Published: October 09, 2008 02:21 pm            

Dixie Group's third quarter earnings expected to decline below analyst estimates

Submitted by The Dixie Group



CHATTANOOGA — The Dixie Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DXYN) today announced that its earnings for the third quarter ended Sept. 27, 2008, will be adversely affected by continuing weakness in the sales of new and existing homes and deteriorating credit conditions.

In response to the difficult economic environment, the company has developed cost-reduction initiatives that will begin to be implemented during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008 to better utilize its facilities and reduce costs.

"We are disappointed that residential carpet markets have continued to weaken and commercial carpet sales have declined faster than anticipated," said Dan K. Frierson, chairman and chief executive officer. "As a result, we expect to report a loss from continuing operations for the third quarter, which will result in earnings well below current analyst estimates.

"The cost reduction initiatives include consolidating our carpet tufting operations in Eton, Ga., into our tufting, dyeing and finishing facility in Atmore, Alabama, and consolidating our California tufting and custom rug operation into our West Coast dyeing and finishing facility. We are in the process of quantifying the costs of completing these consolidations. Although the costs of these consolidations will have a negative impact on results until they are completed in the first quarter of next year, these actions should reduce ongoing fixed costs, improve operating efficiencies in both our East Coast and West Coast operations, and significantly improve our operating results, with only a slight, if any, impact on our production capacity and flexibility.

"We are also in the process of evaluating our entire organization to determine what additional expenses can be reduced or eliminated, without compromising our ability to grow or affecting our leadership position in high-end markets. Our total employment was reduced by approximately 9 percent in the second quarter of this year. The anticipated effect of the facility consolidations and other contemplated organizational changes should reduce total employment by an additional 5 to 7 percent.

"These initiatives, higher selling prices which should be fully in place by the fourth quarter of this year, and some decreases in raw material costs are expected to return our operations to profitable levels and position us to take full advantage of improvement in industry conditions when they occur."

During the third quarter of this year the company purchased 45,678 shares of its common stock at an average price of $7.7231 per share, pursuant to the company's previously authorized stock repurchase program. To maintain a conservative capital structure during this period of uncertainty, the company discontinued its 10b-18 common stock repurchase plan. Additional repurchases of the company's common stock may be made based on management's review of developing economic conditions.

The Dixie Group (www.thedixiegroup.com) is a leading marketer and manufacturer of carpet and rugs to higher-end residential and commercial customers through the Fabrica International, Masland Carpets and Dixie Home brands.

        

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