EX-99.1 2 a042014ex991pressrelease.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 04 2014 EX 99.1 Press Release


Exhibit 99.1        Press Release dated February 5, 2015

SIMPSON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: SSD) today announced its fourth quarter 2014 results.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014, Compared with the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013

Overview

Net sales increased 4.1% to $166.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 from $160.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company had net income of $10.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $7.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Diluted net income per common share was $0.21 for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $0.16 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2013.

Net sales

The Company's net sales increased in the North America segment and decreased in the Europe and Asia/Pacific segments in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. North America net sales benefited from an improvement in economic activity in the region.

•
Segment net sales:
◦
North America – Net sales increased 7.2% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily due to increased unit sales volumes.
◦
Europe – Net sales decreased 7.2% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, mostly due to the effects of foreign currency translations and slightly lower average selling prices, partly offset by increased unit sales volumes. Net sales in some regions of the segment have trended down from prior quarters due to weakening economic conditions in the region, as well as European currencies weakening against the United States Dollar.

•
Consolidated net sales channels and product groups:
◦
Net sales to contractor distributors and lumber dealers increased in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, due to increased home construction activity, while home center sales decreased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
◦
Wood construction product net sales, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, represented 84% of total Company net sales in the fourth quarters of both 2014 and 2013.
◦
Concrete construction product sales, including adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials, represented 16% of total Company net sales in the fourth quarters of both 2014 and 2013.

Gross profit

Gross profit increased to $72.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $69.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased slightly to 43.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014 from 43.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013.

•
North America – Gross profit margin decreased to 45.3% in the fourth quarter of 2014 from 46.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily as a result of increases in factory overhead as a percentage of sales caused by increased costs on flat production volumes and warehousing and shipping costs, partly offset by decreases in material and labor costs.
•
Europe – Gross profit margin decreased to 35.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014 from 35.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013, as a result of increases in warehousing costs, factory overhead, on decreased production volumes, and labor costs each as a percentage of sales, partly offset by a decrease in the costs of materials.
•
Product mix – The gross profit margin differential between wood construction products and concrete construction products, which have lower gross profit margins, was 9% and 16% in the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively, due to increased gross profit margins on concrete construction products.


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Research and development and engineering expense

Research and development and engineering expense decreased 3.2% to $9.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $9.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily due to a decrease of $0.2 million in professional fees related to software development costs in North America.

Selling expense

Selling expense increased 4.5% to $22.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $21.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily due to an increase of $0.7 million in personnel costs.

•
North America – Selling expense increased $1.3 million, primarily due to an increase of $0.6 million in personnel costs related to the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense increased 1.4% to $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $25.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $0.6 million in bad debt expense and $0.3 million in facility maintenance, and an increase of $0.3 million in unrealized foreign currency losses, partly offset by decreases of $0.3 million in each of professional fees, depreciation expense and amortization expense.

•
North America – General and administrative expense decreased $0.3 million, primarily due to decreases of $0.2 million in depreciation expense, $0.2 million in amortization expense and $0.1 million in professional fees, partly offset by increase of $0.4 million in bad debt expense.
•
Europe – General and administrative expense increased by $0.2 million, primarily due to increases of $0.8 million in unrealized foreign currency losses, partly offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in professional fees.

Disposal of assets

The Company did not dispose of any material assets during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 when the Company realized a $2.8 million net loss on the liquidation of its Irish subsidiary, partly offset by a $1.4 million gain on the sale of its CarbonWrap product line.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 32.3% as compared to 35.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013.  The decrease was primarily due to the release of an uncertain tax position as a result of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.  


Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014, Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2013

Overview

Net sales increased 6.6% to $752.1 million in 2014 from $705.3 million in 2013. The Company had net income of $63.5 million in 2014 compared to $51.0 million in 2013. Diluted net income per common share was $1.29 in 2014 compared to $1.05 in 2013.

Net sales

The Company's net sales increased in 2014 from 2013 in the North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific segments, with North America reporting the largest increase in dollars, primarily due to increased unit sales volumes as a result of an improvement in economic activity in the region. First quarter 2015 net sales could be adversely affected if construction starts are delayed due to prolonged cold and wet conditions.

•
Segment net sales:
◦
North America – Net sales increased 7.2% in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due to increased unit sales volumes.
◦
Europe – Net sales increased 4.6% in 2014 compared to 2013, mostly due to increased unit sales volumes and the effects of foreign currency translations, partly offset by slightly lower average selling prices. However, sales growth has trended lower in the most recent two quarters of 2014, consistent with declining economic activity in the region, and European currencies have weakened against the United States Dollar. Based on current information

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and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company expects that the region’s current economic conditions will remain challenging during the first quarter of 2015 and could continue to negatively affect net sales.

•
Consolidated net sales channels and product groups:
◦
Net sales to lumber dealers, contractor distributors, dealer distributors and home centers increased in 2014 compared to 2013, due to increased building activity.
◦
Wood construction product net sales represented 85% of total Company net sales in both 2014 and 2013.
◦
Concrete construction product net sales represented 15% of total Company net sales in both 2014 and 2013.

Gross profit

Gross profit increased to $342.0 million in 2014 from $313.5 million in 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 45.5% in 2014 from 44.5% in 2013. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company estimates that its 2015 gross profit margin will be between 44.5% and 46%.

•
North America – Gross profit margin increased to 47.4% in 2014 from 46.7% in 2013, as a result of decreases as a percentage of sales in material, labor and warehousing costs. In 2014, the gross profit margin was also affected by an atypical non-recurring $3.3 million pension charge that resulted from the Company's withdrawal from a multi-employer union-based defined-benefit pension plan, partly offset by an atypical non-recurring $2.5 million correction to workers' compensation expense in states where the Company is not self-insured.
•
Europe – Gross profit margin increased to 38.1% in 2014 from 37.0% in 2013, as a result of decreases as a percentage of sales in factory overhead (caused by increased unit sales volumes) and material costs, partly offset by increases in shipping and warehouse and labor costs.
•
Product mix – The gross profit margin differential between wood construction products and concrete construction products, which have lower gross profit margins, was 12% and 13% in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The lower gross profit margins on concrete construction products negatively affected gross margins in North America, with concrete construction products representing 13% of North America net sales in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and in Europe, with concrete construction products at 20% and 19% of Europe net sales in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
•
Steel prices – The market price for steel decreased in December 2014. The Company expects the market price for steel to remain relatively stable during the first quarter of 2015.

Research and development and engineering expense

Research and development and engineering expense increased 5.9% to $39.0 million in 2014 from $36.8 million in 2013, primarily due to an increase of $2.1 million in personnel costs related to the addition of staff in support of product and software development and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, and an increase of $0.9 million in cash profit sharing, partly offset by a decrease of $1.0 million in expensed software development costs.

•
North America – Research and development and engineering expense increased $1.9 million, primarily due to increases of $2.1 million in personnel costs and $0.8 million in cash profit sharing, partly offset by a decrease in software development costs of $1.1 million.

Selling expense

Selling expense increased 8.1% to $92.0 million in 2014 from $85.1 million in 2013, primarily due to increases of $2.9 million in personnel costs, $2.2 million in professional fees, $1.0 million in cash profit sharing and commissions and $0.7 million in advertising and promotional costs.

•
North America – Selling expense increased $6.5 million, primarily due to an increase of $2.5 million in personnel costs related to the addition of staff in support of product and software development and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, and increases of $2.0 million in professional fees, $1.1 million in advertising and promotional costs and $0.7 million in cash profit sharing and commissions.
•
Europe – Selling expense increased $0.3 million, primarily due to increases of $0.4 million in personnel costs and $0.2 million in cash profit sharing and commissions, partly offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in advertising and promotional costs.


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General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense increased 3.2% to $111.5 million in 2014 from $108.1 million in 2013, primarily due to increases of $2.5 million in cash profit sharing, $1.6 million in personnel costs, $0.7 million in unrealized foreign currency losses, $0.4 million in depreciation expense and $0.2 million in facility maintenance expense, partly offset by a decrease in impairment charges of $1.0 million related to an impairment of fixed assets in 2013, a decrease of $0.6 million in professional fees and a $0.3 million decrease in stock-based compensation, as well as a $0.4 million gain resulting from a reduction in a contingent liability related to the Bierbach acquisition (compared to no gain recorded in 2013).

•
North America – General and administrative expense increased $4.3 million, primarily due to increases of $1.7 million in cash profit sharing, $1.2 million in personnel costs related to the addition of administrative and information technology staff and pay rate increases instituted in January 2014, $0.7 million in depreciation expense, $0.4 million in facility maintenance expense and $0.2 million in stock-based compensation.
•
Europe – General and administrative expense decreased by $0.9 million, primarily due to a $1.0 million impairment charge related to an impairment of fixed assets in 2013, decreases of $0.8 million in professional fees, $0.5 million in stock-based compensation, $0.2 million in depreciation expense and $0.2 million in facility maintenance expense as well as a $0.5 million gain resulting from a reduction of a contingent liability related to the Bierbach acquisition, partly offset by increases of $1.4 million in unrealized foreign currency losses, $0.5 million in cash profit sharing and $0.3 million in personnel costs.

Impairment of goodwill

In 2014, the Company recorded a $0.5 million impairment associated with Bierbach goodwill acquired in Germany in November 2013, and as a result, the goodwill of the Germany reporting unit was fully impaired. The impairment resulted from a reduction in expected future sales from former Bierbach customers.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rate in 2014 was 36.0% as compared to 37.5% in 2013. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was due to increased manufacturing deductions for certain types of expenditures, a solar tax credit for installing solar panels at one of the Company's facilities, and reduced operating losses in 2014 in the Europe and Asia/Pacific segments for which no tax benefit was recorded. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company estimates that its 2015 effective tax rate will be between 36% and 38%.

Additional information

At its meeting on February 2, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share. The record date for the dividend will be April 2, 2015, and it will be paid on April 23, 2015. At the same meeting, the Board also authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The authorization will remain in effect through the end of 2015.

Investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to join the Company’s conference call on February 6, 2015, at 6:00 am Pacific Time. To participate, callers may dial 877-876-9177. The call will be webcast simultaneously as well as being available for one month through a link on the Company’s website at www.simpsonmfg.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements, based on numerous assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties, such as statements above regarding steel prices and estimating the 2015 gross profit margin, the 2015 effective tax rate and net sales trends. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it does not and cannot give any assurance that its beliefs and expectations will prove to be correct. Many factors could significantly affect the Company's operations and cause the Company's actual results to differ substantially from the Company's expectations. Those factors include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic and construction business conditions; (ii) customer acceptance of the Company's products; (iii) relationships with key customers; (iv) materials and manufacturing costs; (v) the financial condition of customers, competitors and suppliers; (vi) technological developments; (vii) increased competition; (viii) changes in capital and credit market conditions; (ix) governmental and business conditions in countries where the Company's products are manufactured and sold; (x) changes in trade regulations; (xi) the effect of acquisition activity; (xii) changes in the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions; and (xiii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested by any forward-looking statements in this document. The Company does not have an obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise. The financial information set forth herein is presented on a preliminary unaudited basis; final data will be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014.


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The Company's results of operations (unaudited) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
166,630

 
$
160,074

 
$
752,148

 
$
705,322

Cost of sales
93,833

 
90,330

 
410,118

 
391,791

Gross profit
72,797

 
69,744

 
342,030

 
313,531

Research and development and engineering expenses
9,513

 
9,825

 
39,018

 
36,843

Selling expenses
22,407

 
21,448

 
92,031

 
85,102

General and administrative expenses
25,508

 
25,164

 
111,500

 
108,070

Impairment of goodwill
38

 
—

 
530

 
—

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
11

 
1,404

 
(325
)
 
2,038

Income from operations
15,320

 
11,903

 
99,276

 
81,478

Interest income, net
2

 
54

 
46

 
86

Income before taxes
15,322

 
11,957

 
99,322

 
81,564

Provision for income taxes
4,942

 
4,289

 
35,791

 
30,593

Net income
$
10,380

 
$
7,668

 
$
63,531

 
$
50,971

Earnings per common share:


 
 
 


 
 
Basic
$
0.21

 
$
0.16

 
$
1.30

 
$
1.05

Diluted
$
0.21

 
$
0.16

 
$
1.29

 
$
1.05

Weighted average shares outstanding:


 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
48,993

 
48,639

 
48,977

 
48,521

Diluted
49,262

 
48,883

 
49,194

 
48,673

Other data:


 
 
 


 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
5,813

 
$
5,887

 
$
27,918

 
$
27,518

Pre-tax impairments
38

 
—

 
530

 
1,025

Pre-tax equity-based compensation expense
3,682

 
3,641

 
13,190

 
12,747

 


 
 
 


 
 
Cash dividend declared per common share
$
0.140

 
$
0.125

 
$
0.545

 
$
0.375



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The Company's financial position (unaudited) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
Cash and short-term investments
 
$
260,307

 
$
251,208

 
Trade accounts receivable, net
 
92,015

 
90,017

 
Inventories
 
216,545

 
197,728

 
Other current assets
 
35,451

 
32,065

 
Total current assets
 
604,318

 
571,018

 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
207,027

 
209,533

 
Goodwill
 
123,881

 
129,218

 
Other noncurrent assets
 
37,839

 
46,756

 
Total assets
 
$
973,065

 
$
956,525

 
Trade accounts payable
 
$
22,860

 
$
34,933

 
Notes payable and lines of credit
 
18

 
103

 
Other current liabilities
 
71,602

 
68,169

 
Total current liabilities
 
94,480

 
103,205

 
Other long-term liabilities
 
15,120

 
12,041

 
Stockholders' equity
 
863,465

 
841,279

 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
973,065

 
$
956,525

 

Additional financial data of the Company (unaudited) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
%
 
December 31,
 
%
(Amounts in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
change
 
2014
 
2013
 
change
Net Sales by Reporting Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
137,297

 
$
128,017

 
7%
 
$
613,843

 
$
572,789

 
7%
 
Europe
25,880

 
27,885

 
(7)%
 
123,177

 
117,740

 
5%
 
Asia/Pacific
3,453

 
4,172

 
(17)%
 
15,128

 
14,793

 
2%
 
 
Total
$
166,630

 
$
160,074

 
4%
 
$
752,148

 
$
705,322

 
7%
Net Sales by Product Group*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wood Construction
$
139,439

 
$
134,086

 
4%
 
$
636,003

 
$
596,837

 
7%
 
Concrete Construction
27,186

 
25,972

 
5%
 
115,921

 
108,295

 
7%
 
Other
5

 
16

 
N/M
 
224

 
190

 
N/M
 
 
Total
$
166,630

 
$
160,074

 
4%
 
$
752,148

 
$
705,322

 
7%
Gross Profit by Reporting Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
62,221

 
$
58,981

 
5%
 
$
291,116

 
$
267,478

 
9%
 
Europe
9,236

 
10,012

 
(8)%
 
46,965

 
43,603

 
8%
 
Asia/Pacific
1,115

 
531

 
N/M
 
3,652

 
2,720

 
34%
 
Administrative and all other
225

 
220

 
N/M
 
297

 
(270
)
 
N/M
 
 
Total
$
72,797

 
$
69,744

 
4%
 
$
342,030

 
$
313,531

 
9%
Income (Loss) from Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
12,289

 
$
11,303

 
9%
 
$
94,888

 
$
84,885

 
12%
 
Europe
(1,278
)
 
(484
)
 
N/M
 
5,005

 
1,258

 
N/M
 
Asia/Pacific
217

 
(324
)
 
N/M
 
(1,566
)
 
(2,202
)
 
29%
 
Administrative and all other
4,092

 
1,408

 
N/M
 
949

 
(2,463
)
 
N/M
 
 
Total
$
15,320

 
$
11,903

 
29%
 
$
99,276

 
$
81,478

 
22%
 
*
The Company manages its business by geographic segment but is presenting sales by product group as additional information.
 
N/M
Statistic is not material or not meaningful.

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Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., headquartered in Pleasanton, California, through its subsidiary, Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., designs, engineers and is a leading manufacturer of wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and concrete construction products, including adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SSD."
For further information, contact Tom Fitzmyers at (925) 560-9030.


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