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8-K - 8-K - Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.ssd0220148kpressrelease.htm


Exhibit 99.1        Press Release dated July 24, 2014

SIMPSON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: SSD) today announced its second quarter 2014 results.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014, Compared with the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013

Overview

Net sales increased 6.4% to $207.9 million for the second quarter of 2014 from $195.3 million for the second quarter of 2013. The Company had net income of $20.5 million for the second quarter of 2014 compared to $18.5 million for the second quarter of 2013. Diluted net income per common share was $0.42 for the second quarter of 2014 compared to $0.38 per common share for the second quarter of 2013.

Net sales

In the second quarter of 2014, the Company's net sales increased in the North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, with North America reporting the largest increase in dollars. North America and Europe sales benefited from improved economic activity.

Segment net sales:
North America – Net sales increased 5.5% in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to increased sales volumes, partly offset by slightly lower average selling prices and the effects of foreign currency translations.
Europe – Net sales increased 9.1% in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013, mostly due to increased sales volumes and the effects of foreign currency translations, partly offset by lower average selling prices.

Consolidated net sales channels and product groups:
Net sales to contractor distributors, dealer distributors and lumber dealers increased in the second quarter of 2014, compared to the second quarter of 2013, while home center sales decreased compared to the same period in 2013.
Wood construction product sales, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, represented 85% of total Company sales in the second quarter of each of 2014 and 2013.
Concrete construction product sales, including adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials, represented 15% of total Company sales in the second quarter of each of 2014 and 2013.

Gross profit

Gross profit increased to $95.9 million in the second quarter of 2014 from $89.2 million in the second quarter of 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 46.1% in the second quarter of 2014 from 45.6% in the second quarter of 2013.

North America – Gross profit margin increased to 47.9% in the second quarter of 2014 from 47.6% in the second quarter of 2013, as a result of decreases as a percentage of sales in material and labor costs. The decreases were partly offset by increases as a percentage of sales in factory overhead, primarily due to an atypical $2.9 million charge that resulted from the Company's withdrawal from a multi-employer union-based defined-benefit pension plan.
Europe – Gross profit margin increased to 40.5% in the second quarter of 2014 from 39.2% in the second quarter of 2013, as a result of decreases as a percentage of sales in factory overhead on increased volumes and in shipping costs, partly offset by increases as a percentage of sales in material and labor costs.
Product mix – The gross profit margin differential between wood construction products and concrete construction products, which have lower gross profit margins, was 13% and 9% in the second quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2013, respectively. This negatively affected gross margin in North America, with concrete construction products at 13% of North America net sales in the second quarter of each of 2014 and 2013, and in Europe, with concrete construction products at 19% and 20% of Europe net sales in the second quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively.


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Research and development and engineering expense

Research and development and engineering expense increased 6.4% to $10.1 million in the second quarter of 2014 from $9.5 million in the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $0.2 million in cash profit sharing and $0.1 million in each of stock-based compensation, personnel costs, software development costs and professional fees. Software development costs of $1.3 million were capitalized in the second quarter of 2014 compared to no software development costs capitalized in the second quarter of 2013.

North America – Research and development and engineering expense increased $0.6 million, primarily due to increases of $0.2 million in cash profit sharing and $0.1 million in each of stock-based compensation and professional fees.

Selling expense

Selling expense increased 11.8% to $24.2 million in the second quarter of 2014 from $21.7 million in the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $1.0 million in personnel costs, $1.0 million in professional fees, $0.5 million in promotional costs and $0.2 million in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in cash profit sharing and commissions.

North America – Selling expense increased $2.2 million, primarily due to increases of $0.9 million in personnel costs related to the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, $0.9 million in professional fees, $0.6 million in promotional costs and $0.2 million in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in cash profit sharing and commissions.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense increased 4.0% to $29.5 million in the second quarter of 2014 from $28.3 million in the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $0.7 million in cash profit sharing, $0.6 million in personnel costs, $0.3 million in depreciation expense and $0.1 million in each of professional fees and phone and computer expense, partly offset by a $0.4 million decrease in amortization expense.

North America – General and administrative expense increased $1.4 million, primarily due to increases of $0.4 million in cash profit sharing, $0.3 million in personnel costs related to the addition of administrative and information technology staff and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, $0.3 million in professional fees, $0.3 million in depreciation and $0.2 million in phone and computer expense, partly offset by a $0.6 million decrease in amortization expense.
Europe – General and administrative expense decreased by $0.2 million, primarily due to decreases of $0.3 million in stock-based compensation and $0.1 million in professional fees, partly offset by an increase of $0.5 million in cash profit sharing.
Administrative and all other – General and administrative expense decreased by $0.4 million, primarily due to decreases of $0.2 million in cash profit sharing and $0.1 million in professional fees.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rate in the second quarter of 2014 was 36.3% compared to 37.7% in the second quarter of 2013. The effective income tax rate was lower primarily due to reduced second quarter 2014 operating losses in the Europe and Asia/Pacific segments for which no tax benefit was recorded.


Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014, Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

Overview

Net sales increased 7.6% to $376.2 million in the first half of 2014 from $349.6 million in the first half of 2013. The Company had net income of $32.5 million in the first half of 2014 compared to $23.3 million in the first half of 2013. Diluted net income per common share was $0.66 in the first half of 2014 compared to $0.48 per common share in the first half of 2013.

Net sales

In the first half of 2014, the Company's net sales increased in the North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, with North America reporting the largest increase in dollars, primarily due to increased sales volumes. North America and Europe sales benefited from improved economic activity.


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Segment net sales:
North America – Net sales increased 6.3% in the first half of 2014, compared to the first half of 2013, primarily due to increased sale volumes, partly offset by slightly lower average selling prices and the effects of foreign currency translations.
Europe – Net sales increased 12.0% in the first half of 2014 compared to the first half of 2013, mostly due to increased sales volumes and the effects of foreign currency translations, partly offset by lower average selling prices.

Consolidated net sales channels and product groups:
Net sales to contractor distributors, dealer distributors and lumber dealers increased in the first half of 2014, compared to the first half of 2013, while home center sales decreased compared to the same period in 2013.
Wood construction product sales, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, represented 85% of total Company sales in the first half of each of 2014 and 2013.
Concrete construction product sales, including adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials, represented 15% of total Company sales in the first half of each of 2014 and 2013.

Gross profit

Gross profit increased to $173.7 million in the first half of 2014 from $153.9 million in the first half of 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 46.2% in the first half of 2014 from 44.0% in the first half of 2013. Based on current information, the Company estimates that its full year 2014 gross profit margin will be between 44% and 46%.

North America – Gross profit margin increased to 48.4% in the first half of 2014 from 46.3% in the first half of 2013, as a result of decreases as a percentage of sales in all elements of costs, with the largest decreases as a percentage of sales in materials and in factory overhead elements on increased volumes. In the first half of 2014, the gross profit margin was affected by an atypical $2.9 million pension charge that resulted from the Company's withdrawal from a multi-employer union-based defined-benefit pension plan, partly offset by an atypical $2.5 million correction to workers' compensation expense in states where the Company is not self-insured.
Europe – Gross profit margin increased to 38.2% in the first half of 2014 from 35.5% in the first half of 2013, as a result of decreases as a percentage of sales in factory overhead on increased volumes, shipping and warehouse costs, as well as material costs.
Product mix – The gross profit margin differential between wood construction products and concrete construction products, which have lower gross profit margins, was 14% and 11% in the first half of 2014 and in the first half of 2013, respectively. This negatively affected gross margins in North America, with concrete construction products representing 13% of North America net sales in the first half of each of 2014 and 2013, and in Europe, with concrete construction products at 16% and 17% of Europe net sales in the first half of 2014 and first half of 2013, respectively.
Steel prices – Steel prices have increased slightly from March 2014. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the market price for steel to increase during the second half of 2014.

Research and development and engineering expense

Research and development and engineering expense increased 11.3% to $19.8 million in the first half of 2014 from $17.8 million in the first half of 2013, primarily due to increases of $1.1 million in professional fees and $0.6 million in cash profit sharing. Software development costs of $1.7 million were capitalized in the first half of 2014 compared to no software development costs capitalized in the first half of 2013.

North America – Research and development and engineering expense increased $1.5 million, primarily due to increases of $0.8 million in professional fees, mostly for patent development and product testing, and $0.6 million in cash profit sharing.
Europe – Research and development and engineering expense increased $0.4 million, primarily due to an increase in professional fees.

Selling expense

Selling expense increased 7.0% to $46.0 million in the first half of 2014 from $43.0 million in the first half of 2013, primarily due to increases of $1.3 million in professional fees, $1.3 million in personnel costs and $0.6 million in cash profit sharing and commissions.


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North America – Selling expense increased $2.3 million, primarily due to increases of $1.2 million in professional fees and $1.0 million in personnel costs related to the addition of staff in support of product and software development and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014.
Europe – Selling expense increased $0.5 million, primarily due to increases of $0.4 million in personnel costs and $0.1 million in professional fees.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense increased 3.8% to $56.4 million in the first half of 2014 from $54.4 million in the first half of 2013, primarily due to increases of $2.5 million in cash profit sharing, $1.3 million in personnel costs, $0.4 million in professional fees and $0.4 million in depreciation expense, partly offset by a $1.0 million impairment of fixed assets in the first half of 2013, which did not occur in the first half of 2014, and decreases of $0.8 million in net foreign currency loss and $0.3 million in amortization expense.

North America – General and administrative expense increased $3.7 million, primarily due to increases of $1.4 million in cash profit sharing, $0.7 million in personnel costs related to the addition of administrative and information technology staff and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, $0.6 million in depreciation expense, $0.4 million in professional fees and $0.3 million in foreign currency losses, partly offset by a $0.6 million decrease in amortization expense.
Europe – General and administrative expense decreased by $1.6 million, primarily due to $1.0 million in impairment of fixed assets and decreases of $0.5 million in stock-based compensation, $0.3 million in professional fees and $0.2 million in depreciation expenses, as well as a $0.7 million decrease in foreign currency losses, partly offset by increases of $0.7 million in cash profit sharing and $0.4 million in personnel costs.
Administrative and all other – General and administrative expense decreased slightly, primarily due to an decrease of $0.3 million in foreign currency losses, partly offset by an increase of $0.3 million in cash profit sharing. Effective 2014, the Company reports rent revenue, mostly associated with its property in Vacaville, California, in general and administrative expense. Rent revenue in the first half of each of 2014 and 2013 was $0.5 million.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rate in the first half of 2014 was 37.2% compared to 39.8% in the first half of 2013. The effective income tax rate was lower due to reduced first half 2014 operating losses in the Europe and Asia/Pacific segments for which no tax benefit was recorded. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company estimates that its 2014 effective tax rate will be between 37% and 39%.

Additional information

At its meeting on July 21, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share. The record date for the dividend will be October 2, 2014, and it will be paid on October 23, 2014.

Investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to join the Company’s conference call on Friday, July 25, 2014, at 6:00 am Pacific Time. To participate, callers may dial 866-952-1907. The call will be webcast simultaneously as well as being available for one month through a link on the Company’s website at www.simpsonmfg.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements, based on numerous assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties, such as statements above regarding steel prices and estimating full year 2014 gross profit margin and the 2014 effective tax rate. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it does not and cannot give any assurance that its beliefs and expectations will prove to be correct. Many factors could significantly affect the Company's operations and cause the Company's actual results to differ substantially from the Company's expectations. Those factors include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic and construction business conditions; (ii) customer acceptance of the Company's products; (iii) relationships with key customers; (iv) materials and manufacturing costs; (v) the financial condition of customers, competitors and suppliers; (vi) technological developments; (vii) increased competition; (viii) changes in capital and credit market conditions; (ix) governmental and business conditions in countries where the Company's products are manufactured and sold; (x) changes in trade regulations; (xi) the effect of acquisition activity; (xii) changes in the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions; and (xiii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested by any forward-looking statements in this document. The Company does not have an obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.



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The Company's results of operations (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
207,893

 
$
195,348

 
$
376,198

 
$
349,628

Cost of sales
111,993

 
106,176

 
202,518

 
195,736

Gross profit
95,900

 
89,172

 
173,680

 
153,892

Research and development and engineering expenses
10,094

 
9,484

 
19,794

 
17,792

Selling expenses
24,213

 
21,652

 
46,032

 
43,024

General and administrative expenses
29,494

 
28,347

 
56,435

 
54,382

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(34
)
 
11

 
(319
)
 
3

Income from operations
32,133

 
29,678

 
51,738

 
38,691

Interest (expense) income, net
(15
)
 
1

 
71

 
40

Income before taxes
32,118

 
29,679

 
51,809

 
38,731

Provision for income taxes
11,667

 
11,177

 
19,271

 
15,434

Net income
$
20,451

 
$
18,502

 
$
32,538

 
$
23,297

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.42

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.66

 
$
0.48

Diluted
0.42

 
0.38

 
0.66

 
0.48

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
49,011

 
48,529

 
48,955

 
48,532

Diluted
49,227

 
48,628

 
49,146

 
48,627

Other data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
7,102

 
$
7,290

 
$
14,785

 
$
14,777

Pre-tax impairment of assets

 

 

 
1,025

Pre-tax equity-based compensation expense
3,544

 
3,023

 
6,201

 
6,001

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividend declared per common share
$
0.140

 
$
0.125

 
$
0.265

 
$
0.125



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The Company's financial position (unaudited) as of June 30, 2014 and 2013, and December 31, 2013, was as follows:
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
Cash and short-term investments
 
$
221,196

 
$
165,275

 
$
251,208

Trade accounts receivable, net
 
137,803

 
126,888

 
90,017

Inventories
 
219,036

 
196,247

 
197,728

Assets held for sale
 

 
586

 

Other current assets
 
26,128

 
21,339

 
29,153

Total current assets
 
604,163

 
510,335

 
568,106

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
206,563

 
209,544

 
209,533

Goodwill
 
129,231

 
122,678

 
129,218

Other noncurrent assets
 
43,377

 
54,428

 
46,756

Total assets
 
$
983,334

 
$
896,985

 
$
953,613

Trade accounts payable
 
$
27,119

 
$
29,579

 
$
34,933

Notes payable and lines of credit
 
62

 
1,201

 
103

Other current liabilities
 
78,274

 
64,953

 
68,169

Total current liabilities
 
105,455

 
95,733

 
103,205

Other long-term liabilities
 
12,603

 
8,221

 
9,129

Stockholders' equity
 
865,276

 
793,031

 
841,279

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
983,334

 
$
896,985

 
$
953,613


Additional financial data of the Company (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
June 30,
 
%
 
June 30,
 
%
(Amounts in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
change
 
2014
 
2013
 
change
Net Sales by Reporting Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
168,600

 
$
159,757

 
6%
 
$
305,482

 
$
287,493

 
6%
 
Europe
35,024

 
32,088

 
9%
 
62,688

 
55,988

 
12%
 
Asia/Pacific
4,269

 
3,503

 
22%
 
8,028

 
6,147

 
31%
 
 
Total
$
207,893

 
$
195,348

 
6%
 
$
376,198

 
$
349,628

 
8%
Net Sales by Product Group*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wood Construction
$
176,363

 
$
165,865

 
6%
 
$
321,042

 
$
298,660

 
7%
 
Concrete Construction
31,493

 
29,414

 
7%
 
55,031

 
50,834

 
8%
 
Other
37

 
69

 
N/M
 
125

 
134

 
N/M
 
 
Total
$
207,893

 
$
195,348

 
6%
 
$
376,198

 
$
349,628

 
8%
Gross Profit by Reporting Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
80,698

 
$
76,036

 
6%
 
$
147,990

 
$
133,128

 
11%
 
Europe
14,190

 
12,574

 
13%
 
23,971

 
19,858

 
21%
 
Asia/Pacific
850

 
881

 
(4)%
 
1,606

 
1,327

 
21%
 
Administrative and all other
162

 
(319
)
 
N/M
 
113

 
(421
)
 
N/M
 
 
Total
$
95,900

 
$
89,172

 
8%
 
$
173,680

 
$
153,892

 
13%
Income (Loss) from Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
30,123

 
$
29,665

 
2%
 
$
52,685

 
$
44,924

 
17%
 
Europe
3,755

 
2,241

 
68%
 
2,836

 
(1,939
)
 
N/M
 
Asia/Pacific
(484
)
 
(46
)
 
N/M
 
(1,636
)
 
(1,229
)
 
(33)%
 
Administrative and all other
(1,261
)
 
(2,182
)
 
N/M
 
(2,147
)
 
(3,065
)
 
N/M
 
 
Total
$
32,133

 
$
29,678

 
8%
 
$
51,738

 
$
38,691

 
34%


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*
The Company manages its business by geographic segment but is presenting sales by product group as additional information.
 
N/M
Statistic is not material or not meaningful.

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., headquartered in Pleasanton, California, through its subsidiary, Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., designs, engineers and is a leading manufacturer of wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and concrete construction products, including adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SSD."
For further information, contact Tom Fitzmyers at (925) 560-9030.


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