Article Number: 7335
Mohawk Industries, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter Earnings
CALHOUN, Ga., Feb. 23, 2012/PRNewswire/ -- Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK) today announced 2011 fourth quarter net earnings of $43 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.62. Excluding unusual items, net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $50 million and EPS was $0.72, a 9% increase over last year. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $1.4 billion, increasing 9% as reported and 10% with a constant exchange rate. For the fourth quarter of 2010, net earnings were $46 million and EPS was $0.66. Excluding unusual items for the fourth quarter of 2010, net earnings were $45 million and EPS was $0.66.
For the full year of 2011, our net earnings were $174 million and EPS was $2.52. Excluding unusual items, net earnings for the full year of 2011 were $202 million and EPS was $2.92, a 16% increase over last year. Net sales for the full year of 2011 were $5.6 billion, representing a 6% increase over 2010. For the full year of 2010, our net earnings were $185 million, and EPS was $2.65. Excluding unusual items for the full year of 2010, net earnings were $173 million and EPS was $2.52.
Commenting on Mohawk Industries' performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "The Company's fourth quarter results reflect improvements in sales and adjusted net earnings over last year with all segments showing sales growth for the last three quarters. In the U.S., sales in both the residential and commercial categories expanded, with commercial growing at a faster pace. Increased prices across many product categories are being implemented in the first quarter to recover higher material costs. Each segment has reduced costs through process improvements, investments in technology and strategic realignment of assets. Our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.0 and we have available liquidity of more than $900 million to redeem the 2012 bonds and provide flexibility for future opportunities."
Mohawk segment net sales grew by more than 8% with both the residential and commercial channels showing improvement. Operating margins were compressed by higher material costs and the delay of our price increase until the first quarter of 2012. A price increase of 5-7% is presently being implemented to offset material inflation. We introduced the next generation of soft carpets, branded SmartStrand Silk, which have an unparalleled softness, performance and environmental position. We expanded our filament extrusion and carpet tile capacity to satisfy the growing demand. We reduced our costs with improved manufacturing productivity, re-engineered processes and a more streamlined infrastructure.
Dal-Tile segment net sales grew almost 10% during the quarter with commercial growth exceeding residential. Our residential sales continued their positive growth trends for the third consecutive period. In the first quarter, we are implementing price increases of 3-5% on certain products to recover higher material and transportation costs. We have increased our presence in the home center channel, broadened design alternatives for larger sizes, and introduced ceramic tiles replicating wood. In Mexico, we are significantly growing our sales anticipating the completion of our new facility in April of this year. Our investments in design technology, product expansion, marketing and distribution sustained the growth of our business.
Unilin net sales increased approximately 10% as reported and on a local currency basis. Our laminate and wood flooring products continued growing in Europe, supported by the success of our new product introductions, expansion of our DIY strategy and the addition of Australian distribution and Russian manufacturing. In Europe, we are implementing laminate price increases of 2-3% in the first quarter. In the U.S., wood sales grew, laminate sales were slightly softer, and we received new commitments from home centers for both laminate and wood which will begin shipping in the first quarter. Our Russian laminate plant is manufacturing products comparable to our European production and will expand as we broaden the styles produced locally. We continue the integration of our Australian distributor, re-configuration of our Malaysian wood manufacturing and investments in our DidIt click furniture.
Improving consumer confidence, a positive employment outlook and lower housing inventories are cause for future optimism. In the first quarter, we anticipate additional sales growth, but at a lower rate than the fourth quarter which had easier comparisons. Presently, we are raising the prices on many of our products to recover the inflation of our materials. These increases will not be fully implemented until the second quarter reducing our first quarter margins. The start-up expenses of our major projects will impact our short-term results and the additional costs will decline as they ramp up. We expect continued sales growth, higher pricing, and productivity improvements will impact favorably our full year 2012 results. With these factors, our first quarter guidance for earnings is $0.47 to $0.57per share, excluding any restructuring costs.
The flooring industry should continue its improvement throughout 2012. We have many initiatives to strengthen our product offering, expand our geographical reach, recover raw material inflation and reduce our costs. Our financial structure is strong and we can take advantage of new opportunities.
Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk provides a complete selection for all markets of carpet, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, vinyl, and rugs. These products are marketed under the premier brands in the industry including Mohawk, Karastan, Lees, Bigelow, Durkan, Daltile, American Olean, Unilin and Quick-Step. Mohawk's unique merchandising and marketing assists the consumer in creating exquisite floors to fulfill their dreams. Mohawk provides a premium level of service with its own trucking fleet and local distribution in the U.S. Mohawk's international presence includes operations in Australia, China, Europe, Malaysia, Mexico and Russia.
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, February 24, 2012at 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 # 45556735. A replay will also be available until March 9, 2012by dialing 855-859-2056 for US/local calls and 404-537-3406 for International/Local calls and entering Conference ID # 45556735.
For the full year of 2011, our net earnings were $174 million and EPS was $2.52. Excluding unusual items, net earnings for the full year of 2011 were $202 million and EPS was $2.92, a 16% increase over last year. Net sales for the full year of 2011 were $5.6 billion, representing a 6% increase over 2010. For the full year of 2010, our net earnings were $185 million, and EPS was $2.65. Excluding unusual items for the full year of 2010, net earnings were $173 million and EPS was $2.52.
Commenting on Mohawk Industries' performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "The Company's fourth quarter results reflect improvements in sales and adjusted net earnings over last year with all segments showing sales growth for the last three quarters. In the U.S., sales in both the residential and commercial categories expanded, with commercial growing at a faster pace. Increased prices across many product categories are being implemented in the first quarter to recover higher material costs. Each segment has reduced costs through process improvements, investments in technology and strategic realignment of assets. Our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.0 and we have available liquidity of more than $900 million to redeem the 2012 bonds and provide flexibility for future opportunities."
Mohawk segment net sales grew by more than 8% with both the residential and commercial channels showing improvement. Operating margins were compressed by higher material costs and the delay of our price increase until the first quarter of 2012. A price increase of 5-7% is presently being implemented to offset material inflation. We introduced the next generation of soft carpets, branded SmartStrand Silk, which have an unparalleled softness, performance and environmental position. We expanded our filament extrusion and carpet tile capacity to satisfy the growing demand. We reduced our costs with improved manufacturing productivity, re-engineered processes and a more streamlined infrastructure.
Dal-Tile segment net sales grew almost 10% during the quarter with commercial growth exceeding residential. Our residential sales continued their positive growth trends for the third consecutive period. In the first quarter, we are implementing price increases of 3-5% on certain products to recover higher material and transportation costs. We have increased our presence in the home center channel, broadened design alternatives for larger sizes, and introduced ceramic tiles replicating wood. In Mexico, we are significantly growing our sales anticipating the completion of our new facility in April of this year. Our investments in design technology, product expansion, marketing and distribution sustained the growth of our business.
Unilin net sales increased approximately 10% as reported and on a local currency basis. Our laminate and wood flooring products continued growing in Europe, supported by the success of our new product introductions, expansion of our DIY strategy and the addition of Australian distribution and Russian manufacturing. In Europe, we are implementing laminate price increases of 2-3% in the first quarter. In the U.S., wood sales grew, laminate sales were slightly softer, and we received new commitments from home centers for both laminate and wood which will begin shipping in the first quarter. Our Russian laminate plant is manufacturing products comparable to our European production and will expand as we broaden the styles produced locally. We continue the integration of our Australian distributor, re-configuration of our Malaysian wood manufacturing and investments in our DidIt click furniture.
Improving consumer confidence, a positive employment outlook and lower housing inventories are cause for future optimism. In the first quarter, we anticipate additional sales growth, but at a lower rate than the fourth quarter which had easier comparisons. Presently, we are raising the prices on many of our products to recover the inflation of our materials. These increases will not be fully implemented until the second quarter reducing our first quarter margins. The start-up expenses of our major projects will impact our short-term results and the additional costs will decline as they ramp up. We expect continued sales growth, higher pricing, and productivity improvements will impact favorably our full year 2012 results. With these factors, our first quarter guidance for earnings is $0.47 to $0.57per share, excluding any restructuring costs.
The flooring industry should continue its improvement throughout 2012. We have many initiatives to strengthen our product offering, expand our geographical reach, recover raw material inflation and reduce our costs. Our financial structure is strong and we can take advantage of new opportunities.
Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk provides a complete selection for all markets of carpet, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, vinyl, and rugs. These products are marketed under the premier brands in the industry including Mohawk, Karastan, Lees, Bigelow, Durkan, Daltile, American Olean, Unilin and Quick-Step. Mohawk's unique merchandising and marketing assists the consumer in creating exquisite floors to fulfill their dreams. Mohawk provides a premium level of service with its own trucking fleet and local distribution in the U.S. Mohawk's international presence includes operations in Australia, China, Europe, Malaysia, Mexico and Russia.
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, February 24, 2012at 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 # 45556735. A replay will also be available until March 9, 2012by dialing 855-859-2056 for US/local calls and 404-537-3406 for International/Local calls and entering Conference ID # 45556735.
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