Wood Flooring Segment
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| | Three Months Ended December 31, | | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |
(Dollars in millions) | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | Change | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | Change | |
Net sales | | $ | 104.5 | | | $ | 113.4 | | | | (7.9 | %) | | $ | 432.8 | | | $ | 486.1 | | | | (11.0 | %) |
Operating (loss) income | | ($ | 10.2 | ) | | ($ | 4.4 | ) | | | N/M | | | ($ | 56.0 | ) | | $ | 3.8 | | | | N/M | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | ($ | 0.1 | ) | | $ | 0.2 | | | | N/M | | | $ | 6.8 | | | $ | 27.3 | | | | (75.1 | %) |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | | | (0.1 | %) | | | 0.2 | % | | | N/M | | | | 1.6 | % | | | 5.6 | % | | | (400 bps | ) |
Net sales were $104.5 million as compared to $113.4 million in the prior year quarter, with the decline driven by lower volumes in both solid and engineered wood. As expected, volume was most impacted in the strategic retail customer channel, which is expected to continue through the first half of 2018. Favorable mix provided a partial offset and price was stable.
Operating loss was $10.2 million, compared to an operating loss of $4.4 million in the prior year quarter, largely due to the $4.1 million charge in the fourth quarter 2017 in connection with the previously announced closing of two manufacturing facilities. Adjusted EBITDA was ($0.1) million as compared to $0.2 million in the prior year quarter, primarily attributable to the impact of lower net sales and higher input costs, which were mostly offset by lower manufacturing costs and SG&A.
Share Repurchase Program
During 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 2.5 million shares at an aggregate value of $40.0 million under its share repurchase program authorized in March 2017.
Full Year 2018 Outlook
For the full year 2018, the Company expects adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $70 million to $80 million. The adjusted EBITDA outlook assumes sales growth in the low single-digits, weighted towards the second half of full year 2018. In connection with the strengthened distributor partnerships announced in February 2018 as well as a reduction in corporate overhead, the Company expects to incurone-time charges primarily related to severance of $3 million to $4 million in the first quarter of 2018, which is expected to achieve $10 to $12 million of annualized savings over the next twelve months. The Company expects capital expenditures to be in the range of $40 million to $45 million for the full year 2018 while delivering another year of free cash flow in line with recent years.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a live webcast and conference call to review fourth quarter and full year results on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. ET. The live webcast and accompanying slide presentation will be available in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.armstrongflooring.com. To participate in the call, please dial877-407-0789 (domestic) or201-689-8562 (international). A replay of the conference call will be available for 90 days, by dialing844-512-2921 (domestic) or412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 13676121.
About Armstrong Flooring
Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (NYSE: AFI) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative flooring solutions thatinspire spaces where people live, work, learn, heal and play SM. Headquartered in
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