Unifi Inc. reported sales fell 52.1 percent in its fiscal fourth quarter ended June 28 although monthly sales have improved sequentially throughout the period. The fiber manufacturer lost $20.2 million in the period.

Eddie Ingle, Chief Executive Officer of Unifi, said, “By the end of March 2020, the pandemic started to impact our apparel and automotive customers as they shut down or significantly curtailed operations. Since April 2020, monthly sales have improved sequentially, including July 2020, the best month since March 2020. At the onset of the pandemic, our management team prioritized safety and took measures to improve our liquidity and cash position while maintaining our long-term focus on innovation and sustainability. During the just-completed quarter, we generated significant cash from operations while reducing inventory levels and operating costs. These actions, combined with a joint venture divestiture, allowed for significant debt reduction and an increase in cash. I am confident that our diverse global operations, strong management team, and solid financial position will enable us to overcome these current challenges and regain our momentum as we progress through fiscal 2021. I’m proud to return to Unifi and to have the opportunity to lead this great company through the next stage of its life cycle.”

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Overview

  • Net sales of $86.1 million decreased year-over-year from $179.5 million in fiscal 2019.
  • Revenues from Repreve Fiber1 products represented 28 percent of consolidated net sales.
  • Operating loss was $20.9 million, compared to operating income of $5.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, driven by lower sales and lower fixed cost absorption.
  • Net loss of $20.2 million, or $1.10 loss per share, compared to net income of $1.0 million, or earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.05 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 decreased to negative $14.0 million, compared to positive $12.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
  • Operating cash flows were $20.6 million, an increase of $11.8 million from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019; full-year fiscal 2020 operating cash flows were $52.7 million, an increase of $45.4 million from fiscal 2019.
  • On April 29, 2020, the company sold its 34 percent interest in Parkdale America, LLC (“PAL”) for $60.0 million in cash. Proceeds were used to reduce leverage and increase cash reserves on the balance sheet.
  • On June 28, 2020, debt principal was $98.9 million, below $100.0 million for the first time since calendar 2014, and cash and cash equivalents were $75.3 million.
  • Net debt was $23.6 million on June 28, 2020, which is a reduction of $82.2 million since June 30, 2019 and is the lowest level in more than ten years.
  • On June 15, 2020, Eddie Ingle rejoined the company as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Liquidity Update and Risk Mitigation Initiatives

  • As of June 28, 2020, cash and cash equivalents were $75.3 million, debt principal was $98.9 million (totaling Net Debt of $23.6 million), and revolver availability was $56.4 million.
  • Capital expenditure levels have been reduced while prioritizing spending on safety and maintenance.
  • Raw material pricing remains at low levels, which aids short-term working capital and liquidity.
  • Manufacturing operations have been strategically reduced to support critical businesses and manage working capital.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019

  • Net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 were $86.1 million, down compared to $179.5 million in the same period last year. The decline was driven by the adverse impacts of COVID-19 which impacted all business segments. However, from April 2020 to June 2020, core U.S. polyester products experienced sequential monthly sales increases.
  • Gross profit decreased to a loss of $9.5 million, from a profit of $18.3 million, due to significantly lower sales and production volumes. Stifled global demand drove lower-than-normal production levels in the U.S. and Brazil, which reduced the absorption of costs into inventory and increased the level of period costs recognized, thereby decreasing gross profit.
  • Operating loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 was $20.9 million, compared to operating income of $5.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily due to the COVID-19 impact.
  • Net loss was $20.2 million, or $1.10 loss per share, compared to net income of $1.0 million, or EPS of $0.05. Adjusted EBITDA was negative $14.0 million, compared to positive $12.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 2020 includes an adjustment for severance expenses relating to salaried workforce reductions.

Fiscal 2020 Compared To Fiscal 2019

  • Fiscal 2020 consisted of 52 weeks of domestic operations, compared to 53 weeks of domestic operations in fiscal 2019. Net sales were $606.5 million for fiscal 2020, compared to $708.8 million in fiscal 2019, as COVID-19 stifled global economic activity and sales growth momentum in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Gross margin was 6.4 percent for fiscal 2020, compared to 9.4 percent for fiscal 2019. Operating loss was $8.8 million for fiscal 2020, compared to income of $11.0 million for fiscal 2019. Net loss was $57.2 million for fiscal 2020 and includes a $45.2 million impairment expense for the sale of the 34 percent interest in PAL, compared to net income of $2.5 million for fiscal 2019.
  • Net debt was $23.6 million on June 28, 2020, compared to $105.8 million on June 30, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents increased to $75.3 million on June 28, 2020, from $22.2 million on June 30, 2019. The favorable cash and liquidity positions benefited from the $60.0 million of PAL sale proceeds received in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and strong operating cash flow generation throughout fiscal 2020.

Fiscal 2021 Outlook
For fiscal 2021, assuming no further significant disruptions to global markets, the company expects:

  • Sales for each business segment to grow from fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 levels at different rates through the fiscal year;
  • The sequential improvement in sales and underlying business performance through each quarter of fiscal 2021;
  • Sales of Repreve and specialty products to continue recent growth rates and increase as a percentage of consolidated sales; and
    $22.0 million of capital expenditures, including the previously-announced eAFK Evo texturing machines to begin installation in early calendar 2021 which should generate meaningful financial benefit to fiscal 2022.

Ingle continued, “Significant progress was made during the first nine months of fiscal 2020 on several key priorities. At that time, our business in Asia experienced strong growth, our U.S polyester operations experienced underlying sales and market share growth as favorable trade measures were enacted, cost reduction actions contributed to our performance, and the sustainability focus of customers propelled further Repreve sales growth.”

Ingle concluded, “Our sustainable solutions and innovative culture make us the partner of choice for leading global brands seeking to meet their sustainability goals. We have a truly great company with an energized team, and I’m looking forward to growing our business as we exit this pandemic. We have a long history of navigating significant change and market environments across our almost 50-year history. We have a resilient and adaptive business model and culture and are using this to our advantage. Looking forward, our innovative and sustainable solutions will be the growth engines that help us meet the evolving needs of our forward-thinking consumers. We expect Repreve to grow in non-traditional markets, as more brands seek out ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their raw materials. We appreciate our employees’ continued dedication to delivering the best customer experience. We will continue to take the necessary steps to protect our people, communities, and a strong balance sheet. We believe we are well-positioned to deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”