AMERICAN WOODMARK CORP - Quarter Report: 2014 January (Form 10-Q)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes X   No ___

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes X     No ____

 

 

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”  “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ___  No  X

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

As of February 25,  2014,  15,540,389  shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

 

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AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

 

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data) 

(Unaudited) 

 

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AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

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AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

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AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE A--BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.    Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended January 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2014.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).    

 

NOTE B--NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component.  In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period.  The ASU does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements.  The Company adopted this guidance effective May 1, 2013 with no significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

NOTE C--NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share:

 

 

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Potentially dilutive securities of 0.0 million and 0.7 million shares for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 0.1 million and 1.3 million shares for the nine-month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of net earnings per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

NOTE D--STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has various stock-based compensation plans.  During the quarter ended January 31, 2014, the Company did not grant any stock-based compensation awards to employees or non-employee directors.  During the nine months ended January 31, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved grants of non-statutory stock options and performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs) to key employees and grants of service-based restricted stock units to key employees and non-employee directors.  The employee non-statutory stock option grants totaled 60,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $36.74 per share. The options vest evenly over a three-year period and have a ten-year contractual term. The employee performance-based RSUs totaled 75,600 units and the employee and non-employee director service-based RSUs totaled 36,400 units. The performance-based RSUs entitle the recipients to receive one share of the Company’s common stock per unit granted if applicable performance conditions are met and the recipient remains continuously employed with the Company until the units vest.  The service-based RSUs entitle the recipients to receive one share of the Company’s common stock per unit granted if they remain continuously employed with the Company, or on the Board, until the units vest.  All of the Company’s RSUs granted to employees cliff-vest three years from the grant date.  The service-based RSUs granted to non-employee directors vest daily through the end of  a two-year vesting period as long as the recipient continuously remains a member of the Board.

 

For the three- and nine-month periods ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, stock-based compensation expense was allocated as follows:

 

 

During the nine months ended January 31, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company also approved grants of 9,486 cash-settled performance-based restricted stock tracking units (RSTUs) and 3,264 cash-settled service-based RSTUs for more junior level employees who previously received RSU grants under the Company’s shareholder approved plan.  Each performance-based RSTU entitles the recipient to receive a payment in cash equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock as of the payment date if applicable performance conditions are met and the recipient remains continuously employed with the Company until the units vest.  The service-based RSTUs entitle the recipients to receive a payment in cash equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock as of the payment date if they remain continuously employed with the Company until the units vest.  The RSTUs cliff-vest three years from the grant date.  Since the RSTUs will be settled in cash, the grant date fair value of these awards is recorded as a liability until the date of payment.  The fair value of each cash-settled RSTU award is remeasured at the end of each reporting period and the liability is adjusted, and related expense recorded, based on the new fair value.  The Company recognized expense of $26 thousand and $67 thousand related to RSTUs for the three- and nine-month periods ended January 31, 2014, respectively.

 

 

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NOTE E--CUSTOMER RECEIVABLES

 

The components of customer receivables were:

 

 

 

NOTE F--INVENTORIES

 

The components of inventories were:

 

 

Interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs.  Since these items are estimated, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

 

NOTE G--PRODUCT WARRANTY

 

The Company estimates outstanding warranty costs based on the historical relationship between warranty claims and revenues.  The warranty accrual is reviewed monthly to verify that it properly reflects the remaining obligation based on the anticipated expenditures over the balance of the obligation period.  Adjustments are made when actual warranty claim experience differs from estimates.  Warranty claims are generally made within two months of the original shipment date.

 

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s warranty liability:

 

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NOTE H--CASH FLOW

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

NOTE I--PENSION BENEFITS

 

Effective April 30, 2012, the Company froze all future benefit accruals under the Company’s hourly and salary defined-benefit pension plans.

 

Net periodic pension cost consisted of the following for the three months and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

The Company expects to contribute $2.3 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2014, which represents required funding.  As of January 31, 2014, $1.8 million of contributions had been made.  The Company made contributions of $4.9 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2013.

 

NOTE J--RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company announced a restructuring initiative (“2012 Restructuring Plan”) that committed to the closing of two of the Company’s manufacturing plants located in Hardy County, West Virginia and Hazard, Kentucky, offering its previously idled plant in Tahlequah, Oklahoma for sale, and realigning its retirement program, including freezing the Company’s defined benefit pension plans.  Operations ceased at the Hazard plant in April 2012 and at the Hardy County plant in May 2012.  The 2012 Restructuring Plan was adopted to reduce costs and increase the Company’s capacity utilization rates. 

 

During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, the Company recognized aggregate pre-tax restructuring charges of $17.3 million related to the 2012 Restructuring Plan.  During the nine months ended January 31, 2014, the Company recognized pre-tax restructuring charges of $0.2 million related to the 2012 Restructuring Plan.  In addition, the Company recognized recurring operating costs for the closed facilities of $0.2 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2014, which are expected to continue until the plants are sold. 

 

As of January 31, 2014, the Company had two manufacturing plants classified as held for sale, which were closed in connection with the 2012 Restructuring Plan.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company sold its closed plant located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  The Company believes that the remaining $2.7 million net book value of the two properties classified as held for sale is fully recoverable.  These assets are included in Other Assets on the Company’s balance sheet at January  31, 2014.

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NOTE K--FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company utilizes the hierarchy of fair value measurements to classify certain of its assets and liabilities based upon the following definitions:

 

 

The following table summarizes the fair values of assets that are recorded in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013 at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

NOTE L--OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Company is involved in suits and claims in the normal course of business, including without limitation product liability and general liability claims and claims pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  On at least a quarterly basis, the Company consults with its legal counsel to ascertain the reasonable likelihood that such claims may result in a loss.  As required by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, “Contingencies,” (ASC 450), the Company categorizes the various suits and claims into three categories according to their likelihood for resulting in potential loss: those that are probable, those that are reasonably possible, and those that are deemed to be remote.  The Company accounts for these loss contingencies in accordance with ASC 450.  Where losses are deemed to be probable and estimable, accruals are made. Where losses are deemed to be reasonably possible or remote, a range of loss estimates is determined and considered for disclosure.  In determining these loss range estimates, the Company considers known values of similar claims and consults with independent counsel.

 

The Company believes that the aggregate range of loss stemming from the various suits and asserted and unasserted claims which were deemed to be either probable or reasonably possible was not material as of January 31, 2014.

 

 

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Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes, both of which are included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.  The Company’s critical accounting policies are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains statements concerning the Company’s expectations, plans, objectives, future financial performance, and other statements that are not historical facts.  These statements may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  In most cases, the reader can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “may” or other similar words.  Forward-looking statements contained in this report, including in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, are based on current expectations and our actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.  In addition, the Company participates in an industry that is subject to rapidly changing conditions and there are numerous factors that could cause the Company to experience a decline in sales and/or earnings or deterioration in financial condition.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements made in this report include but are not limited to:

 

 

Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is contained in this report, including elsewhere in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and also in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013, filed with the SEC, including under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Item 1A, "Risk Factors," and Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk."  While the Company believes that these risks are manageable and will not adversely impact the long-term performance of the Company, these risks could, under certain circumstances, have a material adverse impact on its operating results and financial condition.

 

Any forward-looking statement that the Company makes, speaks only as of the date of this report.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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Overview

 

American Woodmark Corporation manufactures and distributes kitchen cabinets and vanities for the remodeling and new home construction markets.  Its products are sold on a national basis directly to home centers, major builders and home manufacturers, and through a network of independent dealers and distributors.  At January 31, 2014, the Company operated 9 manufacturing facilities and 9 service centers across the country.

 

The three-month period ended January 31, 2014 was the Company’s third quarter of its fiscal year that ends on April 30, 2014 (fiscal 2014).  During the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company experienced generally flat market conditions as the recovery from the housing market downturn that began in 2007 stalled.

 

The Company’s remodeling based business was impacted by the following trends during the third quarter of the Company’s fiscal 2014:    

 

 

The Company believes there is no single indicator that directly correlates with cabinet remodeling market activity. For this reason, the Company considers other factors in addition to those discussed above as indicators of overall market activity including credit availability, housing affordability and sales reported by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), a trade organization which issues the aggregate sales that have been reported by its members including the largest cabinet manufacturers in the United States.  Based on the totality of factors listed above, the Company believes that the cabinet remodeling market increased at a middle to high single digit rate during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and that the rate of increase declined during the period covered by the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2014. 

 

Faced with a stagnant remodeling market, the Company’s largest remodeling customers and competitors continued to utilize sales promotions in the Company’s product category to boost sales.  These promotions consisted of free products and/or cash discounts to consumers based upon the amount or type of cabinets they purchased.  The Company strives to maintain its promotional levels in line with market activity, with a goal of remaining competitive.  The Company experienced promotional levels during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2014 that were slightly lower than those experienced in the same periods of the prior year. 

 

The Company’s remodeling sales were approximately flat during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with the same prior-year periods.  Management believes that the Company has maintained market share within its primary channels of distribution but that those channels, primarily big box home improvement retailers, have lost share to other channels, primarily independent dealers. 

 

Regarding new construction markets, the Company believes that fluctuations in single-family housing starts are the best indicator of cabinet activity.  During the first nine months of the Company’s fiscal 2014, single-family housing starts rose by double digits over prior year levels.  Similar to activity in remodeling, the increase in year over year activity in single-family housing starts declined during the third quarter of fiscal 2014.  Assuming a sixty to ninety

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day lag between housing starts and the installation of cabinetry, activity during the period covered by the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was effectively flat. 

 

The Company believes it continued to realize strong market share gains in its new construction channel with sales increasing by more than 25% in the third quarter and more than 35% in the first nine months of fiscal 2014 when compared with the same periods of fiscal 2013.

 

The Company’s total net sales rose by 12% during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and by 17% during its first nine months compared to the same prior-year periods, which management believes was driven primarily by a rise in the overall market activity and market share gains in new construction sales.

 

The Company’s gross margin rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was 15.4%, down from 15.5% in the prior year’s third quarter.  The decline in the third quarter gross margin was due to material inflation and additional crewing and infrastructure to support higher levels of anticipated sales and installation activity.  These improvements were offset by the beneficial impact of increased sales volume and related efficiencies in freight, labor and overhead. 

 

The Company’s gross margin rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was 17.1%, improved from 15.3% for the same period in the prior year.  The year-over-year improvement in the Company’s gross margin was driven by the beneficial impact of increased sales volume and efficiencies in freight, labor and overhead, which more than offset the impact of rising materials costs. 

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company announced several initiatives designed to reduce its cost base (the 2012 Restructuring). All of these initiatives were completed either prior to or just after the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2013.  The vast majority of the charges related to these activities were reflected in the Company’s results during fiscal 2012 and, to a lesser extent, fiscal 2013.  The Company recorded nominal amounts during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 in connection with these initiatives.  The Company continues to include in “Other Assets,” at an aggregate $2.7 million net book value two plants held for sale that were closed in the 2012 Restructuring. 

 

As of January 31, 2014, the Company had total net deferred tax assets of $34.2 million, down from $38.7 million at April 30, 2013.  The Company regularly considers the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. The Company had a history of profitable operations for 16 consecutive years, from 1994 to 2009, followed by losses that coincided with the industry downturn from 2010 to 2012. Growth in the Company’s deferred tax assets in recent fiscal years resulted primarily from growth in its defined benefit pension liabilities and the impact of its recent losses prior to fiscal 2013. The Company earned sufficient net income during fiscal 2013 to fully utilize its U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward.  To fully realize the remainder of its net deferred tax assets, the Company will need to, among other things, substantially reduce its net unfunded pension obligation of $53.7 million at April 30, 2013. The Company took definitive actions when it froze its pension plans as part of the 2012 Restructuring to enhance the probability that this objective is achieved in the future.

 

The Company resumed the funding of its pension plans during fiscal year 2012, and expects to continue funding these plans for the foreseeable future, which will reduce both its unfunded pension plan obligation and its deferred tax asset. These actions, coupled with the recent improvement in the U.S. housing market and the Company’s continued ability to grow its sales at a faster rate than its competitors, have enabled the Company to generate net income and reduce its deferred tax assets and unfunded pension obligation during fiscal 2013 and the first nine months of fiscal 2014.  The Company believes that the positive evidence of the housing industry improvement, coupled with the benefits from the Company’s successful restructuring and continued market share gains have already driven a return to profitability that is expected to continue, and that the combined impact of these positive factors outweighs the negative factor of the Company’s previous losses.  Accordingly, management has concluded it is more likely than not that the Company will realize its deferred tax assets.

 

Exclusive of after-tax restructuring charges and insurance proceeds, the Company earned net income of $2.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with $2.1 million in the third quarter of its prior fiscal year, and earned net income of $14.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with $4.9 million in the same period of the prior year.  

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Results of Operations

 

 

Net Sales.    Net sales were $169.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, an increase of 12% compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2013.  For the first nine months of fiscal 2014, net sales were $537.7 million, reflecting a 17% increase compared with the same period of fiscal 2013.  Overall unit volume for the three- and nine-month periods ended January 31, 2014 improved by 6% and 12%, respectively.  Average revenue per unit increased 6% and 5% during the three- and nine-month periods ended January 31, 2014, respectively, driven by modest improvements in the Company’s sales mix and pricing.

 

Gross Profit.  Gross profit margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was 15.4%, compared with 15.5% for the same period of fiscal 2013.  Gross profit margin was 17.1% for the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with 15.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2013.  Specific changes and additional information included:

 

 

 

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses.    Selling and marketing expenses were 8.5% of net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with 8.6% of net sales for the same period in fiscal 2013.  For the first nine months of fiscal 2014, selling and marketing costs were 8.3% of net sales, compared with 9.3% of net sales for the same period of fiscal 2013.  Sales and marketing costs increased by 9% in relation to the 12% increase in net sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, and increased by 5% in relation to the 17% increase in net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2014.  The improvement in sales and marketing costs in comparison to net sales is due to reduced spending on product launch costs and cost reductions related to the Company’s retirement plan changes, which were offset in part by increased sales compensation and staffing costs related to the Company’s increased sales levels.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses were 3.9% of net sales in the third quarter and 4.2% of net sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with 4.4% of net sales in the third quarter and 4.1% of net sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2013. General and administrative costs decreased by 2% during the third quarter compared with the comparable prior-year period due to decreased pay-for-performance

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compensation expenses.  General and administrative costs increased by 19% during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 compared with the prior-year period, driven by increased pay-for-performance compensation expenses and one-time personnel related costs.  As of January 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $0.1 million of accounts with aggregate receivables from customers with a higher perceived level of risk.

 

Effective Income Tax Rates.    The Company’s effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2014 were 41.4% and 38.9%, respectively, compared with 40.8% and 41.9% in the comparable periods of the prior fiscal year,  respectively.  The effective tax rates for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the comparable period of the prior year were relatively flat.  The lower effective tax rates for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2013 were the result of the Company operating at a higher net income than the prior-year period and more favorable permanent tax differences.

 

Outlook.  The Company believes that housing prices finally bottomed during its fiscal year 2012 and have begun what it expects will be a multi-year improvement. The Company believes that cabinet remodeling market sales will remain relatively flat during the remainder of fiscal 2014. The Company expects that its remodeling sales for the remainder of fiscal 2014 will continue at a rate that reflects the industry-wide cabinet sales for the remodeling market and we will maintain share in our channels of distribution.  The Company regularly assesses market conditions for pricing and promotional levels.  The Company believes that the promotional environment appears to have eased, suggesting that the Company will be able to continue to reduce its promotional spend versus fiscal 2013.

 

The Company expects that single-family housing starts and in turn, cabinet new construction market sales, will grow at a double digit rate during its fiscal year 2014, and that the Company’s new construction sales growth will continue to exceed this level for the remainder of its fiscal year. 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $126.1 million at January 31, 2014, representing a $29.1 million increase from its April 30, 2013 levels, and a $53.0 million increase from its January 31, 2013 balance (which included $7.0 million of restricted cash).  At January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013, total long-term debt (including current maturities) was $24.7 million in each period.  The Company’s ratio of long-term debt to total capital was 11.4% at January 31, 2014, compared with 13.9% at April 30, 2013.

 

The Company’s main source of liquidity is its existing cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash generated from its operating activities. The Company can borrow up to $35 million under its revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (Wells Fargo), subject to a maximum borrowing base equal to 75% of eligible accounts receivable, 50% of eligible pre bill reserves and up to $20 million for equipment value (each as defined in the credit agreement).  At January 31, 2014, $10 million of loans and $3.7 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the facility. 

 

Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $23.5 million, compared with $2.2 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2013.  The increase in cash generated by operating activities was driven primarily by the $10 million increase in the Company’s net income, more efficient inventory management, timing associated with payments of accrued liabilities and lower pension contributions.

 

The Company’s investing activities primarily consist of capital expenditures and investments in promotional displays.  Net cash used for investing activities was $8.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with $4.2 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2013. The increase in cash used of $4.1 million was driven by the receipt of $6.4 million in proceeds in the first nine months of fiscal 2013 from the sales of assets from plants closed in the prior year, partly offset by decreases aggregating $2.7 million in outflows for capital expenditures and promotional displays. The Company’s year-to-date gross investment in capital expenditures and promotional displays for fiscal 2014 was $8.4 million through January 31, 2014.  The Company expects that its gross outlays for capital expenditures and promotional displays will approximate $15 million during fiscal 2014, compared with $13.6 million in fiscal 2013.  However, the Company is undertaking a multi-year review of its manufacturing capacity and capital expenditure plans which could cause its investment in capital expenditures and promotional displays to exceed this level.

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The Company generated positive free cash flow (defined as net cash provided (used) by operating activities less net cash used for investing activities) of $15.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with negative free cash flow of $1.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2013.  The Company’s free cash flow increased by $17.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 compared with the prior-year period, driven by the increase in cash flow from operating activities, offset in part by the absence of proceeds received in the prior year period from the sales of assets from plants closed in the prior year.

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2014, net cash provided by financing activities was $13.8 million, compared with $1.3 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase was driven by the Company’s receipt of $14.4 million during the current fiscal year from employees’ exercise of stock options.  The Company made no repurchases of its common shares during either period and had $10.0 million of remaining share repurchases authorized by its Board of Directors as of January 31, 2014.  See Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” for further information on share repurchases.

 

The Company’s outstanding indebtedness and other obligations to Wells Fargo are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.  Under the terms of its revolving credit facility, the Company must: (1) maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth of not greater than 1.4 to 1.0; (2) maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a ratio of cash flow to fixed charges of not less than 1.25 to 1.0 measured on a rolling four-quarter basis; and (3) comply with other customary affirmative and negative covenants.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants specified in the credit facility as of January 31, 2014, including as follows: (1) the Company’s ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth at January 31, 2014 was 0.8 to 1.0; and (2) cash flow to fixed charges for its most recent four quarters was 3.71 to 1.0.

 

The revolving credit facility does not limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends or repurchase its common shares as long as the Company is in compliance with these covenants. 

 

Cash flow from operations combined with accumulated cash and cash equivalents on hand are expected to be more than sufficient to support forecasted working capital requirements, service existing debt obligations and fund capital expenditures for fiscal 2014.

 

The timing of the Company’s contractual obligations as of April 30, 2013 is summarized in the table below.

 

 

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Seasonal and Inflationary Factors

 

The Company’s business has historically been subject to seasonal influences, with higher sales typically realized in the second and fourth fiscal quarters.

 

The costs of the Company’s products are subject to inflationary pressures and commodity price fluctuations.  The Company has generally been able over time to recover the effects of inflation and commodity price fluctuations through sales price increases.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  There have been no significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Since the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013, the Company had no material exposure to changes in interest rates for its debt agreements.

 

The Company does not currently use commodity or interest rate derivatives or similar financial instruments to manage its commodity price or interest rate risks.  See “Seasonal and Inflationary Factors” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above for additional information regarding the effects inflation and commodity price fluctuations have on the costs of the Company’s products.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Senior management, including the Company’s principal executive and financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of January 31, 2014.  Based on this evaluation, the principal executive and financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  In addition, there has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended January 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

On February 24, 2014, Scott Culbreth joined the Company as its Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary.  During the search for a new Chief Financial Officer, Kent Guichard, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, served as the Company’s principal executive, financial and accounting officer, and he continued to act in that capacity for the purposes of this report.

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is involved in various suits and claims in the normal course of business all of which constitute ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business.  The Company does not have any litigation that does not constitute ordinary, routine litigation incidental to its business.

 

 

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Risk factors that may affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition are described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013.  Additional risks are discussed elsewhere in this report, including in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Outlook.”

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On November 21, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Company’s common shares. Repurchases may be made from time to time through December 31, 2014 in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, at prices and on terms the Company deems appropriate and subject to the Company’s cash requirements for other purposes, compliance with the covenants under the Company’s revolving credit facility, and other factors management deems relevant. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific number of shares during any period, and the authorization may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Board. Management expects to fund share repurchases using available cash and cash generated from operations. Repurchased shares will become authorized but unissued common shares. In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company did not repurchase any shares.  At January 31, 2014, $10 million remained authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors to repurchase the Company’s common shares.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

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