EX-99.1 2 c72326exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
 

Exhibit 99.1
(BLUELINX LOGO)
4300 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339
1-888-502-BLUE
www.BlueLinxCo.com
     
BlueLinx Contacts:
   
Steve Macadam
  Russ Zukowski
Chief Executive Officer
  Investor Relations
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
  BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
(770) 953-2211
  (770) 953-7620
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLUELINX ANNOUNCES FOURTH-QUARTER RESULTS
— Net Loss Totals $34.1 Million on 17% Revenue Decline Related to Continued Housing Downturn —
—Fourth-Quarter Results also impacted by Headquarters Consolidation and Severance Charges
and SKU Rationalization —
-Introduces New Chief Financial Officer-
ATLANTA — February 12, 2008 — BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BXC), a leading distributor of building products in North America, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 29, 2007.
The Company’s fourth-quarter net loss totaled $34.1 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $5.9 million, or $0.19 per share, in the year-ago period. The Company’s results for the fourth quarter reflect the ongoing downturn in the housing market and were impacted further by several previously announced factors, including:
   
an after-tax restructuring charge of $7.0 million, or $0.23 per share, related to the consolidation of the Company’s leased Atlanta corporate headquarters and sales center into one building from two buildings ($0.2 million of this charge relates to moving expenses requiring cash expenditures and the remainder of the charge is non-cash);
   
an after-tax restructuring charge of $3.4 million, or $0.11 per share, associated with severance and outplacement costs resulting from the Company’s reduction in force; and
   
the Company’s stock keeping unit (“SKU”) rationalization initiative, whereby it discontinued certain underperforming SKUs and aggressively sold its inventory in these SKUs. The Company estimates the SKU rationalization initiative negatively impacted its gross profit margin by approximately 130 basis points and earnings per share by approximately $0.20 for the fourth quarter.
Revenues for the fourth quarter decreased 17.2% to $778.9 million from $940.2 million for the same period a year ago, reflecting a 19.6% drop in structural product sales and a 17.1% sales decline in specialty products, both associated with the softness in the housing market. The decline in structural product sales resulted from a 22.7% decrease in unit volume from a year ago, offset slightly by increased underlying product prices relative to the prior year period. Specialty product unit volume decreased 15.1%, with a slight reduction in pricing. Overall unit volume for the Company’s estimated end-use markets declined 13.0% for the period as compared to the prior year period.

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
  2 of 8
Gross profit for the fourth quarter totaled $66.1 million, down 28.5% from $92.5 million in the prior year period. The gross profit decline reflects lower unit volume associated with the decline in housing starts offset by a slight increase in underlying product prices relative to last year. Gross margin was 8.5% for the period compared to 9.8% in the prior year period. The Company estimates the SKU rationalization initiative negatively impacted its gross profits by approximately $10 million and its gross margin by approximately 130 basis points for the fourth quarter. Excluding the estimated impact of the SKU rationalization initiative on fourth-quarter results, gross margin would have been consistent with the prior year period.
Total operating expenses of $111.2 million for the fourth quarter increased $19.2 million, or 20.9%, from the same period a year ago. Operating expenses include charges of $17.1 million associated with the Company’s headquarters consolidation and with severance and outplacement costs resulting from the Company’s reduction in force during the fourth quarter. Operating expenses in the prior year period included a severance charge of $0.7 million. The remaining increase in operating expenses was due in part to increased reserves for doubtful accounts and for consulting expenses. Operating loss for the quarter was $45.1 million, compared with operating income of $0.6 million a year ago. The fourth-quarter operating loss reflects $17.1 million of restructuring charges and the Company’s estimated $10.0 million impact of its SKU rationalization program.
For the full year ended December 29, 2007, net loss totaled $27.9 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared with net income of $15.8 million, or $0.51 per share, for the prior year. Full-year results included an after-tax charge totaling $10.4 million, or $0.34 per share, related to the Company’s fourth-quarter restructuring charge and severance and outplacement costs. Additionally, the Company estimates that its SKU rationalization initiative negatively impacted earnings per share by approximately $0.20 for the full-year period. Reported results benefited from a $1.7 million pre-tax gain, or approximately $0.03 per share, related to an insurance settlement the Company received during the period related to damage caused to its New Orleans facility by Hurricane Katrina. Sales for the year totaled $3.8 billion, down 21.7% from $4.9 billion a year ago, reflecting lower unit volume and lower underlying prices for both structural and specialty products versus the comparable prior year period.
For the full year, gross profit decreased 18.3% to $391.9 million from $479.8 million from the prior year, translating to gross margins of 10.2% and 9.8% for 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in gross margin for 2007 is primarily attributable to a shift towards the warehouse channel, which typically provides higher gross margins, and a slight shift in product mix from structural to higher margin specialty products, offset in part by a decline in average underlying product prices compared to the prior year. The Company estimates that the SKU rationalization initiative impacted full year gross profit by $10 million and gross margin by approximately 30 basis points. Total operating expenses of $393.7 million for the year decreased $8.6 million, or 2.1%, from 2006, primarily due to reduced payroll, commissions and other operating expenses. Operating costs for 2007 include headquarters consolidation and severance and outplacement charges of $17.1 million whereas the prior year operating costs included $3.8 million of severance charges.
“We continue to pursue our strategy while also taking proactive measures to adjust our cost structure to the current business climate,” said Stephen Macadam, chief executive officer. “The actions we took during the fourth quarter demonstrate our commitment to aggressively managing costs and working capital in this reduced-demand environment. We generated approximately $98 million in cash from operations during the fourth quarter and ended the year with over $220 million in excess availability on our revolving credit facility. I remain confident that we will continue to execute on our strategy throughout this cyclical downturn and grow our company as a leading national distributor of specialty building products.”

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
  3 of 8
New Chief Financial Officer
As previously disclosed, Lynn Wentworth announced her decision to resign her position as the Company’s chief financial officer and treasurer effective February 15, 2008. The Company has selected Doug Goforth to succeed Ms. Wentworth and he will join BlueLinx as chief financial officer and treasurer beginning February 18th. Mr. Goforth brings 20 years of combined accounting, finance, treasury, acquisition and management experience with leading distribution and manufacturing companies including Mitsubishi Wireless Communications, Yamaha Motor and Ingersoll-Rand to BlueLinx. His experience also includes over four years with the distribution division of Georgia-Pacific Corporation and as BlueLinx’ corporate controller during which time he played a key role in the Company’s 2004 initial public offering. “Doug is well versed in the cyclical and seasonal nature of our industry and we know Doug will make an immediate contribution to our Company,” said Mr. Macadam. Most recently, Mr. Goforth was vice president, corporate controller and treasurer, as well as a member of the senior management team, of Armor Holdings Inc. which was acquired by BAE Systems, Inc. in 2007.
Conference Call
BlueLinx will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, accompanied by a supporting slide presentation. Investors may listen to the conference call and download the presentation by going to the Investor Relations page of the BlueLinx Web site at www.BlueLinxCo.com. Investors also can access a recording of the conference call for one week by calling (706) 645-9291, Conference ID# 33038483. The recording will be available two hours after the conference call has concluded. Investors also can access a recording of this call on the BlueLinx Web site where a replay of the Webcast will be available for 90 days.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
BlueLinx reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company also believes that presentation of certain non-GAAP measures, i.e., results excluding certain charges, provides useful information for the understanding of its ongoing operations and enables investors to focus on period-over-period operating performance, without the impact of significant special items, and thereby enhances the user’s overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance relative to past performance and provides a better baseline for modeling future earnings expectations. Non-GAAP measures used herein are reconciled in the financial tables accompanying this news release. The Company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Company’s reported GAAP results.
About BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, BlueLinx Holdings Inc., operating through its wholly owned subsidiary BlueLinx Corporation, is a leading distributor of building products in North America. Employing approximately 2,800 people, BlueLinx offers greater than 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service approximately 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. The Company operates its distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and its network of more than 70 warehouses. BlueLinx, which is on the Fortune 500 list of the nation’s largest companies, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BXC. Additional information about BlueLinx can be found on its Web site at www.BlueLinxCo.com.

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
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Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All of these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management that, although believed by BlueLinx to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may include, among other things: changes in the supply and/or demand for products that we distribute, especially as a result of conditions in the residential housing market; general economic and business conditions in the United States; the activities of competitors; changes in significant operating expenses; changes in the availability of capital; the ability to identify acquisition opportunities and effectively and cost-efficiently integrate acquisitions; adverse weather patterns or conditions; acts of war or terrorist activities; variations in the performance of the financial markets; and other factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006 and in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BlueLinx undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectation or otherwise, except as required by law.
- Tables to Follow -

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
  5 of 8
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
Statements of Operations
in thousands, except per share data
                                 
    Quarters Ended     Years Ended  
    December 29,     December 30,     December 29,     December 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)        
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 778,918     $ 940,249     $ 3,833,910     $ 4,899,383  
Cost of sales
    712,775       847,743       3,441,964       4,419,576  
 
                       
Gross profit
    66,143       92,506       391,946       479,807  
 
                       
Selling, general, and administrative
    106,114       86,550       372,754       381,554  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,084       5,401       20,924       20,724  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    111,198       91,951       393,678       402,278  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income (loss)
    (45,055 )     555       (1,732 )     77,529  
Non-operating expenses:
                               
Interest expense
    9,904       10,659       43,660       46,164  
Charges associated with mortgage refinancing
                      4,864  
Other (income) expense, net
    231       337       (370 )     320  
 
                       
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (55,190 )     (10,441 )     (45,022 )     26,181  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (21,110 )     (4,576 )     (17,077 )     10,349  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ (34,080 )   $ (5,865 )   $ (27,945 )   $ 15,832  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    30,890       30,745       30,848       30,618  
 
                       
Basic net income (loss) per share applicable to common stock
  $ (1.10 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.91 )   $ 0.52  
 
                       
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    30,890       30,745       30,848       30,779  
 
                       
Diluted net income (loss) per share applicable to common stock
  $ (1.10 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.91 )   $ 0.51  
 
                       
Dividends declared per share of common stock
  $     $ 0.125     $ 0.375     $ 0.50  
 
                       

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
  6 of 8
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
Balance Sheets
in thousands
                 
    December 29,     December 30,  
    2007     2006  
    (unaudited)        
Assets:
               
Current assets:
               
Cash
  $ 15,759     $ 27,042  
Receivables
    263,176       307,543  
Inventories
    335,887       410,686  
Deferred income taxes
    12,199       9,024  
Other current assets
    53,231       44,948  
 
           
Total current assets
    680,252       799,243  
 
           
 
               
Property, plant, and equipment:
               
Land and land improvements
    57,295       56,985  
Buildings
    98,420       95,814  
Machinery and equipment
    67,217       61,955  
Construction in progress
    4,212       2,025  
 
           
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost
    227,144       216,779  
Accumulated depreciation
    (54,702 )     (38,530 )
 
           
Property, plant, and equipment, net
    172,442       178,249  
Other non-current assets
    30,742       26,870  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 883,436     $ 1,004,362  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities :
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 164,717     $ 195,815  
Bank overdrafts
    37,152       50,241  
Accrued compensation
    10,372       8,574  
Current maturities of long-term debt
          9,743  
Other current liabilities
    19,280       14,633  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    231,521       279,006  
 
           
Noncurrent liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    478,535       522,719  
Deferred income taxes
          1,101  
Other long-term liabilities
    18,557       12,137  
 
           
Total liabilities
    728,613       814,963  
 
           
 
               
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock
    312       309  
Additional paid in capital
    142,081       138,066  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    5,354       412  
Retained earnings
    7,076       50,612  
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    154,823       189,399  
 
           
 
               
 
           
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 883,436     $ 1,004,362  
 
           

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
  7 of 8
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
in thousands
                 
    Years Ended  
    December 29,     December 30,  
    2007     2006  
    (unaudited)        
 
               
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income (loss)
  $ (27,945 )   $ 15,832  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operations:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    20,924       20,724  
Amortization of debt issue costs
    2,431       2,628  
Charges associated with mortgage refinancing
          4,864  
Non-cash vacant property charges
    11,037        
Deferred income tax benefit
    (9,526 )     (3,700 )
Gain from insurance settlement
    (1,698 )      
Share-based compensation
    3,637       3,137  
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    (20 )     (891 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables
    44,367       94,113  
Inventories
    74,799       66,504  
Accounts payable
    (31,098 )     (131,594 )
Changes in other working capital
    (6,211 )     (4,889 )
Other
    (855 )     (3,524 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    79,842       63,204  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
          (9,391 )
Property, plant, and equipment investments
    (13,141 )     (9,601 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
    4,071       822  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (9,070 )     (18,170 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from stock options exercised
    496       1,913  
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    20       891  
Net decrease in revolving credit facility
    (53,927 )     (138,388 )
Proceeds from new mortgage
          295,000  
Debt financing costs
          (6,703 )
Retirement of old mortgage
          (165,000 )
Prepayment fees associated with old mortgage
          (2,475 )
Decrease in bank overdrafts
    (13,089 )     (12,151 )
Common dividends paid
    (15,591 )     (15,400 )
Other
    36       1  
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (82,055 )     (42,312 )
 
           
 
               
Increase (decrease) in cash
    (11,283 )     2,722  
Balance, beginning of period
    27,042       24,320  
 
           
Balance, end of period
  $ 15,759     $ 27,042  
 
           

 

 


 

BlueLinx Q4’07 Press Release Page
February 12, 2008
  8 of 8
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to their GAAP Equivalents
in thousands, except per share data
                                 
    Quarters Ended     Year Ended  
    December 29,     December 30,     December 29,     December 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
 
                               
Reconciliation of Income Before Charges and Income Before Charges Per Share:
                               
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ (34,080 )   $ (5,865 )   $ (27,945 )   $ 15,832  
Reconciling Items:
                               
Write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs
                      2,828  
Termination penalty resulting from prepayment of old mortgage
                      1,650  
Unamortized exit penalty resulting from prepayment of old mortgage
                      386  
 
                       
Charges associated with mortgage refinancing
                      4,864  
 
                               
Tax effect of reconciling items at 39.0%
                      (1,897 )
 
                       
 
                               
Adjusted net income (loss) (1)
  $ (34,080 )   $ (5,865 )   $ (27,945 )   $ 18,799  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
    30,890       30,745       30,848       30,779  
 
                               
Diluted net income (loss) per share applicable to common stock
  $ (1.10 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.91 )   $ 0.51  
Reconciling Items:
                               
Write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs
                      0.09  
Termination penalty resulting from prepayment of old mortgage
                      0.06  
Exit penalty resulting from prepayment of old mortgage
                      0.01  
 
                       
Charges associated with mortgage refinancing
                      0.16  
 
                               
Tax effect of reconciling items at 39.0%
                      (0.06 )
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted adjusted net income (loss) per share applicable to common stock (1)
  $ (1.10 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.91 )   $ 0.61  
 
                       
Note (1) — Net income before mortgage refinancing is a non-GAAP performance measure and is not intended to be a performance measure that should be regarded as an alternative to or more meaningful than GAAP net income.
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