ELKHART, Ind., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 third quarter and nine months ended September 26, 2010.  

For the third quarter of 2010, Patrick reported an increase in net sales of approximately $14.5 million, or 25%, to $72.8 million from $58.3 million in the 2009 period, based largely on continued year to date strength in the RV industry.  According to industry associations, wholesale unit shipments in the RV industry, which represented approximately 56% of the Company's sales in the quarter, increased approximately 19% in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year period.  The Company estimates that unit shipments in the MH industry, which represented approximately 30% of sales in the third quarter of 2010, were down approximately 1% from the third quarter of 2009.  The industrial market sector, which is tied to the residential housing market, accounted for approximately 14% of the Company's third quarter sales.  The quarterly and year to date sales increases also reflected the contributions of two acquisitions completed during the year.

The Company reported a net loss of $0.6 million or $0.07 per diluted share in both the third quarter of 2010 and 2009.  The third quarter 2010 net loss included a non-cash credit of approximately $0.1 million or $0.01 per diluted share related to mark-to-market accounting for common stock warrants.  The third quarter 2009 net loss included a non-cash charge of approximately $0.9 million or $0.10 per diluted share related to stock warrant accounting.  This non-cash charge was partially offset by the positive impact of income from discontinued operations of approximately $0.1 million or $0.01 per diluted share.

"While our sales levels improved in the quarter over the prior year, our operating results were negatively impacted by production inefficiencies and labor variances in one of our significant manufacturing operating units as a result of dramatic increases in total volumes from month to month at this facility.  As a result, our gross margin for the third quarter decreased to 10.7% from 12.7% in the 2009 quarter," said Todd Cleveland, President and CEO.  Mr. Cleveland further noted, "We have been vigorously working to manage these issues and made organizational changes to improve profitability at this facility on a go-forward basis.  Notwithstanding the issues related to this particular operation, we believe the impact of the acquisition of several new product lines during 2010, including the cabinet door business we acquired earlier this year, and the wiring, electrical and plumbing products distribution business we acquired at the end of August, will provide positive contribution to our operating profitability in the upcoming quarters.  In addition, we continue to gain product content per unit in the RV industry."    

For the first nine months of 2010, Patrick reported a 38% increase in net sales to $220.2 million from $159.1 million in 2009.  The RV industry, which represented approximately 58% of the Company's year to date sales, saw wholesale unit shipments increase 60% in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the prior year.  The Company estimates that unit shipments in the MH industry, which represented approximately 28% of sales in the first nine months of 2010, were up approximately 5% from 2009.  The industrial market sector, which accounted for approximately 14% of the Company's nine months sales, saw an increase in new housing starts of approximately 9% for the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the prior year.  The new housing starts increase is not expected to impact the Company's industrial revenue base until late in 2010 and into 2011 as our sales to this market generally lag new residential housing starts by six to twelve months.  

For the first nine months of 2010, Patrick reported net income of $2.2 million or $0.22 per diluted share reflecting an increase of $7.6 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, over the net loss of $5.4 million or $0.59 per diluted share reported in 2009.  Nine months 2010 net income included a net gain of approximately $2.8 million or $0.28 per diluted share, on the sale of the Company's Oregon and California facilities, and a non-cash credit of approximately $0.2 million or $0.02 per diluted share related to stock warrant accounting. The nine months 2009 net loss included a non-cash charge of approximately $1.3 million or $0.15 per diluted share related to stock warrant accounting, which was partially offset by the positive impact of income from discontinued operations of approximately $0.9 million or $0.10 per diluted share.

"We are pleased with our improved year to date profitability versus 2009 reflecting the impact of increased sales of approximately 38% and the related improved contribution as a result of the absorption of fixed costs over a larger sales base.  We remain focused on controlling our manufacturing and overhead expenses given the rise in demand for our products across all facets of our business and believe that we can accommodate a significant increase in revenues without adding significant incremental fixed costs," Cleveland further stated.  

"As anticipated, we expect conditions to soften in the RV and MH industries through the balance of 2010 due primarily to the normal seasonal cycle coupled with the stronger than expected ramp up in the beginning of the year.  We will continue to focus our efforts throughout the remainder of this year and into 2011 on sales growth levers that include market share growth, product development and new product introductions, and strategic acquisitions.  At the same time, we will continue to maximize our efforts on enhancing production efficiencies and controlling costs, and continue our focus on debt reduction, cash management, and improved net income. Moreover, the achievement of our organizational strategic objectives and success of our 'Customer First' performance oriented culture remain at the forefront of our vision at Patrick," said Mr. Cleveland.  

About Patrick Industries

Patrick Industries, Inc. (www.patrickind.com) is a major manufacturer of component products and distributor of building products serving the recreational vehicle, manufactured housing, kitchen cabinet, household furniture, fixtures and commercial furnishings, marine, and other industrial markets and operates coast-to-coast through locations in 12 states.  Patrick's major manufactured products include decorative vinyl and paper panels, wrapped profile mouldings, cabinet doors and components, interior passage doors, slotwall and slotwall components, and countertops.  The Company also distributes drywall and drywall finishing products, electronics, adhesives, wiring, electrical and plumbing products, cement siding, interior passage doors, roofing products, laminate flooring, and other miscellaneous products.  

Forward-Looking Statements  

This press release contains certain statements related to future results, or states our intentions, beliefs and expectations or predictions for the future, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from either historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors.  Potential factors that could impact results include:  the impact of any economic downturns especially in the residential housing market, pricing pressures due to competition, costs and availability of raw materials, availability of commercial credit, availability of retail and wholesale financing for residential and manufactured homes, availability and costs of labor, inventory levels of retailers and manufacturers, levels of repossessed residential and manufactured homes, the financial condition of our customers, the ability to generate cash flow or obtain financing to fund growth, future growth rates in the Company's core businesses, interest rates, oil and gasoline prices, the outcome of litigation, adverse weather conditions impacting retail sales, our ability to remain in compliance with our credit agreement covenants, and our ability to refinance or replace our credit facility.  In addition, national and regional economic conditions and consumer confidence may affect the retail sale of recreational vehicles and residential and manufactured homes.  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.  Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and factors is contained in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and in the Company's Form 10-Qs for subsequent quarterly periods, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov ..

CONTACT: Julie Ann Kotowski of Patrick Industries, Inc., +1-574-294-7511, kotowskj@patrickind.com