News Release

Mohawk Industries, Inc. Announces First Quarter Earnings

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CALHOUN, Ga., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK) today announced first quarter net sales of $1,925,106,000 in 2006 compared to net sales of $1,493,222,000 in 2005, an increase of 29%. The net sales growth was primarily attributable to the Unilin acquisition, internal growth and price increases. Adjusted net earnings for the first quarter of 2006 were $72,862,000 (4% above last year) or $1.07 diluted earnings per share (EPS), representing a 3% improvement above last year's earnings. The adjusted net earnings exclude a $3 million stock option charge that was not required in 2005. During the first quarter of 2006, a non-cash LIFO charge impacted earnings by $14 million ($8.7 million, net of tax) or $.13 EPS compared to $6 million ($4.0 million, net of tax) or $.06 EPS in the first quarter of 2005. In accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) net earnings for the first quarter of 2006 were $71,120,000 and EPS were $1.04 per share. The first quarter of 2005 net earnings were $70,020,000 or $1.03 in EPS.

The Mohawk segment net sales of $1,150,546,000 in the first quarter of 2006 were up 5% from $1,091,346,000. This was primarily attributable to increases in prices in all product lines as well as growth in hard surface sales. The Dal-Tile segment net sales of $473,910,000 in the first quarter grew 18% from $401,876,000 from internal growth and improved product mix. The Unilin segment net sales were $302,630,000.

In commenting on the first quarter results, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO stated, "The results for the quarter were in line with our guidance that we revised earlier. The revision was attributable to our Mohawk segment which was negatively impacted by a $14 million non-cash LIFO charge as well as lower sales growth and margins in the residential replacement carpet category. The slower carpet industry sales also impacted pricing on some opening price point products more than we anticipated. Our material costs moderated slightly from the high levels after the hurricanes and remained relatively stable through the quarter.

"During the quarter, we started up a new manufacturing facility to increase capacity of fiber extrusion and yarn manufacturing in South Carolina. A carpet padding plant in the Northwest was started up during the period. We completed the purchase of a carpet backing plant early in the second quarter of this year. We anticipate improving residential replacement carpet demand which is historically affected by gains in employment levels and consumer confidence. In addition, homeowners usually replace their flooring at a faster rate when interest rates rise and people move less frequently.

"Our Dal-Tile segment results included strong sales and operating profit growth. All product categories performed well as this business continues to gain market share. The Oklahoma ceramic expansion is progressing as planned while the Mexican expansion was completed at the end of last year. The management has transitioned smoothly to Harold Turk from Chris Wellborn who was promoted to Mohawk COO.

"Unilin results included growing sales in both the U.S. and Europe. Our U.S. laminate strategy is in the implementation stage and we expect a sales benefit in the second half of 2006. The Unilin operating margin is lower in the first quarter due to seasonally lower sales, distribution inventory adjustments, higher wood and energy costs, and slightly lower laminate prices. Our U.S. laminate plant expansion was completed during the quarter to support additional growth in the U.S. The first quarter sales results were negatively impacted by inventory reductions of our distributors' due to shorter delivery times from this facility. There will be additional adjustments in the second quarter. Board price increases are being implemented to reflect higher wood and chemical costs. New products are being introduced under the Mohawk brand to increase our laminate distribution.

"Our balance sheet continues to strengthen as the debt to capitalization ratio was further reduced to 51%. Our inventory turnover also improved to 4.8 times from 3.9 times the prior year. We will continue to focus on debt reduction in the future."

The strong economy along with improving consumer confidence should positively affect our business in future periods. We continue to anticipate continued growth in commercial and an improvement in the replacement category, which is our largest channel, with some slowing of new residential construction business later this year. The recent change in oil prices has not presently impacted our raw materials. We cannot predict the affect on our costs or customer demand in the future. After considering these factors, we estimate the earnings forecast for the second quarter of 2006 to range from $1.51 to $1.60.

Certain of the statements in the immediately preceding paragraphs, particularly anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies, proposed acquisitions, and similar matters, and those that include the words "believes," "anticipates," "forecast," "estimates," or similar expressions constitute "forward-looking statements." For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward- looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; raw material and energy prices; timing and level of capital expenditures; integration of acquisitions; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk's SEC reports and public announcements.

Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk offers a complete selection of carpet, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, vinyl, rugs and other home products. These products are marketed under the premier brands in the industry, which include Mohawk, Karastan, Ralph Lauren, Lees, Bigelow, Dal-Tile, American Olean, Unilin and Quick Step. Mohawk's unique merchandising and marketing assist our customers in creating the consumers' dream. Mohawk provides a premium level of service with its own trucking fleet and over 250 local distribution locations.

There will be a conference call Friday, April 28, 2006 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The telephone number to call is 1-800-603-9255. A conference call replay will also be available until Monday, May 1, 2006 by dialing 1-800-642-1687 for US/local calls and (706) 645-9291 for international calls and entering Conference ID # 8208904.



    MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data
    (Amounts in thousands, except per               Three months ended
     share data)                             April 1, 2006     April 2, 2005

    Net sales                                    $1,925,106         1,493,222
    Cost of sales                                 1,422,096         1,108,520
        Gross profit                                503,010           384,702
    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses                                       352,443           261,072
        Operating income                            150,567           123,630
    Interest expense                                 40,335            11,876
    Other (income) expense, net                       2,727             2,004
        Earnings before income taxes                107,505           109,750
    Income taxes                                     36,385            39,730
        Net earnings                                $71,120            70,020
    Basic earnings per share                          $1.05              1.05
    Weighted-average shares outstanding              67,564            66,804
    Diluted earnings per share                        $1.04              1.03
    Weighted-average common and dilutive
     potential common shares outstanding             68,079            67,692


    Other Financial Information
    (Amounts in thousands)

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                    $104,526            50,701
    Depreciation & amortization                     $64,853            32,265
    Capital expenditures                            $45,632            34,521



    Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
    (Amounts in thousands)
                                            April 1, 2006     April 2, 2005
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                   $82,174                 -
        Receivables                                 948,229           739,789
        Inventories                               1,186,626         1,145,747
        Prepaid expenses                            140,194            46,428
        Deferred income taxes                        34,857            55,311
            Total current assets                  2,392,080         1,987,275
    Property, plant and equipment, net            1,822,424           940,086
    Goodwill                                      2,642,389         1,377,349
    Tradenames                                      630,402           272,280
    Intangible assets                               542,734            49,366
    Other assets                                     30,704            14,672
                                                 $8,060,733         4,641,028
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
    Current portion of long-term debt              $100,156           218,501
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses         1,033,726           756,895
            Total current liabilities             1,133,882           975,396
    Long-term debt, less current portion          3,148,000           700,000
    Deferred income taxes and other long-
     term liabilities                               628,020           221,531
            Total liabilities                     4,909,902         1,896,927
    Total stockholders' equity                    3,150,831         2,744,101
                                                 $8,060,733         4,641,028



    Segment Information                   As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (Amounts in thousands)                  April 1, 2006     April 2, 2005

    Net sales:
      Mohawk                                     $1,150,546         1,091,346
      Dal-Tile                                      473,910           401,876
      Unilin                                        302,630                 -
      Corporate and eliminations                     (1,980)                -
        Consolidated net sales                   $1,925,106         1,493,222

    Operating income:
      Mohawk                                        $52,279            65,625
      Dal-Tile                                       69,602            58,470
      Unilin                                         40,019                 -
      Corporate and eliminations                    (11,333)             (465)
        Consolidated operating income              $150,567           123,630

    Assets:
      Mohawk                                     $2,458,587         2,472,133
      Dal-Tile                                    2,257,052         2,117,843
      Unilin                                      3,255,582                 -
      Corporate and eliminations                     89,512            51,052
        Consolidated assets                      $8,060,733         4,641,028



    Reconciliation of reported net earnings
     to adjusted net earnings

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                 April 1, 2006   April 2, 2005

    Net earnings reported                            $71,120          70,020
    Add:
    Stock option expense, net of taxes of $1,008       1,742               -
    Adjusted net earnings                            $72,862          70,020

    Adjusted net earnings per common share (basic)   $  1.08            1.05
    Adjusted net earnings per common share (diluted) $  1.07            1.03

The Company believes it is useful for itself and investors to review, as applicable, both GAAP information that includes the stock compensation impact of SFAS 123R, and the non-GAAP measure that excludes such information in order to assess the performance of the Company's business for planning and forecasting in subsequent periods.

SOURCE  Mohawk Industries, Inc.
                04/27/2006
    /CONTACT:  Frank H. Boykin, Chief Financial Officer of Mohawk Industries,
Inc., +1-706-624-2695 /
    /Web site:  http://www.mohawkind.com/
    (MHK)