EX-99.1 3 d14520exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE exv99w1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1

Press Release dated April 15, 2004
of ElkCorp

 


 

PRESS RELEASE   TRADED: NYSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SYMBOL: ELK

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Gregory J. Fisher
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(972) 851-0405

ElkCorp Reports a 41% Increase in Earnings from Continuing
Operations; Elk Composites Achieves Profit in March; Construction of
New Tuscaloosa Production Line Completed Ahead of Schedule

DALLAS, TEXAS, April 15, 2004. . . . ElkCorp today reported earnings from continuing operations of $6.2 million, or $.31 per diluted share, for the quarter ending March 31, 2004. Consolidated net income for the quarter is $4.1 million, or $.20 per diluted share.

Highlights of the Third Fiscal Quarter Ending March 31, 2004

Consolidated ElkCorp

  Consolidated net income from continuing operations increased 41% to $6.2 million, or $.31 per diluted share, from $4.4 million, or $.23 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.
 
  Consolidated sales from continuing operations increased 7%, to $132.0 million, from $123.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
 
  Discontinued operations reported a net loss of $2.2 million, or $.11 per diluted share, compared to a net profit of $0.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
 
  Consolidated net income for the quarter is $4.1 million, or $.20 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $.23 per diluted share, during the year-ago quarter.

Building Products Segment

  Sales increased 9% to $127.8 million, from $117.0 million in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher unit sales volume and pricing.
 
  Operating profits of $13.5 million were 67% higher than operating profits of $8.1 million in the same quarter last year.
 
  Construction of the new Tuscaloosa production line was completed ahead of schedule in late March.
 
  Unit production increased over 15% compared to the same quarter last year, reflecting capacity additions completed earlier this year at the Shafter, California and Myerstown, Pennsylvania plants.
 
  Elk announced a price increase of 5%, effective on June 1, 2004, on all roofing and accessory products.
 
  Unit asphalt costs were 6% lower in the March quarter compared to the same quarter last year.
 
  Elk Composites cut its operating loss to $0.3 million in the March quarter from $1.0 million in the December quarter and reached profitability in the month of March.

 


 

Press Release
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 2

Other, Technologies

  Combined sales were $4.1 million, compared to $6.6 million in the same prior year quarter. A 36% increase in Chromium sales was more than offset by reduced licensing and consulting fees at Ortloff.
 
  Combined operating income of $0.8 million compares to $2.9 million in the same quarter last year, reflecting reduced licensing and consulting fees at Ortloff.
 
  Three additional bedding makers chose Elk Technologies’ VersaShield fire-barrier technology for fire-resistant mattresses. In addition to Carolina Mattress Guild of Thomasville, North Carolina, which last year became the first bedding producer to introduce a fire-retardant line of bedding, the new customers are Capitol City Mattress Company of Tennessee, McRoskey Airflex Mattress Company of California, and American Bedding Company of Georgia.

Discontinued Operations

  Cybershield experienced a net loss from operations of $1.0 million during the quarter, compared to a net profit of $0.1 million in the same prior year quarter.
 
  An impairment charge of $1.2 million, net of tax, was recorded during the March quarter for the Cybershield Canton, Georgia facility and equipment due to current market conditions.

Financial Condition

At March 31, 2004, long-term debt of $167.4 million included a $6.2 million valuation adjustment required by hedge accounting to match the $6.2 million fair market value of an interest rate hedge recorded in other assets. The contractual principal amount of ElkCorp’s long-term debt was $161.2 million. Liquidity consisted of $0.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and $90.7 million of borrowing availability under a $110.0 million committed revolving credit facility which matures in November 2008. Net debt (contractual principal debt minus cash and cash equivalents) was $160.9 million, and the net debt to capital ratio was 43.6% at March 31, 2004. The company had no off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions with unconsolidated, special purpose entities.

Outlook

Thomas D. Karol, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of ElkCorp said, “Favorable roofing market conditions are expected to continue into the summer quarter of fiscal 2004. Although asphalt costs in the June quarter are expected to be lower than they were in the prior year quarter, costs are expected to increase from prior quarters this year. Upward pressure also continues on transportation costs due to higher fuel prices and lower driver productivity due to new regulatory restrictions on working hours. The price increase announced for June 1 will help cover the increased asphalt and transportation costs and will help keep operating margins ahead of last year.

“Construction of our new Tuscaloosa four-wide production line was completed ahead of schedule at the end of March. The final cost is also expected to be $6 million below budget at approximately $72 million. Testing of the production equipment will continue through the June quarter.

 


 

Press Release
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 3

“The wood composites operation improved significantly during the quarter. Sales and production of the new generation of voided embossed composite wood decking products increased as yields and throughput continued to improve. In fact, the operation reached profitability for the month of March. We expect profitable operations in the June quarter.

“We continue product and market development in our flame-resistant mattress fabrics. Three additional bedding manufacturers have made initial purchases of our VersaShield fire-barrier fabric with subsequent purchases expected for introduction into the California market when required. Two new substrates were developed that are well suited to the mattress and furniture markets. We still have not projected any meaningful sales contribution for the near quarters; however, we expect to be well positioned to compete in this emerging market as we get closer to the January 1, 2005, date for statutory compliance for flame-resistant mattresses in California.

“A negative valuation adjustment for the Cybershield Canton, Georgia facility being held for sale increased the loss from discontinued operations by $.06 per diluted share. We feel that the revised value is more reflective of current market conditions.

“Progress continues on the sale of the Cybershield business to a group composed of Cybershield management. We plan to complete the sale by the end of the fiscal year.

“We currently expect earnings from continuing operations of $.53 to $.56 during the fourth fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2004, and total year earnings of $1.70 to $1.73,” Karol concluded.

Conference Call

ElkCorp will host a conference call tomorrow, Friday, April 16, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time (10:00 a.m. Central time). Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (719) 457-2649 and providing confirmation code 142489. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed through the ElkCorp website at www.elkcorp.com (Investor Relations / Calls & Presentations) or by visiting www.firstcallevents.com.

Safe Harbor Provisions

In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the securities law regarding forward-looking statements, in addition to the historical information contained herein, the above discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements usually are accompanied by words such as “optimistic,” “outlook,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “predict,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” or similar words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements are based on judgments the company believes are reasonable; however, ElkCorp’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences could include, but are not limited to, changes in demand, prices, raw material costs, transportation costs, changes in economic conditions of the various markets the company serves, changes in the amount and severity of inclement weather, acts of God, war or terrorism, as well as the other risks detailed herein, and in the company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not

 


 

Press Release
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 4

limited to, its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, and subsequent Forms 8-K and 10-Q.

* * * * * * * *

ElkCorp, through its subsidiaries, manufactures Elk brand premium roofing and building products (over 90% of consolidated sales) and provides technologically advanced products and services to other industries. Each of ElkCorp’s principal operating subsidiaries is a leader within its particular market. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: ELK). See www.elkcorp.com for more information.

 


 

PRESS RELEASE
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 5

Condensed Results of Operations
($ in thousands)

                                                 
                                    Trailing
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    March 31,
  March 31,
  March 31,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Sales
  $ 131,947     $ 123,616     $ 414,894     $ 341,639     $ 558,382     $ 468,415  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Costs and Expenses:
                                               
Cost of sales
    105,332       100,134       327,873       274,790       440,466       367,509  
Selling, general & administrative:
                                               
Noncash stock option compensation
    0       0       0       (5,378 )     0       (1,440 )
Other SG&A
    15,435       14,911       45,515       41,327       61,538       60,528  
Interest expense, net
    1,185       1,469       3,899       4,522       5,354       6,136  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Costs and Expenses
    121,952       116,514       377,287       315,261       507,358       432,733  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
                                               
Before Income Taxes
    9,995       7,102       37,607       26,378       51,024       35,682  
Provision for income taxes
    3,748       2,707       14,289       9,887       19,395       13,586  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
    6,247       4,395       23,318       16,491       31,629       22,096  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
    (2,189 )     67       (10,966 )     (217 )     (11,452 )     (1,091 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Income
  $ 4,058     $ 4,462     $ 12,352     $ 16,274     $ 20,177     $ 21,005  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (Loss) Per Common Share-Basic
                                               
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.32     $ 0.23     $ 1.19     $ 0.85     $ 1.62     $ 1.14  
Discontinued Operations
    (0.11 )     0.00       (0.56 )     (0.01 )     (0.59 )     (0.06 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 0.21     $ 0.23     $ 0.63     $ 0.84     $ 1.03     $ 1.08  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (Loss) Per Common Share-Diluted
                                               
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.31     $ 0.23     $ 1.17     $ 0.84     $ 1.60     $ 1.13  
Discontinued Operations
    (0.11 )     0.00       (0.55 )     (0.01 )     (0.58 )     (0.06 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 0.20     $ 0.23     $ 0.62     $ 0.83     $ 1.02     $ 1.07  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma Information:
                                               
Income from Continuing Operations
  $ 6,247     $ 4,395     $ 23,318     $ 16,491     $ 31,629     $ 22,096  
Aftertax noncash stock option compensation
    0       0       0       (3,496 )     0       (936 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Proforma Income from Continuing Operations
  $ 6,247     $ 4,395     $ 23,318     $ 12,995     $ 31,629     $ 21,160  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
                                               
Per Common Share-Basic
  $ 0.32     $ 0.23     $ 1.19     $ 0.67     $ 1.62     $ 1.09  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
                                               
Per Common Share-Diluted
  $ 0.31     $ 0.23     $ 1.17     $ 0.66     $ 1.60     $ 1.08  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Average Common Shares Outstanding
                                               
Basic
    19,633       19,477       19,588       19,474       19,567       19,459  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted
    20,009       19,570       19,914       19,581       19,849       19,641  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

 


 

PRESS RELEASE
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 6

Financial Information by Company Segments
($ in thousands)

                                                 
                                    Trailing
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    March 31,
  March 31,
  March 31,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Sales
                                               
Building Products
  $ 127,804     $ 116,981     $ 404,213     $ 328,919     $ 542,296     $ 449,059  
Other, Technologies
    4,143       6,635       10,681       12,720       16,086       19,356  
Corporate & Eliminations
    0       0       0       0       0       0  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 131,947     $ 123,616     $ 414,894     $ 341,639     $ 558,382     $ 468,415  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating Profit (Loss)
                                               
Building Products
  $ 13,517     $ 8,092     $ 50,329     $ 30,081     $ 66,149     $ 44,664  
Other, Technologies
    814       2,902       1,516       3,439       3,337       6,823  
Corporate & Eliminations
                                               
Before noncash stock option compensation
    (3,151 )     (2,423 )     (10,339 )     (7,998 )     (13,108 )     (11,109 )
Noncash stock option compensation
    0       0       0       5,378       0       1,440  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Corporate & Eliminations
    (3,151 )     (2,423 )     (10,339 )     (2,620 )     (13,108 )     (9,669 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 11,180     $ 8,571     $ 41,506     $ 30,900     $ 56,378     $ 41,818  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

 


 

PRESS RELEASE
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 7

Condensed Balance Sheet
($ in thousands)

                 
    March 31,
    2004
  2003
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 321     $ 12,033  
Receivables, net
    112,600       98,838  
Inventories
    60,951       57,786  
Deferred income taxes
    5,405       3,841  
Prepaid expenses and other
    8,871       8,417  
Discontinued operations
    5,408       22,154  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Current Assets
    193,556       203,069  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    260,378       214,348  
Other assets
    9,387       8,656  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 463,321     $ 426,073  
 
   
 
     
 
 
                 
    March 31,
    2004
  2003
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 44,512     $ 47,599  
Discontinued operations
    922       2,112  
Current maturities on long-term debt
    0       0  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
    45,434       49,711  
Long-term debt, net
    167,422       151,131  
Deferred income taxes
    42,583       35,643  
Shareholders’ equity
    207,882       189,588  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 463,321     $ 426,073  
 
   
 
     
 
 

 


 

PRESS RELEASE
ElkCorp
April 15, 2004
Page 8

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
($ in thousands)

                 
    Nine Months Ended
    March 31,
    2004
  2003
Cash Flows From:
               
Continuing Operating Activities
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 23,318     $ 16,491  
Adjustments to income from continuing operations
               
Depreciation and amortization
    13,332       12,751  
Deferred income taxes
    2,288       3,984  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Trade receivables
    5,652       (6,774 )
Inventories
    (7,430 )     (12,674 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (2,182 )     1,071  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (9,815 )     (2,205 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities
    25,163       12,644  
Net cash from discontinued operations
    2,706       (104 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash from operating activities
    27,869       12,540  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Investing Activities
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (47,449 )     (32,705 )
Acquisition of business
    0       (2,224 )
Other, net
    (357 )     (249 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash from investing activities
    (47,806 )     (35,178 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Financing Activities
               
Long-term borrowings (repayments), net
    16,200       25,000  
Dividends on common stock
    (2,950 )     (2,923 )
Treasury stock transactions and other, net
    1,952       158  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash from financing activities
    15,202       22,235  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (4,735 )     (403 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    5,056       12,436  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 321     $ 12,033