EAST GREENVILLE, Pa., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knoll, Inc. (NYSE: KNL) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Net sales were $181.3 million for the quarter, a decrease of 36.1% from the third quarter of 2008. Operating profit was $16.8 million, or 9.3% of net sales, a decrease of 59.1% from the third quarter of 2008. Net income was $5.7 million, a decrease of 76.4% over the third quarter of 2008. Diluted earnings per share was $0.13 compared to $0.52 diluted earnings per share in the prior year, a decrease of 75.0%.

"While demand for our products continues to be severely impacted by the global economic crisis, we are pleased that we were able to continue to report industry leading levels of operating profitability," stated Andrew Cogan, CEO. "Our strategy of diversifying our sources of revenue into high design content business continued to buffer our results. The roll out of our innovative, award winning Generation by Knoll(TM) work chair continued a pace in the quarter as we began commercial shipments and placed chairs in all our North American showrooms. Both the funnel of activity and the customer, architect and designer response to the chair gives us great confidence that Generation by Knoll will be a meaningful contributor to our results in the years ahead."

Third Quarter Results

Third quarter 2009 financial results highlights follow:

    Dollars in Millions Except Per
     Share Data                         Three Months Ended         Percent
                                     9/30/09           9/30/08     Change
                                   ---------         ---------     ------

    Net Sales                         $181.3            $283.5    (36.1) %
    Gross Profit                        61.3             104.2    (41.2) %
    Operating Expenses                  44.4              63.1    (29.6) %
    Operating Profit                    16.8              41.1    (59.1) %
    Net Income                           5.7              24.1    (76.4) %
    Earnings Per Share - Diluted         .13               .52    (75.0) %
    Backlog                            121.7             203.1    (40.1) %

Net sales for the quarter were $181.3 million, a decrease of $102.2 million, or 36.1%, from the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in sales for the quarter was experienced across all product categories and geographies. The largest declines were experienced internationally and in our office systems product category.

Backlog of unfilled orders at September 30, 2009 was $121.7 million, a decrease of $81.4 million, or 40.1%, compared to unfilled orders at September 30, 2008.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2009 was $61.3 million, a decrease of $42.9 million, or 41.2%, from the same period in 2008. Gross margin decreased to 33.8% in the third quarter of 2009 from 36.8% in the same quarter of 2008. The decrease in gross margin largely resulted from lower absorption of our fixed costs as a direct result of the lower sales volumes and price deterioration.

Operating expenses for the quarter were $44.4 million, or 24.5% of sales, compared to $63.1 million, or 22.3% of sales, for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in operating expenses during the third quarter of 2009 was in large part due to decreased spending in conjunction with our lower sales volumes and a gain related to a reduction in our post retirement medical benefits of $1.1 million. Decreased sales and performance related compensation accounted for approximately $8.9 million of the reduction in operating expenses.

Our operating profit for the third quarter of 2009 was $16.8 million, a decrease of $24.3 million, or 59.1%, from the same period in 2008. Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 9.3%.

Interest expense in the third quarter of 2009 increased $0.3 million over the third quarter of 2008. The increase in interest expense is the result of two interest rate swap agreements that went into effect at the end of the second quarter of 2009. Other expense for the third quarter of 2009 was $3.1 million which included $3.2 million of foreign exchange losses offset by $0.1 million of miscellaneous income. Other income for the third quarter 2008 was $2.1 million.

The effective tax rate was 40.5% for the quarter, as compared to 39.0% for the same period last year. The increase in the effective tax rate is largely due to the mix of pretax income in the countries in which we operate. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $5.7 million, or $0.13 diluted earnings per share, as compared to $24.1 million, or $0.52 diluted earnings per share, for the same quarter in 2008.

Cash generated from operations during the third quarter 2009 was $29.5 million, compared to $50.3 million in the same period of 2008. Capital expenditures for the third quarter 2009 totaled $1.2 million compared to $3.2 million for 2008. We repaid $28.1 million of debt during the third quarter of 2009 compared to $21.0 million during 2008. We also paid a quarterly dividend of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per share, in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $5.6 million, or $0.12 per share, in the third quarter of 2008.

"In this economic environment, a top priority continues to be liquidity preservation and capital structure flexibility as demonstrated by our $28 million debt pay down and our filing of a Universal Shelf Registration Statement with the SEC earlier this quarter," stated Barry McCabe, EVP & CFO.

Conference Call Information

Knoll will host a conference call on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. EST to discuss its financial results.

The call will include slides; participants are encouraged to listen to and view the presentation via webcast at http://www.knoll.com; go to "About Knoll" and click on "Investor Relations".

The conference call may also be accessed by dialing:

    North America    866 515-2914
    International    617 399-5128
    Passcode         77439361

A replay of the webcast can be viewed by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Knoll corporate website.

In addition, an audio replay of the conference call will be available through October 22, 2009 by dialing 888 286-8010. International replay: 617 801-6888 (Passcode: 82708658).

About Knoll

Since 1938, Knoll has been recognized internationally for creating workplace and residential furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure. Today, our commitment to modern design, our understanding of the workplace and our dedication to sustainable design has yielded a unique portfolio of products that respond and adapt to changing needs. Knoll is aligned with the U.S. Green Building Council and can help companies, healthcare organizations and educational institutions achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) workplace certification. Knoll is the contract furniture industry's first member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®) and is the founding sponsor of the World Monuments Fund Modernism at Risk program.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding Knoll, Inc.'s expected future financial position, results of operations, revenue levels, cash flows, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, capital expenditures, products, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, as well as statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "goals, " "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward- looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and readers must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations of Knoll management. Knoll does not undertake a duty to update such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include corporate spending and service-sector employment, price competition, acceptance of Knoll's new products, the pricing and availability of raw materials and components, foreign currency exchange, transportation costs, demand for high quality, well designed office furniture solutions, changes in the competitive marketplace, changes in the trends in the market for office furniture, the financial strength and stability of our suppliers, customers and dealers, access to capital, and other risks identified in Knoll's annual report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are outside of Knoll's control.

Contacts

    Investors:  Barry L. McCabe
                Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                Tel 215 679-1301
                bmccabe@knoll.com

    Media:      David E. Bright
                Senior Vice President, Communications
                Tel 212 343-4135
                dbright@knoll.com

                                     KNOLL, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                   Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30,        September 30,
                                     2009       2008      2009       2008
                                 (Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)

    Sales                          $181,282   $283,517   $596,088   $843,861
    Cost of sales                   120,009    179,319    389,319    548,253
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

    Gross profit                     61,273    104,198    206,769    295,608
    Selling, general, and
     administrative expenses         44,366     63,109    146,271    184,087
    Restructuring and other
     charges                            110          -      8,422      3,432
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

    Operating income                 16,797     41,089     52,076    108,089
    Interest expense                  4,054      3,766      9,681     12,663
    Other expense (income), net       3,112     (2,137)     4,535     (1,878)
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

    Income before income tax expense  9,631     39,460     37,860     97,304
    Income tax expense                3,905     15,398     14,535     35,046
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
    Net income                       $5,726    $24,062    $23,325    $62,258
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

    Earnings per share:
    Basic                              $.13       $.52       $.51      $1.32
    Diluted                            $.13       $.52       $.51      $1.32
    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding:
    Basic                        45,408,555 46,291,785 45,366,081 47,014,263
    Diluted                      45,417,593 46,522,590 45,370,009 47,178,379
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------



                                 KNOLL, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                                September 30,  December 31,
                                                    2009           2008
                                                    ----           ----
                                                (Unaudited)
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                      $13,626         $14,903
    Customer receivables, net                       96,096         126,051
    Inventories                                     85,341         100,225
    Prepaid and other current assets                21,492          19,069
                                                  --------        --------
    Total current assets                           216,555         260,248
    Property, plant, and equipment, net            136,394         132,168
    Intangible assets, net                         299,381         299,120
    Other noncurrent assets                          8,054           6,124
                                                  --------        --------
    Total Assets                                  $660,384        $697,660
                                                  --------        --------
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
    Current maturities of long-term debt              $141            $121
    Accounts payable                                63,073          78,442
    Other current liabilities                       86,206         116,457
                                                  --------        --------
    Total current liabilities                      149,420         195,020
    Long-term debt                                 310,148         337,258
    Other noncurrent liabilities                   120,788         120,763
                                                  --------        --------
    Total liabilities                              580,356         653,041
                                                  --------        --------
    Stockholders' equity                            80,028          44,619
                                                  --------        --------
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    $660,384        $697,660
                                                  --------        --------



                               KNOLL, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (Dollars in thousands)

                                              Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                             --------------------------------
                                                  2009               2008
                                                  ----               ----
                                              (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)

    Net income                                  $23,325             $62,258
                                               --------            --------
    Cash Flows provided by Operating
     Activities                                  42,462              97,537

    Cash Flows used in Investing Activities     (12,247)             (9,803)

    Cash Flows used in Financing Activities     (35,108)            (75,471)

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
     and cash equivalents                         3,616              (1,590)
                                               --------            --------

    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                 (1,277)             10,673

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
     of period                                   14,903              17,975
                                               --------            --------

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     period                                     $13,626             $28,648
                                               --------            --------

SOURCE Knoll, Inc.

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