ELKHART, Ind. - Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: PATK), a major manufacturer and distributor of building and component products for the recreational vehicle ("RV"), manufactured housing ("MH") and industrial markets, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

Net sales for the quarter were $78.3 million compared to $58.1 million in the same quarter of 2010, an increase of $20.2 million or 35%. The increase was primarily attributable to a 44% increase in the Company's revenue from the RV industry, which represented approximately 60% of its fourth quarter sales. The revenue improvements resulted from the contributions from business acquisitions completed in 2011, an 8% increase in quarterly wholesale unit shipments in the RV industry, additional RV market penetration, increased commodity prices, and improved retail fixture sales in the industrial market. Additionally, the MH industry, which represented 26% of the Company's fourth quarter sales, saw unit shipments increase approximately 45% from the fourth quarter of 2010. The industrial market sector, which is primarily tied to the residential housing and retail fixture markets and accounted for 14% of the Company's fourth quarter 2011 sales, saw a 23% increase in new housing starts in the quarter compared to the prior year.

As previously announced, Patrick acquired Elkhart, Indiana-based Performance Graphics in December 2011. Performance Graphics, a designer, producer and installer of exterior graphics for the RV, marine, automotive, racing and enclosed trailer industries, was the Company's third acquisition of the year following the acquisition of Praxis Group ("Praxis") in June 2011 and A.I.A. Countertops, LLC ("AIA") in September 2011. Together, AIA, a fabricator of countertops, backsplashes and other products for the RV and commercial markets, and Praxis, a manufacturer and distributor of countertops, foam products, shower doors and furniture products for the RV industry, accounted for approximately $6.3 million of the sales increase in the fourth quarter of 2011. Performance Graphics did not contribute materially to Patrick's fourth quarter 2011 operating results.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Patrick reported net income of $1.5 million or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.9 million or $0.10 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2010. Fourth quarter 2011 net income included a non-cash charge of $0.8 million or $0.07 per diluted share related to mark-to-market accounting for common stock warrants. The fourth quarter 2010 net loss included a non-cash credit of $0.1 million or $0.01 per diluted share related to stock warrant accounting and a gain on the sale of fixed assets of $0.1 million or $0.01 per diluted share.

The impact of new product lines, as a result of the acquisitions noted above, positively contributed to gross profit and net income during the fourth quarter of 2011, as well as continued improved profitability at two of the Company's Midwest manufacturing divisions, one of which had underperformed in 2010 compared to historical levels. Both divisions benefited from margin improvements that were in line with the Company's expectations and ongoing organizational and process changes that enhanced labor efficiencies, reduced scrap and returns, and increased material yields.

Net sales for full year 2011 were $307.8 million, an increase of $29.6 million or 11% over the $278.2 million reported in 2010. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the acquisitions completed in 2011 as noted above, the acquisition of Blazon International Group in the third quarter of 2010, improved retail fixture business, and improved market penetration in the RV market. According to industry associations, wholesale unit shipments in the RV industry, which represented approximately 61% of the Company's 2011 sales, increased approximately 4% compared to the prior year period. In addition, a 16% growth in sales to the industrial market in 2011 contributed to the year-over-year increase in the Company's consolidated sales compared to the prior year. The industrial market sector, which accounted for 15% of the Company's twelve months sales, saw new housing starts increase by approximately 3% for 2011 when compared to the prior year. Revenue from the MH market was down 6% for the full year due in part to the impact of the vertical integration efforts of one of the Company's larger MH customers that is now producing in-house one of the product lines that the Company had previously been supplying. Additionally, while unit shipments in the MH industry, which represented 24% of the Company's 2011 sales, were up approximately 3% from 2010, MH floor shipments declined approximately 3% year-over-year.

Patrick reported net income of $8.5 million or $0.83 per diluted share compared to $1.2 million or $0.12 per diluted share for the 2010 year, reflecting an increase of $7.3 million or $0.71 per diluted share. Net income for the twelve months of 2011 benefited from the impact of improved profitability at two of the Company's Midwest manufacturing divisions and the acquisitions discussed above.

Full year 2011 net income included non-cash charges related to the refinancing of Patrick's previous credit facility, including $0.6 million or $0.06 per diluted share for the write-off of the remaining unamortized loss on interest rate swaps that were terminated and paid off during the first quarter and the write-off of $0.6 million or $0.06 per diluted share of financing costs, as well as a non-cash charge of approximately $0.7 million or $0.07 per diluted share related to stock warrant accounting. The non-cash charges were partially offset by a net gain on the sale of fixed assets and on the acquisition of a business of $0.2 million or $0.02 per diluted share. Net income for the twelve months of 2010 included a net gain on the sale of fixed assets of $2.9 million or $0.29 per diluted share, and a non-cash credit of $0.3 million or $0.03 per diluted share related to stock warrant accounting.

"We are pleased with our improved fourth quarter and full year profitability compared to 2010 as we are realizing the benefits of strategic and operational initiatives executed in late 2010 and 2011. Our improved performance reflects a total team effort by our team members and the continued support of our customers and suppliers as we strive to build quality relationships and bring value added products to our customers in conjunction with our Customer First performance oriented culture," said Todd Cleveland, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"In 2011, as part of our overall strategic plan, we were able to successfully integrate acquired businesses to utilize our manufacturing and distribution capabilities to both grow our sales base and net income, and increase our market share and per unit content within the RV industry. We also expanded our existing product lines, both in our core markets and in related markets. In addition, during 2011 we invested over $7 million to complete the three acquisitions, and an additional $2.4 million for capital expenditures, which included spending related to the replacement of our current management information systems and enhancements to production line equipment at several of our manufacturing operations," Mr. Cleveland further stated.

The Company's total assets approximated $85.8 million at December 31, 2011 and $74.8 million at December 31, 2010. Furthermore, total debt outstanding at December 31, 2011 was approximately $33.0 million compared to $36.2 million at December 31, 2010.

"In 2012, we anticipate the investments we made in our businesses in 2011, and the investments we plan to make during the coming year, to positively impact both our top and bottom line results. While our operating results in 2012 will, in part, depend on the state of the economy and consumer confidence levels, we will continue to focus our efforts on the addition of new product lines and strategic acquisitions that will bring value to our customers in terms of innovation, price, flexibility and creativity both in the short-term and on a long-term basis. Additionally, as we begin a new year and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead, our reputation in the marketplace and our operational talent and financial resources are assets that we intend to fully utilize to bring value to our customers as we strive to grow market share, enhance production and labor efficiencies, control costs, and improve net income," stated Mr. Cleveland.

Source: Patrick Industries Inc.