Mohawk Industries, Inc. Announces First Quarter Earnings

CALHOUN, Georgia, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK) today announced 2013 first quarter net earnings of $50 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.72. Excluding unusual charges, net earnings were $61 million and EPS was $0.87, a 50% increase over last year's first quarter EPS. Net sales for the first quarter of 2013 were $1.5 billion, an increase of 5.5% versus the prior year's first quarter. For the first quarter of 2012, net sales were $1.4 billion, net earnings were $40 million and EPS was $0.58.

Commenting on Mohawk Industries' first quarter performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "Improvements in the U.S. market, product mix, productivity improvements, lower amortization and the Pergo acquisition all contributed to our results, offset by the negative impact of a slower European economy and one less day in the period compared to last year. During the quarter, we generated adjusted EBITDA of $151 million and reduced SG&A by 90 basis points, relative to net sales, across the enterprise even as we increased investment in growth areas of the business."

"In January we completed the acquisition of Pergo. In both the U.S. and Europe, we are executing our Pergo integration strategy, which includes asset consolidation, manufacturing process improvements, product line enhancements, and management, sales and administrative restructuring. After the first quarter closed, we completed the acquisition of the Marazzi Group, which makes Mohawk the global leader in ceramic tile. We also received regulatory approval of our proposed acquisition of the Belgian board manufacturer Spano in late April and expect to complete the transaction shortly. For two decades, we have created significant shareholder value through a dual strategy of growing our established business while enhancing the performance of acquired companies. With an experienced management team, we have the resources and talent to execute these strategies. Regardless of the pace of the global economic recovery, we remain committed to driving innovation, operational excellence and geographic expansion to optimize our business."

Mohawk segment sales were relatively flat during the first quarter, with operating income rising 24%, excluding unusual charges. Carpet sales growth was partially offset by home center transitions that were completed late in the first quarter and lower rug sales. Sales of our premium products in the specialty channel continued to show strength, with expected improvement in the home center channel as new introductions gain traction in the second quarter. We began implementing a 4-6% carpet price increase during the quarter to offset our material cost changes; however, the timing of the implementation will not cover an estimated $5 - $10 million of those higher costs in the second quarter. We anticipate the price increase will align with our material costs in the third quarter. During the quarter, we built upon the success of our revolutionary SmartStrand® Silk® collection by adding twelve products that combine Silk's unsurpassed softness with contemporary styling. Our exclusive Duracolor® commercial broadloom and tile products expanded due to their exceptional styling, superior stain and soil resistance, and improved value. We executed productivity improvements across the business resulting in material yield improvements, waste reduction, increased recycled content and improved efficiencies.

Dal-Tile sales increased 5% as new residential construction, commercial sales and our Mexican business continued to show strength. Our positive results for the quarter were supported by new product introductions featuring both rustic and polished surfaces, new larger sizes and unique Reveal Imaging® designs. Our margins were supported by higher volumes and improved labor productivity, but were partially offset by rising energy costs. We added sales representatives in both our Dal-Tile and American Olean brands to increase our focus on new home construction, multifamily projects and commercial specifications. Commercial sales grew in the restaurant, retail and hospitality channels with large projects utilizing high fashion designs, contemporary sizes and sophisticated colors. In Mexico, we continue to grow faster than the market by aggressively pursuing new construction projects, adding distributors, improving product mix and expanding home center penetration. During the quarter, Dal-Tile improved costs by reducing off-quality production and waste, increasing machine efficiency, achieving higher plant utilization rates, and enhancing material formulations.

Unilin sales grew 20% or 19% at a constant exchange rate due primarily to the Pergo acquisition. In the legacy Unilin business sales improved in all product categories in the U.S., and in insulation boards and wood flooring outside the U.S. This was partially offset by lower Unilin laminate, wood panels and roofing sales in Western Europe. Margins improved from increased U.S. volume and lower amortization costs, offset by volume, lower mix and material inflation in Europe excluding acquisitions. Our Livyn® luxury vinyl tile collection is gaining traction across Western Europe differentiated by our Quick-Step® brand industry leading realism and an advanced click installation system. In North America our laminate flooring sales were enhanced by introductions with rustic wood visuals in wide plank formats with highly textured surfaces. Our wood flooring products are growing with performance features such as Scotchgard® and ArmorMax® that provide easy maintenance and industry-leading wear resistance and new products with scraped surfaces that create fashionable distressed looks. To offset rising lumber costs, we announced another price increase of 10% for wood flooring that will be effective in late May. Sales of our insulation board continue to grow with an expanded product offering and increased geographic penetration in France and Germany. Construction of our new insulation board plant in France is ahead of schedule with production anticipated to begin in the third quarter.

We delivered solid results this quarter through product innovation, productivity improvements, market expansion and strategic acquisitions. In all areas, we are driving cost and sales initiatives to enhance our results. We are implementing price increases as required, though our carpet prices will lag our costs in the second quarter. We believe that both commercial and new housing growth will continue this year, and we are anticipating some improvement in residential remodeling. We remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of our international businesses even while challenges persist in some regional economies. In each of these regions, we have leading market positions, highly recognized brands, outstanding distribution channels and efficient manufacturing that will benefit our results as those economies improve. We anticipate each of our acquisitions contributing to our sales and earnings this year, as we implement strategies to maximize their potential. With these factors, our guidance for second quarter earnings is $1.58 - $1.67 per share, excluding any restructuring or acquisition costs.

Mohawk Industries is a leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk's vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Bigelow, Dal-Tile, Durkan, Karastan, Lees, Marazzi, Mohawk, Pergo, Unilin and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world's largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and the United States.

Certain of the statements in the immediately preceding paragraphs, particularly anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters and those that include the words "could," "should," "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and "estimates," or similar expressions constitute "forward-looking statements." For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions, which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; inflation in raw material prices and other input costs; energy costs and supply; timing and level of capital expenditures; timing and implementation of price increases for the Company's products; impairment charges; integration of acquisitions; international operations; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; tax, product and other claims; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk's SEC reports and public announcements.

Conference call Friday, May 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time

The telephone number is 1-800-603-9255 for US/Canada and 1-706-634-2294 for International/Local. Conference ID # 32039923. A replay will be available until May 17, 2013 by dialing 855-859-2056 for US/local calls and 404-537-3406 for International/Local calls and entering Conference ID # 32039923.