Universal Forest Products

Universal Forest Products Posts Record Second Quarter Results

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jul 15, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Universal Forest Products (NASDAQ: UFPI) today announced record results for the second quarter and first six months of 2002, including diluted earnings per share of $0.82 for the quarter and $1.14 for the year-to-date. Diluted earnings per share reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2001 were $0.70 and $0.95, respectively.

Net sales for the quarter were $504.9 million, an increase of 4.1% over sales of $485.2 million in the second quarter of 2001, despite a steep decline in lumber prices that were down as much as 29% compared to last year. Net sales for the first six months of 2002 were $846.6 million, a 10.0% increase compared to sales of $769.2 million for the same period of 2001.

"We were able to absorb one of the worst declines in the lumber market I've seen in my 31 years at Universal -- at a time when our operations are at maximum inventory levels for the spring selling season -- and still stay on pace to meet our targets," said UFP's vice chairman and CEO William G. Currie. "Our ability to show record sales and earnings for the second quarter and the first six months of 2002 is a powerful statement about the strength of Universal's business processes and the spirit of our people."

Universal posted the following second quarter sales by market:

-- $265.4 million in D-I-Y/retail, down 2% from last year;
-- $88.9 million in site-built construction, an increase of 9% over lasty ear;
-- $80.9 million in manufactured housing, an 8% increase compared to last year; and
-- $69.8 million in industrial/agricultural, a 22% increase over last year.

The Company increased unit sales in each of its four markets. However, these increases were partially offset by a steep decline in lumber prices beginning in April of 2002, which adversely impacted the Company's second quarter selling prices compared to the same period last year.

The Company continues to target annual sales growth of 6% to 10% and diluted earnings per share growth of 18% to 22%, which includes the effect of discontinuing goodwill amortization in 2002.

Universal Forest Products will conduct a conference call to discuss information included in this news release and related matters at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 16, 2002. The conference call will be hosted by William G. Currie and will be available for analysts and institutional investors domestically at 800-521-5414 or internationally at 303-224-6997. Use conference call ID #2041483. The conference call will be available simultaneously, and in its entirety, to all interested investors and news media through a web cast at www.ufpi.com , click on Investor Relations.

Universal Forest Products markets, manufactures, and engineers 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. For information about Universal Forest Products on the Internet, please contact the Company's web site at www.ufpi.com , or call 888-BUY-UFPI.

Included in this report are certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 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. 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 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.

Financial highlights to follow

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended
June 2002/2001

(In thousands,
except per share data)
Quarter Period
  2002 2001
Net Sales
$504,944
100%
$485,153
100%
Cost of Goods Sold
436,321
86.41
418,756
86.31
Gross Profit
68,623
13.59
66,397
13.69
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
41,345
8.19
38,869
8.01
Earnings From Operations
27,278
5.40
27,528
5.67
Interest Expense
3,047
0.60
3,539
0.73
Interest Revenue
(52)
-0.01
(245)
-0.05
Gain on Sale of Assets
(1,082)
-0.21
-
0.00
 
1,913
0.38
3,294
0.68
Earnings Before Income Taxes, Minority Interest and Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee
25,365
5.02
24,234
5.00
Income Taxes
9,400
1.86
9,179
1.89
Earnings Before Minority Interest and Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee
15,965
3.16
15,055
3.10
Minority Interest
(611)
-0.12
(794)
-0.16
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee
-
0.00
(23)
0.00
Reported Net Earnings
$15,354
3.04
$14,238
2.93
Add: Goodwill Amortization,
net of tax
 
761
0.16
Adjusted Net Earnings
$15,354
3.04
$14,999
3.09
Reported Earnings
per Share-Basic
$0.86
 
$0.72
 
Add: Goodwill Amortization,
net of tax
 
0.04
 
Adjusted Earnings
per Share-Basic
$0.86
 
$0.76
 
Reported Earnings
per Share-Diluted
$0.82
 
$0.70
 
Add: Goodwill Amortization,
net of tax
 
0.04
 
Adjusted Earnings
per Share-Diluted
$0.82
 
$0.74
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
17,884
 
19,792
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding with Common Stock Equivalents
18,705
 
20,388
 
(In thousands,
except per share data)
Year to Date
  2002 2001
Net Sales
$846,600
100%
$769,222
100%
Cost of Goods Sold
726,700
85.84
659,706
85.76
Gross Profit
119,900
14.16
109,516
14.24
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
79,143
9.35
71,142
9.25
Earnings From Operations
40,757
4.81
38,374
4.99
Interest Expense
5,955
0.70
6,738
0.88
Interest Revenue
(165)
-0.02
(317)
-0.04
Gain on Sale of Assets
(1,082)
-0.13
-
0.00
 
4,708
0.56
6,421
0.83
Earnings Before Income Taxes, Minority Interest and Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee
36,049
4.26
31,953
4.15
Income Taxes
13,373
1.58
12,035
1.56
Earnings Before Minority Interest and Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee
22,676
2.68
19,918
2.59
Minority Interest
(1,240)
-0.15
(861)
-0.11
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee
-
0.00
158
0.02
Reported Net Earnings
$21,436
2.53
$19,215
2.50
Add: Goodwill Amortization,
net of tax
 
1,457
0.19
Adjusted Net Earnings
$21,436
2.53
$20,672
2.69
Reported Earnings per Share-Basic
$1.19
 
$0.97
 
Add: Goodwill Amortization,
net of tax
 
0.07
 
Adjusted Earnings per Share-Basic
$1.19
 
$1.05
 
Reported Earnings per Share-Diluted
$1.14
 
$0.95
 
Add: Goodwill Amortization,
net of tax
 
0.07
 
Adjusted Earnings per Share-Diluted
$1.14
 
$1.02
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
18,047
 
19,753
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding with Common Stock Equivalents
18,865
 
20,315
 

Supplemental Sales Data

  Quarter Period
Market Classification 2002 2001
Do-It-Yourself
$265,359
52%
$271,305
56%
Site-Built Construction
88,901
18%
81,773
17%
Manufactured Housing
80,850
16%
74,618
15%
Industrial and Other
69,834
14%
57,457
12%
Total
$504,944
100%
$485,153
100%
  Year to Date
Market Classification 2002 2001
Do-It-Yourself
$412,590
49%
$398,998
52%
Site-Built Construction
157,385
19%
143,500
19%
Manufactured Housing
148,047
17%
124,104
16%
Industrial and Other
128,578
15%
102,620
13%
Total
$846,600
100%
$769,222
100%

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
June 2002/2001

(in thousands)
Assets Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
2002 2001 2002 2001
Current Assets     Current Liabilities    
Cash and cash equivalents
$18,020
$8,490 Notes payable
$2,001
$1,020
Restricted cash equivalents
-
723 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
140,699
119,875
Accounts receivable
178,017
140,698 Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases
19,025
21,360
Inventories
137,999
148,069  
 
Other current assets
3,425
8,210  
 
Total Current Assets
337,461
306,190 Total Current Liabilities
161,725
142,255
Other Assets
6,334
11,698 Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases, less current portion
219,675
197,197
Goodwill and Non-Compete
125,583
114,903 Other Liabilities
25,180
18,862
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
188,677
179,581 Shareholders' Equity
251,475
254,058
Total Assets
$658,055
$612,372 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
$658,055
$612,372

Consolidated Statements of CashFlows (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended
June 2002/2001

(In thousands) 2002 2001
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:    
Net earnings $21,436 $19,215
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:    
Depreciation 11,322 9,498
Amortization of intangibles 587 2,180
(Gain) / Loss on sale or impairment of property, plant and equipment (949) 38
Changes in:    
Accounts receivable (89,290) (68,218)
Inventories (15,194) (21,951)
Accounts payable 43,027 36,701
Accrued liabilities and other 9,347 9,909
Net Cash From Operating Activities (19,714) (12,628)
     
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (13,481) (17,924)
Purchases of licensing agreements (2,000) -
Aquisitions, net of cash received (359) (21,559)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 2,545 399
Other 1,094 512
Net Cash From Investing Activities (12,201) (38,572)
     
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:    
Net borrowings under revolving credit facilities and notes payable 71,827 67,600
Repayment of long-term debt (7,557) (9,038)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 716 783
Distributions to minority shareholder (585) -
Dividends paid to shareholders (806) (792)
Repurchase of common stock (36,547) (1,255)
Net Cash From Financing Activities 27,048 57,298
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (4,867) 6,098
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 22,887 2,392
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $18,020 $8,490

Contact

At the Company: Michael R. Cole, Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, +1-616-364-6161
At Fleishman Hillard: Jim Ankner, Vice President of Fleishman Hillard, +1-212-453-2198