Document

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 24, 2016
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 0-22684
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Michigan
 
38-1465835
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2801 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan
 
49525
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (616) 364-6161
 
NONE
 
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer x
Accelerated Filer o
Non-Accelerated Filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
Class
 
Outstanding as of September 24, 2016
 
 
Common stock, no par value
 
20,330,939
 
 
 
 


UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Other Information – NONE.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.



UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 24, 2016
 
December 26, 2015
 
September 26, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
36,683

 
$
87,756

 
$
55,373

Restricted cash
909

 
586

 
1,139

Investments
10,453

 
6,743

 
5,955

Accounts receivable, net
343,771

 
222,964

 
273,737

Inventories:
 

 
 

 
 

Raw materials
180,740

 
168,548

 
161,519

Finished goods
189,188

 
136,370

 
126,690

Total inventories
369,928

 
304,918

 
288,209

Refundable income taxes
7,407

 
7,784

 
201

Deferred income taxes

 

 
6,257

Other current assets
21,636

 
17,481

 
16,654

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
790,787

 
648,232

 
647,525

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
2,416

 
1,312

 
1,091

OTHER ASSETS
8,757

 
8,298

 
7,843

GOODWILL
207,832

 
180,990

 
182,394

INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
2,340

 
2,340

 
2,340

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
14,014

 
15,357

 
16,195

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 

 
 

 
 

Property, plant and equipment
717,287

 
628,045

 
631,028

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(432,796
)
 
(376,895
)
 
(376,498
)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
284,491

 
251,150

 
254,530

TOTAL ASSETS
$
1,310,637

 
$
1,107,679

 
$
1,111,918

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

 
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 

 
 

 
 

Cash overdraft
$
13,940

 
$

 
$

Accounts payable
137,979

 
95,041

 
101,117

Accrued liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

Compensation and benefits
99,549

 
78,877

 
77,290

Other
57,104

 
29,112

 
35,060

Current portion of long-term debt
1,584

 
1,145

 
834

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
310,156

 
204,175

 
214,301

LONG-TERM DEBT
110,362

 
84,750

 
84,722

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
14,066

 
23,838

 
30,919

OTHER LIABILITIES
28,963

 
28,507

 
25,838

TOTAL LIABILITIES
463,547

 
341,270

 
355,780

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 

 
 

 
 

Controlling interest shareholders' equity:
 

 
 

 
 

Preferred stock, no par value; shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding, none
$

 
$

 
$

Common stock, no par value; shares authorized 40,000,000; issued and outstanding, 20,330,939, 20,141,709, and 20,133,427.
20,331

 
20,142

 
20,133

Additional paid-in capital
183,962

 
171,562

 
170,324

Retained earnings
637,536

 
565,636

 
555,193

Accumulated other comprehensive income
(4,854
)
 
(4,585
)
 
(1,560
)
Total controlling interest shareholders' equity
836,975

 
752,755

 
744,090

Noncontrolling interest
10,115

 
13,654

 
12,048

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
847,090

 
766,409

 
756,138

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
1,310,637

 
$
1,107,679

 
$
1,111,918

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

3

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 24,
2016
 
September 26,
2015
 
September 24,
2016
 
September 26,
2015
NET SALES
$
826,665

 
$
762,275

 
$
2,380,909

 
$
2,233,470

COST OF GOODS SOLD
708,611

 
651,569

 
2,028,629

 
1,930,739

GROSS PROFIT
118,054

 
110,706

 
352,280

 
302,731

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
74,457

 
67,951

 
223,059

 
198,087

NET LOSS ON DISPOSITION AND IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS
45

 
230

 
94

 
68

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS
43,552

 
42,525

 
129,127

 
104,576

INTEREST EXPENSE
1,096

 
1,060

 
3,274

 
3,615

INTEREST INCOME
(119
)
 
(47
)
 
(431
)
 
(214
)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF INVESTEE
(50
)
 
(89
)
 
(241
)
 
(283
)
 
927

 
924

 
2,602

 
3,118

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
42,625

 
41,601

 
126,525

 
101,458

INCOME TAXES
13,861

 
14,718

 
43,268

 
36,887

NET EARNINGS
28,764

 
26,883

 
83,257

 
64,571

LESS NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(945
)
 
(1,327
)
 
(2,828
)
 
(2,876
)
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
$
27,819

 
$
25,556

 
$
80,429

 
$
61,695

EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC
$
1.36

 
$
1.26

 
$
3.95

 
$
3.06

EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED
$
1.36

 
$
1.26

 
$
3.94

 
$
3.06

NET EARNINGS
28,764

 
26,883

 
83,257

 
64,571

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(1,156
)
 
(2,578
)
 
(1,521
)
 
(4,206
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
27,608

 
24,305

 
81,736

 
60,365

LESS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(495
)
 
(445
)
 
(1,576
)
 
(1,578
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
$
27,113

 
$
23,860

 
$
80,160

 
$
58,787


See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.


4

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)          
 
Controlling Interest Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehen-
sive
Earnings
 
Employees
Stock
Notes
Receivable
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total
Balance at December 27, 2014
$
19,984

 
$
162,483

 
$
502,334

 
$
1,348

 
$
(455
)
 
$
13,866

 
$
699,560

Net earnings
 

 
 

 
61,695

 
 

 
 

 
2,876

 
64,571

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
 

 
 

 
(2,809
)
 
 
 
(1,298
)
 
(4,107
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment
 
 
 
 
 
 
(99
)
 
 
 
 
 
(99
)
Noncontrolling interest associated with business acquisitions
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,019

 
1,019

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(3,159
)
 
(3,159
)
Purchases of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,256
)
 
(1,256
)
Cash Dividends $0.400 per share
 
 
 
 
(8,050
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,050
)
Issuance of 28,276 shares under employee stock plans
28

 
933

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
961

Issuance of 75,408 shares under stock grant programs
76

 
1,811

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,887

Issuance of 58,905 shares under deferred compensation plans
59

 
(59
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

Repurchase of 13,613 shares
(14
)
 
 

 
(786
)
 
 

 
304

 
 

 
(496
)
Tax benefits from non-qualified stock options exercised
 

 
186

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
186

Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
 

 
1,351

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,351

Accrued expense under deferred compensation plans
 

 
3,619

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3,619

Payments received on employee stock notes receivable
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
151

 
 

 
151

Balance at September 26, 2015
$
20,133

 
$
170,324

 
$
555,193

 
$
(1,560
)
 
$

 
$
12,048

 
$
756,138

Balance at December 26, 2015
20,142

 
171,562

 
565,636

 
(4,585
)
 

 
13,654

 
766,409

Net earnings
 
 
 
 
80,429

 
 
 
 
 
2,828

 
83,257

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 
 
 
(620
)
 
 
 
(1,252
)
 
(1,872
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment & foreign currency
 
 
 
 
 
 
351

 
 
 
 
 
351

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,160
)
 
(3,160
)
Purchases of noncontrolling interest
 
 
855

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,955
)
 
(1,100
)
Dividends $0.420 per share
 
 
 
 
(8,529
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,529
)
Issuance of 5,195 shares under employee stock plans
5

 
390

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
395

Issuance of 133,293 shares under stock grant programs
133

 
5,143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,276

Issuance of 50,742 shares under deferred compensation plans
51

 
(51
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
 
 
1,568

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,568

Accrued expense under deferred compensation plans
 
 
4,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,495

Balance at September 24, 2016
$
20,331

 
$
183,962

 
$
637,536

 
$
(4,854
)
 
$

 
$
10,115

 
$
847,090

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

5

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 24,
2016
 
September 26,
2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
83,257

 
$
64,571

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation
29,014

 
28,013

Amortization of intangibles
1,868

 
2,730

Expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements
1,568

 
1,351

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements

 
(33
)
Expense associated with stock grant plans
105

 
85

Deferred income taxes (credits)
(53
)
 
(269
)
Equity in earnings of investee
(241
)
 
(283
)
Net loss on disposition and impairment of assets
94

 
68

Changes in:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
(69,357
)
 
(76,723
)
Inventories
21,683

 
51,068

Accounts payable and cash overdraft
35,026

 
10,864

Accrued liabilities and other
33,413

 
39,967

NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
136,377

 
121,409

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(35,723
)
 
(36,520
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
516

 
2,382

Acquisitions, net of cash received
(66,615
)
 
(2,584
)
Repayments of debt of acquiree
(92,830
)
 

Purchase of remaining noncontrolling interest of subsidiary
(1,100
)
 
(1,256
)
Advances of notes receivable
(5,400
)
 
(4,403
)
Collections on notes receivable
5,819

 
8,784

Purchases of investments
(4,468
)
 
(5,955
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
1,395

 

Cash restricted as to use
(323
)
 
(734
)
Other
(1,733
)
 
180

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(200,462
)
 
(40,106
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities
52,479

 
297,354

Repayments under revolving credit facilities
(27,177
)
 
(311,253
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
396

 
960

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(3,160
)
 
(3,159
)
Dividends paid to shareholders
(8,529
)
 
(8,050
)
Repurchase of common stock

 
(800
)
Other
(28
)
 
22

NET CASH FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
13,981

 
(24,926
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(969
)
 
(1,004
)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(51,073
)
 
55,373

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
87,756

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
36,683

 
$
55,373

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 

 
 

Interest paid
$
2,587

 
$
2,834

Income taxes paid
43,384

 
25,304

NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Notes receivable exchanged for property

 
389

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Common stock issued under deferred compensation plans
3,657

 
3,042

Property exchanged for notes receivable

 
300

Acquisition earnout adjustment prior to final purchase accounting

 
9,236

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

6

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements (the "Financial Statements") include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships, and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, the Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements, and footnotes thereto, included in our Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015.

Seasonality has a significant impact on our working capital from March to August which historically results in negative or modest cash flows from operations in our first and second quarters. Conversely, we experience a substantial decrease in working capital from September to February which typically results in significant cash flow from operations in our third and fourth quarters.  For comparative purposes, we have included the September 26, 2015 balances in the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheets.

B.
FAIR VALUE

We apply the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to assets and liabilities measured at fair value.  Assets measured at fair value are as follows:

 
September 24, 2016
 
September 26, 2015
(in thousands)
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Prices with Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Total
 
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Prices with Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Total
Money market funds
$
64

 
$
132

 
$
196

 
$
952

 
$

 
$
952

Fixed income funds
2,049

 
2,335

 
4,384

 
3,195

 

 
3,195

Equity securities
5,592

 

 
5,592

 
215

 

 
215

Mutual funds:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Domestic stock funds
760

 

 
760

 
2,625

 

 
2,625

International stock funds
70

 

 
70

 
223

 

 
223

Target funds
234

 

 
234

 
228

 

 
228

Bond funds
203

 

 
203

 
171

 

 
171

Total mutual funds
1,267

 

 
1,267

 
3,247

 

 
3,247

Assets at fair value
$
8,972

 
$
2,467

 
$
11,439

 
$
7,609

 
$

 
$
7,609


We maintain money market, mutual funds, bonds, and/or stocks in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan and our wholly owned licensed captive insurance company.  These funds are valued at prices quoted in an active exchange market and are included in "Cash and Cash Equivalents", "Investments", and "Other Assets".  We have elected not to apply the fair value option under ASC 825, Financial Instruments, to any of our financial instruments except for those expressly required by U.S. GAAP.

We did not maintain any Level 3 assets or liabilities at September 24, 2016 or September 26, 2015.


7

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

In accordance with our investment policy, our wholly-owned captive, Ardellis Insurance Ltd. ("Ardellis"), maintains an investment portfolio, totaling $10.5 million as of September 24, 2016, consisting of mutual funds, domestic and international stocks, and fixed income bonds.

Ardellis' available for sale investment portfolio consists of the following:

 
 
 
Unrealized
 
 
 
Cost
 
Gain/(Loss)
 
Fair Value
Fixed Income
$
4,307

 
$
69

 
$
4,376

Equity
5,171

 
422

 
5,593

Mutual Funds
$
484

 
$

 
$
484

Total
$
9,962

 
$
491

 
$
10,453


Our Fixed Income investments consist of short, intermediate, and long term bonds, as well as fixed blend bonds. Within the fixed income investments, we maintain a specific mixture of US treasury notes, US agency mortgage backed securities, private label mortgage backed securities, and various corporate securities. Our equity investments consist of small, mid, and large cap growth and value funds, as well as international equity. The net pre-tax effect unrealized gain was $491 thousand. Carrying amounts above are recorded in the investments line item within the balance sheet as of September 24, 2016. During 2016, Ardellis investments reported a net realized gain of $15 thousand, which was recorded in interest income on the statement of earnings.


C.
REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue is recognized at the time the product is shipped to the customer. Generally, title passes at the time of shipment.  In certain circumstances, the customer takes title when the shipment arrives at the destination.  However, our shipping process is typically completed the same day.

Earnings on construction contracts are reflected in operations using percentage-of-completion accounting, under either cost to cost or units of delivery methods, depending on the nature of the business at individual operations.  Under percentage-of-completion using the cost to cost method, revenues and related earnings on construction contracts are measured by the relationships of actual costs incurred related to the total estimated costs.  Under percentage-of-completion using the units of delivery method, revenues and related earnings on construction contracts are measured by the relationships of actual units produced related to the total number of units.  Revisions in earnings estimates on the construction contracts are recorded in the accounting period in which the basis for such revisions becomes known.  Projected losses on individual contracts are charged to operations in their entirety when such losses become apparent. Construction contract revenue decreased to approximately $31.9 million, during the third quarter of 2016, from $39.6 million during the same period of 2015. Construction contract revenue was approximately $95.2 million and $98.4 million through the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Our construction contracts are generally entered into with a fixed price and completion of the projects can range from 6 to 18 months in duration.  Therefore, our operating results are impacted by, among many other things, labor rates and commodity costs.  During the year, we update our estimated costs to complete our projects using current labor and commodity costs and recognize losses to the extent that they exist.

The following table presents the balances of percentage-of-completion accounts which are included in “Other current assets” and “Accrued liabilities: Other”, respectively (in thousands):

 
September 24, 2016
 
December 26, 2015
 
September 26, 2015
Cost and Earnings in Excess of Billings
$
2,788

 
$
3,624

 
$
4,718

Billings in Excess of Cost and Earnings
6,222

 
4,978

 
4,145


D.
EARNINGS PER SHARE


8

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

The computation of earnings per share (“EPS”) is as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 24, 2016
 
September 26, 2015
 
September 24, 2016
 
September 26, 2015
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest
$
27,819

 
$
25,556

 
$
80,429

 
$
61,695

Adjustment for earnings allocated to non-vested restricted common stock
(463
)
 
(341
)
 
(1,281
)
 
(789
)
Net earnings for calculating EPS
$
27,356

 
$
25,215

 
$
79,148

 
$
60,906

Denominator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average shares outstanding
20,402

 
20,210

 
20,360

 
20,148

Adjustment for non-vested restricted common stock
(340
)
 
(270
)
 
(324
)
 
(258
)
Shares for calculating basic EPS
20,062

 
19,940

 
20,036

 
19,890

Effect of dilutive stock options
33

 
38

 
32

 
35

Shares for calculating diluted EPS
20,095

 
19,978

 
20,068

 
19,925

Net earnings per share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
1.36

 
$
1.26

 
$
3.95

 
$
3.06

Diluted
$
1.36

 
$
1.26

 
$
3.94

 
$
3.06


No options were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the quarters ended September 24, 2016 or September 26, 2015.

E.    COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES

We are self-insured for environmental impairment liability, including certain liabilities which are insured through a wholly owned subsidiary, Ardellis Insurance Ltd., a licensed captive insurance company.

We own and operate a number of facilities throughout the United States that chemically treat lumber products. In connection with the ownership and operation of these and other real properties, and the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances, we may, under various federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations, be potentially liable for removal and remediation costs, as well as other potential costs, damages, and expenses. Environmental reserves, calculated with no discount rate, have been established to cover remediation activities at wood preservation facilities in Stockertown, PA; Elizabeth City, NC; Auburndale, FL; and Medley, FL. In addition, a reserve was established for our facility in Thornton, CA to remove certain lead containing materials which existed on the property at the time of purchase.
 
On a consolidated basis, we have reserved approximately $3.4 million on September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, representing the estimated costs to complete future remediation efforts. These amounts have not been reduced by an insurance receivable.

Many of our wood treating operations utilize "Subpart W" drip pads, defined as hazardous waste management units by the Environmental Protection Agency.  The rules regulating drip pads require that a pad be “closed” at the point that it is no longer intended to be used for wood treating operations or to manage hazardous waste.  Closure involves identification and disposal of contaminants which are required to be removed from the facility.  The cost of closure is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, identification and removal of contaminants, cleanup standards that vary from state to state, and the time period over which the cleanup would be completed.  Based on our present knowledge of existing circumstances, it is considered probable that these costs will approximate $0.6 million.  As a result, this amount is recorded in other long-term liabilities on September 24, 2016.

In February 2014, one of our operations was served with a federal grand jury subpoena from the Southern District of New York.  The subpoena was issued in connection with an investigation being conducted by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. The subpoena requested documents relating to a developer and construction projects for which our operation had provided materials and labor.  Following receipt of the subpoena, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors retained outside counsel to conduct an internal investigation and respond to the subpoena.

9

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

The Company cooperated in all respects with the US Attorney's Office, complied with this subpoena and voluntarily provided additional information. As a result of the internal investigation, in April 2014, two Company employees were terminated for violating the Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.  In May 2015, those ex-employees were indicted by the grand jury. In April 2016, one of the two former employees pled guilty to four of the charges included in the indictment. In May 2016, the other former employee was found guilty by a jury on four of the charges included in the indictment. The Company has not been named as a target and continues to cooperate with the US Attorney's Office in this matter; however, because of the duration and unique nature of this proceeding, any potential, adverse financial implications to the Company are uncertain.

In addition, on September 24, 2016, we were parties either as plaintiff or defendant to a number of lawsuits and claims arising through the normal course of our business. In the opinion of management, our consolidated financial statements will not be materially affected by the outcome of these contingencies and claims.

On September 24, 2016, we had outstanding purchase commitments on commenced capital projects of approximately $22.3 million.

We provide a variety of warranties for products we manufacture. Historically, warranty claims have not been material.  We distribute products manufactured by other companies, some of which are no longer in business.  While we do not warrant these products, we have received claims as a distributor of these products when the manufacturer no longer exists or has the ability to pay.  Historically, these costs have not had a material affect on our consolidated financial statements.

As part of our operations, we supply building materials and labor to site-built construction projects or we jointly bid on contracts with framing companies for such projects. In some instances we are required to post payment and performance bonds to insure the project owner that the products and installation services are completed in accordance with our contractual obligations.  We have agreed to indemnify the surety for claims made against the bonds.  As of September 24, 2016 we had approximately $1.7 million outstanding payment and performance bonds for open projects.  We had approximately $0.3 million in payment and performance bonds outstanding for completed projects which are still under warranty.

On September 24, 2016, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $25.5 million, primarily related to certain insurance contracts and industrial development revenue bonds described further below.

In lieu of cash deposits, we provide irrevocable letters of credit in favor of our insurers to guarantee our performance under certain insurance contracts.  We currently have irrevocable letters of credit outstanding totaling approximately $15.7 million for these types of insurance arrangements.  We have reserves recorded on our balance sheet, in accrued liabilities, that reflect our expected future liabilities under these insurance arrangements.

We are required to provide irrevocable letters of credit in favor of the bond trustees for all industrial development revenue bonds that have been issued.  These letters of credit guarantee principal and interest payments to the bondholders.  We currently have irrevocable letters of credit outstanding totaling approximately $9.8 million related to our outstanding industrial development revenue bonds.  These letters of credit have varying terms but may be renewed at the option of the issuing banks.

Certain wholly owned domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed the indebtedness of Universal Forest Products, Inc. in certain debt agreements, including the Series 2012 Senior Notes and our revolving credit facility.  The maximum exposure of these guarantees is limited to the indebtedness outstanding under these debt arrangements and this exposure will expire concurrent with the expiration of the debt agreements.

We did not enter into any new guarantee arrangements during the third quarter of 2016 which would require us to recognize a liability on our balance sheet.

F.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We completed the following acquisitions in fiscal 2016 and 2015 which were accounted for using the purchase method in thousands unless otherwise noted:

10

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Company Name
Acquisition Date
Purchase Price
Intangible Assets
Net Tangible Assets
Operating
Segment
Business Description
idX Holdings, Inc. ("idX")
September 16, 2016
$64,266
cash paid for 100% stock purchase which excludes a $1,000 holdback and includes $11,366 in cash received. Also, paid $86,294 to retire outstanding debt and $6,536 of certain other obligations.
$19,750
$44,516
All Other
A designer, producer, and installer of customized in-store environments that are used in a range of end markets. idX had annual sales of $302.5 million.
Seven D Truss, L.P.
July 29, 2016
$1,246
cash paid for asset purchase
$405
$841
North
A manufacturer and distributor of roof and floor trusses. 7D had annual sales of approximately $4.0 million.
Idaho Western, Inc. ("IWI")
June 30, 2016
$10,787
cash paid for 100% stock purchase plus $500 holdback.
$6,817
$4,248
West
A supplier of products ranging from lumber and plywood to siding and doors. IWI had annual sales of approximately $21 million.
Packnet Ltd (“Packnet”)
November 24, 2014
(majority interest)
April 15, 2016
(minority interest)

$7,506
November 24, 2014
cash paid for controlling interest and
$1,877
cash paid for noncontrolling asset purchase.
$7,885
$1,498
West
A supplier of industrial packaging and services based in Eagan, MN. Packnet had annual sales of $9.6 million.
Capital Components & Millwork, Inc. ("CCM")
April 15, 2016
$1,682
cash paid for asset purchase plus
$205
assumed liability
$—
$1,887
North
A producer of doors and trim for customers in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area and Virginia. CCM had approximately $16.6 million in annual sales.
Rapid Wood Mfg., LLC (“Rapid Wood”)
February 2, 2015
$1,638
cash paid for asset purchase
$789
$849
West
A supplier of lumber products to the region’s manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries based in Caldwell, Idaho. Rapid Wood had annual sales of $3.5 million in 2015.
Integra Packaging Proprietary, Ltd (“Integra Packaging”)
January 16, 2015
$1,102
cash paid for 51.94% stock purchase
$1,406
(The Company portion of Intangible Assets $730 or 51.94%)
$715
(The Company portion of Net Tangible Assets $372 or 51.94%)
All Other
An Australian-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial wood specialty packaging products. Integra Packaging had annual sales of $7.6 million in 2015.

The intangible assets for each acquisition, excluding IWI and idX, were finalized and allocated to their respective identifiable intangible asset and goodwill accounts during 2016. Purchase accounting for idX is planned to be completed in the first half of 2017. We closed on the idX acquisition on September 16, 2016, and excluded the income statement activity from the closing date

11

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

to our fiscal quarter-end, September 24, 2016. The excluded income statement activity was deemed immaterial to the financial statements.


G.
SEGMENT REPORTING

ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company operates manufacturing, treating and distribution facilities throughout North America, but primarily in the United States. The Company manages the operations of its individual locations primarily through a geographic reporting structure under which each location is included in a region and regions are included in our North, South, and West divisions. The exceptions to this geographic reporting and management structure are (a) the Company's Alternative Materials Division, which offers a portfolio of non-wood products and distributes those products nation-wide and (b) the Company's distribution unit (referred to as UFPD) which distributes a variety of products to the manufactured housing industry and is accounted for as a reporting unit within the North segment.

With respect to the facilities in the north, south, and west segments, these facilities generally supply the three markets the Company serves nationally - Retail, Industrial, and Construction. Also, substantially all of our facilities support customers in the immediate geographical region surrounding the facility.
Our Alternative Materials and International divisions, as well as our recently acquired idX division, have been included in the “All Other” column of the table below.  The “Corporate” column includes unallocated administrative costs and certain incentive compensation expense.



 
Three Months Ended September 24, 2016
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
267,156

173,715

 
$
335,981

 
$
49,813

 
$

 
$
826,665

Intersegment net sales
14,318

9,642

 
22,054

 
4,574

 

 
50,588

Segment operating profit
14,630

9,900

 
19,962

 
2,959

 
(3,899
)
 
43,552


 
Three Months Ended September 26, 2015
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
252,447

160,345

 
$
305,407

 
$
44,076

 
$

 
$
762,275

Intersegment net sales
14,666

6,838

 
15,791

 
3,191

 

 
40,486

Segment operating profit
16,965

8,045

 
19,902

 
1,055

 
(3,442
)
 
42,525


 
Nine Months Ended September 24, 2016
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
758,066

533,239

 
$
940,188

 
$
149,416

 
$

 
$
2,380,909

Intersegment net sales
42,071

28,693

 
65,325

 
16,559

 

 
152,648

Segment operating profit (loss)
43,054

35,830

 
58,434

 
11,542

 
(19,733
)
 
129,127



12

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

 
Nine Months Ended September 26, 2015
 
North
South
 
West
 
All Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Net sales to outside customers
$
713,280

510,037

 
$
872,497

 
$
137,656

 
$

 
$
2,233,470

Intersegment net sales
38,985

21,641

 
40,894

 
11,653

 

 
113,173

Segment operating profit
36,069

22,044

 
48,693

 
2,904

 
(5,134
)
 
104,576


H.
INCOME TAXES

Effective tax rates differ from statutory federal income tax rates, primarily due to provisions for state and local income taxes and permanent tax differences.  Our effective tax rate was 32.5% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 35.4% for same period of 2015, primarily due to the additional recognition of discrete tax items in 2016.  Our effective tax rate was 34.2% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 36.4% in 2015, primarily due to the extension of the research & development tax credit along with other credits that Congress did not extend until the end of 2015, which are not reflected in the 2015 first nine month's tax rate.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Universal Forest Products, Inc. is a holding company that provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that supply wood, wood composite and other products to three markets: retail, industrial, and construction.  Founded in 1955, the Company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more about Universal Forest Products, go to www.ufpi.com.

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are pleased to present this overview of 2016 results.



OVERVIEW

Our results for the third quarter of 2016 were impacted by the following:

Our gross sales increased by 9% compared to the third quarter of 2015, which was comprised of a 5% increase in unit sales and a 4% increase in selling prices primarily due to the commodity lumber market (See Historical Lumber Prices).  Our unit sales increased to the retail and construction markets and more than offset a decline in unit sales to the industrial market.
Our operating profits increased by over 2%, and our operating profit as a percentage of net sales (operating margin) decreased slightly, comparing the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in our operating margin was due to opportunistic buying and low lumber costs achieved on products sold with fixed selling prices in the third quarter of 2015. The loss of this benefit in 2016 was offset primarily by our continued improvements in sales mix of higher margin products.


13

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

HISTORICAL LUMBER PRICES

We experience significant fluctuations in the cost of commodity lumber products from primary producers ("Lumber Market"). The following table presents the Random Lengths framing lumber composite price:

 
Random Lengths Composite
Average $/MBF
 
2016
 
2015
January
$
316

 
$
375

February
310

 
358

March
321

 
336

April
345

 
334

May
356

 
315

June
353

 
328

July
351

 
346

August
367

 
327

September
354

 
300

 
 
 
 
Third quarter average
$
357

 
$
324

Year-to-date average
$
341

 
$
335

 
 
 
 
Third quarter percentage change
10.2
%
 
 

Year-to-date percentage change
1.8
%
 
 


In addition, a Southern Yellow Pine ("SYP") composite price, which we prepare and use, is presented below.  Our purchases of this species comprises approximately 42% and 45% of total lumber purchases through the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.


 
Random Lengths SYP
Average $/MBF
 
2016
 
2015
January
$
358

 
$
408

February
357

 
399

March
366

 
393

April
389

 
400

May
397

 
368

June
382

 
354

July
380

 
344

August
391

 
321

September
375

 
290

 
 
 
 
Third quarter average
$
382

 
$
318

Year-to-date average
$
377

 
$
364

 
 
 
 
Third quarter percentage change
20.1
%
 
 

Year-to-date percentage change
3.6
%
 
 

IMPACT OF THE LUMBER MARKET ON OUR OPERATING RESULTS

14

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


We generally price our products to pass lumber costs through to our customers so that our profitability is based on the value-added manufacturing, distribution, engineering, and other services we provide.  As a result, our sales levels (and working capital requirements) are impacted by the lumber costs of our products.  We estimate lumber comprises approximately 58% of our total cost of goods sold, but varies by product line. 

Our gross margins are impacted by (1) the relative level of the Lumber Market (i.e. whether prices are higher or lower from comparative periods), and (2) the trend in the market price of lumber (i.e. whether the price of lumber is increasing or decreasing within a period or from period to period). Moreover, as explained below, our products are priced differently.  Some of our products have fixed selling prices, while the selling prices of other products are indexed to the reported Lumber Market with a fixed dollar adder to cover conversion costs and profits.  Consequently, the level and trend of the Lumber Market impact our products differently.
 
Below is a general description of the primary ways in which our products are priced.
 
Products with fixed selling prices.  These products include value-added products such as deck components and fencing sold to retail customers, as well as trusses, wall panels and other components sold to the construction market, and most industrial packaging products.  Prices for these products are generally fixed at the time of the sales quotation for a specified period of time or are based upon a specific quantity.  In order to maintain margins and reduce any exposure to adverse trends in the price of component lumber products, we attempt to lock in costs with our suppliers for these sales commitments.  Also, the time period and quantity limitations generally allow us to re-price our products for changes in lumber costs from our suppliers.
Products with selling prices indexed to the reported Lumber Market with a fixed dollar "adder" to cover conversion costs and profits.  These products primarily include treated lumber, remanufactured lumber, and trusses sold to the manufactured housing industry.  For these products, we estimate the customers' needs and we carry anticipated levels of inventory.  Because lumber costs are incurred in advance of final sale prices, subsequent increases or decreases in the market price of lumber impact our gross margins.  For these products, our margins are exposed to changes in the trend of lumber prices. 
Changes in the trend of lumber prices have their greatest impact on the following products:
Products with significant inventory levels with low turnover rates, whose selling prices are indexed to the Lumber Market.  In other words, the longer the period of time these products remain in inventory, the greater the exposure to changes in the price of lumber. This would include treated lumber, which comprises approximately 20% of our total sales.  This exposure is less significant with remanufactured lumber, trusses sold to the manufactured housing market, and other similar products, due to the higher rate of inventory turnover.  We attempt to mitigate the risk associated with treated lumber through vendor consignment inventory programs.  (Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.)
Products with fixed selling prices sold under long-term supply arrangements, particularly those involving multi-family construction projects.  We attempt to mitigate this risk through our purchasing practices by locking in costs.
 
In addition to the impact of the Lumber Market trends on gross margins, changes in the level of the market cause fluctuations in gross margins when comparing operating results from period to period. This is explained in the following example, which assumes the price of lumber has increased from period one to period two, with no changes in the trend within each period.
 
 
Period 1
 
Period 2
Lumber cost
$
300

 
$
400

Conversion cost
50

 
50

 = Product cost
350

 
450

Adder
50

 
50

 = Sell price
$
400

 
$
500

Gross margin
12.5
%
 
10.0
%

As is apparent from the preceding example, the level of lumber prices does not impact our overall profits, but does impact our margins.  Gross margins are negatively impacted during periods of high lumber prices; conversely, we experience margin improvement when lumber prices are relatively low.

15

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We completed five business acquisitions during the first nine months of 2016 and two during all of 2015. The annual historical sales attributable to acquisitions completed in 2016 and 2015 was approximately $344.1 million and $11.1 million, respectively. These business combinations were not significant to our quarterly or year-to-date operating results individually or in aggregate and thus pro forma results for 2016 or 2015 are not presented.

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note F, "Business Combinations" for additional information.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the components of our Unaudited  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a percentage of net sales.

 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
Net sales
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
Cost of goods sold
85.7

85.5

85.2

86.4

Gross profit
14.3

14.5

14.8

13.6

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
9.1

8.9

9.3

8.8

Net gain on disposition  and impairment of assets




Earnings from operations
5.3

5.6

5.4

4.7

Other expense (income), net
0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

Earnings before income taxes
5.2

5.5

5.3

4.5

Income taxes
1.7

1.9

1.8

1.7

Net earnings
3.5

3.5

3.5

2.9

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
(0.1
)
(0.2
)
(0.1
)
(0.1
)
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest
3.4
%
3.4
%
3.4
%
2.8
%
 
Note: Actual percentages are calculated and may not sum to total due to rounding.
 
GROSS SALES

We design, manufacture and market wood and wood-alternative products for national home centers and other retailers; engineered wood components, structural lumber, and other products for manufactured housing, residential and commercial construction; and specialty wood packaging, components and packing materials for various industries.  Our long-term sales objectives include:

Diversifying our end market sales mix by increasing sales of specialty wood packaging to industrial users, increasing our penetration of the commercial construction market, increasing our sales of engineered wood components and complementary products for custom home, multi-family, military and light commercial construction, and increasing our market share with independent retailers.
Expanding geographically in our core businesses, domestically and internationally.
Increasing sales of “value-added” products, which primarily consist of fencing, decking, lattice, and other specialty products sold to the retail market, specialty wood packaging, engineered wood components, and “wood alternative” products. Engineered wood components include roof trusses, wall panels, and floor systems.  Wood alternative products consist primarily of composite wood and plastics. Although we consider the treatment of dimensional lumber with certain

16

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

chemical preservatives a value-added process, treated lumber, which comprises approximately 20% of our total sales, is not presently included in value-added sales.
Developing new products and expanding our product offering for existing customers.  New product sales were $81.3 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $71.1 million during the third quarter of 2015.  New product sales year-to-date for 2016 and 2015 were $247.9 million and $213.3 million, respectively. Certain prior year product reclassifications resulted in an increase in new product sales in 2015.
Maximizing unit sales growth while achieving return on investment goals.
 
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our gross sales and percentage change in gross sales by market classification.

(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Market Classification
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
Retail
$
339,744

$
296,022

14.8

$
1,017,225

$
905,826

12.3

Industrial
233,757

235,376

(0.7
)
669,389

683,763

(2.1
)
Construction
265,563

241,810

9.8

733,700

676,228

8.5

Total Gross Sales
839,064

773,208

8.5

2,420,314

2,265,817

6.8

Sales Allowances
(12,399
)
(10,933
)
13.4

(39,405
)
(32,347
)
21.8

Total Net Sales
$
826,665

$
762,275

8.4

$
2,380,909

$
2,233,470

6.6


Note: During 2016, certain customers were reclassified to a different market.  Prior year information has been restated to reflect these changes.

Gross sales in the third quarter of 2016 increased nearly 9% compared to the same period of 2015, due to a 5% increase in unit sales and a 4% increase in selling prices primarily due to the Lumber Market.

Gross sales in the first nine months of 2016 increased 7% compared to the same period of 2015, due to a 6% increase in unit sales and a 1% increase in overall selling prices primarily due to the Lumber Market.

Changes in our gross sales by market are discussed below.

Retail:

Gross sales to the retail market increased almost 15% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, due to a 9% increase in unit sales and a 6% increase in selling prices.  Within this market, sales to our big box customers increased 20% and sales to other retailers increased almost 8%. Our retail customers have benefited from improving consumer demand, as evidenced by their reported increases in same store sales. In addition, we gained market share with certain customers and increased our sales of new products with these customers.

Gross sales to the retail market increased by over 12% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, due to a 10% increase in unit sales and a 2% increase in overall selling prices.  Within this market, sales to our big box customers increased 15% while our sales to other retailers increased almost 9% due to the same factors discussed above.
 
Industrial:

Gross sales to the industrial market decreased approximately 1% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, resulting from a 2% decrease in unit sales and a 1% increase in selling prices. We believe that demand of our existing customers has softened in 2016 as evidenced by a reported decline in U.S. industrial production due, in part, to a strong U.S. dollar and reduction of exports. In addition, we have been more selective in the business that we pursue by being more focused on higher margin value-added products.
 
Gross sales to the industrial market decreased approximately 2% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, due to a 2% decrease in selling prices as unit sales remained flat. The overall decrease was primarily due to the same factors discussed above.

Construction:

17

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


Gross sales to the construction market increased approximately 10% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 2015.  The increase was due to a 6% increase in unit sales and a 4% increase in our selling prices.  Our increase in unit sales was driven by a 5% increase to manufactured housing customers, a 4% increase to commercial construction customers, and a 9% increase to residential construction customers. By comparison (and based upon various industry publications):
Non-residential construction activity in July and August decreased approximately 0.9%.
National housing starts increased approximately 2.4% in the period from June through August 2016 (our sales trail housing starts by about a month) compared to the same period of 2015.
Production of HUD-code homes in July and August 2016 were up 2.3% compared to 2015.
Modular home production increased by 7.2% in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.


Gross sales to the construction market increased almost 9% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, due to an 8% increase in unit sales and a 1% increase in selling prices. A 3% increase in unit sales to our manufactured housing customers, 13% increase to our residential construction customers, and 8% increase to our commercial construction customers, comprised the overall 8% increase through the first nine months of 2016. Our increase in unit sales was primarily due to the same reasons discussed above.


Value-Added and Commodity-Based Sales:

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our percentage of value-added and commodity-based sales to total sales.  Value-added products generally carry higher gross margins than our commodity-based products.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 24, 2016
 
September 26, 2015
 
September 24, 2016
 
September 26, 2015
Value-Added
61.1
%
 
60.1
%
 
61.5
%
 
59.2
%
Commodity-Based
38.9
%
 
39.9
%
 
38.5
%
 
40.8
%

COST OF GOODS SOLD AND GROSS PROFIT


Our gross margin decreased to 14.3% from 14.5% comparing the third quarter of 2016 to the same period of 2015.  Our gross profit dollars increased by $7.3 million, or 6.6%, which compares favorably to our 5% increase in unit sales.  The improvement in our profitability in the third quarter of 2016 was attributable to the following factors:

$10.0 million of our gross profit increase was attributable to our unit sales growth to the retail market and an improvement in margin on these sales primarily due to new products.
The increase above was offset by a $1.8 million gross profit decrease on sales to the industrial market due to a decline in unit sales as discussed above and as a result of opportunistic buying and low lumber costs on products sold with fixed selling prices in 2015.

Our gross profit margin increased to 14.8% from 13.6% comparing the first nine months of 2016 to the same period of 2015.  Our gross profit dollars increased by $49.5 million, or 16.4%, which compares favorably to our 6% increase in unit sales. The improvement in our profitability in the first nine months of 2016 were attributable to the following factors:

$32.1 million of our gross profit increase increase was attributable to our unit sales growth and margin improvement on sales to the retail market due to the same factors above.
$8.4 million of our gross profit improvement was due to margin improvements on our sales to the industrial market resulting from improvements in our sales mix of more value-added products.
$8.6 million of our gross profit increase was primarily due to unit sales growth to the construction market.
 
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased by approximately $6.5 million, or 9.6%, in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, while we reported a 5% increase in unit sales.  The increase in SG&A was primarily

18

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

due to a $2.5 million increase in compensation and benefit costs, a $3.2 million increase in sales commissions and accrued bonus compensation, and several other smaller increases driven, in part, by our unit sales growth.
 
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased by approximately $24.9 million, or 12.6%, in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, while we reported a 6% increase in unit sales.  The increase in SG&A was primarily due to a $6.6 million increase in compensation and benefit costs, a $12.4 million increase in sales commissions and accrued bonus compensation attributable to our improvements in profitability as measured under our incentive compensation program, and several other smaller increases driven, in part, by our unit sales growth.

Our "core" SG&A expenses, excluding accrued bonus expense, were $62.4 million, $64.2 million, and $62.5 million in the first, second, and third quarters of 2016, respectively.

INTEREST, NET

Net interest costs were comparable in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015.

INCOME TAXES

Effective tax rates differ from statutory federal income tax rates, primarily due to provisions for state and local income taxes and permanent tax differences.  Our effective tax rate was 32.5% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 35.4% for same period of 2015, and 34.2% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 36.4% in 2015. The decrease in our rates in 2016 was primarily due to the extension of the research & development tax credit and certain other credits that Congress did not extend until the end of 2015, which are not reflected in the rates for the first nine months of 2015. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded approximately $1.2 million in benefit related to these tax credits. Additionally, we anticipate an increase in our Domestic Manufacturing Deduction in 2016.

SEGMENT REPORTING

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our net sales and earnings from operations by reportable segment.
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
Earnings from Operations
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
$ Change
% Change
 
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
$ Change
% Change
North
 
$
267,156

$
252,447

$
14,709

5.8
%
 
$
14,630

$
16,965

$
(2,335
)
(13.8
)%
South
 
173,715

160,345

13,370

8.3
%
 
9,900

8,045

1,855

23.1
 %
West
 
335,981

305,407

30,574

10.0
%
 
19,962

19,902

60

0.3
 %
All Other
 
49,813

44,076

5,737

13.0
%
 
2,959

1,055

1,904

180.5
 %
Corporate1
 





 
(3,899
)
(3,442
)
(457
)
(13
)%
Total
 
$
826,665

$
762,275

$
64,390

8.4
%
 
$
43,552

$
42,525

$
1,027

2.4
 %
 
 
Net Sales
 
Earnings from Operations
(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
$ Change
% Change
 
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
$ Change
% Change
North
 
$
758,066

$
713,280

$
44,786

6.3
%
 
$
43,054

$
36,069

$
6,985

19.4
 %
South
 
533,239

510,037

23,202

4.5
%
 
35,830

22,044

13,786

62.5
 %
West
 
940,188

872,497

67,691

7.8
%
 
58,434

48,693

9,741

20.0
 %
All Other
 
149,416

137,656

11,760

8.5
%
 
11,542

2,904

8,638

297.5
 %
Corporate1
 





 
(19,733
)
(5,134
)
(14,599
)
(284.4
)%
Total
 
$
2,380,909

$
2,233,470

$
147,439

6.6
%
 
$
129,127

$
104,576

$
24,551

23.5
 %


19

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

1Corporate primarily represents over (under) allocated administrative costs and accrued bonus expense. During the first nine months of 2015, Corporate had a more significant under allocation of costs.

North

 
Net Sales
 
North Segment by Market
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Market Classification
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
Retail
$
130,832

$
115,665

13.1

$
368,279

$
330,380

11.5

Industrial
28,277

29,572

(4.4
)
89,263

92,575

(3.6
)
Construction
113,645

111,869

1.6

315,648

302,984

4.2

Total Gross Sales
272,754

257,106

6.1

773,190

725,939

6.5

Sales Allowances
(5,598
)
(4,659
)
20.2

(15,124
)
(12,659
)
19.5

Total Net Sales
$
267,156

$
252,447

5.8

$
758,066

$
713,280

6.3


Net sales attributable to the North reportable segment increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 2015 due to increases in sales to our retail and construction markets, offset by a decrease in sales to our industrial customers due to the same factors discussed under "Gross Sales".

Earnings from operations for the North reportable segment decreased in the third quarter of 2016 by $2.3 million, or 13.8%, due to opportunistic buying and low lumber costs on products we sell with fixed selling prices in 2015 and an 11.0% increase in our SG&A expenses from 2015 to 2016.

Net sales attributable to the North reportable segment increased in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 2015 due to an increase in sales to our retail and construction markets, offset by a decrease in sales to our industrial customers due to the same factors discussed under "Gross Sales".

Earnings from operations for the North reportable segment increased in the first nine months of of 2016 by $7.0 million, or 19.4%, due to the growth in our sales to retail and construction customers and margin improvements achieved due to a more favorable product sales mix and being more selective in the business we pursue as we focus on higher margin, value-added products. These improvements were offset by a 9.7% increase in our SG&A expenses from 2015 to 2016.


South

 
Net Sales
 
South Segment by Market
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Market Classification
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
Retail
$
74,617

$
69,839

6.8
%
$
238,599

$
227,773

4.8
 %
Industrial
62,337

59,824

4.2
%
187,586

190,852

(1.7
)%
Construction
40,310

33,554

20.1
%
117,742

100,549

17.1
 %
Total Gross Sales
177,264

163,217

8.6
%
543,927

519,174

4.8
 %
Sales Allowances
(3,549
)
(2,872
)
23.6
%
(10,688
)
(9,137
)
17.0
 %
Total Net Sales
$
173,715

$
160,345

8.3
%
$
533,239

$
510,037

4.5
 %



20

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Net sales attributable to the South reportable segment increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 2015 due to an increase in sales in all markets; retail, industrial, and construction markets, primarily due to the same factors discussed under "Gross Sales". Sales to industrial customers increased due to an increase in demand of our top customers in this region.

Earnings from operations for the South reportable segment increased in the third quarter of 2016 by $1.9 million, or 23.1%, due to the growth in our sales to retail and construction customers, margin improvements resulting from improvements in our sales mix of more higher margin, value-added products, and closure of certain under-performing operations. These margin improvements were offset somewhat by the impact of opportunistic buying and low lumber costs on products sold with fixed selling prices in 2015. The overall gross margin improvement was also offset by a 5.9% increase in our SG&A expenses from 2015 to 2016.

Net sales attributable to the South reportable segment increased in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 2015 due to an increase in sales to our retail and construction markets, offset by a decrease in sales to our industrial customers due to the same factors discussed under "Gross Sales".

Earnings from operations for the South reportable segment increased in the first nine months of of 2016 by $13.8 million, or 62.5%, due to the growth in our sales to retail and construction customers, gross margin improvements due to the same factors discussed above, and the closure of certain under-performing operations. These improvements were offset by a 1.5% increase in our SG&A expenses from 2015 to 2016.

West
 
Net Sales
 
West Segment by Market
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Market Classification
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
Retail
$
101,247

$
83,970

20.6
 %
$
300,742

$
254,051

18.4
 %
Industrial
127,236

128,735

(1.2
)%
351,541

356,456

(1.4
)%
Construction
111,603

96,387

15.8
 %
300,304

272,695

10.1
 %
Total Gross Sales
340,086

309,092

10.0
 %
952,587

883,202

7.9
 %
Sales Allowances
(4,105
)
(3,685
)
11.4
 %
(12,399
)
(10,705
)
15.8
 %
Total Net Sales
$
335,981

$
305,407

10.0
 %
$
940,188

$
872,497

7.8
 %


Net sales attributable to the West reportable segment increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 2015 due to an increase in sales to our retail and construction markets, offset by a decrease in sales to our industrial customers due to the same factors discussed under "Gross Sales".

Earnings from operations for the West reportable segment in the third quarter of 2016 remained flat compared to the same period in 2015 as increases in unit sales were offset by a gross margin decrease and a 12.5% increase in SG&A expenses.

Net sales attributable to the West reportable segment increased in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 2015 due to an increase in sales to our retail and construction markets, offset by a decrease in sales to our industrial customers due to the same factors discussed under "Gross Sales".

Earnings from operations for the West reportable segment increased in the first nine months of of 2016 by $9.7 million, or 20.0%, due to the growth in our sales to retail and construction customers and margin improvements primarily due to improvements in our sales mix of higher-margin value-added products. These improvements were offset by a 9.8% increase in SG&A expenses during the first nine months of 2016.







21

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.



All Other

 
Net Sales
 
All Other Segment by Market
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Market Classification
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
September 24, 2016
September 26, 2015
% Change
Retail
$
33,049

$
26,548

24.5
 %
$
109,606

$
93,622

17.1
 %
Industrial
15,907

17,245

(7.8
)%
41,000

43,880

(6.6
)%
Construction
4




4

1

300.0
 %
Total Gross Sales
48,960

43,793

11.8
 %
150,610

137,503

9.5
 %
Sales Allowances
853

283

201.4
 %
(1,194
)
153

(880.4
)%
Total Net Sales
$
49,813

$
44,076

13.0
 %
$
149,416

$
137,656

8.5
 %


Net sales attributable to the All Other reportable segment increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 2015 due to a $5.9 million increase in sales to our retail market by our Consumer Products reporting unit, offset by a $0.6 million decrease in sales to our industrial customers by our Australian and Mexican subsidiaries.

Earnings from operations for the All Other reportable segment increased during the third quarter of 2016 by $1.9 million compared to the same period of 2015. Margin improvements were achieved through effective timing of raw material purchases. SG&A expenses for the quarter increased by 11.0% primarily due to foreign currency transaction gains recorded by our Mexican subsidiary in 2015.

Net sales attributable to the All Other reportable segment increased in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 2015 due to a $14.8 million increase in sales to our retail market by our Consumer Products operations, offset by a $2.4 million decrease in sales to our industrial customers by our Australian and Mexican subsidiaries.

Earnings from operations for the All Other reportable segment increased in the first nine months of of 2016 by $8.6 million due to the growth in our sales to retail customers and margin improvements. Margin improvements were achieved through effective timing of raw material purchases.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

We have no significant off-balance sheet transactions other than operating leases.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The table below presents, for the periods indicated, a summary of our cash flow statement (in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 24, 2016
 
September 26, 2015
Cash from operating activities
$
136,377

 
$
121,409

Cash used in investing activities
(200,462
)
 
(40,106
)
Cash from (used in) financing activities
13,981

 
(24,926
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(969
)
 
(1,004
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(51,073
)
 
55,373

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
87,756

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
36,683

 
$
55,373


22

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.


In general, we financed our growth in the past through a combination of operating cash flows, our revolving credit facility, industrial development bonds (when circumstances permit), and issuance of long-term notes payable at times when interest rates are favorable.  We have not issued equity to finance growth except in the case of a large acquisition.  We manage our capital structure by attempting to maintain a targeted ratio of debt to equity and debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  We believe this is one of many important factors to maintaining a strong credit profile, which in turn helps ensure timely access to capital when needed.

Seasonality has a significant impact on our working capital due to our primary selling season which occurs during the period from March to August. Consequently, our working capital increases during our first and second quarter resulting in negative or modest cash flows from operations during those periods. Conversely, we experience a substantial decrease in working capital once we move beyond our peak selling season which typically results in significant cash flows from operations in our third