Jeff Lorberbaum
Analyst · Thompson Research
Thank you. During 2010, our focus on innovation, new products, manufacturing improvements and cost reductions have benefited our margins and increased earnings. Our product enhancements and introductions such as Reveal Imaging, SmartStrand, installation boards and hardwood with Uniclic technology are growing as we adapt to current trends. SG&A reductions this year reflect improvements in distribution, marketing and sales expenses. Higher material yields and improved information processes have benefited our operating results. Investments in China, Russia and Mexican flooring markets are expanding our international presence to help provide platforms for future revenue and profit growth. The consensus among economists is that these markets will outperform the more mature U.S. and Western European flooring markets. In the period, our Mohawk segment sales after adjusting for the lower number of days decreased 3% but achieved the highest level of operating margins in two years despite increasing raw material costs. Manufacturing costs, material yields and process controls have improved our focus on efficiencies, quality and energy reductions. These improvements have increased customer satisfaction. Our sustainable manufacturing practices have reduced our waste streams, lowered costs and improved margins. Our market position, after adjusting for the days in the period, stabilized in the fourth quarter as we accelerated key introductions in new residential polyester carpets and commercial carpet tile products. We implemented a 7% to 10% carpet price increase in February to offset our raw material inflation. Sales of our commercial carpet tile continue to grow, supported by a broader product offering and an expanded sales force. We've improved our carpet tile manufacturing efficiencies and increased capacity to meet higher demand levels in the future. We continue improving our sales and customer management systems to enhance our execution and increase efficiency. Improved planning and inventory processes have raised our service levels with reduced delivery times and costs. Our extrusion expansion is progressing as planned, and will support the changing trends in product styling. Dal-Tile sales declined 4% in the quarter, as reported, but increased 4% after adjusting for the number of days and the exchange rate. In the fourth quarter, we began implementing a price increase of 1% to 2% to recover rising costs of transportation. We've added sales personnel focusing on large commercial accounts and housing contractors to maximize participation in the markets as they improve. We've updated our retail merchandising vehicles to enhance the consumer selection process and better convey the product benefits. We've introduced a new ceramic boutique shop for dealers that will raise their retail mix and sales while making product selection and visualization easier for the consumer. Dal-Tile is leading the industry with advances in decorating technologies created by Reveal Imaging. This process creates more sophisticated visuals and improves manufacturing productivity. We're introducing products with greater distinction between individual tiles in larger sizes, more natural visuals, stronger colors, and new textures. We've also revised our collection of fashionable tile accents, with richer colors and a greater variety of shapes and textures. We expanded our value tile offering to satisfy the current trends in the new home market. We've also broadened our engineered stone countertop line, complementing our natural stone offerings. Our Mexican tile plant has fully recovered from the flood that occurred during the beginning of the third quarter. Production has returned to normal levels, with limited impact to our customers. We're increasing our Mexican sales and customer base by expanding our product selection and sales force. We've purchased a site near Mexico City and begun construction of a new plant to manufacture moderately priced tile for the Mexican market. The product mix and location will allow participation in the higher volume segment of the Mexican market in addition to the premium category we have focused on to date. We anticipate the plant will begin operations in 2012. We've increased our efficiency, quality and production levels with new procedures, higher production speeds, lean manufacturing techniques and use of alternative raw materials. We are improving material yields with new formulations, waste recycling and reduced setup times. Enhancements in our distribution strategy and systems are improving our service and efficiencies. Our joint venture in China is broadening its product offering, implementing new production technology and supplying tile through existing Mohawk markets. Our new glazed porcelain line has successfully initiated production of floor tile. Products are being shipped to Dal-Tile's U.S. and Mexican markets. New glazed floor tile products have been developed for the local Chinese market and will provide opportunities to markets we have not participated in before. We are developing new international customers to distribute our Chinese product lines. The plant in the South is running near capacity and we are moving production to the new plant in the North, but we're broadening our local product line. These changes should reduce costs and expand our customer base. Seasonal shutdowns and lower volume will impact the first quarter. We anticipate our investment in China will be accretive to earnings this year, and will position us long term to take advantage of a huge market that should grow about 10% per year. Our Unilin revenues were flat, as reported, but increased 14% after adjusting for the number of days in the period and the exchange rate. Our margins remain compressed as our material costs have continued to escalate. We implemented price increases in our European board products in the fourth quarter and are executing additional price increases in our boards, laminate and roofing in the first quarter to recover continued inflation and improve margins. Our flooring business is increasing, with Northern Europe, Russia and the Asian Pacific outperforming. In the retail specialty channel, our Quick Step program now covers a broader range of laminate price points. We are expanding our home center participation by levering our technology and styling leadership. The introduction of new furniture finishes and high-definition technology continues to affirm our leadership in laminate technology. Product innovation is also differentiating our wood assortment and textures, finishes and colors. Our Wood business improved from last year. We're utilizing our Quick Step brand on premium wood products, introducing innovative visuals, improved insulation systems, and expanding into new geographic areas. Our costs have been reduced by increasing our conversion efficiencies and material yields. We're presently consolidating our Malaysian wood plants, and production there is being expanded to reduce costs and support our European and Asian Pacific business. Both our European board and laminate businesses are under pressure from rising raw material prices. Even though we raised prices in 2010, we have not recovered the significant material inflation, which continued upward in the fourth quarter. Our forward selling prices were increased about 15% last year, and we've announced additional increases of 10% to 15% for the first quarter. European laminate prices are also being increased from 4% to 6% due to raw material pressures. We believe additional industry board capacity in Europe will be shuttered, reducing excess supply. U.S. raw materials for wood and laminate peaked earlier last year but still remain high. Our Russian Laminate business continues to mature with new customers and broader geographic penetration. We've purchased an existing building close to Moscow, and are upgrading it to manufacture laminate flooring. We anticipate production in the third quarter, assuming permits are obtained as expected. Economic recovery and stronger consumer spending will positively impact our industry in 2011. The seasonally slow first quarter is being affected by harsh weather and increasing raw material costs, offsetting prior savings from our cost initiatives. In our Chinese joint venture, extended holiday shutdowns will unfavorably impact the first quarter. Residential remodeling market will improve with increased consumer spending and higher home sales. Commercial remodeling is growing as businesses invest to maximize their operating results. For the balance of 2011, we anticipate an improvement in our results, as price increases are implemented, volume expands and the recovery continues. With these factors, our first quarter guidance for earnings is $0.36 to $0.44 per share, excluding any restructuring charges. We remain committed to enhancing our organization to drive innovation in product, processes and costs. Advances in our marketing, products, efficiencies and service should yield higher profitability. We're investing in new systems that heighten our visibility and execution capability. This year, a higher level of capital investments will improve our productivity, support new product trends and expand our global reach. We have managed through a challenging period, and our efforts during that time have laid the foundation for the company to deliver greater results during the recovery. With that, we'll be glad to answer any questions.