The following management discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Trex Company, Inc. (Company, we or our) Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this quarterly report.
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to our industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” or similar expressions. We cannot promise you that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations because of various factors, including the factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC, and the factor discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this quarterly report on Form
10-Q.
These statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual operating results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the extent of market acceptance of the Company’s current and newly developed products; the costs associated with the development and launch of new products and the market acceptance of such new products; the sensitivity of the Company’s business to general economic conditions; the impact of seasonal and weather-related demand fluctuations on inventory levels in the distribution channel and sales of the Company’s products; the availability and cost of third-party transportation services for our products and raw materials; the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials at acceptable prices; the Company’s ability to maintain product quality and product performance at an acceptable cost; the Company’s ability to increase throughput and capacity to adequately match supply with demand; the level of expenses associated with product replacement and consumer relations expenses related to product quality; the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates; cyber-attacks, security breaches or other security vulnerabilities; the impact of upcoming data privacy laws and the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the related actual or potential costs and consequences; and material adverse impacts from global public health pandemics, including the strain of coronavirus known as
COVID-19.
Our results of operations are affected by economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions and levels of business and consumer confidence. The
COVID-19
pandemic has increased the level of volatility and uncertainty globally and has created economic disruption. We are actively managing our business to respond to this health crisis and will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of its impact. Our commitment to stakeholders is to take the appropriate actions to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees and partners, comply with any governmental orders relating to
COVID-19,
which may result in a period of disruption to our business, while at the same time leveraging our strengths and ensuring financial flexibility.
As of March 31, 2020, our facilities continue to operate at output levels similar to those prior to the
COVID-19
pandemic and we are following or exceeding all CDC and public officials’ guidelines. We have also adopted a business continuity plan and local emergency response plans at each location. We continue to take precautionary measures, make contingency plans and improve our response to the developing situation. We have assembled a cross-functional team whose chief charge is to oversee our efforts to ensure the health and safety of all employees and supply product to our customers. That team constantly monitors the latest CDC, Federal, state and other regulatory guidance, works to secure personal protective equipment, finds new ways to help mitigate risk, and identifies opportunities for us to exceed recommendations.
We have implemented preventative or protective actions at our facilities, our corporate headquarters and with field sales personnel. In order to mitigate the spread of the virus, we have instructed our employees to practice social distancing. Efforts for social distancing include working from home, where possible, revising our production processes to allow for compliance with our social distancing efforts, suspending air travel and enabling technologies to allow employees to effectively perform their functions remotely. Our sales force is working from home and conducting training sessions with our channel partners by utilizing online audio and visual technologies. Face masks and other protective equipment have been distributed to employees across all of our facilities, and handwashing and hand sanitizing stations have been installed. In addition, we have made a donation of face masks to the local healthcare community. We have installed air purifier systems for all enclosed areas in every one of our buildings. In addition, our internal cleaning crew sanitizes an extensive checklist of high-touch items and areas across work facilities, and our facilities are cleaned repeatedly throughout each shift with
CDC-recommended
chemicals and disinfectants by internal and external groups.
Since we cannot predict the duration or scope of the pandemic, we cannot fully anticipate or reasonably estimate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business in the future. Some jurisdictions into which we sell have now deemed the construction industry as
non-essential
and ordered the closure of those businesses. In addition, we have experienced areas where the availability of our products is limited due to the closure of certain of our channel partners. As of March 31, 2020 we have no significant supply issues and maintain inventories of materials sourced from diversified geographies, allowing us to better tolerate short-term supply chain disruptions.
The impact that the
COVID-19
pandemic will have on our consolidated results of operations for fiscal year 2020 is uncertain. Although net sales increased considerably during the three months ended March 31, 2020, due to a number of our channel partners on both the distribution and consumer side closing or significantly curtailing operations in their respective localities because of
COVID-19
restrictions, net sales for our second quarter may be impacted and this trend could continue until the pandemic subsides and macro-economics, particularly in the United States, return to normal. Also, we have stress tested our financials and believe our available financial resources will allow us to manage the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic on the Company’s business operations for the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2020, our revolving credit facility provides us with $221.5 million in liquidity and we see no need to modify our current capital expansion program, which can be adjusted if necessary. As the impact of
COVID-19
evolves, we will continue to evaluate our financial position and liquidity needs in light of future developments.
Trex Company, Inc. currently operates in two reportable segments: Trex Residential Products (Trex Residential) and Trex Commercial Products (Trex Commercial). The Company is focused on using renewable resources within both our Residential and Commercial segments.
Trex Residential is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance,
low-maintenance,
eco-friendly
composite decking and residential railing products, which are marketed under the brand name Trex
®
and manufactured in the United States. We offer a comprehensive set of aesthetically appealing and durable,
low-maintenance
product offerings in the decking, residential railing, fencing, steel deck framing, and outdoor lighting categories. A majority of the products are
eco-friendly
and leverage recycled materials to the extent possible. Trex Residential decking is made in a proprietary process that combines reclaimed wood fibers and recycled polyethylene film, making Trex one of the largest recyclers of plastic film in North America. In addition to resisting fading and surface staining, Trex Residential products require no sanding and sealing, resist moisture damage, provide a splinter-free surface and do not require chemical treatment against rot or insect infestation. Combined, these aspects yield significant aesthetic advantages and lower maintenance than wood decking and railing and ultimately render Trex products less costly than wood over the life of the deck. Special characteristics (including resistance to splitting, the ability to bend, and ease and consistency of machining and finishing) facilitate installation, reduce contractor call-backs and afford consumers a wide range of design options. Trex Residential products are sold to distributors and home centers for final resale primarily to the residential market.
Trex offers the following products through Trex Residential:
| | |
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| | Our principal decking products are Trex Transcend ® , Trex Select ® and Trex Enhance ® . Differentiating the Enhance collection is a scalloped profile that is lighter weight for easier handling and installation. Our high-performance, low-maintenance, eco-friendly composite decking products are comprised of a blend of 95 percent reclaimed wood fibers and recycled plastic film and feature a protective polymer shell for enhanced protection against fading, staining, mold and scratching. We also offer Trex Hideaway ® , a hidden fastening system for grooved boards, and Trex DeckLighting ™ , an outdoor lighting system. Trex DeckLighting is a line of energy-efficient LED dimmable deck lighting, which is designed for use on posts, floors and steps. The line includes a post cap light, deck rail light, riser light and a recessed deck light. |
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| | Our residential railing products are Trex Transcend Railing, Trex Select Railing, Trex Enhance Railing and Trex Signature ® aluminum railing. Trex Transcend Railing, made from approximately 40 percent recycled content, is available in the colors of Trex Transcend decking and finishes that make it appropriate for use with Trex decking products as well as other decking materials, which we believe enhances the sales prospects of our railing products. Trex Select Railing, made from approximately 40 percent recycled content, is offered in a white finish and is ideal for consumers who desire a simple clean finished look for their deck. Trex Enhance, made from approximately 40 percent recycled content, is available in three colors and is offered through home improvement retailers in kits that contain the complete railing system. Trex Signature aluminum railing, made from a minimum of 50 percent recycled content, is available in three colors and designed for consumers who want a sleek, contemporary look. |
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| | Our Trex Seclusions ® fencing product is offered through two specialty distributors. This product consists of structural posts, bottom rail, pickets, top rail and decorative post caps. |
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| | Our triple-coated steel deck framing system called Trex Elevations ® leverages the strength and dimensional stability of steel to create a flat surface for our decking. Trex Elevations provides consistency and reliability that wood does not and is fire resistant. |
is a leading national provider of custom-engineered railing and staging systems. Trex Commercial designs and engineers custom solutions, which are prevalent in professional and collegiate sports facilities, commercial and high-rise applications, performing arts, sports, and event production and rental markets. With a team of devoted engineers, and an industry-leading reputation for quality and dedication to customer service, Trex Commercial markets to architects, specifiers, contractors, and building owners.
Trex offers the following products through Trex Commercial:
| | |
| | |
Architectural Railing Systems | | Our architectural railing systems are pre-engineered guardrails with options to accommodate styles ranging from classic and elegant wood top rail combined with sleek stainless components and glass infill, to modern and minimalist stainless cable and rod infill choices. Trex Commercial can also design, engineer and manufacture custom railing systems tailored to the customer’s specific material, style and finish. Many railing styles are achievable, including glass, mesh, perforated railing and cable railing. |
| | |
| | Trex Signature ® aluminum railing collection, made from a minimum of 50 percent recycled content, combines superior styling with the unparalleled strength of aluminum – making it an ideal railing choice for a variety of commercial settings. Its straightforward, unobtrusive design features traditional balusters and contemporary vertical rods, and can be installed with continuously graspable rail options for added safety, comfort and functionality. Trex Signature is available in three colors – charcoal black, bronze and classic white – and is available in a variety of stock lengths. |
| | |
Staging Equipment and Accessories | | Our advanced modular, lightweight custom staging systems include portable platforms, orchestra shells, guardrails, stair units, barricades, camera platforms, VIP viewing decks, ADA infills, DJ booths, pool covers, and other custom applications. Our systems provide superior staging product solutions for facilities and venues with custom needs. Our modular stage equipment is designed to appear seamless, feel permanent, and maximize the functionality of the space. |
Highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2020:
| • | Increase in net sales of 11.6%, or $20.8 million, to $200.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $179.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. |
| • | Increase in gross profit of 29.3%, or $20.3 million, to $89.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $69.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. |
| • | Increase in net income to $42.4 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $31.6 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2019. |
| • | Capital expenditures of $22.7 million to increase production capacity at the Trex Residential facilities in Virginia and Nevada and general plant cost reduction initiatives and other production improvements. |
| • | Repurchase of 442,009 shares of our outstanding common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2020 under our Stock Repurchase Program, for a total of 1.4 million shares repurchased under the program as March 31, 2020. |
. Net sales consist of sales and freight, net of discounts. The level of net sales is principally affected by sales volume and the prices paid for Trex products. Trex Residential operating results have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Seasonal, erratic or prolonged adverse weather conditions in certain geographic regions reduce the level of home and commercial improvement and residential and commercial construction and can shift demand for our products to a later period. As part of our normal business practice and consistent with industry practice, we have historically provided our distributors and dealers of our Trex Residential products incentives to build inventory levels before the start of the prime deck-building season to ensure adequate availability of our product to meet anticipated seasonal consumer demand and to enable production planning. These incentives include payment discounts and favorable payment terms. In addition, we offer price discounts or volume rebates on specified products and other incentives based on increases in purchases as part of specific promotional programs. The timing of sales incentive programs can significantly impact sales, receivables and inventory levels during the offering period. However, the timing and terms of the majority of our programs are generally consistent from year to year. In addition, the operating results for Trex Commercial are driven by the timing of individual projects, which may vary significantly each period.
Gross profit represents the difference between net sales and cost of sales. Cost of sales consists of raw material costs, direct labor costs, manufacturing costs, subcontract costs and freight. Raw material costs generally include the costs to purchase and transport reclaimed wood fiber, reclaimed polyethylene, pigmentation for coloring our products, and commodities used in the production of railing and staging. Direct labor costs include wages and benefits of personnel engaged in the manufacturing process. Manufacturing costs consist of costs of depreciation, utilities, maintenance supplies and repairs, indirect labor, including wages and benefits, and warehouse and equipment rental activities.
We warrant that our Trex Residential products will be free from material defects in workmanship and materials for warranty periods ranging from 10 years to 25 years, depending on the product and its use. If there is a breach of such warranties, we have an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price. Depending on the product and its use, we also warrant that our Trex Commercial products will be free of manufacturing defects for 1 to 3 years.
We continue to receive and settle claims for decking products manufactured at our Nevada facility prior to 2007 that exhibit surface flaking and maintain a warranty reserve to provide for the settlement of these claims. We monitor surface flaking claims activity each quarter for indications that our estimates require revision. Typically, a majority of surface flaking claims received in a fiscal year are received during the summer outdoor season, which spans the second and third fiscal quarters. It has been our practice to utilize actuarial techniques during the third quarter, after a significant portion of all claims has been received for the fiscal year and variances to annual claims expectations are more meaningful. Our actuarial analysis is based on currently known facts and a number of assumptions. Projecting future events such as the number of claims to be received, the number of claims that will require payment and the average cost of claims could cause the actual warranty liabilities to be higher or lower than those projected, which could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The number of incoming claims received in the three months ended March 31, 2020 was consistent with our expectations but higher than the number of claims received in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Average settlement cost per claim experienced in the three months ended March 31 2020 was slightly higher than our expectations, considerably higher than that experienced in the three months ended March 31, 2019, due to an increase in larger claims settled and changes in the mix of settlement methods, and slightly lower than that experienced in the year ended December 31, 2019. We believe that our reserve at March 31, 2020 is sufficient to cover future surface flaking obligations.
The following table details surface flaking claims activity related to our warranty:
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | | | | | |
Claims open, beginning of period | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | ) | | | | ) |
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Claims open, end of period | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Average cost per claim (3) | | $ | | | | $ | | |
(1) | Claims received include new claims received or identified during the period. |
(2) | Claims resolved include all claims settled with or without payment and closed during the period. |
(3) | Average cost per claim represents the average settlement cost of claims closed with payment during the period. |
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.
The largest component of selling, general and administrative expenses is personnel related costs, which includes salaries, commissions, incentive compensation, and benefits of personnel engaged in sales and marketing, accounting, information technology, corporate operations, research and development, and other business functions. Another component of selling, general and administrative expenses is branding and other sales and marketing costs, which are used to build brand awareness. These costs consist primarily of advertising, merchandising, and other promotional costs. Other general and administrative expenses include professional fees, office occupancy costs attributable to the business functions previously referenced, and consumer relations expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses may vary from quarter to quarter due, in part, to the seasonality of our business.
Below is our discussion and analysis of our operating results and material changes in our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (2020 quarter) compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 (2019 quarter).
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Compared To The Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
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| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
Trex Residential net sales | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
Trex Commercial net sales | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | ) | | | | )% |
Total net sales increased by 11.6% in the 2020 quarter compared to the 2019 quarter reflecting an increase in Trex Residential net sales, offset by a small decrease in Trex Commercial net sales. The increase of 12.9% in Trex Residential net sales during the 2020 quarter was primarily driven by volume growth of our residential decking and railing products, strong demand for our outdoor living products, a strong residential repair and remodeling sector and our initiatives to accelerate conversion from wood. The 4.1% decrease in Trex Commercial net sales during the 2020 quarter was due primarily to fewer large projects compared to the 2019 quarter.
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
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| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | % | | | | % | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | % | | | | % | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales, gross margin, was 44.8% in the 2020 quarter compared to 38.6% in the 2019 quarter and reflects the increase in gross margin for Trex Residential and Trex Commercial to 45.6% and 33.6%, respectively, in the 2020 quarter compared to 40.2% and 20.5%, respectively, in the 2019 quarter. The increase in Trex Residential gross margin in the 2020 quarter compared to the 2019 quarter was primarily due to
non-recurrence
of Enhance startup costs related to reduced throughput, equipment failures and other inefficiencies at Trex Residential manufacturing facilities in 2019. Also, a number of manufacturing lines were retrofitted during the quarter to allow production of the reduced weight Enhance profile. We expect to be essentially at the original design target for Enhance by the end of the third quarter of 2020. The increase in gross margin at Trex Commercial was primarily due to
non-recurrence
of legacy low margin contracts coupled with a mix of higher margin contracts in the 2020 quarter, and initiatives aimed at improving project estimating, project management, and manufacturing cost savings initiatives.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
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| | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | % | | | | % | | | | | | | | |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the 2020 quarter compared to the 2019 quarter primarily represented a $3.3 million increase in personnel related expenses and a $1.1 million increase in branding and advertising spend in support of our market growth programs.
Provision for Income Taxes
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
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| | | |
Provision for income taxes | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | % | | | | % | | | | | | | | |
The effective tax rate for the 2020 quarter was 23.8% compared to the effective tax rate for the 2019 quarter of 19.6%. The 4.2% increase was primarily due to a current year decrease in excess tax benefits from the exercise of share-based payments and an increase in
non-deductible
executive compensation.
Net Income and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
1
(in thousands)
Reconciliation of net income (GAAP) to EBITDA
(non-GAAP):
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |
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| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | ) | | | | | | | | ) |
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Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 | |
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| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | ) | | | | | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 | EBITDA represents net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). We have included data with respect to EBITDA because management believes it facilitates performance comparison between the Company and its competitors, and management evaluates the performance of its reportable segments using several measures, including EBITDA. Management considers EBITDA to be an important supplemental indicator of our core operating performance because it eliminates interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization charges to net income or loss. In relation to competitors, EBITDA eliminates differences among companies in capitalization and tax structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets. For these reasons, management believes that EBITDA provides important information regarding the operating performance of the Company and its reportable segments. |
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
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| | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
The Company uses EBITDA to assess performance as it believes EBITDA facilitates performance comparison between the Company’s and its competitors and between its reportable segments by eliminating interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization charges to income. Total EBITDA increased 38.5% to $59.0 million for the 2020 quarter compared to $42.6 million for the 2019 quarter. The increase was primarily driven by a 35.4% increase in Trex Residential EBITDA due to net sales and gross margin and by an increase in Trex Commercial EBITDA primarily related to an increase in gross margin.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We finance operations and growth primarily with cash flows from operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, operating leases and normal trade credit terms from operating activities. At March 31, 2020 we had $5.3 million of cash and cash equivalents.
S
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | $ | | ) | | $ | | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | | ) | | | | ) |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | ) | | $ | | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash used in operations was $108.8 million during the 2020 quarter compared to cash used in operations of $110 million during the 2019 quarter. The slight decrease in cash flows from operations was primarily due to higher working capital investment in accounts receivable.
Capital expenditures in the 2020 quarter were $22.7 million primarily for capacity expansion at our Virginia and Nevada facilities and general plant cost reduction initiatives and other production improvements.
Net cash used in financing activities was $14.1 million in the 2020 quarter primarily for repurchases of our common stock under our Stock Repurchase Program of $39.1 million, offset by net borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $28.5 million.
Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
At the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held on April 29, 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Amendment), effective as of April 29, 2020. The Company’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Amendment on February 19, 2020, subject to stockholder approval. The Amendment increases the number of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, that the Company is authorized to issue from 120 million shares to 180 million shares. The Amendment was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 29, 2020.
Stock Repurchase Program.
On February 16, 2018, the Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program of up to 5.8 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock (Stock Repurchase Program). As of March 31, 2020, the Company had repurchased 1.4 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program.
Due to the volatility and uncertainty in the stock market associated with the
COVID-19
pandemic, we suspended repurchases of our common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program on March 12, 2020. As of the date of this report, the Stock Repurchase Program remains in effect and we may determine to resume repurchases at any time.
Our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Fourth Amended Credit Agreement) provides us with revolving loan capacity in a collective maximum principal amount of $250 million from January 1 through June 30 of each year, and a maximum principal amount of $200 million from July 1 through December 31 of each year throughout the term, which ends November 5, 2024. At March 31, 2020, we had $28.5 million in outstanding indebtedness under the revolving credit facility and borrowing capacity under the facility of $221.5 million.
Compliance with Debt Covenants.
Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is subject to certain loan compliance covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2020. Failure to comply with the financial covenants could be considered a default of repayment obligations and, among other remedies, could accelerate payment of any amounts outstanding.
Although the impact that the
COVID-19
pandemic will have on our liquidity for fiscal year 2020 is uncertain, we have stress tested our financials and we believe that cash on hand, cash from operations and borrowings expected to be available under our revolving credit facility will provide sufficient funds to fund planned capital expenditures, make scheduled principal and interest payments, fund warranty payments, and meet other cash requirements. We currently expect to fund future capital expenditures from operations and financing activities. The actual amount and timing of future capital requirements may differ materially from our estimate depending on the demand for Trex products and new market developments and opportunities.
In June 2019, we announced a new capital expenditure program to increase production capacity at our Trex Residential facilities in Virginia and Nevada. The new multi-year capital expenditure program is projected at approximately $200 million between now and 2021, and involves the construction of a new decking facility at the existing Virginia site and the installation of additional production lines at the Nevada site. The Nevada capacity is projected to come
on-line
by the end of the second quarter 2020, while the Virginia capacity will begin to come online in the first quarter of 2021. The investment will allow us to increase production output for future projected growth related to our strategy of converting wood demand to Trex Residential wood-alternative composite decking. When completed these investments will increase our capacity by approximately 70 percent. In addition, our capital allocation priorities include expenditures for internal growth opportunities, manufacturing cost reductions, upgrading equipment, and acquisitions which fit our long-term growth strategy as we continue to evaluate opportunities that would be a good strategic fit for Trex, and return of capital to shareholders. Our capital expenditure guidance for 2020 is $140 million to $160 million.
Inventory in Distribution Channels. We sell our Trex Residential decking and railing products through a tiered distribution system. We have over 50 distributors worldwide and two national retail merchandisers to which we sell our products. The distributors in turn sell the products to dealers and retail locations who in turn sell the products to end users. Significant increases in inventory levels in the distribution channel without a corresponding change in
end-use
demand could have an adverse effect on future sales. We cannot definitively determine the level of inventory in the distribution channels at any time. We are not aware of any significant increases in the levels of inventory in the distribution channels at March 31, 2020 compared to inventory levels at March 31, 2019 that would adversely impact net sales in future periods.
. The operating results for Trex Residential have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Seasonal, erratic or prolonged adverse weather conditions in certain geographic regions reduce the level of home improvement and construction activity and can shift demand for its products to a later period. As part of its normal business practice and consistent with industry practice, Trex Residential has historically offered incentive programs to its distributors and dealers to build inventory levels before the start of the prime deck-building season in order to ensure adequate availability of its product to meet anticipated seasonal consumer demand. The seasonal effects are often offset by the positive effect of the incentive programs. The operating results for Trex Commercial have not historically varied from quarter to quarter as a result of seasonality. However, they are driven by the timing of individual projects, which may vary significantly each period.
Item | 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
For information regarding our exposure to certain market risks, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2019. There were no material changes to the Company’s market risk exposure during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Item | 4. Controls and Procedures |
The Company’s management, with the participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s principal executive officer, and its Acting Chief Financial Officer, who is the Company’s principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Acting Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(1) | Includes shares withheld by, or delivered to, the Company pursuant to provisions in agreements with recipients of restricted stock granted under the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan allowing the Company to withhold, or the recipient to deliver to the Company, the number of shares having the fair value equal to tax withholding due. |
(2) | On February 16, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program of up to 5.8 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock (Stock Repurchase Program). The Stock Repurchase Program was publicly announced on February 21, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 442,009 shares under the Stock Repurchase Program. |
Due to the volatility and uncertainty in the stock market associated with the
COVID-19
pandemic, we suspended repurchases of our common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program on March 12, 2020. As of the date of this report, the Stock Repurchase Program remains in effect and we may determine to resume repurchases at any time.
Item 5. Other Information
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 29, 2020. Only holders of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on March 2, 2020 (Record Date) were entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 58,206,523 shares of common stock entitled to vote. A total of 55,433,633 shares of common stock (95.24%), constituting a quorum, were represented in person or by valid proxies at the Annual Meeting.
The stockholders voted on four proposals at the Annual Meeting. The proposals are described in detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated March 17, 2020. The final results for the votes regarding each proposal are set forth below.
The Company’s stockholders elected four directors to the Board to serve for a three-year term until the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. The votes regarding this proposal were as follows:
The Company’s stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s executive officers named in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated March 17, 2020. The votes regarding this proposal were as follows:
The Company’s stockholders approved the Fourth Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, from 120 million to 180 million. The votes regarding this proposal were as follows:
The Company’s stockholders ratified the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The votes regarding this proposal were as follows:
Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation
At the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held on April 29, 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Amendment), effective as of April 29, 2020. The Company’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Amendment on February 19, 2020, subject to stockholder approval. The Amendment increases the number of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, that the Company is authorized to issue from 120 million shares to 180 million shares. The Amendment was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 29, 2020.
The foregoing description of certain terms and conditions in the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Form
10-Q,
the First Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2, the Second Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which is filed as Exhibit 3.3, the Third Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, which is filed as Exhibit 3.4, and the Fourth Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which is filed as Exhibit 3.5, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
See Exhibit Index at the end of the Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q
for the information required by this Item which is incorporated herein by reference.