LADD FURNITURE INC
8-K, 1999-07-15
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)         July 14, 1999
                                                 ---------------------------





                              LADD FURNITURE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      North Carolina                   0-11577                56-1311320
=======================================================================================

    <S>                             <C>                   <C>
     (State or other                (Commission            (I.R.S. Employer
      jurisdiction                  File Number)          Identification No.)
    of Incorporation)
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 4620 Grandover Parkway, P.O. Box 26777, Greensboro, North Carolina        27417-6777
=======================================================================================

 <S>                                                                       <C>
            (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>



REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE      (336) 294-5233
                                                   -------------------------



         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
<PAGE>   2

ITEM 1.  CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.

         Not Applicable.


ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         Not Applicable.


ITEM 3.  BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.

         Not Applicable.


ITEM 4.  CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

         Not Applicable.


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On July 14, 1999, the Registrant issued a press release reporting its
1999 second quarter results of operations. The press release is attached hereto
as Exhibit 99.1 and the supplemental financial data submitted to stock analysts
is attached as Exhibit 99.2.


ITEM 6.  RESIGNATIONS OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.

         Not Applicable.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         a)       Exhibits

                  99.1     Press Release dated July 14, 1999.

                  99.2     Supplemental Financial Data submitted to stock
                           analysts dated July 14, 1999.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

ITEM 8.  CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

         Not Applicable.


                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                             LADD FURNITURE, INC.



Date:  July 15, 1999         By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                ---------------------------------------
                                   William S. Creekmuir


                             Title:  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                      Officer, Treasurer and Secretary


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                              LADD FURNITURE, INC.
                       4620 Grandover Parkway - Box 26777
                           Greensboro, NC 27417-6777


                                             NEWS RELEASE
                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                             July 14, 1999

                                             Contact: John J. Ong
                                             (336) 315-4049
                                             e-mail: [email protected]


                LADD'S QUARTERLY EARNINGS HIGHEST IN TEN YEARS

     GREENSBORO, NC -- LADD Furniture, Inc. reported today that its diluted net
earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 1999 surged 54 percent, to
$0.54 per share, from $0.35 per share in the same period 1998. Net income for
the second quarter rose 50 percent, to $4.3 million, from 1998's $2.9 million,
while total second quarter net sales rose 13 percent, to $153.0 million, from
$135.5 million in 1998. LADD's residential furniture sales for the second
quarter increased 10 percent on a year-over-year basis and contract furniture
sales rose 21 percent.

     For the first six months, net earnings also rose more than 50 percent,
both in absolute dollars and on a per share basis, as net income for the first
half of 1999 jumped to $7.9 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, from $5.2
million, or $0.65 per diluted share, in the year-earlier period. First half net
sales increased 10 percent, with residential volume up 7 percent and contract
sales rising 19 percent.

     Chairman, president and CEO Fred L. Schuermann, Jr. said he was very
pleased to note that LADD's net earnings in the most recent quarter reached
their highest dollar level since the second quarter of 1989. "This represents
another milestone on the road back to the position of industry prominence LADD
enjoyed in the 1980's. As gratifying as the profit improvement was,'' he added,
"I am equally pleased with the strong top line sales growth our various
furniture brands achieved in the latest quarter. In the 13 years I've been
associated with LADD, I can honestly say I have never seen a more exciting
assortment of products than we have right now. This is a tremendous tribute to
the outstanding team of sales, marketing and manufacturing executives we
currently have in place throughout the company.''

     Commenting on the overall tone of business, Schuermann said, "The
excellent housing and economic environment of the past three years is finally
beginning to show up in retail sales of furniture, and our industry is
currently in the midst of one of its better historical growth periods. I fully
expect to see these positive trends extend well into next year.''

                                     -over-

                   The LADD family of fine furniture companies
                Lea  Industries - American Drew - Clayton Marcus
       Barclay - American of Martinsville - Pennsylvania House - Pilliod



<PAGE>   2


     LADD executive vice president and CFO William S. Creekmuir noted that the
first half gross margin improved to 19.7% this year from 19.1% in 1998, and said
the company also made further progress during the first six months in improving
its balance sheet and financial position. "Total debt has been reduced by $9.5
million since the end of 1998, to $101.7 million at mid-year 1999, despite our
open market repurchase of 27,000 shares of LADD stock - 17,000 shares in the
first quarter and 10,000 shares in the second quarter. The debt reduction,
coupled with continuing growth in LADD's shareholders' equity, produced a total
debt ratio at July 3, 1999 of 40.0%. This leverage ratio is heading down
steadily toward management's 30% goal." He concluded, "In short, LADD's
financial strength has improved remarkably since 1995."

     Headquartered in Greensboro, NC, LADD is one of the largest residential
furniture manufacturers in North America. The company markets its wide range of
bedroom, dining room, occasional and upholstered furniture domestically under
the major brand names American Drew, Barclay, Clayton Marcus, HickoryMark, Lea,
Pennsylvania House and Pilliod, and exports these products worldwide through
LADD International. LADD's contract sales group, doing business as American of
Martinsville, is also one of the world's leading suppliers of guest room
furniture to the hospitality industry, as well as to assisted-living
(retirement) facilities and government markets. LADD also owns and operates
LADD Transportation, a support company. LADD's stock is traded on the Nasdaq
Market under the symbol LADF and information on the company can be found on the
Internet at www.laddfurniture.com

                                ---------------

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Such statements are dependent on a number of factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. Such factors include the company's ability to
continue its sales growth, further improve its profitability and reduce its
debt, in addition to those factors set forth in the company's required filings
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.



TABLE FOLLOWS
<PAGE>   3


LADD FURNITURE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (PRELIMINARY AND UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   13 Wks. Ended          13 Wks. Ended
                                                    July 3, 1999           July 4, 1998
                                                   -------------          -------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>    <C>          <C>
Net sales (1)                                      $ 153,015,000          $ 135,505,000
Earnings before interest and income taxes              8,586,000              7,075,000
Interest expense                                       1,827,000              2,371,000
Earnings before income taxes (2)                       6,759,000              4,704,000
Income tax expense                                     2,443,000              1,835,000
Net earnings                                       $   4,316,000              2,869,000
Net earnings per common share - basic              $        0.55                   0.37
Net earnings per common share - diluted                     0.54                   0.35
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding - diluted                  7,981,300              8,165,428
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                   26 Wks. Ended          26 Wks. Ended
                                                    July 3, 1999           July 4, 1998
                                                   -------------          -------------
Net sales (1)                                      $ 310,159,000            282,914,000
Earnings before interest and income taxes             16,436,000             13,527,000
Interest expense                                       3,875,000              4,955,000
Earnings before income taxes (2)                      12,561,000              8,572,000
Income tax expense                                     4,648,000              3,343,000
Net earnings                                       $   7,913,000              5,229,000
Net earnings per common share - basic              $        1.01                   0.67
Net earnings per common share - diluted                     0.99                   0.65
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding - diluted                  7,968,162              8,056,010
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                         13 Wks.   13 Wks.   26 Wks.   26 Wks.
(1)  Net sales by segment (000's):                        7/3/99    7/4/98    7/3/99    7/4/98
                                                        --------   -------   -------   -------
          Residential                                   $114,202   103,460   233,405   218,165
          Contract                                        38,813    32,045    76,754    64,749
                                                        --------   -------   -------   -------
               Total                                    $153,015   135,505   310,159   282,914
                                                        ========   =======   =======   =======

                                                         13 Wks.   13 Wks.   26 Wks.   26 Wks.
(2)  Earnings before income taxes by segment (000's):     7/3/99    7/4/98    7/3/99    7/4/98
                                                        --------   -------   -------   -------
          Residential                                   $  4,368     3,016     8,852     6,398
          Contract                                         4,000     3,037     6,683     5,098
          Corporate                                       (1,609)   (1,349)   (2,974)   (2,924)
                                                        --------   -------   -------   -------
               Total                                    $  6,759     4,704    12,561     8,572
                                                        ========   =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 99.2

      LADD FURNITURE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
      July 14, 1999        CONTACT: John J. Ong, CFA       (336) 315-4049



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (PRELIMINARY AND UNAUDITED)
<S>                                          <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>
                                                                             Quarters Ended
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands, except per share data            7/3/99         4/3/99            1/2/99          10/3/98         7/4/98        4/4/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                    $153,015        157,144          145,253         142,896         135,505       147,409
Cost of sales                                 122,043        126,973          116,713         115,160         108,173       120,733
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Gross profit                                 30,972         30,171           28,540          27,736          27,332        26,676
Selling, general and administrative expenses   22,423         22,416           20,286          19,932          19,947        20,350
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Operating income                              8,549          7,755            8,254           7,804           7,385         6,326
Other deductions:
  Interest expense                              1,827          2,048            2,123           2,220           2,371         2,584
  Other expense (income), net                     (37)           (95)              43             148             310          (126)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                1,790          1,953            2,166           2,368           2,681         2,458
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Earnings before income taxes                  6,759          5,802            6,088           5,436           4,704         3,868
Income tax expense                              2,443          2,205            2,377           2,117           1,835         1,508
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net earnings                               $  4,316          3,597            3,711           3,319           2,869         2,360
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings per common share - basic        $   0.55           0.46             0.47            0.42            0.37          0.30
Net earnings per common share - diluted      $   0.54           0.45             0.47            0.41            0.35          0.30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of common
  shares outstanding - basic                    7,830          7,840            7,831           7,831           7,812         7,760
Weighted average number of common
  shares outstanding - diluted                  7,981          7,951            7,922           8,034           8,165         7,940
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PRELIMINARY AND UNAUDITED)

Dollar amounts in thousands                    7/3/99          4/3/99           1/2/99          10/3/98         7/4/98        4/4/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash                                       $    196            147              110             156              89           114
  Trade accounts receivable                    90,361         99,008           90,286          94,861          85,253        91,709
  Inventories                                 105,789        103,699           98,798         103,353         102,129        95,101
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     8,999          8,168            8,771           7,124           9,514         8,646
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total current assets                      205,345        211,022          197,965         205,494         196,985       195,570
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment                  64,917         65,408           66,297          66,189          66,406        66,255
Intangible and other assets                    70,568         70,907           72,703          73,836          74,431        76,333
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             $340,830        347,337          336,965         345,519         337,822       338,158
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current installments of long-term debt     $  6,590          6,590            6,590           6,590           6,590        11,476
  Trade accounts payable                       32,487         36,339           31,296          36,982          36,317        37,217
  Accrued expenses and other current
    liabilities                                41,999         41,710           37,384          38,617          35,252        33,925
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total current liabilities                  81,076         84,639           75,270          82,189          78,159        82,618
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt, excluding current
  installments                                 95,110        102,420          104,585         109,540         109,629       109,390
Deferred and other liabilities                 12,294         12,107           12,589          13,067          12,657        12,826
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total liabilities                         188,480        199,166          192,444         204,796         200,445       204,834
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity                    152,350        148,171          144,521         140,723         137,377       133,324
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             $340,830        347,337          336,965         345,519         337,822       338,158
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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