Debbie Whitmire
Management
Thanks, Jeff. Good morning everyone. Net sales for the 2018 first quarter were $159.2 million versus $148.9 million for the 2017 first quarter, a 6.9% year-over-year increase. Cost of operations increased 5.4% to $140.7 million for the 2018 first quarter compared to $133.5 million for the 2017 first quarter, reflecting modest raw materials inflation. However cost of operations as a percentage of net sales contracted approximately 130 basis points to 88.4% from the prior-year period, reflecting continued cost management efforts. Gross profit was $18.4 million or 11.6% of net sales for the 2018 first quarter compared to $15.4 million or 10.3% of net sales for the 2017 first quarter. SG&A expenses were $9.6 million for the 2018 first quarter compared to $9 million for the 2017 first quarter. As a percentage of sales SG&A decreased to 6.0% from 6.1% in the prior-year period. The income tax provision was $2.7 million for an effective tax rate of 28.5% in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the income tax provision of $2.1 million and an effective tax rate of 35.9% in the prior year period. This was reflected at the lower tax rates and the recently enacted tax laws. Other income expense net for the 2018 first quarter was a net gain of $915,000 compared to a net gain of $14,000 for the 2017 first quarter. Interest expense for the 2018 first quarter was $420,000 compared to $378,000 for the 2017 first quarter, due to increases in interest on distributor floor planning and decreases in net foreign interest income. Net income for the 2018 first quarter was $6.7 million or $0.59 per diluted share. Net income for the 2017 first quarter was $3.8 million or $0.34 per diluted share. Now turning to the balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2018, were $15.1 million compared $21.9 million as of December 31, 2017, and $24.5 million at March 31, 2017. Accounts receivable at 31, 2018, totaled $136.7 million compared to $132.7 million as of December 31, 2017, and $132.7 million at March 31, 2017. Inventories were $77.7 million as of March 31, 2018, compared to $68.6 million as of December 31, 2017, and $67.6 million at March 31, 2017. Accounts payable at March 31, 2018, were $82.7 million compared to $79.3 million as of December 31, 2017, and $87.3 million at March 31, 2017. As of April 30, 2018, we have borrowed $15 million under our $50 million unsecured revolving credit facility to help fund our remaining plant expansion and consolidation efforts as well as working capital needs to meet our increased customer demand. Company also announced that its Board of Directors approved our quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share payable June 18, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 11, 2018. Now I’ll turn the call back to Jeff for further remarks.