Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-14649

 


Trex Company, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   54-1910453

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

160 Exeter Drive

Winchester, Virginia

  22603-8605
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (540) 542-6300

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding at November 6, 2007 was 15,076,738 shares.

 



Table of Contents

TREX COMPANY, INC.

INDEX

 

          Page

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

   Financial Statements    3
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007 (unaudited)    3
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 (unaudited)    4
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 (unaudited)    5
   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)    6

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    15

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    22

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    22
PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    24

Item 5.

   Other Information    24

Item 6.

   Exhibits    24

Signature

   25

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

TREX COMPANY, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

    

December 31,

2006

   

September 30,

2007

 
           (unaudited)  

ASSETS

  

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 672     $ 19,746  

Accounts receivable, net

     18,140       27,141  

Inventories

     111,434       73,643  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,201       3,436  

Income taxes receivable

     6,480       7,524  

Deferred income taxes

     3,180       10,653  
                

Total current assets

     143,107       142,143  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     198,525       203,166  

Goodwill

     6,837       6,837  

Debt-related derivatives

     359       153  

Other assets

     3,489       6,652  
                

Total assets

   $ 352,317     $ 358,951  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 40,248     $ 16,297  

Accrued expenses

     17,586       18,686  

Accrued warranty

     2,467       19,538  

Line of credit

     44,132       —    

Current portion of long-term debt

     9,115       35,716  
                

Total current liabilities

     113,548       90,237  

Deferred income taxes

     17,217       5,089  

Accrued taxes

     —         2,396  

Non-current accrued warranty

     —         28,453  

Debt-related derivatives

     747       705  

Long-term debt

     51,390       97,500  
                

Total liabilities

     182,902       224,380  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized; 14,913,889 and 15,076,738 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, respectively

     149       151  

Additional paid in capital

     62,986       65,956  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (278 )     (444 )

Retained earnings

     106,558       68,908  
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     169,415       134,571  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 352,317     $ 358,951  
                

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED).

 

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TREX COMPANY, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006    2007     2006    2007  

Net sales

   $ 78,098    $ 63,971     $ 304,849    $ 298,663  

Cost of sales

     55,116      73,631       220,928      254,530  
                              

Gross profit (loss)

     22,982      (9,660 )     83,921      44,133  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     15,419      52,074       56,738      91,974  
                              

Income (loss) from operations

     7,563      (61,734 )     27,183      (47,841 )

Interest expense, net

     305      2,021       2,151      6,241  
                              

Income (loss) before income taxes

     7,258      (63,755 )     25,032      (54,082 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     2,679      (22,528 )     8,898      (19,168 )
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,579    $ (41,227 )   $ 16,134    $ (34,914 )
                              

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.31    $ (2.77 )   $ 1.09    $ (2.35 )
                              

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     14,838,343      14,892,507       14,825,287      14,878,951  
                              

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.31    $ (2.77 )   $ 1.08    $ (2.35 )
                              

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     14,921,151      14,892,507       14,908,475      14,878,951  
                              

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED).

 

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TREX COMPANY, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2007  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 16,134     $ (34,914 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     15,248       16,552  

Equity method income

     (116 )     (483 )

Deferred income taxes

     1,706       (18,517 )

Accrued taxes

     —         (516 )

Stock-based compensation

     2,049       3,116  

Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

     221       4  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (10,792 )     (9,001 )

Inventories

     (21,039 )     37,791  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     218       713  

Accounts payable

     8,940       (23,951 )

Accrued expenses and accrued warranty

     4,137       45,515  

Income taxes receivable

     8,354       (843 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     25,060       15,466  
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

     (14,533 )     (21,197 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (14,533 )     (21,197 )
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Financing costs

     —         (3,628 )

Proceeds from sale of convertible senior subordinated notes

     —         97,500  

Principal payments under mortgages and notes

     (8,767 )     (24,789 )

Borrowings under line of credit

     50,709       86,120  

Principal payments under line of credit

     (51,579 )     (130,252 )

Repurchases of common stock

     (431 )     (377 )

Proceeds from employee stock purchase and option plans

     331       252  

Tax effect of stock-based compensation

     50       (21 )
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (9,687 )     24,805  
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     840       19,074  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,395       672  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,235     $ 19,746  
                

Supplemental Disclosure:

    

Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest

   $ 1,835     $ 4,459  

Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net

   $ (528 )   $ 618  

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED).

 

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TREX COMPANY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2007

(unaudited)

 

1. BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION

Trex Company, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) manufactures wood/plastic composite products primarily for residential and commercial decking, railing and fencing applications. Trex Wood-Polymer® lumber (“Trex”) is manufactured in a proprietary process that combines waste wood fibers and reclaimed polyethylene (“PE material”). The Company operates in one business segment.

 

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 included in the annual report of Trex Company, Inc. on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “2006 Form 10-K”).

The Company’s critical accounting policies are included in the 2006 Form 10-K. Since the year ended December 31, 2006, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates other than the warranty liability estimates, which resulted in the Company increasing its warranty liability to $48.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007. See Note 13.

Certain reclassifications have been made in the presentation of the financial statements for the periods prior to fiscal year 2007 to conform to the presentation of the financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

3. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007, and recorded a cumulative effect change to retained earnings of $2.7 million. See Note 10 for additional disclosure regarding adoption of FIN 48.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with earlier application encouraged. The Company is evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on its results of operations and financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to elect to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. This provides entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without being required to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 applies to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted for an entity that has also elected to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157. An entity is prohibited from retrospectively applying SFAS No. 159, unless it chooses early adoption. The Company is evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on its results of operations and financial position.

 

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4. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) was $4.2 million and $(41.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, and $16.3 million and $(35.1) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and net unrealized gains and losses on interest-rate swap contracts.

 

5. INVENTORY

Inventories, at LIFO (last-in, first-out) value, consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2006

  

September 30,

2007

Finished goods

   $ 83,224    $ 57,180

Raw materials

     28,210      16,463
             

Total inventories

   $ 111,434    $ 73,643
             

Inventory is stated at the lower of standard cost or net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews its inventory for slow moving or obsolete items and writes down the related products to estimated net realizable value. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, management decided to reclaim certain finished goods inventories for future use in the Company’s manufacturing process. As a result, the Company recorded a $9.4 million charge to write down the affected inventory to reclaim value.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, due to the liquidation of certain inventories, a portion of the Company’s cost of sales is based on prior year costs rather than current year costs. As a result, the Company recognized an expense of $0.4 million and a benefit of $1.0 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

An actual valuation of inventory under LIFO can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Since inventory levels and costs are subject to factors beyond management’s control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

 

6. ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2006

  

September 30,

2007

Accrued compensation and benefits

   $ 4,491    $ 5,408

Accrued interest

     624      2,655

Accrued sales and marketing costs

     4,242      2,328

Accrued customer relations costs

     1,597      2,073

Accrued rent obligations

     2,421      2,062

Accrued manufacturing expenses

     2,394      1,339

Accrued freight

     481      797

Accrued professional and legal costs

     461      277

Other

     875      1,747
             

Total accrued expenses

   $ 17,586    $ 18,686
             

 

7. DEBT

Convertible Notes

On June 18, 2007, the Company issued $85.0 million principal amount of its 6.00% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”) through an underwritten public offering. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds of $82.1 million from the sale of the Notes to repay in full $24.0 million principal amount of its 8.32% Senior Secured Notes due July 19, 2009 and $45.7 million

 

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principal amount of borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility. In connection with the retirement of its 8.32% Senior Secured Notes, the Company paid a prepayment penalty of $0.6 million, which is included in net interest expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

On July 12, 2007, underwriters of the offering of the Notes exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional $12.5 million principal amount of Notes. The Company received net proceeds of $12.1 million from the sale of the additional Notes, which it issued on July 17, 2007.

The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 6.00% per year from June 18, 2007. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2008. The Notes mature on July 1, 2012.

Holders may convert the Notes at their option before the close of business on any business day prior to April 1, 2012 only under the following circumstances:

 

   

during any fiscal quarter of the Company commencing after September 30, 2007, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price on each applicable trading day;

 

   

during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price per Note for each day of that measurement period is less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the common stock and the applicable Note conversion rate on each such day; or

 

   

upon the occurrence of specified corporate events.

On and after April 1, 2012 until the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.

Upon conversion of any Notes, the Company will pay cash up to the principal amount of the Notes converted and deliver shares of its common stock to the extent the daily conversion value exceeds the proportionate principal amount of such Notes based on a 40 trading-day observation period. The conversion rate will be 45.9116 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $21.78 per share of common stock. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events. In addition, following specified corporate transactions that occur before the maturity date, the conversion rate will be increased for a holder who elects to convert the holder’s Notes in connection with such a corporate transaction in certain circumstances.

The Company may not redeem the Notes. If the Company undergoes a fundamental change, as defined in the Notes, holders may require the Company to purchase the Notes in whole or in part for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

The Notes are the Company’s direct, senior subordinated, unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness, senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness and junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness.

Amendments to Senior Secured Debt Agreements

Effective on June 18, 2007, the Company entered into amendments to its Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2002 (as previously amended, the “Credit Agreement”), with Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T) and the Reimbursement and Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2004, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as Bank and Administrative Agent (as previously amended, the “Reimbursement Agreement” and together with the Credit Agreement, the “Agreements”). BB&T has extended a senior secured revolving credit facility to the Company under the Credit Agreement. Among other things, the amendments:

 

   

extended the maturity of the revolving credit facility to June 30, 2010;

 

   

reset the maximum revolving commitment amount under the revolving credit facility to be (a) $70 million for the period commencing December 1 of each calendar year to and including May 31 of the immediately succeeding calendar year, and (b) $40 million for the period commencing June 1 to and including November 30 of each calendar year;

 

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amended the financial covenants the Company is required to observe under the Agreements, so that:

 

   

the Company’s ratio of total consolidated senior debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined for purposes of the Agreements (the “senior debt ratio”), may not be greater than 3.25:1.0 through March 31, 2008, and thereafter may not be greater than (a) 2.50:1.00 for any measurement period ending June 30 or September 30, and (b) 3.00:1.00 for any measurement period ending December 31 or March 31;

 

   

the Company’s ratio of total consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization, as defined for purposes of the Agreements, for any measurement period may not be greater than 60% through March 31, 2008, and thereafter may not be greater than (a) 50% as of any time of measurement during the calendar quarters ending June 30 and September 30, and (b) 60% as of any time of measurement during the calendar quarters ending December 31 and March 31; and

 

   

the Company’s ratio of EBITDA to fixed charges, as defined for purposes of the Agreements (the “fixed charge coverage ratio”), may not be less than (a) 1.25:1.00 for any measurement period through March 31, 2008, and (b) 1.40:1.00 for any measurement period thereafter;

 

   

amended the applicable real estate term loan margin, the applicable revolving loan margin and the unused commitment fee percentage definitions in the Credit Agreement so that such loan margins and fee percentage will be determined with reference to the Company’s ratio of funded net senior debt to EBITDA, as defined for purposes of the Reimbursement Agreement; and

 

   

revised the annual facility fee payable by the Company under the Reimbursement Agreement, which will be calculated based on the Company’s ratio of funded net senior debt to EBITDA (as defined for purposes of the Reimbursement Agreement).

Amounts drawn under the new revolving credit facility are subject to a borrowing base consisting of certain accounts receivables and finished goods inventories. As of September 30, 2007, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility and the borrowing base totaled approximately $66.7 million.

On June 18, 2007, concurrently with the effectiveness of the foregoing amendments to the Agreements, the Company executed three promissory notes to BB&T under the Credit Agreement secured by real property of the Company in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $6.7 million. The three promissory notes, which replace previously outstanding promissory notes, extend the maturity of the underlying indebtedness to June 30, 2011.

Consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company capitalized $4.0 million of financing-related expenses as deferred financing costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 relating to the refinancing of the Company’s revolving credit facility and issuance of the Notes and the foregoing real estate notes. The deferred financing costs will be amortized over the terms of the various debt instruments for periods that will vary between three to five years.

Covenants

As of September 30, 2007, the Company was not in compliance with the senior debt ratio covenant or the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under the Agreements. Such noncompliance constituted an event of default under each Agreement. On November 5, 2007, effective as of September 30, 2007, BB&T and JPMorgan waived the Company’s noncompliance with these covenants solely with respect to its noncompliance as of the September 30, 2007 measurement date. As a condition of the limited waivers, the Company agreed that, on or before November 21, 2007, to secure the Company’s obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement, it would grant to JPMorgan (1) a second-priority lien on the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory which currently secure the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and (2) a first-priority lien on all fixtures and personalty (including machinery and equipment, but excluding inventory) at the Company’s Mississippi facility which are not currently subject to liens. Any failure by the Company to create and perfect such liens by the required date would constitute an event of default under the Reimbursement Agreement. The Company has further agreed to cause its consignees to enter into agreements providing BB&T and JPMorgan certain rights with respect to inventory held by such consignees. The Company’s failure to provide such agreements by the dates specified would disqualify inventory held by certain consignees as being eligible for borrowing base purposes under the Credit Agreement and could constitute an event of default under the Agreements.

 

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As of September 30, 2007, the Company was also not in compliance with the covenant in its Standing Loan Agreement (Nevada) with Bank of America, N.A., dated as of September 28, 1999 (as amended, the “Standing Loan Agreement”), with respect to its fixed charge ratio (as defined for purposes of the Standing Loan Agreement). Such noncompliance constituted a default under the Standing Loan Agreement. By letter dated November 6, 2007, Bank of America, N.A. agreed to waive the exercise of its rights and remedies arising as a result of the Company’s noncompliance with this covenant for the measurement period ended September 30, 2007.

Based on its anticipated operating results, the Company currently expects that it will need, and the Company will seek, to obtain amendments to the above-described covenants under the Agreements and the Standing Loan Agreement prescribing the senior debt and fixed charge coverage ratios to achieve compliance with these ratios as of December 31, 2007 and as of quarterly measurement dates in 2008. There can be no assurance as to whether, or as to the terms on which, the Company will be able to obtain any such amendments or waivers. Because the Company’s ability to obtain such amendments, or waivers of any future noncompliance with such covenants, and accordingly to avoid incurring future events of default under the Credit Agreement, the Reimbursement Agreement and the Standing Loan Agreement is uncertain, the Company has reclassified $5.8 million of amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, $25.0 million of amounts outstanding under the Reimbursement Agreement and $3.7 million of amounts outstanding under the Standing Loan Agreement as of September 30, 2007 as current liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 78, Classification of Obligations that are Callable by a Creditor.

Interest-Rate Swap Contracts

The Company uses interest-rate swap contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the interest rates under its variable-rate real estate loans and variable-rate promissory note. At September 30, 2007, the Company had limited its interest rate exposure on all of its $10.7 million real estate loans to an annual effective rate of approximately 9.0%. In addition, the Company had limited its interest rate exposure to an annual effective rate of approximately 3.12% through January 2012 on $10.0 million of the principal amount of its $25.0 million promissory note, and to an annual effective rate of approximately 2.95% through January 2010 on an additional $10.0 million of the principal amount on such promissory note.

 

8. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2006    2007     2006    2007  

Numerator:

          

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

   $ 4,579    $ (41,227 )   $ 16,134    $ (34,914 )
                              

Denominator:

          

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     14,838,343      14,892,507       14,825,287      14,878,951  

Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options

     21,718      —         24,140      —    

Restricted stock

     61,090      —         59,048      —    
                              

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     14,921,151      14,892,507       14,908,475      14,878,951  
                              

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.31    $ (2.77 )   $ 1.09    $ (2.35 )
                              

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.31    $ (2.77 )   $ 1.08    $ (2.35 )
                              

The Company has evaluated the dilutive effect of its convertible notes (as described in Note 7). As of September 30, 2007, there was no such dilutive effect. However, if the convertible notes were converted into common stock, the additional shares of common stock outstanding would be 1,119,095 weighted average common shares for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost includes (1) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (2) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R).

The Company has one stock-based compensation plan, the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”), which was approved by its shareholders. The 2005 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Stock-based compensation is granted to officers, directors and certain key employees in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock and performance share awards. The total aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the 2005 Plan is 2,150,000 shares.

 

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The fair value of each stock option award and SAR is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing formula. For stock options and SARs issued in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, the assumptions shown in the following table were used:

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2007  

Weighted-average fair value grants

   $ 10.28     $ 10.63  

Dividend yield

     0 %     0 %

Average risk-free interest rate

     4.4 %     4.7 %

Expected term (years)

     5       5  

Expected volatility

     41 %     41 %

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation grants for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:

 

     Stock Awards Granted   

Weighted-Average

Grant Price

Per Share

Stock options

   —        —  

Stock appreciation rights

   207,432    $ 24.56

Performance share awards

   7,213      25.37

Restricted stock

   188,331      23.44

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 (in millions):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

     2006    2007    2006    2007

Stock options and stock appreciation rights

   $ 0.6    $ 1.0    $ 1.6    $ 1.9

Performance share awards and restricted stock

     0.1      0.4      0.4      1.2
                           

Total stock-based compensation

   $ 0.7    $ 1.4    $ 2.0    $ 3.1
                           

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and stock awards as of September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007 totaled $4.1 million and $8.1 million, respectively. The cost of these non-vested awards is being recognized over the requisite vesting period.

As reported by the Company on its current report Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 20, 2007, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved amendments to the terms of certain outstanding awards of SARs and restricted stock granted under the 2005 Plan to Anthony J. Cavanna during his service as an executive officer. As a result of such amendments, the Company recorded an additional $0.7 million of stock-based compensation in the three months ended September 30, 2007.

 

10. INCOME TAXES

As a result of its adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized a charge of $2.7 million to the January 1, 2007 retained earnings balance. As of the adoption date, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.9 million, of which $1.6 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.4 million, of which $1.6 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. In addition, the Company had accrued interest and penalty expenses related to the unrecognized tax benefits of $1.5 and $1.6 million, as of January 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007, respectively. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company’s evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, which are the tax years that remain subject to examination by federal and state tax jurisdictions as of September 30, 2007.

 

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As of December 31, 2006, the Company had a valuation allowance of $2.2 million related to the realizability of certain state tax credits. The Company has determined the need for an additional valuation allowance of $2.1 million regarding such credits based on changes in management’s estimates regarding future taxable income. As of September 30, 2007, the Company’s valuation allowance totaled $4.3 million.

 

11. SEASONALITY

The Company’s net sales and income from operations have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Such variations are principally attributable to seasonal trends in the demand for Trex®. The Company has historically experienced lower net sales during the fourth quarter because holidays and adverse weather conditions in certain regions reduce the level of home improvement and new construction activity. Net sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2006 accounted for approximately 85% and 90% of annual net sales in the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

12. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

On September 10, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan intended to reduce operating costs and improve the efficiency of the Company’s manufacturing operations. Pursuant to the plan, the Company will suspend operations at its manufacturing facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi for an indeterminate amount of time, and will consolidate all manufacturing operations into its other two plants, located in Winchester, Virginia and Fernley, Nevada.

In connection with the plan, the Company expects to incur total facility exit and restructuring costs, all of which will be cash charges, of approximately $2.8 million, including approximately $1.0 million for personnel-related costs and approximately $1.8 million for facilities-related and other costs. The Company recognized $1.5 million of these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and expects to recognize substantially all of the remaining costs during the three months ending December 31, 2007.

As of September 30, 2007, the net book value of the property, plant and equipment located at the Olive Branch facility was $35.5 million. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company evaluated the $35.5 million of assets and determined that no impairment exists as of September 30, 2007. The Company will continue to evaluate the assets for impairment as required by SFAS 144. Changes to key management assumptions, including the planned future use of the facility, could result in an impairment charge in future periods.

 

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Product Warranty

Under the Company’s limited warranty with consumers, the Company warrants that its products will be free from material defects in workmanship and material and will not check, split, splinter, rot or suffer structural damage from termites or fungal decay. If there is such a defect in any of its products, the Company has an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price, in either case generally without any payment for labor to replace the defective product or freight. The Company may voluntarily replace a product or refund a portion of the purchase price to consumers as a matter of consumer relations, even though the Company does not have a legal obligation to do so. The Company establishes warranty reserves to provide for estimated future expenses as a result of product defects that result in claims. Liability estimates are based on management’s judgment, considering such factors as historical experience and other available information. Management reviews and adjusts these estimates on a quarterly basis based on the differences between actual experience and historical estimates.

During 2005, the Company began receiving claims related to the replacement of Trex product that exhibited surface defects. Initial analysis of the available data indicated that the product failure was confined to material produced in 2003 at the Nevada manufacturing facility and that the “incubation” period, or the period between deck installation and appearance of the defect and related submission of a claim, was approximately two years. Based on these factors, the Company concluded that substantially all of the costs related to the defective material had been recognized and estimated that the future costs related to the defect were immaterial. During late 2006 and into mid-2007, the Company began receiving claims that indicated that the product failure was not limited to 2003 production. Throughout this period, management initiated efforts to investigate the source of the problem and identify the affected production and implemented progressive improvements to the manufacturing process at the Nevada facility to stem the continued production of defective material. During the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company concluded that product failures extended to include 2004 production from the Nevada facility and increased its warranty liability accordingly.

 

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During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company experienced a significant increase in the number of customer claims related to the defect that indicated that product failures extended beyond 2004 production from the Nevada facility and that the rate of failure was greater than previously estimated. Following a detailed analysis of the additional claims data, production samples, operating data and the incubation period after deck installation and other factors, the Company believes that only a small percentage of the product manufactured from 2003 to mid-2006 at the Nevada plant was affected, and that products manufactured at its other facilities are not affected. The decks affected by the defects are subject to deterioration between two and three years after installation. The Company believes that changes made to its manufacturing process and quality control procedures have prevented any additional product with this type of defect from reaching the market after mid-2006, although it cannot provide assurance in this regard.

Based on the data currently available, the Company has revised its estimate of expected future product replacement and consumer relations expenses related to the defect and adjusted its warranty liability to $48.0 million by recording a charge to earnings of $45.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007. To estimate the liability, the Company primarily relies on information obtained from consumers through the claims process to determine the volume of product susceptible to defect and the rate of failure. Management also continually reevaluates its practices regarding discretionary payments made to consumers for installation labor costs for which the Company is not obligated to pay under the provisions of the Company’s limited warranty. Although the Company adjusted the warranty liability accordingly by recording the best estimate of the expected costs, due to the highly subjective nature of the available data, it is possible that the ultimate settlement of the claims may exceed the amount recorded and may result in future charges against earnings.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s warranty liability (in thousands):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2007

 

Balance as of December 31, 2006

   $ 2,467  

Provision for estimated warranties

     63,950  

Settlements made during the period

     (18,426 )
        

Balance as of September 30, 2007

   $ 47,991  
        

Lease Contingency

In anticipation of relocating the Company’s corporate headquarters, the Company entered into a lease agreement in July 2005. The Company reconsidered and decided not to move its headquarters. The lease, which began on January 1, 2006 and extends through June 30, 2019, currently obligates the Company to lease 55,047 square feet and increases to 80,071 square feet during 2012 through the end of the lease term. The Company has executed subleases for 45,915 square feet and is currently attempting to sublet the remaining office space. The Company estimates that the present value of the estimated future sublease rental receipts, net of transaction costs, will be less than the Company’s remaining minimum lease payment obligations under its lease for the office space. Accordingly, the Company accounts for the costs associated with the lease as contract termination costs in accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company executed subleases with slightly different terms from those previously used to estimate future sublease receipts and changed its assumption regarding the commencement date used to estimate future sublease receipts for the remaining space that has not been sublet. As a result, the Company recorded an additional charge of $0.1 million.

The Company’s assumptions in estimating future sublease receipts included consideration of vacancy rates, rental rates and the timing of future subleases. Vacancy rates in the area where the property is located have remained stable while rental rates have increased marginally. Management believes that the rental rates on the Company’s existing subleases are an indicator of current market rates in the area and has, therefore, incorporated the rates into its calculation of the estimated sublease receipts. However, the delivery of a significant amount of new office space in the area could have a negative effect on vacancy rates and rental rates. The inability to sublet the remaining office space or unfavorable changes to key management assumptions used in the estimate of the future sublease receipts may result in additional charges to selling, general and administrative expenses in future periods.

 

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As of September 30, 2007, the minimum payments remaining under the Company’s lease over the fiscal years ending December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are $0.4 million, $1.5 million, $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and $18.7 million thereafter. The minimum receipts remaining under the Company’s existing subleases over the fiscal years ending December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are $0.1 million, $1.1 million, $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and $3.4 million thereafter. The following table provides information about the Company’s liability under the lease (in thousands):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2007

 

Balance as of December 31, 2006

   $ 1,765  

Less: cash payments, net

     (889 )

Accretion of discount

     88  

Add: additional charge due to changes in estimated sublease receipts

     391  
        

Balance as of September 30, 2007

   $ 1,355  
        

Legal Matters

The Company is involved in certain litigation as described in Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2006 Form 10-K. In addition, the Company currently has other lawsuits, as well as other claims, pending against it. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of these lawsuits and claims will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or competitive position.

Related Parties

Anthony J. Cavanna retired as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective August 15, 2007 and continues to serve as Chairman of the Board. Effective September 10, 2007, Mr. Cavanna was appointed as the interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company following the resignation of the former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In connection with Mr. Cavanna’s service as interim Chief Financial Officer, the Company and Mr. Cavanna entered into a consulting agreement which will remain in effect until terminated by either the Company or Mr. Cavanna on seven days’ prior written notice. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Cavanna will receive consulting fees of $23,000 per calendar month, prorated for any partial months of service, and will be reimbursed for reasonable business travel expenses incurred in connection with his performance of services under the agreement. During the term of the consulting agreement, Mr. Cavanna will not receive any fees for his services as Chairman of the Board.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to our industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” or similar expressions. We cannot promise you that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations because of various factors, including the factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Overview

General. Management considers growth in net sales, gross margin, selling, general and administrative expenses, and net income as key indicators of our operating performance. Growth in net sales reflects consumer acceptance of composite decking, railing and fencing, the demand for Trex® over competing products, the success of our branding strategy, the effectiveness of our distributors, and the strength of our dealer network and contractor franchise. Management emphasizes gross margin as a key measure of performance because it reflects the company’s ability to price its products accurately and to effectively manage its manufacturing unit costs. Managing selling, general and administrative expenses is important to support profitable growth. The company’s investment in research and development activities, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, enables it to enhance manufacturing operations, develop new products and analyze new technologies. Management considers net income to be a measure of the company’s overall financial performance.

In the last three years, the company has expanded its product offerings by introducing the Trex Accents®, Trex Brasilia® and Trex Contours® decking product lines and the new Trex Designer Series Railing® and Trex Artisan Series Railing® products. Sales of the Trex Accents and Trex Contours products accounted for approximately 66.7% of total gross sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Sales of the Trex Brasilia, Trex Designer Series Railing and Trex Artisan Series Railing products accounted for approximately 22.9% of total gross sales in the same quarter. Because these new products have a higher sales price per unit, the introduction of the products into the sales mix had a positive effect on total revenue. The company expects that the demand for the Trex Brasilia, Trex Designer Series Railing and Trex Artisan Series Railing products will grow as a result of expanded marketing and merchandising efforts. In 2006, the company introduced a fencing product, Trex Seclusions®, in limited test markets. Sales of Trex Seclusions were not material in the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The company expects that the demand for Trex Seclusions will grow as fencing wholesalers and installers become more familiar with the product.

In 2008, the company expects to introduce Trex Escapes™, which is an ultra low-maintenance deck board, and Trex Trim™, which is an external trim product. Both of these products will be manufactured for the company by third-party manufacturers.

The management of raw material costs, the improvement of manufacturing performance and the enhancement of product quality constitute some of the company’s principal operating objectives. During 2005 and 2006, manufacturing unit costs increased primarily because of higher costs for reclaimed polyethylene, or “PE material,” lower manufacturing plant utilization and incremental costs associated with the company’s quality initiatives. During 2006, and through the first nine months of 2007, a significant portion of the capital investments made by the company has been for the purchase and installation of PE material processing equipment and manufacturing equipment necessary to enable the company to manage effectively its cost of PE material and improve manufacturing performance. The new equipment has resulted in incremental monthly improvements in manufacturing efficiencies during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a trend the company expects to continue during the fourth quarter of 2007.

The company continues to focus on product quality initiatives to enhance the appearance of the entire product line. These initiatives emphasize color consistency and other product specifications. Each manufacturing plant has added personnel to its inspection functions and finished goods packaging has been redesigned to minimize damage to the product in transit. These quality initiatives have contributed to higher manufacturing costs by reducing manufacturing efficiencies as well as increasing labor and raw material costs.

The company continues to experience increased costs, which adversely affect profitability, related to the replacement of Trex product that exhibited surface defects and which the company has determined was produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility beginning in 2003. The costs related to the replacement of this product are reflected in net sales as product replacement costs, thereby reducing net sales, while the costs related to installation labor are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses as consumer relations expenses. The company maintains a warranty liability for expected future product replacement and consumer relations expenses and reviews and adjusts the liability on a quarterly basis.

 

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During 2005, the company began receiving claims related to the replacement of Trex product that exhibited surface defects. Initial analysis of the available data indicated that the product failure was confined to material produced in 2003 at the Nevada manufacturing facility and that the “incubation” period, or the period between deck installation and appearance of the defect and related submission of a claim, was approximately two years. Based on these factors, the company concluded that substantially all of the costs related to the defective material had been recognized and estimated that the future costs related to the defect were immaterial. During late 2006 and into mid-2007, the company began receiving claims that indicated that the product failure was not limited to 2003 production. Throughout this period, management initiated efforts to investigate the source of the problem and identify the affected production and implemented progressive improvements to the manufacturing process at the Nevada facility to stem the continued production of defective material. During the three months ended June 30, 2007, the company concluded that product failures extended to include 2004 production from the Nevada facility and increased its warranty liability accordingly.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the company experienced a significant increase in the number of customer claims related to the defect that indicated that product failures extended beyond 2004 production from the Nevada facility and that the rate of failure was greater than previously estimated. Following a detailed analysis of the additional claims data, production samples, operating data and the incubation period after deck installation and other factors, the company believes that only a small percentage of the product manufactured from 2003 to mid-2006 at the Nevada plant was affected, and that products manufactured at other Trex facilities are not affected. The decks affected by the defects are subject to deterioration between two and three years after installation. The company believes that changes made to its manufacturing process and quality control procedures have prevented any additional product with this type of defect from reaching the market after mid-2006, although it cannot provide assurance in this regard.

Based on the data currently available, the company has revised its estimate of expected future product replacement and consumer relations expenses related to the defect and adjusted its warranty liability to $48.0 million by recording a charge to earnings of $45.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2007. To estimate the liability, the company primarily relies on information obtained from consumers through the claims process to determine the volume of product susceptible to defect and the rate of failure. Management also continually reevaluates its practices regarding discretionary payments made to consumers for installation labor costs for which the company is not obligated to pay under the provisions of the company’s limited warranty. Although the company adjusted the warranty liability accordingly by recording the best estimate of the expected costs, due to the highly subjective nature of the available data, it is possible that the ultimate settlement of the claims may exceed the amount recorded and result in future charges against earnings.

Inventory is stated at the lower of standard cost or net realizable value. The company periodically reviews its inventory for slow moving or obsolete items and writes down the related products to estimated net realizable value. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, management decided to reclaim certain finished goods inventories for future use in the Company’s manufacturing process. As a result, the Company recorded a $9.4 million charge to write down the affected inventory to reclaim value.

Net Sales. Net sales consist of sales and freight, net of returns, discounts and changes in the warranty reserve. The level of net sales is principally affected by sales volume and the prices paid for Trex. The company’s branding and product differentiation strategy enables it to command premium prices over wood and to maintain price stability for Trex. To ensure adequate availability of product to meet anticipated seasonal consumer demand, the company has historically provided its distributors and dealers incentives to build inventory levels before the start of the prime deck-building season. These incentives include prompt payment discounts or extended payment terms. In addition, the company from time to time may offer price discounts on specified products and other incentives based on increases in distributor purchases as part of specific promotional programs.

On July 27, 2007, the company advised one of its distributors that it was terminating the company’s distributor agreement with the distributor effective August 26, 2007. The company took this action because the distributor advised the company that it intended to carry a competitive product, which the company believes would constitute a violation of the distributor agreement. In 2006, this distributor accounted for approximately 16% of the company’s gross sales. The company has retained new distributors to distribute its products in the affected territories previously serviced by the terminated distributor. Although the termination of this distributor may have had a short-term negative effect on sales in the affected service areas while the company engaged replacement distributors, the company does not believe that the termination will have a long-term negative impact on its net sales or operating performance.

 

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There are no product return rights granted to the company’s distributors except those granted pursuant to the warranty provisions of the company’s agreement with its distributors. Under such warranty provisions, the company warrants that its products will be free from defects in workmanship and materials and will conform to the company’s standard specifications for its products in effect at the time of the shipment. If there is such a defect in any of its products, the company has an obligation under its warranty to replace the products. On some occasions, the company will voluntarily replace products for distributors as a matter of distributor relations, even though the company does not have a legal obligation to do so. Product returns were not material to net sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2007 or September 30, 2006.

Under the company’s limited warranty with consumers, the company warrants that its products will be free from material defects in workmanship and material and will not check, split, splinter, rot or suffer structural damage from termites or fungal decay. If there is such a defect in any of its products, the company has an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price, in either case generally without any payment for labor to replace the defective product or freight. The company may voluntarily replace a product or refund a portion of the purchase price to consumers as a matter of consumer relations, even though the company does not have a legal obligation to do so. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the company experienced an increase in product replacement expenses resulting from an increase in the warranty reserve.

Gross Profit. Gross profit represents the difference between net sales and cost of sales. Cost of sales consists of raw materials costs, direct labor costs, manufacturing costs and freight. Raw materials costs generally include the costs to purchase and transport waste wood fiber, PE material and pigmentation for coloring Trex products. Direct labor costs include wages and benefits of personnel engaged in the manufacturing process. Manufacturing costs consist of costs of depreciation, utilities, maintenance supplies and repairs, indirect labor, including wages and benefits, and warehouse and equipment rental activities.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The largest components of selling, general and administrative expenses are branding and other sales and marketing costs. Sales and marketing costs consist primarily of salaries, commissions and benefits paid to sales and marketing personnel, consumer relations, advertising expenses and other promotional costs. General and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits of personnel engaged in research and development, procurement, accounting and other business functions, office occupancy costs attributable to these functions, and professional fees. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses have varied from quarter to quarter due, in part, to the seasonality of the company’s business. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the company experienced an increase in consumer relations expenses resulting from an increase in the warranty reserve.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared With Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

Net Sales. Net sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2007 (the “2007 quarter”) decreased 18.1% to $64.0 million from $78.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “2006 quarter”). The decrease in net sales was attributable to an increase of $45.2 million to the company’s warranty reserve, which related to Trex product produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility, as described under “Overview.” The effect of the increase in the warranty reserve was to reduce net sales by $16.1 million. Before giving effect to the increase in the warranty reserve, net sales for the 2007 quarter totaled $80.1 million, which represented a 2.6% increase from the 2006 quarter. The increase in net sales, before the increased warranty reserve, was primarily attributable to a 4.7% increase in revenue per product unit on comparable sales volume. The increase in revenue per product unit resulted from increased sales of higher unit priced products. The positive impact of this factor on net sales performance was adversely affected by an increase in product replacement expenses incurred during the 2007 quarter, which were in addition to the increase in the warranty reserve, resulting from discretionary replacements, substantially all of which related to Trex product produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility. Product replacement expenses incurred during the 2007 quarter were $3.6 million, or 4.2% of gross sales, in the 2007 quarter compared to $1.5 million, or 1.9% of gross sales, in the 2006 quarter.

Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased 142.0% to ($9.7) million in the 2007 quarter from $23.0 million in the 2006 quarter. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction in net sales resulting from the effect of the increase in the warranty reserve of $16.1 million and the effect of a $9.4 million inventory valuation adjustment for certain inventories reclaimed for use in the company’s manufacturing process. Before giving effect to the increase in the warranty reserve and inventory valuation adjustment, gross profit for the 2007 quarter was $15.8 million, which represented a decrease of 31.1% from the 2006 quarter. Before giving effect to the increased warranty reserve and inventory valuation adjustment, gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 19.8% in the 2007 quarter from 29.4% in the 2006 quarter. The decrease in gross margin in the 2007 quarter, before giving effect to the increased warranty reserve and inventory valuation adjustment, as compared to gross margin in the 2006 quarter, resulted from a decrease in production rates and yields and higher labor and manufacturing costs due to product quality initiatives and lower manufacturing utilization, which accounted for an 8.0% decrease in gross margin.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 237.7% to $52.1 million in the 2007 quarter from $15.4 million in the 2006 quarter. The higher selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily attributable to the increased warranty reserve, which increased selling, general and administrative expenses by $29.1 million. Before giving effect to the increase in the warranty reserve, selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2007 quarter were $23.0 million, which represented a 49.0% increase from the 2006 quarter. The higher selling, general and administrative expenses, before the increased warranty reserve, resulted from a $3.1 million increase in incentive compensation accruals, an increase of $2.8 million in consumer relations expenses incurred during the 2007 quarter, in addition to the increase in the warranty reserve (substantially all of which related to Trex product produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility), $1.5 million of expense related to the temporary shutdown of the Company’s Olive Branch, Mississippi manufacturing facility in the 2007 quarter and a $0.7 million expense recognized for the acceleration of stock-based compensation upon the retirement of a key executive during the 2007 quarter. The increase in incentive compensation included a reversal in the 2006 quarter of $3.1 million in accruals made during the first six months of 2006. The reversal resulted from management’s assessment that lesser amounts would be earned and payable under incentive compensation programs related to the company’s financial performance for fiscal year 2006. Consumer relations expenses were $5.6 million, or 6.6% of gross sales, in the 2007 quarter compared to $2.8 million, or 3.5% of gross sales, in the 2006 quarter. The effect of these factors was offset in part by a $0.3 million decrease in expenses associated with the lease for office space the company is attempting to sublet. For additional information regarding the lease, see Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report. Before the increased warranty reserve, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 28.7% in the 2007 quarter from 19.7% in the 2006 quarter.

Interest Expense. Net interest expense increased to $2.0 million in the 2007 quarter from $0.3 million in the 2006 quarter. The increase in net interest expense resulted primarily from an increase in average debt balances as a result of the company’s issuance in the second quarter of 2007 and the 2007 quarter of a total of $97.5 million principal amount of senior subordinated convertible notes. The company retired $24.0 million principal amount of senior secured notes with the proceeds of the convertible notes offering and, in connection with the retirement, paid a $0.6 million prepayment penalty in the second quarter of 2007. The company capitalized $0.2 million and $0.4 million of interest on construction in process in the 2007 and 2006 quarters, respectively.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. The company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $22.5 million in the 2007 quarter compared to a provision for income taxes of $2.7 million in the 2006 quarter. The related effective tax rates were a benefit of 35.3% for the 2007 quarter and a provision of 36.9% in the 2006 quarter. The decrease in the effective tax rate in the 2007 quarter resulted from the recording of an additional valuation allowance related to the realizability of certain state tax credits of $2.1 million in the 2007 quarter based on changes in management’s estimates regarding future taxable income.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared With Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Net Sales. Net sales in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 (the “2007 nine-month period”) decreased 2.0% to $298.7 million from $304.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006 (the “2006 nine-month period”). The decrease in net sales was attributable to an increase of $45.5 million in the company’s warranty reserve, which related to Trex product produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility, as described under “Overview.” The effect of the increase in the warranty reserve was to reduce net sales by $16.8 million. Before giving effect to the increase in the warranty reserve, net sales for the 2007 nine-month period totaled $315.5 million, which represented a 3.5% increase from the 2006 nine-month period. The increase in net sales, before the increased warranty reserve, was primarily attributable to an increase in revenue per product unit and lower sales discounts. The increase in revenue per product unit resulted from a price increase of 7% on all products effective in May 2006. Lower sales discounts resulted from the extension of fewer incentives to distributors in the company’s annual sales discount programs. The positive impact of these factors was offset, in part, by lower sales volume and an increase in product replacement expenses incurred during the 2007 nine-month period, which were in addition to the increase in the warranty reserve resulting from discretionary replacements, substantially all of which related to Trex product produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility. Product replacement expenses incurred during the nine-month period were $8.0 million, or 2.4% of gross sales, in the 2007 nine-month period compared to $4.0 million, or 1.3% of gross sales, in the 2006 nine-month period.

Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased 47.4% to $44.1 million in the 2007 nine-month period from $83.9 million in the 2006 nine-month period. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction in net sales resulting from the increase in the warranty reserve in the 2007 quarter and the effect of a $9.4 million inventory valuation adjustment for certain inventories reclaimed for use in the company’s manufacturing process. Before giving effect to the increase in the warranty reserve and inventory valuation adjustment, gross profit for the 2007 nine-month period was $70.3 million, which represented a decrease of 16.2% from the 2006 nine-month period. The decrease, before the increased warranty reserve and inventory

 

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valuation adjustment, was primarily attributable to the decrease in sales volume and higher unit manufacturing costs, which resulted principally from production inefficiencies and lower manufacturing utilization. Before the increased warranty reserve and inventory valuation adjustment, gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 22.3% in the 2007 nine-month period from 27.5% in the 2006 nine-month period. The decrease in gross margin in the 2007 nine-month period, before giving effect to the increased warranty reserve and inventory valuation adjustment, as compared to gross margin in the 2006 nine-month period, primarily resulted from a decrease in production rates and yields, higher raw materials costs and higher labor and manufacturing costs due to product quality initiatives and lower manufacturing utilization, which accounted for a 9.2% decrease in gross margin. The negative effect of these factors in the 2007 nine-month period was offset in part by higher sales prices and an improved product mix, which accounted for a 4.0% increase in gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 62.1% to $92.0 million in the 2007 nine-month period from $56.7 million in the 2006 nine-month period. The higher selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily attributable to the increased warranty reserve, which increased selling, general and administrative expenses by $28.7 million. Before giving effect to the increase in the warranty reserve, selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2007 nine-month period were $63.2 million, which represented an 11.5% increase from the 2006 nine-month period. The higher selling, general and administrative expenses, before the increased warranty reserve, resulted from an increase of $5.8 million in consumer relations expenses (substantially all of which related to Trex product produced at the Nevada manufacturing facility), a $2.2 million increase in personnel related costs, $1.5 million of expense related to the temporary shutdown of the company’s Olive Branch, Mississippi manufacturing facility in the 2007 quarter and an increase of $1.3 million in professional fees. Consumer relations expenses were $12.2 million, or 3.7% of gross sales, in the 2007 nine-month period compared to $6.3 million, or 2.0% of gross sales, in the 2006 nine-month period. The effect of these factors was offset in part by the company’s receipt of $3.25 million in reimbursement of previously paid attorney fees under a previously reported settlement with ExxonMobil and a $1.3 million decrease in expenses associated with the lease for office space the company is attempting to sublet. For additional information regarding the lease, see Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report. Before the increased warranty reserve, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 20.0% in the 2007 nine-month period from 18.6% in the 2006 nine-month period.

Interest Expense. Net interest expense increased to $6.2 million in the 2007 nine-month period from $2.2 million in the 2006 nine-month period. The increase in net interest expense resulted from an increase in average debt balances under the company’s revolving credit facility and from an increase in total debt as a result of the company’s issuance in the second quarter of 2007 and the 2007 quarter of a total of $97.5 million principal amount of senior subordinated convertible notes. The company retired $24.0 million principal amount of senior secured notes with the proceeds of the convertible notes offering and, in connection with the retirement, paid a $0.6 million prepayment penalty. The higher average debt balances under the company’s revolving credit facility during the 2007 nine-month period were required to fund the higher levels of inventories at each manufacturing location. The company capitalized $0.9 million and $1.1 million of interest on construction in process in the 2007 and 2006 nine-month periods, respectively.

Provision for Income Taxes. The company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $19.2 million in the 2007 nine-month period compared to a provision for income taxes of $8.9 million in the 2006 nine-month period. The related effective tax rates were a benefit of 35% for the 2007 nine-month period and a provision of 35% in the 2006 nine-month period. The effective tax rate in the 2007 nine-month period resulted from the recording of an additional valuation allowance related to the realizability of certain state tax credits of $2.1 million based on changes in management’s estimates regarding future taxable income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The company finances its operations and growth primarily with cash flow from operations, borrowings under its credit facility and other loans, operating leases and normal trade credit terms from operating activities.

At September 30, 2007, the company had a total of $19.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $2.2 million at September 30, 2006 and $0.6 million at December 31, 2006. Cash and cash equivalents increased $19.1 million during the 2007 nine-month period primarily from the company’s issuance of its 6.00% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”) through an underwritten public offering in June 2007. Net offering proceeds were used to repay indebtedness, including the Company’s 8.32% Senior Secured Notes due July 19, 2009 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) and borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The remaining net offering proceeds have funded working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The company believes that cash on hand, cash from operations and (subject to resolution of the covenant compliance matters discussed below) borrowings expected to be available under the company’s existing revolving credit facility will provide sufficient funds to enable the company to fund its planned capital expenditures, make scheduled principal and interest payments, fund the warranty reserve, meet its other cash requirements and maintain compliance with terms of its borrowing agreements for at least the

 

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next 12 months. Thereafter, significant capital expenditures may be required to provide increased capacity to meet the expected growth in demand for the company’s products. The company currently expects that it will fund its future capital expenditures from operations and financing activities. The actual amount and timing of the company’s future capital requirements may differ materially from the company’s estimate depending on the demand for Trex and new market developments and opportunities.

The company’s ability to meet its cash needs during the next 12 months and thereafter could be adversely affected by various circumstances, including increases in raw materials and product replacement costs, quality control problems, higher than expected product warranty claims, service disruptions and lower than expected collections of accounts receivable. In addition, any failure by the company to negotiate amendments to its existing debt agreements to resolve expected future noncompliance with financial covenants could adversely affect the company’s liquidity by reducing its access to revolving credit borrowings needed primarily to fund its seasonal borrowing needs. The company may determine that it is necessary or desirable to obtain additional financing through bank borrowings or the issuance of debt or equity securities to address such contingencies or changes to its business plan. Debt financing would increase the company’s level of indebtedness, while equity financing would dilute the ownership of the company’s stockholders. There can be no assurance as to whether, or as to the terms on which, the company would be able to obtain such financing, which would be restricted by covenants contained in its existing debt agreements.

Sources and Uses of Cash. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $15.5 million in the 2007 nine-month period, compared to $25.1 million in the 2006 nine-month period. The year-over-year decrease in operating cash flows of $9.6 million was attributable to a net decrease of $51.0 million in net income combined with a net decrease of $18.9 million in non-cash items, which was offset, in part, by improved net working capital of $60.4 million. The increase in working capital resulted primarily from a $37.8 million decrease in inventories and a net increase of $21.8 million in net accrued expenses and accounts payable in the 2007 nine-month period.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $21.2 million in the 2007 nine-month period, compared to cash used in investing activities of $14.5 million in the 2006 nine-month period. Capital expenditures in the 2007 nine-month period were applied primarily to the purchase of plastic reprocessing, extrusion and additional embossing equipment.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $24.8 million in the 2007 nine-month period compared to cash used in financing activities of $9.7 million in the 2006 nine-month period. In the 2007 nine-month period, the company’s $94.2 million of net proceeds from its sale of $97.5 million principal amount of Notes was offset in part by net debt reductions of $45.7 million under its revolving credit facility and $24.0 million under its Senior Secured Notes

Indebtedness. At September 30, 2007, the company’s indebtedness totaled $133.9 million and the annualized overall weighted average interest rate of such indebtedness, including the effect of the company’s interest rate swaps, was approximately 5.72%.

On June 18, 2007, the company issued $85.0 million principal amount of Notes through an underwritten public offering. The company also amended the terms of its existing revolving credit facility and various real estate loans. The company used a portion of the net proceeds of $82.1 million from the sale of the Notes to repay in full $24.0 million principal amount of its Senior Secured Notes and $45.7 million principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. In connection with the retirement of its Senior Secured Notes, the company paid a prepayment penalty of $0.6 million.

On July 12, 2007, the underwriters of the Notes offering exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional $12.5 million principal amount of Notes. The company received net proceeds of $12.1 million from the sale of the additional Notes, which it issued on July 17, 2007. For information about the terms of Notes, see Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report.

Effective on June 18, 2007, the company entered into amendments to its Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2002 (as previously amended, the “Credit Agreement”), with Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”) and the Reimbursement and Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2004, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as Bank and Administrative Agent (as previously amended, the “Reimbursement Agreement” and together with the Credit Agreement, the “Agreements”). BB&T has extended a senior secured revolving credit facility to the Company under the Credit Agreement. Among other things, the amendments:

 

   

extended the maturity of the revolving credit facility to June 30, 2010;

 

   

reset the maximum revolving commitment amount under the revolving credit facility to be (a) $70 million for the period commencing December 1 of each calendar year to and including May 31 of the immediately succeeding calendar year, and (b) $40 million for the period commencing June 1 to and including November 30 of each calendar year;

 

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amended the financial covenants the Company is required to observe under the Agreements, so that;

 

   

the company’s ratio of total consolidated senior debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined for purposes of the Agreements (the “senior debt ratio”), may not be greater than 3.25 to 1.0 through March 31, 2008, and thereafter may not be greater than (a) 2.50 to 1.00 for any measurement period ending June 30 or September 30, and (b) 3.00 to 1.00 for any measurement period ending December 31 or March 31;

 

   

the company’s ratio of total consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization, as defined for purposes of the Agreements, for any measurement period may not be greater than 60% through March 31, 2008, and thereafter may not be greater than (a) 50% as of any time of measurement during the calendar quarters ending June 30 and September 30, and (b) 60% as of any time of measurement during the calendar quarters ending December 31 and March 31; and

 

   

the company’s ratio of EBITDA to fixed charges, as defined for purposes of the Agreements (the “fixed charge coverage ratio”), may not be less than (a) 1.25 to 1.00 for any measurement period through March 31, 2008, and (b) 1.40 to 1.00 for any measurement period thereafter;

 

   

amended the applicable real estate term loan margin, the applicable revolving loan margin and the unused commitment fee percentage definitions in the Credit Agreement so that such loan margins and fee percentage will be determined with reference to the company’s ratio of funded net senior debt to EBITDA, as defined for purposes of the Reimbursement Agreement; and

 

   

revised the annual facility fee payable by the company under the Reimbursement Agreement, which will be calculated based on the company’s ratio of funded net senior debt to EBITDA, as defined for purposes of the Reimbursement Agreement.

Amounts drawn under the new revolving credit facility are subject to a borrowing base consisting of certain accounts receivables and finished goods inventories. As of September 30, 2007, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility and the borrowing base totaled approximately $66.7 million.

On June 18, 2007, concurrently with the effectiveness of foregoing amendments to the Agreements, the company executed three promissory notes to BB&T under the Credit Agreement secured by real property of the company in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $6.7 million. The three promissory notes, which replace previously outstanding promissory notes, extend the maturity of the underlying indebtedness to June 30, 2011.

Consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, the company capitalized $4.0 million of financing-related expenses as deferred financing costs in the 2007 nine-month period relating to the refinancing of the company’s revolving credit facility and issuance of the Notes and the foregoing real estate notes. The deferred financing costs will be amortized over the terms of the various debt instruments for periods that will vary between three to five years.

Debt Covenants. As of September 30, 2007, the company was not in compliance with the senior debt ratio covenant or the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under the Agreements. Such noncompliance constituted an event of default under each Agreement. On November 5, 2007, effective as of September 30, 2007, BB&T and JPMorgan waived the company’s noncompliance with these covenants solely in respect of its noncompliance as of the September 30, 2007 measurement date. As a condition of the limited waivers, the company agreed that, on or before November 21, 2007, to secure the company’s obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement, it would grant to JPMorgan (1) a second-priority lien on the company’s accounts receivable and inventory which currently secure the company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and (2) a first-priority lien on all fixtures and personalty (including machinery and equipment, but excluding inventory) at the company’s Mississippi facility which are not currently subject to liens. Any failure by the company to create and perfect such liens by the required date would constitute an event of default under the Reimbursement Agreement. The company has further agreed to cause its consignees to enter into agreements providing BB&T and JPMorgan certain rights with respect to inventory held by such consignees. The company’s failure to provide such agreements by certain agreed dates would disqualify inventory held by certain consignees as being eligible for borrowing base purposes under the Credit Agreement and could constitute an event of default under the Agreements.

As of September 30, 2007, the company was also not in compliance with the covenant in its Standing Loan Agreement (Nevada) with Bank of America, N.A., dated as of September 28, 1999 (as amended, the “Standing Loan Agreement”) with respect to its fixed charge ratio (as defined for purposes of the Standing Loan Agreement). Such noncompliance constituted a default under the Standing Loan Agreement. By letter dated November 6, 2007, Bank of America, N.A. agreed to waive the exercise of its rights and remedies arising as a result of the company’s noncompliance with this covenant for the measurement period ended September 30, 2007.

 

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Based on its anticipated operating results, the company currently expects that it will need, and the company will seek, to obtain amendments to the above-described covenants under the Agreements and the Standing Loan Agreement prescribing the senior debt and fixed charge coverage ratios to achieve compliance with these ratios as of December 31, 2007 and as of quarterly measurement dates in 2008. Because the company’s ability to obtain such amendments, or waivers of any future noncompliance with such covenants, and accordingly to avoid incurring future events of default under the Credit Agreement, the Reimbursement Agreement and the Standing Loan Agreement is uncertain, the company has reclassified $5.8 million of amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, $25.0 million of amounts outstanding under the Reimbursement Agreement and $3.7 million of amounts outstanding under the Standing Loan Agreement as of September 30, 2007 as current liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 78, Classification of Obligations that are Callable by a Creditor.

If the company is unable to regain and maintain compliance with the foregoing financial covenants and other provisions of the foregoing agreements, whether in accordance with their existing terms or as they may be amended, the company’s lenders would have the right to enforce their claims against the company to the extent provided by the agreements and applicable law. In such an event, the lenders could accelerate the maturity of the company’s indebtedness under the agreements, which could cause an acceleration of the maturity of the Notes under cross-default provisions. Upon any such acceleration, if the company were unable to restructure or refinance such indebtedness or to negotiate forbearance or other arrangements with its lenders restricting the enforcement of remedies, the lenders would have the right to proceed against any collateral securing the indebtedness, as well as against other assets of the company.

Capital Requirements. The company made capital expenditures in the 2007 nine-month period totaling $21.2 million, primarily to purchase raw material reprocessing, extrusion and additional embossing equipment. The company currently estimates that its capital requirements for full-year 2007 will be approximately $25 million. The company expects that it will continue to make capital expenditures as needed in subsequent years to sustain the company’s manufacturing operations.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The company’s major market risk exposure is to changing interest rates. The company’s policy is to manage interest rates through the use of a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. The company uses interest-rate swap contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the interest rates on its variable-rate real estate debt, all of which is based on LIBOR, and on its $25.0 million variable-rate promissory note. The interest on the variable-rate promissory note is based on auction rates and is reset every seven days. At September 30, 2007, the company had limited its interest rate exposure on all of its $10.7 million real estate loans to an annual effective rate of approximately 9.0%. In addition, the company had limited its interest rate exposure to an annual effective rate of approximately 3.12% through January 2012 on $10.0 million of the principal amount of its $25.0 million promissory note, and to an annual effective rate of approximately 2.95% through January 2010 on an additional $10.0 million of the principal amount of such promissory note.

Changes in interest rates affect the fair value of the company’s fixed-rate debt. The fair value of the company’s long-term fixed-rate debt at September 30, 2007 was approximately $97.5 million. Based on balances outstanding at September 30, 2007, a 1% change in interest rates would change the fair value of the company’s long-term fixed-rate debt by $3.5 million at September 30, 2007.

The foregoing sensitivity analysis provides only a limited view as of a specific date regarding the sensitivity of some of the company’s financial instruments to market risk. The actual impact of changes in market interest rates on the financial instruments may differ significantly from the impact shown in this sensitivity analysis.

The company has a purchase agreement for PE material under which it has market risk related to foreign currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the euro. At current purchase levels, such exposure is not material. In addition, the company had a euro-denominated note receivable of 0.6 million euros at September 30, 2007.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer, who is the company’s principal executive officer, and its Chief Financial Officer, who is the company’s principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007. As previously disclosed under “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our 2006 fiscal year (the “2006 Form 10-K”), our management identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. Management concluded that the company did not have a sufficient complement of personnel with knowledge of the company’s financial reporting processes and adequate technical expertise in the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and experience in resolving

 

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non-routine or complex accounting matters. As a result, errors occurred in the accounting for certain transactions. Management’s review of these transactions and the related account analyses and reconciliations were not sufficient to detect the errors. The errors related to the company’s inventory, property, plant and equipment, accounts payable, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and income taxes.

Management also concluded that the company did not have appropriate controls to account properly for activity related to the purchase and receipt of goods and services and the related liabilities. In addition, the company’s related monitoring process is not sufficient to identify the resulting errors on a timely basis. The errors were primarily attributable to the recording of inventory, property, plant and equipment, cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses at the time of receipt of the goods or services and again at the time the related invoices were received, which resulted in an overstatement of assets, liabilities and expenses.

In 2006 and into 2007, we added accounting, finance and information technology staff members at our headquarters and plant locations and implemented a series of new internal control procedures to improve the effectiveness of our transaction processing and our financial statement close processes. In addition to these enhancements, we have provided training regarding effective review and approval procedures to the appropriate personnel. The additional personnel and process enhancements contributed to the discovery in late 2006 and early 2007 of additional errors related to prior interim periods in 2006 that resulted in management’s determination that restatement of the financial statements for those prior periods was warranted. While the impact of the enhancements to the internal controls over financial reporting has been positive, as discussed above, management’s assessment for 2007 indicates that additional resources, training and experience are necessary for certain of these controls to operate effectively. Management is taking steps to secure additional resources and training for its staff in the affected areas. In addition, management has determined that further enhancements to the purchasing, receiving and accounts payable processes are necessary, and we have embarked on a plan to enhance our controls over these processes during 2007. Accordingly, the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that existed as of December 31, 2006, as described above and as disclosed in Item 9A of our 2006 Form 10-K, have not yet been remediated as of September 30, 2007. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as a result of the foregoing material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report.

We are continuing to monitor the effectiveness of our processes, procedures and controls, and will make any further changes as management determines to be appropriate.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Except in connection with actions we are taking to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, as discussed above, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that existed as of December 31, 2006, as described above and as disclosed in Item 9A of our 2006 Form 10-K, have not yet been remediated as of September 30, 2007.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, the factors discussed in Part 1, “Item 1.A. Risk Factors” in our 2006 Form 10-K and our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2007, could materially affect the company’s business, financial condition or operating results. These risks are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

Item 5. Other Information

(a) As discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources–Debt Covenants” in Item 2 of Part I of this report, on November 5, 2007 and November 6, 2007, as applicable, effective as of September 30, 2007, the company entered into waiver agreements with each of BB&T, JPMorgan and Bank of America, N.A. under debt agreements with each of those lenders to which the company is a party. The description of such waiver agreements in Part I of this report is incorporated by reference in this Item 5.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The company files herewith the following exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Description

10.1   Consulting Agreement, dated September 10, 2007, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2   Amended and Restated Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna dated August 14, 2007. Filed herewith.
10.3   Amended and Restated Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna dated August 14, 2007. Filed herewith.
10.4   Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna dated August 14, 2007. Filed herewith.
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Trex Company, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Filed herewith.
31.2   Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Trex Company, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Filed herewith.
32   Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350. Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

  TREX COMPANY, INC.

Date: November 8, 2007

  By:  

/s/ Anthony J. Cavanna

    Anthony J. Cavanna
   

Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Description

10.1   Consulting Agreement, dated September 10, 2007, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2   Amended and Restated Stock Appreciating Rights Agreement, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna dated August 14, 2007. Filed herewith.
10.3   Amended and Restated Stock Appreciating Rights Agreement, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna dated August 14, 2007. Filed herewith.
10.4   Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement, between Trex Company, Inc. and Anthony J. Cavanna dated August 14, 2007. Filed herewith.
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Trex Company, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Filed herewith.
31.2   Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Trex Company, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Filed herewith.
32   Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350. Filed herewith.

 

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