Exhibit 99.1
(CHAMPION LOGO)
Contacts:
Laurie Van Raemdonck
Vice President, Investor Relations
(248) 340-7731
lvanraemdonck@championhomes.net
or
Phyllis Knight
Executive Vice President and CFO
(248) 340-9090
Champion Enterprises Reports 43 Percent Increase in Net Income
to $0.17 per Diluted Share for the Third Quarter of 2007
Manufacturing Margin Improves to 7.8 Percent; International Revenues Climb to
$85 Million for the Quarter
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 16, 2007 – Champion Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: CHB), a leader in factory-built construction, today announced results for its third quarter ended Sept. 29, 2007. Revenues for the quarter increased 3 percent to $357.7 million compared to $346.5 million for the third quarter of 2006. Income from continuing operations before income taxes increased 33 percent to $15.5 million compared to $11.6 million for the third quarter of 2006. Net income for the quarter increased 43 percent to $12.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the same period of the prior year.
North American Manufacturing Segment
  Manufacturing segment net sales for the third quarter decreased 11 percent to $260.4 million compared to $293.4 million in the same period of the prior year.
 
  Revenues from the sale of modular homes in the quarter totaled $80 million, representing 31 percent of manufacturing segment sales, down from $89 million in the third quarter of 2006.
 
  Manufacturing segment income for the third quarter increased to $20.2 million compared to $19.6 million in the third quarter of 2006 as a result of an improved segment margin of 7.8 percent for the quarter compared to 6.7 percent in the same period last year. Segment income for the third quarter of last year included a non-cash pretax fixed asset impairment charge of $1.2 million related to a plant closure.
 
  Segment backlogs totaled $64 million at the end of the third quarter compared to $78 million at the same time last year and $68 million at the end of the second quarter. The year-over-year decline in reported backlogs was driven by the fourth quarter 2006 implementation of a production allocation schedule at the Company’s Canadian operations limiting orders and backlogs to a forward three-month period. U.S. backlogs at the end of the third quarter increased 48 percent compared to the same time last year.

 


 

Champion Enterprises Reports 43 Percent Increase in Net Income to $0.17 per Diluted Share for the Third Quarter of 2007
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2
International Manufacturing Segment
  Driven by strong levels of spending in the U.K. prison sector, international segment sales grew 176 percent to $85.3 million for the quarter, up from $30.9 million in the same period of the prior year, and increased 50 percent compared to $56.9 million last quarter.
 
  Segment income increased to $6.4 million for the period from $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2006 and $4.5 million in the second quarter, while the segment margin was 7.5 percent compared to 6.3 percent in the same period last year and 7.8 percent last quarter.
 
  International segment order backlogs further strengthened, with firm contracts and orders pending contracts under framework agreements totaling approximately $275 million, compared to approximately $185 million at the end of the third quarter of 2006 and approximately $245 million at the end of last quarter.
Retail Segment
  The retail segment reported third quarter 2007 revenues of $18.2 million compared to $31.4 million for the same period last year, a reflection of the continuing challenges in the California housing markets.
 
  Retail segment income totaled $0.7 million for the quarter, flat to last quarter but down from $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2006. Segment margin stood at 3.8 percent, an improvement over last quarter’s 3.1 percent but down from the 7.7 percent recorded for the same period of the prior year.
Other Highlights
  Cash and cash equivalents increased to $111.3 million as of Sept. 29, 2007 compared to $104.8 million at the end of the second quarter of 2007.
“Champion’s long-term growth and diversification strategy continues to pay dividends, as our international operations are helping to offset continuing pressure on our manufacturing segment from difficult U.S. housing markets. Despite an 11 percent year-over-year decline in North American manufacturing sales, our total revenues increased 3 percent for the quarter driven by strong growth in the international business,” stated William Griffiths, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Champion Enterprises, Inc. “Our international segment reported a record quarter in both sales and segment income, while backlogs continued to grow.
“In addition, despite this quarter’s drop in manufacturing sales, segment income increased as a result of higher segment margins. Past capacity adjustments, coupled with our ongoing focus on engaging in profitable business and managing our costs, led to an improved segment margin of 7.8 percent this quarter compared to 6.7 percent last year.

 


 

Champion Enterprises Reports 43 Percent Increase in Net Income to $0.17 per Diluted Share for the Third Quarter of 2007
Page
3
“Our cash position also improved and now stands at $111 million leaving us well positioned to continue to execute our growth and diversification strategy. While we experienced a short-term increase in our receivables at the end of the quarter, most of these receivables have already been collected resulting in immediate working capital improvements in October. As such, we anticipate that our cash from operations will be stronger again next quarter and that related free cash flow will outpace 2006.”
Griffiths concluded, “The aggressive steps we have taken to diversify our footprint, strengthen our operations, and refocus our organization in the face of soft U.S. housing markets resulted in a 43 percent increase in net income for the quarter and a solid foundation for our future growth.”
Third Quarter 2007 Conference Call
Champion Enterprises will host a conference call on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss these results and current business trends. To listen to the call, please call (866) 761-0749 for domestic callers or (617) 614-2707 for international callers. The passcode is 22182823. The call may also be heard live at www.championhomes.com under the investor relations link.
A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the call’s conclusion through Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. To access the telephone replay, please call (888) 286-8010 for domestic callers or (617) 801-6888 for international callers. The passcode is 10494354. The webcast replay will be available on the Company’s Web site for 90 days under the investor relations link.
About Champion
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Champion Enterprises, Inc., a leader in factory-built construction, operates 32 manufacturing facilities in North America and the United Kingdom and works with over 3,000 independent retailers, builders and developers. The Champion family of builders produces manufactured and modular homes, as well as modular buildings for government and commercial applications. For more information, please visit www.championhomes.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain statements, including statements regarding backlogs and pending orders, future market conditions, areas of management focus, the execution of Champion’s growth and diversification strategy, and cash flow projections, each of which could be construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
These statements reflect the Company’s views with respect to future plans, events and financial performance. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company has identified certain risk factors which could cause actual results and plans to differ substantially from those included in the forward-looking statements. These factors are discussed in the Company’s most recently filed Form 10-K and other SEC filings, in each case under the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements,” and those discussions regarding risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.
– Tables Follow –

 


 

CHB/ 4
CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars and weighted shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
    September 29,     September 30,     %     September 29,     September 30,     %  
    2007     2006     Change     2007     2006     Change  
                                    (Restated)          
Net sales:
                                               
Manufacturing segment
  $ 260,379     $ 293,417       (11 %)   $ 717,994     $ 945,011       (24 %)
International segment
    85,286       30,946       176 %     188,704       58,077       225 %
Retail segment
    18,233       31,391       (42 %)     57,657       93,712       (38 %)
Less: intercompany
    (6,200 )     (9,300 )             (16,500 )     (33,100 )        
 
                                       
Total net sales
    357,698       346,454       3 %     947,855       1,063,700       (11 %)
 
                                               
Cost of sales
    296,802       289,563       2 %     803,074       895,677       (10 %)
 
                                       
 
                                               
Gross margin
    60,896       56,891       7 %     144,781       168,023       (14 %)
 
                                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    40,082       38,738       3 %     113,729       115,996       (2 %)
Restructuring charges
          1,200                     1,200          
Amortization of intangible assets
    1,454       1,122       30 %     4,273       2,513       70 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Operating income
    19,360       15,831       22 %     26,779       48,314       (45 %)
 
                                               
Interest expense, net
    3,853       4,214       (9 %)     11,616       10,295       13 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    15,507       11,617       33 %     15,163       38,019       (60 %)
 
                                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    2,582       2,589       0 %     2,019       (96,714 )     102 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Income from continuing operations
    12,925       9,028       43 %     13,144       134,733       (90 %)
 
                                               
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
          (13 )                   11          
 
                                       
 
                                               
Net income
  $ 12,925     $ 9,015       43 %   $ 13,144     $ 134,744       (90 %)
 
                                       
 
                                               
Basic income per share:
                                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.17     $ 0.12       42 %   $ 0.17     $ 1.77       (90 %)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
                                       
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 0.17     $ 0.12       42 %   $ 0.17     $ 1.77       (90 %)
 
                                       
 
                                               
Weighted shares for basic EPS
    77,062       76,456               76,804       76,304          
 
                                       
 
                                               
Diluted income per share:
                                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.17     $ 0.12       42 %   $ 0.17     $ 1.74       (90 %)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
                                       
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 0.17     $ 0.12       42 %   $ 0.17     $ 1.74       (90 %)
 
                                       
 
                                               
Weighted shares for diluted EPS
    77,848       77,486               77,616       77,512          
 
                                       
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Information.
(more)

 


 

CHB/ 5
CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
                         
    (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)        
    September 29,     June 30,     December 30,  
    2007     2007     2006  
Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 111,282     $ 104,755     $ 70,208  
Accounts receivable, trade
    102,456       73,646       47,645  
Inventories
    81,961       83,004       102,350  
Deferred tax assets
    29,145       31,565       32,303  
Other current assets
    10,735       11,836       10,677  
 
                 
Total current assets
    335,579       304,806       263,183  
 
                 
 
                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    105,182       106,653       112,527  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
    336,181       335,537       335,464  
Deferred tax assets
    80,586       76,880       71,600  
Other non-current assets
    15,967       17,012       17,841  
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 873,495     $ 840,888     $ 800,615  
 
                 
 
                       
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
                       
Accounts payable
  $ 110,380     $ 88,363     $ 54,607  
Other accrued liabilities
    142,383       149,223       148,596  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    252,763       237,586       203,203  
 
                 
 
                       
Long-term debt
    254,090       253,288       252,449  
Deferred tax liabilities
    9,621       10,178       10,600  
Other long-term liabilities
    32,581       32,504       32,601  
Shareholders’ equity
    324,440       307,332       301,762  
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 873,495     $ 840,888     $ 800,615  
 
                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Information.
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CHB/ 6
CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 29,   September 30,   September 29,   September 30,
    2007   2006   2007   2006
                            (Restated)
Net income
  $ 12,925     $ 9,015     $ 13,144     $ 134,744  
Loss (income) from discontinued operations
          13             (11 )
Adjustments:
                               
Depreciation and amortization
    5,004       4,868       15,036       12,932  
Stock-based compensation
    679       369       2,235       3,717  
Change in deferred taxes
    72       2,300       (4,420 )     (99,600 )
Fixed asset impairment charges
          1,200             1,200  
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets
    (40 )     58       (633 )     (4,470 )
Increase/decrease:
                               
Accounts receivable
    (27,948 )     645       (53,107 )     11,844  
Inventories
    1,274       (2,683 )     20,979       3,269  
Accounts payable
    20,829       4,536       53,114       4,270  
Accrued liabilities
    (6,695 )     (1,420 )     (9,047 )     (11,814 )
Other, net
    (1,419 )     1,307       (2,162 )     3,321  
         
Cash provided by continuing operating activities
    4,681       20,208       35,139       59,402  
         
 
                               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (1,847 )     (5,221 )     (5,494 )     (14,279 )
Acquisitions
          (30,098 )           (153,290 )
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
    236       (33 )     3,640       5,730  
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
                884        
         
Cash used for investing activities
    (1,611 )     (35,352 )     (970 )     (161,839 )
         
 
                               
Payments on long-term debt
    (541 )     (547 )     (1,577 )     (1,376 )
Proceeds from term loan
                      78,561  
Increase in deferred financing costs
          (81 )           (1,076 )
Decrease in restricted cash
          316       15       698  
Common stock issued, net
    873             2,294       1,955  
         
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    332       (312 )     732       78,762  
         
 
                               
Cash provided by discontinued operations
    193       114       285       1,168  
 
                               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    2,932       135       5,888       1,967  
         
 
                               
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    6,527       (15,207 )     41,074       (20,540 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    104,755       121,646       70,208       126,979  
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 111,282     $ 106,439     $ 111,282     $ 106,439  
         
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Information.
(more)

 


 

CHB/ 7
CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
(1) The results of operations for businesses acquired in 2006 are included in the Company’s results from continuing operations subsequent to the respective acquisition dates. Manufacturing segment acquisitions consist of Highland Manufacturing that was acquired on March 31, 2006, and North American Housing that was acquired on July 31, 2006. The Company’s international segment consists of Caledonian Building Systems Limited, which was acquired on April 7, 2006.
(2) The Company evaluates the performance of its manufacturing, international and retail segments based on income before amortization of intangible assets, interest, income taxes and general corporate expenses. A reconciliation of income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Three months ended:
                                 
    September 29,     Related     September 30,     Related  
    2007     Sales     2006     Sales  
Manufacturing segment income
  $ 20,228       7.8 %   $ 19,553       6.7 %
International segment income
    6,362       7.5 %     1,959       6.3 %
Retail segment income
    689       3.8 %     2,425       7.7 %
General corporate expenses
    (6,665 )             (7,184 )        
Amortization of intangible assets
    (1,454 )             (1,122 )        
Intercompany eliminations
    200               200          
Interest expense, net
    (3,853 )             (4,214 )        
 
                           
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ 15,507       4.3 %   $ 11,617       3.4 %
 
                           
Nine months ended:
                                 
    September 29,     Related     September 30,     Related  
    2007     Sales     2006     Sales  
Manufacturing segment income
  $ 37,541       5.2 %   $ 66,558       7.0 %
International segment income
    13,944       7.4 %     3,158       5.4 %
Retail segment income
    2,227       3.9 %     6,317       6.7 %
General corporate expenses
    (23,360 )             (24,406 )        
Amortization of intangible assets
    (4,273 )             (2,513 )        
Intercompany eliminations
    700               (800 )        
Interest expense, net
    (11,616 )             (10,295 )        
 
                           
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ 15,163       1.6 %   $ 38,019       3.6 %
 
                           
(3) In the second quarter of 2006 the Company reversed its deferred tax asset valuation allowance totaling $101.9 million. The Company’s earnings subsequent to this reversal are fully taxed for financial reporting purposes. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 29, 2007 is primarily based on the Company’s estimated effective consolidated tax rate for the full year plus any tax adjustments.
(4) For the year-to-date period ended September 29, 2007, gains on disposal of fixed assets resulted primarily from the sale of two idle plants, while for the same period in 2006, gains on disposal of fixed assets resulted primarily from the sale of an investment property in Florida and three idle plants.
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CHB/ 8
CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
OTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
                                                 
    Three months ended           Nine months ended    
    September 29,   September 30,   %   September 29,   September 30,   %
    2007   2006   Change   2007   2006   Change
MANUFACTURING SEGMENT
                                               
Units sold:
                                               
HUD-Code
    2,808       3,587       (22 %)     7,720       12,537       (38 %)
Modular
    980       1,215       (19 %)     2,749       3,455       (20 %)
Canadian
    441       319       38 %     1,215       857       42 %
Other
    29       15       93 %     51       58       (12 %)
                         
Total units sold
    4,258       5,136       (17 %)     11,735       16,907       (31 %)
Less: intercompany
    70       126       (44 %)     220       479       (54 %)
                         
Units sold to independent
retailers / builders
    4,188       5,010       (16 %)     11,515       16,428       (30 %)
 
                                               
Floors sold
    8,073       9,917       (19 %)     22,536       32,279       (30 %)
 
                                               
Multi-section mix
    77 %     82 %             78 %     80 %        
 
                                               
Average unit prices, excluding delivery
                                               
Total
  $ 54,800     $ 52,400       5 %   $ 55,000     $ 51,100       8 %
HUD-Code
  $ 44,300     $ 45,900       (3 %)   $ 45,000     $ 45,100       0 %
Modular
  $ 77,000     $ 68,400       13 %   $ 76,400     $ 70,300       9 %
#####