance our market position and accelerate our growth. During the fourth quarter, we also celebrated the one year anniversary of the JanPak acquisition, which solidified our position as one of the largest national institutional facilities maintenance players in the industry. The integration efforts are going well as we begin to realize the benefits of merchandising synergies, a broader product offering and an expanded geographic footprint.”

Including merger-related expenses as well as increased interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense associated with the previously disclosed acquisition of Interline and litigation related costs, net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $1.2 million compared to net loss of $3.7 million for the fourth quarter of the comparable 2012 period.

Fiscal 2013 Results

Sales for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013 were $1,598.1 million, a 20.9% increase compared to sales of $1,322.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012. On an average organic daily sales basis, sales increased 3.5% for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013. Sales to our institutional facilities customers, comprising 50% of sales, increased 46.2% for the year, and 3.5% on an average organic daily sales basis. Sales to our multi-family housing facilities customers, comprising 30% of sales, increased 4.5% for the year, and 5% on an average daily sales basis. Sales to our residential facilities customers, comprising 20% of sales, increased by 1.7% for the year, and 2.1% on an average daily sales basis.

Gross profit increased $71.0 million, or 14.7%, to $553.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013, compared to $482.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012. As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased 180 basis points to 34.6% from 36.4% in the comparable 2012 period primarily due to the inclusion of JanPak.

SG&A expenses for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013 increased $86.3 million, or 23.3%, to $457.2 million from $370.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses were 28.6% compared to 28.1%, an increase of 50 basis points. SG&A expenses for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013 include a pre-tax charge totaling $21.8 million for litigation related costs (as previously disclosed). On an organic basis and excluding distribution center consolidation and restructuring costs, acquisition costs, share-based compensation and litigation related costs, but including approximately $6.2 million of expense primarily related to our expansion initiatives, SG&A as a percentage of sales was consistent with the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA of $133.1 million, or 8.3% of sales for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013, increased 9.6% compared to $121.5 million, or 9.2% of sales, for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012. Excluding the impact on Adjusted EBITDA of our expansion initiatives of $1.8 million, Adjusted EBITDA would have been $134.9 million.

Including merger-related expenses as well as increased interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense associated with the previously disclosed acquisition of Interline and litigation related costs, net loss for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013 was $6.3 million compared to $15.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012.

Operating Free Cash Flow and Leverage

Cash flow provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013 was $20.8 million compared to $29.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012. Operating Free Cash Flow generated for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013 was $91.2 million compared to $85.9 million during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012.

Michael Grebe commented, “Our capital structure and liquidity position remain in excellent shape with cash and cash equivalents totaling $8 million and excess availability under the asset-based credit facility of $146 million. We also generated another quarter of strong operating cash flow bringing our total for 2013 to $91 million. The combination of our solid balance sheet and strong cash flows provides us the flexibility to continue to invest in and grow our business."

About Interline

Interline Brands, Inc. is a leading distributor and direct marketer with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Interline provides broad-line MRO products to a diversified facilities maintenance customer base of institutional, multi-family housing and residential customers located primarily throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.interlinebrands.com.

Recent releases and other news, reports and information about the Company can be found on the “Investor Relations” page of the Company's website at http://ir.interlinebrands.com/.





Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). Interline's management uses non-US GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-US GAAP financial measures to the comparable US GAAP results available in the accompanying tables.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, forward-looking statements. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals are also forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties involving forward-looking statements include, for example, economic slowdowns, general market conditions, credit market contractions, consumer spending and debt levels, natural or man-made disasters, adverse changes in trends in the home improvement and remodeling and home building markets, the failure to realize expected benefits from acquisitions, material facilities systems disruptions and shutdowns, the failure to locate, acquire and integrate acquisition candidates, commodity price risk, foreign currency exchange risk, interest rate risk, the dependence on key employees and other risks described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Be advised that developments subsequent to this release are likely to cause these statements to become outdated with the passage of time. The Company does not currently intend to update the information provided today prior to its next earnings release.

(1) On September 7, 2012, Interline was acquired (the "Merger") and the Company applied the acquisition method of accounting and established a new basis of accounting on September 8, 2012. Periods presented prior to the Merger represent the operations of the predecessor company (“Predecessor”) and periods presented after the Merger represent the operations of the successor company (“Successor”). To facilitate comparability with prior year periods, the attached financial statements present combined Successor (September 8, 2012 through December 28, 2012) and Predecessor (December 31, 2011 through September 7, 2012) information for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012. We present the combined information to assist readers in understanding and assessing the trends and significant changes in our results of operations on a comparable basis. The combined presentation does not comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, but we believe this combined presentation is appropriate because it provides a more meaningful comparison and more relevant analysis of our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012, compared to the fiscal year ended December 27, 2013, than a presentation of separate historical results for the Predecessor and Successor periods would provide. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a presentation of Predecessor and Successor financial statements.

(2) Net debt of $772.5 million is comprised of long-term debt of $798.3 million plus $0.2 million of capital leases less cash and cash equivalents of $7.7 million and $18.3 million of unamortized fair value premium resulting from the acquisition of Interline.


CONTACT: Lev Cela
PHONE: 904-421-1441





INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 27, 2013 AND DECEMBER 28, 2012
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
December 27,
2013
 
December 28,
2012
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
7,724

 
$
17,505

Accounts receivable - trade (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,595 and $528)
163,798

 
157,487

Inventories
276,341

 
249,551

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
40,936

 
32,984

Income taxes receivable
13,563

 
16,643

Deferred income taxes
15,179

 
17,403

Total current assets
517,541

 
491,573

Property and equipment, net
58,665

 
61,747

Goodwill
486,439

 
486,439

Other intangible assets, net
445,046

 
476,888

Other assets
10,042

 
9,586

Total assets
$
1,517,733

 
$
1,526,233

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
123,915

 
$
113,603

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
69,939

 
49,476

Accrued interest
19,755

 
18,230

Current portion of capital leases
231

 
521

Total current liabilities
213,840

 
181,830

Long-Term Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
145,584

 
167,266

Long-term debt, net of current portion
798,347

 
813,994

Capital leases, net of current portion
10

 
226

Other liabilities
3,099

 
5,447

Total liabilities
1,160,880

 
1,168,763

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock; $0.01 par value, 2,500,000 authorized; 1,478,151 issued and outstanding as of December 27, 2013 and 1,474,465 issued and outstanding as of December 28, 2012
15

 
15

Additional paid-in capital
392,201

 
385,932

Accumulated deficit
(34,784
)
 
(28,444
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(579
)
 
(33
)
Total stockholders' equity
356,853

 
357,470

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,517,733

 
$
1,526,233

 
 
 
 






INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2013 AND DECEMBER 28, 2012
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
390,055

 
$
323,692

 
$
1,598,055

 
$
1,322,345

Cost of sales
254,091

 
205,748

 
1,045,084

 
840,382

Gross profit
135,964

 
117,944

 
552,971

 
481,963

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
109,948

 
95,262

 
457,236

 
370,942

Depreciation and amortization
12,455

 
10,470

 
50,038

 
30,544

Merger related expenses
102

 
1,946

 
1,377

 
58,690

Total operating expenses
122,505

 
107,678

 
508,651

 
460,176

Operating income
13,459

 
10,266

 
44,320

 
21,787

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

 

 

 
(2,214
)
Interest expense
(15,731
)
 
(15,714
)
 
(63,087
)
 
(36,404
)
Interest and other income
331

 
441

 
1,580

 
2,092

Loss before income taxes
(1,941
)
 
(5,007
)
 
(17,187
)
 
(14,739
)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(3,115
)
 
(1,277
)
 
(10,847
)
 
881

Net income (loss)
$
1,174

 
$
(3,730
)
 
$
(6,340
)
 
$
(15,620
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2013 AND DECEMBER 28, 2012
(in thousands)

 
December 27,
2013
 
December 28,
2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(6,340
)
 
$
(15,620
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
50,038

 
30,544

Amortization of deferred lease incentive obligation
(844
)
 
(817
)
Amortization of deferred debt financing costs
3,812

 
2,150

Amortization of OpCo Notes fair value adjustment
(3,147
)
 
(1,006
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

 
2,214

Share-based compensation
5,330

 
25,127

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 
(4,573
)
Deferred income taxes
(19,379
)
 
9,670

Provision for doubtful accounts
1,981

 
1,815

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment
8

 
(208
)
Other
(375
)
 
(632
)
 
 
 
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable - trade
(8,399
)
 
(5,575
)
Inventories
(26,985
)
 
(10,806
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(7,814
)
 
(2,162
)
Other assets
(81
)
 
82

Accounts payable
11,168

 
(1,746
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
18,888

 
(846
)
Accrued interest
1,525

 
12,159

Income taxes
1,686

 
(10,420
)
Other liabilities
(223
)
 
(46
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
20,849

 
29,304

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of Interline Brands, Inc.

 
(825,717
)
Purchases of property and equipment, net
(18,738
)
 
(17,714
)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

 
(85,778
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(18,738
)
 
(929,209
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from equity contributions, net

 
350,886

Increase (decrease) in purchase card payable, net
822

 
(2,551
)
Proceeds from issuance of HoldCo Notes

 
365,000

Proceeds from ABL Facility
124,000

 
217,500

Payments on ABL Facility
(136,500
)
 
(90,000
)
Payment of debt financing costs
(228
)
 
(26,708
)
Payments on capital lease obligations
(506
)
 
(649
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
800

 
1,454

Proceeds from stock options exercised

 
2,188

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 
4,573

Purchases of treasury stock

 
(1,450
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(11,612
)
 
820,243

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(280
)
 
68

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(9,781
)
 
(79,594
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
17,505

 
97,099

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
7,724

 
$
17,505

 
 
 
 



INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2013 AND DECEMBER 28, 2012
(in thousands)


 
December 27,
2013
 
December 28,
2012
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
60,680

 
$
22,446

Income taxes, net of refunds
$
7,313

 
$
1,861

 
 
 
 
Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Non-cash equity contribution from shareholders
$
140

 
$
23,648

Contingent consideration associated with purchase of business
$

 
$
300

Property acquired through lease incentives
$

 
$
93






INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION
THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2013 AND DECEMBER 28, 2012
(in thousands)
Daily Sales Calculations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
 
% Variance
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
 
% Variance
Net sales
 
$
390,055

 
$
323,692

 
20.5
%
 
$
1,598,055

 
$
1,322,345

 
20.9
%
Less acquisitions
 
(47,347
)
 

 
 
 
(234,118
)
 

 
 
Organic sales
 
$
342,708

 
$
323,692

 
5.9
%
 
$
1,363,937

 
$
1,322,345

 
3.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daily sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipping days
 
61

 
61

 
 
 
252

 
253

 
 
Average daily sales(1)
 
$
6,394

 
$
5,306

 
20.5
%
 
$
6,341

 
$
5,227

 
21.3
%
Average organic daily sales(2)
 
$
5,618

 
$
5,306

 
5.9
%
 
$
5,412

 
$
5,227

 
3.5
%
____________________
(1)Average daily sales are defined as sales for a period of time divided by the number of shipping days in that period of time.
(2)Average organic daily sales are defined as sales for a period of time divided by the number of shipping days in that period of time excluding any sales from acquisitions made subsequent to the beginning of the prior year period.

Average organic daily sales is presented herein because we believe it to be relevant and useful information to our investors since it is used by management to evaluate the operating performance of our business, as adjusted to exclude the impact of acquisitions, and compare our organic operating performance with that of our competitors. However, average organic daily sales is not a measure of financial performance under US GAAP and it should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with US GAAP, such as net sales. Management utilizes average organic daily sales as an operating performance measure in conjunction with US GAAP measures such as net sales.





EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Further Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) (GAAP)
 
$
1,174

 
$
(3,730
)
 
$
(6,340
)
 
$
(15,620
)
Interest expense, net
 
15,720

 
15,703

 
63,042

 
36,371

Income tax (benefit) provision
 
(3,115
)
 
(1,277
)
 
(10,847
)
 
881

Depreciation and amortization
 
12,455

 
10,470

 
50,038

 
30,544

EBITDA
 
26,234

 
21,166

 
95,893

 
52,176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merger related expenses
 
102

 
1,946

 
1,377

 
58,690

Share-based compensation
 
1,397

 
2,945

 
5,330

 
6,867

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 

 
2,214

Distribution center consolidations and
   restructuring costs
 
3,707

 
411

 
8,307

 
807

Acquisition-related costs, net
 
28

 
443

 
372

 
706

Litigation related costs
 
917

 

 
21,841

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
32,385

 
$
26,911

 
133,120

 
121,460

Adjusted EBITDA margin
 
8.3
%
 
8.3
%
 
8.3
%
 
9.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impact of straight-line rent expense
 
189

 
235

 
1,024

 
282

Further Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
32,574

 
$
27,146

 
$
134,144

 
$
121,742


We define EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude interest expense, net of interest income; provision (benefit) for income taxes; and depreciation and amortization expense.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted to exclude merger-related expenses associated with the acquisition of the Company by affiliates of GS Capital Partners and P2 Capital Partners; share-based compensation, which is comprised of non-cash compensation arising from the grant of equity incentive awards; loss on extinguishment of debt, which is comprised of gains and losses associated with specific significant financing transactions such as writing off the deferred financing costs associated with our previous asset-based credit facility; distribution center consolidations and restructuring costs, which are comprised of facility closing costs, such as lease termination charges, property and equipment write-offs and headcount reductions, incurred as part of the rationalization of our distribution network, as well as employee separation costs, such as severance charges, incurred as part of a restructuring; acquisition-related costs, which include our direct acquisition-related expenses, including legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses arising from acquisitions, as well as severance charges, stay bonuses, and fair market value adjustments to earn-outs; and litigation related costs associated with the class action lawsuit filed by Craftwood Lumber Company in 2011 and other nonrecurring litigation related costs.

We define Further Adjusted EBITDA as Adjusted EBITDA further adjusted to exclude the non-cash impact on rent expense associated with the effect of straight-line rent expense on leases due to the application of purchase accounting. Further Adjusted EBITDA does not include approximately $3.8 million of estimated cost reduction actions that have been entered into but for which the benefits will not be realized until the following fiscal year, such as purchasing synergies primarily resulting from the JanPak acquisition as well as expected cost savings from various contract renegotiations.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Further Adjusted EBITDA differ from Consolidated EBITDA per our asset-based credit facility agreement for purposes of determining our net leverage ratio and EBITDA as defined in our indentures. We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Further Adjusted EBITDA allow management and investors to evaluate our operating performance without regard to the adjustments described above which can vary from company to company depending upon the acquisition history, capital intensity, financing options and the method by which its assets were acquired. While adjusting for




these items limits the usefulness of these non-US GAAP measures as performance measures because they do not reflect all the related expenses we incurred, we believe adjusting for these items and monitoring our performance with and without them helps management and investors more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period and to those of other companies. Actual results could differ materially from those presented. We believe these items for which we are adjusting are not indicative of our core operating results. These items impacted net income (loss) over the periods presented, which makes direct comparisons between years less meaningful and more difficult without adjusting for them. While we believe that some of the items excluded in the calculation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Further Adjusted EBITDA are not indicative of our core operating results, these items did impact our income statement during the relevant periods, and management therefore utilizes EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Further Adjusted EBITDA as operating performance measures in conjunction with other measures of financial performance under US GAAP such as net income (loss).

Operating Free Cash Flow
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
 
December 27, 2013
 
December 28, 2012
Further Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
32,574

 
$
27,146

 
$
134,144

 
$
121,742

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in net working capital items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
21,528

 
22,283

 
(8,399
)
 
(5,575
)
Inventories
 
(15,217
)
 
(10,229
)
 
(26,985
)
 
(10,806
)
Accounts payable
 
518

 
3,322

 
11,168

 
(1,746
)
Decrease (increase) in net working capital
 
6,829

 
15,376

 
(24,216
)
 
(18,127
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less capital expenditures
 
(4,323
)
 
(4,454
)
 
(18,738
)
 
(17,714
)
Operating Free Cash Flow
 
$
35,080

 
$
38,068

 
$
91,190

 
$
85,901


We define Operating Free Cash Flow as Further Adjusted EBITDA adjusted to include the cash provided (used) by our core working capital accounts, which are comprised of accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable, less capital expenditures. We believe Operating Free Cash Flow is an important measure of our liquidity as well as our ability to meet our financial commitments. We use operating free cash flow in the evaluation of our business performance. However, a limitation of this measure is that it does not reflect payments made in connection with investments and acquisitions. To compensate for this limitation, management evaluates its investments and acquisitions through other return on capital measures.