Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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Exhibit 99(a)
News release
---------------AT THE COMPANY---------------
Lynn Afendoulis
Director, Corporate Communications
(616) 365-1502
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
UFPI posts record first-quarter earnings and sales
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today reported record financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, the eleventh consecutive quarter in which the company has reported records in both net sales and net earnings.
“The dedicated employees of Universal continued to produce record results despite some weather-related shutdowns. Their performance reflects the strength of our balanced business model and focused approach to growth,” said CEO Matt Missad. “Due to the elevated level of the lumber market, we are focused on unit sales growth, and are pleased that half of our sales growth came from increases in unit sales, including new products. We are excited about the diverse range of products that we have launched during the past several years and are seeing significant growth with a number of them. Individually, most new products don’t have a notable sales impact; however, as a whole, they have a positive impact.
“We remain focused on improving our bottom-line performance through production efficiency improvements from automation and new, value-added products and services. We also will continue to implement cost-saving initiatives as we integrate our recent acquisitions.”
Recent Acquisition Activity
In January, Universal acquired Naches, Washington-based Spinner Wood Products, a manufacturer of agricultural bins and industrial products, and Great Northern Lumber, a manufacturer of industrial and concrete forming products in the Chicago area. In early April, the company acquired Expert Packaging, an Australian industrial packaging manufacturer, and Fontana Wood Products, an industrial lumber-processing facility in Fontana,
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Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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California. These recently completed acquisitions are expected to contribute annual sales of approximately $50 million. Universal also recently announced an agreement to acquire certain assets of North American Container Corp. (NACC), an industrial packaging manufacturer based in Georgia with sales of approximately $71 million in 2017.
First Quarter 2018 Highlights (comparisons on a year-over-year basis):
| - | | Diluted earnings per share were $0.53, up from $0.34. The sale of assets, including real property in Medley, Fla., contributed a net gain of $0.08 to diluted earnings per share. |
| - | | Net earnings attributable to controlling interest were $32.8 million, up 56 percent |
| - | | EBITDA, which excludes the net gain on the sale of assets, was $53.4 million, up 14 percent |
| - | | Gross sales increased 18 percent, with gains of 19 percent in the Retail and Industrial markets and 16 percent in the Construction market |
| - | | Unit sales contributed 9 percent of gross sales growth; higher prices due to the lumber market contributed 9 percent |
| - | | Organic sales contributed 5 percent to unit growth while acquisitions added 4 percent |
| - | | New product sales were $103.9 million, up from $86.2 million |
By market, the Company reported the following first-quarter 2018 gross sales results.
Retail
| · | | $371 million, up 19 percent over the same period of 2017, as unit sales contributed 10 percent and price increases accounted for 9 percent |
| · | | Organic sales contributed 3 percent to unit growth and acquisitions added 7 percent |
| · | | Sales to big box customers increased 15 percent, while sales to independent customers grew 24 percent |
Construction
| · | | $308 million, up 16 percent over the same period of 2017, as unit sales contributed 6 percent and price increases accounted for 10 percent |
| · | | Organic sales contributed 6 percent to unit growth and there was no impact from acquisitions |
| · | | Sales to manufactured housing customers grew 24 percent, while sales to commercial and residential construction customers grew 18 and 7 percent, respectively |
Industrial
| · | | $333 million, up 19 percent over the same period of 2017, as unit sales accounted for 11 percent and price increases accounted for 8 percent |
| · | | Organic sales contributed 7 percent to unit growth and acquisitions added 4 percent |
| · | | The company sees favorable growth opportunities in the Industrial market and plans to continue to expand its presence organically and through acquisitions |
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Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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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 Thursday, April 19, 2018. 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 866-518-4547, and internationally at 213-660-0879. Use conference pass code 8896458. 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 19, 2018, at 855-859-2056, 404-537-3406 or 800-585-5367.
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company whose subsidiaries 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, Europe, Asia and Australia. 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.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This release includes certain financial information not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Because not all companies calculate non-GAAP financial information identically (or at all), the presentations herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. Management considers EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, an alternative performance measure which may provide useful information to investors.
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Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 2018/2017
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Period | Year to Date |
(In thousands, except per share data) | | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 |
NET SALES | | $ | 993,857 | | 100 | % | $ | 846,130 | | 100 | % | $ | 993,857 | | 100 | % | $ | 846,130 | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COST OF GOODS SOLD | | | 862,968 | | 86.8 | | | 725,390 | | 85.7 | | | 862,968 | | 86.8 | | | 725,390 | | 85.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
GROSS PROFIT | | | 130,889 | | 13.2 | | | 120,740 | | 14.3 | | | 130,889 | | 13.2 | | | 120,740 | | 14.3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES | | | 93,206 | | 9.4 | | | 87,085 | | 10.3 | | | 93,206 | | 9.4 | | | 87,085 | | 10.3 | |
NET GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF ASSETS | | | (6,534) | | (0.7) | | | (166) | | — | | | (6,534) | | (0.7) | | | (166) | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS | | | 44,217 | | 4.4 | | | 33,821 | | 4.0 | | | 44,217 | | 4.4 | | | 33,821 | | 4.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER EXPENSE, NET | | | 1,061 | | 0.1 | | | 1,417 | | 0.2 | | | 1,061 | | 0.1 | | | 1,417 | | 0.2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | | 43,156 | | 4.3 | | | 32,404 | | 3.8 | | | 43,156 | | 4.3 | | | 32,404 | | 3.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME TAXES | | | 9,574 | | 1.0 | | | 10,770 | | 1.3 | | | 9,574 | | 1.0 | | | 10,770 | | 1.3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET EARNINGS | | | 33,582 | | 3.4 | | | 21,634 | | 2.6 | | | 33,582 | | 3.4 | | | 21,634 | | 2.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LESS NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST | | | (749) | | (0.1) | | | (572) | | (0.1) | | | (749) | | (0.1) | | | (572) | | (0.1) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST | | $ | 32,833 | | 3.3 | | $ | 21,062 | | 2.5 | | $ | 32,833 | | 3.3 | | $ | 21,062 | | 2.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC | | $ | 0.53 | | | | $ | 0.34 | | | | $ | 0.53 | | | | $ | 0.34 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED | | $ | 0.53 | | | | $ | 0.34 | | | | $ | 0.53 | | | | $ | 0.34 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | 33,143 | | | | | 24,669 | | | | | 33,143 | | | | | 24,669 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LESS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST | | | (1,594) | | | | | (1,427) | | | | | (1,594) | | | | | (1,427) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST | | $ | 31,549 | | | | $ | 23,242 | | | | $ | 31,549 | | | | $ | 23,242 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL SALES DATA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Period | | Year to Date |
Market Classification | | 2018 | | 2017 | | % | | 2018 | | 2017 | | % |
Retail | | $ | 370,961 | | $ | 312,352 | | 19% | | $ | 370,961 | | $ | 312,352 | | 19% |
Industrial | | | 332,966 | | | 280,599 | | 19% | | | 332,966 | | | 280,599 | | 19% |
Construction | | | 307,740 | | | 265,906 | | 16% | | | 307,740 | | | 265,906 | | 16% |
Total Gross Sales | | | 1,011,667 | | | 858,857 | | 18% | | | 1,011,667 | | | 858,857 | | 18% |
Sales Allowances | | | (17,810) | | | (12,727) | | -40% | | | (17,810) | | | (12,727) | | -40% |
Total Net Sales | | $ | 993,857 | | $ | 846,130 | | 17% | | $ | 993,857 | | $ | 846,130 | | 17% |
Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 2018/2017
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 25,326 | | $ | 31,020 | | Cash overdraft | | $ | 30,026 | | $ | 21,566 | |
Restricted cash | | | 32,425 | | | 909 | | Accounts payable | | | 176,469 | | | 156,030 | |
Investments | | | 10,701 | | | 5,928 | | Accrued liabilities | | | 106,209 | | | 97,964 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 430,251 | | | 365,620 | | Current portion of debt | | | 425 | | | 2,280 | |
Inventories | | | 521,706 | | | 472,016 | | | | | | | | | |
Other current assets | | | 23,304 | | | 23,820 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | | | 1,043,713 | | | 899,313 | | TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | 313,129 | | | 277,840 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER ASSETS | | | 19,634 | | | 18,333 | | | | | | | | | |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET | | | 254,546 | | | 250,160 | | LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS | | | 261,327 | | | 252,904 | |
| | | | | | | | OTHER LIABILITIES | | | 40,086 | | | 49,562 | |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET | | | 313,571 | | | 309,853 | | EQUITY | | | 1,016,922 | | | 897,353 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 1,631,464 | | $ | 1,477,659 | | TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | $ | 1,631,464 | | $ | 1,477,659 | |
Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 2018/2017
| | | | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | | 2018 | | | | 2017 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | $ | 33,582 | | | $ | 21,634 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 12,712 | | | | 11,392 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 1,228 | | | | 1,119 | |
Expense associated with share-based and grant compensation arrangements | | | 1,094 | | | | 617 | |
Deferred income taxes (credit) | | | (519) | | | | 224 | |
Equity in earnings of investee | | | — | | | | (5) | |
Net gain on disposition and impairment of assets | | | (6,534) | | | | (166) | |
Changes in: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (99,765) | | | | (67,766) | |
Inventories | | | (57,403) | | | | (60,984) | |
Accounts payable and cash overdraft | | | 39,935 | | | | 32,769 | |
Accrued liabilities and other | | | (8,502) | | | | (9,676) | |
NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | (84,172) | | | | (70,842) | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment | | | (24,362) | | | | (16,531) | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | 36,250 | | | | 455 | |
Acquisitions and purchase of noncontrolling interest, net of cash received | | | (8,787) | | | | (55,441) | |
Advances of notes receivable | | | (12) | | | | (228) | |
Collections of notes receivable and related interest | | | 482 | | | | 721 | |
Purchases of investments | | | (6,718) | | | | (819) | |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | | 5,045 | | | | 1,204 | |
Other | | | (594) | | | | 142 | |
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | 1,304 | | | | (70,497) | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities | | | 296,342 | | | | 281,090 | |
Repayments under revolving credit facilities | | | (179,429) | | | | (137,767) | |
Borrowings of debt | | | 1,376 | | | | — | |
Repayments of debt | | | (5,232) | | | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | 206 | | | | 146 | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | | | (775) | | | | (1,673) | |
Repurchase of common stock | | | (848) | | | | (83) | |
Other | | | (70) | | | | (16) | |
NET CASH FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | 111,570 | | | | 141,697 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 233 | | | | 882 | |
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | | 28,935 | | | | 1,240 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ALL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | | 28,816 | | | | 34,489 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ALL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 57,751 | | | $ | 35,729 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | $ | 28,339 | | | $ | 34,091 | |
Restricted cash, beginning of period | | | 477 | | | | 398 | |
All cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | $ | 28,816 | | | $ | 34,489 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 25,326 | | | $ | 31,020 | |
Restricted cash, end of period | | | 32,425 | | | | 4,709 | |
All cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 57,751 | | | $ | 35,729 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Universal Forest Products, Inc.
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EBITDA RECONCILIATION TO NET EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 2018/2017
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Period | Year to Date |
(In thousands) | | 2018 | | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 |
Net Earnings | | $ | 33,582 | | $ | 21,634 | $ | 33,582 | | $ | 21,634 |
Interest Expense | | | 1,778 | | | 1,504 | | 1,778 | | | 1,504 |
Taxes | | | 9,574 | | | 10,770 | | 9,574 | | | 10,770 |
Expense associated with Share-Based Compensation Arrangements | | | 1,094 | | | 617 | | 1,094 | | | 617 |
Net Gain on Disposition of Asset | | | (6,534) | | | (166) | | (6,534) | | | (166) |
Depreciation Expense | | | 12,712 | | | 11,392 | | 12,712 | | | 11,392 |
Amortization of Intangibles | | | 1,228 | | | 1,119 | | 1,228 | | | 1,119 |
EBITDA | | $ | 53,434 | | $ | 46,870 | $ | 53,434 | | $ | 46,870 |
