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BlueLinx Holdings Inc. - Annual Report: 2012 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
Form 10-K
 
(Mark One)
þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012
 
OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission file number: 1-32383
 

 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
77-0627356
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia
30339
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
770-953-7000
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class 
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 

 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
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 þ     No o
 
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
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. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ Smaller reporting company o
 
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
                                                                                                                
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2012 was $46,947,438, based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of $2.35 per share on June 29, 2012.
 
As of February 20, 2013, the registrant had 63,766,266 shares of common stock outstanding.
 

 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
None.


 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2012
 
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “will be,” “will likely continue,” “will likely result” or words or phrases of similar meaning. You should read statements containing these words carefully, because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results or state other “forward-looking” information.
 
Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by us that, although believed by us to be reasonable, involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.  We operate in a changing environment in which new risks can emerge from time to time.  It is not possible for management to predict all of these risks, nor can it assess the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements.  Factors you should consider that could cause these differences include, among other things:
 
●     
changes in the prices, supply and/or demand for products which we distribute, especially as a result of conditions in the residential housing market;
 
●     
the acceptance by our customers of our privately branded products;
 
●     
inventory levels of new and existing homes for sale;
 
●     
general economic and business conditions in the United States;
 
●     
the financial condition and credit worthiness of our customers;
 
●     
the activities of competitors;
 
●     
changes in significant operating expenses;
 
●     
fuel costs;
 
●     
risk of losses associated with accidents;
 
●     
exposure to product liability claims;
 
●     
changes in the availability of capital and interest rates;
 
●     
immigration patterns and job and household formation;
 
●     
our ability to identify acquisition opportunities and effectively and cost-efficiently integrate acquisitions;
 
●     
adverse weather patterns or conditions;
 
●     
acts of war or terrorist activities, including cyber intrusion;
 
●     
variations in the performance of the financial markets, including the credit markets;
 
●     
failure to complete the rights offering on the terms described in the Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 10, 2013; and
 
●     
the risk factors discussed under Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. Except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention, and do not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of this Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by or on behalf of us. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
 
 
PART I
 
As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, BlueLinx, the Company, we, us and our refer to BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. BlueLinx Corporation is the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and is referred to herein as the operating company when necessary. Reference to fiscal 2012 refers to the 52-week period ended December 29, 2012.  Reference to fiscal 2011 refers to the 52-week period ended December 31, 2011.  Reference to fiscal 2010 refers to the 52-week period ended January 1, 2011.
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.
 
Company Overview
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc., operating through our wholly-owned subsidiary, BlueLinx Corporation, is a leading distributor of building products in the United States. We operate in all of the major metropolitan areas in the United States and, as of December 29, 2012, we distributed approximately 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service more than 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. We operate our distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and our network of approximately 55 distribution centers.
 
We distribute products in two principal categories: structural products and specialty products. Structural products, which represented approximately 42%, 39% and 46% of our fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 gross sales, respectively, include plywood, oriented strand board (“OSB”), rebar and remesh, lumber and other wood products primarily used for structural support, walls and flooring in construction projects. Specialty products, which represented approximately 58%, 61% and 54% of our fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 gross sales, respectively, include roofing, insulation, specialty panels, moulding, engineered wood products, vinyl products (used primarily in siding), outdoor living and metal products (excluding rebar and remesh).
 
Our customers include building materials dealers, industrial users of building products, manufactured housing builders and home improvement centers. We purchase products from over 750 vendors and serve as a national distributor for a number of our suppliers. We distribute products through our owned and leased fleet of over 500 trucks and over 900 trailers, as well as by common carrier.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339 and our telephone number is (770) 953-7000. Our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and amendments to those reports, are accessible free of charge at our official website, www.BlueLinxCo.com. We have adopted a Code of Ethics within the meaning of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. This Code of Ethics applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This Code of Ethics, our board committee charters and our corporate governance guidelines are publicly available without charge at www.BlueLinxCo.com or without charge upon request by writing to BlueLinx Holdings Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339. If we make substantial amendments to our Code of Ethics or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a report on Form 8-K. The reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at the site, and our website is not considered part of this filing.
 
History
 
We were created on March 8, 2004 as a Georgia corporation named ABP Distribution Holdings Inc. (“ABP”). ABP was owned by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as “Cerberus”), a private, New York-based investment firm, and members of our management team. Prior to May 7, 2004, certain of our assets were owned by the distribution division (the “Division”) of Georgia-Pacific Corporation (“Georgia-Pacific” or “G-P”). The Division commenced operations in 1954 with 13 warehouses primarily used as an outlet for G-P’s plywood. On May 7, 2004, G-P sold the assets of the Division to ABP. ABP subsequently merged into BlueLinx Holdings Inc. On December 17, 2004, we consummated an initial public offering of our common stock.
 
 
Products and Services
 
As of December 29, 2012, we distributed approximately 10,000 different structural and specialty products to approximately 11,500 customers nationwide. Our structural products are primarily used for structural support, walls, flooring and roofing in construction projects. Additional end uses of our structural products include outdoor decks, sheathing, crates and boxes. Our specialty products include engineered lumber, roofing, insulation, metal products (excluding rebar and remesh), vinyl products (used primarily in siding), moulding, outdoor living and particle board. In some cases, these products are branded by us.
 
We also provide a wide range of value-added services and solutions to our customers and vendors including:
 
 
    
providing “less-than-truckload” delivery services;
 
 
    
pre-negotiated program pricing plans;
 
 
    
inventory stocking;
 
 
    
automated order processing through an electronic data interchange, or EDI, that provides a direct link between us and our customers;
 
 
    
inter-modal distribution services, including railcar unloading and cargo reloading onto customers’ trucks; and
 
 
    
back-haul services, when otherwise empty trucks are returning from customer deliveries.
 
Distribution Channels
 
We sell products through three main distribution channels:
 
Warehouse Sales
 
Warehouse sales are delivered from our warehouses to dealers, home improvement centers and industrial users. We deliver products primarily using our fleet of over 500 trucks and over 900 trailers, but also occasionally use common carriers for peak load flexibility. We operate in all of the major metropolitan areas in the United States through our network of approximately 55 distribution centers. Our warehouses have approximately ten million square feet of space under roof plus significant outdoor storage space. Warehouse sales accounted for approximately 71% of our fiscal 2012 and 66% of our fiscal 2011 gross sales.
 
Reload Sales
 
Reload sales are similar to warehouse sales but are shipped from third-party warehouses where we store owned product in order to expand our geographic reach. This channel is employed primarily to service strategic customers that would be uneconomical to service from our warehouses and to distribute large volumes of imported products such as metal or hardwood plywood from port facilities. Reload sales accounted for approximately 9% and 13% of our gross sales in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively.
 
Direct Sales
 
Direct sales are shipped from the manufacturer to the customer without our taking physical inventory possession. This channel requires the lowest amount of committed capital and fixed costs. Direct sales accounted for approximately 20% and 21% of our fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 gross sales, respectively.
 
 
Customers
 
As of December 29, 2012, our customer base included approximately 11,500 customers across multiple market segments and various end-use markets, including the following types of customers:
 
 
    
building materials dealers;
 
 
    
industrial users of building products;
 
 
    
manufactured housing builders; and
 
 
    
home improvement centers.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
Our sales efforts are directed primarily through our sales force of 401 sales representatives, of which 215 are primarily located at our two sales centers in Denver and Atlanta and inside various branch locations. Within these sales centers, our sales representatives interact with our customers over the telephone. The remaining 186 sales representatives are located throughout the country and are responsible for maintaining a local dialogue with our customers, including making frequent, in-person visits.
 
Our sales force is separated between industrial/dealer sales and home improvement center sales. Industrial/dealer sales are managed by regional vice-presidents with sales teams organized by geographical customer regions. The majority of industrial/dealer orders are processed by telephone and are facilitated by our centralized database of customer preferences and purchasing history. We also have dedicated cross-functional customer support teams focused on strategic growth with the home improvement centers.
 
Suppliers
 
As of December 29, 2012, our vendor base included over 750 suppliers of both structural and specialty building products. In some cases, these products are branded. We have supply contracts in place with many of our vendors. Terms for these agreements frequently include prompt payment discounts, freight allowances and occasionally include volume discounts, growth incentives, marketing allowances, and consigned inventory.
 
On February 12, 2012, our three-year purchase agreement with G-P for engineered lumber expired in accordance with its terms.  We continue to distribute a variety of G-P building products, but no longer are contractually obligated to make minimum purchases of products from G-P or to purchase certain products exclusively from G-P.
 
Competition
 
The U.S. building products distribution market is a highly fragmented market, served by a small number of multi-regional distributors, several regionally focused distributors and a large number of independent local distributors. Local and regional distributors tend to be closely held and often specialize in a limited number of segments, such as the roofing segment, in which they offer a broader selection of products. Some of our multi-regional competitors are part of larger companies and therefore have access to greater financial and other resources than we do. We compete on the basis of breadth of product offering, consistent availability of product, product price and quality, reputation, service and distribution facility location.
 
Our two largest competitors are Weyerhaeuser Company and Boise Cascade Company. Most major markets are served by at least one of these distributors.
 
 
Seasonality
 
We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These seasonal factors are common in the building products distribution industry. The first and fourth quarters are typically our slowest quarters due to the impact of poor weather on the construction market. Our second and third quarters are typically our strongest quarters, reflecting a substantial increase in construction due to more favorable weather conditions. Our working capital and accounts receivable and payable generally peak in the third quarter, while inventory generally peaks in the second quarter in anticipation of the summer building season.
 
Trademarks
 
As of December 29, 2012, we had 37 U.S. trademark applications and registrations, one issued U.S. patent and one Canadian trademark registration. Depending on the jurisdiction, trademarks are valid as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained and they have not become generic. Registrations of trademarks generally can be renewed indefinitely as long as the trademarks are in use. We do not believe our business is dependent on any one of our trademarks or on our patent.
 
Employees
 
As of December 29, 2012 we employed approximately 1,868 persons on a full-time basis. Approximately 30% of our employees were represented by various labor unions.  As of December 29, 2012, we had 42 collective bargaining agreements, of which 10, covering approximately 132 total employees, are up for renewal in fiscal 2013.  We consider our relationship with our employees generally to be good.
 
Environmental and Other Governmental Regulations
 
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, provincial and local laws, rules and regulations. We are subject to environmental laws, rules and regulations that limit discharges into the environment, establish standards for the handling, generation, emission, release, discharge, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, substances and wastes, and require cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater. These laws, ordinances and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. Many of them provide for substantial fines and penalties, orders (including orders to cease operations) and criminal sanctions for violations. They may also impose liability for property damage and personal injury stemming from the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances. In addition, certain of our operations require us to obtain, maintain compliance with, and periodically renew permits.
 
Certain of these laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, may require the investigation and cleanup of an entity’s or its predecessor’s current or former properties, even if the associated contamination was caused by the operations of a third party. These laws also may require the investigation and cleanup of third-party sites at which an entity or its predecessor sent hazardous wastes for disposal, notwithstanding that the original disposal activity accorded with all applicable requirements. Liability under such laws may be imposed jointly and severally, and regardless of fault.
 
G-P has agreed to indemnify us against any claim arising from environmental conditions that existed prior to May 7, 2004 in connection with the properties acquired when G-P sold the assets of the Division to us (see “History” above). In addition, we carry environmental insurance. While we do not expect to incur significant costs to BlueLinx arising from environmental conditions, there can be no assurance that all such costs will be covered by indemnification or insurance.
 
We are also subject to the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. In order to maintain compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, we have established uniform safety and compliance procedures for our operations and implemented measures to prevent workplace injuries.
 
The U.S. Department of Transportation, or DOT, regulates our operations in domestic interstate commerce. We are subject to safety requirements governing interstate operations prescribed by the DOT. Vehicle dimensions and driver hours of service also remain subject to both federal and state regulation.
 
We incur and will continue to incur costs to comply with the requirements of environmental, health and safety and transportation laws, ordinances and regulations. We anticipate that these requirements could become more stringent in the future, and we cannot assure you that compliance costs will not be material.
 
 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.
 
In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business. Our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.
 
Our industry is highly cyclical, and prolonged periods of weak demand or excess supply may reduce our net sales and/or margins, which may reduce our net income or cause us to incur losses.
 
The building products distribution industry is subject to cyclical market pressures. Prices of building products are determined by overall supply and demand in the market for building products. Market prices of building products historically have been volatile and cyclical, and we have limited ability to control the timing and amount of pricing changes for building products. Demand for building products is driven mainly by factors outside of our control, such as general economic and political conditions, interest rates, availability of mortgage financing, the construction, repair and remodeling and industrial markets, weather and population growth. The supply of building products fluctuates based on available manufacturing capacity, and excess capacity in the industry can result in significant declines in market prices for those products. To the extent that prices and volumes experience a sustained or sharp decline, our net sales and margins likely would decline as well. Because we have substantial fixed costs, a decrease in sales and margin generally may have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Our results in some periods have been affected by market volatility, including a reduction in gross profits due to a decline in the resale value of our structural products inventory. All of these factors make it difficult to forecast our operating results.
 
Our industry is dependent on the homebuilding industry which has suffered from a prolonged significant downturn, and any slowdown in the current recovery or any future downturns would materially affect our business, liquidity and operating results.
 
Our sales depend heavily on the strength of national and local new residential construction and home improvement and remodeling markets. The strength of these markets depends on new housing starts and residential renovation projects, which are a function of many factors beyond our control. Some of these factors include general economic conditions, employment levels, job and household formation, interest rates, housing prices, tax policy, availability of mortgage financing, prices of commodity wood and steel products, immigration patterns, regional demographics and consumer confidence. The overall housing market and the economy are improving; however, the U.S. residential construction market has suffered from a multi-year downturn that was one of the most severe housing downturns in United States history. While the government’s legislative and administrative measures aimed at restoring liquidity to the credit markets and providing relief to homeowners facing foreclosure are beginning to show positive results and there have been signs of improvement in the U.S. economy generally, and in the residential housing market in particular, it is unclear if and to what extent the residential construction market will continue to improve during fiscal 2013.
 
Our results of operations were adversely affected by the severe downturn in new housing activity in the United States, and, while currently improving, any slowdown in the current recovery or any future downturns in the markets that we serve or in the economy generally will have a material adverse effect on our operating results, liquidity and financial condition. Reduced levels of construction activity may result in continued intense price competition among building materials suppliers, which may adversely affect our gross margins. We cannot provide assurance that our responses to future downturns in the economy in general, and in the residential housing market in particular, will be successful.
 
A significant portion of our sales are on credit to our customers. Material changes in their credit worthiness or our inability to forecast deterioration in their credit position could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, cash flow and liquidity.
 
The majority of our sales are on account where we provide credit to our customers. Continued market disruptions could cause additional economic downturns, which may lead to lower demand for our products and increased incidence of customers’ inability to pay their accounts. Bankruptcies by our customers may cause us to incur bad debt expense at levels higher than historically experienced. In fiscal 2012, approximately 0.1% in bad debt expense to total net sales was incurred related to credit sales. Our customers are generally susceptible to the same economic business risks as we are. Furthermore, we may not necessarily be aware of any deterioration in their financial position. If our customers’ financial position becomes impaired, it could have a significant impact on our bad debt exposure and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, cash flow and liquidity. In addition, certain of our suppliers potentially may be impacted as well, causing disruption or delay of product availability. These events would adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
 
 
Our cash flows and capital resources may be insufficient to make required payments on our substantial indebtedness and future indebtedness or to maintain our required level of excess liquidity.
 
We have a substantial amount of debt. As of December 29, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings of $169.5 million and excess availability of $86.0 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility, outstanding borrowings of $1.9 million and excess availability of $2.0 million under our Canadian revolving credit facility and outstanding letters of credit totaling $4.5 million. As of December 29, 2012, the principal amount outstanding on our mortgage loan was $206.0 million.
 
Our substantial debt could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:
 
●     
make it difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations;
 
●     
make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
●     
limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate requirements as our excess liquidity likely will decrease while our industry and our Company begins its recovery from the historic housing market downturn;
 
●     
expose us to interest rate fluctuations because the interest rate on the debt under our U.S. revolving credit facility is variable;
 
●     
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for operations and other purposes;
 
●     
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
 
●     
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that may have proportionately less debt, and therefore may be in a better position to get favorable credit terms.
 
In addition, our ability to make scheduled payments or refinance our obligations depends on our successful financial and operating performance, cash flows and capital resources, which in turn depend upon prevailing economic conditions and certain financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others:
 
●     
economic and demand factors affecting the building products distribution industry;
 
●     
pricing pressures;
 
●     
increased operating costs;
 
●     
competitive conditions; and
 
●     
other operating difficulties.  
 
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, obtain additional capital or restructure our debt. Obtaining additional capital or restructuring our debt could be accomplished in part through new or additional borrowings or placements of debt or equity securities. There is no assurance that we could obtain additional capital or restructure our debt on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the event that we are required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations, the value realized on the disposition of such assets or operations will depend on market conditions and the availability of buyers. Accordingly, any such sale may not, among other things, be for a sufficient dollar amount. Our obligations under the revolving credit facilities are secured by a first priority security interest in all of our operating subsidiary’s and BlueLinx Building Products Canada Ltd.’s (“BlueLinx Canada’s”)  (for the Canadian revolving credit facility) inventories, receivables and proceeds from those items. In addition, our mortgage loan is secured by the majority of our real property. The foregoing encumbrances may limit our ability to dispose of material assets or operations. We also may not be able to restructure our indebtedness on favorable economic terms, if at all. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including under the revolving credit facilities. Our incurring additional indebtedness would intensify the risks described above.
 
 
The instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants limiting the discretion of our management in operating our business, including requiring us to maintain a minimum level of excess liquidity.
 
Our revolving credit facilities and mortgage loan contain various restrictive covenants and restrictions, including financial covenants customary for asset-based loans that limit our management’s discretion in operating our business. In particular, these instruments limit our ability to, among other things:
 
incur additional debt;
 
grant liens on assets;
 
make investments, including capital expenditures;
 
sell or acquire assets outside the ordinary course of business;
 
engage in transactions with affiliates; and
 
make fundamental business changes.
 
Under our U.S. revolving credit facility, we are required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the greater of $30 million or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million (the “Excess Availability Threshold”). If we fail to maintain this minimum excess availability, the U.S. revolving credit facility requires us to (i) maintain certain financial ratios, which we would not meet with current operating results triggering the lender’s right to make the debt callable, and (ii) limit our capital expenditures. If we fail to comply with the restrictions in the U.S. revolving credit facility, the Canadian revolving credit facility, the mortgage loan documents or any other current or future financing agreements, a default may allow the creditors under the relevant instruments to accelerate the related debt and to exercise their remedies under these agreements, which will typically include the right to declare the principal amount of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest and other related amounts, immediately due and payable, to exercise any remedies the creditors may have to foreclose on assets that are subject to liens securing that debt and to terminate any commitments they had made to supply further funds.
 
We are dependent upon several large suppliers for a significant percentage of our products.
 
Although we have made progress in diversifying our supplier base, we are still dependent on several large suppliers for a significant percentage of our products. Purchases in fiscal 2012 from the five largest suppliers were approximately 25% in the aggregate, none of these suppliers individually constitute more than 10% of our product purchases.
 
 
The market for our private label products may not develop as anticipated and we may have problems in the supply chain for these products.
 
We have been increasing the number of private label products that we offer to our customers. Private label products are those that are manufactured for us by third parties, but are then branded by us. The market for these products may be slow to develop or may not develop at all if customers prefer to purchase the more commonly recognized “name brand” versions of the same products. These products are manufactured on our behalf by third party suppliers, and we do not directly control the manufacturing process. As a result, while such products must generally meet certain quality standards set by us, it is possible that our results may be negatively impacted if there are defects in the manufacturing process that are not identified prior to our branding of the products and the sale to our customers. Further, problems in the supply chain for these products may adversely impact our ability to maintain sufficient inventory levels for the privately branded products.
 
Although in many instances we have agreements with our suppliers, these agreements are generally terminable by either party on limited notice. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could put pressure on our gross margins or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
 
We source many products internationally and are exposed to risks associated with doing business globally.
 
We import a variety of products from countries located in Asia, South America and the Middle East.  The business, regulatory and political environments in these countries differ from those in the U.S. Our global sourcing strategy is subject to risks and uncertainties, including changes in foreign country regulatory requirements; differing business practices associated with foreign operations; imposition of foreign tariffs and other trade barriers; political, legal and economic instability; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; foreign country tax rules, regulations and other requirements, such as changes in tax rates and statutory and judicial interpretations in tax laws; inflation; differing labor laws and changes in those laws; government price controls; and work stoppages and disruptions in the shipping of imported and exported products.
 
Our transportation operations are subject to significant governmental regulation.
 
Our transportation operations are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”).  The DOT has broad administrative powers with respect to our transportation operations. If we fail to adequately comply with DOT regulations or regulations become more stringent, we could experience increased inspections, regulatory authorities could take remedial action including imposing fines or shutting down our operations or we could be subject to increased audit and compliance costs. If any of these events were to occur, our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition would be adversely affected.
 
Product shortages, loss of key suppliers, and our dependence on third-party suppliers and manufacturers could affect our financial health.
 
Our ability to offer a wide variety of products to our customers is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate product supply from manufacturers and other suppliers. Generally, our products are obtainable from various sources and in sufficient quantities. However, the loss of, or a substantial decrease in the availability of, products from our suppliers or the loss of key supplier arrangements could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
 
Although in many instances we have agreements with our suppliers, these agreements are generally terminable by either party on limited notice. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could put pressure on our gross margins or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
 
Our industry is highly fragmented and competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively, our net sales and operating results will be reduced.
 
The building products distribution industry is highly fragmented and competitive, and the barriers to entry for local competitors are relatively low. Competitive factors in our industry include pricing and availability of product, service and delivery capabilities, ability to assist with problem-solving, customer relationships, geographic coverage and breadth of product offerings. Also, financial stability is important to suppliers and customers in choosing distributors for their products and affects the favorability of the terms on which we are able to obtain our products from our suppliers and sell our products to our customers.
 
Some of our competitors are part of larger companies and therefore have access to greater financial and other resources than those to which we have access. In addition, certain product manufacturers sell and distribute their products directly to customers. Additional manufacturers of products distributed by us may elect to sell and distribute directly to end-users in the future or enter into exclusive supply arrangements with other distributors. Finally, we may not be able to maintain our costs at a level sufficiently low for us to compete effectively. If we are unable to compete effectively, our net sales and net income will be reduced.
 
Integrating acquisitions may be time-consuming and create costs that could reduce our operating results and cash flows.
 
 
We may elect to selectively pursue acquisitions. Any integration process may be complex and time consuming, may be disruptive to the business and may cause an interruption of, or a distraction of management’s attention from, the business as a result of a number of obstacles, including but not limited to:
 
●     
the loss of key customers of the acquired company;
 
●     
the incurrence of unexpected expenses and working capital requirements;
 
●     
a failure of our due diligence process to identify significant issues or contingencies;
 
●     
difficulties assimilating the operations and personnel of the acquired company;
 
●     
difficulties effectively integrating the acquired technologies with our current technologies;
 
●     
our inability to retain key personnel of acquired entities;
 
●     
failure to maintain the quality of customer service;
 
●     
our inability to achieve the financial and strategic goals for the acquired and combined businesses; and
 
●     
difficulty in maintaining internal controls, procedures and policies.  
 
Any of the foregoing obstacles, or a combination of them, could increase selling, general and administrative expenses in absolute terms and/or as a percentage of net sales, which could in turn negatively impact our operating results and cash flows.
 
We may not be able to consummate acquisitions in the future on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, future acquisitions are accompanied by the risk that the obligations and liabilities of an acquired company may not be adequately reflected in the historical financial statements of that company and the risk that those historical financial statements may be based on assumptions which are incorrect or inconsistent with our assumptions or approach to accounting policies. Any of these material obligations, liabilities or incorrect or inconsistent assumptions could adversely impact our results of operations.
 
A significant percentage of our employees are unionized. Wage increases or work stoppages by our unionized employees may reduce our results of operations.
 
As of December 29, 2012, approximately 30% of our employees were represented by various labor unions. As of December 29, 2012, we had 42 collective bargaining agreements, of which 10, covering approximately 132 total employees, are up for renewal in fiscal 2013. Although we have generally had good relations with our unionized employees and expect to renew collective bargaining agreements as they expire, no assurances can be provided that we will be able to reach a timely agreement as to the renewal of the agreements, and their expiration or continued work under an expired agreement, as applicable, could result in a work stoppage. In addition, we may become subject to material cost increases, or additional work rules imposed by agreements with labor unions. The foregoing could increase our selling, general and administrative expenses in absolute terms and/or as a percentage of net sales. In addition, work stoppages or other labor disturbances may occur in the future, which could adversely impact our net sales and/or selling, general and administrative expenses. All of these factors could negatively impact our operating results and cash flows.
 
Increases in the cost of employee benefits, such as pension and other postretirement benefits, could impact our financial results and cash flow.
 
Unfavorable changes in the cost of our pension retirement benefits and current employees’ medical benefits could materially impact our financial results and cash flow. We sponsor several defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our hourly employees. Our estimates of the amount and timing of our future funding obligations for our defined benefit pension plans are based upon various assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the discount rate, projected return on plan assets, compensation increase rates, mortality rates, retirement patterns, and turnover rates. In addition, the amount and timing of our pension funding obligations can be influenced by funding requirements that are established by the Employee Retirement Income and Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Pension Protection Act, Congressional Acts, or other governing bodies. During fiscal 2010 and 2011, we met our required contribution to our defined benefit pension plans. As of December 29, 2012, the net unfunded status of our benefit plan was $46.6 million. The Company’s required cash contribution to the pension plan in 2012 was approximately $3.3 million.  The 2012 required contribution was comprised of approximately $1.2 million related to our 2011 minimum required contribution and approximately $2.1 million related to our 2012 minimum required contribution.  The Company’s minimum required contribution for plan year 2012 was $3.2 million.  The Company has funded the $1.2 million related to its 2011 minimum required contribution with cash in 2012.  However, in an effort to preserve additional cash for operations, we applied for a waiver from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for our 2012 minimum required contribution.  The waiver is still being reviewed by the IRS.  No assurances can be provided, however, that any such waiver request will be granted.  We have not made the $2.1 million of required 2012 contributions related to the 2012 minimum required contribution.  If we are granted the requested waiver, our contributions for 2012 will be amortized over the following five years, increasing our future minimum required contributions. We are currently required to make three quarterly cash contributions during fiscal 2013 of $0.8 million per quarter related to our 2013 minimum required contribution. We are pursuing contributing personal property to the pension plan during fiscal 2013.  We will designate the contribution such that it will offset our future minimum required contribution.
 
 
We participate in various multi-employer pension plans in the United States. The majority of these plans are underfunded. If, in the future, we choose to withdraw from these plans, we likely would need to record a withdrawal liability, which may be material to our financial results.
 
The payment of dividends has been suspended, and resumption is dependent on business conditions, among other factors. Further, the instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants that may limit our ability to pay dividends.
 
We suspended the payment of dividends on our common stock for an indefinite period of time on December 5, 2007. Resumption of the payment of dividends will depend on, among other things, business conditions in the housing industry, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Accordingly, we may not be able to resume the payment of dividends at the same quarterly rate in the future, if at all.
 
Federal and state transportation regulations could impose substantial costs on us which would reduce our net income.
 
We use our own fleet of over 500 tractors and over 900 trailers to service customers throughout the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation, or DOT, regulates our operations in domestic interstate commerce. We are subject to safety requirements governing interstate operations prescribed by the DOT. Vehicle dimensions and driver hours of service also remain subject to both federal and state regulation. More restrictive limitations on vehicle weight and size, trailer length and configuration, or driver hours of service would increase our costs, which, if we are unable to pass these cost increases on to our customers, will increase our selling, general and administrative expenses and reduce our operating results.
 
Environmental laws impose risks and costs on us.
 
Our operations are subject to federal, state, provincial and local laws, rules and regulations governing the protection of the environment, including, but not limited to, those regulating discharges into the air and water, the use, handling and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances, the management of wastes, the cleanup of contamination and the control of noise and odors. We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures to comply with these requirements. While we believe, based upon current information, that we are in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties for any failure to comply. Moreover, under certain environmental laws, a current or previous owner or operator of real property, and parties that generate or transport hazardous substances that are disposed of at that real property, may be held liable for the cost to investigate or clean up such real property and for related damages to natural resources. We may be subject to liability, including liability for investigation and cleanup costs, if contamination is discovered at one of our current or former warehouse facilities, or at a landfill or other location where we have disposed of, or arranged for the disposal of, wastes. Georgia-Pacific has agreed to indemnify us against any claim arising from environmental conditions that existed prior to May 7, 2004 in connection with the properties we acquired when we purchased the assets of the Division. We also carry environmental insurance. However, any remediation costs either not related to conditions existing prior to May 7, 2004 or on properties acquired after May 7, 2004 may not be covered by indemnification. In addition, certain remediation costs may not be covered by insurance. We could also be subject to claims brought pursuant to applicable laws, rules or regulations for property damage or personal injury resulting from the environmental impact of our operations. Increasingly stringent environmental requirements, more aggressive enforcement actions, the discovery of unknown conditions or the bringing of future claims may cause our expenditures for environmental matters to increase, and we may incur material costs associated with these matters.
 
 
Failure to comply with governmental laws and regulations could harm our business.
 
Our business is subject to regulation by various federal, state, local and foreign governmental agencies, including agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing employment and labor laws, workplace safety, product safety, environmental laws, consumer protection laws, anti-bribery laws, import/export controls, federal securities laws and tax laws and regulations. Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to investigations, sanctions, mandatory product recalls, enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, fines, damages, civil and criminal penalties or injunctions. If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and an increase in professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
Affiliates of Cerberus control us and may have conflicts of interest with other stockholders in the future.
 
Cerberus beneficially owned approximately 52% of our common stock as of December 29, 2012. As a result, Cerberus is able to control the election of our directors, determine our corporate and management policies and determine, without the consent of our other stockholders, the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our stockholders for approval, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. This concentrated ownership position limits other stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that some of our stockholders do not view as beneficial.
 
Cerberus is controlled by Cerberus Capital Management. Three of our seven directors are employees of or current advisors to Cerberus Capital Management. Cerberus also has sufficient voting power to amend our organizational documents. The interests of Cerberus may not coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock. Additionally, Cerberus is in the business of making investments in companies and may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Cerberus may also pursue, for its own account, acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. So long as Cerberus continues to own a significant amount of the outstanding shares of our common stock, it will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. In addition, because we are a controlled company within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules, we are exempt from the NYSE requirements that our board be composed of a majority of independent directors, that our compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors, and that we maintain a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors.
 
Even if Cerberus no longer controls us in the future, certain provisions of our charter documents and agreements and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition at a premium price.
 
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws contain provisions that:
 
permit us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, up to 30 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series and, with respect to each series, to fix the number of shares constituting the series and the designation of the series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the preferences and other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions, of the shares of the series; and
 
limit the stockholders’ ability to call special meetings.
 
These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition at a premium price.
 
In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, which also imposes certain restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our common stock. Further, certain of our incentive plans provide for vesting of stock options and/or payments to be made to our employees in connection with a change of control, which could discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition at a premium price.
 
 
We are subject to cybersecurity risks and may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize those risks.
 
Our business employs systems and a website that allow for the secure storage and transmission of customers’ proprietary information. Security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, litigation and potential liability. We may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyber attacks. Any compromise of our security could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and a loss of confidence in our security measures, which could harm our business. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated generally, we may be required to incur significant costs to strengthen our systems from outside intrusions and/or obtain insurance coverage related to the threat of such attacks.
 
ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
 
None.
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.
 
We own 52 warehouse facilities and lease 3 additional warehouse facilities. The total square footage under roof at our owned and leased warehouses is approximately 10 million square feet. Our Denver sales center and 51 of our owned warehouse facilities secure our mortgage loan.
 
Our corporate headquarters located at 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339 is approximately 150,000 square feet. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, as part of a restructuring effort, we vacated approximately 100,000 square feet of our corporate headquarters space in the building located at 4100 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339 (the unoccupied 4100 building). During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we entered into an amendment to our corporate headquarters lease in Atlanta, Georgia related to the unoccupied 4100 building.  This amendment released us from our obligations with respect to this unoccupied space as of January 31, 2012, in exchange for a $5.0 million space remittance fee, which was paid in the first quarter of 2012.  We also paid $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and are obligated to pay an additional $0.3 million on or before December 31, 2013 related to contractually obligated tenant improvement reimbursement expense.  The provisions relating to the occupied 4300 building remain unchanged.  Under the existing provisions, the current term of the lease ends on January 31, 2019.  The amendment resulted in a reduction of our restructuring reserve of approximately $2.0 million, with the credit recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” during fiscal 2011.
 
 
The following table summarizes our real estate facilities including their inside square footage:
 
Facility Type
 
 
 
 
Number
   
Owned
Facilities (sq. ft.)
   
Leased
Facilities (sq. ft.)
 
Office Space(1)
    3       68,721       151,885  
Warehouses
    55       9,533,243       268,403  
TOTAL
    58       9,601,964       420,288  
 

(1)
Includes corporate headquarters in Atlanta, the Denver Sales Center and a call center in Vancouver.
 
We also store materials, such as lumber and rebar, outdoors at all of our warehouse locations, which increases their distribution and storage capacity. We believe that substantially all of our property and equipment is in good condition, subject to normal wear and tear. We believe that our facilities have sufficient capacity to meet current and projected distribution needs.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
We are, and from time to time may be, a party to routine legal proceedings incidental to the operation of our business. The outcome of any pending or threatened proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results or cash flows, based on our current understanding of the relevant facts. We establish reserves for pending or threatened proceedings when the costs associated with such proceedings become probable and can be reasonably estimated.
 
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
 
Not applicable.
 

PART II
 
ITEM 5.   
 
Our equity securities consist of one class of common stock, that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BXC”. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of the high and low sales prices for the common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange:
 
   
High
   
Low
 
Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2012
           
First Quarter
  $ 2.87     $ 1.45  
Second Quarter
  $ 2.89     $ 1.96  
Third Quarter
  $ 2.72     $ 1.97  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 2.85     $ 1.83  
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011
               
First Quarter
  $ 3.90     $ 3.41  
Second Quarter
  $ 4.35     $ 2.23  
Third Quarter
  $ 2.40     $ 1.39  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 1.90     $ 1.25  
 
As of February 18, 2013, there were 44 registered stockholders, and, as of that date we estimate there were approximately 2,200 beneficial owners holding our common stock in nominee or “street” name.
 
In December 2007, we suspended the payment of dividends on our common stock for an indefinite period of time. Resumption of the payment of dividends will depend on, among other things, business conditions in the housing industry, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 10. Revolving Credit Facilities” for additional information regarding limitations on the ability of BlueLinx Corporation to transfer funds to its parent, BlueLinx Holdings Inc., which could impact our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders. Accordingly, we may not be able to resume the payment of dividends at the same quarterly rate in the future, if at all.
 
 
Performance Graph
 
The chart below compares the quarterly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 Index and a peer group index for the period commencing December 27, 2007 and ending December 29, 2012, assuming an investment of $100 and the reinvestment of any dividends.
 
Our peer group index was selected by us and is comprised of reporting companies with lines of business and product offerings that are comparable to ours and which we believe most accurately represent our business. Our peer group consists of the following companies: Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Builders Firstsource, Building Materials HLDG CP (through January 4, 2010), Huttig Building Products Inc., Interline Brands Inc., Universal Forest Products Inc. and Watsco Inc.
 
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
 
(LINE GRAPH)
 
Cumulative Total Return
Years Ending
 
   
Base Period
                               
Company Name/Index
   
12/29/07
   
01/03/09
   
01/02/10
   
01/01/11
   
12/31/11
   
12/29/12
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 
   $ 100      $ 63.87      $ 70.48      $ 93.13      $ 48.11      $ 90.12  
Russell 2000 Index
   $ 100      $ 67.06      $ 84.20      $ 106.82      $ 102.36      $ 116.67  
Peer Group
   $ 100      $ 85.10      $ 114.88      $ 139.03      $ 135.38      $ 190.70  
 
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
 
The following table sets forth certain historical financial data of our Company. The selected financial data for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2012, December 31, 2011, January 1, 2011, January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009 have been derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or from prior financial statements. The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
   
Year Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 1,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 2,
2010
   
Year Ended
January 3,
2009
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Statements of Operations Data:
                             
Net sales
  $ 1,907,842     $ 1,755,431     $ 1,804,418     $ 1,646,108     $ 2,779,699  
Cost of sales
    1,677,772       1,545,282       1,593,745       1,452,947       2,464,766  
Gross profit
    230,070       210,149       210,673       193,161       314,933  
Operating expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
    215,996       207,857       221,185       210,214       303,403  
Net gain from terminating the Georgia-Pacific supply agreement
                      (17,772 )      
Depreciation and amortization
    8,565       10,562       13,365       16,984       20,519  
Total operating expenses
    224,561       218,419       234,550       209,426       323,922  
Operating income (loss)
    5,509       (8,270 )     (23,877 )     (16,265 )     (8,989 )
Non-operating expenses (income):
                                       
Interest expense
    28,157       30,510       33,788       32,456       38,547  
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap
          (1,676 )     (4,603 )     6,252        
Write-off of debt issue costs
                183       1,407        
Other (income) expense, net
    (7 )     501       587       519       601  
Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (22,641 )     (37,605 )     (53,832 )     (56,899 )     (48,137 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    386       962       (589 )     4,564       (16,434 )
Net loss
  $ (23,027 )   $ (38,567 )   $ (53,243 )   $ (61,463 )   $ (31,703 )
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    60,080       43,187       30,688       31,017       31,083  
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stock
  $ (0.38 )   $ (0.89 )   $ (1.73 )   $ (1.98 )   $ (1.02 )
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    60,080       43,187       30,688       31,017       31,083  
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stock
  $ (0.38 )   $ (0.89 )   $ (1.73 )   $ (1.98 )   $ (1.02 )
Dividends declared per share of common stock
  $     $     $     $     $  
 
   
Year Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 1,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 2,
2010
   
Year Ended
January 3,
2009
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Other Financial Data:
                             
Capital expenditures
  $ 2,826     $ 6,533     $ 4,140     $ 1,815     $ 4,919  
EBITDA(1)
    14,081       1,791       (11,099 )     200       10,929  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (74,250 )     (50,332 )     (29,861 )     (19,853 )     190,390  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    16,369       11,822       (3,429 )     12,636       985  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    58,171       29,111       18,130     $ (113,679 )   $ (56,781 )
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,188     $ 4,898     $ 14,297     $ 29,457     $ 150,353  
Working capital
    272,403       233,414       236,168       247,722       320,527  
Total assets
    544,736       503,915       525,019       546,846       729,178  
Total debt(2)
    383,783       341,017       384,256       341,669       444,870  
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity 
    (20,592 )     8,374       991     $ 50,820     $ 102,852  
 
 

(1)
EBITDA is an amount equal to net (loss) income plus interest expense and all interest expense related items (e.g. changes associated with ineffective interest rate swap, write-off of debt issue costs, charges associated with mortgage refinancing), income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented herein because we believe it is a useful supplement to cash flow from operations in understanding cash flows generated from operations that are available for debt service (interest and principal payments) and further investment in acquisitions. However, EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, (“GAAP”), and is not intended to present a superior measure of the financial condition from those determined under GAAP. EBITDA, as used herein, is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculations.
   
(2)
Total debt represents long-term debt related to our mortgage and revolving credit facilities, including current maturities and capital lease obligations.
 
A reconciliation of net cash (used in) provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA for each of the respective periods indicated is as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Year Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 1,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 2,
2010
   
Year Ended
January 3,
2009
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
  $ (74,250 )   $ (50,332 )   $ (29,861 )   $ (19,853 )   $ 190,390  
Amortization of debt issue costs
    (3,746 )     (2,940 )     (1,963 )     (2,459 )     (2,479 )
Net gain from terminating the Georgia-Pacific supply agreement
                      17,772        
Payments from terminating the Georgia-Pacific supply agreement
                (4,706 )     (14,118 )      
Vacant property charges, net
    30       291       (53 )     (1,222 )     (4,441 )
Payments on modification of lease agreement
    5,875                          
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)
    20       25       600       (24,220 )     2,935  
Prepayment fees associated with sale of property
                      (616 )     (1,868 )
Gain on sale of properties
    9,885       10,604             10,397       1,936  
Gain from insurance settlement
    476       1,230                    
Gain from modification of lease agreement
          1,971                    
Share-based compensation
    (2,797 )     (1,974 )     (3,978 )     (2,922 )     (2,614 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based arrangements
                            81  
Changes in assets and liabilities
    50,045       11,444       (4,337 )     421       (195,124 )
Interest expense
    28,157       30,510       33,788       32,456       38,547  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    386       962       (589 )     4,564       (16,434 )
EBITDA
  $ 14,081     $ 1,791     $ (11,099 )   $ 200     $ 10,929  
 
ITEM 7. 
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this Form 10-K contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by this forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under Risk Factors, Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
Overview
 
Company Background
 
BlueLinx is a leading distributor of building products in the United States. As of December 29, 2012, we distributed approximately 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service approximately 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. We operate our distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and our network of approximately 55 distribution centers. We distribute products in two principal categories: structural products and specialty products. Structural products include plywood, OSB, rebar and remesh, lumber and other wood products primarily used for structural support, walls and flooring in construction projects. Structural products represented approximately 42% and 39% of our fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 gross sales, respectively. Specialty products include roofing, insulation, moulding, engineered wood, vinyl products (used primarily in siding), outdoor living and metal products (excluding rebar and remesh). Specialty products accounted for approximately 58% and 61% of our fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 gross sales, respectively.
 
 
Industry Conditions
 
We operate in a changing environment in which new risks can emerge from time to time.  A number of factors cause our results of operations to fluctuate from period to period.  Many of these factors are seasonal or cyclical in nature. Conditions in the United States (“U.S.”) housing market continue to be at historically low levels. Our operating results have declined during the past several years as they are closely tied to U.S. housing starts. Additionally, the mortgage markets have experienced substantial disruption due to an unprecedented number of defaults in the “subprime” market.  This disruption and the related defaults have increased the inventory of homes for sale and also have caused lenders to tighten mortgage qualification criteria, which further reduces demand for new homes. While there has been some recent improvement, we expect the lower than historical average level of new housing activity will continue to negatively impact our operating results. We continue to prudently manage our inventories, receivables and spending in this environment. However, along with many forecasters, we believe that we are in the beginning of a housing recovery and that U.S. housing demand will continue to improve in the long term based on population demographics and a variety of other factors.
 
As the housing market and general economic conditions continue to improve, the Company believes that additional capital would allow the Company to participate more fully in these improving conditions, and therefore the Company currently is seeking additional capital.  The Company’s sales depend heavily on the strength of national and local new residential construction and home improvement and remodeling markets, which are showing signs of significant improvement. Moreover, the government’s legislative and administrative measures aimed at restoring liquidity to the credit markets and providing relief to homeowners facing foreclosure are beginning to show positive results. The overall housing market and economy are also improving, which is expected to lead to a considerable increase in residential construction and, to a lesser extent, in home improvement activity.  If the Company and its industry continue to recover from the historic housing market downturn, the Company expects its sales to improve and therefore its need for inventory and its accounts receivable to increase.  This increase in working capital is expected to use some of the Company’s current excess availability under its revolving credit facilities.  
 
Stock Rights Offerings
 
On January 10, 2013, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a planned rights offering of our common stock to our stockholders, which seeks to raise gross proceeds of $40 million. In addition to being able to purchase their pro rata portion of the shares offered based on their ownership as of the record date for the rights offering, stockholders may oversubscribe for additional shares of common stock.  The estimated net proceeds from the rights offering of approximately $39 million will be used to pay down the U.S. revolving credit facility.   Cerberus ABP Investor LLC (“Cerberus”), the Company’s majority stockholder, has indicated that it intends, subject to the exercise price of the rights being set at an acceptable amount, to exercise all of the rights issued to it and to subscribe for the maximum additional shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege that it would be entitled to purchase. However, such indication is not binding, and Cerberus is not legally obligated to do so.  The Company anticipates that the record date and the subscription price will be determined at or about the time that the SEC declares the Company’s registration statement effective.
 
On July 22, 2011, we concluded an offering of our common stock to our stockholders (the “2011 rights offering”), pursuant to which we distributed to our common stockholders transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $60 million of our common stock.  The 2011 rights offering was fully subscribed and resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $60 million.  The net proceeds from the 2011 rights offering were approximately $58 million, and $56 million of the net proceeds were used to pay down the U.S. revolving credit facility.  We accounted for the rights issued as a component of additional paid in capital as they were indexed to the Company’s equity and there were no net cash settlement provisions.
 
Private Label Products
 
On February 12, 2012, our three-year purchase agreement with G-P for engineered lumber expired in accordance with its terms.  In February of 2012, we launched our own privately branded engineered product line for all geographic markets other than New England. In addition, on February 13, 2012 we entered into a distribution agreement with Weyerhaeuser Company for the sale of certain engineered wood products in the New England region.  We have subsequently increased the number of private label products that we offer to customers and currently offer several products under our private labels.
 
 
Restructuring Charges
 
During fiscal 2007, we announced a plan to adjust our cost structure in order to manage our costs more effectively. The plan included the consolidation of our corporate headquarters and sales center to one building from two buildings which resulted in certain charges recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
 
 During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we entered into an amendment to our corporate headquarters lease in Atlanta, Georgia related to the unoccupied 4100 building.  This amendment released us from our obligations with respect to this unoccupied space as of January 31, 2012, in exchange for a $5.0 million space remittance fee, which was paid in the first quarter of 2012.  We also paid $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and are obligated to pay an additional $0.3 million on or before December 31, 2013 related to contractually obligated tenant improvement reimbursement expense.  The provisions relating to the occupied 4300 building remain unchanged.  Under the existing provisions, the current term of the lease ends on January 31, 2019.  The amendment resulted in a reduction of our restructuring reserve of approximately $2.0 million, with the credit recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2011.
 
Selected Factors that Affect our Operating Results
 
Our operating results are affected by housing starts, mobile home production, industrial production, repair and remodeling spending and non-residential construction. We believe a substantial percentage of our sales are directly related to new home construction.
 
Our operating results also are impacted by changes in product prices. Structural products prices can vary significantly based on short-term and long-term changes in supply and demand. The prices of specialty products also can vary from time to time, although they generally are significantly less variable than structural products.
 
The following table sets forth changes in net sales by product category, sales variances due to changes in unit volume and dollar and percentage changes in unit volume and price, in each case for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010:
 
Sales Revenue Variances by Product
 
   
Fiscal 2012
   
Fiscal 2011
   
Fiscal 2010
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Sales by Category
                 
Structural Products
  $ 806     $ 705     $ 835  
Specialty Products
    1,114       1,068       985  
Other(1)
    (12 )     (18 )     (16 )
Total Sales
  $ 1,908     $ 1,755     $ 1,804  
Sales Variances
                       
Unit Volume $ Change
  $ 42     $ (52 )   $ 36  
Price/Other(1)
    111       3       122  
Total $ Change
  $ 153     $ (49 )   $ 158  
Unit Volume % Change
    2.3 %     (2.8 )%     2.2 %
Price/Other(1) % Change
    6.4 %     0.1 %     7.4 %
Total % Change
    8.7 %     (2.7 )%     9.6 %
 

(1)
“Other” includes unallocated allowances and discounts.
 
 
The following table sets forth changes in gross margin dollars and percentages by product category, and percentage changes in unit volume growth by product, in each case for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010:
 
   
Fiscal 2012
   
Fiscal 2011
   
Fiscal 2010
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Gross Margin $ by Category
                 
Structural Products
  $ 77     $ 65     $ 74  
Specialty Products
    146       137       129  
Other(1)
    7       8       8  
Total Gross Margin
  $ 230     $ 210     $ 211  
Gross Margin % by Category
                       
Structural Products
    9.6 %     9.2 %     8.9 %
Specialty Products
    13.1 %     12.8 %     13.1 %
Total Gross Margin %
    12.1 %     12.0 %     11.7 %
Unit Volume % Change by Product
                       
Structural Products
    1.4 %     (15.1 )%     (2.5 )%
Specialty Products
    2.9 %     7.4 %     5.7 %
Total Unit Volume % Change
    2.3 %     (2.8 )%     2.2 %
 

(1)
“Other” includes unallocated allowances and discounts.
 
The following table sets forth changes in net sales and gross margin by channel and percentage changes in gross margin by channel, in each case for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010:
 
   
Fiscal 2011
   
Fiscal 2011
   
Fiscal 2010
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Sales by Channel
                 
Warehouse/Reload                                                                                                                    
  $ 1,534     $ 1,397     $ 1,409  
Direct
    386       376       411  
Other(1)
    (12 )     (18 )     (16 )
Total
  $ 1,908     $ 1,755     $ 1,804  
Gross Margin by Channel
                       
Warehouse/Reload
  $ 199     $ 179     $ 182  
Direct
    24       23       21  
Other(1)
    7       8       8  
Total
  $ 230     $ 210     $ 211  
Gross Margin % by Channel
                       
Warehouse/Reload
    13.0 %     12.8 %     12.9 %
Direct
    6.2 %     6.1 %     5.1 %
Total
    12.1 %     12.0 %     11.7 %
 

(1)
“Other” includes unallocated allowances and discounts.
 
Fiscal Year
 
Our fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to the end of the calendar year. Fiscal year 2012, 2011, and 2010 contained 52 weeks.
 
Results of Operations
 
Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011
 
The following table sets forth our results of operations for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011.
 
   
 
Fiscal 2012
   
% of
Net
Sales
   
 
Fiscal 2011
   
% of
Net
Sales
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net sales                                                                                                   
  $ 1,907,842       100.0 %   $ 1,755,431       100.0 %
Gross profit
    230,070       12.1 %     210,149       12.0 %
Selling, general and administrative
    215,996       11.3 %     207,857       11.8 %
Depreciation and amortization
    8,565       0.4 %     10,562       0.6 %
Operating income (loss)
    5,509       0.3 %     (8,270 )     (0.5 )%
Interest expense, net
    28,157       1.5 %     30,510       1.7 %
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap
          0.0 %     (1,676 )     (0.1 )%
Other income (expense), net
    (7 )     0.0 %     501       0.0 %
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (22,641 )     (1.2 )%     (37,605 )     (2.1 )%
Provision for income taxes
    386       0.0 %     962       0.1 %
Net loss
  $ (23,027 )     (1.2 )%   $ (38,567 )     (2.2 )%
 
 
Net sales.  For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, net sales increased by 8.7%, or $152.4 million, to $1.9 billion. Sales during the fiscal year were positively impacted by a 28% increase in single family housing starts. Single family home construction has a significant impact on our sales. Structural sales increased by $101.2 million, or 14.3% from a year ago, as a result of a 12.9% increase in structural product prices and a 1.4% increase in unit volume.  In addition, specialty sales increased $45.8 million, or 4.3% from a year ago, as a result of a 1.4% increase in specialty product prices and a 2.9% increase in unit volume.
 
Gross profit.  Gross profit for fiscal 2012 was $230.1 million, or 12.1% of sales, compared to $210.1 million, or 12.0% of sales, in fiscal 2011. The increase in gross profit dollars compared to fiscal 2011 was driven primarily by the factors noted above, coupled with an improvement in gross margin percentage due to the Companys efforts to improve gross margin.
 
Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2012 were $216.0 million, or 11.3% of net sales, compared to $207.9 million, or 11.8% of net sales, during fiscal 2011. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses is primarily due to a reduction in other gains recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2012 when compared to 2011 coupled with increases in certain variable costs and pension expense.  During 2012 the Company recognized $10.4 million of other gains compared to $14.0 million of other gains recognized in fiscal 2011, both of which were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, resulting  in an increase in total selling, general, and administrative expenses of $3.6 million.  In addition, during fiscal 2012 there were increases in pension expense, commissions, stock compensation and other salary based incentives of $2.1 million, $0.7 million, $0.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in payroll of $2.8 million. 
 
The other gains recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses during fiscal 2012 were comprised of $9.9 million of gains on property sales and a $0.5 million gain related to the insurance settlement on the Newtown, Connecticut facility.  In comparison, during fiscal 2011, other gains recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses were comprised of $10.6 million of gains on property sales, a $2.0 million gain related to the modification of the lease agreement for our headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and a $1.4 million gain related to the insurance settlement on the Newtown, Connecticut facility. The increase in pension expense was due to changes in the underlying pension valuation assumptions.  The increases in incentives and commissions were largely attributable to higher sales activity in fiscal 2012.   The $2.8 million decrease in payroll was due to reduction in force activities occurring in fiscal 2011, which resulted in $1.4 million in severance charges in fiscal 2011.  We did not materially increase headcount during fiscal 2012 or perform any material restructuring. 
 
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $8.6 million for fiscal 2012, compared to $10.6 million for fiscal 2011. The $2.0 million decrease in depreciation and amortization is primarily related to a portion of our property and equipment becoming fully depreciated during fiscal 2012 and replenishment of fixed assets occurring at a slower rate.
 
Operating income (loss).  Operating income for fiscal 2012 was $5.5 million compared to an operating loss of $8.3 million for fiscal 2011.  The change in operating income (loss) reflects a $19.9 million increase in gross profit as a result of the above factors, and a decrease in depreciation of $2.0 million.  This change was partially offset by an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $8.1 million.
 
Interest expense, net.  Interest expense for fiscal 2012 was $28.2 million compared to $30.5 million for fiscal 2011. The $2.3 million decrease is due to a decrease of $2.2 million in fees related to the interest rate swap due to the expiration of the interest rate swap during fiscal 2011 and a decrease in interest expense related to our mortgage of $2.3 million due to a decrease in principal.  These changes were partially offset by an increase in interest related to our revolving credit facilities of $1.4 million and an increase in debt issuance cost amortization of $0.8 million.  Interest expense included $3.7 million and $2.9 million of debt issue cost amortization for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively.  In fiscal 2012, interest expense related to our revolving credit facilities and mortgage was $9.6 million and $14.7 million, respectively.  In fiscal 2011, interest expense related to our revolving credit facilities and mortgage was $10.3 million and $17.0 million, respectively.  See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for a description of agreements for the revolving credit facilities and the mortgage.
 
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap. Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap totaled $1.7 million of income in fiscal 2011.  As the effective interest rate swap terminated in March of 2011, there was no comparable activity in the fiscal 2012.
 
 
Provision for income taxes.  Our effective tax rate was (1.7)% and (2.5)% for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 and 2011 is largely due to a full valuation allowance recorded against our tax benefit related to our fiscal 2012 loss. The effect of the valuation allowance was offset by state income taxes, gross receipts taxes, and foreign income taxes recorded on a separate company basis partially offset by various refundable tax credits.
 
Net loss.  Net loss for fiscal 2012 was $23.0 million, compared to $38.6 million for fiscal 2011 as a result of the factors discussed above.
 
On a per-share basis, basic and diluted loss applicable to common stockholders for fiscal 2012 each was $0.38. For fiscal 2011, basic and diluted loss per share each was $0.89.
 
Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010
 
The following table sets forth our results of operations for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010.
 
   
 
Fiscal 2011
   
% of
Net
Sales
   
 
Fiscal 2010
   
% of
Net
Sales
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net sales                                                                                                   
  $ 1,755,431       100.0 %   $ 1,804,418       100.0 %
Gross profit
    210,149       12.0 %     210,673       11.7 %
Selling, general and administrative
    207,857       11.8 %     221,185       12.3 %
Depreciation and amortization
    10,562       0.6 %     13,365       0.7 %
Operating loss
    (8,270 )     (0.5 )%     (23,877 )     (1.3 )%
Interest expense, net
    30,510       1.7 %     33,788       1.9 %
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap
    (1,676 )     (0.1 )%     (4,603 )     (0.3 )%
Write-off of debt issue costs
          0.0 %     183       0.0 %
Other expense, net
    501       0.0 %     587       0.0 %
Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (37,605 )     (2.1 )%     (53,832 )     (3.0 )%
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    962       0.1 %     (589 )     0.0 %
Net loss
  $ (38,567 )     (2.2 )%   $ (53,243 )     (3.0 )%
 
Net sales.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, net sales decreased by 2.7%, or $49.0 million, to $1.8 billion. Sales during the fiscal year were negatively impacted by a 9% decrease in single family housing starts. Single family home construction has a significant impact on our sales. Structural sales, including plywood, OSB, lumber and metal rebar, decreased by $129.8 million, or 15.5% from a year ago, as a result of a 0.4% decrease in structural product prices and a 15.1% decrease in unit volume.  The decrease in structural sales was partially offset by an increase in specialty sales.  Specialty sales, primarily consisting of roofing, specialty panels, insulation, moulding, engineered wood products, vinyl siding, outdoor living and metal products (excluding rebar and remesh) increased by $84.6 million or 8.4% compared to fiscal 2010, due to a 7.4% increase in unit volume and a 1.0% increase in specialty product prices.
 
Gross profit.  Gross profit for fiscal 2011 was $210.1 million, or 12.0% of sales, compared to $210.7 million, or 11.7% of sales, in fiscal 2010. The decrease in gross profit dollars compared to fiscal 2010 was driven primarily by a decrease in structural product volumes of 15.1% offset by an increase in specialty product volumes of 7.4%.
 
Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2011 were $207.9 million, or 11.8% of net sales, compared to $221.2 million, or 12.3% of net sales, during fiscal 2010. The decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses is due to $10.6 million of property sale gains that were recognized in fiscal 2011, a $2.0 million gain related to the modification of the lease agreement for our headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and a $1.4 million gain related to the insurance settlement on the Newtown, Connecticut facility. There were no similar property gains in fiscal 2010. However, in fiscal 2010 there were expenses incurred related to the failed tender offer of $3.0 million partially offset by a gain related to the settlement received on an OSB class action lawsuit in which we were a claimant of $5.2 million. In addition, decreases in payroll and payroll related costs of $1.7 million, as well as decreases in stock compensation expense of $2.0 million also contributed to the overall decrease in selling, general and administrative expense. These changes were largely related to fiscal 2011 reduction in force activities, as well as the vesting of certain restricted stock grants during fiscal 2011.  Partially offsetting these fluctuations were increases to fuel expense and other operating expenses of $2.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
 
 
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense was $10.6 million for fiscal 2011, compared to $13.4 million for fiscal 2010. The $2.8 million decrease in depreciation and amortization is primarily related to fiscal 2011 sales of certain depreciable properties, a portion of our property and equipment becoming fully depreciated during fiscal 2011 and replenishment of fixed assets occurring at a slower rate.
 
Operating loss.  Operating loss for fiscal 2011 was $8.3 million, or 0.5% of sales, compared to an operating loss of $23.9 million, or 1.3% of sales, for fiscal 2010, reflecting the $13.3 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expense and a $2.8 million decrease in depreciation and amortization offset by a $0.5 million decrease in gross profit.
 
Interest expense, net.  Interest expense for fiscal 2011 was $30.5 million compared to $33.8 million for fiscal 2010. The $3.3 million decrease is due to the $45.1 million decrease in total debt and the related effect on interest expense. In fiscal 2011, interest expense related to our revolving credit facilities (including the Canadian revolving credit facility), and mortgage was $10.3 million and $17.0 million, respectively. In fiscal 2010, interest expense related to our U.S. revolving credit facility and mortgage was $13.3 million and $18.3 million, respectively. In addition, interest expense included $2.9 million and $2.0 million of debt issue cost amortization for fiscal 2011 and for fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap. Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap recognized for fiscal 2011 was income of $1.7 million compared to $4.6 million of income for fiscal 2010.  The decrease is primarily related to the change in the swaps fair value and a decrease in amortization of the accumulated loss in other comprehensive income into interest expense due to the termination of the swap in March 2011.
 
Write-off of debt issue costs.  During fiscal 2010, we permanently reduced our revolving loan threshold limit. As a result, we recorded expense of $0.2 million, for the write-off of deferred financing costs that had been capitalized associated with the borrowing capacities that were reduced during these periods.  No similar activity occurred during fiscal 2011.
 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes.  Our effective tax rate was (2.5)% and 1.1% for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 is largely due to a full valuation allowance recorded against our tax benefit related to our 2011 loss. The effect of the valuation allowance was offset by state income taxes, gross receipts taxes, and foreign income taxes recorded on a separate company basis partially offset by various refundable tax credits.  The effective tax rate for fiscal 2010 is largely due to a full valuation allowance recorded against our tax benefit related to our fiscal 2010 loss and an allocation of income tax expense to other comprehensive income resulting in a tax benefit to continuing operations.  This tax benefit was partially offset by gross receipts and other taxes.
 
Net loss.  Net loss for fiscal 2011 was $38.6 million, compared to $53.2 million for fiscal 2010 as a result of the factors discussed above.
 
On a per-share basis, basic and diluted loss applicable to common stockholders for fiscal 2011 each was $0.89. For fiscal 2010, basic and diluted loss per share each was $1.73.
 
Seasonality
 
We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These seasonal factors are common in the building products distribution industry. The first and fourth quarters are typically our slowest quarters due to the impact of poor weather on the construction market. Our second and third quarters are typically our strongest quarters, reflecting a substantial increase in construction due to more favorable weather conditions. Our working capital and accounts receivable and payable generally peak in the third quarter, while inventory generally peaks in the second quarter in anticipation of the summer building season.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We depend on cash flow from operations and funds available under our revolving credit facilities to finance working capital needs and capital expenditures. We had approximately $86.0 million of excess availability under our U.S. revolving credit facility (the “U.S. revolving credit facility”) and $2.0 million under our Canadian revolving credit facility, described further below, as of December 29, 2012. As of December 29, 2012, we had excess availability of $49.8 million above the minimum required under the U.S. revolving credit facility. As of the period ended December 29, 2012, under our amended U.S. revolving credit facility, we are required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the greater of $30 million or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million (the “Excess Availability Threshold”).  If we fail to maintain this minimum excess availability, the amended U.S. revolving credit facility requires us to (i) maintain certain financial ratios, which we would not meet with current operating results, triggering the lender’s right to make the debt callable, and (ii) limit our capital expenditures, which would have a negative impact on our ability to finance working capital needs and capital expenditures.
 
 
In the event that excess availability falls below $35 million or 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million, the U.S. revolving credit facility gives the lenders the right to dominion of our bank accounts.  This would not make the underlying debt callable by the lender and may not change our ability to borrow on the U.S. revolving credit facility.  However, we would be required to reclassify the “Long-term debt” to “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  For additional information regarding our financial covenants under our revolving credit facilities, see the Risk Factors “The instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants limiting the discretion of our management in operating our business set forth under Item 1.A. Risk Factors.
 
While the Company believes that the amounts currently available from its revolving credit facilities and other sources will be sufficient to fund its routine operations and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months, the Company believes that additional capital will provide it with a stronger liquidity position and allow it to more fully participate in the improving housing market. The Company believes that this stronger liquidity position will also give the Company an advantage over many competitors that have less liquidity and less or no access to additional capital, and therefore may not be able to fully participate in the opportunities that arise in a growing market.
 
On January 10, 2013, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a planned rights offering of our common stock to our stockholders, which seeks to raise gross proceeds of $40 million. In connection with the rights offering we plan to distribute to our common stockholders non-transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $40 million of our common stock.  The estimated net proceeds from the rights offering of approximately $39 million will be used to pay down the U.S. revolving credit facility.
 
On July 22, 2011, we concluded an offering of our common stock to our stockholders, pursuant to which we distributed to our common stockholders transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $60 million of our common stock.  The 2011 rights offering was fully subscribed and resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $60 million.  The majority of the net proceeds from the 2011 rights offering were used to pay down the U.S. revolving credit facility.  The amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which was a condition to the 2011 rights offering, and is described in more detail below, became effective upon the successful completion of the 2011 rights offering.  In addition, as a condition to the 2011 rights offering, we entered into an amendment to our mortgage, as described in the Debt and Credit Sources section of this MD&A of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
We may elect to selectively pursue acquisitions. Accordingly, depending on the nature of the acquisition, we may use cash or stock, or a combination of both, as acquisition currency. Our cash requirements may significantly increase and incremental cash expenditures will be required in connection with the integration of the acquired company’s business and to pay fees and expenses in connection with any acquisitions. To the extent that significant amounts of cash are expended in connection with acquisitions, our liquidity position may be adversely impacted. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in completing acquisitions in the future. For a discussion of the risks associated with our acquisition strategy, see the risk factor “Integrating acquisitions may be time-consuming and create costs that could reduce our net income and cash flows set forth under Item 1A — Risk Factors.
 
The following tables indicate our working capital and cash flows for the periods indicated.
 
   
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Working capital
  $ 272,403     $ 233,414  
 
   
Year Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Year Ended
January 1,
2011
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
       
Cash flows used in operating activities
  $ (74,250 )   $ (50,332 )   $ (29,861 )
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
    16,369       11,822       (3,429 )
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
    58,171       29,111       18,130  
 
 
 
Working Capital
 
Working capital increased by $39.0 million to $272.4 million at December 29, 2012 from $233.4 million at December 31, 2011. The increase in working capital reflected an increase in accounts receivable and cash of $18.6 million and was primarily related to higher revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.  In addition, inventories increased by approximately $44.5 million largely related to the increased activity in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 coupled with a build in inventory to prepare for the expected growth associated with the housing recovery.  There was also a decrease to other current liabilities of $5.6 million that contributed to the overall increase in working capital, which was mainly comprised of payments of $5.9 million made during fiscal 2012 associated with the 2011 amendment to our lease agreement in Atlanta, Georgia related to the unoccupied 4100 building.  These increases were partially offset by a $13.0 million increase in bank overdrafts due to the timing of payments, a decrease in other current assets of $7.7 million and a $7.6 million increase in accounts payable, reflected as a $9.1 million change in the operating activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows net of $1.5 million of payments for debt issuance costs, which were reflected in the financing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The change in other current assets was largely attributable to decreases in restricted cash associated with our mortgage.  In an effort to preserve working capital, we have applied for a waiver from the IRS for one or more of our required contributions relating to the minimum required contribution for 2012 with respect to our defined benefit plans. 
 
Operating Activities
 
During fiscal 2012, cash flows used in operating activities totaled $74.3 million. The primary driver of cash flows used in operations was a net loss, as adjusted for non-cash charges of $18.3 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $18.6 million and an increase in inventory of $44.5 million.  In addition, we made payments totaling $5.9 million associated with the 2011 amendment to our lease agreement in Atlanta, Georgia related to the unoccupied 4100 building. These changes were partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $9.1 million.  This change in accounts payable was classified net of $1.5 million of payments for debt issuance costs, which were classified in cash flows from financing activities.  Refer to the Working Capital section above for further discussion of these items.
 
During fiscal 2011, cash flows used in operating activities totaled $50.3 million. The primary driver of cash flow used in operations was a net loss, as adjusted for non-cash charges of $38.9 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $19.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in inventory of $2.7 and an increase in accounts payable of $6.7 million.  Refer to the Working Capital section above for further discussion of these items.
 
During fiscal 2010, cash flows used in operating activities totaled $29.9 million. The primary driver of cash flow used in operations was a net loss, as adjusted for non-cash charges of $38.9 million, an increase in inventory of $15.1 million due to the addition of a new outdoor living product line, partially offset by the receipt of our $20.4 million tax refund in fiscal 2010.
 
Investing Activities
 
During fiscal 2012, cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $16.4 million, compared to $11.8 million in fiscal 2011.
 
During fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, our expenditures for property and equipment were $2.8 million, $6.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively. These expenditures were primarily to purchase information technology, leasehold improvements, and certain machinery and equipment. During fiscal 2011 we also purchased a replacement warehouse facility in Nashville, Tennessee.  We estimate that capital expenditures for fiscal 2013 will be approximately $6.0 million.  Our 2013 capital expenditures are anticipated to be paid with borrowings from our revolving credit facilities.
 
Proceeds from the disposition of property and equipment were $19.2 million, $18.4 million and $0.7 million during fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively. During fiscal 2012, the proceeds of $19.2 million included $17.8 million related to the sale of certain real properties classified as held for sale assets included in “Other current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  During fiscal 2011, the proceeds of $18.4 million included $9.2 million related to the sale of certain real properties classified as held for sale assets included in “Other current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Comparable sales of real properties did not occur during fiscal 2010.
 
 
Financing Activities
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $58.2 million during fiscal 2012, compared to $29.1 million during fiscal 2011. The net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2012 primarily reflected net borrowings on our revolving credit facility of $76.9 million, increases in bank overdrafts of $13.0 million and $10.0 million related to the decrease in restricted cash on our mortgage.  These cash inflows were offset by payments of principal on our mortgage of $37.3 million and payments for debt financing costs of $1.7 million.
 
The net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2011 primarily reflected the receipt of proceeds from the 2011 rights offering, netted with expenses related to that offering, of $58.5 million and cash provided by changes in restricted cash related to our mortgage of $20.6 million.  These cash inflows were offset by additional repayments on our revolving credit facilities of $2.7 million (net of borrowings) and payments of principal on our mortgage of $42.4 million.
 
During fiscal 2010, net cash provided by financing activities primarily reflected additional borrowings on our U.S.  revolving credit facility of $41.2 million (net of payments made), offset by an increase in restricted cash related to our mortgage of $11.2 million.
 
Debt and Credit Sources
 
We have our U.S. revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association, dated August 4, 2006, as amended.  The U.S. revolving credit facility has a final maturity of January 7, 2014 and maximum available credit of $400 million.  The U.S. revolving credit facility also includes an additional $100 million uncommitted accordion credit facility, which permits us to increase the maximum available credit up to $500 million.
 
As of December 29, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings of $169.5 million and excess availability of $86.0 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 4.1% at December 29, 2012.   As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding borrowings of $93.4 million and excess availability of $115.7 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 4.2% at December 31, 2011.  As of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling  $4.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for the purposes of securing collateral requirements under casualty insurance programs and for guaranteeing lease and certain other obligations. The $4.5 million in outstanding letters of credit as of December 29, 2012 does not include an additional $1.5 million fully collateralized letter of credit securing certain insurance obligations that was issued outside of the U.S. revolving credit facility.
 
As of December 29, 2012, our U.S. revolving credit facility, as amended, contains customary negative covenants and restrictions for asset based loans, including a requirement that we maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the Excess Availability Threshold.  The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as EBITDA divided by the sum of cash payments for income taxes, interest expense, cash dividends, principal payments on debt, and capital expenditures.  EBITDA is defined as BlueLinx Corporation’s net income before interest and tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other non-cash charges.  The fixed charge coverage ratio requirement only applies to us when excess availability under our amended U.S. revolving credit facility is less than the Excess Availability Threshold on any date. As of December 29, 2012 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-K, we were in compliance with all covenants under the U.S. revolving credit facility.  We are required to maintain the Excess Availability Threshold in order to avoid being required to meet certain financial ratios and triggering additional limits on capital expenditures.  Our lowest level of fiscal month-end availability in the last three years as of December 29, 2012 was $86.0 million, which is the excess availability on that date.  We do not anticipate our excess availability in fiscal 2013 will drop below the Excess Availability Threshold.  Should our excess availability fall below the Excess Availability Threshold on any date, however, we would not meet the required fixed charge coverage ratio covenant with our current operating results.  
 
In the event that excess availability falls below $35 million or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million, the U.S. revolving credit facility gives the lenders the right to dominion of our bank accounts.  This would not make the underlying debt callable by the lender and may not change our ability to borrow on the U.S. revolving credit facility.  However, we would be required to reclassify the “Long-term debt” to “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In addition, we would be required to maintain a springing lock-box arrangement where customer remittances go directly to a lock-box maintained by our lenders and then are forwarded to our general bank accounts.  Our outstanding borrowings are not reduced by these payments unless our excess availability falls below the greater of $35 million or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million on any date or in the event of default.  Our amended U.S. revolving credit facility does not contain a subjective acceleration clause, which would allow our lenders to accelerate the scheduled maturities of our debt or to cancel our agreement.
 
 
The Company intends to amend and extend its $400 million U.S. revolving credit facility.  The amendment will extend the maturity by three years from the closing date.  It is expected that the maximum available credit under the U.S. revolving credit facility will be increased by $22.5 million to $422.5 millionThe amended U.S. revolving credit facility is also expected to continue to have a $100 million uncommitted accordion credit facility to potentially increase the maximum available credit to $522.5 million.  The amended U.S. revolving credit facility is expected to have covenants substantially similar to those in the existing U.S. credit facility.
 
The Company has engaged Wells Fargo Capital Finance (“Wells Fargo”) as sole lead arranger for the transaction.  Wells Fargo has informed the Company that it has received commitments from several financial institutions with respect to the U.S. revolving credit facility, subject to execution of satisfactory documentation and the completion of the $40 million rights offering of common stock announced on January 10, 2013. Closing is expected to occur concurrently with the completion of the rights offering of common stock.   The definitive terms of, and the obligations of BlueLinx, Wells Fargo, and/or any members of the syndicate of financial institutions to enter into such an amendment to the U.S. revolving credit facility are subject to additional discussions and negotiations among the parties, and there is no assurance that an amendment to the existing U.S. revolving credit facility will be consummated.
 
On May 10, 2011, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on July 29, 2011 pursuant to which certain components of the borrowing base calculation and excess liquidity calculation were adjusted as part of this amendment.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment are described in the discussion of the terms and covenants of the U.S. revolving credit facility above.
 
On August 12, 2011, our subsidiary BlueLinx Canada entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “Canadian revolving credit facility”) with CIBC Asset-Based Lending Inc., as lender, administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”).  The maturity date of this agreement is August 12, 2014.  As of December 29, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings of $1.9 million and excess availability of $2.0 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.0% at December 29, 2012.  As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding borrowings of $1.1 million and excess availability of $2.6 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.0% at December 31, 2011.  The Canadian revolving credit facility contains customary covenants and events of default for asset-based credit agreements of this type, including the requirement for BlueLinx Canada to maintain a minimum adjusted tangible net worth of $3.9 million and for that entity’s capital expenditures not to exceed 120% of the amount budgeted in a given year.  As of December 29, 2012 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-K, we were in compliance with all covenants under this facility.
 
On September 19, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our mortgage agreement, which provided for the immediate prepayment of approximately $11.8 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage agreement without incurring a prepayment premium from cash currently held as collateral under the mortgage agreement.  In addition, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, starting with the fourth quarter of 2012, additional funds held as collateral under the mortgage agreement will be used to prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement, without prepayment premium, up to an aggregate additional prepayment of $10.0 million.  Thereafter, any cash remaining in the collateral account under the mortgage agreement, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million, will be released to the Company on the last business day of each calendar quarter through the second quarter of 2014.  All funds released pursuant to these provisions may only be used by the Company to pay for usual and customary operating expenses.  During the periods described above in which cash in the collateral account is used to either prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement or released to the Company, the lenders will not release any of the cash collateral to the Company for specified capital expenditures as previously provided under the mortgage agreement.  Under the terms of our mortgage, we are required to transfer certain funds to be held as collateral. We expect to transfer approximately $13.2 million as collateral during the next twelve month period, approximately $6.4 million of which will be used to reduce mortgage principal on a quarterly basis.  The remaining amount of approximately $6.8 million will be remitted to us on a quarterly basis for uses as indicated in the amendment.  In conjunction with the modification of our mortgage agreement we incurred approximately $0.3 million in fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the remaining term of the mortgage.
 
 
On July 14, 2011, we entered into an amendment to the mortgage which (i) eliminated the requirement to obtain lender approval for any transfer of equity interests that would reduce Cerberus ABP Investor LLCs ownership in the Company and certain of our subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to less than 51%, (ii) provided for the immediate prepayment of $38.3 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage without incurring a prepayment premium from funds currently held as collateral under the mortgage and, if certain conditions are met, will allow for an additional prepayment on or after July 30, 2014 from funds held as collateral without incurrence of a prepayment premium, (iii) allow us, at the lenders reasonable discretion, to use a portion of the cash held as collateral under the mortgage for specified alterations, repairs, replacements and other improvements to the mortgaged properties, and (iv) in the event certain financial conditions are met and the Company extends the Amended and Restated Master Lease by and among certain of our subsidiaries with respect to properties covered by the mortgage for an additional five years, we may request the lenders to disburse to the Company a portion of the cash held as collateral under the mortgage.  In conjunction with the modification of our mortgage agreement we incurred approximately $2.9 million in debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the remaining term of the mortgage.
 
On June 12, 2006, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Goldman Sachs Capital Markets, to hedge against interest rate risks related to our variable rate U.S. revolving credit facility. The interest rate swap was terminated in March of 2011.
 
Due to the termination of the swap in fiscal 2011, the fair value of the swap as of December 31, 2011 was zero.  Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period from January 1, 2011 to October 1, 2011 were approximately $1.7 million of income and were comprised of amortization of the remaining accumulated other comprehensive loss of the ineffective swap of $0.5 million offset by income of $2.2 million related to reducing the fair value of the ineffective interest rate swap liability to zero.
 
Contractual Commitments.  The following table represents our contractual commitments associated with our debt and other obligations disclosed above as of the fiscal year end of each year set forth below (in thousands).
 
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
Revolving credit facilities(1)                                                                 
  $     $ 171,412     $     $     $     $     $ 171,412  
Mortgage indebtedness
    8,946       2,556       2,725       191,753                   205,980  
Interest payments on our revolving credit facilities(2)
    7,003       182                               7,185  
Interest payments on our mortgage(3)
    14,076       12,609       12,439       6,137                   45,261  
Subtotal
    30,025       186,759       15,164       197,890                   429,838  
Operating leases(4)
    4,488       3,943       3,354       3,394       3,016       2,786       20,981  
Capital leases(5)
    1,188       1,237       1,292       1,238       709       727       6,391  
Interest payments on our capital leases(6)
    347       278       206       131       71       26       1,059  
Letters of credit(7)
    4,485                                     4,485  
Letters of credit(8)
    1,501                                     1,501  
Total
  $ 42,034     $ 192,217     $ 20,016     $ 202,653     $ 3,796     $ 3,539     $ 464,255  
 

(1) Payments for both the U.S. and Canadian revolving credit facilities are included.
     
(2) Interest on the revolving credit facilities is variable, based on Libor or prime plus the applicable margin.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility and the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.1% and 4.0%, respectively, at December 29, 2012. The final maturity date on our U.S. revolving credit facility and Canadian revolving credit facility is January 7, 2014 and August 12, 2014, respectively.
     
(3) Interest payments on the mortgage are based on a fixed rate of 6.35%.
     
(4) We lease various facilities and vehicles under non-cancelable operating leases.
     
(5)
We lease certain other fixed assets under non cancelable leases that we have determined to be capital leases.
     
(6)
Includes imputed interest based on individual capital lease agreements.
     
(7)
Letters of credit included under the credit facilities.
     
(8)
Letters of credit not included under the credit facilities.
 
 
Purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the above table. Amounts for which we are liable under purchase orders are reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (to the extent entered into prior to the end of the applicable period) as accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. As of December 29, 2012, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make judgments and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our management believes that we consistently apply these judgments and estimates and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes fairly represent all periods presented. However, any differences between these judgments and estimates and actual results could have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and financial position. Critical accounting estimates, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require our management’s most difficult and subjective judgments and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting estimates include those regarding (1) revenue recognition; (2) allowance for doubtful accounts and related reserves; (3) inventory valuation; (4) impairment of long-lived assets; (5) income taxes; (6) defined benefit pension plans; and (7) stock-based compensation. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, our price to the buyer is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. The timing of revenue recognition is largely dependent on shipping terms. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for terms designated as FOB (free on board) shipping point. For sales transactions designated FOB destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.
 
All revenues are recorded at gross. The key indicators used to determine when and how revenue is recorded are as follows:
 
 
We are the primary obligor responsible for fulfillment and all other aspects of the customer relationship.
 
 
Title passes to BlueLinx, and we carry all risk of loss related to warehouse, reload inventory and inventory shipped directly from vendors to our customers.
 
 
We are responsible for all product returns.
 
 
We control the selling price for all channels.
 
 
We select the supplier.
 
 
We bear all credit risk.
 
In addition, we provide inventory to certain customers through pre-arranged agreements on a consignment basis. Customer consigned inventory is maintained and stored by certain customers; however, ownership and risk of loss remains with us. When the inventory is sold by the customer, we recognize revenue on a gross basis.
 
All revenues recognized are net of trade allowances, cash discounts and sales returns. Cash discounts and sales returns are estimated using historical experience. Trade allowances are based on the estimated obligations and historical experience. Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to estimates on discounts and returns have been insignificant for each of the reported periods.
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Related Reserves
 
We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their creditworthiness. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for each aging category on our aged trial balance based on our historical loss experience. This estimate is periodically adjusted when we become aware of specific customers’ inability to meet their financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filing or other evidence of liquidity problems). As we determine that specific balances will ultimately be uncollectible, we remove them from our aged trial balance. Additionally, we maintain reserves for cash discounts that we expect customers to earn as well as expected returns.
 
Inventory Valuation
 
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The cost of all inventories is determined by the moving average cost method. We include all charges directly or indirectly incurred in bringing inventory to its existing condition and location. We evaluate our inventory value at the end of each quarter to ensure that first quality, actively moving inventory, when viewed by category, is carried at the lower of cost or market.
 
Additionally, we maintain a reserve for the estimated value impairment associated with damaged, excess and obsolete inventory. The damaged, excess and obsolete reserve generally includes discontinued items or inventory that has turn days in excess of 270 days, excluding new items during their product launch.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets with definite useful lives, are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
 
We consider whether there were indicators of potential impairment on a quarterly basis. Indicators of impairment include current period losses combined with a history of losses, management’s decision to exit a facility, reductions in the fair market value of real properties and changes in other circumstances that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
 
Our evaluation of long-lived assets is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is generally the individual distribution facility. In the event of indicators of impairment, the assets of the distribution facility are evaluated by comparing the facility’s undiscounted cash flows over the estimated useful life of the asset, which ranges between 5-40 years, to its carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the estimated fair market value. Impairment losses are recorded as a component of “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Our estimate of undiscounted cash flows is subject to assumptions that affect estimated operating income at a distribution facility level. These assumptions are related to future sales, margin growth rates, economic conditions, market competition and inflation. In the event that undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value of a facility, our estimates of fair market value are generally based on market appraisals and our experience with related market transactions. We use a two year average of cash flows based on 2012 EBITDA and 2013 projected EBITDA, which includes a growth factor assumption, to estimate undiscounted cash flows. These assumptions used to determine impairment are considered to be level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 13.
 
 
Our operating results have declined during the past several years as they are closely tied to U.S. housing starts, which have been at historically low levels. During fiscal 2012, we began to see signs of a housing recovery and our results have improved, however our sales are still at historically low levels. To the extent that reductions in volume and operating income have resulted in impairment indicators, in all cases our carrying values continue to be less than our projected undiscounted cash flows. As such, we have not identified significant known trends impacting the fair value of long-lived assets to an extent that would indicate impairment.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011 our Newtown, Connecticut facility was damaged due to severe winter weather.  As a result of the damage to the facility and its contents, we have received approximately $5.8 million in proceeds from the insurance company comprised of $2.2 million related to the damaged building, $2.4 million related to damaged and destroyed inventory and $1.2 million related to the recovery of additional expenses incurred as a result of the damage. Cash received related to the damaged building was classified as an investing cash inflow in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and used to reduce the principal of our mortgage, which was classified as a financing cash outflow. All other cash inflows related to the insurance settlement were classified as operating cash flows in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in the appropriate period. The majority of the remaining cash inflows were used to fund costs incurred related to the Newtown loss. We recognized a $1.4 million gain in fiscal 2011 of which $1.2 million related to the damaged building and $0.2 million related to the recovery of gross margin on the inventory. We recorded an additional gain of $0.5 million related to the damaged building during the second quarter of 2012. We recorded all gains related to the events above at the time the recovery of the minimum expected proceeds under our insurance policy became probable and was estimable.  These gains were recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Income Taxes
 
The federal statutory income tax rate was 35%. Our provision for (benefit from) income taxes is reconciled to the federal statutory amount as follows:
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Benefit from income taxes computed at the federal statutory tax rate
  $ (7,924 )   $ (13,162 )   $ (18,841 )
Benefit from state income taxes, net of federal benefit
    (866 )     (1,296 )     (2,153 )
Valuation allowance change
    8,820       14,498       18,433  
Nondeductible items     484       806       3,128  
Other
    (128 )     116       (1,156 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
  $ 386     $ 962     $ (589 )
 
Our income before provision for income taxes for our Canadian operations was $0.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.6 million for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
For fiscal 2012, we recognized tax expense of $0.4 million. The expense recognized for the year is primarily comprised of $0.3 million for current state income tax expense related to earnings generated on a separate company basis.
 
For fiscal 2011, we recognized tax expense of $1.0 million. The expense recognized for the year is primarily comprised of $0.8 million for current state income tax expense related to earnings generated on a separate company basis and $0.3 million of current income tax expense resulting from foreign income taxes.
 
In accordance with the intraperiod tax allocation provisions of U.S. GAAP, we are required to consider all items (including items recorded in other comprehensive income) in determining the amount of tax benefit that results from a loss from continuing operations that should be allocated to continuing operations. In fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, there was no intraperiod tax allocation due to the fact that there was a loss in other comprehensive income for the period. While the income tax benefit from continuing operations is reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, the income tax expense on other comprehensive income is recorded directly to accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a component of stockholders’ equity.
 
 
As of December 29, 2012, our deferred income tax assets were $79.9 million, which are offset by a full valuation allowance. Deferred income tax assets and income tax liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between amounts recorded for financial reporting and income tax purposes. Our financial statements contain certain deferred tax assets which have arisen primarily as a result of tax benefits associated with the loss before income taxes incurred during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, as well as net deferred income tax assets resulting from other temporary differences related to certain reserves, pension obligations and differences between book and tax depreciation and amortization. We record a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets when we determine that based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that our net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We considered the four sources of taxable income that should be considered when determining whether a valuation allowance is required including (from least to most subjective):
 
 
taxable income in prior carryback years, if carryback is permitted under the tax law;
 
 
future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (i.e., offset gross deferred tax assets against gross deferred tax liabilities);
 
 
tax planning strategies; and
 
 
future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.
 
In estimating future taxable income, we develop assumptions including the amount of future state and federal pretax operating and non-operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income. Substantial changes in these assumptions could result in changes in our judgments around our ability to realize future tax benefit.
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
We sponsor several defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our hourly employees. Our estimates of the amount and timing of our future funding obligations for our defined benefit pension plans are based upon various assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the discount rate, projected return on plan assets, compensation increase rates, mortality rates, retirement patterns, and turnover rates. In addition, the amount and timing of our pension funding obligations can be influenced by funding requirements that are established by the Employee Retirement Income and Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Pension Protection Act, Congressional Acts, or other governing bodies. During fiscal 2010 and 2011, we met our required contribution to our defined benefit pension plans.
 
We recognize the unfunded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension plan in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss. On December 29, 2012, we measured the fair value of our plan assets and benefit obligations. As of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the net unfunded status of our benefit plan was $46.6 million and $35.5 million, respectively. These amounts were included in “Other non-current liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net adjustment to other comprehensive loss for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 was $8.2 million loss ($8.2 million loss, net of tax, offset by a valuation allowance), $15.0 million loss ($15.0 million loss, net of tax, offset by a valuation allowance), $1.0 million loss ($0.6 million loss, net of tax), respectively, which represents the net unrecognized actuarial (loss) gain and unrecognized prior service cost.
 
The Company’s required cash contribution to the pension plan in 2012 was approximately $3.3 million.  The 2012 required contribution was comprised of approximately $1.2 million related to our 2011 minimum required contribution and approximately $2.1 million related to our 2012 minimum required contribution.  The Company’s minimum required contribution for plan year 2012 was $3.2 million.  The Company has funded the $1.2 million related to its 2011 minimum required contribution with cash in 2012.  However, in an effort to preserve additional cash for operations, we applied for a waiver from the IRS for our 2012 minimum required contribution.  The waiver is still being reviewed by the IRS.  We have not made the $2.1 million of required 2012 contributions related to the 2012 minimum required contribution.  If we are granted the requested waiver, our contributions for 2012 will be amortized over the following five years, increasing our future minimum required contributions. We are currently required to make three quarterly cash contributions during fiscal 2013 of $0.8 million per quarter related to our 2013 minimum required contribution. We are pursuing contributing personal property to the pension plan during fiscal 2013.  We will designate the contribution such that it will offset our future minimum required contribution.
 
 
We used a discount rate of 4.24% to compute the projected benefit obligation, which was determined by matching of plan liability cash flows to a portfolio of bonds.  A change in the discount rate of 25 basis points, from 4.24% to 4.49%, while holding all other assumptions constant, would have resulted in a reduction in the Company’s projected benefit obligation of approximately $3.7 million in 2012.
 
We used an estimated rate of future compensation increases of 3.00% to compute the projected benefit obligation.  A change in the rate of 25 basis points, from 3.00% to 3.25%, while holding all other assumptions constant, would have resulted in an increase in the Company’s projected benefit obligation of less than $0.2 million in 2012.
 
Plan assets are managed as a balanced portfolio comprised of two major components: an equity portion and a fixed income portion. The expected role of plan equity investments will be to maximize the long-term real growth of fund assets, while the role of fixed income investments will be to generate current income, provide for more stable periodic returns, and provide some downside protection against the possibility of a prolonged decline in the market value of equity investments. We review this investment policy statement at least once per year. In addition, the portfolio will be reviewed quarterly to determine the deviation from target weightings and will be rebalanced as necessary. Target allocations for fiscal 2013 are 50% domestic and 15% international equity investments, 30% fixed income investments, and 5% cash. The expected long-term rate of return for the plan’s total assets is based on the expected return of each of the above categories, weighted based on the target allocation for each class.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award, unless the awards are subject to market or performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche to the extent market and performance conditions are considered probable. The calculation of fair value related to stock compensation is subject to certain assumptions discussed in more detail in Note 7. Management updates such estimates when circumstances warrant. All compensation expense related to our share-based payment awards is recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance which amends existing GAAP fair value measurement and disclosure guidance to converge GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards requirements for measuring amounts at fair value as well as disclosures about these measurements.  This guidance is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  This guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance which eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  The update also requires the presentation of a single statement of comprehensive income or consecutive presentation of the statement of income and the statement of comprehensive income, if a company elects to present two separate statements. Finally, reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements.  The new guidance and subsequent amendment are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We have formally adopted this guidance during fiscal 2012 and presented the total of comprehensive income (loss), the components of net income (loss) and the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in a single continuous statement on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
 
There were no other accounting pronouncements adopted during fiscal 2012 that had a material impact on our financial statements.
 
 
ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
General.  We are exposed to risks such as changes in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. We employ a variety of practices to manage these risks including the use of derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are used only for risk management purposes and not for speculation or trading, and are not used to address risks related to foreign currency exchange rates. We record derivative instruments as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. The following discussion provides additional information regarding our market risk exposure.
 
Interest Rates.  Our revolving credit facilities accrue interest based on a floating benchmark rate (the prime rate or LIBOR rate), plus an applicable margin.  A change in interest rates under the revolving credit facility would have an impact on our results of operations. However, a change of 100 basis points in the market rate of interest would have an impact of $3.8 million and $3.4 million based on borrowings outstanding at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which we do not believe to be material. Additionally, to the extent changes in interest rates impact the housing market, we would be impacted by such changes.
 
We have a $295 million mortgage loan with the German American Capital Corporation. The mortgage has a term of ten years and a fixed interest rate of 6.35%. By entering into this fixed rate mortgage, we insulated ourselves from changes in market interest rates on a portion of our indebtedness. This mortgage replaced our previously existing $165 million floating rate mortgage, which had a 7.4% interest rate when it was terminated.
 
Foreign Exchange Rates.  Less than 3.0% of our net sales are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and we do not believe our total exposure to currency fluctuations to be significant.
 
Commodity Prices.  We believe that general inflation did not significantly affect our operating results or markets in fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 or fiscal 2010. As discussed above, our results of operations were both favorably and unfavorably impacted by increases and decreases in the pricing of certain commodity-based products. Commodity price fluctuations have from time to time created cyclicality in our financial performance and may do so in the future.  For the year ended December 29, 2012, we believe that a 5% change in the prices underlying our commodity based products would have resulted in a $40.3 million, $36.5 million and $3.9 million change in revenue, cost of sales and gross margin, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, we believe that a 5% change in the prices underlying our commodity based products would result in a $35.3 million, $32.0 million and $3.3 million change in revenue, cost of sales and gross margin, respectively.
 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
 
Index to Financial Statements and Supplemental Data
 
 
Page 
39
40
42
43
44
45
46
 

BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
To the Stockholders of BlueLinx Holdings Inc.:
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
 
Our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, does not expect that our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. Internal controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal controls are met. Given the inherent limitations of internal controls, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements or fraud. Therefore, no evaluation of internal control can provide absolute assurance that all control issues or instances of fraud will be prevented or detected.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 29, 2012, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
 
Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 29, 2012 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2012, dated February 20, 2013.
 
February 20, 2013
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL
CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries
 
We have audited BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2012, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries and our report dated February 20, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
 
                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
February 20, 2013
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ (deficit) equity, and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2012, December 31, 2011, and January 1, 2011.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2012, December 31, 2011, and January 1, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 20, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
February 20, 2013
 
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(In thousands, except share data)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,188     $ 4,898  
Receivables, less allowances of $4,720 in fiscal 2012 and $5,135 in fiscal 2011
    157,465       138,872  
Inventories, net
    230,059       185,577  
Other current assets
    19,427       27,141  
Total current assets
    412,139       356,488  
Property and equipment:
               
Land and improvements
    43,120       49,562  
Buildings
    94,070       95,652  
Machinery and equipment
    78,674       75,508  
Construction in progress
    1,173       741  
Property and equipment, at cost
    217,037       221,463  
Accumulated depreciation
    (101,684 )     (98,335 )
Property and equipment, net
    115,353       123,128  
Non-current deferred income tax assets, net
    445       358  
Other non-current assets
    16,799       23,941  
Total assets
  $ 544,736     $ 503,915  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 77,850     $ 70,228  
Bank overdrafts
    35,384       22,364  
Accrued compensation
    6,170       4,496  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    8,946       9,046  
Deferred income taxes, net
    449       382  
Other current liabilities
    10,937       16,558  
Total current liabilities
    139,736       123,074  
Non-current liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    368,446       328,695  
Other non-current liabilities
    57,146       43,772  
Total liabilities
    565,328       495,541  
STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
               
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 63,664,115 and 62,012,962 shares issued and outstanding at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
    637       620  
Additional  paid-in-capital
    209,815       207,626  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (30,042 )     (21,900 )
Accumulated deficit
    (201,002 )     (177,972 )
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity 
    (20,592 )     8,374  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity 
  $ 544,736     $ 503,915  
 

BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1,
2011
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Net sales
  $ 1,907,842     $ 1,755,431     $ 1,804,418  
Cost of sales
    1,677,772       1,545,282       1,593,745  
Gross profit
    230,070       210,149       210,673  
Operating expenses:
                       
Selling, general, and administrative
    215,996       207,857       221,185  
Depreciation and amortization
    8,565       10,562       13,365  
Total operating expenses
    224,561       218,419       234,550  
Operating income (loss)
    5,509       (8,270 )     (23,877 )
Non-operating expenses (income):
                       
Interest expense
    28,157       30,510       33,788  
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap
          (1,676 )     (4,603 )
Write-off of debt issue costs
                183  
Other (income) expense, net
    (7 )     501       587  
Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (22,641 )     (37,605 )     (53,832 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    386       962       (589 )
Net loss
  $ (23,027 )   $ (38,567 )   $ (53,243 )
                         
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    60,080       43,187       30,688  
Basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common shares outstanding
  $ (0.38 )   $ (0.89 )   $ (1.73 )
                         
Comprehensive loss:
                       
Net loss
  $ (23,027 )   $ (38,567 )   $ (53,243 )
Other comprehensive loss:
                       
Foreign currency translation, net of taxes
    103       (92 )     336  
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of taxes
    (8,245 )     (14,969 )     (616 )
Unrealized gain from ineffective interest rate swap, net of taxes
          519       1,297  
Total other comprehensive loss
    (8,142     (14,542     1,017  
Comprehensive loss
  $ (31,169 )   $ (53,109 )   $ (52,226 )
 

BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
     
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
     
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
     
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1, 
2011
 
     
(In thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net loss
  $ (23,027 )   $ (38,567 )   $ (53,243 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operations:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    8,565       10,562       13,365  
Amortization of debt issue costs
    3,746       2,940       1,963  
Payments from terminating the Georgia-Pacific Supply Agreement
                4,706  
Gain from sale of properties
    (9,885 )     (10,604 )      
Gain from property insurance settlements
    (476 )     (1,230 )      
Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap
          (1,676 )     (4,603 )
Write-off of debt issue costs
                183  
Vacant property charges, net
    (30 )     (291 )     53  
Gain on modification of lease agreement
          (1,971 )      
Payments on modification on lease agreement
    (5,875 )            
Deferred income tax benefit
    (20 )     (25 )     (600 )
Share-based compensation
    2,797       1,974       3,978  
Decrease in restricted cash related to the ineffective interest rate swap, insurance, and other
    695       987       6,556  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
 Receivables
    (18,593 )     (19,670 )     145  
 Inventories
    (44,482 )     2,673       (15,065 )
 Accounts payable
    9,050       5,973       (1,791 )
 Changes in other working capital
    1,722       (375 )     15,452  
 Other
    1,563       (1,032 )     (960 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (74,250 )     (50,332 )     (29,861 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Property, plant and equipment investments
    (2,826 )     (6,533 )     (4,140 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
    19,195       18,355       711  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    16,369       11,822       (3,429 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Repurchase of common stock
                (583 )
Repurchase of shares to satisfy employee tax withholdings
    (526 )            
Repayments on revolving credit facilities
    (473,349 )     (478,630 )     (466,219 )
Borrowings from revolving credit facilities
    550,270       475,918       507,419  
Principal payments on mortgage
    (37,272 )     (42,416 )      
Payments on capital lease obligations
    (2,259 )     (1,440 )     (629 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
    13,020       (725 )     (4,143 )
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash related to the mortgage
    9,970       20,604       (11,201 )
Debt financing costs
    (1,683 )     (2,721 )     (6,521 )
Proceeds from stock offering less expenses paid
          58,521        
Other
                7  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    58,171       29,111       18,130  
Increase (decrease) in cash
    290       (9,399 )     (15,160 )
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period
    4,898       14,297       29,457  
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period
  $ 5,188     $ 4,898     $ 14,297  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
                       
Net income tax (payments) refunds during the period
  $ (508 )   $ (22 )   $ 19,983  
Interest paid during the period
  $ 24,288     $ 28,098     $ 31,675  
Noncash transactions:
                       
Capital leases
  $ 5,238     $ 3,131     $ 1,889  
 
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
 
               
Accumulated
         
Stockholders’
 
         
Additional
   
Other
         
(Deficit)
 
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In-
   
Comprehensive
   
Accumulated
   
Equity
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Income (Loss)
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance, January 2, 2010
    32,179       322       145,035       (8,375 )     (86,162 )     50,820  
Net loss
                            (53,243 )     (53,243 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
                      336             336  
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
                      (616 )           (616 )
Unrealized gain from cash flow hedge, net of tax
                      1,297             1,297  
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures
    688       7                         7  
Repurchase of common stock
    (199 )     (2 )     (581 )                 (583 )
Compensation related to share-based grants
                3,876                   3,876  
Reclassification of equity awards to liability
                (903 )                 (903 )
Balance, January 1, 2011
    32,668       327       147,427       (7,358 )     (139,405 )     991  
Net loss
                            (38,567 )     (38,567 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
                      (92 )           (92 )
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
                      (14,969 )           (14,969 )
Unrealized gain from cash flow hedge, net of tax
                      519             519  
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures
    774       7                         7  
Issuance of stock related to the rights offering, net of expenses
    28,571       286       58,235                   58,521  
Compensation related to share-based grants
                2,158                   2,158  
Impact of net settled shares for vested grants
                (194 )                 (194 )
Balance, December 31, 2011
    62,013       620       207,626       (21,900 )     (177,972 )     8,374  
Net loss
                            (23,027 )     (23,027 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
                      103             103  
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
                      (8,245 )           (8,245 )
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures
    1,875       19                         19  
Compensation related to share-based grants
                2,730                   2,730  
Impact of net settled shares for vested grants
    (224 )     (2 )     (524 )                 (526 )
Other
                (17 )           (3 )     (20 )
Balance, December 29, 2012
    63,664     $ 637     $ 209,815     $ (30,042 )   $ (201,002 )   $ (20,592 )
 

BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  Basis of Presentation and Background
 
Basis of Presentation
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc., operating through our wholly-owned subsidiary, BlueLinx Corporation (BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as “BlueLinx” or the “Company”), is a leading distributor of building products in the United States. We operate in all of the major metropolitan areas in the United States and, as of December 29, 2012, we distributed more than 10,000 products to approximately 11,500 customers through our network of approximately 55 distribution centers. The Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to the end of the calendar year. Fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 each contained 52 weeks.
 
Nature of Operations
 
We are a wholesale supplier of building products in North America. We distribute products in two principal categories: structural products and specialty products. Structural products include plywood, oriented strand board (“OSB”), rebar and remesh, lumber and other wood products primarily used for structural support, walls and flooring in construction projects. Specialty products include roofing, insulation, moulding, engineered wood, vinyl products (used primarily in siding), outdoor living and metal products (excluding rebar and remesh). These products are sold to a diversified customer base, including independent building materials dealers, industrial and manufactured housing builders and home improvement centers. Net sales by product category are summarized below:
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1,
2011
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Sales by category
                 
Structural products
  $ 806     $ 705     $ 835  
Specialty products
    1,114       1,068       985  
Unallocated allowances and adjustments
    (12 )     (18 )     (16 )
Total sales
  $ 1,908     $ 1,755     $ 1,804  
 
Suppliers
 
As of December 29, 2012, our vendor base included over 750 suppliers of both structural and specialty building products. In some cases, these products are branded. We have supply contracts in place with many of our vendors. Terms for these agreements frequently include prompt payment discounts and freight allowances and occasionally include volume discounts, growth incentives, marketing allowances, consigned inventory and extended payment terms.
 
On February 12, 2012, our three-year purchase agreement with Georgia-Pacific Corporation (G-P) for engineered lumber expired in accordance with its terms.  We continue to distribute a variety of G-P building products, but no longer are contractually obligated to make minimum purchases of products from G-P or to purchase certain products exclusively from G-P.
 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, our price to the buyer is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. The timing of revenue recognition is largely dependent on shipping terms. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for terms designated as FOB (free on board) shipping point. For sales transactions designated FOB destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.
 
 
All revenues are recorded at gross. The key indicators used to determine when and how revenue is recorded are as follows:
 
           We are the primary obligor responsible for fulfillment and all other aspects of the customer relationship.
 
          Title passes to BlueLinx and we carry all risk of loss related to warehouse, reload inventory and inventory shipped directly from vendors to our customers.
 
           We are responsible for all product returns.
 
           We control the selling price for all channels.
 
           We select the supplier.
 
           We bear all credit risk.
 
In addition, we provide inventory to certain customers through pre-arranged agreements on a consignment basis. Customer consigned inventory is maintained and stored by certain customers; however, ownership and risk of loss remains with us. Customer consigned inventory at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $10.3 million. When the inventory is sold by the customer, we recognize revenue on a gross basis.
 
All revenues recognized are net of trade allowances, cash discounts and sales returns. Cash discounts and sales returns are estimated using historical experience. Trade allowances are based on the estimated obligations and historical experience. Adjustments to revenue and earnings resulting from revisions to estimates on discounts and returns have been immaterial for each of the reported periods.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly-liquid investments with maturity dates of less than three months when purchased.
 
 
47

 
Restricted Cash
 
We had restricted cash of $9.9 million and $20.6 million at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Restricted cash primarily includes amounts held in escrow related to our mortgage and insurance for workers’ compensation, auto liability, and general liability. Restricted cash is included in “Other current assets” and “Other non-current assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The table below provides the balances of each individual component in restricted cash as of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
 
   
At December 29,
2012
   
At December 31,
2011
 
Cash in escrow:
           
Mortgage
  $ 41     $ 10,011  
Insurance
    7,906       8,786  
Other
    1,964       1,779  
Total
  $ 9,911     $ 20,576  
 
During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, changes in restricted cash required under our mortgage were classified in the financing section of our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.  On September 19, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our mortgage agreement, which provided for the immediate prepayment of approximately $11.8 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage agreement without incurring a prepayment premium from cash currently held as collateral under the mortgage agreement.  In addition, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, starting with the fourth quarter of 2012, additional funds held as collateral under the mortgage agreement will be used to prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement, without prepayment premium, up to an aggregate additional prepayment of $10.0 million.  Thereafter, any cash remaining in the collateral account under the mortgage agreement, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million, will be released to the Company on the last business day of each calendar quarter through the second quarter of 2014.  
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Our accounts receivable are principally from customers in the building products industry located in the United States and Canada. We believe concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Related Reserves
 
We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their creditworthiness. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for each aging category on our aged trial balance, which is aged utilizing contractual terms, based on our historical loss experience. This estimate is periodically adjusted when we become aware of specific customers’ inability to meet their financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filing or other evidence of liquidity problems). As we determine that specific balances ultimately will be uncollectible, we remove them from our aged trial balance. Additionally, we maintain reserves for cash discounts that we expect customers to earn as well as expected returns. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, these reserves totaled $4.7 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to estimates on discounts and uncollectible accounts have been immaterial.
 
Inventory Valuation
 
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The cost of all inventories is determined by the moving average cost method. We have included all material charges directly or indirectly incurred in bringing inventory to its existing condition and location. We evaluate our inventory value at the end of each quarter to ensure that first quality, actively moving inventory, when viewed by category, is carried at the lower of cost or market. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the market value of our inventory exceeded its cost.  Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to lower of cost or market estimates have been immaterial.
 
 
Additionally, we maintain a reserve for the estimated value impairment associated with damaged, excess and obsolete inventory. The damaged, excess and obsolete reserve generally includes discontinued items or inventory that has turn days in excess of 270 days, excluding new items during their product launch. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our damaged, excess and obsolete inventory reserves were $1.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to damaged, excess and obsolete estimates have been immaterial.
 
Consignment Inventory
 
We enter into consignment inventory agreements with vendors. This vendor consignment inventory relationship allows us to obtain and store vendor inventory at our warehouses and third-party (“reload”) facilities; however, ownership and risk of loss generally remains with the vendor. When the inventory is sold, we are required to pay the vendor and we simultaneously take and transfer ownership from the vendor to the customer.
 
Consideration Received from Vendors and Paid to Customers
 
Each year, we enter into agreements with many of our vendors providing for inventory purchase rebates, generally based on achievement of specified volume purchasing levels and various marketing allowances that are common industry practice. We accrue for the receipt of vendor rebates based on purchases, and also reduce inventory to reflect the net acquisition cost (purchase price less expected purchase rebates). At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the vendor rebate receivable totaled $9.0 million. Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to rebate estimates have been immaterial.
 
In addition, we enter into agreements with many of our customers to offer customer rebates, generally based on achievement of specified volume sales levels and various marketing allowances that are common industry practice. We accrue for the payment of customer rebates based on sales to the customer, and also reduce sales to reflect the net sales (sales price less expected customer rebates). At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the customer rebate payable totaled $5.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively. Adjustments to earnings resulting from revisions to rebate estimates have been immaterial.
 
Shipping and Handling
 
Amounts billed to customers in sales transactions related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue. Shipping and handling costs included in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses were $91.2 million, $87.9 million, and $85.5 million for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
Advertising Costs
 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses of $1.1 million, $1.9 million, and $1.8 million were included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
Loss per Common Share
 
We calculate our basic loss per share by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding for the period. Restricted stock granted by us to certain management employees and non-employee directors participate in dividends on the same basis as common shares and are non-forfeitable by the holder. The unvested restricted stock contains non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. As a result, these share-based awards meet the definition of a participating security and are included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, pursuant to the two-class method, for the periods that present net income. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that would otherwise have been available to common stockholders. Given that the restricted stockholders do not have a contractual obligation to participate in the losses, we have not included these amounts in our weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which we report a net loss. In addition, because the inclusion of such unvested restricted shares in our basic and dilutive per share calculations would be anti-dilutive, we have not included 3,554,738, 2,361,424, and 1,914,288 of unvested restricted shares that had the right to participate in dividends in our basic and dilutive calculations for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively, because all periods reflected net losses.
 
Except when the effect would be anti-dilutive, the diluted earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method. As we experienced losses in all periods, basic and diluted loss per share are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. For fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, we excluded 4,460,054, 3,266,740, and 2,839,103 unvested share-based awards, respectively, from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive. The unvested share-based awards total includes excluding the assumed exercise of unexpired stock options.
 
 
During fiscal 2008, we granted 834,071 performance shares under our 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, under which shares are issuable upon satisfaction of certain performance criteria. On December 14, 2010, the Compensation Committee of our Board decided to settle these awards in cash, and we classified them as liability awards at the time of the modification. During fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012, restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2006 and 2007 respectively, vested. These restricted stock units were also settled in cash upon vesting and were considered liability awards. Therefore, these are not included in the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share.
 
Common Stock Dividends
 
In the past we have paid dividends on our common stock at the quarterly rate of $0.125 per share. However, on December 5, 2007, our Board of Directors suspended the payment of dividends on our common stock for an indefinite period of time. Resumption of the payment of dividends will depend on, among other things, business conditions in the housing industry, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. Accordingly, we may not be able to resume the payment of dividends at the same quarterly rate in the future, if at all.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Lease obligations for which we assume or retain substantially all the property rights and risks of ownership are capitalized. Replacements of major units of property are capitalized and the replaced properties are retired. Replacements of minor components of property and repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives are 2 to 18 years for land improvements, 5 to 40 years for buildings, and 3 to 7 years for machinery and equipment, which includes mobile equipment. Upon retirement or disposition of assets, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and any gain or loss is included in income. Depreciation expense totaled $8.4 million for fiscal 2012, $10.4 million for fiscal 2011 and $12.8 million for fiscal 2010.
 
During fiscal 2012, we sold certain properties with carrying values of $7.4 million, which resulted in gains totaling $9.9 million.  During fiscal 2011, we sold certain properties with carrying values of $4.8 million, which resulted in gains totaling $10.6 million.  These gains are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  All of these properties in fiscal 2012 were classified as held for sale.  All but one of these properties in fiscal 2011, which had a carrying value of $0.8 million and for which a gain of $5.4 million was recorded, were classified as held for sale.  See Note 4 for discussion of the held for sale properties sold during the year.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets with definite useful lives, are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
 
We consider whether there were indicators of potential impairment on a quarterly basis. Indicators of impairment include current period losses combined with a history of losses, management’s decision to exit a facility, reductions in the fair market value of real properties and changes in other circumstances that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
 
Our evaluation of long-lived assets is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is generally the individual distribution facility. In the event of indicators of impairment, the assets of the distribution facility are evaluated by comparing the facility’s undiscounted cash flows over the estimated useful life of the asset, which ranges between 5-40 years, to its carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the estimated fair market value. Impairment losses are recorded as a component of “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
 
Our estimate of undiscounted cash flows is subject to assumptions that affect estimated operating income at a distribution facility level. These assumptions are related to future sales, margin growth rates, economic conditions, market competition and inflation. In the event that undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value of a facility, our estimates of fair market value are generally based on market appraisals and our experience with related market transactions. We use a two year average of cash flows based on 2012 EBITDA and 2013 projected EBITDA, which includes a growth factor assumption, to estimate undiscounted cash flows. These assumptions used to determine impairment are considered to be level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 13.
 
Our operating results have declined during the past several years as they are closely tied to U.S. housing starts, which have been at historically low levels. During fiscal 2012, we began to see signs of a housing recovery and our results have improved, however our sales are still at historically low levels. To the extent that reductions in volume and operating income have resulted in impairment indicators, in all cases our carrying values continue to be less than our projected undiscounted cash flows. As such, we have not identified significant known trends impacting the fair value of long-lived assets to an extent that would indicate impairment.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011 our Newtown, Connecticut facility was damaged due to severe winter weather.  As a result of the damage to the facility and its contents, we have received approximately $5.8 million in proceeds from the insurance company comprised of $2.2 million related to the damaged building, $2.4 million related to damaged and destroyed inventory and $1.2 million related to the recovery of additional expenses incurred as a result of the damage. Cash received related to the damaged building was classified as an investing cash inflow in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and used to reduce the principal of our mortgage, which was classified as a financing cash outflow. All other cash inflows related to the insurance settlement were classified as operating cash flows in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in the appropriate period. The majority of the remaining cash inflows were used to fund costs incurred related to the Newtown loss. We recognized a $1.4 million gain in fiscal 2011 of which $1.2 million related to the damaged building and $0.2 million related to the recovery of gross margin on the inventory. We recorded an additional gain of $0.5 million related to the damaged building during the second quarter of 2012. We recorded all gains related to the events above at the time the recovery of the minimum expected proceeds under our insurance policy became probable and was estimable.  These gains were recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award, unless the awards are subject to market or performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche to the extent market and performance conditions are considered probable. The calculation of fair value related to stock compensation is subject to certain assumptions discussed in more detail in Note 7. Management updates such estimates when circumstances warrant. All compensation expense related to our share-based payment awards is recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes are provided using the liability method. Accordingly, deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the income tax and financial reporting bases of our assets and liabilities based on enacted tax laws and tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. We recognize a valuation allowance, when based on the weight of all available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that some or all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Such amounts are disclosed in Note 5.
 
We generally believe that the positions taken on previously filed tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities. We have recorded income tax and related interest liabilities where we believe our position may not be sustained. Such amounts are disclosed in Note 5.
 
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
The functional currency for our Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar. The translation of the applicable currencies into United States dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. Any related translation adjustments are recorded directly in stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 included the accumulated gain from foreign currency translation (net of tax) of $1.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
 
Compensated Absences
 
We accrue for the costs of compensated absences to the extent that the employee’s right to receive payment relates to service already rendered, the obligation vests or accumulates, payment is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material.
 
Reclassifications
 
During fiscal 2012, we classified certain amounts, which had historically been presented as “Property, plant and equipment investments” in the “Cash flows from investing activities” section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to “Other” changes in the “Cash flows from operating activities” section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. To conform the historical presentation to the current and future presentation, we reclassified similar items in prior periods from “Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities” to “Net cash used in operating activities” in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
New Accounting Standards
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance which amends existing GAAP fair value measurement and disclosure guidance to converge GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards requirements for measuring amounts at fair value as well as disclosures about these measurements.  This guidance is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  This guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance which eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  The update also requires the presentation of a single statement of comprehensive income or consecutive presentation of the statement of income and the statement of comprehensive income, if a company elects to present two separate statements. Finally, reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements.  The new guidance and subsequent amendment are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We have formally adopted this guidance during fiscal 2012 and presented the total of comprehensive income (loss), the components of net income (loss) and the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in a single continuous statement on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
 
 
There were no other accounting pronouncements adopted during fiscal 2012 that had a material impact on our financial statements.
 
3.  Restructuring Charges
 
We account for exit and disposal costs by recognizing a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity at fair value in the period in which it is incurred or when the entity ceases using the right conveyed by a contract (i.e., the right to use a leased property). These costs are included in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and “Other current liabilities” and “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the fiscal years ended and at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
 
We account for severance and outplacement costs by recognizing a liability for employees’ rights to post-employment benefits. These costs are included in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in “Accrued compensation” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the fiscal years ended and at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
 
2007 Facility Consolidation and Severance Costs
 
During fiscal 2007, we announced a plan to adjust our cost structure in order to manage our costs more effectively. The plan included the consolidation of our corporate headquarters and sales center to one building from two buildings and reduction in force initiatives, which resulted in certain charges recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
 
 As of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there was no remaining accrued severance related to reduction in force initiatives completed in fiscal 2007.
 
During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we entered into an amendment to our corporate headquarters lease in Atlanta, Georgia related to the unoccupied 4100 building.  This amendment released us from our obligations with respect to this unoccupied space as of January 31, 2012, in exchange for a $5.0 million space remittance fee, which was paid in the first quarter of 2012.  We also paid $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and are obligated to pay an additional $0.3 million on or before December 31, 2013 related to contractually obligated tenant improvement reimbursement expense.  The provisions relating to the occupied 4300 building remain unchanged.  Under the existing provisions, the current term of the lease ends on January 31, 2019.
 
The table below summarizes the balance of accrued facility consolidation reserve and the changes in the accrual for fiscal 2012 (in thousands):
 
Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 6,337  
Payments
    (6,084 )
Other assumption changes
    (30 )
Accretion of liability
    79  
Balance at December 29, 2012
  $ 302  
 
4.  Assets Held for Sale and Net Gain on Disposition
 
As part of our efforts to improve our cost structure and cash flow, we closed certain facilities and designated them as assets held for sale. At the time of designation, we ceased recognizing depreciation expense on these assets. As of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, total assets held for sale were $1.6 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and were included in “Other current assets” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. During fiscal 2012, we sold certain real properties held for sale, which had a total carrying value of $7.4 million, that resulted in a $9.9 million gain recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  During fiscal 2011, we sold certain real properties held for sale, which had a total carrying value of $4.0 million, that resulted in a $5.2 million gain recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  We continue to actively market the remaining properties that are held for sale. Due to the fact that as of December 29, 2012 the remaining properties are all land, depreciation expense is not impacted.
 
 
5.  Income Taxes
 
Our provision for (benefit from) income taxes consists of the following:
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Federal income taxes:
                 
Current
  $ 16     $ (89 )   $ (637 )
Deferred
                (556 )
State income taxes:
                       
Current
    334       759       (145 )
Deferred
                (100 )
Foreign income taxes:
                       
Current
    56       317       793  
Deferred
    (20 )     (25 )     56  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
  $ 386     $ 962     $ (589 )
 
The federal statutory income tax rate was 35%. Our provision for (benefit from) income taxes is reconciled to the federal statutory amount as follows:
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Benefit from income taxes computed at the federal statutory tax rate
  $ (7,924 )   $ (13,162 )   $ (18,841 )
Benefit from state income taxes, net of federal benefit
    (866 )     (1,296 )     (2,153 )
Valuation allowance change
    8,820       14,498       18,433  
Nondeductible items     484       806       3,128  
Other
    (128 )     116       (1,156 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
  $ 386     $ 962     $ (589 )
 
Our income before provision for income taxes for our Canadian operations was $0.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.6 million for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
For fiscal 2012, we recognized tax expense of $0.4 million. The expense recognized for the year is primarily comprised of $0.3 million for current state income tax expense related to earnings generated on a separate company basis.
 
For fiscal 2011, we recognized tax expense of $1.0 million. The expense recognized for the year is primarily comprised of $0.8 million for current state income tax expense related to earnings generated on a separate company basis and $0.3 million of current income tax expense resulting from foreign income taxes.
 
In accordance with the intraperiod tax allocation provisions of U.S. GAAP, we are required to consider all items (including items recorded in other comprehensive income) in determining the amount of tax benefit that results from a loss from continuing operations that should be allocated to continuing operations. In fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, there was no intraperiod tax allocation due to the fact that there was a loss in other comprehensive income for the period. While the income tax benefit from continuing operations is reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, the income tax expense on other comprehensive income is recorded directly to accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a component of stockholders’ equity.
 
Our financial statements contain certain deferred tax assets which have arisen primarily as a result of tax benefits associated with the loss before income taxes incurred, as well as net deferred income tax assets resulting from other temporary differences related to certain reserves, pension obligations and differences between book and tax depreciation and amortization. We record a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets when we determine that based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that our net deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
 
In our evaluation of the weight of available evidence, we considered recent reported losses as negative evidence which carried substantial weight. Therefore, we considered evidence related to the four sources of taxable income, to determine whether such positive evidence outweighed the negative evidence associated with the losses incurred. The positive evidence considered included:
 
 
   
taxable income in prior carryback years, if carryback is permitted under the tax law;
 
 
   
future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences
 
 
   
tax planning strategies; and
 
 
   
future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we evaluated the weight of available positive and negative evidence relative to changes in the environment during the first quarter of 2009. In late March and April, subsequent to the filing of the fiscal 2008 10-K, we experienced a substantial drop in revenue compared to expectations. As such, these changes in our internal assumptions and the revised external expectations of 2009 housing starts resulted in a change in our projections from cumulative pretax income to cumulative pretax loss for the three year period ended 2010, causing us to conclude that, as of April 4, 2009, the weight of the positive evidence was no longer sufficient to overcome the weight of the negative evidence of a three year cumulative loss, therefore, a full valuation allowance for all deferred income tax assets was necessary at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
 
During fiscal 2012 and 2011, we weighed all available positive and negative evidence and concluded the weight of the negative evidence of a three year cumulative loss continued to outweigh the positive evidence.  Based on the conclusions reached, we continued to maintain a full valuation allowance during 2012 and 2011.
 
The components of our net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
 
   
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Deferred income tax assets:
           
Inventory reserves
  $ 2,816     $ 3,012  
Compensation-related accruals
    5,838       5,979  
Accruals and reserves
    92       176  
Accounts receivable
    1,327       1,169  
Restructuring costs
    118       2,540  
Pension
    16,936       13,713  
Benefit from NOL carryovers(1)
    52,088       41,770  
Other
    695       646  
Total gross deferred income tax assets
    79,910       69,005  
Less: Valuation allowances
    (78,050 )     (66,793 )
Total net deferred income tax assets
  $ 1,860     $ 2,212  
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Intangible assets
    (60 )     (176 )
Property and equipment
    (1,065 )     (1,211 )
Pension
           
Other
    (739 )     (849 )
Total deferred income tax liabilities
    (1,864 )     (2,236 )
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net
  $ (4 )   $ (24 )
 

(1)
Our federal and state NOL carryovers will expire over 1 to 20 years.
 
 
Activity in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
 
Balance at beginning of the year                                                                                                                            
  $ 66,793     $ 46,528  
Valuation allowance removed for taxes related to:
               
Income before income taxes
           
Valuation allowance provided for taxes related to:
               
Loss before income taxes
    11,257       20,265  
Effect of a change in judgment
           
Balance at end of the year
  $ 78,050     $ 66,793  
 
We have recorded income tax and related interest liabilities where we believe certain of our tax positions are not more likely than not to be sustained if challenged. The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits:
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance at January 2, 2010
  $ 739  
Increases related to current year tax positions
     
Additions for tax positions in prior years
     
Reductions for tax positions in prior years
    (62 )
Settlements
     
Balance at January 1, 2011
    677  
Increases related to current year tax positions
     
Additions for tax positions in prior years
    196  
Reductions for tax positions in prior years
     
Settlements
     
Balance at December 31, 2011
    873  
Increases related to current year tax positions
     
Additions for tax positions in prior years
     
Reductions for tax positions in prior years
     
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations     (47 )
Settlements
     
Balance at December 29, 2012
  $ 826  
 
Included in the unrecognized tax benefits at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce our annual effective tax rate. We also accrued an immaterial amount of interest related to these unrecognized tax benefits during 2012 and 2011, and this amount is reported in “Interest expense” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change materially over the next 12 months.
 
We file U.S., state, and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2009 through 2012 tax years generally remain subject to examination by federal and most state and foreign tax authorities.
 
6.  Receivables
 
We have a diversified customer base concentrated in the building products business. Credit risk is monitored and provisions for expected losses are provided as determined necessary by management. We generally do not require collateral.
 
The following reflects our activity in receivables related reserve accounts:
 
   
Beginning
Balance
   
Expense/
(Income)
   
Write offs and
Other, Net
   
Ending
Balance
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Fiscal 2010
                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts and related reserves
  $ 8,387     $ 2,222     $ (4,894 )   $ 5,715  
Fiscal 2011
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts and related reserves
  $ 5,715     $ 2,576     $ (3,156 )   $ 5,135  
Fiscal 2012
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts and related reserves
  $ 5,135     $ 2,034     $ (2,449 )   $ 4,720  
 
 
7.  Stock-Based Compensation
 
We have two stock-based compensation plans covering officers, directors and certain employees and consultants: the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”). The plans are designed to motivate and retain individuals who are responsible for the attainment of our primary long-term performance goals. The plans provide a means whereby our employees and directors develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in our development and financial success and encourage them to devote their best efforts to our business. Although we do not have a formal policy on the matter, we issue new shares of our common stock to participants, upon the exercise of options or vesting of restricted stock, out of the total amount of common shares authorized for issuance under the 2004 Plan and the 2006 Plan.
 
The 2004 Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options and restricted shares of our common stock to participants of the plan selected by our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board that administers the 2004 Plan. We reserved 2,222,222 shares of our common stock for issuance under the 2004 Plan. The terms and conditions of awards under the 2004 Plan are determined by the administrator for each grant.
 
The 2006 Plan permits the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-based awards, and other stock-based awards to participants of the 2006 plan selected by our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board that administers the 2006 Plan. We reserved 12,200,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the 2006 Plan. The terms and conditions of awards under the 2006 Plan are determined by the administrator for each grant. Awards issued under the 2006 Plan are subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control as such event is defined in the 2006 Plan.  On January 10, 2012, January 18, 2012, April 18, 2012, August 6, 2012 and August 31, 2012, the Compensation Committee granted 2,025,335, 7,500, 10,000, 15,000 and 10,000 restricted shares of our common stock to certain members of our management and certain directors, respectively.  There were no stock options granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 or fiscal 2010.
 
We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award, unless the awards are subject to market or performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche to the extent the occurrence of such conditions are probable. All compensation expense related to our share-based payment awards is recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
As of December 29, 2012, there was $2.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock. The unrecognized compensation expense for restricted stock is expected to be recognized over weighted average term of 1.4 years. As of December 31, 2011, there was $2.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock.  There was no future compensation expense remaining for options as of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  As of December 29, 2012, the weighted average remaining contractual term for our options and restricted stock was 4.9 years and 1.3 years, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the weighted average remaining contractual term for our options and restricted stock was 5.9 years and 1.2 years, respectively.  The maximum contractual term for stock options and restricted stock is 10 years and 1 to 5 years, respectively.
 
For fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, our total stock-based compensation expense was $2.8 million, $2.0 million, and $4.0 million, respectively. We also recognized related income tax benefits of $1.1 million, $0.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively which has been offset by a valuation allowance.
 
The total fair value of the options vested in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 was $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. There were no options vested in fiscal 2012.  For restricted stock, the total fair value vested in 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 was $2.3 million, $2.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
 
There were no stock option exercises during fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 or fiscal 2010. We present the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense as both a financing cash inflow and an operating cash outflow in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows when present.  There were no excess tax benefits in fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 or fiscal 2010.
 
 
On December 14, 2010, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the 2008 Performance Share Award Agreement under the 2006 Plan.  The Amendment provides that the Company may, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, settle grants pursuant to Performance Share Award Agreements either in (i) one share of common stock of the Company for each Performance Share (as defined in the 2006 Plan) earned or (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2006 Plan) of one share of common stock of the Company for each Performance Share earned. The Amendment was determined to be a modification of the award and an adjustment related to the difference in fair value was recorded in fiscal 2010. The award, which impacts eight employees, was classified as a liability award and was marked to market.  On January 1, 2011, the fair value of these awards was based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2010 of $3.66.  These awards were settled in cash on January 7, 2011. Our restricted stock units were also settled in cash upon vesting and were considered liability awards. Therefore, these are not included in the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share.
 
The tables below summarize activity and include certain additional information related to our outstanding employee stock options for the three years ended December 29, 2012.  There have been no new employee stock option grants for the three years ended December 29, 2012.
 
   
 
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Options outstanding at January 2, 2010
    928,315     $ 6.34  
Options granted
           
Options exercised
           
Options forfeited
    (2,300 )     14.01  
Options expired
    (1,200 )     14.01  
Options outstanding at January 1, 2011
    924,815       6.31  
Options granted
           
Options exercised
           
Options forfeited
           
Options expired
    (19,499 )     12.53  
Options outstanding at December 31, 2011
    905,316       6.18  
Options granted
           
Options exercised
           
Options forfeited
           
Options expired
           
Options outstanding at December 29, 2012
    905,316       6.18  
Options exercisable at December 29, 2012
    905,316     $ 6.18  
 
   
Outstanding
   
Exercisable
       
Price Range
 
 
 
 
 
Number of
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
 
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in Years)
   
 
 
Number of
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
 
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in Years)
 
$4.66
    750,000     $ 4.66       5.2       750,000     $ 4.66       5.2  
$10.29-$14.01
    155,316     $ 13.51       3.3       155,316     $ 13.51       3.3  
      905,316               4.9       905,316               4.9  
 
The following tables summarize activity for our performance shares, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards during fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010:
 
   
Restricted Stock
   
Performance
Shares
   
Restricted
Stock Units
 
   
Number of
Awards
   
Weighted
Average Fair

Value
   
Number of
Awards
   
Number of
Awards (1)
 
Outstanding at January 2, 2010
    1,539,129     $ 4.42       180,605       144,550  
Granted
    747,737       3.07              
Increase due to assumption changes
                112,955        
Vested
    (340,578 )     4.49              
Forfeited
    (32,000 )     3.47       (52,725 )     (16,600 )
Outstanding at January 1, 2011                                                                           
    1,914,288       2.67       240,835       127,950  
Granted
    819,240       3.14              
Vested
    (364,303 )     6.16       (240,835 )     (63,200 )
Forfeited
    (7,801 )     3.26             (15,400 )
Outstanding at December 31, 2011                                                                           
    2,361,424       3.22             49,350  
Granted
    2,067,835       1.52              
Vested
    (681,484 )     3.39             (48,250 )
Forfeited
    (193,037 )     2.76             (1,100 )
Outstanding at December 29, 2012
    3,554,738     $  1.22              
 

(1)
As the restricted stock units will be settled in cash, the fair value of these awards is marked-to-market each reporting period through the date of settlement.  During fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, certain restricted stock units vested and approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively was paid out to settle these awards.
 
 
8.  Employee Benefits
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Most of our hourly employees participate in noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, which include a plan that is administered solely by us (the “hourly pension plan”) and union-administered multiemployer plans. Our funding policy for the hourly pension plan is based on actuarial calculations and the applicable requirements of federal law.  We believe that each multiemployer pension plan is immaterial to our financial statements and that we represent an immaterial portion of the total contributions and future obligations of these plans. Contributions to multiemployer plans are generally based on negotiated labor contracts. We contributed $1.3 million, $1.2 million, and $1.1 million to union administered multiemployer pension plans for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively. Benefits under the majority of plans for hourly employees (including multiemployer plans) are primarily related to years of service.
 
The following tables set forth the change in projected benefit obligation and the change in plan assets for the hourly pension plan:
 
   
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Change in projected benefit obligation:
           
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period
  $ 99,425     $ 87,510  
Service cost
    1,878       2,091  
Interest cost
    4,885       4,609  
Actuarial loss
    12,183       9,029  
Curtailment
           
Benefits paid
    (4,041 )     (3,814 )
Projected benefit obligation at end of period
    114,330       99,425  
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of assets at beginning of period
    63,896       68,725  
Actual return (loss) on plan assets
    6,758       (1,015 )
Employer contributions
    1,147        
Benefits paid
    (4,041 )     (3,814 )
Fair value of assets at end of period
    67,760       63,896  
Net (unfunded) status of plan
  $ (46,570 )   $ (35,529 )
 
We recognize the unfunded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension plan in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, offset by a valuation allowance. On December 29, 2012, we measured the fair value of our plan assets and benefit obligations. As of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the net unfunded status of our benefit plan was $46.6 million and $35.5 million, respectively. These amounts were included in “Other non-current liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net adjustment to other comprehensive loss for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 was $8.2 million loss ($8.2 million loss, net of tax, offset by a valuation allowance), $15.0 million loss ($15.0 million loss, net of tax, offset by a valuation allowance), $1.0 million loss ($0.6 million loss, net of tax), respectively, which represents the net unrecognized actuarial (loss) gain and unrecognized prior service cost.
 
 
The increase in the unfunded obligation for the period was approximately $11.0 million and was comprised of $6.7 million of liability growth, $12.2 million of actuarial losses offset by $6.8 million of asset returns and $1.1 million of pension contributions.  The main driver of the $12.2 million of liability loss was the change in the underlying discount rate assumption which decreased from 5.02% in fiscal 2011 to 4.24% in fiscal 2012.   The net periodic pension costs also increased to $3.9 million in fiscal 2012 from $1.8 million in fiscal 2011 and were primarily driven by an increase in the unrecognized amortization of the actuarial loss attributable to the decrease in the discount rate from 5.39% in fiscal 2010 to 5.02% in 2011 and a reduction in the hourly pension plans expected return on plan assets due to lowering the expected rate of return from 8.25% to 7.85%.
 
The unfunded status and the amounts recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for the hourly pension plan are set forth in the following table:
 
   
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Unfunded status                                                                                                                            
  $ (46,570 )   $ (35,529 )
Unrecognized prior service cost
    2       3  
Unrecognized actuarial loss
    37,459       29,213  
Net amount recognized
  $ (9,109 )   $ (6,313 )
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet consist of:
               
Accrued pension liability
    (46,570 )     (35,529 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax)
    37,461       29,216  
Net amount recognized
  $ (9,109 )   $ (6,313 )
 
The portion of estimated net loss for the hourly pension plan that is expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic cost over the next fiscal year is $2.9 million. The expected amortization of prior service cost recognized into net periodic cost over the next fiscal year is immaterial.
 
The accumulated benefit obligation for the hourly pension plan was $111.1 million and $96.8 million at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
 
Net periodic pension cost for our pension plans included the following:
 
   
Fiscal Year Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year Ended
January 1,
2011
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Service cost                                                                                              
  $ 1,878     $ 2,091     $ 1,992  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    4,885       4,609       4,744  
Expected return on plan assets
    (4,897 )     (5,505 )     (4,926 )
Amortization of unrecognized loss
    2,077       579       494  
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
                 
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 3,943     $ 1,774     $ 2,304  
 
The following assumptions were used to determine the projected benefit obligation at the measurement date and the net periodic pension cost:
 
   
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
Projected benefit obligation:
           
Discount rate
    4.24 %     5.02 %
Average rate of increase in future compensation levels
    3.00 %     3.00 %
Net periodic pension cost
               
Discount rate
    5.02 %     5.39 %
Average rate of increase in future compensation levels
    3.00 %     4.00 %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
    7.85 %     8.25 %
 
Our estimates of the amount and timing of our future funding obligations for our defined benefit pension plans are based upon various assumptions specified above. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the discount rate, projected return on plan assets, compensation increase rates, mortality rates, retirement patterns, and turnover rates.
 
 
As indicated in the table above, we used a discount rate of 4.24% to compute the projected benefit obligation, which was determined by matching of plan liability cash flows to a portfolio of bonds.  A change in the discount rate of 25 basis points, from 4.24% to 4.49%, while holding all other assumptions constant, would have resulted in a reduction in the Company’s projected benefit obligation of approximately $3.7 million in 2012.
 
As indicated in the table above, we used an estimated rate of future compensation increases of 3.00% to compute the projected benefit obligation.  A change in the rate of 25 basis points, from 3.00% to 3.25%, while holding all other assumptions constant, would have resulted in an increase in the Company’s projected benefit obligation of less than $0.2 million in 2012.
 
 
Determination of expected long-term rate of return
 
In developing expected return assumptions for our pension plan, the most influential decision affecting long-term portfolio performance is the determination of overall asset allocation. An asset class is a group of securities that exhibit similar characteristics and behave similarly in the marketplace. The three main asset classes are equities, fixed income, and cash equivalents.
 
Upon calculation of the historical risk premium for each asset class, an expected rate of return can be established based on assumed 90-day Treasury bill rates. Based on the normal asset allocation structure of the portfolio (65% equities, 30% fixed income, and 5% other) with historical compound annualized risk free rate of 4.10%, the expected overall portfolio return is 8.35% offset by 0.5% expense estimate resulting in a 7.85% net long term rate of return as of December 29, 2012.
 
Our percentage of fair value of total assets by asset category as of our measurement date is as follows:
 
Asset Category
 
 
 
December 29,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
Equity securities — domestic                                                                                                                            
    56 %     47 %
Equity securities — international
    9 %     5 %
Fixed income
    31 %     45 %
Other
    4 %     3 %
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
The fair value of our plan assets by asset category as of December 29, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
 
Asset Category
 
 
Level 1
 
Equity securities — domestic                                                                                                                                                 
  $ 37,623  
Equity securities — international
    6,304  
Fixed income
    20,848  
Other
    2,985  
Total
  $ 67,760  
 
The fair value of our plan assets by asset category as of December 31, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
 
Asset Category
 
 
Level 1
 
Equity securities — domestic                                                                                                                                                 
  $ 30,179  
Equity securities — international
    2,843  
Fixed income
    28,975  
Other
    1,899  
Total
  $ 63,896  
 
The plan assets are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and we consider the investments to be Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 13 for a discussion of the levels of inputs to determine fair value.
 
 
Investment policy and strategy
 
Plan assets are managed as a balanced portfolio comprised of two major components: an equity portion and a fixed income portion. The expected role of plan equity investments will be to maximize the long-term real growth of fund assets, while the role of fixed income investments will be to generate current income, provide for more stable periodic returns, and provide some downside protection against the possibility of a prolonged decline in the market value of equity investments. We review this investment policy statement at least once per year. In addition, the portfolio will be reviewed quarterly to determine the deviation from target weightings and will be rebalanced as necessary. Target allocations for fiscal 2013 are 50% domestic and 15% international equity investments, 30% fixed income investments, and 5% cash. The expected long-term rate of return for the plan’s total assets is based on the expected return of each of the above categories, weighted based on the target allocation for each class.
 
Our estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service are as follows (in thousands):
 
Fiscal Year Ending
 
 
(In thousands)
 
January 4, 2014
  $ 4,642  
January 3, 2015
    4,832  
January 2, 2016
    5,010  
December 31, 2016
    5,319  
December 30, 2017
    5,670  
Thereafter
    32,774  
 
The Company’s required cash contribution to the pension plan in 2012 was approximately $3.3 million.  The 2012 required contribution was comprised of approximately $1.2 million related to our 2011 minimum required contribution and approximately $2.1 million related to our 2012 minimum required contribution.  The Company’s minimum required contribution for plan year 2012 was $3.2 million.  The Company has funded the $1.2 million related to its 2011 minimum required contribution with cash in 2012.  However, in an effort to preserve additional cash for operations, we applied for a waiver from the IRS for our 2012 minimum required contribution.  The waiver is still being reviewed by the IRS.  We have not made the $2.1 million of required 2012 contributions related to the 2012 minimum required contribution.  If we are granted the requested waiver, our contributions for 2012 will be amortized over the following five years, increasing our future minimum required contributions. We are currently required to make three quarterly cash contributions during fiscal 2013 of $0.8 million per quarter related to our 2013 minimum required contribution. We are pursuing contributing personal property to the pension plan during fiscal 2013.  We will designate the contribution such that it will offset our future minimum required contribution.
 
Defined Contribution Plans
 
Our employees also participate in several defined contribution plans. Contributions to the plans are based on employee contributions and compensation. Contributions to the hourly defined contribution plan totaled $0.1 million, $0.1 million, and $0.1 million for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively. During fiscal 2009, we suspended the Company matching contributions to our defined salaried contribution plan as part of our cost reduction initiatives.  The Company match was reinstated on January 1, 2012. Contributions to the salaried defined contribution plan totaled $1.0 million for fiscal 2012.
 
9.  Inventory Reserve Accounts
 
The following reflects our activity for inventory reserve accounts (in thousands):
 
   
Beginning
Balance
   
 
Expense
   
Write-offs and
Other, net
   
Ending
Balance
 
Fiscal 2010
                       
Obsolescence/damaged inventory reserve
  $ 2,573     $ 667     $ (1,570 )   $ 1,670  
Lower of cost or market reserve
  $     $ 722     $ (722 )   $  
Fiscal 2011
                               
Obsolescence/damaged inventory reserve
  $ 1,670     $ 2,309     $ (2,487 )   $ 1,492  
Lower of cost or market reserve
  $     $     $     $  
Fiscal 2012
                               
Obsolescence/damaged inventory reserve
  $ 1,492     $ 3,625     $ (3,991 )   $ 1,126  
Lower of cost or market reserve
  $     $     $     $  
 
 
10.  Revolving Credit Facilities
 
We have our U.S. revolving credit facility agreement (the “U.S. revolving credit facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association, dated August 4, 2006, as amended.  The U.S. revolving credit facility agreement has a final maturity of January 7, 2014 and maximum available credit of $400 million.  The U.S. revolving credit facility also includes an additional $100 million uncommitted accordion credit facility, which permits us to increase the maximum available credit up to $500 million.
 
As of December 29, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings of $169.5 million and excess availability of $86.0 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 4.1% at December 29, 2012.   As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding borrowings of $93.4 million and excess availability of $115.7 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 4.2% at December 31, 2011.  As of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $4.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for the purposes of securing collateral requirements under casualty insurance programs and for guaranteeing lease and certain other obligations. The $4.5 million in outstanding letters of credit as of December 29, 2012 does not include an additional $1.5 million fully collateralized letter of credit securing certain insurance obligations that was issued outside of the U.S. revolving credit facility.
 
As of December 29, 2012, our U.S. revolving credit facility, as amended, contains customary negative covenants and restrictions for asset based loans, including a requirement that we maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the Excess Availability Threshold.  The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as EBITDA divided by the sum of cash payments for income taxes, interest expense, cash dividends, principal payments on debt, and capital expenditures.  EBITDA is defined as BlueLinx Corporation’s net income before interest and tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other non-cash charges.  The fixed charge coverage ratio requirement only applies to us when excess availability under our amended U.S. revolving credit facility is less than the Excess Availability Threshold on any date. As of December 29, 2012 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-K, we were in compliance with all covenants under the U.S. revolving credit facility.  We are required to maintain the Excess Availability Threshold in order to avoid being required to meet certain financial ratios and triggering additional limits on capital expenditures.  Our lowest level of fiscal month-end availability in the last three years as of December 29, 2012 was $86.0 million, which is the excess availability as of that date.  We do not anticipate our excess availability in fiscal 2013 will drop below the Excess Availability Threshold.  Should our excess availability fall below the Excess Availability Threshold on any date, however, we would not meet the required fixed charge coverage ratio covenant with our current operating results. 
 
In the event that excess availability falls below $35 million or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million, the U.S. revolving credit facility gives the lenders the right to dominion of our bank accounts.  This would not make the underlying debt callable by the lender and may not change our ability to borrow on the U.S. revolving credit facility.  However, we would be required to reclassify the “Long-term debt” to “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In addition, we would be required to maintain a springing lock-box arrangement where customer remittances go directly to a lock-box maintained by our lenders and then are forwarded to our general bank accounts.  Our outstanding borrowings are not reduced by these payments unless our excess availability falls below the greater of $35 million or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $400 million on any date or in the event of default.  Our amended U.S. revolving credit facility does not contain a subjective acceleration clause, which would allow our lenders to accelerate the scheduled maturities of our debt or to cancel our agreement.
 
On January 10, 2013, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a planned rights offering of our common stock to our stockholders, which seeks to raise gross proceeds of $40 million (the rights offering). In connection with the rights offering we plan to distribute to our common stockholders non-transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $40 million of our common stock.  The estimated net proceeds from the rights offering of approximately $39 million will be used to pay down the U.S. revolving credit facility. See subsequent events disclosed in Note 16.
 
The Company intends to amend and extend its $400 million U.S. revolving credit facility.  The amendment will extend the maturity by three years from the closing date.  It is expected that the maximum available credit under the U.S. revolving credit facility will be increased by $22.5 million to $422.5 millionThe amended U.S. revolving credit facility is also expected to continue to have a $100 million uncommitted accordion credit facility to potentially increase the maximum available credit to $522.5 million.  The amended U.S. revolving credit facility is expected to include covenants substantially similar to those in the existing U.S. credit facility.
 
 
The Company has engaged Wells Fargo Capital Finance (“Wells Fargo”) as sole lead arranger for the transaction.  Wells Fargo has informed the Company that it has received commitments from several financial institutions with respect to the U.S. revolving credit facility, subject to execution of satisfactory documentation and the completion of the $40 million rights offering of common stock announced on January 10, 2013. Closing is expected to occur concurrently with the completion of the rights offering of common stock.   The definitive terms of, and the obligations of BlueLinx, Wells Fargo, and/or any members of the syndicate of financial institutions to enter into such an amendment to the U.S. revolving credit facility are subject to additional discussions and negotiations among the parties, and there is no assurance that an amendment to the existing U.S. revolving credit facility will be consummated.
 
On July 22, 2011, we concluded an offering of our common stock to our stockholders, pursuant to which we distributed to our common stockholders transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $60 million of our common stock.  The 2011 rights offering was fully subscribed and resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $60 million.  The net proceeds from the 2011 rights offering were approximately $58 million, and $56 million of the net proceeds were used to pay down the U.S. revolving credit facility.  A payment on the U.S. revolving credit facility of $50.0 million was made on July 29, 2011 and an additional payment of $6.0 million was made on August 1, 2011.
 
On May 10, 2011, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on July 29, 2011 pursuant to which certain components of the borrowing base calculation and excess liquidity calculation were adjusted as part of this amendment.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment are described in the discussion of the terms and covenants of the U.S. revolving credit facility above.
 
On August 12, 2011, our subsidiary BlueLinx Canada entered into the Canadian revolving credit facility with CIBC Asset-Based Lending Inc., as lender, administrative agent and the Agent.  The maturity date of this agreement is August 12, 2014.  As of December 29, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings of $1.9 million and excess availability of $2.0 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.0% at December 29, 2012.  As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding borrowings of $1.1 million and excess availability of $2.6 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.0% at December 31, 2011.  The Canadian revolving credit facility contains customary covenants and events of default for asset-based credit agreements of this type, including the requirement for BlueLinx Canada to maintain a minimum adjusted tangible net worth of $3.9 million and for that entity’s capital expenditures not to exceed 120% of the amount budgeted in a given year.  As of December 29, 2012 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-K, we were in compliance with all covenants under this facility.
 
In conjunction with the Canadian revolving credit facility and the modification of our U.S. revolving credit facility we incurred approximately $1.0 million in debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the remaining terms of each respective agreement.
 
We believe that the amounts available from our revolving credit facilities and other sources are sufficient to fund our routine operations and capital requirements for the next 12 months. If economic conditions, especially those related to the housing market, do not continue to improve, we may need to seek additional sources of capital to support our operations.
 
11.  Mortgage
 
We have a $295 million mortgage loan with the German American Capital Corporation. The mortgage has a term of ten years and is secured by 51 distribution facilities and 1 office building owned by the special purpose entities. The stated interest rate on the mortgage is fixed at 6.35%. German American Capital Corporation assigned half of its interest in the mortgage loan to Wachovia Bank, National Association and both lenders securitized their Notes in separate commercial mortgage backed securities pools in 2006.
 
On September 19, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our mortgage agreement, which provided for the immediate prepayment of approximately $11.8 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage agreement without incurring a prepayment premium from cash currently held as collateral under the mortgage agreement.  In addition, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, starting with the fourth quarter of 2012, additional funds held as collateral under the mortgage agreement will be used to prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement, without prepayment premium, up to an aggregate additional prepayment of $10.0 million.  Thereafter, any cash remaining in the collateral account under the mortgage agreement, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million, will be released to the Company on the last business day of each calendar quarter through the second quarter of 2014.  All funds released pursuant to these provisions may only be used by the Company to pay for usual and customary operating expenses.  During the periods described above in which cash in the collateral account is used to either prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement or released to the Company, the lenders will not release any of the cash collateral to the Company for specified capital expenditures as previously provided under the mortgage agreement.  Under the terms of our mortgage, we are required to transfer certain funds to be held as collateral. We expect to transfer approximately $13.2 million as collateral during the next twelve month period, approximately $6.4 million of which will be used to reduce mortgage principal on a quarterly basis.  The remaining amount of approximately $6.8 million will be remitted to us on a quarterly basis for uses as indicated in the amendment.  In conjunction with the modification of our mortgage agreement we incurred approximately $0.3 million in fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the remaining term of the mortgage.
 
 
On July 14, 2011, we entered into an amendment to the mortgage which (i) eliminated the requirement to obtain lender approval for any transfer of equity interests that would reduce Cerberus ABP Investor LLC’s ownership in the Company and certain of our subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to less than 51%, (ii) provided for the immediate prepayment of $38.3 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage without incurring a prepayment premium from funds currently held as collateral under the mortgage and, if certain conditions are met, will allow for an additional prepayment on or after July 30, 2014 from funds held as collateral without incurrence of a prepayment premium, (iii) allow us, at the lenders’ reasonable discretion, to use a portion of the cash held as collateral under the mortgage for specified alterations, repairs, replacements and other improvements to the mortgaged properties, and (iv) in the event certain financial conditions are met and the Company extends the Amended and Restated Master Lease by and among certain of our subsidiaries with respect to properties covered by the mortgage for an additional five years, we may request the lenders to disburse to the Company a portion of the cash held as collateral under the mortgage. In conjunction with the modification of our mortgage agreement we incurred approximately $2.9 million in debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the remaining term of the mortgage.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we sold certain parcels of excess land. As a result of the sale of one of these parcels, we increased the amount of restricted cash required to be held in connection with our mortgage by $0.3 million. In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2012, we sold our facility in Newark, California and increased the restricted cash related to our mortgage by $12.8 million.  This restricted cash was used to pay down the mortgage in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.  During fiscal 2011, we sold certain real properties that ceased operations. As a result of the sale of these properties during fiscal 2011, we increased the restricted cash related to our mortgage by $6.5 million which was used to reduce the mortgage principal in January of fiscal 2012.
 
The mortgage loan required interest-only payments through June 2011, at which time we began making payments on the outstanding principal balance. The balance of the loan outstanding at the end of ten years will then become due and payable. The principal will be paid in the following increments (in thousands):
 
2013                                                                                                                                                
  $ 8,946  
2014
    2,556  
2015
    2,725  
2016
    191,753  
2017
     
Thereafter
     
Total
  $ 205,980  
 
12.  Derivatives
 
On June 12, 2006, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Goldman Sachs Capital Markets, to hedge against interest rate risks related to our variable rate U.S. revolving credit facility. The interest rate swap was terminated in March of 2011. Due to the termination of the swap in fiscal 2011, the fair value of the swap as of December 31, 2011 was zero. Changes associated with the ineffective interest rate swap recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period from January 1, 2011 to October 1, 2011 were approximately $1.7 million of income and were comprised of amortization of the remaining accumulated other comprehensive loss of the ineffective swap of $0.5 million offset by income of $2.2 million related to reducing the fair value of the ineffective interest rate swap liability to zero.
 
 
13.  Fair Value Measurements
 
We determine a fair value measurement based on the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability.  The fair value measurement guidance established a three level hierarchy making a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market (Level 1), (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (Level 2), and (iii) prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (Level 3).
 
 Carrying amounts for our financial instruments are not significantly different from their fair value, with the exception of our mortgage.  To determine the fair value of our mortgage, we used a discounted cash flow model. We believe the mortgage fair value valuation to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as the valuation model has inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the liability. Assumptions critical to our fair value measurements in the period are present value factors used in determining fair value and an interest rate.  At December 29, 2012, the discounted carrying value and fair value of our mortgage was $202.7 million and $202.2 million, respectively.
 
14.  Related Party Transactions
 
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., our equity sponsor, retains consultants that specialize in operations management and support and who provide Cerberus with consulting advice concerning portfolio companies in which funds and accounts managed by Cerberus or its affiliates have invested. From time to time, Cerberus makes the services of these consultants available to Cerberus portfolio companies. We believe that the terms of these consulting arrangements are favorable to us, or, alternatively, are materially consistent with those terms that would have been obtained by us in an arrangement with an unaffiliated third party. We have normal service, purchase and sales arrangements with other entities that are owned or controlled by Cerberus. We believe that these transactions are not material to our results of operations or financial position.
 
In connection with the rights offering, we plan to distribute to our common stockholders non-transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $40 million of our common stock.  Cerberus ABP Investor LLC (“Cerberus”), the Company’s majority shareholder, has indicated that it intends, subject to the exercise price of the rights being set at an acceptable amount, to exercise all of the rights issued to it and to subscribe for the maximum additional shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege that it would be entitled to purchase. However, such indication is not binding, and Cerberus is not legally obligated to do so. See subsequent events disclosed in Note 16.
 
15.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
Self-Insurance
 
It is our policy to self-insure, up to certain limits, traditional risks including workers’ compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability. Our self-insured deductible for each claim involving workers’ compensation, and auto liability is limited to $0.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Our self-insured retention for each claim involving comprehensive general liability (including product liability claims) is limited to $0.8 million.  We are also self-insured up to certain limits for certain other insurable risks, primarily physical loss to property, excluding natural catastrophes  ($0.1 million per occurrence), Director and Officer ($0.8 million per occurrence) and the majority of our medical benefit plans ($0.3 million per occurrence). Insurance coverage is maintained for catastrophic property and casualty exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. A provision for claims under this self-insured program, based on our estimate of the aggregate liability for claims incurred, is revised and recorded annually. The estimate is derived from both internal and external sources including but not limited to actuarial estimates. The actuarial estimates are subject to uncertainty from various sources, including, among others, changes in claim reporting patterns, claim settlement patterns, judicial decisions, legislation, and economic conditions. Although, we believe that the actuarial estimates are reasonable, significant differences related to the items noted above could materially affect our self-insurance obligations, future expense and cash flow. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the self-insurance reserves totaled $7.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively. We incurred $10.7 million in expense and $11.1 million in payments, net of reimbursements in fiscal 2012 related to our workers compensation, auto, general liability and health and welfare reserves. We incurred $12.8 million in expense and payments, net of reimbursements in fiscal 2011 related to our workers compensation, auto, general liability and health and welfare reserves.
 
 
Operating Leases
 
Total rental expense was approximately $4.8 million, $4.8 million, and $5.0 million for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
At December 29, 2012, our total commitments under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases were as follows (in thousands):
 
2013
  $ 4,488  
2014
    3,943  
2015
    3,354  
2016
    3,394  
2017
    3,016  
Thereafter
    2,786  
Total
  $ 20,981  
 
Certain of our operating leases have extension options and escalation clauses.
 
Capital Leases
 
We entered into certain capital leases for trucks and trailers during fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010.  As of December 29, 2012, the basis and net book value of assets under capital leases was $10.3 million and $9.3 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2011, the basis and net book value of assets under capital leases was $5.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively.  As of January 1, 2011, the basis and net book value of assets under capital leases was $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  Depreciation expense for capital leases is included in the total depreciation expense disclosed above.
 
At December 29, 2012, our total commitments under long-term, non-cancelable capital leases were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Principal
   
Interest
 
2013
  $ 1,188     $ 347  
2014
    1,237       278  
2015
    1,292       206  
2016
    1,238       131  
2017
    709       71  
Thereafter
    727       26  
Total
  $ 6,391     $ 1,059  
 
Executory costs are nominal for each of the years present.
 
Environmental and Legal Matters
 
We are involved in various proceedings incidental to our businesses and are subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which we operate. Although the ultimate outcome of these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty, based on presently available information management believes that adequate reserves have been established for probable losses with respect thereto. Management further believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters could be material to operating results in any given quarter but will not have a materially adverse effect on our long-term financial condition, our results of operations, or our cash flows.
 
Collective Bargaining Agreements
 
As of December 29, 2012, approximately 30% of our employees were represented by various labor unions.  As of December 29, 2012, we had 42 collective bargaining agreements, of which 10, covering approximately 132 total employees, are up for renewal in fiscal 2013.  We consider our relationship with our employees generally to be good.
 
 
16.  Subsequent Events
 
On January 10, 2013, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a planned rights offering of our common stock to our stockholders, which seeks to raise gross proceeds of $40 million. In connection with the rights offering, we plan to distribute to our common stockholders non-transferable rights to subscribe for and purchase up to $40 million of our common stock.  Cerberus, the Company’s majority stockholder, has indicated that it intends, subject to the exercise price of the rights being set at an acceptable amount, to exercise all of the rights issued to it and to subscribe for the maximum additional shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege that it would be entitled to purchase. However, such indication is not binding, and Cerberus is not legally obligated to do so.  We anticipate that the record date and the subscription price will be determined on or about the time the SEC declares our registration statement effective.  The distribution of rights and commencement of the rights offering is expected to occur promptly following the effectiveness of that registration statement.
 
We are not aware of any additional significant events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
17.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Comprehensive income (loss) is a measure of income which includes both net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) results from items deferred from recognition into our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is separately presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as part of common stockholders’ (deficit) equity. Other comprehensive income (loss) was $(8.1) million, $(14.5) million, and $1.0 million for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010, respectively.
 
For fiscal 2012 and 2011, there was no tax effect for any other comprehensive income (loss) items due to the fact that there was no intraperiod income tax allocation and the deferred tax benefit was fully offset by a valuation allowance.  For fiscal 2010, other comprehensive income (loss) included tax benefits of $0.4 million related to our pension plan (see Note 8). Income tax expense recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) related to foreign currency translation was $(0.2) million for fiscal 2010.  Other comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal 2010 included tax expense of $(0.8) million related to our interest rate swap (see Note 12).  Other comprehensive income (loss) did not include tax benefit (expense) related to our interest rate swap for other periods presented as the swap expired in March of fiscal 2011.
 
The accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 29,
2012
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
   
Fiscal Year
Ended
January 1,
2011
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
  $ 1,797     $ 1,694     $ 1,786  
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
    (32,051 )     (23,806 )     (8,837 )
Unrealized income (loss) from cash flow hedge, net of tax
    212       212       (307 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (30,042 )   $ (21,900 )   $ (7,358 )
 
18.  Unaudited Selected Quarterly Financial Data
 
Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to the end of the calendar year. Fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 each contained 52 weeks.  Our fiscal quarters are based on a 5-4-4 week period.
 
   
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
   
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012(a)
 
Three Months
Ended
April 2,
2011(b)
 
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
2012(c)
 
Three Months
Ended
July 2,
2011(d)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 29,
2012(e)
 
Three Months
Ended
October 1,
2011(f)
 
Three Months
Ended
December 29,
2012(g)
 
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2011(h)
 
   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Net sales
 
$
453,708
 
$
390,604
 
$
517,026
 
$
500,810
 
$
496,810
 
$
472,898
 
$
440,298
 
$
391,119
 
Gross profit   
   
54,232
   
46,269
   
63,188
   
57,645
   
60,531
   
58,278
   
52,119
   
47,957
 
Operating expenses:
                                                 
Selling, general and administrative
   
56,644
   
55,668
   
57,564
   
56,290
   
57,307
   
56,599
   
54,842
   
51,926
 
Gain on modification of lease agreement
   
   
   
   
   
   
(1,971
)
 
   
 
Gain from property insurance settlement
   
   
   
(476
)
 
         
(1,230
)
 
 
 
(203
)
                                                   
(Gain) loss from sale of properties
   
(578
)
 
(7,222
)
 
48
   
283
   
(9,151
)
 
   
(204
)
 
(3,665
)
Restructuring and other charges
   
   
   
   
207
   
   
1,139
   
   
36
 
                                                   
Depreciation and amortization
   
2,260
   
2,938
   
2,187
   
2,624
   
2,106
   
2,559
   
2,012
   
2,441
 
Operating (loss) income
   
(4,094
)
 
(5,115
)
 
3,865
   
(1,759
)
 
10,269
   
1,182
   
(4,531
)
 
(2,578
)
Non-operating expenses:
                                                 
Interest expense
   
6,782
   
8,986
   
7,325
   
7,730
   
7,294
   
6,963
   
6,756
   
6,831
 
Changes associated with ineffective interest rate swap
   
   
(1,676
)
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Other (income) expense
   
(62
)
 
15
   
49
   
134
   
(16
)
 
333
   
22
   
19
 
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
   
(3,969
)
 
(4,916
)
 
(1,157
)
 
(3,556
)
 
1,078
   
(2,265
)
 
(4,305
)
 
(2,873
)
Tax valuation allowance
   
4,174
   
4,802
   
1,354
   
3,714
   
(1,155
)
 
2,359
   
4,366
   
3,697
 
Net (loss) income
 
$
(11,019
)
$
(12,326
)
$
(3,706
)
$
(9,781
)
$
3,068
 
$
(6,208
)
$
(11,370
)
$
(10,252
)
 
 

(a)
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 60,002,836. Total share-based awards of 4,519,590 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
   
(b)
During the three months ended April 2, 2011, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 30,843,732. Total share-based awards of 3,096,843 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
   
(c)
During the three months ended June 30, 2012, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 60,097,558. Total share-based awards of 4,515,590 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
   
(d)
During the three months ended July 2, 2011, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 31,062,794. Total share-based awards of 3,079,540 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
   
(e)
During the three months ended September 29, 2012, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 60,098,691.
   
(f)
During the three months ended October 1, 2011, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 51,182,748. Total share-based awards of 3,076,739 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
   
(g)
During the three months ended December 29, 2012, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 60,118,183, respectively. Total share-based awards of 4,460,054 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
   
(h)
During the three months ended December 31, 2011, basic and diluted weighted average shares were 59,659,984, respectively. Total share-based awards of 3,266,740 were excluded from our diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
 
 
19.  Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
 
The condensed consolidating financial information as of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 is provided due to restrictions in our revolving credit facility that limit distributions by BlueLinx Corporation, our operating company and our wholly-owned subsidiary, to us, which, in turn, may limit our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock (see Note 10, Revolving Credit Facility, for a more detailed discussion of these restrictions and the terms of the facility). Also included in the supplemental condensed consolidated/combining financial statements are fifty-six single member limited liability companies, which are wholly owned by us (the “LLC subsidiaries”). The LLC subsidiaries own certain warehouse properties that are occupied by BlueLinx Corporation, each under the terms of a master lease agreement. The warehouse properties collateralize a mortgage loan and are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of either us or BlueLinx Corporation. Certain changes have been made to the prior year presentation to conform to the current year presentation.
 
The condensed consolidating statement of operations for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 follows (in thousands):
   
BlueLinx
Holdings
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Net sales                                                                             
  $     $ 1,907,842     $ 28,330     $ (28,330 )   $ 1,907,842  
Cost of sales
          1,677,772                   1,677,772  
Gross profit
          230,070       28,330       (28,330 )     230,070  
Operating expenses (income):
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
    3,940       250,098       (9,712 )     (28,330 )     215,996  
Depreciation and amortization
          5,040       3,525             8,565  
Total operating expenses (income)
    3,940       255,138       (6,187 )     (28,330 )     224,561  
Operating (loss) income
    (3,940 )     (25,068 )     34,517             5,509  
Non-operating expenses:
                                       
Interest expense
          12,159       15,998             28,157  
Other expense (income), net
          10       (17 )           (7 )
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (3,940 )     (37,237 )     18,536             (22,641 )
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
    386                           386  
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries
    (18,701 )                 18,701        
Net (loss) income
  $ (23,027 )   $ (37,237 )   $ 18,536     $ 18,701     $ (23,027 )
 
 
The condensed consolidating statement of operations for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 follows (in thousands):
 
   
 
BlueLinx
Holdings
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
Consolidated
 
Net sales                                                                             
  $     $ 1,755,431     $ 29,665     $ (29,665 )   $ 1,755,431  
Cost of sales
          1,545,282                   1,545,282  
Gross profit
          210,149       29,665       (29,665 )     210,149  
Operating expenses (income):
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
    3,728       244,398       (10,604 )     (29,665 )     207,857  
Depreciation and amortization
          6,790       3,772             10,562  
Total operating expenses (income)
    3,728       251,188       (6,832 )     (29,665 )     218,419  
Operating (loss) income
    (3,728 )     (41,039 )     36,497             (8,270 )
Non-operating expenses:
                                       
Interest expense
          12,528       17,982             30,510  
Changes associated with ineffective interest rate swap
          (1,676 )                 (1,676 )
Other expense (income), net
          516       (15 )           501  
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (3,728 )     (52,407 )     18,530             (37,605 )
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
    459       503                   962  
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries
    (34,380 )                 34,380        
Net (loss) income
  $ (38,567 )   $ (52,910 )   $ 18,530     $ 34,380     $ (38,567 )
 
The condensed consolidating statement of operations for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011 follows (in thousands):
 
   
 
BlueLinx
Holdings
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
Consolidated
 
Net sales                                                                             
  $     $ 1,804,418     $ 29,825     $ (29,825 )   $ 1,804,418  
Cost of sales
          1,593,745                   1,593,745  
Gross profit
          210,673       29,825       (29,825 )     210,673  
Operating expenses (income):
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
    9,663       241,152       195       (29,825 )     221,185  
Depreciation and amortization
          9,524       3,841             13,365  
Total operating expenses (income)
    9,663       250,676       4,036       (29,825 )     234,550  
Operating (loss) income
    (9,663 )     (40,003 )     25,789             (23,877 )
Non-operating expenses:
                                       
Interest expense
          14,780       19,008             33,788  
Changes associated with ineffective interest rate swap
          (4,603 )                 (4,603 )
Write-off of debt issuance costs
          183                   183  
Other expense, net
          576       11             587  
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (9,663 )     (50,939 )     6,770             (53,832 )
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
    107       (696 )                 (589 )
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries
    (43,473 )                 43,473        
Net (loss) income
  $ (53,243 )   $ (50,243 )   $ 6,770     $ 43,473     $ (53,243 )
 
 
The condensed consolidating balance sheet for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. as of December 29, 2012 follows (in thousands):
 
   
 
 
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
an
d
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
Assets:
                             
Current assets:
                             
Cash
  $ 28     $ 5,160     $     $     $ 5,188  
Receivables
          157,465                   157,465  
Inventories
          230,059                   230,059  
Other current assets
    1,596       17,790       41             19,427  
Intercompany receivable
    73,981       28,814             (102,795 )      
Total current assets
    75,605       439,288       41       (102,795 )     412,139  
Property and equipment:
                                       
Land and land improvements
          3,250       39,870             43,120  
Buildings
          10,213       83,857             94,070  
Machinery and equipment
          78,674                   78,674  
Construction in progress
          1,173                   1,173  
Property and equipment, at cost
          93,310       123,727             217,037  
Accumulated depreciation
          (71,583 )     (30,101 )           (101,684 )
Property and equipment, net
          21,727       93,626             115,353  
Investment in subsidiaries
    (67,053 )                 67,053        
Non-current deferred income tax assets, net
          445                   445  
Other non-current assets
          10,646       6,153             16,799  
Total assets
  $ 8,552     $ 472,106     $ 99,820     $ (35,742 )   $ 544,736  
Liabilities:
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 203     $ 77,257     $ 390     $       77,850  
Bank overdrafts
          35,384                   35,384  
Accrued compensation
    127       6,043                   6,170  
Current maturities of long-term debt
                8,946             8,946  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
          449                   449  
Other current liabilities
          9,831       1,106             10,937  
Intercompany payable
    28,814       73,981             (102,795 )      
Total current liabilities
    29,144       202,945       10,442       (102,795 )     139,736  
Non-current liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
          171,412       197,034             368,446  
Other non-current liabilities
          57,146                   57,146  
Total liabilities
    29,144       431,503       207,476       (102,795 )     565,328  
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity/Parent’s Investment
    (20,592 )     40,603       (107,656 )     67,053       (20,592 )
Total liabilities and (deficit) equity
  $ 8,552     $ 472,106     $ 99,820     $ (35,742 )   $ 544,736  
 
 
The condensed consolidating balance sheet for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. as of December 31, 2011 follows (in thousands):
 
   
 
 
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and
Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
Assets:
                             
Current assets:
                             
Cash
  $ 27     $ 4,871     $     $     $ 4,898  
Receivables
          138,872                   138,872  
Inventories
          185,577                   185,577  
Other current assets
    498       17,882       8,761             27,141  
Intercompany receivable
    67,041       18,482             (85,523 )      
Total current assets
    67,566       365,684       8,761       (85,523 )     356,488  
Property and equipment:
                                       
Land and land improvements
          2,938       46,624             49,562  
Buildings
          10,463       85,189             95,652  
Machinery and equipment
          75,508                   75,508  
Construction in progress
          741                   741  
Property and equipment, at cost
          89,650       131,813             221,463  
Accumulated depreciation
          (70,426 )     (27,909 )           (98,335 )
Property and equipment, net
          19,224       103,904             123,128  
Investment in subsidiaries
    (40,549 )                 40,549        
Non-current deferred income tax assets, net
          358                   358  
Other non-current assets
          14,747       9,194             23,941  
Total assets
  $ 27,017     $ 400,013     $ 121,859     $ (44,974 )   $ 503,915  
Liabilities:
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 161     $ 68,639     $ 1,428     $       70,228  
Bank overdrafts
          22,364                   22,364  
Accrued compensation
          4,496                   4,496  
Current maturities of long-term debt
                9,046             9,046  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
          382                   382  
Other current liabilities
          15,205       1,353             16,558  
Intercompany payable
    18,482       67,041             (85,523 )      
Total current liabilities
    18,643       178,127       11,827       (85,523 )     123,074  
Non-current liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
          94,488       234,207             328,695  
Other non-current liabilities
          43,772                   43,772  
Total liabilities
    18,643       316,387       246,034       (85,523 )     495,541  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)/Parent’s Investment
    8,374       83,626       (124,175 )     40,549       8,374  
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)
  $ 27,017     $ 400,013     $ 121,859     $ (44,974 )   $ 503,915  

 
The condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 follows (in thousands):
 
   
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net (loss) income                                                                                
  $ (23,027 )   $ (37,237 )   $ 18,536     $ 18,701     $ (23,027 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operations:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
          5,040       3,525             8,565  
Amortization of debt issue costs
          2,471       1,275             3,746  
Gain from sale of properties
                (9,885 )           (9,885 )
Gain from property insurance settlement
                (476 )           (476 )
Vacant property charges, net
          (30 )                 (30 )
Payments on modification of lease agreement
          (5,875 )                 (5,875 )
Deferred income tax benefit
          (20 )                 (20 )
Share-based compensation
    528       2,269                   2,797  
Decrease in restricted cash related to the ineffective interest swap, insurance, and other
          695                   695  
Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries
    18,701                   (18,701 )      
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                                       
Receivables
          (18,593 )                 (18,593 )
Inventories
          (44,482 )                 (44,482 )
Accounts payable
    42       8,619       389             9,050  
Changes in other working capital
    (971 )     1,751       942               1,722  
Intercompany receivable
    (6,940 )     (10,332 )           17,272        
Intercompany payable
    10,332       6,940             (17,272 )      
Other
          3,066       (1,503 )           1,563  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (1,335 )     (85,718 )     12,803             (74,250 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Investment in subsidiaries
    1,862       154       (2,016 )            
Property, plant and equipment investments
          (2,826 )                   (2,826 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
          997       18,198             19,195  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    1,862       (1,675 )     16,182             16,369  
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Repurchase of shares to satisfy employee tax withholdings
    (526 )                       (526 )
Repayments on revolving credit facilities
          (473,349 )                 (473,349 )
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities
          550,270                   550,270  
Principal payments on mortgage
                (37,272 )           (37,272 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
          (2,259 )                 (2,259 )
Increase in bank overdrafts
          13,020                   13,020  
Decrease in restricted cash related to the mortgage
                9,970             9,970  
Debt financing costs
                (1,683 )           (1,683 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (526 )     87,682       (28,985 )           58,171  
Increase in cash
    1       289                   290  
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period
    27       4,871                   4,898  
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period
  $ 28     $ 5,160     $     $     $ 5,188  
Supplemental cash flow information:
                                       
Net income tax refunds (income taxes paid) during the period
  $     $ 37     $ (545 )   $     $ (508 )
Interest paid during the period
  $     $ 9,309     $ 14,979     $     $ 24,288  
                                         
Noncash transactions:
                                       
Capital leases
  $     $ 5,238     $     $     $ 5,238  


The condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 follows (in thousands):
 
   
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net (loss) income                                                                                
  $ (38,567 )   $ (52,910 )   $ 18,530     $ 34,380     $ (38,567 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash  provided by (used in) operations:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
          6,790       3,772             10,562  
Amortization of debt issue costs
          1,983       957             2,940  
Gain from sale of properties
                (10,604 )           (10,604 )
Gain from property insurance settlement
                (1,230 )           (1,230 )
Changes associated with ineffective interest rate swap
          (1,676 )                 (1,676 )
Vacant property charges, net
          (291 )                 (291 )
Gain on modification of lease agreement
          (1,971 )                 (1,971 )
Deferred income tax benefit
          (25 )                 (25 )
Share-based compensation
          1,602       372             1,974  
Decrease in restricted cash related to the ineffective interest swap, insurance, and other
          987                   987  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    34,380                   (34,380 )      
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                                       
Receivables
          (19,670 )                 (19,670 )
Inventories
          2,673                   2,673  
Accounts payable
    102       5,871                   5,973  
Changes in other working capital
    167       530       172       (1,244 )     (375 )
Intercompany receivable
    (9,829 )     (9,727 )           19,556        
Intercompany payable
    9,218       9,094             (18,312 )      
Other
          1,244       (2,276 )           (1,032 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (4,529 )     (55,496 )     9,693             (50,332 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Investment in subsidiaries
    (54,349 )     55,209       (860 )            
Property, plant and equipment investments
          (3,203 )     (3,330 )           (6,533 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
          504       17,851             18,355  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (54,349 )     52,510       13,661             11,822  
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Repayments on revolving credit facilities
          (478,630 )                 (478,630 )
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities
          475,918                   475,918  
Principal payments on mortgage
                (42,416 )           (42,416 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
          (1,440 )                 (1,440 )
Decrease in bank overdrafts
          (725 )                 (725 )
Decrease in restricted cash related to the mortgage
                20,604             20,604  
Debt financing costs
          (1,179 )     (1,542 )           (2,721 )
Proceeds from stock offering less expenses paid
    58,521                         58,521  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    58,521       (6,056 )     (23,354 )           29,111  
Decrease in cash
    (357 )     (9,042 )                 (9,399 )
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period
    384       13,913                   14,297  
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period
  $ 27     $ 4,871     $     $     $ 4,898  
Supplemental cash flow information:
                                       
Net income tax refunds (income taxes paid) during the period
  $     $ 231     $ (253 )   $     $ (22 )
Interest paid during the period
  $     $ 10,783     $ 17,315     $     $ 28,098  
                                         
Noncash transactions:
                                       
Capital leases
  $     $ 3,131     $     $     $ 3,131  
 
 
The condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011 follows (in thousands):
 
   
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net (loss) income                                                                                
  $ (53,243 )   $ (50,243 )   $ 6,770     $ 43,473     $ (53,243 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operations:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
          9,854       3,511             13,365  
Amortization of debt issue costs
          1,298       665             1,963  
Payments from terminating the G-P Supply Agreement
          4,706                   4,706  
Changes associated with ineffective interest rate swap
          (4,603 )                 (4,603 )
Write-off of debt issuance costs
          183                   183  
Vacant property charges, net
          53                   53  
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)
    910       1,041       (2,551 )           (600 )
Share-based compensation
    1,856       2,122                   3,978  
Decrease in restricted cash related to the ineffective interest swap, insurance, and other
          6,556                   6,556  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    43,473                   (43,473 )      
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                                       
Receivables
          145                   145  
Inventories
          (15,065 )                 (15,065 )
Accounts payable
    21       (1,812 )                 (1,791 )
Changes in other working capital
    279       15,267       (94 )           15,452  
Intercompany receivable
    8,598       (3,453 )           (5,145 )      
Intercompany payable
    6,122       (6,356 )     (4,911 )     5,145        
Other
    (47 )     (1,394 )     481             (960 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    7,969       (41,701 )     3,871             (29,861 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Investment in subsidiaries
    (7,034 )           7,034              
Property, plant and equipment investments
          (4,140 )                 (4,140 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
          711                   711  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (7,034 )     (3,429 )     7,034             (3,429 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Repurchase of common stock
    (583 )                       (583 )
Repayments on revolving credit facility
          (466,219 )                 (466,219 )
Borrowings on revolving credit facility
          507,419                   507,419  
Debt financing costs
          (6,521 )                 (6,521 )
Decrease in bank overdrafts
          (4,143 )                 (4,143 )
Increase in restricted cash related to the mortgage
                (11,201 )           (11,201 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
          (629 )                 (629 )
Other           7                   7  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (583 )     29,914       (11,201 )           18,130  
Increase (decrease) in cash
    352       (15,216 )     (296 )           (15,160 )
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period
    32       29,129       296             29,457  
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period
  $ 384     $ 13,913     $     $     $ 14,297  
Supplemental cash flow information:
                                       
Net income tax refunds (income taxes paid) during the period
  $     $ 20,098     $ (115 )   $     $ 19,983  
Interest paid during the period
  $     $ 13,280     $ 18,395     $     $ 31,675  
                                         
Noncash transactions:
                                       
Capital leases
  $     $ 1,889     $     $     $ 1,889  
 
 
The condensed consolidating statement of stockholders’ (deficit) equity for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 follows (in thousands):
 
   
 
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
Consolidated
 
Balance, January 2, 2010
  $ 50,820     $ 142,363     $ (154,118 )   $ 11,755     $ 50,820  
Net income (loss)
    (53,243 )     (50,243 )     6,770       43,473       (53,243 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
    336       336             (336 )     336  
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
    (616 )     (616 )           616       (616 )
Unrealized gain from cash flow hedge, net of tax
    1,297       1,297             (1,297 )     1,297  
Issuance of restricted stock
    7                         7  
Repurchase of restricted stock
    (583 )                       (583 )
Compensation related to share-based grants
    3,876                         3,876  
Reclassification of equity award to liability
    (903 )                       (903 )
                                         
Net transactions with the Parent
          1,136       7,034       (8,170 )      
Balance, January 1, 2011
  $ 991     $ 94,273     $ (140,314 )   $ 46,041     $ 991  
Net income (loss)
    (38,567 )     (52,910 )     18,530       34,380       (38,567 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
    (92 )     (92 )           92       (92 )
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
    (14,969 )     (14,969 )           14,969       (14,969 )
Unrealized gain from cash flow hedge, net of tax
    519       519             (519 )     519  
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures
    7                         7  
Issuance of stock related to the rights offering, net of expenses
    58,521                         58,521  
Compensation related to share-based grants
    2,158                         2,158  
Impact of net settled shares for vested grants
    (194 )                       (194 )
                                         
Net transactions with the Parent
          56,805       (2,391 )     (54,414 )      
                                         
Balance, December 31, 2011
  $ 8,374     $ 83,626     $ (124,175 )   $ 40,549     $ 8,374  
Net income (loss)
    (23,027 )     (37,237 )     18,536       18,701       (23,027 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
    103       103             (103 )     103  
Unrealized loss from pension plan, net of tax
    (8,245 )     (8,245 )           8,245       (8,245 )
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures
    19       19             (19 )     19  
Compensation related to share-based grants
    2,730                         2,730  
Impact of net settled shares for vested grants
    (526 )                       (526 )
Other
    (20 )                       (20 )
                                         
Net transactions with the Parent
          2,337       (2,017 )     (320 )      
Balance, December 29, 2012
  $ (20,592 )   $ 40,603     $ (107,656 )   $ 67,053     $ (20,592 )
 
 
None.
 
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures that, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.
 
Our management performed an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the supervision of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon are set out in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2012 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
The certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additionally, as required by Section 303A.12 (a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, our Chief Executive Officer filed a certification with the NYSE on June 18, 2012 reporting that he was not aware of any violation by us of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards.  On November 6, 2012, our Chief Executive Officer filed an interim written affirmation with the NYSE reporting that the Company was out of compliance with the NYSE’s Corporate governance listing standards due to only having two directors on the Company’s Audit Committee (following the resignation of Charles H. McElrea), rather than the three directors required by Section 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.  On February 14, 2013, the Board affirmatively determined Mr. M. Richard Warner to be independent.  Mr. Warner joined the Audit Committee as the third director on the Company’s Audit Committee, bringing the Company back into compliance with Section 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
 
 
None.
 
 
 
 
The following table contains the name, age and position with our company of each of our executive officers and directors as of February 20, 2013. Their respective backgrounds are described in the text following the table.
 
Name   Age      Position  
Howard S. Cohen
66
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors (Director since September 2007, Chairman since March 2008)
George R. Judd
51
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (since October 2008)
H. Douglas Goforth
49
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Since February 2008)
Ned M. Bassil
47
 
Chief Supply Chain Officer (since December 2011)
Sara E. Epstein
35
 
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (since February 2013)
Richard S. Grant
66
 
Director (since 2005)
Steven F. Mayer
53
 
Director (since 2004)
Alan H. Schumacher
66
 
Director (since 2004)
Ronald E. Kolka
53
 
Director (since August 2012)
M. Richard Warner
61
 
Director (since 2008)
 
Executive Officers
 
George R. Judd has served as our Chief Executive Officer since October 2008 and as our President and Chief Operating Officer since May 2004. Mr. Judd has also served as a member of our board since October 2008. Previously, he worked for Georgia-Pacific Corporation in a variety of positions managing both inside and outside sales, national accounts and most recently as Vice President of Sales and Eastern Operations since 2002. From 2000 until 2002, Mr. Judd worked as Vice President of the North and Midwest regions of the Distribution Division. He served as Vice President of the Southeast region from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Judd serves on the board of directors of Snappy Air Distribution Products, Inc. and on the advisory board of DocuSign Inc. Mr. Judd formerly served on the board of the Building Products Institute in Washington, D.C., and he is past Chair of the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association. He graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 1984 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
 
H. Douglas Goforth has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since February 2008. From November 2006 until February 2008, Mr. Goforth served as Vice President and Corporate Controller for Armor Holdings Inc. which was acquired by BAE Systems in July 2007. Previously he served as Corporate Controller for BlueLinx from May 2004 until October 2006, where he played a key role in our 2004 IPO. From 2002 until 2004 he served as Controller for the Distribution Division of Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Mr. Goforth has 25 years of combined accounting, finance, treasury, acquisition and management experience with leading distribution and manufacturing companies including Mitsubishi Wireless Communications, Inc., Yamaha Motor Manufacturing, Inc. and Ingersoll-Rand. Mr. Goforth is a North Carolina State Board Certified Public Accountant and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Mars Hill College in North Carolina.
 
Ned M. Bassil has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer since December 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Bassil was a Senior Partner at a Bahou Heritage, a boutique firm providing large industrial clients with customized advisory services, from 2006 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Bassil held the role of Group CEO at Azadea Holdings from 2008 to 2009, overseeing operations at over 350 retail outlets in 12 countries in Europe, the Middle East, & Africa, in the areas of Fashion, Food & Beverage, and Home Furnishings, in addition to Real Estate development activities. Mr. Bassil also held a number of senior management roles such as VP Global Operations, Senior VP Operations, and General Manager at Black & Decker from 2004 to 2005, and Philips Electronics from 1998 to 2004 in durable consumer goods, consumer electronics, and lighting.  He also held various operating roles at Allied Signal (Honeywell) from 1993 to 1998 in the automotive industry, including Director of Operational Excellence at Allied Signal from 1996 to 1998, overseeing the Black Belt deployment within the Automotive Products Group. Mr. Bassil received his Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Engineering fromYoungstown State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Youngstown State University.
 
Sara E. Epstein has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since February 2013, and our Senior Counsel and Corporate Secretary since March 2010. Prior to joining us, Ms. Epstein was an attorney with Jones Day. Ms. Epstein received a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University.
 
 
Directors
 
Howard S. Cohen has served as Chairman of our Board since March 2008 and as a member of our Board since September 2007. He is a Senior Advisor to Cerberus. Mr. Cohen served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer from March 2008 through October 2008 and as our Executive Chairman from March 2008 through March 2009. Mr. Cohen possesses 33 years of leadership experience, including service as President and CEO of four publicly-traded companies: GTECH Corporation, from 2001 to 2002; Bell & Howell, from 2000 to 2001; Sidus Systems Inc., from 1998 to 1999; and Peak Technologies Group, Inc., from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Cohen has also managed independent divisions of three Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Cohen serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Albertsons LLC and Equable Ascent Financial, LLC, both of which are Cerberus portfolio companies. Mr. Cohen previously served on the Board of SSA Global Technologies, Inc. from 2005 until 2007.
 
Mr. Cohen’s past experience as our interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, financial expertise, management advisory expertise, experience as a director and officer of public companies, relationship with our largest stockholder and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
George R. Judd has served as a member of our Board since October 2008. As an executive officer of our Company, Mr. Judd’s background is described above. Mr. Judd’s experience as our Chief Executive Officer, years of experience with Georgia-Pacific Corporation and BlueLinx in a variety of leadership roles, institutional knowledge, management skills, industry knowledge and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
Richard S. Grant has served as a member of our Board since December 2005. Previously, Mr. Grant served as a director of The BOC Group plc, until his retirement in 2002. Over 30 years of service with The BOC Group, Mr. Grant held various management positions, most recently as Chief Executive of BOC Process Gas Solutions, Chairman of CNC sa, a Mexican joint venture company, and he had group responsibility for Technology, Latin America and Continental Europe. Previous responsibilities included service as the BOC Regional Director for South Pacific/South Asia, Chairman of Elgas Ltd, an Australian LPG distributor, and before that as President of Ohmeda Medical Devices and Chief Executive Officer of Glasrock Home Healthcare Inc. Mr. Grant currently serves on the Board of Compass Minerals International Inc, where he is lead director, a member of the audit committee and the compensation committee, and was previously a member of the nominating corporate governance committee, of which he was Chairman. Mr. Grant previously served as a director of Distributed Energy Systems Corporation from 2006 to 2007.
 
Mr. Grant’s experience managing distribution businesses, leadership experience, international board experience, transactional experience, financial expertise, experience as an officer and director of public companies, independence and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
Steven F. Mayer has served as a member of our Board since May 2004. He has been Senior Managing Director or Managing Director of Cerberus California, LLC and predecessor entities since November 2002 and also serves as Co-Head of Private Equity at Cerberus. Prior to joining Cerberus in 2002 and since 2001, Mr. Mayer was an Executive Managing Director of Gores Technology Group. Prior to joining Gores, from 1996 to 2001, Mr. Mayer was a Managing Director of Libra Capital Partners, L.P. From 1994 until 1996, Mr. Mayer was a Managing Director of Aries Capital Group, LLC, a private equity investment firm that he co-founded. From 1992 until 1994, Mr. Mayer was a principal with Apollo Advisors, L.P. and Lion Advisors, L.P., affiliated private investment firms. Prior to that time, Mr. Mayer was an attorney with Sullivan & Cromwell. Mr. Mayer is a member of the boards of directors of Grifols, S.A., YP Holdings, LLC, TransCentra, Inc., Spyglass Entertainment Holdings, LLC and Innkeepers USA, LLC. Mr. Mayer received his A.B., cum laude, from Princeton University and his juris doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
 
Mr. Mayer’s financial expertise, management advisory expertise, experience as a director of public companies, relationship with our largest stockholder and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
Alan H. Schumacher has served as a member of our Board since May 2004. He is a director of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, North American Bus Industries, Inc., School Bus Holdings Inc. and Quality Distribution Inc. He is also a member of the board of managers of Quality Distribution LLC. Mr. Schumacher was a director of Anchor Glass Container Inc. from 2003 to 2006, and of Equable Ascent Financial, LLC from December 2009 through February 27, 2012. Mr. Schumacher was a member of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board from 2002 through June, 2012. Mr. Schumacher has 23 years of experience working in various positions at American National Can Corporation and American National Can Group, where, from 1997 until his retirement in 2000, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and, from 1988 through 1996, he served as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer.
 
 
Mr. Schumacher’s financial expertise (including his qualification as an audit committee financial expert), experience in the oversight of financial reporting and internal controls, experience as an officer and director of public companies, independence and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
Ronald E. Kolka has served as a member of our Board since August 16, 2012.  Mr. Kolka has been a Senior Operating Executive at Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company, LLC (“COAC”) since January 5, 2012.  Prior to his tenure with COAC, Mr. Kolka was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chrysler LLC beginning in 2007.  Mr. Kolka joined Chrysler Corporation in 1986.
 
Mr. Kolka’s financial and management expertise, his relationship with our largest stockholder and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
M. Richard Warner has served as a member of our Board since March 2008. Mr. Warner served as a consultant for Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., or Cerberus, from May 2007 through June 2011. Prior to his work with Cerberus, Mr. Warner was employed for more than 20 years in a variety of capacities at Temple-Inland Inc., most recently as a Senior Advisor during 2006, President from 2003 to 2005, Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer from 1999 to 2003 and Vice President & General Counsel from 1994 to 2002. Prior to joining Temple-Inland, Mr. Warner was a commercial lawyer in private practice. Mr. Warner currently serves on the boards of Balcones Resources Inc. He was a director of Equable Ascent Financial, LLC, a Cerberus portfolio company from 2007 to February 27, 2012. Mr. Warner received his BBA degree, magna cum laude, from Baylor University and his Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University Law School.
 
Mr. Warner’s financial expertise, management advisory expertise, experience as a director and officer of public companies, industry knowledge and experience, relationship with our largest stockholder and his performance as one of our Board members make him a valuable member of our Board.
 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us with respect to transactions during 2012, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that our directors, officers and persons who own more than 10% of our equity securities have complied with all applicable filing requirements for 2012.
 
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics
 
Our corporate governance guidelines, as in effect from time to time, may be found on our website, www.bluelinxco.com. Our Board intends to review its corporate governance principles, committee charters and other aspects of governance as often as necessary to remain current in all aspects of corporate governance for similarly situated companies.
 
Our Board has adopted a policy to self-evaluate its performance on an annual basis.
 
Our code of conduct and ethics, applicable to all employees and officers as well as members of our Board, as in effect from time to time, may be found on our website, www.bluelinxco.com. Any amendment to or waiver of our code of conduct and ethics for any Board member, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer as well as any other executive officer will be disclosed on our website, www.bluelinxco.com. Additionally, our corporate governance guidelines and code of conduct and ethics are available in print to any stockholder who requests them by writing to BlueLinx Holdings Inc., attn: Corporate Secretary, 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339.
 
Our code of conduct and ethics provides a procedure by which employees and others may directly or anonymously, through a secure toll-free phone number, inform our management and/or the Audit Committee of any alleged violation of our code of conduct and ethics, including any allegations of accounting fraud. Reporting employees are protected from retaliation and any other form of adverse action.
 
 
Communications with the Board of Directors
 
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to send communications, including recommendations for director nominees, to our Board or any individual director may do so by writing to the Board of Directors, in care of our secretary, at our principal executive offices, BlueLinx Holdings Inc., attn: Corporate Secretary, 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339. Your letter should indicate whether you are a stockholder. Depending on the subject matter, our Corporate Secretary will, as appropriate:
 
 
forward the communication to the director to whom it is addressed or, in the case of communications addressed to the Board of Directors generally, to the chairman;
 
 
attempt to handle the inquiry directly where it is a request for information about us; or
 
 
not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper topic.
 
Communications from interested parties that are complaints or concerns relating to financial and accounting methods, internal accounting controls or auditing matters should be sent to the chairman of the Audit Committee, following the procedures set forth above. Director nominations will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements identified under “Submission of Stockholder Proposals” in the proxy statement to be filed in connection with our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders and if they meet such requirements, will be promptly forwarded to the director or directors identified in the communication.  There have been no material changes to the procedures pursuant to which stockholders may recommend nominees for directors since our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders.
 
All communications will be summarized for our Board on a periodic basis and each letter will be made available to any director upon request.
 
Audit Committee
 
Our Board established a separately-designated standing Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist our Board in fulfilling its responsibilities to oversee our financial reporting process, including monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and the independence and performance of our internal and external auditors. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm.
 
The Audit Committee met eight times in 2012. The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Schumacher, Grant and Warner. Mr. Charles H. McElrea resigned from the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee effective October 30, 2012. As discussed above, our Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Schumacher, Grant and Warner are each “independent,” as such term is defined under the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE applicable to audit committee membership, and each meets the NYSE’s financial literacy requirements. Mr. McElrea also was deemed to be independent during his time on the Audit Committee. Our Board has determined that Mr. Schumacher is an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined under the applicable rules of the SEC. On November 6, 2012, our Chief Executive officer filed an interim written affirmation with the NYSE reporting that the Company was out of compliance with the NYSE’s Corporate governance listing standards due to only having two directors on the Company’s Audit Committee following Mr. McElrea’s resignation, rather than the three directors required by Section 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.  On February 14, 2013, the Board affirmatively determined Mr. M. Richard Warner to be independent.  Mr. Warner joined the Audit Committee as the third director on the Company’s Audit Committee, bringing the Company back into compliance with Section 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
 
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.bluelinxco.com. Additionally, the audit committee charter is available in print to any stockholder who requests it by writing to BlueLinx Holdings Inc., attn: Corporate Secretary, 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339.
 
The Audit Committee has adopted a procedure to receive allegations on any fraudulent accounting issues through a toll-free telephone number as set out in our code of conduct and ethics. See “Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics” above.
 
 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, referred to in this discussion as the Committee, is responsible for reviewing, establishing and approving the compensation of our named executive officers. Compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the other named executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table is set forth under “Compensation of Executive Officers” below. The following discussion and analysis focuses on compensation to our named executive officers for 2012.
 
 
The Committee regularly consults with management regarding employee compensation matters. The Chief Executive Officer’s compensation was primarily determined, and the material terms of his compensation arrangement are reflected in, his second amended and restated employment agreement entered into on January 22, 2013. The terms of the second amended and restated employment agreement are substantially similar to the terms of the employment agreement we entered into with Mr. Judd in 2008, although it does provide for a slightly higher base salary.  In promoting Mr. Judd to serve as our Chief Executive Officer in 2008, we established the terms of his employment agreement based on a review of the compensation he was receiving in his capacity as our President and Chief Operating Officer, the compensation necessary to hire a qualified chief executive officer from outside of the Company, as well as our review of the market data for chief executive officer compensation at comparator companies which was provided to the Committee by its outside compensation consultant, Hewitt Associates, in its 2008 compensation benchmarking survey. For further information regarding the terms of the Chief Executive Officer’s employment, see “Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Chief Executive Officer” below. Our Chief Executive Officer makes compensation recommendations to the Committee for the other named executive officers. The Committee also considers market factors in making decisions about our compensation program. In this regard, in 2005, the Committee retained Hewitt Associates, now Meridian, to advise it on executive compensation matters and to provide compensation recommendations as to our executive officers. The Committee and the Company periodically discuss compensation issues and solicit compensation advice and data from Meridian. At the request of the Committee, Meridian provided an updated compensation benchmarking study to the Company in February 2013. The following discussion and analysis, which was reviewed and approved by the Committee, analyzes the objectives and results for 2012 of our named executive officer compensation policies and procedures.
 
 Compensation Policies and Objectives
 
Our primary goal is to establish a compensation program that serves the long-term interests of the Company and our stockholders by aligning management’s interests with that of our stockholders through equity ownership and by promoting the attainment of certain individual and corporate goals. In addition, our compensation program is designed to attract and retain top quality executives with the qualifications necessary for the long-term financial success of the Company.
 
Our executive compensation program is based on the following principles:
 
 
Compensation decisions are driven by a pay-for-performance philosophy, which takes into account performance by both the Company and the individual;
 
 
Performance is determined with reference to pre-established goals, both with respect to the Company and the individual, which we believe enhances the individual executive’s performance;
 
 
Where possible, a significant component of total direct compensation should consist of variable compensation;
 
 
Total compensation opportunity should be comparable to the median ranges in the marketplace within which we compete; and
 
 
Increased compensation can be earned through an individual’s increased contribution to the Company.
 
Compensation programs in which our named executive officers participate are designed to be competitive with the compensation programs of companies with which we compete for executive talent in order to enhance our ability to attract and retain key executive leadership. In this regard, the Committee directed the Company to engage Hewitt Associates to perform a benchmark study of the Company’s compensation structure in 2008. In evaluating our compensation program, the Committee considered the level of compensation paid to executive officers in comparable executive positions within a comparator group consisting of eighteen distribution companies and two building products companies selected by BlueLinx with annual revenues between $645 million and $10.8 billion. The companies within the group were selected based on size, industry focus and organizational status and we believe as a group they represent the appropriate comparable labor market for executive talent. This group comprised the following companies: Amcon Distributing Company; Andersons Inc.; Applied Industrial Technologies Inc.; Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.; Building Materials Holding Corporation; Builders FirstSource Inc.; Fastenal Company; GATX Corp.; Genuine Parts Company; Huttig Building Products Inc.; Interline Brands Inc.; MSC Industrial Direct; Nash Finch Co.; RSC Holdings Inc.; Rush Enterprises Inc.; United Rentals Inc.; Universal Forest Products; Watsco Inc.; Wesco International Inc.; and WW Grainger Inc.
 
 
Hewitt’s comprehensive benchmarking study focused on a number of elements to compare the Company to companies within these comparator groups, including base salaries, target bonuses and actual bonuses paid, actual annual equity awards, total cash compensation, benefits and total compensation. The Company and the Committee reviewed information from these comparator companies and used the data as a reference point to assist them in establishing the compensation program for the Company, setting our executive officers’ compensation and benefits to be competitive with those of executive officers in similar positions at these comparator companies and to achieve a balance of incentives to help achieve our performance objectives. Although the Committee does not tie executive compensation to a single reference benchmark or target within the comparator group, the Committee generally considers the 50th and 75th percentiles of companies within the comparator group. The benchmarking study is used as a comparative tool in the Committee’s evaluation of the Company’s executive compensation in relation to companies believed to represent the appropriate comparable labor market for executive talent.
 
The Committee periodically consults with Meridian on compensation issues and may periodically engage consultants in the future to advise on the ongoing competitiveness of our compensation programs as warranted.  At the request of the Committee, Meridian provided an updated compensation benchmarking study to the Company in February 2013.  The Company plans to review the updated compensation benchmarking study and utilize this study as we make future compensation decisions.  In addition, the Committee periodically reviews and revises salary ranges and total compensation programs to develop compensation ranges that it believes will position us within the same range as market salaries for similar positions in our industry based on market information obtained from consultation with, Meridian, informal market surveys, various trade group publications and other publicly available information.
 
At the 2012 Annual Meeting, our stockholders expressed their continued support of our executive compensation programs by approving the non-binding advisory vote on our executive compensation. More than 99% of votes cast supported our executive compensation policies and practices. During 2012, we reviewed our executive compensation programs in conjunction with business results and stockholder support of our executive compensation program. Following that review, we continue to believe that our executive compensation programs are designed to support the company and business strategies in concert with our compensation philosophy described above.
 
Elements of Compensation
 
Compensation for our named executive officers consists of four general components:
 
 
Base salary;
 
 
Annual performance-based cash awards;
 
 
Long-term equity incentive compensation; and
 
 
Other perquisite and benefit programs.
 
The appropriate mix and amount of compensation for each named executive officer varies based on the level of the executive’s responsibilities, as determined by the Committee in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer. The compensation structure for each of our named executive officers is largely established by his employment agreement. The Committee may increase any component of compensation provided by an employment agreement to any of our named executive officers. There is no established policy or formula for allocating any individual’s total compensation between cash and non-cash, or between short-term and long-term incentives. This approach is designed to provide the Company with flexibility to respond to marketplace and individual factors in attracting and retaining executive talent and encouraging performance.
 
The Committee typically reviews and adjusts base salaries and awards of cash bonuses and equity-based compensation on an annual basis. Our Chief Executive Officer presents recommendations and proposals on compensation, which are developed in consultation with our Chief Administrative Officer and other Company representatives, to the Committee, including recommended base salaries, recommended structure, target levels and payout levels for the annual cash bonus program under the Company’s short term incentive plan (“STIP”), and recommended equity awards to executive officers, and management’s rationale for its recommendations. The Committee considers these recommendations before determining compensation.
 
 
Base Salary
 
Base salaries represent a fixed portion of named executive officer compensation and vary by job responsibility. We provide base salary because it is standard in the marketplace and provides a stable part of compensation to encourage retention. Named executive officer salaries generally are reviewed and approved annually by the Committee. Additionally, periodic salary adjustments are considered upon a promotion, change in job responsibility or when otherwise necessary for equitable reasons. The Chief Executive Officer’s base salary was initially established in his employment agreement, and the Committee consults with the Chief Executive Officer regarding the salaries of the other named executive officers. The Committee then considers such matters and approves base salary as to the named executive officers. The Committee primarily considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer, market data, a general review of the executive’s compensation (individually and relative to the other executives), and the individual performance of the executive.
 
In May 2012, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Judd’s salary and Mr. Goforth’s salary.  The Compensation Committee had discussed at multiple meetings that Mr. Judd and Mr. Goforth had not received a recent salary increase.  In light of the substantial contributions of Messrs. Judd and Goforth over the past several years, in guiding the Company through one of the most severe downturns in the homebuilding industry while still improving the Companys liquidity position, and the Compensation Committee’s determination that Messrs. Judd and Goforth were compensated below market for their positions and contributions to the Company, the Compensation Committee decided a salary increase was both appropriate and warranted for both Messrs. Judd and Goforth.
 
Annual Bonuses
 
We utilize cash bonuses as an incentive to promote achievement of individual and Company performance goals. This component of compensation places more emphasis on our annual financial performance and the potential rewards associated with future performance of the Company and the individual executive. Annual bonuses are determined based on agreements with the individual executive as well as pursuant to the Company’s STIP. Cash incentives are designed to:
 
 
Support our strategic business objectives;
 
 
Promote the attainment of specific financial goals;
 
 
Reward achievement of specific performance objectives; and
 
 
Encourage teamwork.
 
Under the STIP, an annual bonus pool is established and funded based solely on performance as measured against established business and/or financial goals at different levels of the Company’s operating structure. The Committee establishes the bonus pool based on Company performance. In general, the bonus pool is allocated to each participant based on the participant’s “target bonus percentage” (a percentage of such participant’s current base salary) and the extent to which the Company and/or such participant’s operating group(s) meets the established business and/or financial goals. Each of the named executive officers is a participant in the STIP, and each of their annual bonuses are subject to adjustment by the Committee, in its discretion, based on the executive’s individual performance and contribution to the Company during the year. The threshold, target and maximum bonus percentages for 2012 for each of the named executive officers as a percentage of each executive’s base salary were as follows:
 
   
Threshold
   
Target
   
Maximum
 
George R. Judd
    50 %     100 %     200 %
H. Douglas Goforth
    32.5 %     65 %     130 %
Dean A. Adelman(1)
    25 %     50 %     100 %
Ned M. Bassil
    32.5 %     65 %     130 %
 
 
(1)        Mr. Adelman resigned from the Company effective February 1, 2013.  We are presenting his compensation package for 2012 as he was a named executive officer as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.
 
Generally, the Committee sets the target levels for financial performance metrics for the STIP in alignment with the Company’s strategic plan. In making the annual determination of the threshold, target and maximum levels, the Committee may consider specific circumstances facing the Company during the year. For 2012, 100% of a named executive officer’s potential STIP award was based on corporate earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) targets, as adjusted for non-cash items and other items that are allowed at the discretion of the Committee. This objective is measured separately against a threshold, target and maximum goal. For 2012, these EBITDA goals were as follows:
 
   
Threshold ($)
   
Target ($)
   
Maximum ($)
 
   
(In millions)
 
EBITDA
    3.5       10.0       30  
 
 
For purposes of STIP calculations, during fiscal 2012 the Company achieved EBITDA of $14.1 million, which includes $9.9 million in gains from the sale of real estate.  Based on our financial performance, the named executive officers earned bonuses for fiscal 2012 based on achieved EBITDA which was paid in the form of restricted stock granted in January of 2013.  The officers received restricted stock in lieu of cash to conserve capital for future working capital requirements.
 
Officer
   
Base
Salary
($)(2)
   
Target
Bonus %
   
Total
Target
Payout
($)
   
Portion of
Target
Payout
Related to
EBITDA
Goal (100%)
($)
   
Actual
Payout
Related to
EBITDA
Goal (0%)
($)(1)
   
Actual
Total
Payout
($)
 
George R. Judd
      690,000       100       690,000       690,000       345,000       345,000  
H. Douglas Goforth
      425,000       65       276,250       276,250       138,125       138,125  
Dean A. Adelman
      315,000       50       157,500       157,500       78,750       78,750  
Ned M. Bassil
      400,000       65       260,000       260,000       40,000       40,000  
 

 
 (1)
Restricted shares granted in lieu of a cash bonus were based on a total economic value, shown in the above table, of $601,875 ($345,000 for Mr. Judd, $138,125 for Mr. Goforth, $78,750 for Mr. Adelman and $40,000 for Mr. Bassil), which equates to total shares of 182,940 (104,863 shares for Mr. Judd, 41,983 shares for Mr. Goforth, 23,936 shares for Mr. Adelman and 12,158 shares for Mr. Bassil) with a total fair value on the date of grant of $603,702 ($346,048 for Mr. Judd, $138,544 for Mr. Goforth, $78,989 for Mr. Adelman and $40,121 for Mr. Bassil).  These restricted shares vest one year from the date of grant.  As indicated above, Mr. Adelman resigned from the Company effective February 1, 2013.  We are presenting his compensation package for 2012 as he was a named executive officer as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.  He forfeited this restricted stock bonus as of the date of his resignation.
 
 (2)
The STIP targets for each named executive officer are based on the each respective officer’s final base salary for fiscal 2012.
 
For 2013, the Committee established the STIP financial performance objectives for Messrs. Judd and Goforth as based on EBITDA and revenue growth, and for Mr. Bassil as based on EBITDA, gross margin performance and inventory performance. We believe it will be a challenge to achieve the target financial goal in 2013 for funding of the STIP at its target funding level. As demonstrated in connection with the 2012 STIP, the maximum financial goals were designed to be difficult to achieve, and we believe they will be.
 
Long Term Equity Incentive Plan
 
The purpose of our Long Term Equity Incentive Plans, or LTIP, is to provide an incentive to our employees to work towards the achievement of our long term performance goals. A further purpose of the LTIP is to provide a means through which we may better attract able individuals to become employees of the Company by providing these individuals with stock ownership. We also consider the program a key retention tool. For all of these reasons, we believe this component of compensation further advances and aligns the interests of the Company and its stockholders. LTIP grants are made annually. On May 29, 2007, the Compensation Committee resolved to set the date on which annual LTIP grants would be made to executive officers and certain members of management as the second Tuesday of each fiscal year. The Committee has the discretion to make additional LTIP grants at any time during the year. Such grants generally will be in connection with new hires or promotions within the Company.
 
In making decisions regarding long-term equity incentive awards for named executive officers, the Committee reviews the comparable equity award data for similar positions in our industry, market data and data from our compensation consultant, and also considers other relevant factors.
 
On January 10, 2012, the Committee awarded shares of restricted stock to certain of the Company’s named executive officers. Messrs. Judd, Goforth and Adelman received 606,612, 379,133 and 318,471 restricted shares, respectively. The value of these awards was based on the market price of our common stock at the date of the grant. The Committee considered the total dollar value of each named executive officer’s award when approving each grant.
 
 
The Compensation Committee recognized that many employees have made significant contributions to the Company over the past several years, but have not received recognition for their effort through additional compensation.  In an effort to provide recognition of these employees’ contributions and as a part of the Company’s retention strategy, the Compensation Committee decided to award performance shares to these employees, including the named executive officers, in January 2013.  The performance shares vest over three years based on the Company’s achievement of EBITDA targets, providing additional incentive to the employees to achieve such targets.
 
Further information on equity ownership can be found below in “Executive Compensation.”
 
Defined Contribution Plan
 
The Company historically provides retirement benefits to the named executive officers, including matching contributions, under the terms of its tax-qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan. In 2009, the Company suspended its matching contributions to the 401(k) plan for all employees until business conditions improve. This suspension continued in effect for fiscal 2011 and continued for all or part of fiscal 2012 for the named executive officers. This suspension is expected to continue for fiscal 2013 for the named executive officers.  The named executive officers participate in the plan on substantially the same terms as our other participating employees. We believe that these benefits are comparable to those provided by comparable companies. The Company does not maintain any defined benefit or supplemental retirement plans for its executive officers.
 
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
 
The Company provides the named executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Company believes are reasonable, competitive in the market and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The named executive officers generally are provided a car allowance, payment of certain club dues, life insurance and reimbursement for relocation expenses, if applicable. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to named executive officers.
 
Costs of the perquisites and personal benefits described above for the named executive officers for 2012 that meet the threshold established by SEC regulations are included in the Summary Compensation Table in the “All Other Compensation” column. See “Executive Compensation.”
 
Employment Agreements
 
We use employment agreements to attract and/or retain executive officers to BlueLinx. We primarily serve the housing and remodeling industries which are historically cyclical industries. Employment agreements enhance our ability to attract and retain top executive talent by providing some degree of certainty in light of these major cycles. The Committee, with assistance from our human resources department and legal counsel both inside and outside of the Company, establish and negotiate the terms of the employment agreements. The Committee believes multi-year employment agreements are necessary to secure executive talent for the long-term benefit of the Company and our stockholders. The Committee further believes that not utilizing employment agreements would put us at a competitive disadvantage to our peers in recruiting executives. Our employment agreements also include confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, all for the benefit of the Company. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, the employment agreements provide for a significant component of each executive’s annual compensation to be variable, as cash bonuses under our STIP are awarded based on Company performance against pre-established financial or operational goals. For example, no cash bonuses were paid to our named executive officers based on our fiscal 2011 financial performance.  Based on improvements in our business during fiscal 2012, cash bonuses became payable to our named executive officers in fiscal 2013.  However, these cash bonuses were paid in the form of restricted stock grants.  Additionally, the value of annual equity compensation is determined by our common stock price so our executives’ interests are aligned with those of our stockholders in this regard.
 
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Chief Executive Officer
 
On January 22, 2013, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with George R. Judd, our Chief Executive Officer. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement expires on January 22, 2015, except that it will be renewed automatically for an additional one-year period unless ninety days prior written notice is given by either party in advance of the expiration date of any such extended term. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Judd will receive a base salary at the rate of $690,000 per year, subject to increase at the discretion of the Committee. Mr. Judd shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the terms of our annual bonus plan, with the annual bonus potential to be a target of 100% of his base salary up to a maximum of 200% of base salary, based upon satisfaction of performance goals and bonus criteria to be defined and approved by the Compensation Committee in advance for each fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the applicable bonus plan. In addition, the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Judd is eligible to participate in all benefit programs for which senior executives are generally eligible. The Committee reviewed the Hewitt Associates benchmark study and considered the level of compensation paid to chief executive officers within the comparator group of companies as a factor in establishing his compensation.
 
 
Under his Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, the Company may terminate Mr. Judd’s employment for cause or without cause. If Mr. Judd’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides Mr. Judd with, among other things, payment equal to one time his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, plus one time the cash bonus amount equal to the target bonus amount Mr. Judd was eligible to receive for the fiscal year prior to the year of the termination of his employment. Such sum is payable in twelve equal monthly installments commencing on the earlier to occur of the first business day of the seventh month after the date of termination or Mr. Judd’s death. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete during the employment term and continuing for a period of one year following his date of termination. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement supercedes and replaces Mr. Judd’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with the Company dated January 21, 2011.
 
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Chief Financial Officer
 
On January 22, 2013, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with H. Douglas Goforth, our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement expires on January 23, 2015, except that it will be renewed automatically for an additional one-year period unless ninety days prior written notice is given by either party in advance of the expiration date of any such extended term. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Goforth’s annual base salary shall be paid at the rate of $425,000 per year, subject to increase at the discretion of the Committee. Mr. Goforth shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the terms of the Company’s annual bonus plan, with the annual bonus potential to be a target of 65% of his base salary up to a maximum of 130% of base salary, based upon satisfaction of performance goals and bonus criteria to be defined and approved by the Compensation Committee in advance for each fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the bonus plan. In addition, the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Goforth is eligible to participate in all benefit programs for which senior executives are generally eligible.
 
Under his Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, the Company may terminate Mr. Goforth’s employment for cause or without cause. If Mr. Goforth’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, the Second Amended and Restated Agreement provides Mr. Goforth with, among other things, payment equal to one time his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, plus one time the cash bonus amount equal to the target bonus amount Mr. Goforth was eligible to receive for the prior fiscal year. Such sum is payable in twelve equal monthly installments commencing on the earlier to occur of the first business day of the seventh month after the date of termination or Mr. Goforth’s death. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete during the employment term and continuing for a period of one year following his date of termination. The Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement supercedes and replaces Mr. Goforth’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with the Company dated January 21, 2011.
 
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Chief Administrative Officer
 
Mr. Adelman resigned from the Company effective  February 1, 2013.  We are presenting his compensation package for 2012 as he was a named executive officer as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.
 
On January 21, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Dean A. Adelman, our Chief Administrative Officer. The Amended and Restated Employment Agreement expires on January 20, 2013, except that it will be renewed automatically for an additional one-year period unless ninety days prior written notice is given by either party in advance of the expiration date of any such extended term. Mr. Adelman’s annual base salary shall be paid at the rate of $315,000 per year. Mr. Adelman shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the terms of our annual bonus plan, with the annual bonus potential to be a target of 50% of his base salary up to a maximum of 100% of base salary, based upon satisfaction of performance goals and bonus criteria to be defined and approved by the Compensation Committee in advance for each fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the applicable bonus plan. In addition, the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Adelman is eligible to participate in all benefit programs for which senior executives are generally eligible. The Compensation Committee reviewed the Hewitt Associates benchmark study and considered the level of compensation paid to executive officers in comparable executive positions to Mr. Adelman within the comparator group of companies to establish his compensation under the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement.
 
Under his Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, the Company may terminate Mr. Adelman’s employment for cause or without cause. If Mr. Adelman’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement provides Mr. Adelman with, among other things, payment equal to one time his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, plus one time the cash bonus amount equal to the target bonus amount Mr. Adelman was eligible to receive for the fiscal year prior to the year of the termination of his employment, payable in twelve equal monthly installments commencing on the earlier to occur of the first business day of the seventh month after the date of termination or Mr. Adelman’s death. The Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete during the employment term and continuing for a period of one year following his date of termination. The Amended and Restated Employment Agreement supercedes and replaces Mr. Adelman’s Employment Agreement with the Company dated June 4, 2009.
 
Employment Agreement with Chief Supply Chain Officer
 
On October 31, 2011, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Ned M. Bassil, our new Senior Vice-President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. The Employment Agreement became effective on December 1, 2011 and expires on December 1, 2013, except that the Employment Agreement will be renewed automatically for successive additional one-year periods unless ninety days prior written notice is given by either party in advance of the expiration date of any such extended term. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Bassil will receive a base salary at the rate of $400,000 per year, subject to increase at the discretion of the Committee. Mr. Bassil shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the terms of our annual bonus plan, with the annual bonus potential to be a target of 65% of his base salary up to a maximum of 130% of base salary, based upon satisfaction of performance goals and bonus criteria to be defined and approved by the Compensation Committee in advance for each fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the applicable bonus plan. Upon Mr. Bassil commencing employment, Mr. Bassil received a payment of $100,000 less applicable taxes. In addition, Mr. Bassil received an additional payment of $100,000 less applicable taxes on the first anniversary of the effective date of his Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Bassil is eligible to participate in all benefit programs for which senior executives are generally eligible.
 
Mr. Bassil also received 200,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock on December 1, 2011 as part of his incentive package to join the Company. The shares were issued pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan. The shares vest over a three-year period commencing on the effective date of his Employment Agreement.
 
Under the Employment Agreement, the Company may terminate Mr. Bassil’s employment for cause or without cause. If Mr. Bassil’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, the Employment Agreement provides Mr. Bassil with, among other things, payment equal to one time his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, plus one time the amount equal to the target bonus for Mr. Bassil for the fiscal year prior to the year of the termination of his employment, payable in twelve equal monthly installments commencing on the earlier to occur of the first business day of the seventh month after the date of termination or Mr. Bassil’s death. The Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete during the employment term and continuing for a period of one year following his date of termination in the event Mr. Bassil is terminated without cause, he voluntarily resigns or resigns for good reason, or the employment period ends.
 
 
Risk Analysis of Compensation Program
 
The Compensation Committee has reviewed our compensation program to determine if the elements encourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking that reasonably could have a material adverse effect on the Company. There is no objective way to measure risk resulting from a company’s compensation program; therefore, such analysis is subjective in nature. After reviewing our compensation program, the Compensation Committee believes that the only elements that could incentivize risk taking are the annual cash incentives under the STIP and awards made under the LTIP with payouts dependent on the achievement of certain performance levels by the Company. Since base salaries are fixed, they do not encourage risk taking. The same is true of awards under the LTIP that include only time-based vesting. Based upon the value of each of these elements to the overall compensation mix and the relative value each has to the other, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s compensation program is appropriately balanced. The Compensation Committee believes that the mix of short- and long-term awards minimizes risks that may be taken, as any risks taken for short-term gains ultimately could jeopardize not only the Company’s ability to meet the long-term performance objectives, but also appreciation in the Company’s stock price. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that the establishment of reasonable performance goals, the capping of payouts and the avoidance of any steep payout changes at the various payout levels of the performance-based STIP and LTIP compensation components further reduce any risk-taking incentive that may be associated with these compensation elements. As a result, the Compensation Committee does not believe that our compensation program incentivizes unreasonable risk taking.
 
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
 
In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee also considers the potential impact of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”). Section 162(m) disallows a tax deduction for any publicly held corporation for individual compensation exceeding $1 million in any taxable year for the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers, other than compensation that is performance-based under a plan that is approved by the stockholders of the Company and meets other technical requirements. However, the Committee reserves the right to provide for compensation to executive officers that may not be deductible if it believes such compensation is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
 
Compensation Committee Report
 
The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” set forth above with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that such Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our 2013 Proxy Statement.
 
Richard Warner, Chairman
Howard Cohen
Alan Schumacher
 
2012 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for 2012, 2011 and 2010, awarded to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our Chief Administrative Officer and our Chief Supply Chain Officer. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.”
 
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
   
Salary
($)
   
Bonus
($)
   
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan Comp.
($)(2)
   
All Other
Comp.
($)
   
Total
($)
 
George R. Judd,
  2012       645,000             891,720       345,000       19,095       1,900,815  
President and Chief
  2011       600,000             691,839             22,542       1,314,381  
Executive Officer(3)
  2010       600,000             631,872             16,089       1,247,961  
                                                       
H. Douglas Goforth,
  2012       400,000             557,326       138,125       19,310       1,114,761  
CFO & Treasurer(4)
  2011       375,000             372,527             16,321       763,848  
    2010       375,000             368,592             18,537       762,129  
                                                       
Dean A. Adelman,
  2012       315,000             468,152       78,750       6,148       868,050  
Chief Administrative
  2011       315,000             319,308             6,960       641,268  
Officer(5)
  2010       315,000             315,936             2,047       632,983  
                                                       
Ned M. Bassil,
  2012       400,000                   40,000       106,421       546,421  
Chief Supply Chain Officer(6)
  2011       26,154             290,000             100,000       416,154  
 
 

(1)
The amounts in this column were calculated based on the grant date fair value of our common stock, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock awards generally vest in various increments over multi-year periods. As a result, this grant date fair value may not be indicative of the ultimate value the executive may receive under these grants.
 
(2)
Under the fiscal 2012 STIP, the Committee determined that based on the Company’s financial performance, including EBITDA achievement, restricted stock awards were made to the named executive officers during January 2013 in lieu of a cash bonus otherwise payable under the fiscal 2012 STIP.  The economic value of this bonus, presented in the above table, for Messrs. Judd, Goforth, Adelman and Bassil was $345,000, $135,125, $78,750 and $40, 000, respectively. Total restricted shares granted in January of 2013 were 182,940 (104,863 shares for Mr. Judd, 41,983 shares for Mr. Goforth, 23,936 shares for Mr. Adelman and 12,158 shares for Mr. Bassil) with a total fair value on the date of grant of $603,702 ($346,048 for Mr. Judd, $138,544 for Mr. Goforth, $78,989 for Mr. Adelman and $40,121 for Mr. Bassil).  These awards vest one year from the date of grant.  As indicated above, Mr. Adelman resigned from the Company on February 1, 2013.  We are presenting his compensation package for 2012 as he was a named executive officer as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.  He forfeited this restricted stock bonus as of the date of his resignation.
 
(3)
Mr. Judd’s “Base Salary” for 2012 includes a $90,000 compensation increase that went into effect mid year of fiscal 2012.  He therefore received half of this increase ($45,000) in fiscal 2012 as it was not retrospective.  Mr. Judd’s “All Other Compensation” for 2012 includes an auto allowance of $7,620; a club dues allowance of $6,000 and health benefits paid by the Company of $5,475.
 
(4)
Mr. Goforth’s “Base Salary” for 2012 includes a $50,000 compensation increase that went into effect mid year of fiscal 2012.  He therefore received half of this increase ($25,000) in fiscal 2012 as it was not retrospective.  Mr. Goforth’s “All Other Compensation” for 2012 includes an auto allowance of $7,500; a club dues allowance of $6,000 and health benefits paid by the Company of $5,809.
 
(5)
Mr. Adelman’s “All Other Compensation” for 2011 includes health benefits paid by the Company of $6,148.  Mr. Adelman resigned from the Company effective February 1, 2013.
 
(6)
Mr. Bassil’s “All Other Compensation” for 2012 represents the amount earned by Mr. Bassil in accordance with his employment agreement, which is based upon his continued employment with the Company through the first anniversary of the effective date of that agreement, as well as $6,421 of health benefits paid by the Company. We have only presented two years of compensation for Mr. Bassil as his employment with the Company did not begin until December of 2011.
 
 
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR 2012
 
The table below sets forth information regarding all grants of awards made to the named executive officers during 2012. For further information regarding the terms of certain of these grants, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.
 
         
Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
   
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
   
All Other
Stock  Awards
# of
Shares(2)
   
All Other
Option Awards
# of Shares
Underlying
Option
   
Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/sh)
   
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)
 
Name
 
Grant
Date
   
Threshold
($)
   
Target
($)
   
Max
($)
   
Threshold
(#)
   
Target
(#)
   
Max
(#)
 
George R. Judd
    N/A       345,000       690,000       1,380,000                         N/A                   N/A  
   
1/10/12
                                                      606,612                       891,720  
                                                                                         
Howard D. Goforth
    N/A       138,125       276,250       552,500                         N/A                   N/A  
   
1/10/12
                                                      379,133                       557,326  
                                                                                         
Dean A. Adelman
    N/A       78,750       157,500       315,000                         N/A                   N/A  
   
1/10/12
                                                      318,471                       468,152  
                                                                                         
Ned M. Bassil
    N/A       130,000       260,000       520,000                         N/A                   N/A  
      N/A                                                       N/A                       N/A  
 

(1)
These columns show the range of possible payouts which were targeted for 2012 performance under the Company’s STIP as described in the section titled “Annual Bonuses” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and are based on the named executive officer’s final base salary for 2012. The Committee awarded restricted stock during January of fiscal 2013 in lieu of cash bonuses based on the Company’s fiscal 2012 financial results.  These restricted stock awards vest one year from the date of grant.  We have not presented this award in the table above, or in the “2012 Outstanding Equity Awards Table” below as it was not granted until fiscal 2013.
 
(2)
The restricted stock grants disclosed in the table were all issued pursuant to the Company’s 2004 or 2006 LTIP. Each of the restricted stock awards cliff vest three years from the date of grant.
 
2012 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT YEAR END
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to unexercised stock options and unvested shares of restricted stock held on December 29, 2012 by each of our named executive officers.
 
   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
   
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
   
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   
Option
Expiration
Date
   
Number of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
   
Market
Value of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
   
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units,
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested (#)
   
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)(1)
 
George R. Judd
    78,647             14.01    
6/5/16
      1,060,453       2,979,873              
Howard D. Goforth
                            628,522       1,766,147              
Dean A. Adelman(2)
    14,000             10.29    
11/9/15
      524,845       1,474,814              
      21,169             14.01    
6/5/16
                                 
Ned M. Bassil
                            200,000       562,000              
 

(1)
Computed based on the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2012 of $2.81.
(2)
Mr. Adelman forfeited all unvested restricted stock and all unexpired options as of the date of his resignation, described further above, effective February 1, 2013.
 
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of restricted stock that vested in 2012. No stock options held by the named executive officers were exercised in 2012.
 
   
Stock Awards
 
   
Number of Shares
Acquired  on Vesting (#)
   
Value Realized
on Vesting ($)
 
George R. Judd
    270,095       539,498  
H. Douglas Goforth
    138,123       262,434  
Dean A. Adelman
    127,266       248,817  
Ned M. Bassil
           
 
Payments upon Certain Events of Termination or Change-in-Control
 
As described above under “Employment Agreements,” certain of our named executive officers are entitled to receive payments in connection with the termination of their employment by the Company in certain circumstances. Additionally, our named executive officers hold equity awards issued pursuant to our 2004 LTIP and our 2006 LTIP. Options and restricted stock issued pursuant to these plans generally vest automatically upon a change in control of the Company.
 
The following table describes the estimated present value of unvested restricted stock awards that would have immediately vested in the event that the named executive officer’s employment was terminated by reason of death or disability on December 29, 2012 or if a change in control of the Company occurred on such date. All outstanding option awards held by the named executive officers were fully vested at December 29, 2010.
 
   
Value of
Restricted Stock(1)
   
Total(1)
 
George R. Judd
  $ 2,979,873     $ 2,979,873  
H. Douglas Goforth
  $ 1,766,147     $ 1,766,147  
Dean A. Adelman
  $ 1,474,814     $ 1,474,814  
Ned M. Bassil
  $ 562,000     $ 562,000  
 

(1)
Computed based on the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2012 of $2.81.
(2)
Mr. Adelman forfeited all unvested restricted stock as of the date of his resignation, described further above, effective February 1, 2013.
 
In addition to accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards upon a change in control, our named executive officers are entitled to receive certain other payments in connection with certain termination events specified in their employment agreements. As described above under “Compensation Disclosure & Analysis — Employment Agreements,” in the case of Messrs. Judd, Goforth, Adelman and Bassil, any of the Company’s obligations to make cash payments following the termination of their respective employment is contingent upon the executive complying with the restrictive covenants contained in their respective employment agreements. These restrictive covenants prohibit, during periods defined in the agreements and subject to certain limited exceptions, (i) competing with the Company, (ii) employing or soliciting Company employees, (iii) interfering with Company relationships with its customers or vendors and (iv) disclosing or using in an unauthorized manner any of the Company’s confidential or proprietary information. These restrictive covenants generally limit the employee’s competitive activities for a period of one year following the later of the expiration or termination of employment under the employment agreement.
 
In the event that any of the named executive officers’ employment is terminated by the Company “for cause,” we are only obligated to pay the executive his salary and provide the executive with fringe benefits through the date of termination.
 
 
The following table describes the estimated present value of payments that would have been due to the named executive officers in the event that their employment was terminated by the Company due to a “termination without cause” (as defined in the employment agreement) or by the executive for “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreement) and that such termination occurred on December 29, 2012. Such amounts would be payable pursuant to the terms of their agreements with the Company as described in the footnotes to the table as well as above under “Employment Agreements.”
 
   
Salary and
Bonus
   
Continuing
Medical
Coverage
   
Outplacement
Services
Allowance
 
George R. Judd
  $ 1,380,000     $ 19,606     $ 25,000  
H. Douglas Goforth
  $ 701,250     $ 19,985     $ 25,000  
Dean A. Adelman(1)
  $ 472,500     $ 12,321     $ 25,000  
Ned. M. Bassil
  $ 660,000     $ 17,596     $ 25,000  
 

(1)
As Mr. Adelman resigned effective February 1, 2013, and was not terminated by the Company, amounts shown above will not be paid to this named executive officer.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR 2012
 
Shown below is information concerning the compensation for each member of the Board for 2012.  Mr. Judd’s compensation is reported above in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table.
 
Name
 
Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)(1)
   
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
   
All Other
Compensation
($)
   
Total
($)
 
Howard S. Cohen(3)
    258,000                   258,000  
Richard S. Grant(4)
    77,500       10,544             88,044  
Ronald E. Kolka
                       
Charles H. McElrea (6)
    75,000       10,544             85,544  
Steven F. Mayer
                       
Alan H. Schumacher(5)
    103,750       15,816             119,566  
Robert G. Warden
                       
M. Richard Warner(7)
    80,000                   80,000  
 

(1)
Our directors who are not current employees of the Company, current employees or members of Cerberus’ operations team, or the Chairman of our Board, referred to as our outside directors, receive an annual director’s retainer fee. For 2012, these fees were paid in restricted stock that equated to 35,864 shares for each applicable director with a grant date fair value of $52,720 and an economic value of $50,000.  These awards vested on January 10, 2013.  The Chairman of our Board receives an annual chairman’s fee that has an economic value of $258,000 in consideration of the additional time and commitment attendant to the duties of the position of Chairman of the Board.  For 2012, this fee was paid in 185,058 shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $272,035.  This restricted stock award vested on January 10, 2013.  In addition, each outside director receives a fee of $1,250 in cash for each directors’ meeting attended.  Outside directors also receive a fee of $20,000 in cash for serving as chairperson of a committee or $10,000 in cash for being a member of a committee.  In addition, members of our Audit Committee received shares of restricted stock (which will vest three years from the date of grant).  These additional awards are described within footnotes 4, 5 and 6 of this table.  Other than our Chairman of the Board, directors who are currently employed by the Company or Cerberus, or who are members of Cerberus’ operations team, do not receive additional consideration for serving as directors, except that all directors are entitled to reimbursement for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with their attendance at board and committee meetings.  The grant date fair value of awards granted during 2012, other than those awards discussed in this footnote, is included in the “Stock Awards” column of the above table.
(2)
The amounts in this column were calculated based on the grant date fair value of our common stock, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Stock awards generally vest in various increments over multi-year periods. As a result, this grant date fair value may not be indicative of the ultimate value the executive may receive under these grants.  The grant date fair value of awards granted during 2012, other than those described in Footnote 1, is included in the “Stock Awards” column of the above table.
 
 
(3)
Mr. Cohen serves as non-executive Chairman of the Board. At December 29, 2012, Mr. Cohen held 185,058 shares of restricted stock and fully vested options to acquire 750,000 shares of common stock.  The economic value of awards granted during 2012 is included in the “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” column in the above table.
 
 (4)
Mr. Grant serves as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board. At December 29, 2012, Mr. Grant held 45,838 shares of restricted stock, and fully vested options to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  Included in the total shares are 7,173 shares of restricted stock received for additional fees related to serving on the Audit Committee, which had grant date fair value of $10,544.  This award cliff vests three years from the date of grant. The grant date fair value of these awards is included in the “Stock Awards” column in the above table.  During fiscal 2012, as discussed in Footnote 1, Mr. Grant also received 35,864 shares with a grant date fair value of $52,720.  These awards vest on January 10, 2013. The economic value of awards granted during 2012 is included in the “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” column in the above table.
 
(5)
Mr. Schumacher serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board and as a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. At December 29, 2012, Mr. Schumacher held 50,824 shares of restricted stock.  Included in the total shares above are 10,759 shares of restricted stock received for additional fees related to serving as chairperson of the Audit Committee, which had grant date fair value of $15,816.  This award cliff vests three years from the date of grant.  The grant date fair value of these awards is included in the “Stock Awards” column in the above table.  During fiscal 2012, as discussed in Footnote 1, Mr. Schumacher also received 35,864 shares with a grant date fair value of $52,720.  These awards vest on January 10, 2013. The economic value of awards granted during 2012 is included in the “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” column in the above table.
 
(6)
Mr. McElrea served as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board through October 30, 2012. Subsequent to Mr. McElrea’s resignation, he forfeited the 43,037 shares of restricted stock granted to him in January of 2012.  Included in the total number of shares forfeited are 7,173 shares of restricted stock received for additional fees related to serving on the Audit Committee, which had grant date fair value of $10,544.  The grant date fair value of these awards is included in the “Stock Awards” column in the above table.  During fiscal 2012, as discussed in Footnote 1, Mr. McElrea also received and subsequently forfeited 35,864 shares with a grant date fair value of $52,720. The economic value of awards granted during 2012 is included in the “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” column in the above table.
 
(7)
On February 14, 2013, Mr. Warner joined the Audit Committee as the third director on the Company’s Audit Committee. At December 29, 2012, Mr. Warner held 35,864 shares of restricted stock.  As discussed in Footnote 1, these awards, which were received in fiscal 2012, had a grant date fair value of $52,720 and vest on January 10, 2013. The economic value of awards granted during 2012 is included in the “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” column in the above table.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
Messrs. Cohen, Schumacher and Warner are the current members of the Compensation Committee.  Mr. Cohen served as our interim Chief Executive Officer from March 2008 through October 2008 and as our Executive Chairman from March 2008 through March 2009, and is an advisor to Cerberus. Mr. Warner was a consultant for Cerberus until June 2011.
 
Beginning in fiscal 2013, directors may elect to receive their annual director retainer in either cash, shares of common stock, or a combination thereof.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
The following table sets forth, as of February 20, 2013 (unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes), certain information with respect to our common stock owned beneficially by (1) each director or director nominee, (2) each named executive officer, (3) all executive officers and directors as a group, and (4) each person known by us to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. Unless otherwise noted, each of the persons listed has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares of common stock included in the table. Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, shares of our common stock that a beneficial owner has a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise of stock options are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing percentage ownership of such owner.
 
 
             
Name of Beneficial Owner
   
Number of Shares
Beneficially  Owned
   
Percentage of  Shares
Outstanding(1)
 
Stephen Feinberg(2)(3)
    33,651,979       52.06 %
Stadium Capital Management, LLC(4)
    4,977,133       7.70 %
Group Capital Management, LLC(11)     4,506,123       6.97 %
Howard S. Cohen(5)
    1,753,632       2.71 %
George R. Judd(6)
    2,037,203       3.15 %
Howard D. Goforth
    900,867       1.39 %
Dean A. Adelman(7)
    189,468       *  
Ned M. Bassil
    256,027       *  
Sara E. Epstein(10)
    39,401       *  
Richard S. Grant(8)
    71,264       *  
Steven F. Mayer(9)
    0       0  
Alan H. Schumacher
    68,262       *  
Ronald E. Kolka(3)
    0       0  
M. Richard Warner
    43,463       *  
All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)
    5,359,587       8.29 %
 

 * 
Less than one percent.
 
(1)
The percentage ownership calculations are based on 64,636,413 shares of our stock outstanding on February 20, 2013.  This total includes options to purchases 870,147 shares of our common stock which are exercisable within 60 days of that date.
 
(2)
Cerberus ABP Investor LLC is the record holder of 33,651,979 shares of our common stock. Mr. Feinberg exercises sole voting and investment authority over all of our securities owned by Cerberus ABP Investor LLC. Thus, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, Mr. Feinberg is deemed to beneficially own 33,651,979 shares of our common stock.
 
(3)
The address for Messrs. Feinberg and Kolka is c/o Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10171.
 
(4)
Stadium Capital Management, LLC exercises shared voting and investment authority over 4,977,133 shares of our stock in conjunction with Alexander M. Seaver and Bradley R. Kent. In addition, Stadium Capital Partners, L.P., also exercises shared voting and investment authority over 4,434,149 of these shares of our stock. The address for Stadium Capital Management, LLC, Alexander M. Seaver, Bradley R. Kent and Stadium Capital Partners L.P. is 199 Elm Street, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840-5321.
 
(5)
Mr. Cohen’s ownership includes options to purchase 750,000 shares of our common stock which are exercisable within 60 days of February 20, 2013.
 
(6)
Mr. Judd’s ownership includes options to purchase 78,647 shares of our common stock which are exercisable within 60 days of February 20, 2013.
 
 (7)
Mr. Adelman’s resigned from the Company effective February 1, 2013.  All shares of unvested restricted stock and unexercised options expired as of the date of his resignation.  These awards are therefore no longer included in the above number of shares beneficially owned.
 
(8)
Mr. Grant’s ownership includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock which are exercisable within 60 days of February 20, 2013.
 
(9)
The address for Mr. Mayer is c/o Cerberus California, LLC, 11812 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
 
(10)
Ms. Epstein has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since February 2013, and our Senior Counsel and Corporate Secretary since March 2010.
 
(11)
Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap, L.P. and Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap II, L.P., through the account of Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap Master Fund, G.P., exercises shared voting and investment authority over 4,506,123 shares of our stock, representing approximately 6.97%.  Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C. serves as the general partner of each of Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap, L.P. and Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap II, L.P. and may direct the vote and disposition of the 4,506,123 shares of our common stock. As the principal of Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C., Mr. Phil Frohlich may direct the vote and disposition of the 4,506,123 shares of our common stock.  The address for Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap, L.P., Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap II, L.P., Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap Master Fund, G.P., Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C. and Mr. Phil Frohlich is 1924 South Utica, Suite 1120, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-6529.
 
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table provides information about the shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and other awards under our existing equity compensation plans as of December 29, 2012. Our stockholder-approved equity compensation plans are the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. We do not have any non-stockholder approved equity compensation plans.
 
   
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
 
 
 
Plan Category
 
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
 
Number of Securities Remaining
Available for Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    905,316     $ 6.18       7,622,080  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
          n/a        
Total
    905,316     $ 6.18       7,622,080  
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
 
Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions
 
Our legal department and Corporate Secretary are primarily responsible for identifying and reviewing relationships and transactions in which the Company and our directors, executive officers, certain of our stockholders or their immediate family members are participants to determine whether any of these “related persons” had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. In order to identify potential related person transactions, our legal department annually prepares and distributes to all directors and executive officers a written questionnaire which includes questions intended to elicit information about any related person transactions. Information regarding transactions with related persons or any violation of policy, including transactions involving a potential conflict of interest in violation of our Code of Ethical Conduct, may be anonymously reported by employees through our Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline.
 
If a related person transaction is identified by the legal department as one which must be reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or our Proxy Statement, as applicable, pursuant to applicable SEC regulations, we present the transaction to the Audit Committee for its review and approval or ratification. In evaluating related person transactions, our Audit Committee members apply the same standards of good faith and fiduciary duty they apply to their general responsibilities as a committee of the Board and as individual directors. The Audit Committee may approve a related person transaction when, in its good faith judgment, the transaction is in the best interests of the Company.
 
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., our equity sponsor, retains consultants that specialize in operations management and support and who provide Cerberus with consulting advice concerning portfolio companies in which funds and accounts managed by Cerberus or its affiliates have invested. From time to time, Cerberus makes the services of these consultants available to Cerberus portfolio companies. We believe that the terms of these consulting arrangements are favorable to us, or, alternatively, are materially consistent with those terms that would have been obtained by us in an arrangement with an unaffiliated third party. We have normal service, purchase and sales arrangements with other entities that are owned or controlled by Cerberus. We believe that these transactions are not material to our results of operations or financial position.
 
Other than the transactions discussed above, for the last fiscal year there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any “transaction,” as defined by the SEC:
 
 
to which we are or will be a participant;
 
 
in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and
 
 
in which any “related person,” as defined by the SEC, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
 
Directors Independence
 
We believe that, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, four of the current members of our Board do not meet the independence standards promulgated under the listing standards of the NYSE. Three of the current members of our Board are employees of or advisors to Cerberus. Messrs. Mayer and Kolka are currently employed by Cerberus and Mr. Cohen is an advisor to Cerberus. Mr. Judd is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
 
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP for professional services for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, by category as described in the notes to the table:
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Audit Fees(1)
  $ 1,603,124     $ 1,614,758  
Audit-Related Fees(2)
    152,129       159,000  
Tax Fees
           
All Other Fees(3)
    1,995       1,995  
TOTAL
  $ 1,757,248     $ 1,775,753  
 

(1)
Consists of fees related to audits of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of interim financial statements and disclosures in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Audit fees also included fees related to the audit of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
(2)
Consists of fees billed for services related to benefit plan audits.
 
(3)
Consists of fees billed for services related to certain transactional services and certain research related products.
 
Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services
 
The charter of the Audit Committee provides that the Audit Committee is responsible for the pre-approval of all material audit services and non-audit services to be performed for us by our independent registered public accounting firm. All audit and non-audit work described above was pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the authority to grant such pre-approvals. The decisions of any such member shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at each of its scheduled meetings.
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
(a)  Financial Statements, Schedules and Exhibits
 
1. Financial Statements. The Financial Statements of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are presented under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
2. Financial Statement Schedules. Not applicable.
 
3. Exhibits.
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Item
     
3.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlueLinx (A)
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws of BlueLinx(B)
     
4.1
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2004, by and among BlueLinx and the initial holders specified on the signature pages thereto(C)
     
4.2
 
Letter Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2004, by and among BlueLinx, Cerberus ABP Investor LLC, Charles H. McElrea, George R. Judd, David J. Morris, James C. Herbig, Wayne E. Wiggleton and Steven C. Hardin(C)
     
4.3
 
Investment Letter, dated March 10, 2004, between BlueLinx and Cerberus ABP Investor LLC, as Purchaser of Common Stock(D)
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Item
     
4.4
 
Investment Letter, dated May 7, 2004, between BlueLinx and Cerberus ABP Investor LLC, as Purchaser of Common Stock(D)
     
4.5
 
Executive Purchase Agreement dated May 7, 2004 by and among BlueLinx, Cerberus ABP Investor LLC and Charles H. McElrea(D)
     
4.6
 
Executive Purchase Agreement dated May 7, 2004 by and among BlueLinx, Cerberus ABP Investor LLC and George R. Judd(D)
     
4.7
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2011 between BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and Stadium Capital Management, LLC (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2011)
     
10.1
 
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2004, by and among Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Building Materials Sales, Ltd. and BlueLinx Corporation(C)
     
10.2
 
First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2004, by and among Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Building Materials Sales, Ltd. and BlueLinx Corporation(C)
     
10.3†
 
Master Purchase, Supply and Distribution Agreement, dated May 7, 2004 by and between BlueLinx Corporation and Georgia-Pacific(B)
     
10.4
 
Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2011)
     
10.5
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. Amended and Restated Short-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Attachment B to the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011)
     
10.6
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 2004 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan(C)
     
10.7
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 2004 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2008)
     
10.8
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective May 21, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011)
     
10.9
 
Amended and Restated Bluelinx Holdings Inc. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (as amended through May 17, 2012 and restated solely for purposes of filing pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K) (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2012)
     
10.10
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2006)
     
10.11
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2006)
     
10.12
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 4, 2013)
     
10.13   
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. Short-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2011) (Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011)
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Item
     
10.14  
Canadian Credit Agreement, dated August 12, 2011, by and among Bluelinx Canada, CIBC Asset-Based Lending Inc. and the lenders from time to time parties thereto (Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2 011)
     
10.15
 
Letter Agreement, dated December 18, 2006, relating to and amending the Master Purchase, Supply and Distribution Agreement between Georgia-Pacific Corporation and BlueLinx Corporation dated May 7, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2006)
     
10.16†
 
Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2006, between the entities set forth therein collectively as borrower and German American Capital Corporation as Lender (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2009)
     
10.17
 
Twelfth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2006, between the entities set forth therein collectively as borrower and German American Capital Corporation as Lender (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2012)
     
10.18
 
Guaranty of Recourse Obligations, dated as of June 9, 2006, by BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the benefit of German American Capital Corporation (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2006)
     
10.19
 
Environmental Indemnity Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2006, by BlueLinx Holdings Inc. in favor of German American Capital Corporation (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2006)
     
10.20†
 
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 4, 2006, by and between BlueLinx Corporation, Wachovia and the other signatories listed therein (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2009)
     
10.21
 
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 4, 2006, by and between BlueLinx Corporation, Wachovia and the other signatories listed therein, dated October 22, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2011)
     
10.22
 
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 4, 2006, by and between BlueLinx Corporation, Wells Fargo, as successor in interest to Wachovia, and the other signatories listed therein, dated July 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2010)
     
10.23   
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 4, 2006, by and between BlueLinx Corporation, Wells Fargo, as successor in interest to Wachovia, and the other signatories listed therein, dated May 10, 2011(incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2011)
     
10.24   Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 4, 2006, by and between BlueLinx Corporation, Wells Fargo, as successor in interest to Wachovia, and the other signatories listed therein, dated August 11, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2011)
     
10.25
 
Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated July 14, 2011, by and between BlueLinx Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries and U.S. Bank National Association in its capacity as trustee for the registered holders of Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2006-C 27, as successor in interest to German American Capital Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2011)
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Item
     
10.26
 
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between BlueLinx Corporation and George R. Judd, dated January 22, 2013, (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2013)
     
10.27
 
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between BlueLinx Corporation and Howard D. Goforth, dated January 22, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2013)
     
10.28
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between BlueLinx Corporation and Dean A. Adelman, dated January 21, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2011)
     
10.29
 
 
Employment Agreement between BlueLinx Corporation and Ned M. Bassil, dated October 31, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2011)
     
10.30
 
Investment Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2011, between BlueLinx and Cerberus ABP Investor LLC (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2011)
     
14.1
 
BlueLinx Code of Ethical Conduct (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005)
     
21.1
 
List of subsidiaries of the Company*
     
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*
     
31.1
 
Certification of George R. Judd, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
     
31.2
 
Certification of Howard D. Goforth, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
     
32.1
 
Certification of George R. Judd, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
     
32.2
 
Certification of Howard D. Goforth, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
     
101
 
The following financial information from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.**
 

*
Filed herewith.
   
**
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not to be “filed” or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and
otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.
   
† 
Portions of this document were omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment in accordance with Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act.
   
(A)
Previously filed as Appendix B to the proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2012.
 
 
(B)
Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-118750) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2004.
   
(C)
Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-118750) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2004.
   
(D)
Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-118750) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2004.
 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
(Registrant)
 
       
 
By:
/s/ George R. Judd
    George R. Judd  
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
       
Date: February 20, 2013      
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
                                    Signature Name
   Capacity                                           Date                     
         
/s/  George R. Judd                    
 
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
February 20, 2013
George R. Judd
   
     
/s/  Howard D. Goforth
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
 
February 20, 2013
Howard D. Goforth
   
     
/s/  Scott T. Phillips                             
 
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
February 20, 2013
Scott T. Phillips
   
     
/s/  Howard S. Cohen
 
Chairman
 
February 20, 2013
Howard S. Cohen
   
     
/s/  Richard S. Grant
 
Director
 
February 20, 2013
Richard S. Grant
   
     
/s/  Steven F. Mayer
 
Director
 
February 20, 2013
Steven F. Mayer
   
     
/s/  Ronald E. Kolka
 
Director
 
February 20, 2013
Ronald E. Kolka
   
     
/s/  Alan H. Schumacher
 
Director
 
February 20, 2013
Alan H. Schumacher
   
     
/s/  M. Richard Warner
 
Director
 
February 20, 2013
M. Richard Warner
   
 
 
103