Attached files

file filename
8-K - UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC 8-K 10-15-2014 - UFP INDUSTRIES INCform8k.htm

Exhibit 99(a)
 
 
News release
 
---------------AT THE COMPANY---------------
 
Lynn Afendoulis
Director, Corporate Communications
(616) 365-1502
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, October 15, 2014
 
UFPI Q3 2014 earnings up 36.5 percent, sales up 9.5 percent; reports EPS of $0.96
--Increased sales in all markets, margin improvements drive results --
–Company increases annual dividend by more than 90 percent–

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 15, 2014 – Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced third-quarter 2014 results, including net earnings attributable to controlling interests of $19.2 million, up 36.5 percent over $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Earnings per diluted share were $0.96 in the third quarter of 2014, up from $0.71 for the same period last year. Net sales grew in all three markets to total $713.5 million in the third quarter of 2014, up 9.5 percent over $651.8 million in the third quarter of 2013. Earnings attributable to controlling interests for the third quarter of 2014 included a net gain of $700,000 on the sale of certain assets.

“We experienced solid sales growth in each of our markets, and we continued to improve operational efficiencies and maintain our focus on profitability. The third quarter saw profitable growth and progress toward many of our longer-term goals,” said CEO Matthew J. Missad. “Our teams are executing their plans, and their excellent performance clearly shows in the financial results.  I am proud of their efforts to create value in this economy.”

Missad noted that the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the Company’s dividend at its October 15, 2014 meeting.

--more--

UFPI   Page 2

“Due to the strength of our earnings, our solid balance sheet and our optimism, we have decided to return capital to our shareholders while still pursuing our growth goals,” Missad said. “Our board approved an increase in the December 2014 dividend payment, from $0.21 per share to $0.40 per share.”

Missad noted that the Company can support the new dividend rate while retaining ample capital for organic growth and acquisitions. He stated that, in many instances, recent acquisition multiples have been at levels that challenge the ability to create value for shareholders. He added that the Company continues to actively pursue acquisitions as well as reinvest in plants as part of its organic growth goals.

Lumber prices affect the Company’s selling prices, and in the third quarter of 2014, the composite lumber price was up 10.7 percent over the previous year, offset partially by an 18 percent decline in OSB prices in the third quarter of 2014. The Company estimates that higher overall lumber prices raised its selling prices and sales by six percent.

By market, the Company posted the following third-quarter 2014 gross sales results:

Retail: $272.5 million, an increase of 10 percent over the third quarter of 2013.  Universal saw increased sales to big box and independent customers alike. Unit sales were up five percent, which was in line with expectations. The Company attributes the increased sales to a better repair-and-remodel market demand and slight increases in housing starts. Big box retailers saw increases in same-store sales during the period.  Universal realized margin improvements in this market, due to better operational efficiencies and enhanced product mix with new product sales in the quarter.

Industrial: $211.3 million, an increase of 13 percent over the same period of 2013. Sales to this market continued a path of sustainable growth, with increased sales to existing customers. This remains a healthy market with solid growth opportunities for the Company with both existing and new customers.

Construction, $239.8 million, up six percent over the third quarter of 2013.  Results in this market reflect the Company’s focus on sustainable business and more selective pricing strategies. Sales to this market continued to be negatively impacted by the vertical integration of one of the Company’s largest manufactured housing customers and by a drop in prices of OSB during the third quarter. The diversification of markets within UFP continues to improve as the Company becomes less dependent on housing starts for sales growth.  In fact, the percent of residential construction sales to total sales has declined from its peak in 2006 of 31.6 percent to the current 12.8 percent.

--more--

UFPI   Page 3
CONFERENCE CALL
 
Universal Forest Products will conduct a conference call to discuss information included in this news release and related matters at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thurs., Oct. 16, 2014. The call will be hosted by CEO Matthew J. Missad and CFO Michael Cole, and will be available for analysts and institutional investors domestically at (877) 415-3179 and internationally at (857) 244-7322. Use conference pass code 20099464. The conference call will be available simultaneously and in its entirety to all interested investors and news media through a webcast at http://www.ufpi.com. A replay of the call will be available through Nov. 15, 2014, domestically at (888) 286-8010 and internationally at (617) 801-6888. Use replay pass code 83042564.

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
 
Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that supply wood, wood composite and other products to three robust markets:
retail, construction and industrial.  Founded in 1955, the Company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America. For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

# # #

UFPI   Page 4
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 2014/2013

   
Quarter Period
   
   
Year to Date
   
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2014
 
   
2013
   
   
2014
   
   
2013
   
 
     
       
       
       
 
NET SALES
 
$
713,489
 
100
%
 
$
651,780
     
100
%
 
$
2,040,239
     
100
%
 
$
1,944,711
     
100.0
%
                                                             
COST OF GOODS SOLD
   
623,903
 
87.4
     
573,491
     
88.0
     
1,787,652
     
87.6
     
1,729,027
     
88.9
 
                                                             
GROSS PROFIT
   
89,586
 
12.6
     
78,289
     
12.0
     
252,587
     
12.4
     
215,684
     
11.1
 
                                                             
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSES
   
59,936
 
8.4
     
53,020
     
8.1
     
172,835
     
8.5
     
154,348
     
7.9
 
ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ASSESSMENTS
   
-
 
-
     
887
     
0.1
     
1,600
     
0.1
     
887
     
-
 
                                                           
NET GAIN ON DISPOSITION AND IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS 1
   
(2,570
)
(0.4
)
   
(145
)
   
-
     
(3,418
)
   
(0.2
)
   
(253
)
   
-
 
                                                             
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS
   
32,220
 
4.5
     
24,527
     
3.8
     
81,570
     
4.0
     
60,702
     
3.1
 
                                                             
OTHER EXPENSE, NET
   
552
 
0.1
     
982
     
0.2
     
1,963
     
0.1
     
2,969
     
0.2
 
                                                             
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
31,668
 
4.4
     
23,545
     
3.6
     
79,607
     
3.9
     
57,733
     
3.0
 
                                                             
INCOME TAXES 1
   
11,176
 
1.6
     
8,530
     
1.3
     
29,000
     
1.4
     
20,589
     
1.1
 
                                                             
NET EARNINGS
   
20,492
 
2.9
     
15,015
     
2.3
     
50,607
     
2.5
     
37,144
     
1.9
 
                                                             
LESS NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST 1
   
(1,258
)
(0.2
)
   
(924
)
   
(0.1
)
   
(2,369
)
   
(0.1
)
   
(2,057
)
   
(0.1
)
                                                             
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
19,234
 
2.7
   
$
14,091
     
2.2
   
$
48,238
     
2.4
   
$
35,087
     
1.8
 
                                                             
EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC
 
$
0.96
       
$
0.71
           
$
2.40
           
$
1.76
         
                                                             
EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED
 
$
0.96
       
$
0.71
           
$
2.40
           
$
1.76
         
                                                             
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
   
20,001
         
15,767
             
49,869
             
36,828
         
                                                             
                                                           
LESS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
   
(1,317
)
       
(1,106
)
           
(2,330
)
           
(2,098
)
       
                                                             
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
18,684
       
$
14,661
           
$
47,539
           
$
34,730
         
 
1 Included within net gain on disposition and impairment of assets for the third quarter of 2014 was a gain on the sale of certain property totaling $2.7 million completed by a 50% owned subsidiary of the Company.  After considering the $1.35 million noncontrolling interest of this gain and income taxes, net earnings attributable to controlling interest was approximately $700,000 higher as a result of these transactions.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SALES DATA
                     
 
 
 
Quarter Period
   
Year to Date
 
Market Classification
 
2014
   
2013
   
%
   
2014
   
2013
   
%
 
Retail
 
$
272,469
   
$
247,182
     
10
%
 
$
823,861
   
$
768,174
     
7
%
Industrial
   
211,344
     
186,385
     
13
%
   
585,211
     
539,213
     
9
%
Construction
   
239,812
     
227,093
     
6
%
   
660,962
     
663,795
     
0
%
Total Gross Sales
   
723,625
     
660,660
     
10
%
   
2,070,034
     
1,971,182
     
5
%
Sales Allowances
   
(10,136
)
   
(8,880
)
           
(29,795
)
   
(26,471
)
       
Total Net Sales
 
$
713,489
   
$
651,780
           
$
2,040,239
   
$
1,944,711
         

UFPI   Page 5
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
SEPTEMBER 2014/2013
 
(In thousands)
 
   
     
   
 
ASSETS
 
2014
   
2013
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
2014
   
2013
 
   
   
     
   
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
   
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
26,184
   
$
5,151
 
Accounts payable
   
99,008
     
85,520
 
Restricted cash
   
720
     
720
 
Accrued liabilities
   
93,933
     
78,820
 
Accounts receivable
   
257,235
     
241,990
                   
Inventories
   
273,665
     
232,209
                   
Other current assets
   
27,591
     
29,483
                   
                                   
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
   
585,395
     
509,553
 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
   
192,941
     
164,340
 
                                   
OTHER ASSETS
   
16,227
     
14,312
                 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
   
168,825
     
170,301
 
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
   
84,700
     
84,700
 
               
OTHER LIABILITIES
   
42,758
     
41,072
 
PROPERTY, PLANTAND EQUIPMENT,  NET
   
245,036
     
239,347
 
EQUITY
   
695,084
     
643,401
 
 
                                 
 
                                 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
1,015,483
   
$
933,513
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
1,015,483
   
$
933,513
 


UFPI   Page 6
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 2014/2013
 
(In thousands)
 
2014
   
2013
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
   
 
Net earnings
 
$
50,607
   
$
37,144
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to controlling interest to net cash from operating activities:
               
Depreciation
   
24,241
     
22,333
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
1,743
     
1,880
 
Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
   
1,445
     
1,442
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
   
(2
)
   
(8
)
Expense associated with stock grant plans
   
81
     
49
 
Deferred income taxes (credit)
   
127
     
(83
)
Equity in earnings of investee
   
(246
)
   
(152
)
Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
   
(3,418
)
   
(253
)
Changes in:
               
Accounts receivable
   
(76,642
)
   
(79,849
)
Inventories
   
14,754
     
11,261
 
Accounts payable and cash overdraft
   
25,078
     
19,336
 
Accrued liabilities and other
   
32,760
     
34,580
 
NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   
70,528
     
47,680
 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
   
(31,676
)
   
(32,108
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
6,463
     
1,319
 
Acquisitions, net of cash received
   
(7,135
)
   
(9,296
)
Advances of notes receivable
   
(2,229
)
   
(1,990
)
Collections of notes receivable and related interest
   
983
     
1,441
 
Cash restricted as to use
   
-
     
6,111
 
Other, net
   
(95
)
   
28
 
NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   
(33,689
)
   
(34,495
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities
   
192,475
     
251,801
 
Repayments under revolving credit facilities
   
(192,475
)
   
(262,891
)
Debt issuance costs
   
(11
)
   
(15
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
297
     
839
 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
   
(1,710
)
   
(1,460
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
   
(4,214
)
   
(3,977
)
Repurchase of common stock
   
(4,772
)
   
-
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
   
2
     
8
 
NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   
(10,408
)
   
(15,695
)
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
(247
)
   
14
 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
26,184
     
(2,496
)
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
-
     
7,647
 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
 
$
26,184
   
$
5,151
 
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
               
     Interest paid
 
$
2,475
   
$
2,850
 
     Income taxes paid
   
26,605
     
6,780