BOISE, Idaho, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Building Materials Holding Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: BLGM), a leading provider of building materials and construction services to professional residential builders and contractors, today reported sales for the first quarter of 2009 decreased 51% to $167 million from $343 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2009 increased to $45.2 million or $1.53 per share from a net loss of $33.9 million or $1.17 per share in the same quarter a year ago.

Commenting on first quarter results, Robert E. Mellor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The operating environment for the homebuilding industry remained very challenging during the first quarter of 2009. We continued to focus on our restructuring initiatives to improve cost efficiencies and preserve liquidity.

"We are working with our lenders toward a restructuring of our credit facility and balance sheet and we appreciate their continuing support. We are pleased to have obtained an extension of the waiver from our lenders that allows the Company to continue to borrow up to $20 million under our revolver.

"We also appreciate the continued hard work of our employees and ongoing support from our vendors during these unprecedented times. We greatly value the loyalty of our customers and look forward to continuing to provide them with high quality materials and services," concluded Mr. Mellor.

Extension of Waiver to Credit Facility

The Company obtained an extension of the waiver from its lenders that continues to waive the monthly Adjusted EBITDA, forecast and projection requirements of our credit agreement and continues to allow the Company to borrow up to $20 million through June 29, 2009.




    Operating Results

                                            (thousands)

                                   Three Months
                                   Ended March 31        %
                                   2009       2008     Change
    Sales
       Building Products         $99,174   $179,886     (45)%
       Construction Services      68,325    163,062     (58)%
                                $167,499   $342,948     (51)%

    Loss from operations        $(32,925)  $(18,356)    (79)%

For the quarter, sales declined 51% to $167 million from $343 million in the same quarter a year ago. The depressed conditions in the general homebuilding industry continue to be reflected in our markets. Sales were lower in all our regions. As of March 2009, single-family housing starts for the U.S. were at an annualized rate below 0.4 million and single-family permits in our markets were at an annualized rate of 0.1 million.

For the quarter, loss from continuing operations increased over the prior year's first quarter as a result of:


    --  lower sales volume, particularly construction services,
    --  gross margin compression from competitive market conditions and

-- deleveraging of selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as fixed capacity costs combined with facility consolidation and closure costs of $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 resulted in SG&A increasing to 37.0% from 24.6% of sales in the prior year's first quarter. Excluding the $4.9 million of consolidation and closure costs, first quarter 2009 SG&A expenses were 34.1% of sales.

Interest Expense

For the quarter, interest expense was 4% or $0.5 million more than the same quarter a year ago. The increase was due to:


    --  higher interest rates,
    --  costs associated with interest rate swap contracts no longer accounted
        for as cash flow hedges and

-- costs to obtain a limited waiver for our credit agreement.

Income Taxes

For the quarter, the significant change in our effective tax rate for continuing operations was the result of additional valuation allowance due to the uncertainty as to our ability to realize deferred tax assets.

About BMHC

BMHC is one of the largest providers of building materials and residential construction services in the United States. We serve the homebuilding industry through two recognized brands: as BMC West, we distribute building materials and manufacture building components for professional builders and contractors in the western and southern states; as SelectBuild, we provide construction services to high-volume production homebuilders in key markets across the country. To learn more about BMHC, visit our website at www.bmhc.com.

BUSINESS RISKS AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

There are a number of business risks and uncertainties that affect our operations and therefore could cause future results to differ from past performance or expected results. Additional information regarding business risks and uncertainties is contained in Part II Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may include, however are not limited to:

    --  substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern;
    --  our existing common equity may have no value;
    --  demand for and supply of single-family homes which are influenced by
        changes in the overall condition of the U.S. economy, including interest
        rates, consumer confidence, job formation, availability of credit and
        other important factors;
    --  our ability to maintain adequate liquidity, reduce operating costs and
        increase market share in an industry that has experienced and continues
        to experience a significant reduction in average annual housing starts;
        --  our liquidity is dependent on operating performance, an efficient
            cash conversion cycle and compliance with financial covenants;
        --  our ability to implement and maintain cost structures that align
            with sales trends and
        --  losses of customers as well as changes in the business models of our
            customers may limit our ability to provide building products and
            construction services;
    --  intense competition;
    --  availability of and our ability to attract, train and retain qualified
        individuals;
    --  fluctuations in our costs and availability of sourcing channels for
        commodity wood products, concrete, steel and other building materials;
    --  weather conditions including natural catastrophic events;
    --  exposure to product liability and construction defect claims as well as
        other legal proceedings;
    --  disruptions in our information systems;
    --  actual and perceived vulnerabilities as a result of widespread credit
        and liquidity concerns, terrorist activities and armed conflict;
    --  costs and/or restrictions associated with federal, state and other
        regulations and

-- numerous other matters of a local and regional scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature.

Risks related to our shares may include, however are not limited to:

    --  price for our shares may fluctuate significantly;
    --  our shares may be less attractive as they are not traded on a large,
        more well-known exchange and

-- anti-takeover defenses and certain provisions could prevent an acquisition of our company or limit share price.

Certain statements in this news release including those related to our restructuring initiatives and cost cutting efforts, our liquidity and negotiations with our lenders are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about our expectations, anticipated financial results and future business prospects are forward-looking statements. While these statements represent our current judgment on what the future may hold and we believe these judgments are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. These factors include, however are not limited to the risks and uncertainties cited in the above paragraph, as well as our ability to timely and successfully implement our restructuring program and achieve the benefits that the program is designed to provide, including preserving value, enhancing our liquidity, generating tax refunds, reducing expenses and generating cash proceeds. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date of this news release. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.


                                        (Tables Follow)



                             Building Materials Holding Corporation
                             Consolidated Statements of Operations
                              (thousands, except per share data)
                                           (unaudited)

                                       Three Months Ended       Year Ended
                                             March 31           December 31
                                       2009           2008         2008
    Sales
       Building products              $99,174       $179,886     $693,664
       Construction services           68,325        163,062      631,015
          Total sales                 167,499        342,948    1,324,679

    Costs and operating expenses
       Cost of goods sold
          Building products            77,267        130,683      514,222
          Construction services        66,839        150,795      576,087
       Impairment of assets               365              -       53,015
       Selling, general and
        administrative expenses        61,952         84,256      349,417
       Other income, net               (5,999)        (4,430)      (5,059)
          Total costs and operating
           expenses                   200,424        361,304    1,487,682

    Loss from operations              (32,925)       (18,356)    (163,003)

       Interest expense                12,155         11,638       52,925
                                      (45,080)       (29,994)    (215,928)
    Loss from continuing
     operations before income taxes

       Income tax benefit (expense)        12         (3,849)      23,409

    Loss from continuing operations   (45,068)       (33,843)    (192,519)

       Loss from discontinued
        operations                       (152)        (3,513)     (12,680)
       Impairment of assets                 -              -       (7,813)
       Income tax benefit (expense)         -          3,456       (1,860)
    Loss from discontinued operations    (152)           (57)     (22,353)

    Net loss                          (45,220)       (33,900)    (214,872)

       Noncontrolling interests loss        -             39           63

    Net loss attributable to
     common shareholders             $(45,220)      $(33,861)   $(214,809)

    Net loss per share:
       Continuing operations           $(1.53)        $(1.17)      $(6.62)
       Discontinued operations              -              -        (0.77)
          Basic                        $(1.53)        $(1.17)      $(7.39)

       Continuing operations           $(1.53)        $(1.17)      $(6.62)
       Discontinued operations              -              -        (0.77)
          Diluted                      $(1.53)        $(1.17)      $(7.39)



                             Building Materials Holding Corporation
                                Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                        (thousands)
                                        (unaudited)

                                        March 31       December 31
                                          2009            2008
    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents            $6,323         $11,484
    Receivables, net of
     allowances
       of $14,487 and $12,091            89,703         118,245
    Inventory                            70,605          78,676
    Unbilled receivables                 10,571          13,112
    Income tax receivable                49,977          50,304
    Deferred income taxes                     -               -
    Prepaid expenses and
     other                                4,940           4,864
    Assets of discontinued
     operations                           5,073           5,659
       Current assets                   237,192         282,344

    Property and equipment
       Land                              34,188          33,996
       Buildings and
        improvements                    120,727         120,814
       Equipment                        144,385         153,843
       Construction in progress           3,444           3,440
       Accumulated depreciation        (144,460)       (148,032)
    Assets held for sale                 41,451          46,300
    Deferred income taxes                     -               -
    Deferred loan costs                   4,100           4,485
    Other long-term assets               20,696          23,303
    Other intangibles, net               18,425          19,222
    Goodwill                                  -               -
                                       $480,148        $539,715



                                        March 31       December 31
                                         2009             2008
    Liabilities and (Deficit)
     Equity

    Accounts payable                    $26,189         $19,021
    Accrued compensation                 19,452          17,274
    Insurance deductible
     reserves                            16,788          17,527
    Other accrued liabilities            24,524          26,981
    Billings in excess of
     costs and estimated
       earnings                          19,696          24,054
    Current portion of
     long-term debt                     316,309          39,443
    Liabilities of
     discontinued operations                502             773
       Current liabilities              423,460         145,073

    Insurance deductible
     reserves                            25,466          26,208
    Long-term debt                          381         287,009
    Other long-term
     liabilities                         32,007          37,163
       Total liabilities                481,314         495,453

    Commitments and
     contingent liabilities                   -               -

    (Deficit) equity
       Common shares, $0.001 par
        value:
          authorized 50 million
           shares; issued and
          outstanding 29.7 and 29.7
           million shares                    29              29
       Additional paid-in
        capital                         168,545         169,146
       Deferred compensation
        common shares obligation             80             878
       Deferred compensation
        common shares held                  (80)           (878)
       Accumulated deficit             (165,547)       (120,327)
       Accumulated other
        comprehensive loss, net          (4,193)         (4,586)
          Shareholders' (deficit)
           equity                        (1,166)        44,262
       Noncontrolling interests               -               -
          Total (deficit) equity         (1,166)         44,262
                                       $480,148        $539,715



                            Building Materials Holding Corporation
                             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                         (thousands)
                                         (unaudited)

                                          Three Months Ended       Year Ended
                                             March 31              December 31
                                         2009         2008            2008
    Operating Activities
       Net loss attributable to
        common shareholders           $(45,220)    $(33,861)        $(214,809)
          Noncontrolling interests
           loss, net                         -          (39)              (63)
       Net loss                       $(45,220)    $(33,900)        $(214,872)
       Items in net loss not
        using (providing) cash:
          Depreciation and
           amortization                  6,141       10,522            37,611
          Deferred loan cost
           amortization                    385        2,739             1,621
          Deferred loan cost write
           off                               -            -             7,099
          Amortization of unrealized
           loss related to interest
           rate swap contracts             384            -                 -
             previously accounted for
              as cash flow hedge
          Amortization of terminated
           interest rate swap
           contracts notional
           reduction                       250            -               926
             settlement payments
          Unrealized ineffective
           portion of interest rate
           swap contracts                    -            -             3,022
          Amortization of warrant
           discount                         62            -                62
          Impairment of assets             365            -            60,828
          Share-based compensation         249        1,846             4,276
          Gain on sale of assets,
           net                          (5,338)      (3,435)           (2,225)
          Realized gain on
           marketable securities             -         (186)             (542)
          Deferred income tax
           (benefit) expense              (241)      13,896            22,534
          Changes in assets and
           liabilities, net of
           effects of acquisitions
           and
             divestitures of business
              units:
                Receivables, net        29,155       15,435            85,424
                Inventory                8,042        7,670            38,190
                Unbilled receivables     2,541        8,271            26,804
                Income tax receivable      327            -           (40,492)
                Prepaid expenses and
                 other current assets      (73)      (7,276)            4,298
                Accounts payable         6,951        4,909           (32,836)
                Accrued compensation      (258)      (3,306)          (14,724)
                Insurance deductible
                 reserves                 (739)      (1,756)          (10,961)
                Other accrued
                 liabilities            (1,852)      (2,540)           (8,028)
                Billings in excess of
                 costs and estimated
                 earnings               (4,358)       1,434               275
                Other long-term assets
                 and liabilities        (3,343)      (2,610)            8,789
          Other, net                      (241)      (3,504)             (205)
    Cash flows (used) provided
     by operating activities            (6,811)       8,209           (23,126)

    Investing Activities
       Purchases of property and
        equipment                         (570)      (7,176)          (16,509)
       Acquisitions and
        investments in
        businesses, net of cash
        acquired                             -       (2,450)           (8,575)
       Proceeds from dispositions
        of property and equipment       10,828        5,187            14,871
       Purchase of marketable
        securities                           -      (13,854)          (28,589)
       Proceeds from sales of
        marketable securities                -       10,339            70,221
       Other, net                          (26)      (2,797)           (2,123)
    Cash flows provided (used)
     by investing activities            10,232      (10,751)           29,296

    Financing Activities
       Net borrowings under
        revolver                         2,300            -                 -
       Principal payments on term
        notes                          (11,986)      (3,522)          (19,866)
       Interest rate swap
        contracts notional
        reduction settlement
        payments                        (1,220)           -            (3,835)
       Net payments on other
        notes                             (138)        (418)           (2,261)
       Increase (decrease) in
        book overdrafts                  2,418       (4,413)          (17,616)
       Proceeds from share
        options exercised                    -            9                 8
       Income tax benefit for
        share-based compensation             -         (731)                -
       Dividends paid                        -       (2,938)           (2,938)
       Deferred financing costs              -       (4,927)           (8,847)
       Other, net                           44            -                82
    Cash flows used by
     financing activities               (8,582)     (16,940)          (55,273)

    Decrease in Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                        (5,161)     (19,482)          (49,103)

       Cash and cash equivalents,
        beginning of period             11,484       60,587            60,587
       Cash and cash equivalents,
        end of period                   $6,323      $41,105           $11,484



    Supplemental Disclosure of
     Cash Flow Information
       Cash paid for interest           $8,407       $8,876           $41,863
       Cash paid for income taxes           $9          $78            $3,141

    Supplemental Schedule of
     Investing Activities
       Liabilities of
        acquisitions
        (extinguished)                      $-      $(2,450)          $(8,525)
       Cash paid for acquisitions
        made this period                    $-       $2,450            $8,525
       Cash paid for acquisitions
        made in prior period                $-           $-               $50

    Supplemental Schedule of
     Financing Activities
       Fair value of warrants
        issued                              $-           $-              $782
       Discount on term note for
        warrants issued                     $-           $-             $(782)

SOURCE Building Materials Holding Corp.