Champion Enterprises Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

International Segment Growth Drives 14 Percent Increase in Consolidated Revenues, but Continuing Weakness in the U.S., along with Restructuring and Other Charges, Result in Net Loss for the Quarter

Champion Enterprises Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

TROY, Mich., April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Champion Enterprises, Inc. NYSE: CHB, a leader in factory-built construction, today announced results for its first quarter ended March 29, 2008. Revenues for the quarter increased 14.2 percent to $296.7 million compared to $259.8 million for the first quarter of 2007. The Company reported a net loss for the quarter of $20.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the same period of the prior year.

The loss before income taxes in the first quarter of 2008 included the following items totaling $13.8 million: charges totaling $9.8 million related to the Company's previously announced reorganization of its North American manufacturing operations and closure of two manufacturing facilities, foreign currency transaction losses of $2.3 million related to intercompany loans issued in connection with its international acquisitions, $1.8 million of expense recorded to reduce the value of inventory at its California-based retail operations and $0.1 million of gains from the sale of property. The pretax loss for the first quarter of 2007 included $1.3 million of restructuring charges and $0.8 million of gains from the sale of property.

"Our first quarter results were impacted by a number of items leading to a reported operating loss of $17.0 million. After adjusting for these items, our consolidated results at the operating line actually improved over the prior year, and our manufacturing segment was better than breakeven," stated William Griffiths, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Champion Enterprises, Inc.

"Despite closing four plants in 2007, our U.S. manufacturing facilities operated at only 38 percent capacity utilization during the quarter compared to 44 percent for the first quarter of last year, severely straining our ability to operate profitably in our seasonally slowest quarter. We took additional steps during the quarter to further reduce costs by closing two plants and reducing our North American regional offices from four to two, strengthening our position as we enter the second quarter.

"Meanwhile, our international segment reported another record quarter with sales increasing 137 percent to $110.4 million, and our Canadian operations, bolstered by the acquisition of SRI Homes at the end of last year, remain strong. Non-U.S. revenues represented just over 50 percent of our sales this quarter. This diversification has helped to offset the effects of difficult U.S. housing markets," Griffiths continued.

    North American Manufacturing Segment

     -- Manufacturing segment net sales for the first quarter decreased 8.9
        percent to $181.5 million compared to $199.3 million in the same
        period of the prior year.

     -- The manufacturing segment reported a loss of $9.0 million for the
        first quarter compared to segment income of $0.1 million in the first
        quarter of 2007.  The segment loss for the quarter ended March 29,
        2008 was driven by $9.3 million of restructuring charges, including
        $7.0 million of non-cash fixed asset impairment charges related to the
        Company's closed plant in Oregon and idled facility in Indiana,
        partially offset by $0.1 million of gains on the sale of property.
        Segment income for the first quarter of 2007 included $1.3 million of
        restructuring charges and $0.8 million of gains on the sale of
        property.

     -- Segment backlogs totaled $25 million at March 29, 2008, compared to
        $42 million at the end of last year's first quarter and $56 million at
        the end of 2007.  Since the end of the first quarter, backlogs have
        improved by 43 percent, compared to last year's increase of 7 percent
        over the same two-week period.

     -- Revenues from the sale of modular homes in the U.S. totaled $49
        million for the quarter, representing approximately 27 percent of
        manufacturing segment sales, down from $63 million in the first
        quarter of 2007.  A significant portion of the year-over-year decrease
        is due to the completion in 2007 of the Company's military housing
        project at Fort Lewis Army Post in Washington state, which also drove
        a decline of approximately $8 million in year-over-year backlogs.


    International Manufacturing Segment

     -- International segment sales grew 137 percent to $110.4 million for the
        quarter, up from $46.5 million in the same period of the prior year.

     -- Segment income increased to $8.4 million for the period from $3.1
        million in the first quarter of 2007, while the segment margin was 7.6
        percent compared to 6.7 percent in the same period last year.

     -- International segment order backlogs remain strong, with firm
        contracts and orders pending contracts under framework agreements
        totaling approximately $210 million, compared to approximately $250
        million at both the end of 2007 and the end of last year's first
        quarter.


    Retail Segment

     -- The retail segment reported first quarter 2008 revenues of $9.0
        million, down from $18.1 million for the same period last year.

     -- The retail segment reported a loss of $2.8 million for the quarter,
        compared to $0.9 million of segment income in the first quarter of
        2007.  The segment loss for the first quarter of 2008 included $1.8
        million of expense to reduce inventory values to reflect current
        housing market conditions, primarily in southern California.


    Other Items

     -- Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $105.4
        million as of March 29, 2008 compared to $135.4 million at the end of
        2007 and $76.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2007.

     -- Cash used for operations totaled $26.3 million for the quarter ended
        March 29, 2008 compared to cash provided of $6.9 million for the same
        period last year.


In conclusion Griffiths stated, "While the quarter's results clearly show the difficulties we continue to face in the U.S., we remain cautiously optimistic that conditions will improve as 2008 unfolds. Champion's U.S. housing business provides an affordable housing alternative to consumers which, we believe, will become a significant advantage in today's tighter credit markets.

"Further, our strong financial position will allow us to continue driving our international expansion strategy for the long-term benefit of our stakeholders."

First Quarter 2008 Conference Call

Champion Enterprises will host a conference call on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss these results and current business trends. To listen to the call, please call (888) 724-9513 for domestic callers or (913) 312-1493 for international callers. The passcode is 2243077. The call may also be heard live at www.championhomes.com under the "Investors" link.

A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the call's conclusion through Friday, April 25, 2008. To access the telephone replay, please call (888) 203-1112 for domestic callers or (719) 457-0820 for international callers. The passcode is 2243077. A web-cast replay will be available on the Company's web site under the "Investors" link.

About Champion

Troy, Michigan-based Champion Enterprises, Inc., a leader in factory-built construction, operates 33 manufacturing facilities in North America and the United Kingdom working with independent retailers, builders and developers. The Champion family of builders produces manufactured and modular homes, as well as modular buildings for government and commercial applications. For more information, please visit www.championhomes.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements, including statements regarding backlogs and pending orders, future market conditions, the advantage of affordable housing, Champion's international expansion strategy, and the long-term benefit of Champion's stakeholders, each of which could be construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities 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 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in each case under the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements," and those discussions regarding risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.

                              - Tables Follow -



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

                                                 (UNAUDITED)
                                             Three Months Ended
                                            ---------------------
                                            March 29,   March 31,      %
                                              2008        2007       Change
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
    Net sales:
      Manufacturing segment                 $181,485    $199,296      (8.9%)
      International segment                  110,366      46,531     137.2%
      Retail segment                           9,047      18,070     (49.9%)
      Less:  intercompany                     (4,200)     (4,100)
                                            ---------   ---------
      Total net sales                        296,698     259,797      14.2%

    Cost of sales                            260,130     227,784      14.2%
                                            ---------   ---------
    Gross margin                              36,568      32,013      14.2%

    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses                                 39,303      35,786       9.8%
    Restructuring charges                      9,471       1,121
    Foreign currency transaction losses        2,351           -
    Amortization of intangible assets          2,469       1,402      76.1%
                                            ---------   ---------
    Operating loss                           (17,026)     (6,296)    170.4%

    Interest expense, net                      3,873       4,040      (4.1%)
                                            ---------   ---------
    Loss before income taxes                 (20,899)    (10,336)    102.2%

    Income tax benefit                          (415)     (3,090)    (86.6%)
                                            ---------   ---------
    Net loss                                $(20,484)    $(7,246)    182.7%
                                            =========   =========
    Basic loss per share:                     $(0.26)     $(0.09)    188.9%
                                            =========   =========
    Weighted shares for basic EPS             77,472      76,557
                                            =========   =========
    Diluted loss per share:                   $(0.26)     $(0.09)    188.9%
                                            =========   =========
    Weighted shares for diluted EPS           77,472      76,557
                                            =========   =========


    See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Information.




    CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
                                                (UNAUDITED)
                                                  March 29,      December 29,
                                                    2008              2007
                                               ------------     ------------
    Assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                      $95,405          $135,408
    Short-term investments                           9,975                 -
    Accounts receivable                            125,833            89,646
    Inventories                                     94,704            90,782
    Deferred tax assets                             28,760            29,746
    Other current assets                             9,000            14,827
                                               ------------     ------------
      Total current assets                         363,677           360,409
                                               ------------     ------------
    Property, plant and equipment, net             104,834           116,984
    Goodwill and other intangible assets,
     net                                           431,458           433,151
    Deferred tax assets                             93,085            87,983
    Other non-current assets                        22,707            23,696
                                                ------------     ------------
      Total assets                              $1,015,761        $1,022,223
                                                ============     ============

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
    Short-term debt                                $29,628           $25,884
    Accounts payable                               137,494           119,390
    Other accrued liabilities                      167,968           173,052
                                                ------------     ------------
      Total current liabilities                    335,090           318,326
                                                ------------     ------------
    Long-term debt                                 342,671           342,897
    Deferred tax liabilities                         6,725             7,065
    Other long-term liabilities                     34,359            34,089
    Shareholders' equity                           296,916           319,846
                                                ------------     ------------
      Total liabilities and shareholders'
       equity                                   $1,015,761        $1,022,223
                                                ============     ============

    See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Information.




    CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
    (In thousands)
                                                          (UNAUDITED)
                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                   March 29,         March 31,
                                                     2008               2007
                                                  ----------------------------
    Net loss                                       $(20,484)          $(7,246)
    Adjustments:
      Depreciation and amortization                   6,107             5,027
      Stock-based compensation                          560               819
      Change in deferred taxes                       (3,780)           (4,235)
      Fixed asset impairment charges                  7,000               200
      Insurance proceeds                              2,500                 -
      Gain on disposal of fixed assets                  (98)             (800)
      Foreign currency transaction losses             2,351                 -
      Increase/decrease:
        Accounts receivable                         (31,635)          (10,427)
        Inventories                                  (3,384)            9,344
        Accounts payable                             14,297            18,032
        Accrued liabilities                             463            (5,902)
        Other, net                                     (245)            2,090
                                                  ----------------------------
    Cash (used for) provided by operating
     activities                                     (26,348)            6,902
                                                  ----------------------------
    Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets              1,147               818
    Purchase of short-term investments               (9,975)                -
    Additions to property, plant and
     equipment                                       (2,275)           (1,878)
    Acquisitions                                     (2,323)                -
                                                  ----------------------------
    Cash used for investing activities              (13,426)           (1,060)
                                                  ----------------------------

    Payments on long-term debt                          (49)             (493)
    Decrease in restricted cash                           -                15
    Common stock issued, net                             65               464
                                                  ----------------------------
    Cash provided by (used for) financing
     activities                                          16               (14)
                                                  ----------------------------
    Cash (used for) provided by
     discontinued operations                            (22)              219

    Effect of exchange rate changes on
     cash and cash equivalents                         (223)              316

    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                    (40,003)            6,363
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of period                            135,408            70,208
                                                  ----------------------------
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     period                                         $95,405           $76,571
                                                  ============================

    See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Information.




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

    (1)  On December 21, 2007, the Company acquired substantially all of the
    assets and the business of SRI Homes Inc. ("SRI"), a producer of factory-
    built homes in western Canada.  The results of operations for SRI are
    included in the Company's results and its manufacturing segment for the
    first quarter of 2008.

    (2) The Company evaluates the performance of its manufacturing,
    international and retail segments based on income before amortization of
    intangible assets, interest, income taxes, foreign currency transaction
    gains and losses on intercompany indebtedness and general corporate
    expenses.  A reconciliation of loss before income taxes for the three
    months ended is as follows (dollars in thousands):


    Three months ended:                   March 29, Related  March 31, Related
                                             2008    Sales      2007    Sales
                                         -------------------------------------
    Manufacturing segment (loss) income   $(9,023)   -5.0%        $96    0.0%
    International segment income            8,389     7.6%      3,124    6.7%
    Retail segment (loss) income           (2,764)  -30.6%        872    4.8%
    General corporate expenses             (8,608)             (9,286)
    Amortization of intangible assets      (2,469)             (1,402)
    Intercompany eliminations                (200)                300
    Foreign currency transaction losses    (2,351)                  -
    Interest expense, net                  (3,873)             (4,040)
                                         ----------          ----------

      Loss before income taxes           $(20,899)   (7.0%)  $(10,336)  (4.0%)
                                         ==========          ==========


    (3) Gain on disposal of fixed assets resulted primarily from the sale of
    an idle plant in the first quarter of 2008 and 2007.

    (4) During the quarter ended March 29, 2008, $9.8 million of restructuring
    charges were incurred in connection with the Company's decision to close a
    manufacturing facility in Oregon, the final of four plants at an Indiana
    complex where the other three plants had been previously idled, and
    reduce the number of North American regional offices from four to two.
    Charges totaling $9.3 million were recorded in the manufacturing segment
    with the remaining $0.5 million included in general corporate expenses.
    During the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded restructuring
    charges of $1.3 million related to the closure of a plant in Pennsylvania.
    A portion of these charges, totaling $0.3 million and $0.2 million in 2008
    and 2007, respectively, was recorded in cost of sales, with the balance
    reported as restructuring charges.




    CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
    OTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

                                               Three months ended
                                              ----------------------
                                              March 29,    March 31,     %
                                                2008         2007      Change
                                              -------------------------------
    MANUFACTURING SEGMENT
    Units sold:
    HUD-Code                                    1,561        2,160      (28%)
    Modular                                       669          767      (13%)
    Canadian                                      564          344       64%
    Other                                          27           12      125%
                                              ----------------------
    Total units sold                            2,821        3,283      (14%)
    Less:  intercompany                            63           64       (2%)
                                              ----------------------
    Units sold to independent retailers /
     builders                                   2,758        3,219      (14%)

    Floors sold                                 4,988        6,365      (22%)

    Multi-section mix                              66%          79%

    Average unit prices, excluding delivery
    Total                                     $56,600      $55,000        3%
    HUD-Code                                  $45,500      $45,500        0%
    Modular                                   $69,100      $77,200      (10%)

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




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