SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ---------

                                   Form 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT

               Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
                             Exchange Act of 1934

                                 -------------

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 3, 1998

                                   CULP, INC.

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        North Carolina                  0-12781                56-1001967

 (State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File No.)       (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)                                  Identification No.)



                             101 South Main Street
                       High Point, North Carolina  27260
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                (336) 889-5161
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




                                                                              
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------








Item 5. Other Events

See  attached  Press  Release (3 pages) and  Financial  Information  Release (12
pages),  both dated June 3, 1998,  related to the fourth  quarter and year ended
May 3, 1998.

Forward  Looking  Information.  This Report  contains  statements  that could be
deemed   "forward-looking   statements"   within  the  meaning  of  the  federal
securities  laws,   which  statements  are  inherently   subject  to  risks  and
uncertainties.   Forward-looking   statements   are   statements   that  include
projections,   expectations  or  beliefs  about  future  events  or  results  or
otherwise are not  statements  of historical  fact.  Such  statements  are often
characterized  by  qualifying  words such as  "expect,"  "believe,"  "estimate,"
"plan" and "project"  and their  derivatives.  Factors that could  influence the
matters  discussed in such  statements  include the level of housing  starts and
sales of existing homes,  consumer confidence,  trends in disposable income, and
general  economic  conditions.  Decreases  in these  economic  indicators  could
have a  negative  effect on the  Company's  business  and  prospects.  Likewise,
increases in interest rates,  particularly  home mortgage  rates,  and increases
in consumer debt or the general rate of inflation,  could  adversely  affect the
Company.  In  addition,  the  value  of the  U.  S.  dollar  relative  to  other
currencies  can  affect  the   competitiveness  of  the  Company's  products  in
international markets.
 


                                  SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
                                    CULP, INC.
                                    (Registrant)


                              By:    Franklin N. Saxon                          
                                     Senior Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer


                              By:    Phillip W. Wilson                          
                                     Director of Finance




Dated:   June 3, 1998




                                     -MORE-





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

             CULP REPORTS RECORD SALES AND EARNINGS FOR FISCAL 1998
                                    ----------
                   FOURTH QUARTER REFLECTS PRESSURE ON MARGINS

HIGH POINT, N. C. (June 3, 1998) - Culp, Inc.  (NYSE:CFI)  today reported higher
sales  and  earnings  for the  fiscal  year  ended  May 3,  1998.  Although  the
company  reported lower earnings for the fourth fiscal quarter,  the results for
the full year marked the ninth consecutive year of record earnings for Culp.

      For the 1998 fiscal year,  net sales totaled $476.7  million,  up 20% from
$398.9  million  in  fiscal  1997.  Net  income  for the year  rose 13% to $15.5
million,  or $1.19 per share diluted,  up from $13.8 million, or $1.15 per share
diluted, in fiscal 1997.

      Net sales for the quarter  increased 29% to $135.8  million  compared with
$105.7  million a year ago.  Net income for the quarter  totaled  $4.2  million,
or $0.31 per share  diluted,  compared  with  $4.8  million,  or $0.38 per share
diluted, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.

      The  Company's  effective  tax rate for fiscal 1998 was 29% compared  with
36% a year ago. The lower rate was due  principally  to  increased  tax benefits
related  to the  Company's  international  sales.  The  reduced  tax  rate  also
reflected  a  higher   proportion  of  earnings  from  the  Company's   Canadian
subsidiary that is taxed at a lower effective rate.

      "Net  sales,  net income and  earnings  per share each set new records for
fiscal 1998 as a whole,"  said Robert G. Culp,  III,  chief  executive  officer.
"Culp's  financial  performance  for the full  year  marks an  extension  of our
long-term  record of growth.  At the same time,  several factors  contributed to
some  pressure  on  profitability  that  was  reflected  in  our  fourth-quarter
results.  One of the most  significant  developments  related to the $95 million
that we invested  during  fiscal  1998 to support  Culp's  progress  through the
acquisition  of  additional  complementary  business  units and various  capital
projects   intended  to  expand,   modernize   and   vertically   integrate  our
operations.  Although  assimilation  of the  acquisitions  and completion of the
capital  projects  have  generally  proceeded  as planned,  we have  experienced
production   inefficiencies   related  to  the  start-up  of  several  of  these
initiatives.   We  believe  these   variances  will  prove   temporary  and  are
confident about realizing a sound long-term return from these investments."


Culp Reports Record Earnings For Fiscal 1998
Page 3
June 3, 1998


      Culp added,  "Incoming  orders for our  upholstery  fabrics  and  mattress
ticking are generally  favorable at present.  One product  category where demand
has decidedly slowed,  however,  is printed flock upholstery  fabrics.  This has
been  one of our  fastest-growing  product  groups,  stimulated  by  significant
growth in demand  from  international  markets;  notably,  portions  of  Eastern
Europe and Asia. We  accordingly  focused a meaningful  part of our expansion on
additional  capacity  for these  fabrics.  Although  we believe  the longer term
outlook  is good  for  increasing  shipments  of  these  fabrics,  the  economic
difficulties  that many of these regions are  experiencing at present are having
an  understandably  adverse  impact  on  demand  for  home  furnishings  and our
fabrics.  We are  re-directing  our  marketing  activities  to other  geographic
areas and expect to realize improved results as fiscal 1999 develops."

      "As we start fiscal 1999, we are  encouraged  about the momentum that Culp
has  established  in the  development  of new  patterns  and  textures  for  our
upholstery  fabrics  and  mattress  ticking.  Our  completion  of the  Howard L.
Dunn,  Jr. design center during fiscal 1998  epitomized the key role that design
has in our  business.  We  have  been  fortunate  to add a  number  of  talented
designers with solid  reputations  and a willingness  to test new concepts.  The
design  teams now have a truly  state-of-the-art  facility,  and we are  pleased
with their  accomplishments  to date.  The backdrop of high consumer  confidence
and stable  mortgage  rates  presents a favorable  environment  for  spending on
home  furnishings  in the United  States.  We are thus  optimistic  about Culp's
prospects for continued  progress in fiscal 1999 as a whole.  We recognize  that
the  first  half  of  the  year  will  be  challenging   and  believe  that  the
year-to-year improvement will be more likely to occur during the second half."

      Culp  concluded,  "Purchases  of existing  operations  and other  physical
assets  have been an  integral  component  of our growth for more than a decade.
Although we expect to  maintain  an active  capital  investment  program  during
fiscal  1999,  the planned  spending  of $15 million  will be less than half the
$36 million spend in fiscal 1998.  Our primary  focus will be the  maturation of
the  projects  that  have  either  been  or  are  nearing   completion.   Culp's
profitability  has enabled us to support these  investments  while maintaining a
solid  financial  position.  Our funded  debt/capital  ratio  totaled 54% at the
close of fiscal 1998 with  borrowings  of $30 million  against our $100  million
line  of  credit.   During  the  fourth  quarter,   we  enhanced  our  financial
flexibility  further by  closing a private  placement  of $75  million in senior
unsecured notes with a fixed rate of 6.76% for 10 years."

      Culp is the  world's  largest  manufacturer  and  marketer  of  upholstery
fabrics  for  furniture  and is a  leading  producer  of  mattress  ticking  for
bedding.  The  Company's  fabrics  are used  principally  in the  production  of
residential and commercial furniture and bedding products.




This  Release  contains   statements  that  could  be  deemed   "forward-looking
statements"   within  the  meaning  of  the  federal   securities   laws,  which
statements are inherently  subject to risks and  uncertainties.  Forward-looking
statements  are statements  that include  projections,  expectations  or beliefs
about future  events or results or otherwise  are not  statements  of historical
fact.  Such  statements  are often  characterized  by  qualifying  words such as
"expect,"  "believe,"  "estimate,"  "plan" and "project" and their  derivatives.
Factors that could influence the matters  discussed in such  statements  include
the level of housing starts and sales of existing  homes,  consumer  confidence,
trends in  disposable  income,  and general  economic  conditions.  Decreases in
these  economic  indicators  could  have a  negative  effect  on  the  Company's
business and  prospects.  Likewise,  increases in interest  rates,  particularly
home  mortgage  rates,  and  increases  in consumer  debt or the general rate of
inflation,  could adversely  affect the Company.  In addition,  the value of the
U.S. dollar relative to other currencies can affect the  competitiveness  of the
Company's products in international markets.

                                   CULP, INC.
                         Condensed Financial Highlights

                                                     Three Months Ended     
                                                   May 3,         April 27,
                                                   1998             1997    
 
Net sales                                      $135,834,000      $105,678,000
Net income                                        4,156,000         4,840,000
Earnings per share
  Basic                                        $       0.32      $       0.39
  Diluted                                      $       0.31      $       0.38
Average shares outstanding
  Basic                                          12,993,000        12,546,000
  Diluted                                        13,284,000        12,856,000

                                                     Fiscal Year Ended      
                                                   May 3,          April 27,
                                                   1998              1997   
 
Net sales                                      $476,715,000      $398,879,000
Net income                                       15,513,000        13,770,000
Earnings per share
  Basic                                        $       1.22      $       1.18
  Diluted                                      $       1.19      $       1.15
Average shares outstanding
  Basic                                          12,744,000        11,624,000
  Diluted                                        13,042,000        11,929,000
                                      -END-




                       CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
                            CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
       FOR THREE MONTHS AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MAY 3, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997

                  (Amounts in Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)

THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED) -------------------------------------------------------- Amounts Percent of Sales --------------------- -------------------- May 3, April 27, % Over 1998 1997 (Under) 1998 1997 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Net sales $ 135,834 105,678 28.5 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Cost of sales 112,644 85,386 31.9 % 82.9 % 80.8 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 23,190 20,292 14.3 % 17.1 % 19.2 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 15,277 11,730 30.2 % 11.2 % 11.1 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Income from operations 7,913 8,562 (7.6) % 5.8 % 8.1 % Interest expense 1,837 1,019 80.3 % 1.4 % 1.0 % Interest income (69) (90) (23.3) % (0.1) % (0.1) % Other expense (income), net 753 404 86.4 % 0.6 % 0.4 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes 5,392 7,229 (25.4) % 4.0 % 6.8 % Income taxes * 1,236 2,389 (48.3) % 22.9 % 33.0 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Net income $ 4,156 4,840 (14.1) % 3.1 % 4.6 % ========== ========== ========= ========= ========= Net income per share $0.32 $0.39 (17.9) % Net income per share (assuming dilution) $0.31 $0.38 (18.4) % Dividends per share $0.0350 $0.0325 7.7 % Average shares outstanding 12,993 12,546 3.6 % Average shares outstanding (assuming dilution) 13,284 12,856 3.3 % TWELVE MONTHS ENDED -------------------------------------------------------- Amounts Percent of Sales --------------------- -------------------- May 3, April 27, % Over 1998 1997 (Under) 1998 1997 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Net sales $ 476,715 398,879 19.5 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Cost of sales 393,154 326,394 20.5 % 82.5 % 81.8 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 83,561 72,485 15.3 % 17.5 % 18.2 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 52,987 45,058 17.6 % 11.1 % 11.3 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Income from operations 30,574 27,427 11.5 % 6.4 % 6.9 % Interest expense 7,117 4,671 52.4 % 1.5 % 1.2 % Interest income (304) (280) 8.6 % (0.1) % (0.1) % Other expense (income), net 1,912 1,521 25.7 % 0.4 % 0.4 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes 21,849 21,515 1.6 % 4.6 % 5.4 % Income taxes * 6,336 7,745 (18.2) % 29.0 % 36.0 % ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Net income $ 15,513 13,770 12.7 % 3.3 % 3.5 % ========== ========== ========= ========= ========= Net income per share $1.22 $1.18 3.4 % Net income per share (assuming dilution) $1.19 $1.15 3.5 % Dividends per share $0.14 $0.13 7.7 % Average shares outstanding 12,744 11,624 9.6 % Average shares outstanding (assuming dilution) 13,042 11,929 9.3 % * Percent of sales column is calculated as a % of income before income taxes.
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS MAY 3, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997 (Amounts in Thousands)
Amounts Increase --------------------------- May 3, April 27, (Decrease) ---------------------- 1998 1997 Dollars Percent -------------- ----------- ---------- -------- Current assets Cash and cash investments $ 2,312 830 1,482 178.6 % Accounts receivable 73,773 56,691 17,082 30.1 % Inventories 78,594 53,463 25,131 47.0 % Other current assets 7,808 5,450 2,358 43.3 % -------------- ----------- ---------- -------- Total current assets 162,487 116,434 46,053 39.6 % Restricted investments 4,021 11,018 (6,997) (63.5)% Property, plant & equipment, net 128,805 91,231 37,574 41.2 % Goodwill 55,162 22,262 32,900 147.8 % Other assets 4,340 3,007 1,333 44.3 % -------------- ----------- ---------- -------- Total assets $ 354,815 243,952 110,863 45.4 % ============== =========== ========== ======== Current liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt $ 3,325 100 3,225 3,225.0% Accounts payable 37,214 29,903 7,311 24.4 % Accrued expenses 17,936 15,074 2,862 19.0 % Income taxes payable 1,282 1,580 (298) (18.9)% -------------- ----------- ---------- -------- Total current 59,757 46,657 13,100 28.1 % liabilities Long-term debt 152,312 76,541 75,771 99.0 % Deferred income taxes 11,227 9,965 1,262 12.7 % -------------- ----------- ---------- -------- Total liabilities 223,296 133,163 90,133 67.7 % Shareholders' equity 131,519 110,789 20,730 18.7 % -------------- ----------- ---------- -------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 354,815 243,952 110,863 45.4 % ============== =========== ========== ======== Shares outstanding 13,007 12,609 398 3.2 % ============== =========== ========== ========
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 3, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997 (Amounts in Thousands)
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED ---------------------- Amounts ---------------------- May 3, April 27, 1998 1997 ----------- ---------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 15,513 13,770 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 14,808 12,688 Amortization of intangible assets 1,371 810 Provision for deferred income taxes 1,416 966 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of payments for businesses acquired: Accounts receivable (13,207) (4,653) Inventories (17,684) (6,068) Other current assets (660) (348) Other assets (380) (205) Accounts payable 6,477 2,586 Accrued expenses 1,506 2,510 Income taxes payable (298) 1,383 ----------- ---------- Net cash provided by operating activities 8,862 23,439 ----------- ---------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (35,879) (26,958) Purchases of restricted investments (8,770) (9,770) Purchase of investments to fund deferred compensation liability (581) (563) Sale of restricted investments 15,767 4,002 Payments for businesses acquired (42,966) 0 ----------- ---------- Net cash used in investing activities (72,429) (33,289) ----------- ---------- Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 86,246 54,500 Principal payments on long-term debt (17,100) (59,900) Change in accounts payable-capital expenditures (2,873) 9 Dividends paid (1,786) (1,513) Proceeds from common stock issued 562 17,086 ----------- ---------- Net cash provided by financing activities 65,049 10,182 ----------- ---------- Increase in cash and cash investments 1,482 332 Cash and cash investments at beginning of period 830 498 ----------- ---------- Cash and cash investments at end of period $ 2,312 830 =========== ==========
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS MAY 3, 1998
FISCAL 97 FISCAL 98 -------- --------------------------------------- --------- Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 LTM -------- --------------------------------------- --------- INVENTORIES Inventory turns 6.6 5.8 6.1 5.4 5.9 RECEIVABLES Days sales in receivables 49 50 55 52 49 Percent current & less than 30 days past due 99.1% 95.0% 97.8% 94.1% 96.6% WORKING CAPITAL Current ratio 2.5 3.6 2.9 3.0 2.7 Working capital turnover (4) 5.3 5.1 4.8 4.7 4.7 Operating working capital (4) $80,251 $94,647 $107,797 $112,220 $115,153 PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT Depreciation rate 7.5% 7.1% 7.4% 7.4% 7.4% Percent property, plant & equipment are depreciated 47.4% 46.8% 45.3% 44.8% 42.6% Capital expenditures $26,958 (1) $9,153 $10,063 $8,967 $7,696 PROFITABILITY Return on average total capital 11.7% 7.6% 10.0% 8.3% 7.7% 8.4% Return on average equity 20.9% 10.2% 15.6% 13.4% 13.1% 13.0% Net income per share $0.39 $0.23 $0.36 $0.32 $0.32 $1.22 Net income per share (diluted) $0.38 $0.22 $0.35 $0.31 $0.31 $1.19 LEVERAGE (3) Total liabilities/equity 120.2% 123.1% 172.0% 169.2% 169.8% Funded debt/equity 59.2% 77.4% 111.7% 116.1% 115.3% Funded debt/capital employed 37.2% 43.6% 52.8% 53.7% 53.5% Funded debt $65,623 $87,930 $131,833 $141,223 $151,616 Funded debt/EBITDA (LTM) (6) 1.67 2.18 2.83 2.95 3.21 EBITDA/Interest expense,net(LTM) 9.0 9.1 8.5 7.5 6.6 OTHER Book value per share $8.79 $8.98 $9.30 $9.58 $10.11 Employees at quarter end 3,146 3,180 3,554 3,771 4,334 Sales per employee (annualized)$134,000 $125,000 $146,000 $129,000 $134,000 Capital employed (3) $176,412 $201,467 $249,838 $262,836 $283,135 Effective income tax rate 33.0% 35.0% 35.0% 22.2% 22.9% EBITDA (2) $11,582 $9,012 $12,643 $11,390 $11,796 $44,841 EBITDA/net sales 11.0% 9.1% 10.3% 9.6% 8.7% 9.4% (1) Expenditures for entire year (2) Earnings before interest, income taxes,and depreciation & amortization. (3) Long-term debt, funded debt and capital employed are all net of restricted investments. (4) Working capital for this calculation is accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable. (5) LTM represents "Latest Twelve Months" (6) EBITDA includes pro forma amounts for Phillips, Wetumpka and Artee acquisitions in Qtr 2, Qtr 3 and Qtr 4 of fiscal 1998.
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE SALES BY PRODUCT CATEGORY/BUSINESS UNIT FOR THREE MONTHS AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MAY 3, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997 (Amounts in thousands)
THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED) --------------------------------------------------- Amounts Percent of Total Sales ------------------ ------------------- May 3, April 27, % Over 1998 1997 (Under) 1998 1997 Product Category/Business Unit - ------------------------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- Upholstery Fabrics Culp Textures $ 25,521 23,027 10.8 % 18.8 % 21.8 % Rossville/Chromatex 23,897 20,672 15.6 % 17.6 % 19.6 % -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- 49,418 43,699 13.1 % 36.4 % 41.4 % Velvets/Prints 45,044 40,980 9.9 % 33.2 % 38.8 % Phillips 10,737 0 100.0 % 7.9 % 0.0 % -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- 105,199 84,679 24.2 % 77.4 % 80.1 % Mattress Ticking Culp Home Fashions 23,520 20,999 12.0 % 17.3 % 19.9 % Yarn Artee 7,115 0 100.0 % 5.2 % 0.0 % -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- * $ 135,834 105,678 28.5 % 100.0% 100.0 % ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= TWELVE MONTHS ENDED --------------------------------------------------- Amounts Percent of Total Sales ------------------ ------------------- May 3, April 27, % Over 1998 1997 (Under) 1998 1997 Product Category/Business Unit - ------------------------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- Upholstery Fabrics Culp Textures $ 92,727 88,218 5.1 % 19.5 % 22.1 % Rossville/Chromatex 84,740 79,512 6.6 % 17.8 % 19.9 % -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- 177,467 167,730 5.8 % 37.2 % 42.1 % Velvets/ Prints 171,389 156,467 9.5 % 36.0 % 39.2 % Phillips 32,698 0 100.0 % 6.9 % 0.0 % -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- 381,554 324,197 17.7 % 80.0 % 81.3 % Mattress Ticking Culp Home Fashions 87,285 74,682 16.9 % 18.3 % 18.7 % Yarn Artee 7,876 0 100.0 % 1.7 % 0.0 % -------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- * $ 476,715 398,879 19.5 % 100.0% 100.0 % ======== ======== ========== ======== =========
*U.S. sales were $97,383 and $76,517 for the current quarter of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, respectively; and $339,492 and $297,308 for the twelve months of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, respectively. The percentage increase in U.S. sales was 27% for the current quarter and an increase of 14% for the twelve months. CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE INTERNATIONAL SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA FOR THREE MONTHS AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MAY 3, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997
(Amounts in thousands) THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED) ------------------------------------------------------- Amounts Percent of Total Sales --------------------- --------------------- May 3, April 27, % Over Geographic Area 1998 1997 (Under) 1998 1997 - ----------------------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- North America(Excluding USA)$ 8,459 6,924 22.2 % 22.0 % 23.7 % Europe 7,964 7,672 3.8 % 20.7 % 26.3 % Middle East 10,960 9,769 12.2 % 28.5 % 33.5 % Far East & Asia 8,542 3,753 127.6 % 22.2 % 12.9 % South America 1,687 140 1,105.0 % 4.4 % 0.5 % All other areas 839 903 (7.1)% 2.2 % 3.1 % ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- $ 38,451 29,161 31.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % ========== ========= ========= ========= ========= TWELVE MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------------------------------- Amounts Percent of Total Sales --------------------- --------------------- May 3, April 27, % Over Geographic Area 1998 1997 (Under) 1998 1997 - ----------------------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- North America (Excluding USA) $ 31,160 27,479 13.4 % 22.7 % 27.1 % Europe 30,775 25,245 21.9 % 22.4 % 24.9 % Middle East 34,412 23,505 46.4 % 25.1 % 23.1 % Far East & Asia 32,344 19,646 64.6 % 23.6 % 19.3 % South America 5,158 2,604 98.1 % 3.8 % 2.6 % All other areas 3,374 3,092 9.1 % 2.5 % 3.0 % ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- $ 137,223 101,571 35.1 % 100.0 % 100.0 % ========== ========= ========= ========= =========
International sales, and the percentage of total sales, for each of the last seven fiscal years follows: fiscal 1992-$ 34,094 (18%); fiscal 1993-$ 40,729 (20%); fiscal 1994-$ 44,038 (18%); fiscal 1995-$ 57,971 (19%); fiscal 1996- $ 77,397 (22%); fiscal 1997-$ 101,571 (25%); and fiscal 1998-$ 137,223 (29%). International sales for for the curent quarter represented 28.3% and 27.6% for 1998 and 1997, respectively. Culp, Inc. SALES BY BUSINESS UNIT - TREND ANALYSIS 1996 vs 1997 vs 1998 (Amounts in thousands)
Fiscal 1996 Fiscal 1997 -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Product Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 TOTAL Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 TOTAL Category/Business Units - ---------------------- Upholstery Fabrics Culp Textures 17,584 22,715 20,685 23,400 84,384 20,801 24,001 20,389 23,027 88,218 Rossville/Chromatex 15,358 17,960 18,567 22,318 74,203 18,165 21,722 18,953 20,672 79,512 -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- 32,942 40,675 39,252 45,718 158,587 38,966 45,723 39,342 43,699 167,730 Velvets/Prints 23,523 32,081 31,836 38,261 125,701 34,867 40,233 40,387 40,980 156,467 Phillips - - - - - - - - - - -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- 56,465 72,756 71,088 83,979 284,288 73,833 85,956 79,729 84,679 324,197 Mattress Ticking Culp Home Fashions 15,892 17,916 15,388 18,183 67,379 16,696 19,248 17,739 20,999 74,682 Yarn Artee - - - - - - - - - - -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- 72,357 90,672 86,476 102,162 351,667 90,529 105,204 97,468 105,678 398,879 ====================================== ========================================
Culp, Inc. SALES BY BUSINESS UNIT - TREND ANALYSIS 1996 vs 1997 vs 1998
(Amounts in thousands) Fiscal 1998 --------------------------------------- Product Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 TOTAL Category/Business Units - --------------------- Upholstery Fabrics Culp Textures 21,693 24,454 21,059 25,521 92,727 Rossville/Chromatex 18,121 21,602 21,120 23,897 84,740 ---------------------------------------- 39,814 46,056 42,179 49,418 177,467 Velvets/Prints 38,397 43,928 44,020 45,044 171,389 Phillips - 10,725 11,236 10,737 32,698 ---------------------------------------- 78,211 100,709 97,435 105,199 381,554 Mattress Ticking Culp Home Fashions 21,287 22,217 20,261 23,520 87,285 Yarn Artee - - 761 7,115 7,876 ---------------------------------------- 99,498 122,926 118,457 135,834 476,715 ========================================
Percent increase(decrease) from prior year: Product Category/Business Units - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upholstery Fabrics Culp Textures (10.3) (0.5) (1.2) 7.6 (0.9) 18.3 5.7 (1.4) (1.6) 4.5 Rossville/Chromatex 1.4 14.0 13.2 35.5 16.4 18.3 20.9 2.1 (7.4) 7.2 -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- (5.2) 5.4 5.1 19.7 6.5 18.3 12.4 0.2 (4.4) 5.8 Velvets/Prints 13.9 21.3 12.5 21.8 17.7 48.2 25.4 26.9 7.1 24.5 Phillips - - - - - - - - - - -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- 1.9 11.9 8.3 20.6 11.2 30.8 18.1 12.2 0.8 14.0 Mattress Ticking Culp Home Fashions 45.1 33.6 26.7 14.9 28.8 5.1 7.4 15.3 15.5 10.8 Yarn Artee - - - - - - - - - - -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- 9.1 15.6 11.2 19.6 14.2 25.1 16.0 12.7 3.4 13.4 ====================================== ===================================== Overall Growth Rate Internal (without acquistions) 6.4 13.0 8.7 19.6 12.3 25.1 16.0 12.7 3.4 13.4 External 2.7 2.6 2.5 1.9 - - - - - -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- 9.1 15.6 11.2 19.6 14.2 25.1 16.0 12.7 3.4 13.4 ====================================== ===================================== Percent increase(decrease) from prior year: Product Category/Business Units - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upholstery Fabrics Culp Textures 4.3 1.9 3.3 10.8 5.1 Rossville/Chromatex (0.2) (0.6) 11.4 15.6 6.6 --------------------------------------- 2.2 0.7 7.2 13.1 5.8 Velvets/Prints 10.1 9.2 9.0 9.9 9.5 Phillips - 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 --------------------------------------- 5.9 17.2 22.2 24.2 17.7 Mattress Ticking Culp Home Fashions 27.5 15.4 14.2 12.0 16.9 Yarn Artee - - 100.0 100.0 100.0 --------------------------------------- 9.9 16.8 21.5 28.5 19.5 ======================================= Overall Growth Rate Internal (without acquistions) 9.9 6.6 9.2 11.6 9.3 External - 10.2 12.3 16.9 10.2 -------------------------------------- 9.9 16.8 21.5 28.5 19.5 =======================================
(Page 8 of 12) CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE FINANCIAL NARRATIVE for the three and twelve month periods ended May 3, 1998 and April 27, 1997 INCOME STATEMENT COMMENTS GENERAL - Net sales increased 28.5% to $135.8 million and net income decreased 14.1% to $4.2 million for the fourth quarter, as compared with the same quarter of last year. Net sales for the quarter excluding the operations acquired during fiscal 1998 increased 11.6% versus the same quarter of last year. The company's net profit margin decreased to 3.1% for the quarter from 4.6% a year ago. Also, the company achieved a return on average shareholders' equity of 13.0% for fiscal 1998. The company acquired Phillips Mills on August 5, 1997, Wetumpka Yarn on December 30, 1997, and Artee Industries on February 2, 1998. The acquisitions were accounted for as purchases. The results of these companies are therefore included in Culp's results since their respective acquisition dates. The company attributes its longer term record of growth to several key competitive strengths: Broad Product Offering - marketing one of the broadest product lines in the upholstery fabrics and mattress ticking industry. Through its extensive manufacturing capabilities, the company competes in every major category of the industry except leather. Diverse Global Customer Base - penetrating other end-use markets in addition to U.S. residential furniture, such as bedding, international, commercial furniture and juvenile furniture; sales to these other markets accounted for approximately 54% of net sales during the fourth quarter; additionally, no one customer accounted for more than 7% of sales during the quarter; Design Innovation - investing in the creative aspect of our business - the company has significantly increased the resources (both designers and computer-aided design (CAD) systems) dedicated to the design and product development areas in each business unit; the company's in-house design, product development, CAD and support staff now includes over 90 people. Additionally, the company opened its state-of-the-art Design Center in Burlington, North Carolina during January 1998. This facility now brings together most of the company's design resources in one location and utilizes advanced CAD systems and technology; Vertical Integration - realizing additional manufacturing integration by producing most of its specialty raw material components that are used in the manufacture of its products; and Ability to Identify and Integrate Acquisitions - investing in selective acquisitions in complementary businesses which we know and understand, and that strengthen existing marketing positions or add strategic vertical manufacturing capabilities. NET SALES - All business units reported gains in sales for the fourth quarter and full year. The overall increases for the quarter and year were principally due to the incremental sales from acquisitions, international sales growth of 31.9% for the quarter and 35.1% for the year, and continued gains in sales of mattress ticking of 12.0% for the quarter and 16.9% for the year. (See various sales schedules included in this Form 8-K). International sales in all major regions and each upholstery fabric business unit increased, and they accounted for 28% of net sales for the quarter and 29% for the year. The vast majority of the international sales represent sales of upholstery fabrics to residential furniture distributors and manufacturers. (See International Sales by Geographic Area schedule on page 6.) Almost all of the company's international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Incoming order trends for Phillips and Rossville/Chromatex are improving at present due principally to increased international sales. Order trends for Culp Home Fashions remain very positive. Late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, however, incoming orders for the company's wet and heat-transfer printed flock product lines began to slow considerably. This trend, which the company believes is also affecting the other major flock fabric competitors, continued through May. As a result, the Velvets/Prints division has significantly curtailed production schedules thus far in the first quarter of fiscal 1999. A large percentage of the company's sales of this product line, and the industry in general, were being shipped directly or indirectly to customers in the emerging markets of Russia and other former Soviet countries, India and Eastern Europe. CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE FINANCIAL NARRATIVE for the three and twelve month periods ended May 3, 1998 and April 27, 1997 All of these areas are generally experiencing very weak economic conditions which, in turn, have affected demand for furniture and other home furnishiings. The company is re-directing its marketing focus for this product category to other geographic areas where demand remains favorable and believes the long-term outlokk favors increasing demand for these fabrics internationally. GROSS PROFIT - The gross profit increase of 14.3% for the fourth quarter versus the same quarter of last year reflects a substantial gain in the Culp Home Fashions and Culp Velvets/Prints business units, the incremental gross profit from the Phillips and Artee business units, and moderate decreases in Rossville/Chromatex and Culp Textures. Additionally, the year end credit adjustment for LIFO for fiscal 1998 was significantly less than the credit adjustment for LIFO in 1997. The overall gross profit margin of 17.1% decreased for the fourth quarter from 19.2% in the same quarter of last year. Factors which adversely affected the company's profitability and margins during the quarter included: (a) incremental costs at Rossville/Chromatex associated with the planned relocation of its Rossville dobby weaving facility to a new plant in Chattanooga, TN, (b) lower profitability in the Culp Textures business unit that resulted from decreases in profits of its jacquard product line and from the fabric finishing expansion to bring in house the fabric finishing for Phillips and (c) lower margins on certain international shipments from Rossville/Chromatex and Culp Textures. These factors were offset in part by (a) improving productivity related to various expansion projects in the Velvets/Prints business unit as well as higher profitability in its velvet product lines, (b) contributions from Phillips and Artee, and (c) the operation of its jacquard greige goods facility in Canada (Rayonese) where a major expansion of wide weaving capacity was completed during the third quarter of fiscal 1998. For the first quarter of fiscal 1999 and likely continuing into the second quarter, the company's gross margins are expected to be under pressure principally due to the substantial softness that has developed in demand for printed flock fabrics. Other factors that may adversley affect margins include (a) lower margins on certain international shipments of fabrics (b) competitive pressures relating to demand for the company's jacquard product lines, and (c) continuing costs associated with completion of the project to expand fabric finishing to accommodate the Phillips finishing requirements. The company has instituted several key initiatives to address these situations, including (a) combining the Rossville/Chromatex and Culp Textures business units, which manufacture and market woven upholstery fabrics to the residential and commercial furniture markets, into one division under a single management team; and (b) naming a new president for the Culp Velvets/Prints division as well as a new VP of International Sales and Marketing with significant experience in the printed flock fabric international market. The Company believes that it should benefit during fiscal 1999 from further improvement in the productivity related to the expansion projects and from a stronger contribution from the operations acquired during fiscal 1998. S,G&A EXPENSES - S,G&A expenses for the fourth quarter were essentially flat as a percentage of sales versus the same period of last year. The increase in absolute dollars is principally due to incremental S,G&A expenses for Phillips and Artee, higher sales commissions related to international sales, significant investments in additional design resources, and higher accruals for incentive-based compensation plans. The higher cost associated with incentive compensation plans for the fourth quarter occurred primarily because of differences in the timing of accruals in fiscal 1998 versus fiscal 1997. INTEREST EXPENSE - The increase for the fourth quarter of 80.3% over the same quarter of last year is due to higher average borrowings outstanding, which resulted from the company's fiscal 1998 acquisitions of Phillips and Artee, and from capital expenditure and working capital investments that were made during the year. Due to the significant capital expenditures for fiscal 1998, the company began capitalizing interest expense related to major capital projects. CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE FINANCIAL NARRATIVE for the three and twelve month periods ended May 3, 1998 and April 27, 1997 OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET - Other expense (income) increased to $753,000 from $404,000 in the same quarter of last year, due primarily to the incremental goodwill amortization related to Phillips and Artee as well as to debt issue costs associated with the company's debt agreements. INCOME TAXES - The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter was 22.9%, compared with 33.0 % for the same quarter of last year. The annual tax rate was 29.0% for fiscal 1998 and 36.0% for fiscal 1997. The lower tax rate resulted from higher than expected tax benefits (in fiscal 1998 as well as prior periods) related to the company's foreign sales corporation ("FSC"), and higher estimated income in Canada which has a lower effective tax rate. The federal tax benefit from the FSC resulted in the overall effective tax rate decreasing to 29.0% from 35.4%. The tax benefit reflected in fiscal 1998 included refunds related to fiscal 1995 through fiscal 1997, and amounted to approximately $658,000. Without these tax refunds from prior years, the effective rate would have been 32.0%. The company is estimating the effective tax rate for fiscal 1999 to be 34%. EBITDA - EBITDA for the quarter increased 1.8% to $11.8 million from last year's fourth quarter and represented 8.7% of net sales compared with 11.0% of net sales for the same period of last year. EBITDA for fiscal 1998 increased 13.8% to $44.8 million and represented 9.4% of net sales compared with 9.9% of net sales for fiscal 1997. OTHER ITEMS - In order to facilitate the understanding of (a) the company's results (for the fourth quarter and full year) from its recent acquisitions and (b) the comparisons to prior periods excluding the fiscal 1998 acquisitions, a supplemental income statement schedule has been included (see page 12 of 12). This schedule shows that the acquisitions were accretive during fiscal 1998 and contributed $0.01 per share for the fourth quarter and $0.09 per share for the year. These results were well below the expected levels of performance. FOURTH QUARTER - Several non-operating items affected the year-to-year comparison in net income for the fourth quarter. The effect of the favorable items (capitalization of interest costs and the lower effective tax rate) was essentially offset by the other items (lower credit for LIFO and the higher expense for incentive compensation). BALANCE SHEET COMMENTS WORKING CAPITAL - Accounts receivable increased 30.1% from April 1997, due to the Phillips, Wetumpka and Artee acquisitions and increased sales of 28.5% for the fourth quarter. Days sales' outstanding represented 49 days at May 3, 1998 and April 27, 1997. Accounts receivable increased at a slightly faster rate than sales because of the increasing mix of international sales and mattress ticking sales, which carry longer payment terms than U.S. upholstery fabric sales. Inventories increased 47.0% from April 1997, partly due to the Phillips, Wetumpka and Artee acquisitions, higher overall sales and a higher mix of international sales which have required more finished goods inventory. Inventory turns decreased 11% to 5.9 for the quarter versus 6.6 for the same quarter of last year. Working capital increased significantly to $102.7 million at May 3, 1998, from $69.8 million at April 27, 1997, for the reasons mentioned above. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - The company has maintained a significant program of capital expenditures over the past several years designed to expand capacity to support sales growth, increase vertical integration to lower product costs and control more of its supply of specialty raw materials, and enhance manufacturing efficiencies through modernization. The company had capital spending of approximately $36 million during fiscal 1998, which included about $12.5 million for expansion projects (35%); $10.5 million for vertical integration projects (29%) and $13.0 million for modernization projects (36%). The principal expansion project involved completion of various items related to the Lumberton, N.C. printing facility. The key vertical integration projects included yarn extrusion expansion, additional weaving capacity for jacquard greige goods at Rayonese and fabric finishing for Phillips.. The modernization projects encompass a number of smaller projects throughout the company's operations. CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE FINANCIAL NARRATIVE for the three and twelve month periods ended May 3, 1998 and April 27, 1997 Depreciation expense for fiscal 1998 was $14.8 million. For fiscal 1999, the company is planning to significantly reduce its capital spending to approximately $15 million, and concentrate its efforts on improving the results of the investments made during fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998. The two largest projects that are currently planned for fiscal 1999 are: (a) completion of the polypropylene yarn extrusion expansion, which began in early fiscal 1998; and (b) building expansions in the Culp Home Fashions business unit to accommodate the significant growth in the company's sales of mattress ticking over the last several years. Depreciation for fiscal 1999 is currently estimated to be approximately $19 million. LONG-TERM DEBT - The company's funded debt-to-capital ratio was 53.5% at May 3, 1998, up from 37.2% at April 27, 1997. Funded debt was $151.6 million at May 3, 1998, up from $ 65.6 million at April 27, 1997. (Funded debt equals long-term debt, including current maturities, less restricted investments, which represent unspent IRB funds.) The increase in funded debt from April 27, 1997 resulted from the Phillips, Artee and Wetumpka acquisitions ($52.8 million), capital expenditures ($35.9 million), a decrease in accounts payable related to capital expenditures ($2.9 million) and was partially offset by an operating cash flow increase of ($8.8 million). On April 2, 1998, the company significantly strengthened its capital structure with the closing of a private placement of $75 million of senior, unsecured notes. The notes have a fixed coupon rate of 6.76% and an average term of 10 years. Additionally, the principal financial covenants include only balance sheet tests: (a) a funded debt to total capital ratio of 60% and (b) a minimum shareholders' equity level. The proceeds were used to repay borrowings under the company's bank credit facility. ACQUISITIONS PHILLIPS MILLS ACQUISITION - On August 5, 1997, the company acquired the business and certain assets relating to the upholstery fabric businesses operating as Phillips Mills. Based on the terms of the asset purchase agreement, the transaction is valued at approximately $39.5 million, which included cash, seller debt retired, a note payable to the seller and acquisition costs. The consideration for the acquisition also included stock options and an agreement for contingent payments to the selling companies within three years following closing that could range from $0 to $5,500,000, depending upon the future sales performance of the Phillips jacquard fabric product line. (See Form 8-K, dated April 30, 1997, which provides additional information related to the acquisition.) ACQUISITION OF WETUMPKA YARN - On December 30, 1997, Culp completed the acquisition of the business and certain assets related to the Wetumpka yarn division of Dan River Inc. The transaction value at closing was $1.4 million. (See press release, dated December 17, 1997, which provides additional information about the acquisition.) ACQUISITION OF ARTEE INDUSTRIES - On February 2, 1998, Culp completed the acquisition of the business and substantially all assets and the assumption of certain liabilities of Artee Industries, Incorporated ("Artee"), a yarn manufacturer. The transaction value at closing was approximately $17.9 million, and included the issuance of 284,211 new shares of Culp common stock, $2.0 million in cash and a $1.6 million short-term note, as well as the repayment at closing of Artee's interest-bearing debt. Also, there is an "earn-out" which provides the opportunity for additional consideration of up to $7.6 million (60% in stock and 40% in cash), based upon the profitability of Artee during Culp's fiscal year ending May 2, 1999. (See Form 8-K, dated October 15, 1997, which provides additional information related to the acquisition.) CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE SCHEDULE OF INCOME STATEMENTS WITH AND WITHOUT ACQUISITIONS FOR THREE MONTHS AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MAY 3, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997
(Amounts in Thousands, Except for Per Share Data) THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Percent of Sales ------------------------------------- --------------------------- As Reported Restated Actual %Over(under) Restated Actual Actual Less w/o Acquisitions Actual Restated vs w/o Acquisitions Actual May 3, Acquisitions May 3, April 27, April 27, May 3, April 27, 1998 1998 1997 1997 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- ------------------------------------- ------------ ----------- Net sales $ 135,834 17,852 117,982 105,678 11.6 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Cost of sales 112,644 15,253 97,391 85,386 14.1 % 82.5 % 80.8 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Gross profit 23,190 2,599 20,591 20,292 1.5 % 17.5 % 19.2 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 15,277 1,261 14,016 11,730 19.5 % 11.9 % 11.1 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Income from operations 7,913 1,338 6,575 8,562 (23.2)% 5.6 % 8.1 % Interest expense 1,837 801 1,036 1,019 1.7 % 0.9 % 1.0 % Interest income (69) 0 (69) (90) (23.3)% (0.1)% (0.1)% Other expense (income), net 753 290 463 404 14.6 % 0.4 % 0.4 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Income before income taxes 5,392 247 5,145 7,229 (28.8)% 4.4 % 6.8 % Income taxes 1,236 97 1,139 2,389 (52.3)% 22.1 % 33.0 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Net income $ 4,156 150 4,006 4,840 (17.2)% 3.4 % 4.6 % =========== =========== ============ =========== ============ ============ =========== Net income per share $0.32 $0.01 $0.31 $0.39 (20.5)% Net income per share (assuming dilution) $0.31 $0.01 $0.30 $0.38 (21.1)% TWELVE MONTHS ENDED ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Percent of Sales ------------------------------------- --------------------------- As Reported Restated Actual %Over(under) Restated Actual Actual Less w/o Acquisitions Actual Restated vs w/o Acquisitions Actual May 3, Acquisitions May 3, April 27, April 27, May 3, April 27, 1998 1998 1997 1997 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- ------------------------------------- ------------ ----------- Net sales $ 476,715 40,574 436,141 398,879 9.3 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Cost of sales 393,154 33,086 360,068 326,394 10.3 % 82.6 % 81.8 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ ----------- Gross profit 83,561 7,488 76,073 72,485 4.9 % 17.4 % 18.2 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 52,987 3,166 49,821 45,058 10.6 % 11.4 % 11.3 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ ----------- Income from operations 30,574 4,322 26,252 27,427 (4.3)% 6.0 % 6.9 % Interest expense 7,117 1,900 5,217 4,671 11.7 % 1.2 % 1.2 % Interest income (304) 0 (304) (280) 8.6 % (0.1)% (0.1)% Other expense (income), net 1,912 627 1,285 1,521 (15.5)% 0.3 % 0.4 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ ----------- Income before income taxes 21,849 1,795 20,054 21,515 (6.8)% 4.6 % 5.4 % Income taxes 6,336 638 5,698 7,745 (26.4)% 28.4 % 36.0 % ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ ----------- Net income $ 15,513 1,157 14,356 13,770 4.3 % 3.3 % 3.5 % =========== =========== ============ =========== ========= ============ =========== Net income per share $1.22 $0.09 $1.13 $1.18 (4.2)% Net income per share (assuming dilution) $1.19 $0.09 $1.10 $1.15 (4.3)%