8-K

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

                             

FORM 8-K
                             

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant To Section 13 OR 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 26, 2008

THE DIXIE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                Tennessee                 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)        0-2585        
(Commission File Number)         62-0183370      
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

104 Nowlin Lane - Suite 101, Chattanooga, Tennessee
(Address of principal executive offices)    37421   
(zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (423) 510-7010

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[   ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[   ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[   ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[   ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 26, 2008, The Dixie Group, Inc. issued a press release reporting results for the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2007.

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)

Exhibits

(99.1)

Press Release, dated February 26, 2008.

SIGNATURES

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

Date:    February 26, 2008	THE DIXIE GROUP, INC.
	By: /s/ Gary A. Harmon                Gary A. Harmon Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

  

EXHIBIT 99.1

CONTACT:

Gary A. Harmon

Chief Financial Officer

(706) 876-5851

gary.harmon@dixiegroup.com

THE DIXIE GROUP REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER, YEAR-END 2007 RESULTS

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (February 26, 2008) -- The Dixie Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DXYN) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.  For the fourth quarter, income from continuing operations was $1,746,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared with income from continuing operations of $3,234,000, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006.  Sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $79,517,000, down less than 1.0% from sales of $80,275,000 in the year-earlier quarter.

For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, income from continuing operations was $6,778,000, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with income from continuing operations of $7,891,000, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the year ended December 30, 2006.  Sales for 2007 were $320,795,000, down 3.1% from sales of $331,100,000 in the prior year.

In 2006, the Company adjusted its tax contingency reserves due to settlements of income tax examinations and expiring statutes of limitations.  These adjustments reduced its effective income tax rate to 9.8% for the fourth quarter of 2006 and 18.4% for fiscal 2006.   The effective income tax rates in 2007 were at more normal levels of 32.5% in the fourth quarter and 35.3% for the full year.  The effect of the 2006 income tax adjustments was to increase income from continuing operations by $0.06 and $0.13 per diluted share, respectively, for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2006.

In the fourth quarter 2007, the Company merged its only remaining defined benefit pension plan into a multi-employer pension plan and ceased to be the plan sponsor.  The Company incurred principally non-cash pre-tax expenses of $1,518,000 relating to the merger.  Expenses of the pension plan merger reduced income from continuing operations by $1,023,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 29, 2007. The Company’s other defined benefit pension plan was terminated in the second quarter of 2006.  Expenses to terminate that legacy defined benefit pension plan were $3,249,000 pre-tax, which reduced income from continuing operations by $2,057,000, or $0.16 per diluted share, for fiscal 2006.    

Commenting on the results, Daniel K. Frierson, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Continued weakness, particularly in residential carpet markets, has had a negative impact on the industry and our business.  The industry reported that carpet sales declined 6.5% in the fourth quarter and 8.0% for 2007, compared with the prior-year periods.  During these same periods, our sales continued to out-perform those of the industry, with year-over-year carpet sales comparisons that were relatively flat for the fourth quarter and down only about 2.8% for the full year.   

-MORE-

DXYN Reports Fourth Quarter, Year-end Results

Page 2

February 26, 2007

“Our commercial carpet business continued to show relatively strong results, growing 11% in the fourth quarter and 10.5% for fiscal 2007.  Broadloom commercial carpet products grew for both the fourth quarter and year, and our new modular/carpet tile products continued to gain momentum – posting sales of over $2.7 million during the fourth quarter.  Our carpet tile operation was profitable for the fourth quarter of 2007.   

“Gross margins improved in both dollars and as a percentage of sales for the fourth quarter and full-year 2007, compared with the same periods in 2006.  The improved results of our modular/carpet tile products, higher selling prices, and a more profitable product mix more than offset the effect of lower sales.  As a percentage of sales, gross margin improved to 31.0% in the fourth quarter and 30.3% for full-year 2007, compared with 30.0% and 28.9%, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full-year 2006.  Although our operating results were not as strong for the full-year 2007 compared with the prior year, the improvements we saw in the fourth quarter are encouraging.  Without the pension merger expenses incurred in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the abnormally low income taxes in the fourth quarter a year ago, our fourth quarter 2007 operating income and income from continu ing operations were better than in the prior year.  Our suppliers increased their prices for raw material early in the first quarter of this year.  Although, we have raised our own selling prices to offset this and other higher costs, the full effect of the higher selling prices will not be realized for several months.

“The outlook for business remains difficult to predict.  Sales continue to be depressed thus far in fiscal 2008 and residential carpet revenues continue to decline.  The severe weakness in the housing industry and tough credit conditions will likely continue to have an impact on demand for residential carpet products throughout this year.  Nevertheless, we believe we can continue to grow our share of the residential carpet market.  Very early this year, we are introducing additional wool and nylon residential products that we believe will complement our well-received 2007 offerings.  We are also selectively expanding our sales force to increase market penetration.

“Demand has remained relatively strong for our commercial broadloom products, and our modular/carpet tile products are now achieving consistent growth.  Accordingly, we intend to expand our commercial tile and broadloom product offerings this year.  Improvements we made last year, together with the anticipated effect of our new residential and commercial products, make us optimistic that our sales will continue to outpace those of the carpet industry as a whole,” Frierson concluded.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company purchased 78,279 shares of its Common Stock at an average per share price of $9.29 pursuant to the program authorized by the Board of Directors to repurchase up to $10.0 million of the Company's Common Stock.  In December of last year, the Company entered into a 10b5-1 plan, which allowed it to continue its repurchase program during January and February of this year.  Based on the current stock price, management believes repurchases of the Company’s Stock represent an excellent investment and provide long-term value to shareholders.  

The Company’s loss from discontinued operations was $337,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007, compared with income of $72,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006.  For 2007, the loss from discontinued operations was $512,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $188,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, for 2006.  Including discontinued operations, the Company reported net income of $1,409,000, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with net income of $3,306,000, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006.  For 2007, net income was $6,266,000, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared with net income of $7,703,000, or $0.59 per diluted share, in 2006.

-MORE-

DXYN Reports Fourth Quarter, Year-end Results

Page 3

February 26, 2007

A listen-only Internet simulcast and replay of Dixie's conference call may be accessed with appropriate software at the Company's web site or at www.earnings.com.  The simulcast will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on February 26, 2008.  A replay will be available approximately two hours later and will continue for approximately 30 days.  If Internet access is unavailable, a listen-only telephonic conference will be available by dialing (913) 981-5533 at least ten minutes before the appointed time. A seven-day telephonic replay will be available two hours after the call ends by dialing (719) 457-0820 and entering 4391376 when prompted for the access code.

The Dixie Group (www.thedixiegroup.com) is a leading marketer and manufacturer of carpet and rugs to higher-end residential and commercial customers through the Fabrica International, Masland Carpets and Dixie Home brands.  

Statements in this news release, which relate to the future, are subject to risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include the levels of demand for the products produced by the Company.  Other factors that could affect the Company's results include, but are not limited to, raw material and transportation costs related to petroleum prices, the cost and availability of capital, and general economic and competitive conditions related to the Company's business. Issues related to the availability and price of energy may adversely affect the Company's operations.  Additional information regarding these and other risk factors and uncertainties may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

-MORE-

DXYN Reports Fourth Quarter, Year-end Results

Page 4

February 26, 2007

THE DIXIE GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

(unaudited; in thousands, except earnings per share)

			Three Months Ended				Year Ended
			Dec. 29, 2007		Dec. 30, 2006		Dec. 29, 2007		Dec. 30, 2006
NET SALES		$	79,517	$	80,275	$	320,795	$	331,100
	Cost of sales		54,871		56,231		223,561		235,262
GROSS PROFIT			24,646		24,044		97,234		95,838
	Selling and administrative expenses		19,097		18,831		78,788		75,938
	Other operating income		(211)		(41)		(469)		(640)
	Other operating expense		254		275		673		733
	Defined benefit pension plan merger / termination expenses		1,518		---		1,518		3,249
OPERATING INCOME			3,988		4,979		16,724		16,558
	Interest expense		1,508		1,706		6,347		7,213
	Other income		(117)		(332)		(163)		(454)
	Other expense		10		20		69		127
Income from continuing operations before    income taxes			2,587		3,585		10,471		9,672
	Income tax provision		841		351		3,693		1,781
Income from continuing operations			1,746		3,234		6,778		7,891
Income (loss) from discontinued    operations, net of tax			(337)		72		(512)		(188)
NET INCOME		$	1,409	$	3,306	$	6,266	$	7,703
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
	Continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.25	$	0.53	$	0.62
	Discontinued operations		(0.03)		0.01		(0.04)		(0.01)
	Net income	$	0.11	$	0.26	$	0.49	$	0.61
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
	Continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.25	$	0.52	$	0.61
	Discontinued operations		(0.03)		---		(0.04)		(0.02)
	Net income	$	0.11	$	0.25	$	0.48	$	0.59
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic		12,738		12,750		12,788		12,702
	Diluted		12,897		12,987		12,967		12,959

-MORE-

THE DIXIE GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

				Dec. 29, 2007		Dec. 30, 2006
ASSETS				(Unaudited)
Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	427	$	538
	Accounts receivable, net			32,868		31,074
	Inventories			75,928		69,600
	Other			7,742		7,652
		Total Current Assets		116,965		108,864
Net Property, Plant and Equipment				102,378		98,398
Goodwill				56,743		56,960
Other Assets				14,152		13,604
TOTAL ASSETS			$	290,238	$	277,826
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	32,734	$	28,075
	Current portion of long-term debt			8,817		7,663
		Total Current Liabilities		41,551		35,738
Long-Term Debt
	Senior indebtedness			60,119		57,780
	Capital lease obligations			2,547		3,937
	Convertible subordinated debentures			17,162		19,662
Deferred Income Taxes				11,726		11,697
Other Liabilities				15,019		13,334
Stockholders' Equity				142,114		135,678
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY			$	290,238	$	277,826

-END-