Doral, Parent Of Ameriwood, Altra Furniture and Ridgewood/Charleswood Brands Earnings Top US$100 million

Furniture World News

Global consumer products company, Dorel Industries Inc. announced fourth quarter and year-end results for its fiscal year ended December 30, 2004. Revenues for the fourth quarter rose to US$462 million, up 42.7% from US$323.7 million a year ago. Net income for the fourth quarter jumped 69.6% to US$34.7 million from US$20.5 million. Income per share for the final quarter was US$1.05 fully diluted, compared to US$0.63 per share in the fourth the previous year. For fiscal 2004, Dorel posted revenues of US$1.7 billion, up 44.8% from the US$1.2 billion last year. Net income for the full year amounted to US$100.1 million or US$3.04 per share fully diluted, compared to 2003 net income of US$74.2 million or US$2.29 per share. Dorel's continued progress, through a strategic program of selective acquisitions and organic growth, rewarded shareholders with a record performance in 2004. These achievements were realized despite high petroleum costs and increased raw material prices for major commodities such as steel, plastic resin, and particle board, particularly during the first half of the year which lowered gross margins, primarily in the Home Furnishings segment. The situation improved through the balance of the year as the necessary adjustments were made to improve profitability. However the continuing rise in the cost of resin kept overall company gross margins from improving significantly over the first half. "Despite these raw material price increases throughout the year, overall earnings from operations were 10.7% of sales in the second half of the year versus 8.0% in the first half. Our known consumer brands helped propel sales, predominantly Schwinn's reborn Sting-Ray bicycle, which generated unprecedented sales for a single Dorel product," commented Martin Schwartz, Dorel President and CEO. Juvenile segment revenues for the fourth quarter were up 12.9% to US$193.1 million from last year's fourth quarter US$171 million. Earnings from operations for the period increased 20.3% to US$18.7 million from US$15.5 million. 2004 revenues rose 13.2% to US$758.4 million from US$670.1 million a year ago. Earnings from operations grew 1.8% year-over-year to US$65.9 million, compared to US$64.8 million in 2003. Dorel Europe's fourth quarter sales in U.S. dollars increased 23%, while earnings jumped 176%. Gross margins in Europe continued to improve throughout the year and in the fourth quarter were at their highest levels since the Ampafrance acquisition. Dorel Europe represented 40% of the Juvenile segment's sales in U.S. dollars for the full year and accounted for almost 60% of its earnings. All three operating units based in France, Holland and the United Kingdom posted earnings increases, with the majority of the improvement at Dorel Nederland as new management reversed previous year losses. The Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) in North America posted fourth quarter revenues 6% higher than the prior year, while earnings declined due principally to a change in product mix, increased raw material costs, and increased distribution costs resulting from significantly higher inventory levels. For the year, juvenile revenues in North America increased 10%, however, competitive pricing pressures, higher costs in raw materials and product liability costs reduced earnings by approximately 30% from last year's levels. Earnings excluding the higher product liability costs in 2004 decreased less than 4%. Home Furnishings: Home Furnishings segment revenues for the fourth quarter decreased 5.1% to US$144.9 million from last year's US$152.7 million. Earnings from operations for the period decreased 30% to US$14.2 million from US$20.3 million. 2004 revenues rose 9.5% to US$540.6 from US$493.7 a year ago. However, earnings from operations fell 35% year-over-year to US$43.4 million compared to US$66.7 million last year. Results in the Home Furnishings segment were impacted by decreased earnings at the Ameriwood ready-to-assemble (RTA) group. Raw material costs, primarily for board, were also an important factor in the reduced earnings. At their peak, board prices were 50% higher over the prior year. Price increases to customers were implemented throughout the second half of the year, however they did not fully offset the higher costs incurred. Offsetting declines at Ameriwood was Dorel Asia, which recorded its most profitable year, and Cosco Home & Office which posted significant revenue gains over last year. Recreational/Leisure Fourth quarter revenues and earnings in the Recreational/Leisure segment were their highest of the year with revenues of US$123.9 million and earnings of US$15.7 million. For the year, which includes eleven months of activity, revenues were US$385.9 million and earnings reached US$49.4 million, or 12.8% as a percentage of revenues. Upon acquisition it was expected that this new segment would account for revenues of US$350 million to US$375 million with earnings from operations of 12% to 13% of revenues. Success was driven by the Schwinn Sting-Ray bicycle, which proved to be one of the most successful bicycle launches ever. Over 500,000 bicycles were sold to several large retailers. The exposure generated by the Sting-Ray also re-invigorated the already exceptional Schwinn brand name. Dorel's Tax Rate: The income tax rate for 2004 was 6.4%, lower than the previously expected range of 11% to 12%. The difference was due to a combination of factors including; a change in the jurisdictions in which income was earned, a revaluation of long-term future tax balances due to a change in enacted tax rates in Europe, the recognition of future tax benefits due to loss carry- forwards previously unrecognized in the United Kingdom as well as other previously unrecognized tax credits in both Europe and North America. Please refer to the Outlook section below for the 2005 tax rate. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow: Free cash flow, defined as cash provided by operating activities less net additions to capital assets, deferred charges and intangible assets, was US$66.2 million for 2004, up 10% from US$60.2 million in 2003. The free cash flow increase was less than anticipated due to higher than expected inventory and accounts receivable balances. The higher levels of inventory and receivables were primarily the result of higher sales activities and did not have a negative effect on the Company's working capital ratios. The number of days in receivables and inventory both improved slightly over 2003 at 55 days and 78 days respectively as compared to 56 and 80 as at December 30, 2003. Other: Dorel has restated the 2003 balance sheet classification of certain assets and liabilities, in connection with Dorel's acquisition of Ampafrance SA and Carina Furniture Limited in 2003. Specifically, Dorel has recognized: (i) customer-relationship intangible assets in the amount of US$36.9 million; and (ii) long-term future tax liabilities in the amount of US$12.9 million. This change in accounting treatment has: (i) reduced the amount of goodwill initially recorded by US$24 million; and (ii) resulted in a non-cash charge of US$0.8 million in each of 2003 and 2004, thereby reducing fully diluted earnings per share by US$0.03 in 2003 and 2004. These changes are pursuant to a review of Dorel's 2003 annual financial statements by the Autorite des marches financiers (the "AMF"), conducted as part of their Continuous Disclosure Review Program. Subsequent to year-end, on February 11, 2005, the Company settled a dispute with one of its product liability insurance carriers for the amount of US$9.8 million. As at December 30, 2004, this gain was contingent upon a successful resolution of the dispute. As a result, the amount received will be applied against operating expenses in 2005. Though this recovery will have a positive impact on 2005 full year results, most of the amount received will be offset by other expected claim settlements in the first quarter of the year. Outlook: In lieu of specific earnings guidance, Dorel is providing an outline of its expectations for 2005. -Sales - Sales growth is expected to be from 5% to 10%. -Cost of sales - Commodity prices were high in 2004 and were the largest contributor to decreased gross margins. Commodity prices remain high and are not currently expected to decrease. As such, gross margin levels are expected to only improve marginally. -Borrowing costs - Costs are expected to rise slightly with higher interest rates on floating rate debt expected to increase. However, it is anticipated that free cash flow will approximate US$100 million an is expected to be applied against debt. -Currencies - Based on current exchange rates, the Company anticipates that currencies will have a similar impact on earnings in 2005 as in 2004. -Effective Tax Rate - The 2005 tax rate is expected to be in the range of 15% to 20%. More than half of the anticipated increase is due to a greater proportion of earnings and slightly higher 2005 tax rates anticipated in North America. The balance of the increase expected is due to changes in the mix of earnings in the Company's other operating jurisdictions. -Capital Expenditures - Capital expenditures for 2005 are expected to be in the mid US$30 million range versus US$49.3 million in 2004. Commentary: "Dorel will continue to build on its past accomplishments through 2005. Several important operational adjustments were made as major acquisitions were integrated. We are confident that our team is further equipped and motivated to grow organically. The aggressive product development initiatives introduced at all Dorel divisions are expected to drive sales and will continue to provide our customers with the products their consumers want. This has never been made clearer than with the overwhelming success of Dorel Juvenile Group's new ride-on category of toy vehicles and the Sting-Ray bicycle. We expect more of the same this year in our three segments. "Our strong brands are increasingly creating a greater awareness of Dorel. I am encouraged that the initial signs for 2005 are promising. The Conference Board, a non-profit research group in New York, reported that its index of consumer confidence rose in late 2004 to its best reading since last July. The Conference Board reported the rebound to be broad-based with consumers expecting a stronger economy over the next several months. This augurs well for consumer product companies such as Dorel," concluded Mr. Schwartz. Profile: Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.SV, DII.MV; NASDAQ: DIIB) is a global consumer products company engaged in the designing, manufacturing and marketing of a diverse portfolio of powerful consumer brands, sold through its Juvenile, Home Furnishings, and Recreational/Leisure segments. Headquartered in Montreal, Dorel employs approximately 5,000 people in fourteen countries. Dorel also has offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China which oversee the sourcing, engineering and logistics of all Asian operations. 2004 sales were US$1.7 billion. US operations include Dorel Juvenile Group USA, which markets the Cosco and Safety 1st brands as well Eddie Bauer and Disney Baby licensed products; Ameriwood Industries, which markets ready-to-assemble products under the Ameriwood, Carina, SystemBuild, Altra Furniture and Ridgewood/Charleswood brands as well as California Closets and Trading Spaces licenses; Cosco Home & Office, which markets home/office products under the Cosco and Cosco Ability Essentials brands and Samsonite license; and Pacific Cycle, which markets the Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, InSTEP and Roadmaster brands. In Canada, Dorel operates Dorel Canada, Ridgewood Industries and Dorel Home Products. Dorel Europe markets juvenile products throughout Europe, under the Bebe Confort, Maxi- Cosi, Quinny, Safety 1st, Babideal, and Baby Relax brands. Dorel Asia sources and imports home furnishings products.