Good day, everyone, and welcome to Culp's First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call. A quick reminder that today's call is being recorded. At this time, for opening or introduction, I'd like to turn the call over to Ms. Dru Anderson. Please go ahead.

Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to the Culp conference call to review the company's results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021. As we start, let me state that this morning's call will contain forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of the company. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, expectations or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. The actual performance of the company could differ materially from that indicated by the forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties are described in our regular SEC filings including the company's most recent filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made today, and each such statement speaks only as of today. We undertake no obligation to update or to revise forward-looking statements. In addition, during this call, the company will be discussing non-GAAP financial measurements. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measurements to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measurement is included in either the tables to the press release included as an exhibit to the company's 8-K filed yesterday and posted on the company's website at culp.com or in the slide presentation with supporting summary financial information, that is also available on the company's website as part of the webcast of today's call. With respect to certain forward-looking income tax information, the comparable GAAP and reconciling information is not available without unreasonable effort. And its significance is similar to the significance of the historical income tax rate information, which is available in the slide presentation with supporting summary financial information that is also on the company's website as part of the webcast of today's call. With that, I will now turn the call over to Iv Culp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Culp. Please go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Dru, and good morning, and thanks to everyone for joining us today. I would like to welcome you to the Culp quarterly conference call with analysts and investors. With me on the call today are Ken Bowling, our Chief Financial Officer; and Boyd Chumbley, President of our Mattress Fabrics business. I will begin the call with some brief comments, and Ken will then review the financial results for the quarter. I will then update you on the strategic actions in each of our operating segments. After that, Ken will review our second quarter fiscal 2021 business outlook. We will then be happy to take your questions. As we continue to navigate our way through these uncertain times, we remain focused on the health and safety of our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities we serve. I'm incredibly thankful for our team's hard work, agility and commitment to safety, and I'm proud of our leadership team for adapting and efficiently managing through this challenging environment. We are pleased that both of our mattress fabrics and upholstery fabrics segments saw better-than-expected increases in orders and shipments during the quarter, particularly during the last 8 weeks. We are especially pleased with the strong sequential improvement compared with the end of the fourth quarter going from a significant pre-tax loss to profitability. We believe these trends are primarily being driven by a surge of consumer focus on the home environment and overall comfort, leading to an increased proportion of discretionary spending moving towards home furnishings. Although the ongoing impact and the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown, we are cautiously optimistic that business will continue its solid return in the second quarter of fiscal 2021. We are confident in our product-driven strategy, strong management team and solid financial position will enable us to capture the market share as we continue to demonstrate the resilience and strategic advantage of our global platform and stable supply chain. Our balance sheet remains strong, as evidenced by our significantly improved liquidity as compared to pre-pandemic levels at the end of fiscal 2020 third quarter. We are also pleased to have maintained our quarterly dividend throughout this period of disruption. We've now maintained and increased our annual dividend for 8 consecutive fiscal years, reinforcing our confidence in the company's future and our commitment to generating value for our shareholders. We are excited about the continued sequential improvement we expect for the second quarter and look forward to the opportunities ahead in fiscal 2021. I'll now turn the call over to Ken, who will review financial results for the quarter.

Thanks, Iv. As mentioned earlier on the call, we have posted slide presentations to our Investor Relations website that cover key performance measures. We've also posted our capital allocation strategy. I also want to note that as a result of the sale of eLuxury during the fourth quarter of last year, the financial results for the Home Accessories segment are excluded from the reported financial performance of our continuing operations and presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements. Here are the financial highlights for the first quarter, which included 13 weeks compared with 14 weeks in the prior year period. Net sales were $64.5 million, down 8.8% compared with the prior year period. On a pre-tax basis, the company reported income from continuing operations of $1.5 million compared with pre-tax income from continuing operations of $3.5 million for the first quarter of last year. The current quarter was affected by the continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as significant inventory reductions and manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the dramatic ramp-up in operations for our Mattress Fabrics segment. Partially offsetting this pressure was lower SG&A expenses due primarily to lower compensation expense and reduced spending on professional fees and travel and entertainment. Net loss from continuing operations was $2.7 million or $0.22 per diluted share for the first quarter, which included a $3.7 million net income tax charge that I'll discuss in more detail shortly, compared with net income from continuing operations of $1.8 million or $0.14 per diluted share for the prior year period. Adjusted net income from continuing operations, non-GAAP, was $1 million or $0.08 per diluted share. This excludes the $3.7 million net income tax charge, which consists of a $7.2 million noncash income tax charge to record a full valuation allowance against the…

Thank you, Ken. I will start with the Mattress Fabrics segment. The beginning of the quarter was materially affected by the virus, where we experienced a greater-than-anticipated increase in demand beginning in mid-May as Government restrictions enlisted and customers and retail stores resumed operations. This increase continued throughout the quarter across all product offerings, including our CLASS mattress cover business, approximating pre-pandemic levels at quarter end. We returned all of our previously furloughed workers and rapidly expanded production schedules to meet this growing demand. As a result, sales increased by approximately 60% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 to the first quarter of fiscal 2021. During this uncertain environment, we have continued to manage our business with a firm focus on creative designs, innovative products and customer service. These efforts are supported by the strength of our global manufacturing and sourcing operations, including the U.S., Canada, Haiti, Asia and Turkey, which provide us with flexible production and distribution capabilities to adapt to changing customer needs. We are also excited about our ongoing developments in product innovation, including continued opportunities through our reimagined Culp Home Fashions, a 3D image rendering service. Additionally, demand trends for mattress covers remain favorable, driven by ongoing growth in the boxed bedding space, and we continue to work collaboratively with new and existing customers to develop fresh and innovative products. We have an efficient global platform that allows us to maximize our full supply chain for these covers, from fabric to finished cover in the U.S., Haiti and Asia. We do expect our building expansion in Haiti to be completed during the second quarter, which will provide additional capacity and enhance our ability to produce on covers in North America. Looking ahead, we recognize that the disruption and economic uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic may…

At this time, due to the continued economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of visibility as to this duration or ultimate impact, we are providing only limited financial guidance for fiscal 2021. Although subject to unforeseen changes that may arise as the pandemic and its economic impact continues to unfold, we are encouraged by improving business conditions. We expect sales and operating income for the second quarter of this fiscal year to be materially improved as compared to the first quarter, but not reaching the performance achieved in the second quarter of last year, which was an especially strong quarter for the Upholstery Fabrics segment. Based on current expectations, including the $4 million investment in additional knit machines in our mattress fabrics business that Iv mentioned earlier, capital expenditures for this fiscal year are now expected to be in the $8.5 million to $9 million range. Depreciation and amortization is expected to be approximately $7 million for this fiscal year. With that, we will now take your questions.

[Operator Instructions] And first from Raymond James, we have Bobby Griffin.

I just want to circle back on maybe your comments about how demand trended during the quarter. It looks like you saw kind of a notable pickup throughout the quarter in both segments. But can you maybe talk a little bit about what you saw in August? Did it continue to build versus July and June? And what are the expectations and kind of what are you hearing from customers about Labor Day? And what the market is looking for?

Yes. Thank you, Bobby. For sure, you're right. Really, it's a similar refrain in both businesses for Q1, starting slow and then finishing very strong over the last 8 weeks and continuing to kind of escalate throughout the quarter. So far, as we're pointing to, we're seeing a material sequential improvement going into Q2. So we see those trends continuing to go. We have strong backlogs of orders to produce in both businesses. So we're optimistic on both sides, on the sales side of it. Labor Day, typically, is a very strong holiday in the mattress side for us, and we expect that to be good. I know a lot of our big customers is not been so much rolled out new products as they're just trying to fuel more success on the products already on the floor, and I think it should be, in our opinion, looks like a good holiday selling season.

Do you think the tight -- one concern I had, do you think the tight inventory situation could negatively impact the holiday? Or is pretty much everybody across the space in the same inventory standpoint. So consumers will be expecting a little bit higher lead times than normal.

Yes. I don't know. If I know the answer to that, Bobby, how it will impact. It doesn't seem like we're seeing any slowdown in consumer pressure for furnishing's products. So I certainly can't speak to everyone's inventory position. I know that we're turning things very quick as evidenced by inventory management and cash generation. And things are just flowing through very quick. I would hope and don't expect an impact to the selling season. Our customers have been spoiled over time to get things on demand. And I think the industry has got a lot of power behind it. And certainly, with our capacity and others, I think the catch-up can happen. I don't think it should de-rail the holiday selling season.

Okay. And if we stay in this kind of elevated demand environment like we're talking about here, you mentioned trends continue strong in August. How long do you think it takes for Culp and Culp's facilities to kind of get back to normal efficiency? I mean, I understand it takes time to bring people back into the plants and get things working back up to this pre-pandemic-type efficiency?

Yes. We should -- I mean, we pointed that in Q1. And you remember, we were going from pretty much a standstill on both businesses with a lot of people on furlough and plants running at very small output just to keep up with demand that was there. But as we went through the quarter and got busier, everyone came back. Today, we're running at what we consider to be very good efficiencies. We have a little bit of juggling because there are so many priorities, and we're pushing different things. But I will say today, and let's turn to that Boyd comment for upholstery, today where efficiencies we want to be and should be much improved for Q2 on our manufacturing efficiencies. Boyd do you agree with the upholstery side?

Yes, Iv, I do. I think the -- as we're looking at our supply base, we've come through a period where we have had to scale back up rapidly. But I think the entire supply chain right now is in a good position that is back to pre-COVID levels of output, and really don't see any constraints in the supply chain as we look ahead here.

Okay. Okay. And then I guess, lastly, Ken, when we talk -- understanding that it's tough to predict going forward, but we kind of unpack some of the forward commentary. If demand stays at kind of the levels we're seeing, which is admittedly tough to predict, but is there a chance sales could surprise further to the upside and be close to last year and maybe even start to grow again year-over-year?

As far as -- against Q2?

Yes. I mean, it just -- it seems like trends have picked up again further in August. Understanding that they could change in September, October, and it's tough to predict. But if the August trends continue, the opportunity for the sales to surprise and maybe even grow versus 2Q of last year.

Yes. Bobby, I think that's fair. I think that we're being cautious as we look out just because of the unknowns. As Iv said August has been strong. But we're optimistic. I mean, there's certainly a chance it could surprise on the upside, for sure. But we're just -- it's just still many unknowns out there, it's just, we're being cautious.

And we'll move on to Marco Rodriguez with Stonegate.

I wanted to follow-up on some of the gross margin comments and discussion on mattress fabrics. In Q1, is there any way that you might be able to quantify the inefficiencies you saw there and that impact on your margins?

Yes, Marco, that's -- I appreciate the question. It's just real difficult, given the -- all the hoops that we have to jump through and the -- bringing the people back, getting people back in order. I mean, it was a significant impact. I think also too, just the process around the dramatic decrease in inventory. That -- the way we account for that, that pressured results too, but it was just a very difficult time in the first part of the quarter. Now, granted things improved in June and July, but it's very difficult to quantify, but it was a significant impact for sure.

Got it. Understood. And then in terms of you guys bringing your efficiencies back, if I heard the response to the prior question, it sounded like operationally, you're back to normal, if you will. So first off, I just want to kind of confirm that, that is the case itself. And then also, if you can maybe talk a little bit about where your inventory levels are now? It sounded like the supply chain is okay. So are you going to be seeing a dramatic increase in inventories? Or is it -- so it's is very difficult to kind of build that up for the coming demand just given the quick turns you need to come through?

Yes. Marco, thanks, this is Iv, and I'll touch base. Yes, answer is yes. In both businesses, we are -- both businesses are built to operate best with more demand. I mean we've built certainly in the mattress fabrics. We've done so much capital spending over the last 4 to 5 years. Our real success comes when we have solid orders flowing through our facilities. Really in both businesses now, we have both operating full scale, both internally and using our global platform. So really excited about what that can do. We haven't for a long time, had a chance to show the success we can have when we have strong throughput. So that will be positive. Inventories. And I'll let Ken touch on that too. Inventories are really proud of where they are, but we need to build them back gradually just to support business better. So we're not expediting and doing some things that would impact our efficiency. But we do not expect -- certainly inventory used to be in lockstep as sales increase. We don't expect it to jump dramatically, although we do need to add some inventory just to provide better service to our customers.

Yes, Marco, that's exactly right. And two, as I mentioned in my notes, we had a very strong start to the year with respect to free cash flow. And a lot of that was tied to the inventory reductions. And as Iv have said, the challenge for the goal is obviously be prepared and meet our customer needs, but we will require some working capital going forward. Now obviously, we're going to pay special attention to make sure that we balance that need with the cash flow. But that was a very strong start, but we will need to invest going forward, but at a controlled pace.

Got it. And then in terms of the expansion at the mattress fabrics, so $4 million that you'll be investing for additional knit machines as well as the additional just overall CapEx spend for fiscal '21. Can you maybe talk a little bit about the cadence of the spend there? And when you think knit machines will be in and then producing?

Yes, sure. Marco, good question. We just have recently made that decision, and it's really a bullish statement for us to expand our North American capacity. We have terrific knit capacity really in multiple countries; U.S., Canada, Turkey and Asia. And we just are seeing some opportunities. We don't intend to reduce our global footprint we just think we need to boost our North American footprint some. Our expectation is that those machines can be in and operating really towards the very tail end of the fiscal year. So probably February and March next year will be our timeline to have those in and running. Not a huge impact to this fiscal year other than spend, but certainly, a great future opportunity for us as we look out into '22 and past.

Yes. Marco, as you -- as you saw in the financials, we had $500,000 of CapEx this quarter. Obviously, we're projecting to be $8.5 million to $9 million. So we've got some more spending to do. But it's going to be back-loaded second, third and fourth quarter. But as things ramp up -- but we got off to a great start in Q1, but we will need to fund those expenses starting in Q2, 3 and 4.

Understood. And then last quick question for me. On the Upholstery Fabrics side. Can you provide maybe a little bit more color on the virtual showcases? I mean, how have those been proceeding? Have they sort of met your guys' expectations? Or are there still some learning curve issues that you did be going through there?

Yes, Marco, and this is Boyd. And I would tell you that that whole platform has really exceeded our expectations. We have been very pleased with how our customers have reacted to pivoting to a more virtual and online representation and presentation of our fabric. We've done this via the Zoom video platform as well as utilizing an online virtual presentation of our fabric. The reaction we've gotten has just been very, very positive. I believe that this will become a part of what we're doing on a more permanent basis that we will see this type of representation of our products and the method for doing so will become a normal part of how we do this going forward. It's just very effective, and we've received exceptional feedback I think we've certainly learned a lot through the process. We have continued to develop and enhance. And I'm sure there'll be some further steps forward with that, but it's been a significant new pool for us that we think is going to be important for us for the long term.

And with no further questions in the queue, I'd like to turn the floor back to management for any additional or closing remarks.

Thank you, operator. And again, thank you for your participation and your interest in Culp. We look forward to updating you on our progress next quarter.

Gentlemen, that does conclude our call for today. We do thank you for joining us. You may now disconnect.