Highlights from the First Quarter2023:

• Gross profit margin for the first quarter of 2023 was 26.6% of net sales compared to 19.6% in the first quarter of 2022.
• Operating income in the first quarter of 2023 was $306 thousand compared to an operating loss of $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2022. The operating income in the current quarter included $1.1 million in expenses related to facility consolidations.

DALTON, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 4, 2023 / The Dixie Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DXYN) today reported financial results for the quarter ended April 1, 2023. For the first quarter of 2023, the Company had net sales of $67,084,000 as compared to $77,575,000 in the same quarter of 2022. Operating income was $306,000compared to a loss of $2,247,000 in the first quarter of 2022. The operating income in 2023 included expenses totaling $1,050,000 related to facility consolidations. The net loss from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2023 was $1,551,000 or $0.11 per diluted share. In 2022, the net loss from continuing operations for the first quarter was $3,343,000 or $0.22 per diluted share.

Commenting on the results, Daniel K. Frierson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our results from the first quarter reflected the positive impact of the restructuring efforts we initiated in 2022. Although net sales in the first quarter of 2023 were 14% below the same period in the prior year, we had strong gross margins driven by more efficient operations from our manufacturing plants during the quarter. A significant factor in the year over year sales decline was a loss of volume in the mass merchant channel, with Lowe's strategy shifting toward lower price points. Excluding our mass merchant sales, net sales were down 7% over prior year. This decline in year over year sales was primarily the result of high inflation and increased interest rates impacting consumer confidence and demand in the first quarter of 2023.

During the first quarter, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Dixie Home and created a fresh new look including a new logo and a subtle shift in the brand name to "DH Floors". Within DH Floors, we began our launch of the Elements Collection, made with Durasilk™ solution dyed polyester, staying true to the DH Floors brand promise of "Affordable Fashion".

In our higher-end brands, we launched 21 new styles to kick off the second-year plan of our decorative segment. This includes eight new styles in Décor by Fabrica, seven in 1866 by Masland, and six in our new 1866 All Seasons Collection. We have an additional 21 new decorative styles to be launched during the second and third quarter this year. In our traditional soft surface categories for Masland and Fabrica, we continued our development of the EnVision® Nylon and EnVisionSD® Pet Solutions product lines, with two new styles in the first quarter and seven additional styles to be launched in the coming months.

In our hard surface segment, we expanded our distribution of key collections, which were launched into the market late last year. This includes our Boardwalk collection featuring lighter colors, clean visuals, and a new rolled-edge bevel for an authentic wood look. During the first quarter, we launched an innovative product, TRUCOR Refined, which combines a melamine resin top layer with a mineral fiber core that is impervious to water or moisture.

As we look forward to the second quarter and the remainder of the year, we are relieved to be past many of the challenges we faced in 2022, but we continue to stay focused on our cost reduction plans, improvements to our operations and the introduction of industry leading products in 2023," Frierson concluded.

The gross profit in the first quarter of 2023 was 26.6% of net sales compared to 19.6% of net sales in the first quarter of 2022. Our 2022 gross margin was negatively impacted by exorbitantly high pricing from our former primary raw material provider driven by their decision to exit the business. In 2023 we have diversified our raw material suppliers at lower comparative costs. Our cost of goods sold also reflected favorable operating results from our manufacturing operations primarily attributable to our east coast plant consolidations. Selling and administrative costs in the first quarter 2023 were lower in expense dollars than prior year but higher as a percent of the lower net sales, 24.5% of net sales in 2023 compared to 22.4% in the same quarter of 2022.

On our balance sheet, receivables increased $5.0 million from the balance at fiscal year end 2022 due to higher comparative sales volume in the last month of each respective period. Despite a decrease in units of inventory from fiscal year end 2022, the net inventory value was relatively flat at first quarter end 2023 as compared to fiscal year end 2022. Our accounts payable and accrued expenses increased by $3.0 million from prior year end. This increase was primarily the result of higher accounts payable related to increased production volume for higher comparative production demand. Our capital expenditures were $359 thousand in the first quarter of 2023 and are planned at $3.0 million for the year. Interest expense was $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2022. The higher interest expense in 2023 was the result of increased borrowing and higher interest rates. Our debt increased by $4.7 million in the first quarter of 2023 driven by rising costs and funding of operations. Our availability under our line of credit with our senior lending facility was $13.5 million at the end of the quarter.

In the first few weeks of the second quarter in 2023, we have seen order entry increase to 14% above first quarter levels. We anticipate a stronger sales level in the second quarter with typical seasonality and many of our new products hitting retail floors.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management and the Company at the time of such statements and are not guarantees of performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the levels of demand for the products produced by the Company. Other factors that could affect the Company's results include, but are not limited to, availability of raw material and transportation costs related to petroleum prices, the cost and availability of capital, integration of acquisitions, ability to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel and general economic and competitive conditions related to the Company's business. Issues related to the availability and price of energy may adversely affect the Company's operations. Additional information regarding these and other risk factors and uncertainties may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise.

THE DIXIE GROUP, INC.
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THE DIXIE GROUP, INC.
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SOURCE: The Dixie Group, Inc.