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Drew Industries Reports 2009 Third Quarter Results

Mon Nov 2, 2009 7:57pm EST
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Drew Industries
Incorporated (NYSE: DW), a leading supplier of components for recreational
vehicles (RV) and manufactured homes, today reported net income of $7.2
million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended September 30,
2009. Net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $2.6 million, or $0.12 per
diluted share.

The marked increase in 2009 third quarter net income was achieved despite a 2
percent decline in net sales, to $122 million. Market share gains enabled the
Company to increase net sales in its RV Segment by 10 percent in the third
quarter, better than the 5 percent increase in industry-wide wholesale
shipments of travel trailers and fifth-wheel RVs, as compared to the third
quarter of 2008. The Company's Manufactured Housing Segment also gained market
share, although net sales declined by 29 percent, due to an estimated 39
percent decrease in industry-wide production of manufactured homes.

"Continued market share gains, effective cost control programs, and our focus
on profitable expansion opportunities, were key elements that enabled us to
achieve this very gratifying profit improvement," said Fred Zinn, Drew's
President and CEO. "Compared to the second quarter of 2009, our net income
increased $4.6 million on a $21 million increase in net sales. While our
profits have not yet recovered to the record pace of earnings we achieved in
2007, we have made critical strides in controlling costs and increasing our
content per RV and manufactured home."

"We are proud of the accomplishments of our management teams in both segments
of our business," said Jason Lippert, President and CEO of Drew's
subsidiaries, Lippert Components and Kinro. "They have taken advantage of
numerous opportunities to improve profitability during very difficult times in
both industries. The strength of our management team is what truly allows us
to continue to out-perform our end markets."

"RV industry production levels during the last several months have continued
to exceed expectations, reportedly due to both a restocking of inventory by
dealers, and improvement in retail demand," added Lippert. "While recent
retail industry data is not available, we believe that dealers would likely
not be restocking inventory so late in the season unless retail demand had
improved. Further, many of our RV customers are expecting higher fourth
quarter production levels than they did in the fourth quarter of 2008."

"We're also very pleased with recent developments in our Manufactured Housing
Segment," continued Lippert. "Over the summer, a supplier of manufactured
housing windows and doors exited the market. Since then we have gained new
window business of more than $7 million annually, and growing. In addition,
with our recent purchase of door production equipment and inventory, we expect
to be a significant supplier in the $25 million to $30 million market for
manufactured housing doors. Half of this new potential is in aftermarket
replacement doors for manufactured homes, and we will be aggressively pursuing
new aftermarket business for both doors and windows."

"Our raw material costs continue to be volatile," said Joe Giordano, Drew's
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. "Last years' third quarter net income
was reduced by $0.06 to $0.08 per diluted share due to high material costs
which impacts the comparison to the 2009 third quarter. Then, earlier this
year, raw material costs declined, but have risen 10 to 30 percent in the last
few months, depending upon the type of raw material. We anticipate that these
recent cost increases will likely have a modest impact on our profit margins
going forward."

The Company continues to benefit from reductions in fixed expenses achieved
through facility consolidations, staff reductions, and synergies between its
two subsidiaries. Cost reduction measures benefited third quarter 2009 results
by over $2 million compared to the same period in 2008, and are expected to
benefit full year 2009 results by more than $9 million. The cost reduction
measures taken in 2009 will benefit 2010 by an additional $2.5 million.

The Company further strengthened its balance sheet during the third quarter,
increasing cash and short-term investments by $20 million, to $47 million. The
cash is in FDIC insured accounts, while the $2 million of short-term
investments are US Treasuries. The Company now has no debt after repaying the
last $1 million of its debt during the third quarter of 2009.

"We expect our cash flow to continue strong over the next several quarters,"
said Giordano. "Management of our working capital continues to be a priority.
This strong balance sheet and solid cash flow will allow us to continue to
pursue acquisitions and other expansion opportunities, which should help us
achieve sustained growth over the long term."

For the first nine months of 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $27.0
million, or $1.24 per diluted share, due to the first quarter 2009 goodwill
impairment charge of $29.4 million, net of taxes. Excluding the first quarter
2009 goodwill impairment charge, and $3.0 million, net of taxes, of extra
expenses in the first quarter of 2009 related to plant consolidations, staff
reductions, increased bad debts, and obsolete inventory and tooling, due to
the unprecedented conditions in the RV and manufactured housing industries,
net income for the current nine-month period was $5.4 million, or $.25 per
diluted share

Because of the seasonality of the RV and manufactured housing industries, the
Company's results in the second and third quarter are traditionally stronger,
while the first and fourth quarters are typically the weakest.

"Historically, the RV industry has been a leading indicator of broader
economic recoveries," said Zinn. "Therefore, the recent improvements in this
market are encouraging. A prolonged recovery in the RV market depends on the
strength of retail demand, so we are pleased that the popularity of RVing
remains high. As evidence, many campgrounds and RV parks have reported that
occupancies this year have kept pace with 2008. The Recreation Vehicle
Industry Association has projected a 29 percent increase in wholesale
shipments of travel trailers and fifth-wheel RVs in 2010, and we continue to
be "bullish" on the long-term future of the RV industry."

Recreational Vehicle Products Segment 
Drew supplies the following components for RVs:
    --  Towable RV steel chassis
    --  Towable RV axles and suspension solutions
    --  Slide-out mechanisms and solutions
    --  Thermoformed products
    --  Toy hauler ramp doors
    --  Manual, electric and hydraulic stabilizer and lifting systems
    --  Aluminum windows
    --  Chassis components
    --  Furniture and mattresses
    --  Entry and baggage doors
    --  Entry steps

    --  Other towable accessories



Drew's RV Segment also manufactures specialty trailers for hauling boats,
personal watercraft, snowmobiles and equipment.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, over 90 percent of the Company's
RV Segment net sales were components for travel trailer and fifth-wheel RVs,
with the balance primarily comprised of components for motorhomes, and
specialty trailers. The RV Segment represented 78 percent of the Company's
consolidated net sales in the third quarter of 2009.

Drew's RV Segment reported operating profit of $11.1 million, on net sales of
$94 million in the 2009 third quarter, compared to operating profit of $4.6
million on net sales of $86 million in the comparable period in 2008. The
"organic" increase in RV Segment net sales was $9 million, or 10 percent,
better than the 5 percent increase in industry-wide wholesale shipments of
travel trailers and fifth wheel RVs during the quarter.

"RV Segment operating profit increased $6.5 million in the 2009 third quarter
compared to the same period in 2008, which was more than we would typically
expect on the increase in segment net sales," said Giordano. "The increased
profitability was partly due to the fixed cost reductions in this segment, as
well as other decreases in group insurance and warranty costs, partially
offset by higher overtime costs and equipment write-downs. In addition, higher
raw material costs in the 2008 third quarter impacted quarter-to-quarter
comparisons."

For the first nine months of 2009, the RV Segment reported net sales of $226
million, a decrease of 30 percent from the same period in 2008. RV Segment
operating profit was $12.8 million for the first nine months of 2009,
including $2.9 million of extra expenses in the first quarter of 2009 related
to plant consolidations, staff reductions, increased bad debts, and obsolete
inventory and tooling. Excluding these extra expenses, the Company's RV
Segment had an operating profit of $15.7 million in the first nine months of
2009, a decrease of 51 percent from the $31.8 million during the same period
of 2008.

"Acquisitions, new product introductions and market share growth have enabled
us to increase our product content for travel trailers and fifth-wheel RVs by
12 percent to $2,088 per unit for the last 12 months, compared to $1,870 per
unit in the prior 12 month period," said Jason Lippert. "We plan to continue
to pursue profitable growth opportunities."

"Notably, we have recently seen some improvement in RV industry-wide wholesale
shipments trends, with travel trailer and fifth-wheel RVs up 14 percent in
August and 21 percent in September, compared to the same periods in the prior
year. These were the first year-over-year increases in more than a year and a
half."

Manufactured Housing Products Segment 
Drew supplies vinyl and aluminum windows and screens chassis, chassis parts,
and bath and shower units to the manufactured housing industry, and recently
introduced entry doors.
Drew reported third quarter 2009 net sales of $27 million for its Manufactured
Housing Segment, or 22 percent of consolidated net sales. This represented a
29 percent decline from the $39 million in net sales reported in the
comparable period in 2008. Industry-wide production of manufactured homes
declined an estimated 39 percent for the quarter.

Because of the industry-wide production declines, the operating profit of
Drew's Manufactured Housing Segment declined 28 percent, to $2.8 million, from
$3.9 million in the comparable period last year. "This decrease in segment
operating profit was about 10 percent of the "organic" decline in net sales,
better than what we would typically expect, primarily because of fixed cost
reductions and lower group insurance costs," said Giordano.

For the first nine months of 2009, the Manufactured Housing Segment reported
net sales of $68 million, down 40 percent from the same period in 2008.
Despite difficult industry conditions, the Company's Manufactured Housing
Segment reported operating profit of $2.6 million for the first nine months of
2009, including $0.6 million of extra expenses in the first quarter of 2009
related to plant consolidations, staff reductions and obsolete inventory.
Excluding these extra expenses, the Company's MH Segment had an operating
profit of $3.2 million in the first nine months of 2009, a decrease of 71
percent from the $11.0 million during the same period of 2008. Despite the
more than 85 percent decline in industry-wide production of manufactured homes
since 1998, the Company's Manufactured Housing Segment continues to be
profitable.

Balance Sheet and Other Items
Accounts receivable, other than the balances specifically reserved, remain
current, with only 20 days sales outstanding at the end of the quarter.
"During the third quarter, we did not incur any significant bad debt
expenses," added Giordano. "Our credit team continues to do an outstanding job
of minimizing our losses, and we will remain cautious as we head into the
seasonally slower winter months."

Capital expenditures were only $0.8 million this quarter, $1.9 million for the
year-to-date, and are anticipated to aggregate less than $3 million for the
full year. Depreciation and amortization was $5.0 million in the third quarter
of 2009, $14.3 million for the year-to-date, and are expected to aggregate
about $18 million in 2009. Preliminary estimates for 2010 are that capital
expenditures will be $5 million to $7 million, and that depreciation and
amortization will be approximately $16 million.

Non-cash stock-based compensation was $0.9 million in the 2009 third quarter,
$3.0 million for the year-to date, and is expected to be nearly $4 million for
the full year.

Recent Developments
Drew reported that net sales in October 2009 were up approximately 7 to 9
percent year-over-year, even though October 2009 had one less shipping day
than October 2008. "While some of this improvement is due to easier 'comps,'
the health of the RV industry has clearly improved over the last few months,"
said Zinn. "Further improvements in the wholesale and retail credit markets,
along with sustained increases in retail demand are still needed to enable a
prolonged recovery in the RV industry."

"While there has yet to be any sign of recovery in the manufactured housing
industry, there is an expectation that demand for affordable housing,
including manufactured housing, may increase during the next few years, as
home-buyers reduce their housing budgets compared to the excesses of the past
decade."

"So far this year we have acquired several new products, including the
QuickBite((TM)) coupler, a slide-out storage box for pick-up trucks, and most
recently entry doors for manufactured homes," added Lippert. "These types of
product line expansions are consistent with our long-standing growth strategy,
and are keys to our success."

"The depth of our management team along with our financial capability provides
the foundation for future growth in our current markets, while at the same
time enabling us to cautiously explore opportunities to utilize our skills and
expertise in related or similar markets," concluded Zinn.

Conference Call 
Drew will provide an online, real-time webcast of its third quarter 2009
earnings conference call on the Company's website, www.drewindustries.com on
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Individual investors can
also listen to the call at www.companyboardroom.com.

Institutional investors can access the call via the password-protected event
management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com). A replay of the
conference call will be available by telephone by dialing (888) 286-8010 and
referencing access code 60063402. A replay of the webcast will also be
available on Drew's website.

About Drew
Drew, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Kinro and Lippert Components,
supplies a broad array of components for RVs and manufactured homes, including
windows, doors, chassis, chassis parts, bath and shower units, axles, and
upholstered furniture. In addition, Drew manufactures slide-out mechanisms for
RVs, and trailers primarily for hauling boats. Currently, from 27 factories
located throughout the United States, Drew serves most major national
manufacturers of RVs and manufactured homes in an efficient and cost-effective
manner. Additional information about Drew and its products can be found at
www.drewindustries.com.

Forward-Looking Statements  
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect
to financial condition, results of operations, business strategies, operating
efficiencies or synergies, competitive position, growth opportunities for
existing products, plans and objectives of management, markets for the
Company's Common Stock and other matters. Statements in this press release
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" for the purpose
of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933.

Forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to
our future business prospects, revenues, expenses and income (loss), whenever
they occur in this press release are necessarily estimates reflecting the best
judgment of our senior management at the time such statements were made, and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements. The
Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect
circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking
statements are made. You should consider forward-looking statements,
therefore, in light of various important factors, including those set forth in
this press release, and in our subsequent filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control,
which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, in
addition to other matters described in this press release, pricing pressures
due to domestic and foreign competition, costs and availability of raw
materials (particularly steel and related components, vinyl, aluminum, glass
and ABS resin), availability of credit for financing the retail and wholesale
purchase of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles, availability and
costs of labor, inventory levels of retailers and manufacturers, levels of
repossessed manufactured homes and RVs, the disposition into the market by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA"), by sale or otherwise, of RVs or
manufactured homes purchased by FEMA, changes in zoning regulations for
manufactured homes, sales declines in the RV or manufactured housing
industries, the financial condition of our customers, the financial condition
of retail dealers of RVs and manufactured homes, retention of significant
customers, interest rates, oil and gasoline prices, and the outcome of
litigation. In addition, national and regional economic conditions and
consumer confidence may affect the retail sale of RVs and manufactured homes.


                                DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
                                    OPERATING RESULTS
                                       (Unaudited)

                            Nine Months         Three Months
                               Ended                Ended
                          September 30,         September 30,      Last Twelve
                        2009          2008    2009          2008     Months
    (In thousands
     except per share
     amounts)
    Net sales           $293,248   $433,945   $121,666  $124,274    $369,809
    Cost of sales        238,895    335,580     93,692    99,292     306,315
      Gross profit        54,353     98,365     27,974    24,982      63,494
    Selling, general
     and administrative
     expenses             50,331     64,026     16,721    20,481      66,434
    Goodwill impairment   45,040          -          -         -      50,527
    Executive retirement       -          -          -         -       2,667
    Other (income)          (260)      (675)       (60)      (29)       (260)
      Operating
      (loss) profit      (40,758)    35,014     11,313     4,530     (55,874)
    Interest expense,
     net                     614        602        179       323         889
      (Loss) income before
       income taxes      (41,372)    34,412     11,134     4,207     (56,763)
    (Benefit) provision
     for income taxes    (14,415)    13,524      3,945     1,614     (20,596)
      Net (loss)
       income           $(26,957)   $20,888     $7,189    $2,593    $(36,167)

    Net (loss) income
     per common share:
           Basic          $(1.24)     $0.95      $0.33     $0.12      $(1.67)
           Diluted        $(1.24)     $0.95      $0.33     $0.12      $(1.67)

    Weighted average
     common shares
     outstanding:
           Basic          21,724     21,879     21,847    21,702      21,692
           Diluted        21,724     22,023     21,994    21,815      21,692

    Depreciation and
     amortization        $14,337    $12,534     $5,025    $4,485     $18,881
    Capital
     expenditures         $1,915     $3,274       $822      $924      $2,840




                               DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
                                      SEGMENT RESULTS
                                        (Unaudited)

                                 Nine Months Ended         Three Months Ended
                                    September 30,             September 30,
    (In thousands)              2009           2008       2009           2008
    
    Net sales
      RV Segment            $225,621       $320,941     $94,460       $85,694
      MH Segment              67,627        113,004      27,206        38,580
        Total net sales     $293,248       $433,945    $121,666      $124,274

    Operating profit
      RV Segment             $12,814        $31,848     $11,130        $4,598
      MH Segment               2,559         10,989       2,831         3,913
        Total segment
          operating
          profit              15,373         42,837      13,961         8,511
    Amortization of
     intangibles              (4,185)        (3,670)     (1,410)       (1,547)
    Corporate                 (4,819)        (5,714)     (1,701)       (1,747)
    Goodwill impairment      (45,040)             -           -             -
    Other items               (2,087)         1,561         463          (687)
         Total operating
          (loss) profit     $(40,758)       $35,014     $11,313        $4,530




                               DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
                                BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
                                       (Unaudited)


                                           September 30,          December 31,
    (In thousands, except ratios)       2009           2008           2008

    Current assets
       Cash and cash equivalents     $44,932         $9,185           $8,692
       Short-term investments          1,999              -                -
       Accounts receivable, trade,
        less allowance                27,728         23,874            7,913
       Inventories                    57,184        107,272           93,934
       Prepaid expenses and other
        current assets                15,647         11,924           16,556
            Total current assets     147,490        152,255          127,095
    Fixed assets, net                 83,263         93,957           88,731
    Goodwill                               -         49,864           44,113
    Other intangible assets           40,518         43,099           42,787
    Other assets                      17,994          6,386            8,632
            Total assets            $289,265       $345,561         $311,358

    Current liabilities
         Notes payable, including
          current
          maturities of long-term
          indebtedness                    $-        $11,797           $5,833
         Accounts payable, accrued
          expenses
          and other current
          liabilities                 41,088         55,858           36,884
            Total current
             liabilities              41,088         67,655           42,717
    Long-term indebtedness                 -          5,315            2,850
    Other long-term obligations        8,659          5,660            6,913
         Total liabilities            49,747         78,630           52,480
         Total stockholders' equity  239,518        266,931          258,878
         Total liabilities and
           stockholders' equity     $289,265       $345,561         $311,358

    Current ratio                        3.6            2.3              3.0
    Total indebtedness to
     stockholders'
     equity                                -            0.1                -



                                  DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
                                     SUMMARY OF CASH FLOWS
                                          (Unaudited)
    (In thousands)
                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                    2009           2008
    Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net (loss) income                           $(26,957)      $20,888
      Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)
       income to cash flows provided by
       (used for) operating activities:
          Depreciation and amortization             14,337        12,534
    Deferred taxes                                 (15,660)            -
       Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed
        assets and other non-cash items              1,549        (2,410)
       Stock-based compensation expense              3,043         2,809
       Goodwill impairment                          45,040             -
       Changes in assets and liabilities,
        net of business acquisitions:
          Accounts receivable, net                 (19,815)       (6,384)
          Inventories                               38,108       (26,357)
          Prepaid expenses and other assets          1,830           115
          Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
           other liabilities                         3,600        (4,703)
              Net cash flows provided by (used for)
               operating activities                 45,075        (3,508)
    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Capital expenditures                          (1,915)       (3,274)
      Acquisition of businesses                     (1,709)      (28,442)
      Proceeds from sales of fixed assets              959         9,800
      Purchase of short-term investments            (1,999)            -
      Other investments                                (25)       (3,195)
              Net cash flows used for
               investing activities                 (4,689)      (25,111)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Proceeds from line of credit and
       other borrowings                              5,775        14,600
      Repayments under line of credit and
       other borrowings                            (14,458)      (24,750)
      Purchase of treasury stock                         -        (8,333)
      Exercise of stock options                      4,554            74
      Other financing activities                       (17)            -
              Net cash flows used for financing
               activities                           (4,146)      (18,409)

             Net increase (decrease) in cash        36,240       (47,028)
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
     period                                          8,692        56,213
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     $44,932        $9,185


SOURCE  Drew Industries Incorporated

Fred Zinn, President and CEO of Drew Industries Incorporated, +1-914-428-9098,
Fax: +1-914-428-4581, Drew@drewindustries.com



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