EX-99.1 2 v155760_ex99-1.htm

Exhibit 99.1
Press release dated July 28, 2009.

SIMPSON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Pleasanton, CA – Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the “Company”) announced today that its second quarter 2009 net sales decreased 24.3% to $165.9 million compared to net sales of $219.3 million for the second quarter of 2008. The Company had net income of $10.7 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to net income of $20.4 million for the second quarter of 2008. Diluted net income per common share was $0.22 for the second quarter of 2009 compared to diluted net income per common share of $0.42 for the second quarter of 2008. In the first half of 2009, net sales decreased 26.3% to $285.2 million as compared to net sales of $386.9 million for the first half of 2008. Net income was $2.3 million for the first half of 2009 as compared to net income of $28.7 million for the first half of 2008. Diluted net income per common share was $0.05 for the first half of 2009 as compared to $0.59 for the first half of 2008.

In the second quarter of 2009, sales declined throughout the United States. California and the western and southeastern regions had the largest decreases in sales. Sales during the quarter also decreased throughout Europe, with the exception of France, and decreased in the United Kingdom and Canada. Sales in France were flat, primarily due to the acquisition of Agence Internationale Commerciale et Industrielle, S.A.S. (“Aginco”) in April 2009. Sales in Asia, although relatively small, have increased as Simpson Strong-Tie has recently expanded its presence in the region. Simpson Strong-Tie’s second quarter sales decreased 26.0% from the same quarter last year, while Simpson Dura-Vent’s sales increased 1.3%. Simpson Strong-Tie’s sales to dealer distributors and contractor distributors decreased significantly as homebuilding activity, and general economic conditions, remain weak. Sales to home centers decreased slightly. Sales decreased across all of Simpson Strong-Tie’s major product lines, particularly those used in new home construction. Sales of Simpson Dura-Vent’s Direct-Vent and gas vent product lines decreased, but the decrease was offset by increases in sales of chimney and pellet vent products, as well as an increase in sales of special gas vent and relining products resulting from the acquisition of ProTech Systems, Inc. (“ProTech”) in June 2008.

Income from operations decreased 41.6% from $32.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 to $18.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. Gross margins decreased from 38.2% in the second quarter of 2008 to 36.9% in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease in gross margins was primarily due to reduced absorption of fixed overhead, as a result of lower production volumes, as well as higher manufacturing costs, including higher costs of material and labor. The decline in steel prices slowed in the second quarter of 2009. The Company expects steel prices to increase as demand returns to the market. Through the first half of 2009, the Company had focused on reducing inventories, which came down by 24.5%.

Research and development expense decreased 8.0% from $5.6 million in the second quarter of 2008 to $5.2 million in the second quarter of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to a $0.3 million decrease in personnel related expenses. Selling expense decreased 23.9% from $22.1 million in the second quarter of 2008 to $16.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease resulted primarily from a $3.1 million decrease in expenses associated with sales and marketing personnel, most of which was related to cost cutting measures, and a $1.8 million decrease in promotional expenditures. General and administrative expense decreased 14.5% from $23.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 to $20.3 million in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease was the result of several factors, including a decrease in cash profit sharing of $3.0 million, lower administrative personnel expenses of $0.8 million, related in part to cost cutting measures, and decreased legal and professional service expenses of $0.7 million. These decreases were partly offset by higher amortization of intangible assets of $0.9 million, primarily related to the businesses acquired since June 2008. The Company had interest expense in excess of interest income, primarily related to maintenance fees on its line of credit, in the second quarter of 2009, as compared to interest income in the second quarter of 2008. Interest income decreased primarily due to lower interest rates. The effective tax rate was 43.3% in the second quarter of 2009, up from 38.0% in the second quarter of 2008. The effective tax rate is higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the valuation allowances taken on foreign losses and a reduced benefit from the reduction or loss of enterprise zone tax credits at two of the Company’s facilities in California.

In the first half of 2009, sales declined throughout the United States. California and the western and southeastern regions had the largest decreases in sales. Sales during the period also decreased throughout Europe and the United Kingdom as well as in Canada. Simpson Strong-Tie’s first half sales decreased 27.4% from the same period last year, while Simpson Dura-Vent’s sales decreased 11.6%. Simpson Strong-Tie’s sales to dealer distributors and contractor distributors decreased significantly as a result of the weakness in the U.S. housing market. Sales to home centers decreased slightly. Sales decreased across all of Simpson Strong-Tie’s major product lines, particularly those used in new home construction. Sales of Simpson Dura-Vent’s Direct-Vent and gas vent product lines decreased, but the decrease was partly offset by an increase in sales of pellet vent products, as well as an increase in sales of special gas vent and relining products resulting from the acquisition of ProTech in June 2008.

 
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Income from operations decreased 81.3% from $45.8 million in the first half of 2008 to $8.6 million in the first half of 2009. Gross margins decreased from 36.2% in the first half of 2008 to 32.2% in the first half of 2009. The decrease in gross margins was primarily due to reduced absorption of fixed overhead, as a result of lower production volumes, as well as higher manufacturing costs, including higher costs of material and labor.

Research and development expense decreased 6.4% from $10.7 million in the first half of 2008 to $10.0 million in the first half of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to decrease in professional service fees of $0.4 million and a $0.1 million decrease in personnel related expenses. Selling expense decreased 21.6% from $41.9 million in the first half of 2008 to $32.9 million in the first half of 2009. The decrease resulted primarily from a $5.1 million decrease in expenses associated with sales and marketing personnel, most of which was related to cost cutting measures, and a $2.8 million decrease in promotional expenditures. General and administrative expense decreased 2.8% from $41.6 million in the first half of 2008 to $40.5 million in the first half of 2009. The decrease resulted from a decrease in cash profit sharing of $4.5 million partly offset by increased bad debt charges, taken in the first quarter of 2009, of $2.2 million and higher amortization of intangible assets of $1.0 million, primarily related to the businesses acquired since June 2008. Interest income decreased 96.1% from $1.6 million in the first half of 2008 to $0.1 million in the first half of 2009, primarily due to lower interest rates. The effective tax rate was 73.0% in the first half of 2009, up from 39.5% in the first half of 2008. The effective tax rate is higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the valuation allowances taken on foreign losses and a reduced benefit from the reduction or loss of enterprise zone tax credits at two of the Company’s facilities in California.

Investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to join the Company’s conference call on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at 6:00 am Pacific Time. To participate, callers may dial 800-894-5910. 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. 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 report. 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.

 
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The Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited), are as follows:

   
Three Months
    
Six Months
  
   
Ended June 30,
    
Ended June 30,
  
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Net sales
   $ 165,923     $ 219,263     $ 285,246     $ 386,919  
Cost of sales
     104,686       135,398       193,295       246,796  
Gross profit
     61,237       83,865       91,951       140,123  
                                 
Research and development and engineering expenses
     5,161       5,610       10,025       10,713  
Selling expenses
     16,852       22,134       32,877       41,942  
General and administrative expenses
     20,315       23,767       40,478       41,641  
                                 
Income from operations
     18,909       32,354       8,571       45,827  
                                 
Loss in equity method investment, before tax
     (21 )     –       (214 )     –  
Interest income (expense), net
     (38 )     505       64       1,634  
Income before taxes
     18,850       32,859       8,421       47,461  
                                 
Provision for income taxes
     8,167       12,478       6,147       18,728  
Net income
   $ 10,683     $ 20,381     $ 2,274     $ 28,733  
                                 
Net income per share:
                                
Basic
   $ 0.22     $ 0.42     $ 0.05     $ 0.59  
Diluted
     0.22       0.42       0.05       0.59  
                                 
Cash dividend declared per common share
   $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.20     $ 0.20  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                
Basic
     49,016       48,593       49,001       48,584  
Diluted
     49,114       48,936       49,099       48,933  
                                 
Other data:
                                
Depreciation and amortization
   $ 7,751     $ 7,587     $ 14,599     $ 15,007  
Pre-tax stock compensation expense
     486       920       1,043       1,856  

The Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2009 and 2008, and December 31, 2008 (unaudited), is as follows:

   
June 30,
    
December 31,
  
(Amounts in thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2008
  
Cash and short-term investments
   $ 169,132     $ 162,098     $ 170,750  
Trade accounts receivable, net
     118,646       139,162       76,005  
Inventories
     190,153       232,575       251,878  
Assets held for sale
     7,887       7,887       8,387  
Other current assets
     22,839       17,597       20,577  
Total current assets
     508,657       559,319       527,597  
                         
Property, plant and equipment, net
     193,958       199,055       193,318  
Goodwill
     79,858       69,500       68,619  
Other noncurrent assets
     47,424       42,209       40,666  
Total assets
   $ 829,897     $ 870,083     $ 830,200  
                         
Trade accounts payable
   $ 22,574     $ 46,362     $ 21,675  
Line of credit and current portion of long-term debt
     27       3,177       26  
Other current liabilities
     47,658       61,111       50,193  
Total current liabilities
     70,259       110,650       71,894  
                         
Other long-term liabilities
     9,659       12,076       9,280  
Stockholders’ equity
     749,979       747,357       749,026  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   $ 829,897     $ 870,083     $ 830,200  
 
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-to-wood, wood-to-concrete and wood-to-masonry connectors and fastening systems, stainless steel fasteners and pre-fabricated shearwalls. Simpson Strong-Tie also offers a full line of adhesives, mechanical anchors and powder actuated tools for concrete, masonry and steel. The Company’s other subsidiary, Simpson Dura-Vent Company, Inc., designs, engineers and manufactures venting systems for gas and wood burning appliances. The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SSD.”

For further information, contact Barclay Simpson at (925) 560-9032.

 
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