 MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 03, 2020 GLOBE NEWSWIRE -- BlueLinx Holdings Inc. NYSE:BXC, a leading distributor of building and industrial products in the United States, today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended June 27, 2020, and provided a business update and review of current market conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 Second Quarter Financial Highlights all comparisons to prior year period Net sales of 699 million, compared to 706 million Gross margin increased 110 basis points to 14.4, compared to 13.3 Net income of 7 million, compared to 6 million Adjusted EBITDA of 31 million, compared to 25 million Debt under the term loan and revolving credit facility reduced by 125 million Excess availability and cash on hand of 138 million, up 37 million Our strong second quarter results validate the positive impact we have realized from the operational improvements we began in the second half of 2019 and accelerated earlier this year. We gained momentum as the quarter progressed, experiencing increased demand and an improving structural products commodity market compared to the lower sales volume and gross margins we saw in April due to the pandemic, Mitch Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated. The market recovery through the quarter resulted in relatively flat net sales compared to last year, while we continued our positive trends recording gross margin improvement and growing Adjusted EBITDA by 24 to 31 million compared to 25 million last year.Mr. Lewis continued, The numerous actions we undertook in response to the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the successful financial results this quarter. Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace environment for our associates continues to be our highest priority. I am proud of how well our associates have managed the challenges and opportunities that have arisen during these trying times and we are focused on continuing to effectively support our nations essential infrastructure needs in partnership with our customers and suppliers.2020 Second Quarter Financial Results ReviewThe Company reported net sales of 699 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to 706 million for the prior year period. Net sales were up 9 million when excluding 16 million from the prior year period related to the discontinued siding line. Net sales were positively impacted by higher commodity prices, with 14 million of net sales growth attributable to commodity price inflation in the current period.The Company recorded gross profit of 101 million during the second quarter, compared to 94 million in the prior year period, with a gross margin of 14.4 compared to 13.3 in the prior year period.The Company recorded net income of 7 million for the second quarter, compared to 6 million in the prior year period. Second quarter 2020 net income includes one-time items totaling 3 million for restructuring, share-based compensation expense, and integration related charges. Net income in the prior year period included one-time gains from sales of real property of 10 million offset by one-time integration related charges, restructuring costs, and share-based compensation expense totaling 6 million. Excluding these one-time items, net income increased by 8 million year over year.Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, was 31 million for the second quarter, compared to 25 million in the prior year period, up 6 million or 24.Cash provided by operating activities was 72 million, an improvement of 60 million over the prior year period, mainly attributable to improvement in gross profit and a net working capital reduction of approximately 43 million. Excess availability under the revolving credit facility and cash on hand was approximately 138 million as of quarter end, compared to 101 million as of the end of the prior year period.First Six Months of 2020 Financial Results ReviewThe Company reported net sales of 1.4 billion in the first six months of 2020, compared to 1.3 billion in the prior year period. Net sales were up 64 million or 5 when excluding 48 million from the prior year period related to the discontinued siding line. The Company recorded gross profit of 194 million during the first six months of 2020, compared to 180 million in the prior year period, with a gross margin of 14.3 compared to 13.4 in the prior year period, up 90 basis points.The Company recorded net income of 6 million for the first six months of 2020, compared to a net loss of 0.4 million in the prior year period. Net income for the first six months of 2020 includes one-time items totaling 8 million for restructuring, share-based compensation, integration related costs, and gains from sales of real property. Net income from the prior year period included one-time items totaling 12 million for integration related charges, restructuring charges, and share-based compensation expense, offset by 10 million for one-time gains from sales of real property. Excluding these one-time items, net income increased by 12 million over the prior year period.Adjusted EBITDA was 51 million for the first six months of 2020, compared to 42 million in the prior year period, up 9 million or 21.Cash provided by operating activities was 13 million, an improvement of 66 million over the prior year period, mainly attributable to improvement in gross profit and a net working capital reduction of approximately 28 million.Business Update and Review of Market ConditionsAs of the date of this release, our markets are still in various stages of re-opening following the shelter-in-place and non-essential business closure orders that were implemented in March and April. Infection, hospitalization and mortality rates from COVID-19 remain significant, and the Company cannot predict the trajectory of the virus over the remainder of 2020 and beyond. We expect that the pandemic, and business and social restrictions stemming from the pandemic, will continue to affect the broader economy, and potentially the U.S. housing industry.While the long-term economic impacts of COVID-19 remain uncertain, to date the residential building products industry has proven to be resilient, rebounding from the significant declines experienced earlier during the pandemic. The Company has remained an essential business in all states in which it operates, allowing us to serve our customers while following strict health safety protocols across all our operations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local governments. During the quarter, our cross-functional COVID-19 Disaster Response Team implemented safety and hygiene protocols consistent with CDC and local guidance, and we took action on plans designed to reduce our cost structure, strengthen our balance sheet, and further increase liquidity in response to the pandemic.Market conditions have improved with increases in single family housing starts, the return of the Builders Confidence Index to pre COVID-19 levels, and continued strong commodity markets. Cost containment actions and improvements to managing working capital not only contributed to the Companys successful financial results in the second quarter but should also produce long-term, sustainable benefits.During July, the Companys sales volumes were positive relative to the prior year period, with increases in sales volume in both the structural and specialty categories. The Company also experienced July gross margins above its historical averages. This improvement was primarily driven by the increase in market pricing for structural products, which is currently trending well above July 2019 levels, but which may fluctuate significantly over the remainder of the quarter depending on various factors, including the impact of the pandemic on current market conditions. 2020 Second Quarter Conference Call with Accompanying Slide PresentationBlueLinx will host a conference call on August 4, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, accompanied by a supporting slide presentation.Participants can access the live conference call via telephone at 877 873-5864, using Conference ID 3795155. Investors will also be able to access an archived audio recording of the conference call for one week following the live call by dialing 404 537 3406, Conference ID 3795155.Investors can also listen to the live audio of the conference call and view the accompanying slide presentation by visiting the BlueLinx website, and selecting the conference link on the Investor Relations page. After the conference call has concluded, an archived recording will be available on the BlueLinx website.Use of Non-GAAP MeasuresThe Company reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. The Company also believes that presentation of certain non-GAAP measures may be useful to investors and may provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than using reported GAAP results alone. Any non-GAAP measures used herein are reconciled to their most directly comparable GAAP measures herein or in the financial tables accompanying this news release. The Company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Companys reported GAAP results. 