10-Q

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2015
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 0-22684
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Michigan
 
38-1465835
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2801 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan
 
49525
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (616) 364-6161
 
NONE
 
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by checkmark 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.
Large Accelerated Filer x
Accelerated Filer o
Non-Accelerated Filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
Class
 
Outstanding as of September 26, 2015
 
 
Common stock, no par value
 
20,133,427
 
 
 
 

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Other Information – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.


UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 26, 2015
 
December 27, 2014
 
September 27, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
55,373

 
$
—

 
$
26,184

Restricted cash
1,139

 
405

 
720

Investments
5,955

 
—

 
—

Accounts receivable, net
273,737

 
195,912

 
257,235

Inventories:
 

 
 

 
 

Raw materials
161,519

 
183,770

 
150,585

Finished goods
126,690

 
156,278

 
123,080

Total inventories
288,209

 
340,048

 
273,665

Refundable income taxes
201

 
11,934

 
—

Deferred income taxes
6,257

 
6,284

 
6,848

Other current assets
16,654

 
18,423

 
20,743

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
647,525

 
573,006

 
585,395

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
1,091

 
1,079

 
1,312

OTHER ASSETS
7,843

 
9,565

 
14,915

GOODWILL
182,394

 
183,062

 
160,146

INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
2,340

 
2,340

 
2,340

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
16,195

 
6,479

 
6,339

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 

 
 

 
 

Property, plant and equipment
631,028

 
604,398

 
599,584

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(376,498
)
 
(356,129
)
 
(354,548
)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
254,530

 
248,269

 
245,036

TOTAL ASSETS
$
1,111,918

 
$
1,023,800

 
$
1,015,483

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

 
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 

 
 

 
 

Cash overdraft
$
—

 
$
621

 
$
—

Accounts payable
101,117

 
89,105

 
99,008

Accrued liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

Compensation and benefits
77,290

 
62,143

 
60,069

Income taxes
—

 
—

 
15

Other
35,060

 
23,591

 
33,849

Current portion of long-term debt
834

 
—

 
—

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
214,301

 
175,460

 
192,941

LONG-TERM DEBT
84,722

 
98,645

 
84,700

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
30,919

 
30,933

 
26,896

OTHER LIABILITIES
25,838

 
19,202

 
15,862

TOTAL LIABILITIES
355,780

 
324,240

 
320,399

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 

 
 

 
 

Controlling interest shareholders' equity:
 

 
 

 
 

Preferred stock, no par value; shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding, none
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Common stock, no par value; shares authorized 40,000,000; issued and outstanding, 20,133,427, 19,984,451, and 19,974,886.
20,133

 
19,984

 
19,975

Additional paid-in capital
170,324

 
162,483

 
161,122

Retained earnings
555,193

 
502,334

 
501,181

Accumulated other comprehensive income
(1,560
)
 
1,348

 
2,767

Employee stock notes receivable
—

 
(455
)
 
(530
)
Total controlling interest shareholders' equity
744,090

 
685,694

 
684,515

Noncontrolling interest
12,048

 
13,866

 
10,569

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
756,138

 
699,560

 
695,084

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
1,111,918

 
$
1,023,800

 
$
1,015,483

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

3
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 26,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
 
September 26,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
NET SALES
$
762,275

 
$
713,489

 
$
2,233,470

 
$
2,040,239

COST OF GOODS SOLD
651,569

 
623,903

 
1,930,739

 
1,787,652

GROSS PROFIT
110,706

 
89,586

 
302,731

 
252,587

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
67,951

 
59,936

 
198,087

 
172,835

ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ASSESSMENT
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,600

NET LOSS (GAIN) ON DISPOSITION AND IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS
230

 
(2,570
)
 
68

 
(3,418
)
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS
42,525

 
32,220

 
104,576

 
81,570

INTEREST EXPENSE
1,060

 
1,016

 
3,615

 
3,184

INTEREST INCOME
(47
)
 
(346
)
 
(214
)
 
(975
)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF INVESTEE
(89
)
 
(118
)
 
(283
)
 
(246
)
 
924

 
552

 
3,118

 
1,963

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
41,601

 
31,668

 
101,458

 
79,607

INCOME TAXES
14,718

 
11,176

 
36,887

 
29,000

NET EARNINGS
26,883

 
20,492

 
64,571

 
50,607

LESS NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(1,327
)
 
(1,258
)
 
(2,876
)
 
(2,369
)
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
$
25,556

 
$
19,234

 
$
61,695

 
$
48,238

EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC
$
1.26

 
$
0.96

 
$
3.06

 
$
2.40

EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED
$
1.26

 
$
0.96

 
$
3.06

 
$
2.40

NET EARNINGS
26,883

 
20,492

 
64,571

 
50,607

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(2,578
)
 
(491
)
 
(4,206
)
 
(885
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
24,305

 
20,001

 
60,365

 
49,722

LESS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(445
)
 
(1,317
)
 
(1,578
)
 
(2,183
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
$
23,860

 
$
18,684

 
$
58,787

 
$
47,539


See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.


4
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)          
 
Controlling Interest Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehen-
sive
Earnings
 
Employees
Stock
Notes
Receivable
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total
Balance at December 28, 2013
$
19,948

 
$
156,129

 
$
461,812

 
$
3,466

 
$
(732
)
 
$
9,111

 
$
649,734

Net earnings
 

 
 

 
48,238

 
 

 
 

 
2,369

 
50,607

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
 

 
 

 
(699
)
 
 

 
(186
)
 
(885
)
Noncontrolling interest associated with business acquisitions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
985

 
985

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(1,710
)
 
(1,710
)
Cash Dividends - $0.210 per share
 

 
 

 
(4,214
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(4,214
)
Issuance of 8,681 shares under employee stock plans
9

 
297

 
14

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
320

Issuance of 77,736 shares under stock grant programs
78

 
1,108

 


 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,186

Issuance of 43,210 shares under deferred compensation plans
43

 
(43
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
—

Repurchase of 103,011 shares
(103
)
 
 

 
(4,669
)
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
(4,772
)
Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
 

 
1,445

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,445

Accrued expense under deferred compensation plans
 

 
2,186

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
2,186

Payments received on employee stock notes receivable
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
202

 
 

 
202

Balance at September 27, 2014
$
19,975

 
$
161,122

 
$
501,181

 
$
2,767

 
$
(530
)
 
$
10,569

 
$
695,084

Balance at December 27, 2014
$
19,984

 
$
162,483

 
$
502,334

 
$
1,348

 
$
(455
)
 
$
13,866

 
$
699,560

Net earnings
 

 
 

 
61,695

 
 

 
 

 
2,876

 
64,571

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
 

 
 

 
(2,809
)
 
 

 
(1,298
)
 
(4,107
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment
 
 
 
 
 
 
(99
)
 
 
 
 
 
(99
)
Noncontrolling interest associated with business acquisitions
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,019

 
1,019

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(3,159
)
 
(3,159
)
Purchases of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,256
)
 
(1,256
)
Cash Dividends - $0.400 per share
 

 
 

 
(8,050
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(8,050
)
Issuance of 28,276 shares under employee stock plans
28

 
933

 


 
 

 
 

 
 

 
961

Issuance of 75,408 shares under stock grant programs
76

 
1,811

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,887

Issuance of 58,905 shares under deferred compensation plans
59

 
(59
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
—

Repurchase of 13,613 shares
(14
)
 
 

 
(786
)
 
 

 
304

 
 

 
(496
)
Tax benefits from non-qualified stock options exercised
 

 
186

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
186

Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
 

 
1,351

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,351

Accrued expense under deferred compensation plans
 

 
3,619

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3,619

Payments received on employee stock notes receivable
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
151

 
 

 
151

Balance at September 26, 2015
$
20,133

 
$
170,324

 
$
555,193

 
$
(1,560
)
 
$
—

 
$
12,048

 
$
756,138

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

5
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 26,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
64,571

 
$
50,607

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation
28,013

 
24,241

Amortization of intangibles
2,730

 
1,743

Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
1,351

 
1,445

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
(33
)
 
(2
)
Expense associated with stock grant plans
85

 
81

Deferred income taxes (credit)
(269
)
 
127

Equity in earnings of investee
(283
)
 
(246
)
Net loss (gain) on disposition and impairment of assets
68

 
(3,418
)
Changes in:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
(76,723
)
 
(76,642
)
Inventories
51,068

 
14,754

Accounts payable and cash overdraft
10,864

 
25,078

Accrued liabilities and other
39,967

 
32,760

NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
121,409

 
70,528

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(36,520
)
 
(31,676
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
2,382

 
6,463

Acquisitions, net of cash received
(2,584
)
 
(7,135
)
Purchase of remaining noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
(1,256
)
 
—

Advances of notes receivable
(4,403
)
 
(2,229
)
Collections on notes receivable
8,784

 
983

Purchases of investments
(5,955
)
 
—

Cash restricted as to use
(734
)
 
—

Other, net
180

 
(95
)
NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(40,106
)
 
(33,689
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities
297,354

 
192,475

Repayments under revolving credit facilities
(311,253
)
 
(192,475
)
Debt issuance costs
(11
)
 
(11
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
960

 
297

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(3,159
)
 
(1,710
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
(8,050
)
 
(4,214
)
Repurchase of common stock
(800
)
 
(4,772
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
33

 
2

NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(24,926
)
 
(10,408
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(1,004
)
 
(247
)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
55,373

 
26,184

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
$
—

 
$
—

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
55,373

 
$
26,184

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 

 
 

Interest paid
$
2,834

 
$
2,475

Income taxes paid
25,304

 
26,605

NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Other receivables exchanged for notes receivable
—

 
2,768

Notes receivable exchanged for property
389

 
2,980

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Common stock issued under deferred compensation plans
3,042

 
2,270

Property exchanged for notes receivable
300

 
—

Acquisition earnout adjustment prior to final purchase accounting
9,236

 
—

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

6
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements (the "Financial Statements") include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships, and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, the Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements, and footnotes thereto, included in our Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014.

Seasonality has a significant impact on our working capital from March to August which historically results in negative or modest cash flows from operations in our first and second quarters. Conversely, we experience a substantial decrease in working capital from September to February which typically results in significant cash flow from operations in our third and fourth quarters.  For comparative purposes, we have included the September 27, 2014 balances in the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheets.

B.
FAIR VALUE

We apply the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to assets and liabilities measured at fair value.  Assets measured at fair value are as follows:

 
September 26, 2015
 
September 27, 2014
(in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
Money market funds
$
952

 
$
651

Bonds
3,195

 
—

Domestic stock
215

 
—

Mutual funds:
 

 
 

Domestic stock funds
2,625

 
658

International stock funds
223

 
218

Target funds
228

 
296

Bond funds
171

 
156

Total mutual funds
3,247

 
1,328

 
$
7,609

 
$
1,979


We maintain money market, mutual funds, bonds, and/or stocks in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan and our wholly owned licensed captive insurance company.  These funds are valued at prices quoted in an active exchange market and are included in "Cash and Cash Equivalents", "Investments", and "Other Assets".  We have elected not to apply the fair value option under ASC 825, Financial Instruments, to any of our financial instruments except for those expressly required by U.S. GAAP.

We did not maintain any Level 2 or 3 assets or liabilities at September 26, 2015 or September 27, 2014.

C.
REVENUE RECOGNITION

7
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


Revenue is recognized at the time the product is shipped to the customer. Generally, title passes at the time of shipment.  In certain circumstances, the customer takes title when the shipment arrives at the destination.  However, our shipping process is typically completed the same day.

Earnings on construction contracts are reflected in operations using percentage-of-completion accounting, under either cost to cost or units of delivery methods, depending on the nature of the business at individual operations.  Under percentage-of-completion using the cost to cost method, revenues and related earnings on construction contracts are measured by the relationships of actual costs incurred related to the total estimated costs.  Under percentage-of-completion using the units of delivery method, revenues and related earnings on construction contracts are measured by the relationships of actual units produced related to the total number of units.  Revisions in earnings estimates on the construction contracts are recorded in the accounting period in which the basis for such revisions becomes known.  Projected losses on individual contracts are charged to operations in their entirety when such losses become apparent. Construction contract revenue increased to approximately $39.6 million, during the third quarter of 2015, from $31.8 million during the same period of 2014. Construction contract revenue was approximately $98.4 million and $87.1 million through the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our construction contracts are generally entered into with a fixed price and completion of the projects can range from 6 to 18 months in duration.  Therefore, our operating results are impacted by, among many other things, labor rates and commodity costs.  During the year, we update our estimated costs to complete our projects using current labor and commodity costs and recognize losses to the extent that they exist.

The following table presents the balances of percentage-of-completion accounts which are included in “Other current assets” and “Accrued liabilities: Other”, respectively (in thousands):

 
September 26, 2015
 
December 27, 2014
 
September 27, 2014
Cost and Earnings in Excess of Billings
$
4,718

 
$
5,244

 
$
6,883

Billings in Excess of Cost and Earnings
4,145

 
4,682

 
3,940


D.
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computation of earnings per share (“EPS”) is as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 26, 2015
 
September 27, 2014
 
September 26, 2015
 
September 27, 2014
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest
$
25,556

 
$
19,234

 
$
61,695

 
$
48,238

Adjustment for earnings allocated to non-vested restricted common stock
(341
)
 
(178
)
 
(789
)
 
(444
)
Net earnings for calculating EPS
$
25,215

 
$
19,056

 
$
60,906

 
$
47,794

Denominator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average shares outstanding
20,210

 
20,100

 
20,148

 
20,095

Adjustment for non-vested restricted common stock
(270
)
 
(186
)
 
(258
)
 
(186
)
Shares for calculating basic EPS
19,940

 
19,914

 
19,890

 
19,909

Effect of dilutive stock options
38

 
18

 
35

 
24

Shares for calculating diluted EPS
19,978

 
19,932

 
19,925

 
19,933

Net earnings per share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
1.26

 
$
0.96

 
$
3.06

 
$
2.40

Diluted
$
1.26

 
$
0.96

 
$
3.06

 
$
2.40



8
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

No options were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the quarters ended September 26, 2015 or September 27, 2014.

E.    COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES

We are self-insured for environmental impairment liability, including certain liabilities which are insured through a wholly owned subsidiary, Ardellis Insurance Ltd., a licensed captive insurance company.

We own and operate a number of facilities throughout the United States that chemically treat lumber products. In connection with the ownership and operation of these and other real properties, and the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances, we may, under various federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations, be potentially liable for removal and remediation costs, as well as other potential costs, damages, and expenses. Environmental reserves, calculated with no discount rate, have been established to cover remediation activities at wood preservation facilities in Stockertown, PA; Elizabeth City, NC; Auburndale, FL; and Medley, FL. In addition, a reserve was established for our facility in Thornton, CA to remove certain lead containing materials which existed on the property at the time of purchase. During 2009, a subsidiary entered into a consent order with the State of Florida to conduct additional testing at our Auburndale, FL facility. We admitted no liability and the costs are not expected to be material.
 
On a consolidated basis, we have reserved approximately $3.4 million on September 26, 2015 and $3.2 million on September 27, 2014, representing the estimated costs to complete future remediation efforts. These amounts are included in Other Liabilities within the condensed balance sheet and have not been reduced by an insurance receivable.

In addition, on September 26, 2015, we were parties either as plaintiff or defendant to a number of lawsuits and claims arising through the normal course of our business. In the opinion of management, our consolidated financial statements will not be materially affected by the outcome of these contingencies and claims.

On September 26, 2015, we had outstanding purchase commitments on commenced capital projects of approximately $4.9 million.

We provide a variety of warranties for products we manufacture. Historically, warranty claims have not been material.  We distribute products manufactured by other companies, some of which are no longer in business.  While we do not warrant these products, we have received claims as a distributor of these products when the manufacturer no longer exists or has the ability to pay.  Historically, these costs have not had a material affect on our consolidated financial statements.

As part of our operations, we supply building materials and labor to residential and multi-family construction projects or we jointly bid on contracts with framing companies for such projects. In some instances we are required to post payment and performance bonds to insure the owner that our products and installation services are completed in accordance with our contractual obligations.  We have agreed to indemnify the surety for claims made against the bonds.  As of September 26, 2015 we had approximately $0.2 million in outstanding payment and performance bonds, which expire during the next two years.  In addition, approximately $13.0 million in payment and performance bonds are outstanding for completed projects which are still under warranty.

On September 26, 2015, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $25.4 million, primarily related to certain insurance contracts and industrial development revenue bonds described further below.

In lieu of cash deposits, we provide irrevocable letters of credit in favor of our insurers to guarantee our performance under certain insurance contracts.  We currently have irrevocable letters of credit outstanding totaling approximately $15.6 million for these types of insurance arrangements.  We have reserves recorded on our balance sheet, in accrued liabilities, that reflect our expected future liabilities under these insurance arrangements.

We are beneficiaries of certain industrial development bonds. We are required to provide irrevocable letters of credit in favor of the bond trustees for all of these industrial development revenue bonds that have been issued.  These letters of credit guarantee principal and interest payments to the bondholders.  We currently have irrevocable letters of credit outstanding totaling approximately $9.8 million related to our outstanding industrial development revenue bonds.  These letters of credit have varying terms but may be renewed at the option of the issuing banks.

Certain wholly owned domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed the indebtedness of Universal Forest Products, Inc. in certain debt agreements, including the Series 2012 Senior Notes and our revolving credit facility.  The maximum exposure of these

9
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

guarantees is limited to the indebtedness outstanding under these debt arrangements and this exposure will expire concurrent with the expiration of the debt agreements.

Many of our wood treating operations utilize "Subpart W" drip pads, defined as hazardous waste management units by the Environmental Protection Agency.  The rules regulating drip pads require that the pad be “closed” at the point that it is no longer intended to be used for wood treating operations or to manage hazardous waste.  Closure involves identification and disposal of contaminants which are required to be removed from the facility.  The cost of closure is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, identification and removal of contaminants, cleanup standards that vary from state to state, and the time period over which the cleanup would be completed.  Based on our present knowledge of existing circumstances, it is considered probable that these costs will approximate $0.6 million.  As a result, this amount is recorded in other long-term liabilities on September 26, 2015.

We did not enter into any new guarantee arrangements during the third quarter of 2015 which would require us to recognize a liability on our balance sheet.

F.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We completed the following acquisitions in fiscal 2015 and 2014 which were accounted for using the purchase method (in thousands):

10
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Company Name
Acquisition Date
Purchase Price
Intangible Assets
Net Tangible Assets
Operating
Segment
Business Description
Rapid Wood Mfg., LLC (“Rapid Wood”)
February 2, 2015
$1,638
(asset purchase)
$789
$849
Western Division
A supplier of lumber products to the region’s manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries based in Caldwell, Idaho. Rapid Wood had annual sales of $2.3 million.
Integra Packaging Proprietary, Ltd (“Integra Packaging”)
January 16, 2015
$1,102
(51.94% stock purchase)
$1,406
(The Company portion of Intangible Assets $730 or 51.94%)
$715
(The Company portion of Net Tangible Assets $372 or 51.94%)
Other
An Australian-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial wood specialty packaging products. Integra Packaging had annual sales of $12.4 million.
Bigs Packaging and Lumber, LLC (“Bigs Packaging”)
November 13, 2014
$20,000 (asset purchase) + $13,212 earnout accrual
$24,268
$8,945
Western Division
A Texas-based manufacturer of industrial wood and packaging solutions. Bigs Packaging had annual sales of $50.0 million.
Packnet Ltd (“Packnet”)
November 24, 2014
$7,506 (80% asset purchase)
$7,885
(The Company portion of Intangible Assets $6,308 or 80%)
$1,498
(The Company portion of Net Tangible Assets $1,198 or 80%)
Western Division
A supplier of industrial packaging and services based in Eagan, MN. Packnet had annual sales of $9.0 Million.
High Level Components, LLC (“High Level”)
March 31, 2014
$2,944
(asset purchase)
$—
$3,232
North Division
A building component manufacturer based in Locust, NC.  High Level had annual sales of $6.8 million.
Upshur Forest Products, LLC (“Upshur”)
March 28, 2014 (majority interest)
June 25, 2015 (minority interest)
$3,548 (asset purchase)
$1,577
$1,971
Western Division
A sawmill located in Gilmer, TX.  Upshur had annual sales of $8.9 million.
Container Systems, Inc. (“CSI”)
March 14, 2014
$2,417 (asset purchase)
$—
$2,417
South Division
A manufacturer of crates and containers for industrial applications and the moving-and-storage industry, located in Franklinton, NC.  CSI had annual sales of $3.0 million.

The intangible assets for each acquisition were finalized and allocated to their respective identifiable intangible asset and goodwill accounts during 2015.




G.
SEGMENT REPORTING

ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company operates manufacturing, treating and distribution facilities throughout North America, but primarily in the United States. The Company manages the operations of its individual locations primarily through a geographic reporting structure under which each location is included in a region and regions are included in divisions. The exceptions to this geographic reporting and management structure are (a) the Company's Alternative Materials Division, which offers a

11
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

portfolio of outdoor living products and distributes those products nation-wide and (b) the Company's distribution unit (referred to as UFPD) which distributes a variety of products to the manufactured housing industry.

Due to recent changes in management structure, we have revised our operating segments.  Our operating segments currently consist of the North, South, West, Alternative Materials, International, Corporate, and All Other.  Our previous operating segments, immediately prior to the current fiscal year, consisted of Eastern, Western, Site-Built, Corporate, and All Other. The Company's new North and South reporting segments represent the segregation of the former Eastern segment with the following adjustments:

•
The Site-Built unit previously was a separate operating and reportable segment; however the recent management structure reorganization resulted in the Site-Built unit reporting through (and is now apart of) the North segment.

•
UFPD which previously was included in the All Other segment, is now included as part of the North segment.

With respect to the facilities in the north, south, and west segments, these facilities generally supply the three markets the Company serves nationally; the Retail market, Industrial market, and Construction market. Also, substantially all of our facilities support customers in the immediate geographical region surrounding the facility.

Prior year amounts have been reclassified to our new segments.  Our Alternative Materials and International divisions have been included in the “All Other” column of the table below.  The “Corporate” column includes unallocated administrative costs and certain incentive compensation expense.


 
Three Months Ended September 26, 2015
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
252,447

160,345

 
$
305,407

 
$
44,076

 
$
—

 
$
762,275

Intersegment net sales
14,666

6,838

 
15,791

 
3,191

 
—

 
40,486

Segment operating profit
16,965

8,045

 
19,902

 
1,055

 
(3,442
)
 
42,525


 
Three Months Ended September 27, 2014
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
231,604

154,690

 
$
288,966

 
$
38,229

 
$
—

 
$
713,489

Intersegment net sales
8,416

4,902

 
13,804

 
2,303

 
—

 
29,425

Segment operating profit
9,372

5,056

 
15,404

 
2,375

 
13

 
32,220


 
Nine Months Ended September 26, 2015
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
713,280

510,037

 
$
872,497

 
$
137,656

 
$
—

 
$
2,233,470

Intersegment net sales
38,985

21,641

 
40,894

 
11,653

 
—

 
113,173

Segment operating profit (loss)
36,069

22,044

 
48,693

 
2,904

 
(5,134
)
 
104,576



12
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

 
Nine Months Ended September 27, 2014
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
641,720

470,513

 
$
809,629

 
$
118,377

 
$
—

 
$
2,040,239

Intersegment net sales
28,165

15,813

 
38,249

 
11,446

 
—

 
93,673

Segment operating profit
21,296

18,059

 
41,892

 
3,504

 
(3,181
)
 
81,570


H.
INCOME TAXES

Effective tax rates differ from statutory federal income tax rates, primarily due to provisions for state and local income taxes and permanent tax differences.  Our effective tax rate was 35.4% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 35.3% for same period of 2014.  Our effective tax rate remained at 36.4% in the first nine months of both 2015 and 2014. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that supply wood, wood composite and other products to three robust markets: retail, construction and industrial.  Founded in 1955, the Company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America and Australia. For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are pleased to present this overview of 2015.


OVERVIEW

Our results for the third quarter of 2015 were impacted by the following:

•
Our gross sales increased by 6.9% compared to the third quarter of 2014, which was comprised of a 12% increase in unit sales offset by a 5% decrease in selling prices due to the commodity lumber market (See Historical Lumber Prices).  Our unit sales increase was driven by a combination of acquisition-related and organic growth in sales to the Industrial market, an increase in sales to the Retail market as a result of market share gains and improving demand, and an increase in units sold to the commercial and residential housing markets due to market share gains and improving demand.
•
Our operating profits increased by over 30%, and our operating profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 5.6% from 4.5%, comparing 2015 and 2014. These improvements were primarily a combination of organic unit sales growth and leveraging fixed costs, favorable improvements in product sales mix, and opportunistic buying resulting in lower lumber costs relative to our selling prices in certain product lines.

HISTORICAL LUMBER PRICES

13
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


We experience significant fluctuations in the cost of commodity lumber products from primary producers ("Lumber Market"). The following table presents the Random Lengths framing lumber composite price:

 
Random Lengths Composite
Average $/MBF
 
2015
 
2014
January
$
375

 
$
395

February
358

 
394

March
336

 
387

April
334

 
367

May
315

 
377

June
328

 
375

July
346

 
381

August
327

 
401

September
300

 
398

 
 
 
 
Third quarter average
$
324

 
$
393

Year-to-date average
335

 
386

 
 
 
 
Third quarter percentage change
(17.5
)%
 
 

Year-to-date percentage change
(13.1
)%
 
 


In addition, a Southern Yellow Pine ("SYP") composite price, which we prepare and use, is presented below.  Our purchases of this species comprises approximately 45% of total lumber purchases through the first nine months of 2015.

 
Random Lengths SYP
Average $/MBF
 
2015
 
2014
January
$
408

 
$
375

February
399

 
398

March
393

 
406

April
400

 
392

May
368

 
402

June
354

 
406

July
344

 
396

August
321

 
419

September
290

 
416

 
 
 
 
Third quarter average
$
318

 
$
410

Year-to-date average
364

 
401

 
 
 
 
Third quarter percentage change
(22.4
)%
 
 

Year-to-date percentage change
(9.2
)%
 
 

IMPACT OF THE LUMBER MARKET ON OUR OPERATING RESULTS

We generally price our products to pass lumber costs through to our customers so that our profitability is based on the value-added manufacturing, distribution, engineering, and other services we provide.  As a result, our sales levels (and working capital

14
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

requirements) are impacted by the lumber costs of our products.  Lumber costs are a significant percentage of our cost of goods sold, comprising approximately 50%.

Our gross margins are impacted by (1) the relative level of the Lumber Market (i.e. whether prices are higher or lower from comparative periods), and (2) the trend in the market price of lumber (i.e. whether the price of lumber is increasing or decreasing within a period or from period to period). Moreover, as explained below, our products are priced differently.  Some of our products have fixed selling prices, while the selling prices of other products are indexed to the reported Lumber Market with a fixed dollar adder to cover conversion costs and profits.  Consequently, the level and trend of the Lumber Market impact our products differently.
 
Below is a general description of the primary ways in which our products are priced.
 
•
Products with fixed selling prices.  These products include value-added products such as deck components and fencing sold to retail building materials customers, as well as trusses, wall panels and other components sold to the residential construction market, and most industrial packaging products.  Prices for these products are generally fixed at the time of the sales quotation for a specified period of time or are based upon a specific quantity.  In order to maintain margins and reduce any exposure to adverse trends in the price of component lumber products, we attempt to lock in costs with our suppliers for these sales commitments.  Also, the time period and quantity limitations generally allow us to re-price our products for changes in lumber costs from our suppliers.
•
Products with selling prices indexed to the reported Lumber Market with a fixed dollar "adder" to cover conversion costs and profits.  These products primarily include treated lumber, remanufactured lumber, and trusses sold to the manufactured housing industry.  For these products, we estimate the customers' needs and we carry anticipated levels of inventory.  Because lumber costs are incurred in advance of final sale prices, subsequent increases or decreases in the market price of lumber impact our gross margins.  For these products, our margins are exposed to changes in the trend of lumber prices. 
Changes in the trend of lumber prices have their greatest impact on the following products:
•
Products with significant inventory levels with low turnover rates, whose selling prices are indexed to the Lumber Market.  In other words, the longer the period of time these products remain in inventory, the greater the exposure to changes in the price of lumber. This would include treated lumber, which comprises approximately 15% of our total sales.  This exposure is less significant with remanufactured lumber, trusses sold to the manufactured housing market, and other similar products, due to the higher rate of inventory turnover.  We attempt to mitigate the risk associated with treated lumber through vendor consignment inventory programs.  (Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.)
•
Products with fixed selling prices sold under long-term supply arrangements, particularly those involving multi-family construction projects.  We attempt to mitigate this risk through our purchasing practices by locking in costs.
 
In addition to the impact of the Lumber Market trends on gross margins, changes in the level of the market cause fluctuations in gross margins when comparing operating results from period to period. This is explained in the following example, which assumes the price of lumber has increased from period one to period two, with no changes in the trend within each period.
 
 
Period 1
 
Period 2
Lumber cost
$
300

 
$
400

Conversion cost
50

 
50

 = Product cost
350

 
450

Adder
50

 
50

 = Sell price
$
400

 
$
500

Gross margin
12.5
%
 
10.0
%

As is apparent from the preceding example, the level of lumber prices does not impact our overall profits, but does impact our margins.  Gross margins are negatively impacted during periods of high lumber prices; conversely, we experience margin improvement when lumber prices are relatively low.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS


15
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

We completed two business acquisitions during the first nine months of 2015 and five during all of 2014. Each of the acquisitions was accounted for using the purchase method. The annual revenue attributable to the two acquisitions completed in 2015 is approximately $14.7 million. These business combinations were not significant to our operating results individually or in aggregate and thus pro forma results for 2015 and 2014 are not presented.

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note F, "Business Combinations" for additional information.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the components of our Unaudited  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a percentage of net sales.

 
Three Months Ended
Nine months Ended
 
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
Net sales
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
Cost of goods sold
85.5

87.4

86.4

87.6

Gross profit
14.5

12.6

13.6

12.4

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
8.9

8.4

8.8

8.5

Anti-dumping duty assessments
—

—

—

0.1

Net gain on disposition  and impairment of assets
—

(0.4
)
—

(0.2
)
Earnings from operations
5.6

4.5

4.7

4.0

Other expense (income), net
0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

Earnings before income taxes
5.5

4.4

4.5

3.9

Income taxes
1.9

1.6

1.7

1.4

Net earnings
3.5

2.9

2.9

2.5

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
(0.2
)
(0.2
)
(0.1
)
(0.1
)
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest
3.4
%
2.7
%
2.8
%
2.4
%
 
Note: Actual percentages are calculated and may not sum to total due to rounding.
 
GROSS SALES

We design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for national home centers and other retailers; engineered wood components, structural lumber, and other products for manufactured housing, residential and commercial construction; and specialty wood packaging, components and packing materials for various industries.  Our long-term sales objectives include:

•
Diversifying our end market sales mix by increasing sales of specialty wood packaging to industrial users, increasing our penetration of the commercial market, increasing our sales of engineered wood components for custom home, multi-family, military and light commercial construction, and increasing our market share with independent retailers.
•
Expanding geographically in our core businesses, domestically and internationally.
•
Increasing sales of “value-added” products, which primarily consist of fencing, decking, lattice, and other specialty products sold to the retail market, specialty wood packaging, engineered wood components, and “wood alternative” products. Engineered wood components include roof trusses, wall panels, and floor systems.  Wood alternative products consist primarily of composite wood and plastics. Although we consider the treatment of dimensional lumber with certain chemical preservatives a value-added process, treated lumber, which comprises approximately 20% of our total sales, is not presently included in the value-added sales totals.
•
Developing new products and expanding our product offering for existing customers.  New product sales were $60.1 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $48.2 million during the third quarter of 2014.  New product sales year-to-date for 2015 and 2014 were $181.2 million and $143.6 million, respectively.

16
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

•
Maximizing unit sales growth while achieving return on investment goals.
 
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our gross sales and percentage change in gross sales by market classification.

(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Market Classification
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
% Change
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
% Change
Retail
$
295,350

$
270,516

9.2

$
901,454

$
818,871

10.1

Industrial
236,023

212,906

10.9

687,251

589,892

16.5

Construction
241,835

240,203

0.7

677,112

661,271

2.4

Total Gross Sales
773,208

723,625

6.9

2,265,817

2,070,034

9.5

Sales Allowances
(10,933
)
(10,136
)
7.9

(32,347
)
(29,795
)
8.6

Total Net Sales
$
762,275

$
713,489

6.8

$
2,233,470

$
2,040,239

9.5


Note: During 2015, certain customers were reclassified to a different market.  Prior year information has been restated to reflect these changes.

Gross sales in the third quarter of 2015 increased 6.9% compared to the same period of 2014, due to a 12% increase in unit sales offset by a 5% decline in selling prices. Businesses we acquired since the third quarter of 2014 contributed $24.4 million, or 3.4%, to our sales growth.

Gross sales in the first nine months of 2015 increased 9.5% compared to the same period of 2014, due to a 13.5% increase in unit sales offset by a 4% decrease in overall selling prices. Businesses we acquired since the third quarter of 2014 contributed $71.1 million, or 3.4%, to our sales growth.

Changes in our gross sales by market are discussed below.

Retail:

Gross sales to the retail market increased over 9% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, due to a 13% increase in unit sales offset by a 4% decrease in selling prices.  Within this market, sales to our big box customers increased 17% while our sales to other retailers remained flat. Our retail customers have benefited from improving consumer demand as evidenced by their reported increases in same store sales. In addition, we gained market share with certain big box customers and increased our sales of new products with these customers.

Gross sales to the retail market increased by over 10% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, due to a 13% increase in unit sales offset by a 3% decrease in overall selling prices.  Within this market, sales to our big box customers increased almost 14% while our sales to other retailers increased approximately 5% due to the same factors discussed above.
 
Industrial:

Gross sales to the industrial market increased approximately 11% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, resulting from a 17% increase in unit sales offset by a 6% decrease in selling prices. Businesses we acquired since the third quarter of 2014 contributed almost 11% to our unit sales growth. The remaining 6% organic growth was due to a combination of adding new customers and gaining market share with existing customers.
 
Gross sales to the industrial market increased 16.5% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, due to a 22% increase in unit sales offset by a 5.5% decrease in selling prices. Businesses we acquired since the third quarter of 2014 contributed 12% to our unit growth. The remaining 10% organic growth was primarily due to the same factors discussed above.

Construction:

Gross sales to the construction market increased almost 1% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.  The increase was due to a 6% increase in unit sales, offset by a 5% decrease in our selling prices.  Our increase in unit sales was primarily driven by a 16% increase in unit sales to the commercial construction market and a 10% increase in unit sales to the residential construction market, offset by reductions in sales to our manufactured housing customers. Our customers comprising the

17
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Construction market consist of producers of manufactured housing (HUD-code and modular) as well as contractors and builders of residential and commercial structures. By comparison:
•
Production of HUD-code homes in June and July 2015 were up 7.5% compared to 2014.
•
National housing starts increased approximately 16.8% in the period from June 2015 through August 2015 (our sales trail housing starts by about a month) compared to the same period of 2014. 
•
Modular home production was flat.
•
Non-residential construction activity was up 9.7%.

Gross sales to the construction market increased over 2% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, due to a 7% increase in unit sales, offset by a 5% decrease in selling prices. Our increase in unit sales was primarily due to the same reasons discussed above.


Value-Added and Commodity-Based Sales:

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our percentage of value-added and commodity-based sales to total sales.  Value-added products generally carry higher gross margins than our commodity-based products.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 26,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
 
September 26,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
Value-Added
60.1
%
 
58.3
%
 
59.2
%
 
58.5
%
Commodity-Based
39.9
%
 
41.7
%
 
40.8
%
 
41.5
%

COST OF GOODS SOLD AND GROSS PROFIT

Our gross margin increased to 14.5% from 12.6% comparing the third quarter of 2015 to the same period of 2014.  Our gross profit dollars increased by $21.1 million, or 23.6%, which compares favorably to our 12% increase in unit sales.  Additionally, our gross profit as a percentage of sales increased 190 basis points. The improvement in our profitability in the third quarter of 2015 is attributable to the following factors:

•
Over $3.8 million of our gross profit increase was on sales to the residential construction market. Our organic growth in sales to the commercial and construction market added over $1.5 million to our gross profits.
•
Nearly $3.9 million of our gross profit increase is attributable to our organic unit sales growth to the retail market and operating leverage on our fixed costs.
•
Almost $13 million of our gross profit improvement was due to growth and a more favorable product mix on sales to the industrial market.
•
Finally, we benefited from lower lumber costs on products sold using a fixed selling price methodology. We estimate this contributed approximately 100 basis points to our increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales, primarily on sales to the construction and industrial markets.

Our gross profit margin increased to 13.6% from 12.4% comparing the first nine months of 2015 to the same period of 2014.  Our gross profit dollars increased by $50.1 million, or 19.9%, which compares favorably to our 13% increase in unit sales. This improvement is primarily due to the same factors discussed above. 
 
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased by approximately $8.0 million, or 13.3%, in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, while we reported a 12% increase in unit sales.  The increase in SG&A was primarily due to a $3.1 million, or 10%, increase in compensation and benefit costs primarily due to having more personnel, a $3.3 million increase in incentive compensation resulting from an improvement in our profitability, and several other smaller increases driven in some cases by our sales growth. Businesses we acquired since the third quarter of 2014 added approximately $2 million to our SG&A costs, which is included in the amounts discussed above.
 
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased by approximately $25.3 million, or 14.6%, in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, while we reported a 13% increase in unit sales.  SG&A expenses were

18
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

impacted in the first nine months of 2015 by the same factors discussed above. Our "core" SG&A expenses, excluding bonus expense, were $57.2 million, $57.8 million, and $57.9 million in the first, second, and third quarters of 2015, respectively.

INTEREST, NET

Net interest costs were higher in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, due to additional interest expense resulting from higher debt levels in 2015, and due to less interest revenue as a result of the collection of certain notes receivable.

INCOME TAXES

Effective tax rates differ from statutory federal income tax rates, primarily due to provisions for state and local income taxes and permanent tax differences.  Our effective tax rate was 35.4% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 35.3% for same period of 2014.  Our effective tax rate remained at 36.4% in the first nine months of both 2015 and 2014.

During the third quarter of 2014, the net gain on disposition and impairment of assets totaled $2.6 million.  Included within the $2.6 million net gain was a gain on the sale of certain real estate totaling $2.7 million completed by a 50% owned subsidiary of the Company.    After considering the $1.35 million non-controlling interest and income taxes, net earnings attributable to controlling interests increased by approximately $700,000 as a result of these transactions.  In the first nine months of 2014, we recognized a net gain on the sale of assets of $4.6 million, which was offset by a $1.2 million impairment loss recorded to reduce the value of one of our vacant properties.

SEGMENT REPORTING

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our net sales and earnings from operations by reportable segment.
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
Segment Operating Profit
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
$ Change
% Change
 
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
$ Change
% Change
North
 
$
252,447

$
231,604

$
20,843

9.0
%
 
$
16,965

$
9,372

$
7,593

81.0
 %
South
 
160,345

154,690

5,655

3.7
%
 
8,045

5,056

2,989

59.1
 %
West
 
305,407

288,966

16,441

5.7
%
 
19,902

15,404

4,498

29.2
 %
All Other
 
44,076

38,229

5,847

15.3
%
 
1,055

2,375

(1,320
)
(55.6
)%
Corporate1
 
—

 
—



 
(3,442
)
13

(3,455
)
(26,577
)%
Total
 
$
762,275

$
713,489

$
48,786

6.8
%
 
$
42,525

$
32,220

$
10,305

32.0
 %
 
 
Net Sales
 
Segment Operating Profit
(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
$ Change
% Change
 
September 26,
2015
September 27,
2014
$ Change
% Change
North
 
$
713,280

$
641,720

$
71,560

11.2
%
 
$
36,069

$
21,296

$
14,773

69.4
 %
South
 
510,037

470,513

39,524

8.4
%
 
22,044

18,059

3,985

22.1
 %
West
 
872,497

809,629

62,868

7.8
%
 
48,693

41,892

6,801

16.2
 %
All Other
 
137,656

118,377

19,279

16.3
%
 
2,904

3,504

(600
)
(17.1
)%
Corporate1
 
—

—

—



 
(5,134
)
(3,181
)
(1,953
)
61.4
 %
Total
 
$
2,233,470

$
2,040,239

$
193,231

9.5
%
 
$
104,576

$
81,570

$
23,006

28.2
 %

1Corporate primarily represents over (under) allocated administrative costs.

North


19
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Net sales attributable to the North reportable segment increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014 due to an increase in unit sales to retail and residential construction customers.

Earnings from operations increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in overall unit sales, improved profitability on our sales to the construction and industrial markets, as well as improved profitability in our Great Lakes and Northeast region on its sales to the retail market.

South

Net sales attributable to the South reportable segment increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in unit sales to the retail and industrial markets.

Earnings from operations for the South reportable segment increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in overall unit sales as well as improved profitability in our Southeast and Gulf regions on its sales to the retail and industrial markets.

West

Net sales attributable to the West reportable segment increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to an increase in sales to the retail and industrial markets, which were offset by a decrease in sales to manufactured housing customers within the construction market. The growth in sales to the industrial market was primarily due to acquisitions we completed since the third quarter of 2014.


Earnings from operations for the West reportable segment increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to an increase in unit sales, improved profitability in our Far West and North Texas regions on its sales to the industrial market, and the operating profits from recent acquisitions.

 
All Other

Net sales for all other segments increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in sales to the industrial market by our Mexican reporting units and the recent acquisition of the subsidiaries comprising our Australian reporting unit.

Earnings from operations for all other segments decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to a gain on the sale of certain real estate in Mexico recorded in the third quarter of 2014 totaling $2.7 million.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

We have no significant off-balance sheet transactions other than operating leases.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The table below presents, for the periods indicated, a summary of our cash flow statement (in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 26, 2015
 
September 27, 2014
Cash from operating activities
$
121,409

 
$
70,528

Cash used in investing activities
(40,106
)
 
(33,689
)
Cash used in financing activities
(24,926
)
 
(10,408
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(1,004
)
 
(247
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
55,373

 
26,184

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
—

 
—

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
55,373

 
$
26,184



20
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

In general, we financed our growth in the past through a combination of operating cash flows, our revolving credit facility, industrial development bonds (when circumstances permit), and issuance of long-term notes payable at times when interest rates are favorable.  We have not issued equity to finance growth except in the case of a large acquisition.  We manage our capital structure by attempting to maintain a targeted ratio of debt to equity and debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  We believe this is one of many important factors to maintaining a strong credit profile, which in turn helps ensure timely access to capital when needed.

Seasonality has a significant impact on our working capital from January to August which historically results in negative or modest cash flows from operations in our first and second quarters. Conversely, we experience a substantial decrease in working capital from September to December which typically results in significant cash flow from operations in our third and fourth quarters.
 
Due to the seasonality of our business and the effects of the Lumber Market, we believe our cash cycle (days of sales outstanding plus days supply of inventory less days payables outstanding) is a good indicator of our working capital management. Our cash cycle increased to 54 days in the first nine months of 2015 from 49 days in the first six months of 2014.  We carried higher levels of safety stock inventory in 2015 due to potential weather and expected industry transportation challenges. In fact, we did experience adverse weather conditions at certain of our operations as well as difficulties managing third party transportation services at some locations principally due to the lack of available resources. We continue to devote management and third party resources to improve the efficiency of our inventory management practices.

Cash from operating activities was $121.4 million in the first nine months of 2015, which was comprised of net earnings of $64.6 million, $31.7 million of non-cash expenses, and a $25.1 million seasonal decrease in working capital since the end of 2014. Lower lumber prices in the third quarter also contributed to our decrease in working capital at the end of September.

Purchases of property, plants, and equipment comprised most of our cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2015 and totaled $36.5 million.  We currently plan to spend up to $50 million in 2015 on these capital items.  Outstanding purchase commitments on existing capital projects totaled approximately $4.9 million on September 26, 2015.  We intend to fund capital expenditures and purchase commitments through our operating cash flows for the balance of the year.  Additionally, we collected $4.4 million of outstanding notes receivables, net of advances, and made purchases of certain investments totaling $6.0 million during the first nine months of 2015 .  Finally, cash flows used in investing activities included $2.6 million used to acquire new businesses and $1.3 million used to acquire the remaining non-controlling interest of Upshur Forest Products, LLC from our partner. See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, Note F “Business Combinations”.

Cash flows from financing activities primarily consisted of net repayments under our revolving credit facility to support seasonal working capital requirements, dividends paid in June totaling $0.40 per share, and $3.2 million of distributions to partners that own a non-controlling interest in certain of our subsidiaries.

On September 26, 2015, we had no outstanding balance on our $295 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility also supports letters of credit totaling approximately $9.8 million on September 26, 2015.  Additionally, we have $150 million in availability after considering letters of credit. Financial covenants on the unsecured revolving credit facility and unsecured notes include minimum interest tests and a maximum leverage ratio. The agreements also restrict the amount of additional indebtedness we may incur and the amount of assets which may be sold.  We were in compliance with all our covenant requirements on September 26, 2015.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND REGULATIONS

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, Note E, "Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees."

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we follow accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  These principles require us to make certain estimates and apply judgments that affect our financial position and results of operations. We continually review our accounting policies and financial information disclosures.  There have been no material changes in our policies or estimates since December 27, 2014.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.


21
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on our variable rate debt, which consists of a revolving credit facility and industrial development revenue bonds.  We do not currently use interest rate swaps, futures contracts or options on futures, or other types of derivative financial instruments to mitigate this risk.

For fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair market value, but not earnings or cash flows.  Conversely, for variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not influence fair market value, but do affect future earnings and cash flows.  We do not have an obligation to prepay fixed rate debt prior to maturity, and as a result, interest rate risk and changes in fair market value should not have a significant impact on such debt until we would be required to refinance it.

We are subject to fluctuations in the price of lumber.  We experience significant fluctuations in the cost of commodity lumber products from primary producers (the "Lumber Market").  A variety of factors over which we have no control, including government regulations, transportation, environmental regulations, weather conditions, economic conditions, and natural disasters, impact the cost of lumber products and our selling prices.  While we attempt to minimize our risk from severe price fluctuations, substantial, prolonged trends in lumber prices can affect our sales volume, our gross margins, and our profitability.  We anticipate that these fluctuations will continue in the future.  (See “Impact of the Lumber Market on Our Operating Results.”)

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  With the participation of management, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15e and 15d – 15e) as of the quarter ended September 26, 2015 (the “Evaluation Date”), have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b)
Changes in Internal Controls.  During the quarter ended September 26, 2015, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

22
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

None.
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

(a)
None.
(b)
None.
(c)
Issuer purchases of equity securities.
Fiscal Month
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
June 28 – August 1, 2015(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,881,703

August 2 – 29, 2015
3,000

 
$
59.69

 
 
 
2,878,703

August 30 – September 26, 2015
9,100

 
$
59.67

 
 
 
2,869,603

                                                                                                

(a)
Total number of shares purchased.
(b)
Average price paid per share.
(c)
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs.
(d)
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs.

(1) 
On November 14, 2001, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (which succeeded a previous program) allowing us to repurchase up to 2.5 million shares of our common stock.  On October 14, 2011, our Board authorized an additional 2 million shares to be repurchased under our share repurchase program.  The total number of shares that may be repurchased under the program is approximately 3 million shares.
Item 5.  Other Information.

None.

23
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.  Exhibits.
 
The following exhibits (listed by number corresponding to the Exhibit Table as Item 601 in Regulation S-K) are filed with this report:
 
31
Certifications.
 
 
 
 
(a)
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
 
(b)
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
32
Certifications.
 
 
 
 
(a)
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
 
(b)
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
101
Interactive Data File.
 
 
 
 
(INS)
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
 
(SCH)
XBRL Schema Document.
 
 
 
 
(CAL)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
(LAB)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
(PRE)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
(DEF)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 

*
Indicates a compensatory arrangement.

24
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

SIGNATURES

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

 
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
 
 
 
Date: October 30, 2015
By:
/s/ Matthew J. Missad
 
Matthew J. Missad,
 
Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date: October 30, 2015
By:
/s/ Michael R. Cole
 
Michael R. Cole,
 
Chief Financial Officer,
 
Principal Financial Officer and
 
Principal Accounting Officer

25
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.     
Description
 
 
 
31
Certifications.
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
 
32
Certifications.
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
101
Interactive Data File.
 
 
 
 
(INS)
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
 
(SCH)
XBRL Schema Document.
 
 
 
 
(CAL)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
(LAB)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
(PRE)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
(DEF)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 

*
Indicates a compensatory arrangement.


26