Champion Enterprises Reports First Quarter 2007 Results

International Revenues Increase While Weakness Persists in the U.S. HUD-Code and Broader Housing Markets

Champion Enterprises Reports First Quarter 2007 Results

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Champion Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: CHB) , a leader in factory-built construction, today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2007. Revenues for the quarter decreased 25 percent to $259.8 million compared to $346.5 million for the first quarter of 2006. The Company reported a net loss for the quarter of $7.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $13.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the same period of the prior year.

"Despite strong contributions from our non-U.S. operations, this quarter's results demonstrate the difficult markets we continue to face in our domestic operations," stated William C. Griffiths, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Champion Enterprises, Inc. "Seasonally, the first quarter is always our most challenging, and this was no exception. As a result of the continuing deterioration in U.S. housing markets, we were only able to operate our U.S. manufacturing plants at 44 percent capacity utilization during the quarter even after reducing our production capacity by over 20 percent in the last year.

"While our order intake rates and backlogs have seen a seasonal increase over the last several weeks, orders continue to run below last year's rate, indicating that difficult market conditions may persist well into the year."

Mr. Griffiths concluded, "In light of market conditions, we have intensified our focus on cost control, closed our sixth plant in less than 12 months, reduced our working capital investment by $17 million and curtailed our capital spending. These actions, along with our international diversification, enabled us to generate positive free cash flow during our most challenging quarter. Strong cash returns will continue to fuel the future execution of our growth and diversification strategy."

North American Manufacturing Segment

-- Manufacturing segment net sales for the first quarter decreased 40 percent to $199.3 million compared to $331.7 million in the same period of the prior year. Excluding approximately $23 million of revenues from the sale of homes to FEMA during the first quarter of last year, net sales fell 35 percent.

-- Revenues from the sale of modular homes in the quarter totaled $63 million, representing 32 percent of manufacturing segment sales, down from $81 million in the first quarter of 2006, while homes sold into Canada grew 14 percent compared to the first quarter of 2006 and increased 25 percent over last quarter.

-- Manufacturing segment income for the first quarter totaled $0.1 million compared to $26.0 million in the first quarter of 2006. Segment income included $1.3 million of restructuring charges and $0.8 million of gains from the sale of property in the first quarter of 2007, compared to $4.0 million of property sale gains in the prior year. Despite low capacity utilization, the segment was able to slightly exceed breakeven.

-- Segment backlogs improved to $42 million at the end of the first quarter compared to $36 million at the end of 2006 and $71 million last year.

-- During the first quarter of 2007, the Company closed a plant in Pennsylvania, where it continues to operate three facilities.

International Manufacturing Segment

-- International segment sales totaled $46.5 million for the quarter, up from $32.6 million last quarter, while segment income increased to $3.1 million for the period from $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 resulting in a segment margin of 6.7 percent compared to 7.6 percent last quarter.

-- International segment order backlogs further strengthened, with firm contracts and orders pending contracts under framework agreements totaling approximately $250 million, compared to approximately $225 million at the end of last quarter.

Retail Segment

-- The Company's California-based retail segment reported first quarter 2007 revenues of $18.1 million compared to $27.3 million for the same period last year.

-- Retail segment income totaled $0.9 million for the quarter compared to $1.5 million in 2006, and the segment margins were 4.8 percent compared to 5.5 percent for the first quarter of 2006.

Other Highlights

-- Cash and cash equivalents increased to $76.6 million at the end of the quarter compared to $70.2 million at the end of 2006.

-- Cash flow from continuing operating activities totaled $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 compared to $27.0 million last year. Approximately $17 million of the $20.1 million decrease was the result of non- recurring FEMA collections during the first quarter of 2006.

-- The Company amended its credit facility during the quarter to adjust both the allowed leverage and required interest coverage for the last 12 months ended March 31, 2007. The Company was in compliance with both requirements, as amended, for the period.

First Quarter 2007 Conference Call Champion Enterprises will host a conference call on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss these results and current business trends. To listen to the call, please call (888) 482-0024 for domestic callers or (617) 801-9702 for international callers. The passcode is 11902308. The call may also be heard live at http://www.championhomes.com/ under the investor relations link.

A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the call's conclusion through Wednesday, May 2, 2007. To access the telephone replay, please call (888) 286-8010 for domestic callers or (617) 801-6888 for international callers. The passcode is 89071314. The webcast replay will be available on the Company's Web site under the investor relations link for 90 days.

About Champion

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Champion Enterprises, Inc., a leader in factory-built construction, operates 32 manufacturing facilities in North America and the United Kingdom and works with over 3,000 independent retailers, builders and developers. Champion produces manufactured and modular homes through its family of homebuilders, as well as modular buildings for government and commercial applications. For more information, please visit http://www.championhomes.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements, including statements regarding future market conditions, the execution of Champion's growth and diversification strategy, and backlogs and pending orders, each of which could be construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

These statements reflect the Company's views with respect to future plans, events and financial performance. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company has identified certain risk factors which could cause actual results and plans to differ substantially from those included in the forward-looking statements. These factors are discussed in the Company's most recently filed Form 10-K and other SEC filings, in each case under the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements," and those discussions regarding risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.

  CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
  (Dollars and weighted shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                          Three Months Ended
                                         March 31,    April 1,       %
                                           2007         2006       Change

  Net sales:
    Manufacturing segment                  $199,296     $331,651      (40%)
    International segment                    46,531            -
    Retail segment                           18,070       27,278      (34%)
    Less:  intercompany                      (4,100)     (12,400)
    Total net sales                         259,797      346,529      (25%)

  Cost of sales                             227,784      292,236      (22%)

  Gross margin                               32,013       54,293      (41%)

  Selling, general and administrative
   expenses                                  36,900       37,231       (1%)
  Amortization of intangible assets           1,402           92

  Operating (loss) income                    (6,289)      16,970     (137%)

  Interest expense, net                       4,040        2,070       95%

  (Loss) income from continuing
   operations before income taxes           (10,329)      14,900     (169%)

  Income tax (benefit) expense               (3,090)       1,200

  (Loss) income from continuing
   operations                                (7,239)      13,700     (153%)

  Loss from discontinued operations,
   net of taxes                                  (7)         (53)

  Net (loss) income                         $(7,246)     $13,647     (153%)

  Basic (loss) income per share:
   (Loss) income from continuing
   operations                                $(0.09)       $0.18     (150%)
    Loss from discontinued operations           -            -
    Net (loss) income                        $(0.09)       $0.18     (150%)

  Weighted shares for basic EPS              76,557       76,081

  Diluted (loss) income per share:
    (Loss) income from continuing
    operations                               $(0.09)       $0.18     (150%)
    Loss from discontinued operations           -            -
    Net (loss) income                        $(0.09)       $0.18     (150%)

  Weighted shares for diluted EPS            76,557       77,300

  See accompanying Notes to Financial Information.



  CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
  (In thousands)                            (UNAUDITED)
                                             March 31,        December 30,
                                                2007              2006
  Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $76,571           $70,208
  Accounts receivable, trade                      58,099            47,645
  Inventories                                     93,046           102,350
  Deferred tax asset                              32,126            32,303
  Other current assets                             9,834            10,677
    Total current assets                         269,676           263,183

  Property, plant and equipment, net             110,598           112,527
  Goodwill and other intangible assets           334,012           335,464
  Deferred tax asset                              76,235            71,600
  Other non-current assets                        17,245            17,841
    Total assets                                $807,766          $800,615

  Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
  Accounts payable                               $72,784           $54,607
  Other accrued liabilities                      144,791           148,596
    Total current liabilities                    217,575           203,203

  Long-term debt                                 251,956           252,449
  Deferred tax liability                          10,327            10,600
  Other long-term liabilities                     32,562            32,601
  Shareholders' equity                           295,346           301,762
    Total liabilities and shareholders'
     equity                                     $807,766          $800,615

  See accompanying Notes to Financial Information.



  CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
  (In thousands)

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                             March 31,          April 1,
                                                2007              2006

  Net (loss) income                              $(7,246)           $13,647
  Loss from discontinued operations                    7                 53
  Adjustments:
    Depreciation and amortization                  5,027              3,231
    Stock-based compensation                         819              1,817
    Changes in deferred taxes                     (4,235)                 -
    Fixed asset impairment charge                    200                  -
    Gain on disposal of fixed assets                (800)            (3,986)
    Changes in working capital                    16,949             18,986
    Changes in accrued liabilities                (5,902)           (10,491)
    Other, net                                     2,083              3,763
  Cash provided by continuing operating
   activities                                      6,902             27,020

  Additions to property, plant and
   equipment                                      (1,878)            (4,511)
  Acquisitions                                         -            (22,828)
  Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets               818              4,620
  Cash used for investing activities              (1,060)           (22,719)

  Payments on long-term debt                        (493)              (301)
  Increase in deferred financing costs                 -                (15)
  Decrease in restricted cash                         15                  -
  Common stock issued, net                           464                622
  Cash (used for) provided by financing
   activities                                        (14)               306

  Cash provided by discontinued
   operations                                        219                550

  Effect of exchange rate changes on
   cash and cash equivalents                         316                  -

  Increase in cash and cash equivalents            6,363              5,157
  Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of period                            70,208            126,979
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of
   period                                        $76,571           $132,136

  See accompanying Notes to Financial Information.



  CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  NOTES TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)



  (1) The Company's international segment consists of Caledonian Building
  Systems Limited, which was acquired on April 7, 2006.

  (2) In the second quarter of 2006 the Company reversed its deferred tax
  asset valuation allowance.  The Company's earnings subsequent to this
  reversal are fully taxed for financial reporting purposes.  Income tax
  benefit for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 is based on the Company's
  estimated effective consolidated tax rate for the full year after
  consideration of both estimated annual pretax results and the related
  statutory tax rates in the three countries in which the Company operates.
  The tax benefit for the first quarter of 2007 includes a $0.5 million
  benefit from the settlement of a tax uncertainty that was fully provided
  for in prior periods.  Income tax expense for the quarter ended April 1,
  2006, was affected by the deferred tax valuation allowance and consisted
  primarily of foreign income tax expense.

  (3) The Company evaluates the performance of its manufacturing,
  international and retail segments based on income before amortization of
  intangible assets, interest, income taxes and general corporate expenses.
  A reconciliation of (loss) income from continuing operations before
  income taxes for the three months ended are as follows (dollars in
  thousands):


  Three months ended:                    March 31, Related  April 1, Related
                                           2007     Sales     2006    Sales
  Manufacturing segment income                $96       -   $25,966   7.8%
  International segment income              3,124    6.7%         -      -
  Retail segment income                       872    4.8%     1,513   5.5%
  General corporate expenses               (9,279)           (9,617)
  Amortization of intangible assets        (1,402)              (92)
  Intercompany eliminations                   300              (800)
  Interest expense, net                    (4,040)           (2,070)
  (Loss) income from continuing
   operations before income taxes        $(10,329)  (4.0%)  $14,900   4.3%

  (4) The Company's discontinued operations consist primarily of its
  traditional retail business, which was disposed of in 2005.

  (5) Gains on disposal of fixed assets resulted primarily from the sale of
  an idle plant in the first quarter of 2007 and the sale of an investment
  property in Florida and an idle plant in the first quarter of 2006.

  (6)  The results of operations for Highland Manufacturing, Caledonian and
  North American Housing are not included in the Company's results from
  continuing operations for the three months ended April 1, 2006 as each
  was acquired at or subsequent to the close of the quarter.  The assets
  and liabilities of Highland Manufacturing are included in the
  consolidated balance sheet as of April 1, 2006.



  CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  OTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

                                             Three months ended
                                           March 31,    April 1,       %
                                             2007         2006       Change
  MANUFACTURING
  Units sold:
  HUD Code                                    2,160        4,765      (55%)
  Modular                                       767          994      (23%)
  Canadian                                      344          302       14%
  Other                                          12           18      (33%)
  Total units sold                            3,283        6,079      (46%)
  Less:  intercompany                            64          181      (65%)
  Units sold to independent retailers /
   builders                                   3,219        5,898      (45%)

  Floors sold                                 6,365       11,314      (44%)

  Multi-section mix                             79%          75%

  Average unit prices, excluding delivery
  Total                                     $55,000      $49,700       11%
  HUD Code                                  $45,500      $43,600        4%
  Modular                                   $77,200      $77,000        0%

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110861.html

Website: http://www.championhomes.com/



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