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Trex Company Reports 16% Revenue Growth in Third Quarter

WINCHESTER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2001--Trex Company, Inc. (NYSE: TWP), manufacturer of Trex(R)Easy Care Decking(R), today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2001.

The Company's third quarter financial results were in line with the revised guidance that was announced on October 19. Revenue for the period was $29.9 million, an increase of 16% over the third quarter record revenues of $25.8 million in 2000. Income from operations was $5.7 million versus $8.5 million for the third quarter of last year. Net income for the quarter was $3.4 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $5.2 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2000. Unabsorbed fixed manufacturing costs caused by manufacturing line shut downs have significantly influenced this unfavorable income result.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenue was $99.8 million versus $101.3 million in the same period last year. Income from operations was $19.4 million versus $30.2 million for the first nine months of last year. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was $11.3 million, compared to $18.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2000. On a fully diluted per share basis, net income was $0.80 per share versus $1.29 per share in 2000.

"While revenue for the third quarter improved both year-over-year and sequentially, there is no doubt that the events of September 11 have had a temporary impact on our business," stated Trex Company president Robert Matheny. "This is compounded by the fact that the fourth quarter is a seasonally slow period for decking sales. Thus, it is clear that unabsorbed fixed manufacturing costs will continue to have an adverse effect on earnings for the entire fourth quarter.

"One of the unknowns is the level of inventory that our distributors will maintain during the slow season. A survey of our wholesale distribution channels indicates that year-to-date downstream sales exceeded that of 2000 levels by approximately 25%, indicating continued strong demand. However, the cautious stance taken by distributors and dealers over the near term has resulted in a scaling back of their inventories to below-normal levels given the economic uncertainty. We believe that we are experiencing a trough in our business that will reverse over the intermediate term.

"There was continued interest in Trex decking among municipalities and real-estate developers in the third quarter that is translating into sales. Trex's durability, affordability and aesthetic appeal have resulted in highly visible project wins such as the BioSphere in Tuscon, Arizona, the Pickering, Ontario Boardwalk on Lake Ontario and the San Francisco Yacht Club. The Pickering, Ontario Boardwalk marks the second phase of a multi-year project. The city's positive experience with Trex products used in phase one, completed in 1999, led to the add-on business for phase two."

Mr. Matheny continued, "In addition to securing exciting projects for our products, Trex also continues to receive industry recognition. During the quarter, the company won three prestigious awards that included Brand Leader by Remodeling Magazine, the Golden Hammer(R) Award for Business-to-Consumer Advertising, and the Virginia Governor's Environmental Excellence Award. We are honored to receive these accolades and view them as validation of our efforts to establish Trex as the premier provider of quality decking.

"To further enhance our market penetration, we recently hired new sales representatives to increase our coverage in some of our larger markets. During the third quarter, three new distribution locations were added bringing the total to 91 locations, 21 more than in the third quarter of 2000."

Mr. Matheny concluded, "We are confident that we have effectively addressed current market conditions by temporarily shutting down excess manufacturing capacity while ensuring more-than-adequate production capabilities going forward. This included a reduction in headcount of more than seventy-five employees. While we need to deal with the uncertain near-term market conditions, our focus to establish Trex as the standard in the $2.5 billion decking market remains unchanged and we are optimistic about the future."

The company has scheduled an analyst conference call for 9:00 a.m. EST today. A live webcast of the conference call will be available to all investors at the Trex Company Web site at www.trex.com and on www.streetevents.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the call will be available on the company's Web site for 30 days. A telephone replay of the call will also be available until 11:00 a.m. EST on Nov. 5. To listen to the telephone replay, dial 800-633-8284 (858-812-6440 outside the U.S.) and enter reservation number 19903909.

About Trex Company

Trex Company is the nation's largest manufacturer of non-wood decking, which is marketed under the brand name Trex(R). Trex Wood-Polymer(TM) lumber offers an attractive appearance and the workability of wood without the ongoing need for protective sealants or repairs. Trex decking is manufactured in a proprietary process that combines waste wood fibers and reclaimed polyethylene and is used primarily for residential and commercial decking. The Company sells its products through 91 wholesale distribution locations, which in turn sell Trex decking to approximately 2,900 independent contractor-oriented retail lumberyards across the United States.

Trex(R)Easy Care Decking(R)and Wood-Polymer(TM)Lumber(TM)are trademarks of Trex Company, Inc., Winchester, VA.

The statements in this press release regarding the Company's expected sales performance and operating results, its anticipated financial condition and its business strategy constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual operating results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include the extent of market acceptance of the Company's products, the sensitivity of the Company's business to general economic conditions, and the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates. The Company's report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2001 discusses some of the important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                          TREX COMPANY, INC.
            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                   (In thousands, except share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                             Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended 
                                September 30,           September 30,
                             2001          2000       2001        2000

Net sales(a)              $29,868       $25,806    $99,791    $101,308
Cost of sales(a)           16,716        12,703     55,754      52,030
Gross profit               13,152        13,103     44,307      49,278
Selling, general and 
 administrative expenses    7,478         4,647     24,602      19,097
Income from operations      5,674         8,456     19,435      30,181
Interest expense, net        (760)          (76)    (1,708)       (616)
Income before taxes         4,914         8,380     17,727      29,565
Income taxes                1,511         3,184      6,382      11,231
Net income                 $3,403        $5,196    $11,345     $18,334
Fully diluted earnings per 
 common share               $0.24         $0.37      $0.80       $1.29 
Weighted average fully diluted 
 shares outstanding    14,171,593    14,193,579 14,172,971  14,182,491

(a) Amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000
    have been reclassified to reflect the adoption of EITF 00-10,
    Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs.

                          TREX COMPANY, INC.
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                   (In thousands, except share data)

                         December 31, 2000          September 30, 2001
                                                       (unaudited)

ASSETS
Current  assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents             $--                         $--
 Trade accounts receivable          10,582                       5,308
 Inventories                        23,017                      32,002
 Prepaid expenses and other assets     689                         741
 Income taxes receivable                --                         $--
 Deferred income taxes                 478                         360
  Total current  assets             34,766                      38,411
Property, plant and equipment, 
 net                               113,635                     137,330
Intangible assets, net               7,544                       7,013
Other                                  650                         500
 Total assets                     $156,595                    $183,254

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Trade accounts payable            $17,082                     $10,449
 Accrued expenses                    2,053                       1,156
 Income taxes payable                  574                         181
 Other current liabilities             664                         894
 Line of credit                         --                      66,764
 Debt related derivatives               --                       1,906
 Current portion of long-term debt     697                      10,078
  Total current liabilities         21,070                      91,428
Deferred income taxes                5,782                       6,354
Line of credit                      44,748                          --
Long-term debt                      15,954                       6,055
 Total liabilities                  87,554                     103,837

Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 
  3,000,000 shares authorized; none 
   issued and outstanding               --                          --
 Common stock, $0.01 par value, 
  40,000,000 shares authorized;
   14,135,060 and 14,145,329 
    shares issued  and outstanding     141                         142
 Additional capital                 41,330                      41,542
 Retained earnings                  27,570                      38,915
 Other comprehensive loss               --                      (1,182)
  Total stockholders' equity        69,041                      79,417
  Total liabilities and stockholders' 
   equity                         $156,595                    $183,254

--30--ah/ny*

CONTACT: Trex Company, Inc., Winchester
Robert G. Matheny, 540/542-6300
or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, New York
John Nesbett or William Walkowiak, CFA, 212/838-3777