UFPI Reports Q1 Net Sales up 21 Percent over 2012; Net Earnings Improve 26 Percent

—Reports best first-quarter profits since 2006—

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--()--Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced first-quarter 2013 results, including net sales of $554.5 million, up 21.3 percent over net sales for the same period of 2012. Net earnings were $5.2 million, up 25.7 percent over the same period of last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.26, compared to $0.21 for the first quarter of 2012. Sales increased in each of the Company’s five markets.

“I am very pleased with the efforts of our people, who helped create one of the strongest first quarters in our history. We overcame more typical winter weather conditions in 2013 to beat 2012 results, which were aided by mild weather,” said CEO Matthew J. Missad. “More importantly, we were able to beat our internal goals for the quarter and are well-positioned going into our traditional selling season.”

Missad noted that rigorous sales efforts, share gains in some markets, and a rising lumber market helped drive strong first-quarter results. “These results give us confidence in the strategies we’re executing to grow sales and in our efforts to improve profitability and create sustainable business growth in the future,” he said. “We’re encouraged by the fact that our operating results were strong in spite of less-than-expected same-store unit sales to our do-it-yourself retail customers and lower margins in certain framing operations as a result of rapid cost increases that we could not pass on to customers. We expect improved performance in each of these areas for subsequent quarters.”

In the first quarter of 2013, the lumber market was up 42.9 percent over the previous year, enhancing the Company’s gross sales results, which included the following:

Retail building materials: $205.7 million, an increase of 4.9 percent over the same period of 2012. Universal is focused on growing its independent retail customer base and on providing a broader mix of products to big box and independent retailers. Leading indicators call for growth in home improvement spending in 2013. The Company is confident that this, coupled with its new product initiatives and share gains with independent as well as big-box retailers, will continue to drive success.

Industrial packaging/components: $160.5 million, up 20.0 percent over the first quarter of 2012. Total industrial production in the United States was up 2.5 percent in February 2013 over February 2012, and saw a 0.7 percent month-over-month increase in February 2013 compared to January 2013. Universal continues to focus on adding customers and products in this fragmented market, on expanding its reach into non-wood packaging materials and on providing complete packaging solutions.

Manufactured housing: $89.9 million, an increase of 42.6 percent over the same period of 2012. Year over year industry production of HUD-code manufactured housing was up 3.3 percent year-to-date through February 2013. The Company’s results in this market were attributable primarily to lumber prices. The Company’s unit sales increased due to a combination of increased industry production and market share gains achieved by the Company’s distribution segment. The National Association of Home Builders forecasts HUD-code shipments to increase 15 percent in 2013. With its significant market share of the products it supplies, Universal is well-positioned to grow with the industry, and to enhance its success through its growing distribution business.

Residential construction: $74.3 million, up 43.4 percent over the same period of 2012. Total housing starts for the three-month period of January to March 2013 were up 36.1 percent over the same period last year. In March 2013, total starts were at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.0 million, the highest rate of construction since June 2008. Despite challenges, including rising commodity and labor costs, Universal drove healthy business and results in this market, and continues to focus on taking business that meets profitability objectives.

Commercial construction and concrete forming: $30.4 million, up 54.0 percent over the same period of 2012. In this highly fragmented market, Universal manufactures and supplies forms and other materials for concrete construction projects. The Company continues to expand its sales reach and market penetration and to leverage its design and manufacturing capabilities as well as its nationwide presence to offer designed components to customers, large and small.

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., April 18, 2013. 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 (800) 237-9752 and internationally at (617) 847-8706. Use conference pass code 56956162. 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 May 17, 2013, domestically at (888) 286-8010 and internationally at (617) 801-6888. Use replay pass code 20703607.

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for building materials retailers and wholesalers, structural lumber and other products for the manufactured housing and residential construction markets, and specialty wood packaging and components and packing materials for various industries. It has subsidiaries that provide framing services for the residential construction market in some parts of the country; that manufacture and market products used for concrete construction; and that offer lawn and garden products, such as trellises and arches, to retailers nationwide. Its consumer products operations offer a large portfolio of outdoor living products, including wood composite decking, decorative balusters, post caps and plastic lattice. Founded in 1955, Universal Forest Products is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich. Its subsidiaries operate facilities throughout North America. For more about Universal, 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.

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 2013/2012
    Quarter Period     Year to Date
(In thousands, except per share data)   2013         2012         2013         2012    
                     
 
 
NET SALES $ 554,494 100 % $ 457,111 100 % $ 554,494 100 % $ 457,111 100 %
 
COST OF GOODS SOLD   497,315   89.7   403,445   88.3   497,315   89.7   403,445   88.3
 
GROSS PROFIT 57,179 10.3 53,666 11.7 57,179 10.3 53,666 11.7
 
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 48,228 8.7 45,778 10.0 48,228 8.7 45,778 10.0
NET (GAIN) LOSS ON DISPOSITION OF ASSETS,
EARLY RETIREMENT, AND   (106 ) -   95   -   (106 ) -   95   -
 
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS 9,057 1.6 7,793 1.7 9,057 1.6 7,793 1.7
 
OTHER EXPENSE, NET   1,056   0.2   708   0.2   1,056   0.2   708   0.2
 
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 8,001 7,085 8,001 7,085
 
INCOME TAXES   2,245   0.4   2,699   0.6   2,245   0.4   2,699   0.6
 
NET EARNINGS 5,756 1.0 4,386 1.0 5,756 1.0 4,386 1.0
 
LESS NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST   (532 ) (0.1 )   (231 ) (0.1 )   (532 ) (0.1 )   (231 ) (0.1 )
 
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
CONTROLLING INTEREST $ 5,224   0.9 $ 4,155   0.9 $ 5,224   0.9 $ 4,155   0.9
 
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC $ 0.26 $ 0.21 $ 0.26 $ 0.21
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED $ 0.26 $ 0.21 $ 0.26 $ 0.21
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 6,171 5,444 6,171 5,444
 
LESS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE
TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST   (828 )   (655 )   (828 )   (655 )
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST $ 5,343   $ 4,789   $ 5,343   $ 4,789  
 
 

SUPPLEMENTAL SALES DATA

Quarter Period Year to Date

Market Classification

2013 % 2012 % 2013 % 2012 %
Retail Building Materials $ 205,716 37 % $ 196,117 42 % $ 205,716 37 % $ 196,117 42 %
Residential Construction 74,307 13 % 51,807 11 % 74,307 13 % 51,807 11 %
Commercial Construction and Concrete Forming 30,355 5 % 19,715 4 % 30,355 5 % 19,715 4 %
Industrial 160,457 29 % 133,670 29 % 160,457 29 % 133,670 29 %
Manufactured Housing   89,867   16 %   63,040   14 %   89,867   16 %   63,040   14 %
Total Gross Sales 560,702 100 % 464,349 100 % 560,702 100 % 464,349 100 %
Sales Allowances   (6,208 )   (7,238 )   (6,208 )   (7,238 )
Total Net Sales $ 554,494   $ 457,111   $ 554,494   $ 457,111  
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 2013/2012
 
(In thousands)            
ASSETS   2013   2012     LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   2013   2012
 
CURRENT ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES
Restricted cash $ 653 $ 653 Cash overdraft $ 7,665 $ 4,935
Accounts receivable 232,954 192,427 Accounts payable 93,597 75,347
Inventories 290,752 218,553 Accrued liabilities 52,566 47,741
Other current assets 25,716 23,752 Current portion of long-term
debt and capital leases - 42,774
       
 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 550,075 435,385 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 153,828 170,797
 
OTHER ASSETS 17,589 15,712 LONG-TERM DEBT AND
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 171,203 167,242 CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS,

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

228,083 221,704 less current portion 155,181 43,668
OTHER LIABILITIES 42,284 35,112
    EQUITY 615,657 590,466
 
TOTAL ASSETS $ 966,950 $ 840,043 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 966,950 $ 840,043
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 2013/2012
 
(In thousands)   2013       2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net earnings $ 5,756 $ 4,386
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to controlling interest
to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation 7,140 7,178
Amortization of intangibles 604 745
Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements 642 450
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements - (12 )
Expense associated with stock grant plans 19 54
Deferred income taxes (credit) 36 (50 )
Equity in earnings of investee (42 ) (62 )
Net (gain) loss on sale or impairment of property, plant and equipment (127 ) (25 )
Changes in: - -
Accounts receivable (70,715 ) (65,005 )
Inventories (47,305 ) (23,392 )
Accounts payable 27,417 25,585
Accrued liabilities and other   12,001     5,327  
NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (64,574 ) (44,821 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (8,085 ) (7,860 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 251 2,035
Acquisitions, net of cash received (8,600 ) -
Purchase of patents & product technology - (21 )
Advances of notes receivable (383 ) -
Collections of notes receivable and related interest 543 647
Cash restricted as to use 6,178 -
Other, net   6     (302 )
NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (10,090 ) (5,501 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings under revolving credit facilities 59,391 33,968
Debt issuance costs (6 ) (81 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 80 1,036
Distributions to noncontrolling interest (330 ) (379 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements - 12
Other, net   -     3  
NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 59,135 34,559
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   217     176  
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (15,312 ) (15,587 )
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   7,647     10,652  
 
CASH OVERDRAFT, END OF PERIOD $ (7,665 ) $ (4,935 )
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Interest paid $ 417 $ 261
Income taxes paid (6,199 ) 3,400
 

Contacts

Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Lynn Afendoulis, (616) 365-1502
Director, Corporate Communications

Contacts

Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Lynn Afendoulis, (616) 365-1502
Director, Corporate Communications