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Interline Brands, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Sales and Earnings Results

Posted : Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:05:04 GMT
Author : Interline Brands, Inc.
Category : Press Release
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 30 FL-Interline-Earnings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interline Brands, Inc. (NYSE: IBI) ("Interline" or the "Company"), a leading distributor and direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") products, reported sales and earnings for the quarter ended September 25, 2009.

Sales for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 12.5% compared to the prior year period. Earnings per diluted share were $0.32 for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 24% compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.42 in the third quarter of 2008.

Michael J. Grebe, Interline's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We delivered comparatively good revenue and profitability levels despite a soft demand environment. More importantly, we generated $26 million in free cash flow, which brings our year-to-date total to over $90 million; we strengthened our balance sheet by paying down an additional $30 million of debt this quarter; and we remain on track to deliver our stated full year savings from our cost and efficiency actions. While we have had success in managing our business through this challenging period, our leadership position and healthy financial profile afford us the opportunity to act in the long-term interests of our Company. We are focused on making permanent improvements in our business, and strengthening our foundation in order to deliver significant earnings leverage when market conditions improve."

Third Quarter 2009 Performance

Sales for the quarter ended September 25, 2009 were $277.9 million, a 12.5% decrease compared to sales of $317.5 million in the comparable 2008 period. Average organic daily sales decreased 13.6% for the quarter. Interline's facilities maintenance end-market, which comprised 75% of sales, declined 6.2% during the third quarter and 7.9% on an average organic daily sales basis. The professional contractor end-market, which comprised 15% of sales, declined 28.5% for the quarter and the specialty distributor end-market, which comprised 10% of sales, declined 24.0% for the quarter.

"We feel somewhat better about the market environment as a whole than we did earlier in the year, but visibility remains low, and various economic indicators suggest continued softness across some of our end markets. We continue to leverage our base of stable, non-discretionary products and focus on broadening and deepening our relationships with customers to serve a growing portion of their MRO needs going forward," said Mr. Grebe.

Gross profit decreased $18.7 million, or 15.5%, to $102.2 million for the third quarter of 2009. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 36.8% compared to 38.1% for the third quarter of 2008.

SG&A expenses for the quarter were $76.2 million, down $11.6 million or 13.2% from the same period last year. SG&A expenses for the quarter represented 27.4% of sales compared to 27.7% in the third quarter of 2008.

As a result, third quarter 2009 operating income of $21.5 million, or 7.7% of sales, decreased 25.3% compared to $28.8 million, or 9.1% of sales, in the third quarter of 2008.

YTD 2009 Performance

"Optimizing our distribution network and improving our inventory efficiency continue to be key aspects of our long-term supply chain strategy. We are encouraged by our results in these areas to date, and look forward to realizing the full benefit of our actions when demand returns to more normalized levels," commented Kenneth D. Sweder, Interline's Chief Operating Officer.

Sales for the nine months ended September 25, 2009 were $804.7 million, a 12.4% decrease from sales of $918.1 million in the comparable 2008 period.

Gross profit decreased $49.7 million, or 14.3%, to $297.1 million for the nine months ended September 25, 2009, compared to $346.8 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased to 36.9% from 37.8% in the comparable 2008 period.

SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 25, 2009 were $239.0 million, or 29.7% of sales, compared to $261.4 million, or 28.5% of sales, for the nine months ended September 26, 2008. SG&A expenses in 2009 included $4.6 million related to the previously announced reduction in force, consolidation of certain distribution centers, and closing of certain underperforming professional contractor showrooms; a $3.0 million charge for bad debt resulting from a customer seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; and a $0.7 million charge associated with the adoption of a new accounting standard on business combinations.

Operating income was $44.6 million, or 5.5% of sales, for the nine months ended September 25, 2009 compared to $73.1 million, or 8.0% of sales, for the nine months ended September 26, 2008, representing a decrease of 39.0%.

Earnings per diluted share were $0.60 for the nine months ended September 25, 2009, a decrease of 42% from earnings per diluted share of $1.03 for the nine months ended September 26, 2008.

Cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 25, 2009 was $102.2 million compared to $14.0 million for the nine months ended September 26, 2008. During the nine months ended September 25, 2009, the Company repaid $92.9 million of debt.

Business Outlook

Mr. Grebe stated, "Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, we expect a similar setting to the past nine months, including low visibility and soft demand. That said, we are encouraged to see a few signs of signs of some stabilization. Revenue declines across our markets have moderated slightly. In addition, based on our strong cash flow generation year-to-date, we now expect free cash flow for the year to exceed $100 million. I am confident we are taking the right steps to maximize our cash flows, position Interline Brands for long-term success and to compete more effectively for the years to come."

Conference Call

Interline Brands will host a conference call on October 30, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Interested parties may listen to the call toll free by dialing 1-800-427-0638 or 1-706-634-1170. A digital recording will be available for replay two hours after the completion of the conference call by calling 1-800-642-1687 or 1-706-645-9291 and referencing Conference I.D. Number 36222460. This recording will expire on November 13, 2009.

About Interline

Interline Brands, Inc. is a leading national distributor and direct marketer with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Interline provides maintenance, repair and operations products to a diversified customer base made up of professional contractors, facilities maintenance professionals, and specialty distributors primarily throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Interline's management uses non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP results available in the accompanying tables.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, forward-looking statements. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," and similar expressions. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals are also forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties involving forward-looking statements include, for example, economic slowdowns, general market conditions, credit market contractions, consumer spending and debt levels, adverse changes in trends in the home improvement and remodeling and home building markets, the failure to realize expected benefits from acquisitions, material facilities systems disruptions and shutdowns, the failure to locate, acquire and integrate acquisition candidates, commodity price risk, foreign currency exchange risk, interest rate risk, the dependence on key employees and other risks described in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 26, 2009 and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2008. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Be advised that developments subsequent to this release are likely to cause these statements to become outdated with the passage of time. The Company does not currently intend, however, to update the information provided today prior to its next earnings release.

CONTACT: Tom Tossavainen
PHONE: 904-421-1441

    INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    AS OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 AND DECEMBER 26, 2008
    (in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                              September 25,  December 26,
                                                   2009          2008
                                                   ----          ----
    ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                  $63,691       $62,724
      Investments                                  1,623             -
      Accounts receivable - trade (net of
       allowance for doubtful accounts of
       $13,070 and $12,140)                      141,290       139,522
      Inventory                                  184,707       211,200
      Prepaid income taxes                           129         1,452
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets   18,414        22,884
      Deferred income taxes                       16,001        19,010
                                                --------      --------
        Total current assets                     425,855       456,792

    Property and equipment, net                   48,461        46,033
    Goodwill                                     318,229       317,117
    Other intangible assets, net                 126,598       132,787
    Other assets                                   8,673        10,119
                                                --------      --------
        Total assets                            $927,816      $962,848
                                                ========      ========

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
      Accounts payable                           $84,356       $68,255
      Accrued expenses and other current
       liabilities                                44,867        31,394
      Accrued interest                             3,466         1,072
      Current portion of long-term debt            1,638         1,625
      Capital lease - current                        260           239
                                                --------      --------
        Total current liabilities                134,587       102,585

    Long-Term Liabilities:
      Deferred income taxes                       39,854        37,210
      Long-term debt, net of current portion     309,051       401,765
      Capital lease - long term                       28           226
      Other liabilities                              835           989
                                                --------      --------
        Total liabilities                        484,355       542,775
    Commitments and contingencies
    Senior preferred stock; $0.01 par value,
     20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
     outstanding as of September 25, 2009 and
     December 26, 2008                                 -             -
                                                --------      --------

    Shareholders' Equity:
      Common stock; $0.01 par value, 100,000,000
       authorized; 32,574,463 issued and
       32,459,156 outstanding as of September
       25, 2009 and 32,561,360 issued and
       32,449,946 outstanding as of December
       26, 2008                                      326           326
      Additional paid-in capital                 574,996       571,868
      Accumulated deficit                       (131,058)     (150,833)
      Accumulated other comprehensive income       1,249           695
      Treasury stock, at cost, 115,307 shares
       as of September 25, 2009 and
       December 26, 2008                          (2,052)       (1,983)
                                                --------      --------
        Total shareholders' equity               443,461       420,073
                                                --------      --------
        Total liabilities and
         shareholders' equity                   $927,816      $962,848
                                                ========      ========



    INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
    THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
    (in thousands, except share and per share data)


                            Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                            ------------------          -----------------
                       September 25, September 26, September 25, September 26,
                            2009         2008          2009          2008
                           -------      -------       -------       -------

    Net sales             $277,948     $317,504      $804,661      $918,079
    Cost of sales          175,726      196,568       507,528       571,293
                           -------      -------       -------       -------
      Gross profit         102,222      120,936       297,133       346,786

    Operating Expenses:
      Selling, general
       and administrative
       expenses             76,191       87,828       239,009       261,426
      Depreciation and
       amortization          4,535        4,319        13,561        12,300
                           -------      -------       -------       -------
          Total operating
           expense          80,726       92,147       252,570       273,726
                           -------      -------       -------       -------
    Operating income        21,496       28,789        44,563        73,060

    (Loss) Gain on
     extinguishment of
     debt, net                (248)           -         1,295             -
    Interest expense        (4,577)      (7,054)      (14,673)      (21,800)
    Interest and
     other income              554          710         1,284         2,113
                           -------      -------       -------       -------
      Income before
       income taxes         17,225       22,445        32,469        53,373
    Income tax provision     6,794        8,709        12,694        19,788
                           -------      -------       -------       -------
    Net income             $10,431      $13,736       $19,775       $33,585
                           =======      =======       =======       =======

    Earnings Per Share:
      Basic                  $0.32        $0.42         $0.61         $1.04
                             =====        =====         =====         =====
      Diluted                $0.32        $0.42         $0.60         $1.03
                             =====        =====         =====         =====

    Weighted-Average
     Shares Outstanding:
      Basic             32,511,597   32,412,280    32,493,797    32,387,865
                        ==========   ==========    ==========    ==========
      Diluted           33,070,041   32,553,518    32,826,466    32,618,370
                        ==========   ==========    ==========    ==========



    INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
    (in thousands)

                                                       Nine Months Ended
                                                       -----------------
                                                  September 25,  September 26,
                                                       2009           2008
                                                       ----           ----
     Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
       Net income                                    $19,775        $33,585
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
        cash provided by operating activities:
           Depreciation and amortization              14,169         12,695
           Gain on extinguishment of debt, net        (1,295)             -
           Amortization of debt issuance costs           829            852
           Amortization of discount on 8 1/8%
            senior subordinated notes                    108            109
           Write-off of deferred acquisition costs       672              -
           Share-based compensation                    3,075          2,994
           Excess tax benefits from share-based
            compensation                                  (1)          (140)
           Deferred income taxes                       6,113           (667)
           Provision for doubtful accounts             7,330          3,571
           Loss on disposal of property and
            equipment                                     13             79

        Changes in assets and liabilities which
         provided (used) cash:
          Accounts receivable - trade                 (8,959)       (16,230)
          Inventory                                   26,720        (38,971)
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets    4,478          1,703
          Other assets                                   774            615
          Accounts payable                            16,061          8,428
          Accrued expenses and other current
           liabilities                                 8,751          2,159
          Accrued interest                             2,394          4,144
          Income taxes                                 1,321            513
          Other liabilities                             (145)        (1,394)
                                                      ------         ------
             Net cash provided by operating
              activities                             102,183         14,045
     Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
       Purchase of property and equipment, net        (9,078)       (18,712)
       Purchase of short-term investments             (1,830)       (35,531)
       Proceeds from sales and maturities of
        short-term investments                           203         82,121
       Purchase of businesses, net of cash
        acquired                                        (381)       (10,330)
                                                      ------         ------
             Net cash (used in) provided by
              investing activities                   (11,086)        17,548
     Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
       Increase (Decrease) in purchase card
        payable, net                                     492          2,324
       Repayment of term debt                        (56,488)        (2,489)
       Repayment of 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes (34,157)             -
       Payments on capital lease obligations            (177)          (164)
       Proceeds from stock options exercised              17            611
       Excess tax benefits from share-based
        compensation                                       1            140
       Treasury stock acquired to satisfy
        minimum statutory tax withholding
        requirements                                     (34)          (808)
                                                      ------         ------
             Net cash used in financing activities   (90,346)          (386)
     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
      and cash equivalents                               216            (70)
                                                      ------         ------
     Net increase in cash and cash equivalents           967         31,137
     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
      period                                          62,724          4,975
                                                      ------         ------
     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $63,691        $36,112
                                                     =======        =======

     Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
       Cash paid during the period for:
         Interest                                    $11,278        $16,823
                                                     =======        =======
         Income taxes, net of refunds                 $5,371        $21,124
                                                     =======        =======

     Schedule of Non-Cash Investing Activities:
         Property acquired through lease
          incentives                                  $3,009             $-
                                                     =======        =======
         Adjustments to liabilities assumed and
          goodwill on businesses acquired               $732             $-
                                                     =======        =======


    INTERLINE BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION
    THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
     (in thousands)

    Free Cash Flow         Three Months Ended            Nine Months Ended
                           ------------------            -----------------
                       September 25, September 26, September 25, September 26,
                           2009          2008          2009          2008
                           ----          ----          ----          ----
    Net cash from
     operating
     activities          $29,847      $(13,129)      $102,183      $14,045
       Less capital
        expenditures      (3,390)       (5,172)        (9,078)     (18,712)
                          ------        ------         ------       -------
    Free cash flow       $26,457      $(18,301)       $93,105      $(4,667)
                         =======      ========        =======       =======

    We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, as
    defined under GAAP, less capital expenditures. We believe that free cash
    flow is an important measure of our liquidity and therefore our ability to
    reduce debt and make strategic investments after considering the capital
    expenditures necessary to operate the business. We use free cash flow in
    the evaluation of the Company's business performance. A limitation of this
    measure, however, is that it does not reflect payments made in connection
    with investments and acquisitions, which reduce liquidity. To compensate
    for this limitation, management evaluates its investments and acquisitions
    through other return on capital measures.




    Daily Sales Calculations             Three Months Ended
                                         ------------------
                            September 25,  September 26,
                                2009           2008       % Variance
                                ----           ----       ----------

    Net sales                $277,948       $317,504         -12.5%
      Less acquisitions:
                               (3,718)             -
                               ------         ------
    Organic sales            $274,230       $317,504         -13.6%
                             ========       ========         =====

    Daily sales:
      Ship days                    63             63
      Average daily
       sales (1)               $4,412         $5,040         -12.5%
                               ======         ======         =====
      Average organic
       daily sales (2)         $4,353         $5,040         -13.6%
                               ======         ======         =====



    Daily Sales Calculations             Nine Months Ended
                                         -----------------
                            September 25,  September 26,
                                2009           2008       % Variance
                                ----           ----        ----------

    Net sales                $804,661       $918,079         -12.4%
      Less acquisitions:
                              (13,058)             -
                              -------            ---
    Organic sales            $791,603       $918,079         -13.8%
                             ========       ========         =====

    Daily sales:
      Ship days                   191            191
      Average daily
       sales (1)               $4,213         $4,807         -12.4%
                               ======         ======         =====
      Average organic
       daily sales (2)         $4,145         $4,807         -13.8%
                               ======         ======         =====

    (1) Average daily sales are defined as sales for a period of time divided
    by the number of shipping days in that period of time.
    (2) Average organic daily sales are defined as sales for a period of time
    divided by the number of shipping days in that period of time excluding
    any sales from acquisitions made subsequent to the beginning of the prior
    year period.

    Average organic daily sales is presented herein because we believe it to
    be relevant and useful information to our investors since it is used by
    management to evaluate the operating performance of our business, as
    adjusted to exclude the impact of acquisitions, and compare our organic
    operating performance with that of our competitors. However, average
    organic daily sales is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP
    and it should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for,
    other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP,
    such as net sales. Management utilizes average organic daily sales as an
    operating performance measure in conjunction with GAAP measures such as
    net sales.



    Adjusted EBITDA        Three Months Ended            Nine Months Ended
                           ------------------            -----------------
                       September 25, September 26, September 25, September 26,
                           2009          2008          2009          2008
                           ----          ----          ----          ----
    Adjusted EBITDA:
      Net income (GAAP)   $10,431       $13,736      $19,775       $33,585
      Interest expense      4,577         7,054       14,673        21,800
      Interest income         (76)         (202)        (151)       (1,090)
      Loss (Gain) on
       extinguishment
       of debt                248             -       (1,295)            -
      Income tax provision  6,794         8,709       12,694        19,788
      Depreciation
       and amortization     4,847         4,457       14,169        12,695
                            -----         -----       ------        ------
        Adjusted EBITDA   $26,821       $33,754      $59,865       $86,778
                          =======       =======      =======       =======

    Adjusted EBITDA differs from Consolidated EBITDA per our credit facility
    agreement for purposes of determining our net leverage ratio. We define
    Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense (income), net, (gain)
    loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes and
    depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is presented herein because
    we believe it to be relevant and useful information to our investors since
    it is consistently used by our management to evaluate the operating
    performance of our business and to compare our operating performance with
    that of our competitors. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA for planning
    purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and to
    determine appropriate levels of operating and capital investments.
    Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain items, which we believe are not
    indicative of our core operating results. We therefore utilize Adjusted
    EBITDA as a useful alternative to net income as an indicator of our
    operating performance compared to the Company's plan. However, Adjusted
    EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly,
    Adjusted EBITDA should not be used in isolation or as a substitute for
    other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP,
    such as gross margin, operating income, net income, cash flows from
    operating, investing and financing activities or other income or cash flow
    statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. While we believe that
    some of the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are not indicative of our
    core operating results, these items do impact our income statement, and
    management therefore utilizes Adjusted EBITDA as an operating performance
    measure in conjunction with GAAP measures, such as gross margin, operating
    income, net income, cash flows from operating, investing and financing
    activities or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in
    accordance with GAAP.

SOURCE Interline Brands, Inc.


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