Sales rise 2% at Mohawk Industries in Q2

Net sales for the second quarter of 2012 were $1.5 billion, in line with prior year and an increase of 2% on a constant exchange rate. For the second quarter of 2011, net earnings were $61 million and EPS was $0.88. Net earnings excluding restructuring charges for the second quarter of 2011, were $66 million and EPS was $0.95.

For the six months ending June 30, 2012, net sales were $2.9 billion, an increase of 2% versus prior year and 4% on a constant exchange rate. Net earnings and EPS for the six-month period were $114 million and $1.64, respectively.

Net earnings excluding restructuring charges were $120 million and EPS was $1.73, an increase of 25% over the six-month adjusted EPS results in 2011. For the six months ending July 2, 2011, net sales were $2.8 billion, net earnings were $84 million and EPS was $1.22. Excluding restructuring charges, net earnings and EPS were $95 million and $1.38, respectively.

Commenting on Mohawk Industries' second quarter performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "Selling prices offsetting raw material inflation, productivity gains, product mix improvements and lower interest costs all contributed to our results. Sales increased 2% on a constant exchange rate with commercial sales continuing to outpace residential sales.

We continue to control SG&A cost while increasing new product investments across all businesses. During the quarter, we generated adjusted EBITDA of $187 million, free cash flow of $96 million and paid off $336 million of senior notes. We have addressed many of today's economic challenges by enhancing our product differentiation, reducing costs, improving efficiencies and entering new product categories and geographies."

Mohawk segment adjusted operating income margin increased 110 basis points over 2011 with gains from pricing, improved product mix and lower costs from productivity offsetting lower volume and higher material costs. Segment sales were down 3% during the second quarter. Carpet sales for both the industry and Mohawk were approximately flat compared to last year with residential remodeling activity slow.

Our rug sales continued to be soft due to lower retail sales, as well as retailers deferring promotional activities and further reducing inventory within the channel.

During the quarter, Mohawk's SmartStrand Silk premium carpet collection experienced strong sales growth due to its unsurpassed softness and proprietary environmental features. We executed productivity improvements across the business with particular gains from our capital investments and reduction of waste.

Dal-Tile segment sales grew 7% during the quarter or 8% on a constant exchange rate. The segment posted gains from increases in both residential and commercial sales and growth in the Mexican market.