Culp, Inc. (NYSE: CULP) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “CULP”) today reported financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended April 28, 2024.

Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter Financial Summary

• Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 were $49.5 million, down 19.4 percent compared with the prior-year period, with mattress fabrics sales down 16.1 percent, and upholstery fabrics sales down 22.6 percent.
• Loss from operations was $(4.2) million (which included $204,000 in restructuring expense during the period), compared with a loss from operations of $(4.0) million for the prior-year period (which included $70,000 in restructuring expense during the period).
• Net loss was $(4.9) million, or $(0.39) per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $(4.7) million, or $(0.38) per diluted share, for the prior-year period. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter was negative (19.8) percent, reflecting the company’s mix of taxable income between its U.S. and foreign jurisdictions during the period.
• The company maintained a solid financial position, with its balance sheet reflecting $10.0 million of total cash and no outstanding borrowings as of April 28, 2024. Total liquidity as of April 28, 2024, was $32.5 million (consisting of $10.0 million in cash and $22.5 million in borrowing availability under the company's domestic and foreign credit facilities).

Fiscal 2024 Full Year Financial Summary

• Net sales for fiscal 2024 were $225.3 million, down 4.1 percent from the prior year, with mattress fabrics sales up 4.8 percent and upholstery fabrics sales down 12.1 percent.
• Loss from operations was $(11.3) million (which included $676,000 in restructuring and related expenses during the period), compared with a loss from operations of $(28.5) million for the prior year (which included approximately $9.9 million relating to certain inventory impairment and other charges and restructuring and related expenses during the period).
• Net loss was $(13.8) million, or $(1.11) per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $(31.5) million, or $(2.57) per diluted share, for the prior year. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2024 was negative (28.3) percent, reflecting the company's mix of taxable income between its U.S. and foreign jurisdictions during the period.

Restructuring Plan Update

The restructuring plan announced on May 1, 2024, primarily focused on the company's mattress fabrics segment, is progressing as planned.

• Expect to achieve $10.0 - $11.0 million in annualized savings and operating improvements after restructuring initiatives are fully implemented by the end of the calendar year, with most of the restructuring benefit realized during the second half of fiscal 2025.
• Expect a return to break-even operating results at currently depressed industry demand levels post restructuring.
• Expect to incur cash restructuring and restructuring-related costs and charges of approximately $2.5 million, the majority of which are anticipated to be incurred in the first half of fiscal 2025. The company expects to fund these cash costs primarily with the sale of excess manufacturing equipment.
• Expect to receive at least $10.0 - $12.0 million in cash proceeds (net of all taxes and commissions) from the sale of real estate associated with the restructuring plan.
• Also expect to incur non-cash restructuring and restructuring-related costs and charges of approximately $5.4 million (excluding any gain from the sale of real estate).
• Assuming the completion of all restructuring actions and the sale of associated real estate by the end of fiscal 2025, the company currently projects its cash as of the end of fiscal 2025 to be higher than its $10.0 million in cash as of the end of fiscal 2024.

CEO Commentary

Commenting on the results, Iv Culp, president and chief executive officer of Culp, Inc., said, “Our sales and operating results for the fourth quarter were in line with our expectations announced on May 1, 2024. These results reflected weakness in industry demand in both of our businesses, driven primarily by ongoing macro-economic headwinds. Our sales performance for the fourth quarter was also affected to some degree by the timing of orders, as many of our larger customers experienced extremely slow conditions beginning in January. We posted solid year-over-year sales gains in both businesses during our fiscal third quarter, and we were making progress towards our stated improvement goals. However, we faced a significant decline in order levels during our fourth quarter, related to demand pressures our customers faced early in the calendar year.

"This impact on fourth quarter revenue, along with ongoing macro-challenges, led us to take aggressive action to bring our manufacturing costs and capacity in line with current and expected demand. We announced a major restructuring plan in early May, with a primary focus on our mattress fabrics segment, and we are making steady progress on the execution of this restructuring initiative. The announced adjustments, once fully implemented, will enable us to grow more efficiently and profitably with a lower level of fixed costs. Importantly, these strategic steps do not limit our ability to grow the business, but instead allow us to better optimize our global mix of manufacturing capabilities and long-term sourcing partners. Also, we are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our valued customers, suppliers, and employees, and we are confident that the strength of these relationships will help drive our recovery.

“Despite the headwinds, there were some positive indicators within CULP’s business during fiscal 2024, including (1) significant year-over-year operating improvement (though still a loss and below intended targets); (2) consistent operating profits in our upholstery fabrics business; (3) year-over-year sales growth in our mattress fabrics segment; and (4) strong product innovation and placements in both segments, positioning us for a return to higher sales growth as macro conditions improve. We are encouraged by our solid market position in both businesses, and with our restructuring actions well underway, we believe we are on track to return to profitability post-restructuring even if market conditions remain at their currently depressed levels.

“We also maintained a solid balance sheet during the fourth quarter, with a focus on prudent financial management, and we are taking proactive steps to ensure the long-term success of our business. We are diligently focused on executing our restructuring initiatives, and therefore strengthening our balance sheet, optimizing our operations and cost structure, and supporting our customers, while also continuing to win new placements with our innovative product portfolio.

"As we look ahead to fiscal 2025, we expect industry conditions will remain pressured for some time, but we believe our fiscal 2024 fourth quarter revenue levels represented a bottom point for CULP. We believe the strategic actions we are taking will position us for profitable growth opportunities, and we remain committed to delivering sustainable results and enhancing value for our shareholders over the long term," added Culp.

Business Segment Highlights

Mattress Fabrics Segment (“CHF”) Summary

• Sales for this segment were $25.8 million for the fourth quarter, down 16.1 percent compared with sales of $30.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

• Sales were pressured during the quarter by further weakness in the domestic mattress industry, driven by a challenging macro-economic environment that is affecting consumer discretionary spending and housing markets.

• Operating loss was $(2.9) million for the fourth quarter, compared to an operating loss of $(2.5) million operating loss in the prior-year period. Operating performance for the quarter was primarily pressured by lower sales and operating inefficiencies.

• For fiscal 2024, sales were $116.4 million, up 4.8 percent compared with sales of $111.0 million for fiscal 2023. This year-over-year increase was driven by higher sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 (primarily due to new fabric and sewn cover placements priced in line with current costs), partially offset by lower sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

• For the full year, operating loss was $(6.8) million for fiscal 2024, compared with an operating loss of ($18.7) million for fiscal 2023. The decrease in CHF's operating loss for fiscal 2024, as compared to the prior-year period (which was negatively affected by certain inventory impairment charges and losses from inventory close out sales), was primarily due to higher sales through the first nine months of fiscal 2024 as described above, along with better inventory management. These factors were partially offset by higher SG&A expense during fiscal 2024, as well as production inefficiencies relating to certain new product launches.

Upholstery Fabrics Segment (“CUF”) Summary

• Sales for this segment were $23.8 million for the fourth quarter, down 22.6 percent compared with sales of $30.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

• Sales for CUF's residential fabric business were lower than the prior-year period, driven primarily by further deterioration in residential home furnishing sales, as well as the timing of the Chinese New Year holiday (which this year fell primarily in the fourth quarter, rather than the third quarter). Additionally, approximately 3.0 percent of the 22.6 percent decline in sales was related to a one-time customer payment (based on newly negotiated terms) received during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 that did not recur during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

• Demand remained solid for CUF’s hospitality/contract business during the fourth quarter, with sales for this business accounting for approximately 38.0 percent of CUF's total sales.

• Operating income was $975,000 for the fourth quarter, compared with operating income of $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was 4.1 percent, compared with 5.2 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Operating performance for the fourth quarter was primarily pressured by lower sales and non-recurrence of the one-time customer payment noted earlier. Excluding the one-time non-recurring payment from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, operating margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 would have improved compared to the prior-year period.

• For fiscal 2024, sales were $109.0 million, down 12.1 percent compared with sales of $123.9 million for fiscal 2023. This decrease primarily reflects ongoing softness in the residential home furnishings industry, where demand was pressured by a challenging macro-economic environment. Sales during the prior year were also positively affected by receipt of the one-time customer payment noted earlier.

• For the full year, operating income was $5.8 million for fiscal 2024, a significant improvement compared with operating income of 2.0 million for fiscal 2023. Operating margin for fiscal 2024 was 5.3 percent, again a significant improvement compared to the prior year.

• Operating performance for fiscal 2024, as compared to the prior year (which was negatively affected by higher-than-normal inventory markdowns and restructuring and related charges), was positively affected by a more profitable mix of sales; better inventory management; a more favorable foreign exchange rate in China; and lower fixed costs. These factors were partially offset by lower sales during the year.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and Liquidity

• As of April 28, 2024, the company reported $10.0 million in total cash and no outstanding debt.

• Cash flow from operations and free cash flow were negative $(8.2) million and negative $(10.8) million, respectively, for fiscal 2024. (See reconciliation table at the back of this press release.) As expected, the company’s cash flow from operations and free cash flow during the fiscal year were affected by operating losses and planned strategic investments in capital expenditures mostly related to the CHF transformation plan.

• Capital expenditures for fiscal 2024 were $3.7 million. The company continues to manage capital investments, focusing on projects that will increase efficiencies and improve quality, especially for the CHF segment.

• As of April 28, 2024, the company had approximately $32.5 million in liquidity, consisting of $10.0 million in total cash and $22.5 million in borrowing availability under the company's domestic and foreign credit facilities.

• The company intends to utilize some borrowings under its domestic and/or foreign credit facilities during fiscal 2025 in connection with its restructuring activities and to fund working capital to grow the business. Importantly, the company still expects to maintain a positive net cash position and to fund most of the cash costs associated with the restructuring from the eventual sale of excess equipment.

• Assuming the completion of all restructuring actions and the sale of associated real estate by the end of fiscal 2025, the company currently projects its cash as of the end of fiscal 2025 to be higher than its $10.0 million in cash as of the end of fiscal 2024.

Financial Outlook

• Due to the uncertainty in the macro-environment, as well as the significant activity underway in connection with the company's restructuring initiatives, the company is only providing limited financial guidance at this time. While macro demand is expected to remain challenged in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, pressuring year-over-year sales results, the company does expect its consolidated net sales for the first quarter to be moderately higher as compared sequentially to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. The company will update progress on its restructuring initiatives every quarter, and post restructuring, the company expects to return to positive operating income (on a monthly basis) sometime in the second half of fiscal 2025.
• The company’s expectations are based on information available at the time of this press release and reflect certain assumptions by management regarding the company’s business and trends and the projected impact of the ongoing headwinds.

Conference Call

Culp, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024 year on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of this call can be accessed on the “Upcoming Events” section on the investor relations page of the company’s website, www.culp.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days under the “Past Events” section on the investor relations page of the company’s website, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 28, 2024.

About the Company

Culp, Inc. is one of the largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for residential and commercial furniture in North America. The company markets a variety of fabrics to its global customer base of leading bedding and furniture companies, including fabrics produced at Culp’s manufacturing facilities and fabrics sourced through other suppliers. Culp has manufacturing and sourcing capabilities located in the United States, Canada, China, Haiti, Turkey, and Vietnam.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). Such statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events and results to differ materially from such statements. Further, forward looking statements are intended to speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements to reflect any changes in management’s expectations or any change in the assumptions or circumstances on which such statements are based, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are often but not always characterized by qualifying words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” and their derivatives, and include but are not limited to statements about expectations, projections, or trends for our future operations, strategic initiatives and plans, restructurings, production levels, new product launches, sales, profit margins, profitability, operating (loss) income, capital expenditures, working capital levels, cost savings (including, without limitation, anticipated cost savings from restructuring actions), income taxes, SG&A or other expenses, pre-tax (loss) income, earnings, cash flow, and other performance or liquidity measures, as well as any statements regarding dividends, share repurchases, liquidity, use of cash and cash requirements, borrowing capacity, investments, potential acquisitions, restructuring and restructuring-related charges, expenses, and/or credits, future economic or industry trends, public health epidemics, or future developments. There can be no assurance that we will realize these expectations or meet our guidance, or that these beliefs will prove correct.

Factors that could influence the matters discussed in such statements include the level of housing starts and sales of existing homes, consumer confidence, trends in disposable income, and general economic conditions. Decreases in these economic indicators could have a negative effect on our business and prospects. Likewise, increases in interest rates, particularly home mortgage rates, and increases in consumer debt or the general rate of inflation, could affect us adversely. The future performance of our business depends in part on our success in conducting and finalizing acquisition negotiations and integrating acquired businesses into our existing operations. Changes in consumer tastes or preferences toward products not produced by us could erode demand for our products. Changes in tariffs or trade policy, including changes in U.S. trade enforcement priorities, or changes in the value of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies, could affect our financial results because a significant portion of our operations are located outside the United States. Strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other currencies could make our products less competitive on the basis of price in markets outside the United States, and strengthening of currencies in Canada and China can have a negative impact on our sales of products produced in those places. In addition, because our foreign operations use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, changes in the exchange rate between the local currency of those operations and the U.S dollar can affect our reported profits from those foreign operations. Also, economic or political instability in international areas could affect our operations or sources of goods in those areas, as well as demand for our products in international markets. The impact of public health epidemics on employees, customers, suppliers, and the global economy, such as the recent coronavirus pandemic, could also adversely affect our operations and financial performance. In addition, the impact of potential asset impairments, including impairments of property, plant, and equipment, inventory, or intangible assets, as well as the impact of valuation allowances applied against our net deferred income tax assets, could affect our financial results. Increases in freight costs, labor costs, and raw material prices, including increases in market prices for petrochemical products, can also significantly affect the prices we pay for shipping, labor, and raw materials, respectively, and in turn, increase our operating costs and decrease our profitability. Also, our success in diversifying our supply chain with reliable partners to effectively service our global platform could affect our operations and adversely affect our financial results. Finally, the future performance of our business also depends on our ability to successfully restructure our mattress fabrics operation and return the segment to profitability. Further information about these factors, as well as other factors that could affect our future operations or financial results and the matters discussed in forward-looking statements, is included in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know about or that we currently consider to be immaterial may also affect our business operations and financial results.