Interface Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results

October 25, 2006

  • Third Quarter Orders Increase 20%
  • Third Quarter Net Income Increases 78% to $9.1 Million

ATLANTA, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interface, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFSIA), a worldwide floorcoverings and fabrics company, today announced results for the third quarter ended October 1, 2006.

For the 2006 third quarter, sales increased 18.4% to $270.6 million from $228.5 million in the third quarter of 2005. Operating income for the third quarter of 2006 was $25.0 million, an increase of 27.6% over operating income of $19.6 million in the same period a year ago. As a percentage of sales, operating income in the third quarter of 2006 improved to 9.2% from 8.6% in the third quarter of 2005. (The above results for the 2005 third quarter, and percentages derived from such amounts, exclude the Company's European fabrics business, which as previously announced was sold in April 2006. Including the European fabrics business, sales and operating income were $243.9 million and $20.5 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2005. Please see the attached tables for a reconciliation of GAAP results including the European fabrics business and non-GAAP results excluding such business, as well as, with respect to certain measures, restructuring and goodwill impairment charges and a loss on the sale of the European fabrics business, as described below.)

Net income for the 2006 third quarter rose 77.8% to $9.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, versus net income of $5.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the 2005 third quarter.

"The strong performance we have seen throughout 2006 accelerated in the third quarter," said Daniel T. Hendrix, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our sales growth was driven by solid performance across all of our geographic regions, as the corporate office market recovery continued, and our modular carpet and broadloom businesses gained additional share in the marketplace. Even more encouraging was the outstanding order growth we achieved during the quarter, as orders increased 20% over year-ago levels to their highest point since 2000. This is a testament to the strength of our markets, the quality of our products and our sales force, and the continually growing demand for modular carpet in the marketplace."

Mr. Hendrix continued, "Our modular carpet business once again led the way during the quarter, showing strong sales growth as carpet tile continues to gain acceptance across all market segments. We also saw excellent performance within our Bentley Prince Street business, as sales grew 16% and profitability more than doubled from year ago levels. We are very pleased with the continued significant improvements we've made in this business as we execute on our strategy. Within our U.S. fabrics business, sales were up 6% versus year-ago levels. In addition, the actions we are taking to improve manufacturing efficiencies have begun to take hold, and its operating loss narrowed considerably on a sequential basis."

Patrick C. Lynch, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "The 2006 third quarter represented another strong quarter of financial performance. On a GAAP basis, we were able to convert an 11.0% increase in sales into a healthy 21.9% increase in operating income. Although our selling, general and administrative expenses increased in dollar terms to support our higher sales levels during the quarter, these expenses declined as a percentage of sales from 23.0% a year ago to 22.3% in the 2006 third quarter. Overall, we believe we are in excellent financial position to continue solid execution of our organic growth strategy."

Sales for the first nine months of 2006 were $779.9 million, an increase of 7.6% over sales of $725.2 million in the first nine months of 2005. Excluding results from the Company's European fabrics business in both periods, sales for the 2006 nine-month period were $762.6 million compared with sales of $677.1 million a year ago, an increase of 12.6%. Operating income for the first nine months of 2006 was $42.8 million, versus operating income of $58.9 million in the first nine months of 2005. Excluding the results of the Company's European fabrics business from both periods and one-time items during the 2006 period (the one-time items in 2006 were a charge for impairment of goodwill of $20.7 million, restructuring charges of $3.3 million, and the loss of $1.7 million on the previously mentioned European fabrics business disposal), operating income in the 2006 nine-month period was $67.4 million, or 8.8% of sales, versus $56.5 million, or 8.3% of sales in the comparable period last year.

For the 2006 nine-month period, the Company reported a net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted share in the 2005 nine-month period. Included in the Company's results for the first nine months of 2006 are an impairment of goodwill of $20.7 million (or $0.39 per diluted share after tax), restructuring charges of $3.3 million (or $0.04 per diluted share after tax), a loss on the disposal of the European fabrics business of $1.7 million (or $0.03 per diluted share after tax), and other expenses of $0.9 million (or $0.01 per diluted share after tax) for premiums paid in connection with the Company's repurchase of $38.5 million of its 7.3% Senior Notes. The Company's results for the first nine months of 2005 included a loss from discontinued operations of $14.7 million (or $0.28 per diluted share after tax), a loss on disposal of discontinued operations of $1.9 million (or $0.03 per diluted share after tax), and a tax charge related to the repatriation of foreign earnings of approximately $1.6 million (or $0.03 per diluted share).

Mr. Hendrix concluded, "Based on our strong order growth, we remain very optimistic about our fourth quarter. The recovery we've seen to date in the office market appears to be continuing, and the ongoing success of our market segmentation strategy is driving solid demand for our products in other areas of the marketplace. We remain well positioned as the market leader to continue taking advantage of emerging sales opportunities and executing our plans for growth."

The Company will host a conference call tomorrow, October 26, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss its third quarter 2006 results. The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Listeners may access the conference call live over the Internet at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol- eventDetails&c=112931&eventID=1402271 (please copy and paste into your browswer) or through the Company's website at http://www.interfaceinc.com/results/investor/. The archived version of the webcast will be available at these sites for one year beginning approximately 1 hour after the call ends.

Interface, Inc. is a recognized leader in the worldwide interiors market, offering floorcoverings and fabrics. The Company is committed to the goal of sustainability and doing business in ways that minimize the impact on the environment while enhancing shareholder value. The Company is the world's largest manufacturer of modular carpet under the InterfaceFLOR, FLOR, Heuga and Bentley Prince Street brands, and, through its Bentley Prince Street brand, enjoys a leading position in the high quality, designer-oriented segment of the broadloom carpet market. The Company's InterfaceFabric business is a leading producer of interior fabrics and upholstery products, which it markets under the Guilford of Maine, Chatham and Terratex brands, and provides specialized automotive textile solutions.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the other matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including risks and uncertainties associated with economic conditions in the commercial interiors industry as well as the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2006, which discussion is incorporated herein by this reference, including, but not limited to, the discussion of specific risks and uncertainties under the headings "We compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive commercial floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do," "Sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles in the construction and renovation of commercial and institutional buildings," "Our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives and our principal design consultant, and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely," "Our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results, including by restrictive taxation or other government regulation and by foreign currency fluctuations," "Our Chairman, together with other insiders, currently has sufficient voting power to elect a majority of our Board of Directors," "Large increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials, which we are unable to pass through to our customers, could adversely affect us," "Unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third-party suppliers of synthetic fiber could have a material adverse effect on us," "We have a significant amount of indebtedness which could have important negative consequences to us," and "Our Rights Agreement could discourage tender offers or other transactions for our stock that could result in shareholders receiving a premium over the market price for our stock." Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking statements made in this press release and cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
    (In thousands, except per share data)

                                Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                              10/01/06     10/02/05     10/01/06     10/02/05

    Net Sales                 $270,612     $243,898     $779,924     $725,158
    Cost of Sales              185,278      167,357      534,441      500,250
      Gross Profit              85,334       76,541      245,483      224,908
    Selling, General &
     Administrative Expenses    60,331       56,029      177,014      166,003
    Impairment of Goodwill -
     European Fabrics               --           --       20,712           --
    Restructuring Charges           --           --        3,260           --
    Loss on Disposal -
     European Fabrics               --           --        1,723           --
      Operating Income          25,003       20,512       42,774       58,905
    Interest Expense            10,504       11,402       32,672       34,486
    Other Expense, Net             381          171        1,362        1,039
      Income (Loss) Before
       Taxes                    14,118        8,939        8,740       23,380
    Income Tax Expense           5,012        3,602       10,810       11,180
      Income (Loss) from
       Continuing Operations     9,106        5,337       (2,070)      12,200
    Discontinued Operations,
     Net of Tax                     --         (216)         (27)     (14,741)
    Loss on Disposal -
     Discontinued Operations,
     Net of Tax                     --           --           --       (1,935)
    Net Income (Loss)           $9,106       $5,121      $(2,097)     $(4,476)

    Earnings (Loss) Per Share
     - Basic
      Continuing Operations      $0.17        $0.10       $(0.04)       $0.24
      Discontinued Operations       --           --           --        (0.29)
      Loss on Disposal of
       Discontinued Operations      --           --           --        (0.04)
    Earnings (Loss) Per Share
     - Basic                     $0.17        $0.10       $(0.04)      $(0.09)

    Earnings (Loss) Per Share
     - Diluted
      Continuing Operations      $0.17        $0.10       $(0.04)       $0.23
      Discontinued Operations       --           --           --        (0.28)
      Loss on Disposal of
       Discontinued Operations      --           --           --        (0.03)
    Earnings (Loss) Per Share
     - Diluted                   $0.17        $0.10       $(0.04)      $(0.08)

    Common Shares Outstanding
     - Basic                    53,454       51,648       53,175       51,457
    Common Shares Outstanding
     - Diluted                  55,070       53,444       53,175       52,779

    Orders from Continuing
     Operations*               287,040      240,062      819,099      724,166
    Continuing Operations
     Backlog (as of 10/01/06
     and 10/02/05,
     respectively)*                                      132,065       98,668


     * Orders from Continuing Operations in the 2005 three-month and
       nine-month periods, and Continuing Operations Backlog as of October 2,
       2005, exclude the European fabrics business, which was sold in April
       2006.



    Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
    (In thousands)                                  10/01/06       01/01/06
    Assets
      Cash                                           $28,897        $51,312
      Accounts Receivable                            159,184        141,408
      Inventory                                      149,775        130,209
      Other Current Assets                            24,973         21,164
      Assets of Businesses Held for Sale               3,049          5,526
        Total Current Assets                         365,878        349,619
      Property, Plant & Equipment                    183,060        185,643
      Other Assets                                   292,525        303,728
        Total Assets                               $ 841,463      $ 838,990

    Liabilities
      Accounts Payable                               $55,119        $50,312
      Accrued Liabilities                             83,267         85,581
      Liabilities of Businesses Held for Sale          1,679          4,214
      Long-Term Debt                                  21,541             --
      Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes           419,510        458,000
      Other Long-Term Liabilities                     66,553         68,807
        Total Liabilities                            647,669        666,914
      Shareholders' Equity                           193,794        172,076
        Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 841,463      $ 838,990



    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
    (In millions)
                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                 10/01/06     10/02/05    10/01/06    10/02/05

    Net Income (Loss)              $9.1         $5.1       $(2.1)       $(4.5)
    Adjustments for Discontinued
     Operations                      --          0.2          --         16.7
    Net Income (Loss) from
     Continuing Operations        $ 9.1        $ 5.3       $(2.1)       $12.2
    Depreciation and Amortization   7.0          7.1        22.9         23.3
    Deferred Income Taxes and
     Other Non-Cash Items           0.2          0.2        (5.4)       (10.6)
    Impairment of Goodwill and
     Restructuring Charges           --           --        23.4           --
    Change in Working Capital
      Accounts Receivable         (13.5)         7.8       (23.1)        (4.3)
      Inventories                  (5.9)         2.9       (27.8)       (12.6)
      Prepaids                      0.6         (1.4)       (3.8)        (7.6)
      Accounts Payable and
       Accrued Expenses            (1.0)       (13.7)        2.5          2.4
    Cash Provided from (Used in)
     Continuing Operations         (3.5)         8.2       (13.4)         2.8
    Cash Provided from Operating
     Activities of Discontinued
     Operations                      --          2.0          --         10.2
    Cash Provided from (Used in)
     Operating Activities          (3.5)        10.2       (13.4)        13.0
    Cash Provided from (Used in)
     Investing Activities          (7.4)        (6.9)        1.4        (17.9)
    Cash Provided from (Used in)
     Financing Activities          12.5          6.6       (11.7)        17.2
    Effect of Exchange Rate
     Changes on Cash                 --         (0.5)        1.3         (2.3)
    Net Increase (Decrease)
     in Cash                      $ 1.6         $9.4      $(22.4)       $10.0



    Consolidated Condensed Segment Reporting
    (In millions)
                           Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                       10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change   10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change
    Net Sales
      Modular Carpet    $ 193.6  $ 157.9   22.6%      $546.0   $475.2   14.9%
      Bentley Prince
       Street              37.1     32.1   15.6%       100.1     89.6   11.7%
      Fabrics Group        36.4     49.9  (27.1%)      124.4    147.9  (15.9%)
      Specialty Products    3.5      4.0  (12.5%)        9.4     12.5  (24.8%)
    Total               $ 270.6  $ 243.9   11.0%      $779.9   $725.2    7.6%

    Operating Income
     (Loss)
      Modular Carpet      $24.3    $18.1               $68.6    $56.0
      Bentley Prince
       Street               2.2      0.8                 4.5      1.8
      Fabrics Group        (0.5)     1.9               (26.9)     3.0
      Specialty Products    0.1      0.2                 0.1      0.6
      Corporate Expenses
       and Eliminations    (1.1)    (0.5)               (3.5)    (2.5)
    Total                 $25.0    $20.5               $42.8    $58.9


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Performance Measures to GAAP Performance Measures

    (In millions)
                           Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                       10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change   10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change
    Net Sales Excluding
     European Fabrics    $270.6   $228.5    18.4%     $762.6   $677.1   12.6%
    Net Sales - European
     Fabrics                 --     15.4                17.3     48.1
    Net Sales - as
     Reported            $270.6   $243.9              $779.9   $725.2


                           Three Months Ended
                       10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change
    Operating Income
     Excluding European
     Fabrics and Loss
     on Disposal          $25.0    $19.6   27.6%
    Operating Income -
     European Fabrics        --      0.9
    Operating Income -
     as Reported          $25.0    $20.5


                            Nine Months Ended
                       10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change
    Operating Income
     Excluding European
     Fabrics, Impairment
     of Goodwill, Loss
     on Disposition and
     Restructuring Charge $67.4   $56.5    19.3%
    Operating Income -
     European Fabrics       1.1     2.4
    Impairment of
     Goodwill             (20.7)     --
    Loss on Disposition    (1.7)     --
    Restructuring Charge   (3.3)     --
    Operating Income -
     as Reported          $42.8   $58.9


                           Three Months Ended
                       10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change
    Net Sales Fabrics
     Segment Excluding
     European Fabrics     $36.4    $34.5    5.5%
    Net Sales - European
     Fabrics                 --     15.4
    Net Sales - Fabrics
     Segment as Reported  $36.4    $49.9


                           Three Months Ended
                       10/01/06 10/02/05 % Change
    Operating Income
     (Loss) Fabrics
     Segment Excluding
     European Fabrics     $(0.5)    $1.0   (150%)
    Operating Income -
     European Fabrics        --      0.9
    Operating Income (Loss)
     - Fabrics Segment
     as Reported          $(0.5)    $1.9

The Company believes that the above non-GAAP performance measures, which management uses in managing and evaluating the Company's business, may provide users of the Company's financial information with additional meaningful bases for comparing the Company's current results and results in a prior period, as these measures reflect factors that are unique to the current period relative to the comparable prior period. However, these non-GAAP performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

SOURCE Interface, Inc.

CONTACT:
Daniel T. Hendrix,
President and Chief Executive Officer,
or Patrick C. Lynch,
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
both of Interface, Inc.,
+1-770-437-6800;
or Christine Mohrmann
or Jim Olecki,
both of Financial Dynamics,
+1-212-850-5600,
for Interface, Inc.
Web site: http://www.interfaceinc.com
http://www.interfaceinc.com/results/investor
(IFSIA)