Universal posts net sales increase for third quarter despite impact of housing market
Company sees double-digit increases in sales to three of four markets
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 17, 2007 – Universal Forest Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: UFPI) today announced results for the third quarter of 2007 including net sales of $678.4 million, an increase of $5.5 million over net sales of $672.9 million for the same period of 2006. Net earnings were $11.3 million, down from $17.7 million for the third quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.59, down from $0.91 for the same period last year.
While Universal saw double-digit sales increases in three of its four markets, the drop in the housing market continued to have broad impact, especially in hard-hit areas like California, Colorado and Florida, and was responsible for the Company’s decline in earnings.
"We’re focused on building market share, managing our working capital, reducing costs, and enhancing our balance of business by adding new products and exploring new areas for growth. We’re also seeing promising opportunities to grow our business with new customers and markets, and we’re achieving positive results from our continuous improvement initiatives," said President and CEO Michael B. Glenn. "By focusing on these objectives, we’re positioning ourselves well for the market’s return to strength."
By market, Universal posted the following gross sales results for the third quarter:
- $268.0 million in Do-It-Yourself/retail (DIY), an increase of 11.2% over 2006;
- $158.9 million in site-built construction, a decrease of 24.0% from 2006;
- $156.6 million in industrial, an increase of 10.2% over 2006; and
- $109.7 million in manufactured/modular housing, an increase of 18.2% over 2006.
Sales increases in DIY, industrial and manufactured housing were due to market share gains. The decline in site-built sales was due to a severe drop in housing starts coupled with intense price competition, which affected profitability. The lumber market had little impact on sales levels for the quarter.
The Company continues to diversify its product mix and strengthen its market position by targeting the following areas:
- Selling components and building materials into multi-family and light-commercial construction;
- Increasing penetration with national customers in the industrial market;
- Concrete forming products for high-rise buildings, bridges, parking garages, stadiums and other large structures;
- The successful integration of Banks Lumber, a significant manufactured housing supplier that Universal acquired in late 2006. Universal is well-positioned for a rebound in that market; and
- Increased sales of consumer products, including composite decking and railing products and a strong portfolio of accessories such as post caps, decorative balusters and lattice. In addition, with 23 treating plants nationwide, Universal continues to be the leading supplier of pressure-treated lumber to retailers coast-to-coast.
OUTLOOK
With the continued impact of the weak housing market on many sectors of the economy and the Company’s prediction that recovery won’t begin until 2009, and based on current economic conditions, the Company is revising its annual net sales target to a range of $2.48 billion to $2.52 billion and its net earnings target to a range of $32.0 million to $35.0 million in 2007. This implies the following targets for the fourth quarter of 2007: net sales of $480.0 million to $520.0 million and net earnings of break-even to $3.0 million. By comparison, net sales and net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2006 were $499.2 million and $9.2 million, respectively. Excluding certain nonrecurring tax adjustments, net earnings were approximately $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.
These targets are based on the following assumptions:
- Continued challenging conditions in site-built construction;
- Manufactured housing production remains stable for the remainder of the year;
- The Company continues to achieve market share gains in DIY/retail, industrial and site-built;
- Weak consumer spending continues to challenge the DIY/retail market;
- No events occur that result in asset impairment charges; and
- The lumber market continues at present levels for the balance of the year.
Universal Forest Products will conduct a conference call to discuss information included in this news release and related matters at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 18, 2007. The call will be hosted by Executive Chairman William G. Currie, President and CEO Michael B. Glenn and CFO Michael Cole, and will be available for analysts and institutional investors domestically at (800) 901-5231 or internationally at (617) 786-2961. Use conference pass code #84571336. The conference call will be available simultaneously and in its entirety to all interested investors and news media through a Web cast at http://www.ufpi.com. A replay of the call will be available through Sunday, November 18, 2007, domestically at (888) 286-8010 and internationally at (617) 801-6888. Use replay pass code #25356962.
Universal Forest Products markets, manufactures and engineers wood and wood-alternative products for D-I-Y/retail home centers, structural lumber products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for the site-built construction market, and specialty wood packaging for various industries. The Company also provides framing services for the site-built sector and forms for concrete construction. The Company reported sales of nearly $2.66 billion in 2006. Universal has approximately 8,000 employees who work out of approximately 100 locations in North America. For information about Universal Forest Products, visit http://www.ufpi.com or call 888-BUY-UFPI.
Please be aware that: Any statements included in this call that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company at the time such statements were made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forwardlooking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: Adverse lumber market trends, competitive activity, negative economic trends, government regulations, and weather. These risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10K and 10Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Click here to view 3rd quarter 2007 financial highlights (pdf – 30 KB)