10-K
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
10-K
(Mark One)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
For the transition period from to
Commission file number:
001-14649
Trex Company, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(540)
542-6300
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock TREX New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation
S-T
(§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, a smaller reporting Company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “or an emerging growth company” in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 762(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to
§240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell Company (as defined in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common equity held by
non-affiliates
of the registrant at June 30, 2023, which was the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $7.1 billion based on the closing price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on such date and assuming, for purposes of this computation only, that the registrant’s directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the registrant’s common stock are affiliates.
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding on February 12, 2024 was 108,623,606.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference in this Form
10-K
as indicated herein:
Document Part of 10-K into which incorporated
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 12
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 21
Item 1C. Cybersecurity 21
Item 2. Properties 22
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 22
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 22
PART II
Item 6. Reserved 24
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 39
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 39
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 40
Item 9B. Other Information 43
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions the Prevent Inspections 43
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 44
Item 11. Executive Compensation 44
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 44
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 45
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements F-1
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NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report, including the information it incorporates by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend our forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in these sections. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to our industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” or similar expressions. We cannot promise you that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations because of various factors, including the factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report.
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PART I
Some of the information contained in this report concerning the markets and industry in which we operate is derived from publicly available information and from industry sources. Although we believe that this publicly available information and the information provided by these industry sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the accuracy of any of this information.
Item 1. Business
General
Trex Company, Inc. (Trex), was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1998. Through December 30, 2022, Trex had one wholly-owned subsidiary, Trex Commercial Products, Inc. Together, Trex and Trex Commercial Products, Inc. are referred to as the Company, we or our. The Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of composite decking and railing products, which are marketed under the brand name Trex® and manufactured in the United States. Our principal executive offices are located at 2500 Trex Way, Winchester, Virginia 22601, and our telephone number at that address is (540) 542-6300.
Business and Growth Strategies
More than 30 years ago, Trex invented the composite decking category. Today, Trex continues to reinvent and redefine outdoor living with a commitment to innovation and growth that has made Trex the world’s #1 brand of sustainably made wood-alternative decking and deck railing, along with a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable, high performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products including fencing, cladding, fasteners, and outdoor lighting. Helping homeowner’s design outdoor spaces that reflect their individual styles and budgets, coupled with products at various price points makes Trex the leading brand for homeowners seeking to invest in their outdoor living spaces. Trex’s ability to leverage strong brand awareness and a product offering with the advantages of sustainability, low-maintenance, and durability to help fuel conversion from wood decking and railing to Trex positions our Company well within the large and expanding Outdoor Living market.
Key to Trex’s leadership and growth is the strength of the Trex brand. Marketing investments focused on homeowners’ needs and wants drove brand awareness to its highest level in a decade, with 90% of people surveyed being aware of the Trex brand, while products for every price point help drive profitable growth and wood conversion. Brand strength coupled with an unparalleled distribution and pro-channel dealer network and a leading brand presence at major home improvement retailers ensures that homeowners can find Trex products wherever and whenever they choose.
As the inventor of composite decking, Trex is known for delivering innovative products leveraging the proprietary and skill-based advantages in our eco-friendly manufacturing process. We continue to extract value from the materials by broadening our material streams, implementing new material processes, and developing the next generation of low-cost materials. Our growth and margin expansion strategy positions us well to expand our leadership position in the category with beautiful, high performance, low-maintenance products and includes the following initiatives:
• Accelerate material conversion from wood.
• Leverage brand leadership to drive customer demand.
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Products
Operations and Products: The Company operated in one reportable segment during the year ended December 31, 2023: Trex Residential. The Company operated in two reportable segments during the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021: Trex Residential Products (Trex Residential), the Company’s principal business based on net sales, and Trex Commercial Products (Trex Commercial). On December 30, 2022, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its wholly-owned subsidiary and reportable segment, Trex Commercial Products, Inc. See related information in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements to this Form 10-K.
Trex Residential is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance, low-maintenance,eco-friendly wood-alternative composite decking and railing, with more than 30 years of product experience. Trex outdoor living products are marketed under the brand name Trex® and manufactured in the United States. Stocked in more than 6,700 retail locations worldwide, Trex Residential offers a comprehensive set of aesthetically appealing and durable, low-maintenance product offerings in the decking, railing, fencing, cladding and outdoor lighting categories. A majority of the products are eco-friendly and leverage recycled and reclaimed materials to the extent possible. Trex Residential decking is made in a proprietary process that combines reclaimed wood fibers and recycled polyethylene film, making Trex Residential one of the largest recyclers of waste polyethylene plastic film in North America. Our composite deck boards do not rot, warp, or splinter and the versatile colors feature a refined wood grain that adds depth and luxury to any backyard. Trex Residential products are sold to distributors and home centers for final resale primarily to the residential market.
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Trex offers the following products through Trex Residential:
Trex Residential products offer a number of significant aesthetic advantages over wood while eliminating many of wood’s major functional disadvantages, which include warping, splitting and other damage from moisture. In addition to resisting fading and surface staining, Trex Residential products require no sanding, staining or sealing, resist moisture damage, provide a splinter-free surface and do not require chemical treatment against rot or insect infestation. Special characteristics (including resistance to splitting, the ability to bend, and ease and consistency of machining and finishing) facilitate installation, reduce contractor call-backs and afford
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consumers a wide range of design options. Combined, these aspects yield significant aesthetic advantages and lower maintenance than wood decking and railing and ultimately render Trex Residential products less costly than wood over the life of the deck.
We have received product building code listings from the major U.S. building code listing agencies for decking and railing and from the major Canadian building code listing agency for decking. The listings facilitate the acquisition of building permits by deck builders and promote consumer and industry acceptance of our products as an alternative to wood decking.
We are a licensor in a number of licensing agreements with third parties to manufacture and sell products under the Trex trademark. Our licensed products are:
Trex Commercial designed and engineered custom railing solutions prevalent in professional and collegiate sports facilities, standardized architectural and aluminum railing systems targeted at commercial and high-rise applications, and custom staging systems for the performing arts, sports, and event production and rental market. Trex Commercial marketed to architects, specifiers, contractors, and building owners.
Through the date of sale of Trex Commercial on December 30, 2022, Trex offered the following products through Trex Commercial:
• Architectural railing systems;
• Aluminum railing systems; and
• Staging equipment and accessories.
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Customers and Distribution
We are committed to conducting business activities with the highest standards of business ethics and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Our Vendor and Customer Code of Conduct and Ethics (Code), available at www.trex.com/our-company, applies to all parties providing goods and services to the Company, and all channel partners who distribute, sell and/or install our products (collectively, Business Partners). We expect all Business Partners, and all of their employees, agents and subcontractors to follow our high ethical standards set forth in the Code while they are conducting business with us or on our behalf. In addition, we expect our Business Partners to understand and comply with the Trex Company Code of Conduct and Ethics, available at www.trex.com/our-company, to do business with Business Partners who share the same commitment to human rights that we have and as set forth in our Human Rights Policy, available at www.trex.com/our-company.
Trex Residential: Wholesale Distributors/Retail Lumber Dealers. We generate most of our sales for our composite decking and railing products through our wholesale distribution network by selling Trex Residential products to wholesale distributors, who in turn, sell our products to retail lumber outlets. These retail dealers market to both homeowners and contractors, but they emphasize sales to professional contractors, remodelers and homebuilders. Contractor-installed decks generally are larger installations with professional craftsmanship. Our retail dealers generally provide sales personnel trained in Trex Residential products, contractor training, inventory commitment and point-of-sale display support. We believe that attracting wholesale distributors, who are committed to our products and marketing approach and can effectively sell higher value products to contractor-oriented lumber yards and other retail outlets, is important to our future growth. Our distributors provide value-added service in marketing our products because they sell premium wood decking products and other innovative building materials that typically require product training and personal selling efforts. We typically appoint two to three distributors within a specified area to sell only Trex Residential decking products on an exclusive basis. The distributor purchases our products at prices in effect at the time we ship the product to the distributor.
Home Depot and Lowe’s. We sell our products through Home Depot and Lowe’s stores. Home Depot and Lowe’s purchase products directly from us for stocking on their shelves. They also purchase product through our wholesale distributors for special orders placed by consumers. Home Depot and Lowe’s serve both the contractor market and the “do-it-yourself” market. We believe that brand exposure through Home Depot and Lowe’s promotes consumer acceptance of our products.
In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, sales to certain customers of Trex Residential accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total net sales. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, three customers of Trex Residential represented approximately 72%, 64%, and 61%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales. No other customer represented 10% or more of the Company’s total net sales.
Trex Commercial: Prior to the sale of Trex Commercial on December 30, 2022, we sold modular and architectural railing and staging systems to the commercial and multifamily market, including sports stadiums and performing arts venues, primarily to facility owners and general contractors throughout the country. We marketed these products through direct sales staff, independent sales representatives, and bidding on projects.
Manufacturing Process
Products manufactured at our Trex Residential manufacturing facilities in Virginia and Nevada are primarily manufactured from reclaimed wood fiber and scrap polyethylene. Our primary manufacturing process for the products involves mixing wood particles with plastic, heating and then extruding, or forcing, the highly viscous and abrasive material through a profile die. We use many proprietary and skill-based advantages in our eco-friendly manufacturing process. We use Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing methodologies throughout our Company within our plant operations and in the planning and execution of certain projects.
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Our manufacturing processes require significant capital investment, expertise and time to develop. We have continuously invested the capital necessary to expand our manufacturing throughput and improve our manufacturing processes.
In October 2021, we announced plans to add a third U.S.-based Trex Residential manufacturing facility located in Little Rock, Arkansas, that will sit on approximately 300 acres of land. The development approach for the new campus will be modular and calibrated to demand trends for Trex Residential outdoor living products. Construction began on the new facility in the second quarter of 2022, and in July 2022, we entered into a design-build agreement. We anticipate spending approximately $450 million on the facility and the budget for the design-build agreement is contained within this amount. Construction for the new facility will be funded primarily through our ongoing cash generation or our line of credit.
In addition, we prioritize cost reduction projects and continuous improvement opportunities, primarily related to automation, modernization, energy efficiency and raw material processing, and remain focused on innovation and new product development. We have also broadened the range of raw materials that we can use to produce a consistent and high-quality finished product. In connection with national building code listings, we maintain a quality control testing program.
Suppliers
We conduct supply chain assessments when considered necessary in relation to the significance of the purchase and business opportunity for the Company. Assessments include in-person reviews and tours of operating facilities. The Company is committed to conducting business activities with the highest standards of business ethics and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. As stated above, our Vendor and Customer Code of Conduct and Ethics, our Company Code of Conduct and Ethics, and our Human Rights Policy apply to all suppliers of the Company.
The production of most of our decking products requires a supply of reclaimed wood fiber and scrap polyethylene. We fulfill requirements for raw materials under both purchase orders and supply contracts. In the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased our reclaimed wood fiber requirements under purchase orders and long-term supply commitments not exceeding four years. All of our polyethylene purchases are under short-term supply contracts that generally have a term of approximately one year for which pricing is negotiated as needed, or under purchase orders that do not involve long-term supply commitments.
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In addition, we outsource the production of certain products to third-party manufacturers.
Training
Trex University is our state-of-the-art training facility located near our Virginia manufacturing plant designed to educate and train retailers, contractors and other partners on the benefits of Trex Residential aesthetically pleasing, high-performance, low-maintenance,eco-friendly outdoor living products. In addition, Trex Academy is an online multimedia content hub dedicated to helping the Trex Residential Do-It-Yourself customer bring their deck dreams to life by providing how-to content.
Competition
Our primary competition for our composite decking and residential railing products consists of wood products, which constitute a substantial majority of decking and railing sales, as measured by linear feet of lumber. Many of the conventional lumber suppliers with which we compete have established ties to the building and construction industry and have well-accepted products. A majority of the lumber used in wood decks is pressure-treated lumber. Southern yellow pine and fir have a porosity that readily allows the chemicals used in the pressure treating process to be absorbed. The same porosity makes southern yellow pine susceptible to absorbing moisture, which causes the lumber to warp, crack, splinter and expel fasteners. In addition to pine and fir, other segments of wood material for decking include redwood, cedar and tropical hardwoods, such as ipe, teak and mahogany. These products are often significantly more expensive than pressure-treated lumber, but do not eliminate some of the disadvantages of other wood products.
In addition to wood, we also compete with other manufacturers of wood-alternative products. Industry studies indicate that we have the leading market share of the wood-alternative segment of the decking and railing market. Our principal competitors include The Azek Company Inc., and Fiberon (a division of Fortune Brands, Inc.).
Our ability to compete depends, in part, on a number of factors outside our control, including the ability of our competitors to develop new wood-alternative decking and railing products that are competitive with our products. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the decking and railing market include product quality, price, aesthetics, maintenance cost, and distribution and brand strength. We believe we compete favorably with respect to these factors. We believe that our products offer aesthetic and cost advantages over the life of a deck when compared to other types of decking and railing materials. Although a contractor-installed deck built with Trex products using a pressure-treated wood substructure generally costs more than a deck made entirely from pressure-treated wood, Trex products are low maintenance compared to the on-going maintenance required for a pressure-treated deck and are, therefore, less costly over the life of the deck. We believe that our manufacturing process and utilization of relatively low-cost raw material sources provide us with a competitive cost advantage relative to other manufacturers of wood-alternative decking and railing products. The scale of our operations also confers cost efficiencies in manufacturing, sales and marketing.
Seasonality
Our operating results for Trex Residential have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Seasonal, erratic or prolonged adverse weather conditions may reduce the level of home improvement and construction activity and can shift demand for our products to a later period. As part of its normal business practice and consistent with industry practice, Trex Residential Products has historically offered incentive programs to its distributors and dealers to build inventory levels before the start of the prime deck-building season in order to ensure adequate availability of its product to meet anticipated seasonal consumer demand. The seasonal effects are often offset by the positive effect of the incentive programs.
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Government Regulation
Our business activities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations. Costs and accruals incurred to comply with these governmental regulations are presently not material to our capital expenditures, results of operations and competitive position. Although there is no assurance that existing or future government laws applicable to our operations or products will not have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, results of operations and competitive position, we do not currently anticipate material expenditures for government regulations.
We are also subject to federal, state and local environmental regulation. The emissions of particulates and other substances from our manufacturing facilities must meet federal and state air quality standards implemented through air permits issued to us by the Department of Environmental Quality of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Division of Environmental Protection of Nevada’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Division of Environmental Quality of Arkansas’ Department of Energy and Environment. Our facilities are regulated by federal and state laws governing the disposal of solid waste and by state and local permits and requirements with respect to wastewater and storm water discharge. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Our operations also are subject to workplace safety regulation by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the States of Nevada and Arkansas. Our compliance efforts include safety awareness and training programs for our production and maintenance employees.
Intellectual Property
Our success depends, in part, upon our intellectual property rights relating to our products, production processes and other operations. We rely upon a combination of trade secret, nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements, and patent, copyright and trademark laws, to protect our proprietary rights. We have made substantial investments in manufacturing process improvements that have enabled us to increase manufacturing line production rates, facilitate our development of new products, and produce improvements in our existing products’ dimensional consistency, surface texture and color uniformity.
Intellectual property rights may be challenged by third parties and may not exclude competitors from using the same or similar technologies, brands or works. We seek to secure effective rights for our intellectual property but cannot provide assurance that third parties will not successfully challenge, or avoid infringing, our intellectual property rights.
We consider our trademarks to be of material importance to our business plans. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted us federal registrations for many of our trademarks. Federal registration of trademarks is effective for as long as we continue to use the trademarks and renew their registrations. We do not generally register any of our copyrights with the U.S. Copyright Office but rely on the protection afforded to such copyrights by the U.S. Copyright Act. This law provides protection to authors of original works, whether published or unpublished, and whether registered or unregistered.
We have two current U.S. Patents for decking technology. We intend to maintain our existing patents in effect until they expire on January 15, 2038 and May 23, 2038, respectively, as well as to seek additional patents as we consider appropriate.
We enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and limit access to and distribution of our proprietary information. If it is necessary to disclose proprietary information to third parties for business reasons, we require that such third parties sign a confidentiality agreement prior to any disclosure.
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Human Capital
As of December 31, 2023, Trex employed 1,765 full-time employees. Our people are what have fueled our growth as the world’s #1 brand of sustainably made, wood-alternative decking and deck railing for nearly three decades. As we look to the future, we continue to put our people first as we execute on a comprehensive plan for strategic talent management.
Over the past year, we have made significant investments in the infrastructure across all aspects of our human capital development. We have updated and enriched competency models to standardize and align all aspect of recruiting, hiring, training, and development. We have invested heavily in our employer value proposition to increase visibility and awareness of our careers to a wider and more diverse talent pool. We have implemented targeted development programs like our Trex Leadership Academy so that senior leaders and high potential team members have the opportunity to develop their skills as they contribute to Company performance. We have also invested heavily in our culture, ensuring that leaders and team members hold each other accountable to our shared beliefs and values though out all parts of the organization.
To help support our strategic talent development, we invested in several enabling tools and systems to strengthen our decision making and accelerate our progress. In 2023, we began a semi-annual cadence of employee engagement surveying and action planning using tools from the Gallup organization. All Company managers and leaders received training on the tools and new expectations have been set to ensure action is taken between each survey. We have also continued to evolve our internal communications function. New tools, channels, and processes have enabled the Company to move beyond weekly newsletter updates to real-time news sharing and dynamic access to information through a centralized intranet. Finally, we updated our annual performance and ongoing coaching expectations for all people leaders, creating more standardized process and usable information for functions like high potential identification and succession planning.
While significant investments have been made on internal development, wide-net recruiting outside talent continues to infuse the Company with new and diverse perspectives. An expanded summer internship program coupled with an aggressive campus recruitment program has created a pipeline of young talent, while at the same time we continue to attract some of the most talented senior leaders from around the country to fill key leadership positions.
Trex continues to be committed to building a workforce that is reflective of the communities in which we operate. Embracing diverse perspectives and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging are at the core of what has fueled Trex’s legacy of invention and innovation. We continue to find new ways to increase opportunities for underrepresented team members, including offering English language classes for non-native speakers and partnering with local agencies to provide employment opportunities to neuro-diverse candidates.
As an equal opportunity employer, Trex is committed to providing fair and equitable pay for all employees across the Company. We have a strong track record as an industry leader in terms of hourly wages, salary and total compensation. We use a compensation grade structure as part of our process to determine the appropriate grade level for each position at Trex. As a result, we set the pay range for each position before considering who we might hire to fill that role. In addition, we regularly review our compensation structures for signs of emerging inequities along gender or ethnicity lines as well as market competitiveness. Our employees are not covered by collective bargaining agreements and we believe that our relationships with our employees are favorable. Our Human Rights Policy sets forth our values related to working conditions and human rights, and it underscores our philosophy about the way we conduct our business. The policy is available at www.trex.com/our-company.
We know our people are what will fuel our future growth and innovation and we are committed to reinvesting in our people and executing our strategic talent management plan at the highest level.
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Corporate Governance
Information related to the Company’s governance and related activities and programs may be found in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on March 21, 2023 in Schedule 14A. Also, a copy of the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics (Code) is maintained on the Company’s web site at www.trex.com/our-company. The Company has a whistle-blowing policy included in its Code that encourages reporting by employees of activities the employee considers illegal or dishonest. Each employee is notified of the whistle-blower policy and a toll-free hotline is provided for reporting issues directly to the Board of Directors and the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
Environmental and Occupational Safety
Environmental
The Company has been committed to sustainability since our inception more than 30 years ago, creating eco-friendly products from reclaimed and recycled materials. Trex Residential’s high-performance, low-maintenance composite decking is made from 95% recycled and reclaimed materials. The Company’s commitment to improving our environmental footprint includes developing and offering more sustainable products to the market as well as advancing sustainability and efficiency in our operations. From continuous improvement in our manufacturing practices that reduce the use of energy to making products using industry leading high levels of reclaimed and recycled materials, the Company is able to improve the use of resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste streams. The foundation for our commitment to sustainability includes, but is not limited to:
• Preventing pollution by maintaining environmental management as a core value;
• Reducing waste generated in our manufacturing and business operations;
• Identifying and complying with all legal and statutory requirements.
Our Environmental Policy, located on our web site at www.trex.com/our-company, outlines our commitment to conducting business in an ethical and socially responsible manner that respects the environment.
The Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors oversees the Company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters that are significant to the Company. Periodically, the Committee reviews the Company’s ESG strategy, initiatives and policies and receives updates from the Group Vice President, Marketing and ESG Development, who oversees the Company’s ESG initiatives. Also, environmental matters relevant to the Company’s operations are the responsibility of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
Trex Residential’s proprietary, eco-friendly processing method minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, and our bi-coastal factories reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. We strive to reduce energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions in Trex manufacturing operations by designing our facilities to run efficiently. In addition, almost 100 percent of our factory runoff and refuse are recycled back into the manufacturing line. Any product that does not meet quality specifications is reprocessed, which eliminates the need for landfill.
The Company’s primary resource usage consists of water, natural gas and electricity. The Company develops budgets and plans that improve shareholder return by ensuring the optimal use of each resource, which promotes resource efficiency and minimal waste of the resource. Water management is of critical importance to us. Our Virginia and Nevada manufacturing facilities have closed-loop recirculation systems that run water through multiple
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cycles of re-use before being returned to the municipal wastewater stream. We prioritize energy savings as part of our ongoing evaluation and optimization of business operations and manufacturing processes. We regularly assess environmental impacts at each stage of our manufacturing process and seek to continually improve our performance. We ensure that all manufacturing facilities meet emission standards for the locality in which they operate and certify to applicable authorities that our emissions are within the relevant locality’s standards.
Market Recognition of Trex Brand’s Environmental Characteristics
The Company’s internal standards for environmental stewardship and product integrity are recognized year-over-year in the marketplace. Trex Transcend® LineageTMwas named as a 2023 Sustainable Product of the Year by Green Builder Media. In addition, Trex was also recognized as Sustainable Brand Leader in the decking category of Green Builder’s annual Reader’s Choice Survey for the 13th consecutive year. Trex also earned the Lowe’s 2023 Sustainability Award, recognition as one of the 100 Best ESG Companies for 2023 by Investor’s Business Daily and Trex was ranked by Newsweek magazine as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024.
Trex environmental benefits are recognized by the receipt of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the United States Green Building Council. Trex Residential decking products meet LEED requirements for builders and our commercial products have contributed to the LEED certifications of some high-profile venues. LEED is a point-based system designed to reward points to building projects that incorporate efficient, and safe eco-friendly products, leading to a building’s designation as LEED Silver, Gold or Platinum. Trex Residential decking can add up to five points to a project — four points in the Materials and Resources category for being composed of 95% recycled and reclaimed materials, and one point in the Innovation and Design category. As a U.S. Green Building Council member, Trex works along with council members to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated with the goal of creating environmentally and socially responsible spaces that improve the quality of life.
Occupational Health and Safety
The health and safety of our employees is our highest priority. We have a strong Environmental, Health and Safety program that focuses on developing and implementing policies and effective safety training programs, as well as performing internal safety assessments to ensure a company-wide culture of safety and accountability.
The Trex Occupational Health and Safety Policy, located on our website at www.trex.com/our-company, sets forth our commitment to sustaining a compliant and safety-conscious work environment, keeping safety at the forefront of our business, and is based on:
• Compliance with statutory, regulatory and other legal requirements;
• A comprehensive understanding of worker expectations;
Each of our manufacturing sites has a dedicated health and safety (EHS) coordinator and committee. The Site EHS Managers ensure safety is at the forefront of our manufacturing operations every day. Employee representatives on the Process Safety Committee meet monthly to collect, discuss and act upon safety feedback from their colleagues. Our active Process Safety Committees perform safety audits and observations, review and trend all incidents, and participate in all Pre-Startup Safety Reviews and are an example of our robust employee engagement in safety. Long term, the Company is committed to pursuing Occupational Health and Safety Administration Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) recognition and is an active participant in state level VPP
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development programs. The Company is a member of the Voluntary Protection Program Participants Association, the National Safety Council, and the National Fire Protection Association. Also, we support all EHS staff in becoming Certified Occupational Safety Specialists and obtaining the Certificate for Occupational Safety Managers through programs offered by the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Websites and Additional Information
The U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) maintains an Internet web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information regarding our Company. Our website is www.trex.com. In addition, we maintain an Internet corporate web site at www.trex.com/our-company/investor-relations. We make available through our web site our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file with or furnish such material to the SEC. We do not charge any fees to view, print, or access these reports on our web site. The contents of our web site are not a part of this report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business operates in one reportable segment, Trex Residential, and is subject to a number of risks, including the following.
Risks Related to the Distribution and Sale of Our Product
Risk Discussion
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• Competition from other wood-alternative manufacturers.
Risk Discussion
Risk Discussion
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Risk Discussion
Risk Discussion
Risk Discussion
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Risk Discussion
Risks Related to the Manufacture of Our Product
Risk Discussion
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Risk Discussion
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Risk Discussion
Risk Discussion
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Risk Discussion
Risks Related to the Availability of Capital
Risk Discussion
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Risks Related to Other Matters
Risk Discussion
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Risk Discussion
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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Risk Management
The Company has systems and processes for identification, assessment, and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats, as such term is defined in Item 106(a) of Regulation S-K. The Company’s multi-faceted approach includes deploying applications and control activities to actively monitor and mitigate potential threats to the Company’s IT environment.
These activities include, but are not limited to, engaging an external third-party to monitor information systems security events, conducting annual security training of employees, testing employees via periodic phishing campaigns, conducting system vulnerability scanning, utilizing a patching program to remediate critical patches, and utilizing an external third-party to perform testing to identify gaps in the Company’s security program. The Company also performs third-party risk management to identify and mitigate risks from third parties such as vendors, suppliers, and other business partners. Additionally, for providers of software-as-a-service and other services that hold Company data, the Company reviews and assesses industry standard certifications such as System and Organization Controls (SOC) 1 or SOC 2 reports and cybersecurity preparedness questionnaires. Mitigation of risk efforts are coordinated by the Company’s Director of Information Security, utilizing internal resources and third-party providers.
The Company has not had any cybersecurity risks that have materially affected the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. Cybersecurity risks are disclosed in Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors, incorporated herein by reference.
Cybersecurity Governance
Our cybersecurity programs, including the cross-functional management committees responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks and incidents, are owned by our Chief Information Officer. Day-to-day administration of the cybersecurity programs are led by our Director of Information Security, a direct report to the Chief Information Officer. The Chief Information Officer has 27 years of technology leadership experience and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems. The Director of Information Security has 26 years of experience in infrastructure and security operations and a degree in Information Technology Management. The Director of Information Security is the chair of the Company’s Information Security Committee. The activities of the Information Security Committee are reviewed by the Executive Information Security Oversight Committee, which is comprised of members of our senior leadership team including our Chief Information Officer, the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary and Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. The Executive Information Security Oversight Committee facilitates notification to the Audit Committee of emerging cybersecurity risks, and threats, the status of projects to strengthen the Company’s information security systems, and updates on any cybersecurity incidents.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors oversees cybersecurity related risks. Members of the Audit Commitree receive the above referenced notifications and updates on a quarterly basis from the Company’s Chief Information Officer as the designated representative of the Executive Information Security Oversight Committee.
Additionally, the Company has a Written Information Security Policy and a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan that provides the above-referenced processes by which such committees are informed of and monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents and material risks from cybersecurity threats.
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Item 2. Properties
We own and lease certain properties, as noted in the below table:
Square Footage/ Acres Leased / Owned Lease Expiration Dates Location Purpose
Corporate Headquarters 62,942 SF Owned N/A Virginia Office Space
Corporate Headquarters 8 Acres Owned N/A Virginia Land
We regularly evaluate our various facilities and equipment and make capital investments where necessary. In 2023, we spent a total of $166.1 million on capital expenditures, primarily at our Trex Residential facilities, including $98.0 million related to construction of our Arkansas facility, $23.9 million related to general plant cost reduction initiatives at our Virginia and Nevada facilities, $13.0 million related to our new corporate office development and $29.0 million for general support, safety and environmental initiatives.
In October 2021, we announced plans to add a third U.S.-based Trex Residential manufacturing facility located in Little Rock, Arkansas, that will sit on approximately 300 acres of land. The development approach for the new campus will be modular and calibrated to demand trends for Trex Residential outdoor living products. Construction began on the new facility in the second quarter of 2022, and in July 2022, we entered into a design-build agreement. We anticipate spending approximately $450 million on the facility and the budget for the design-build agreement is contained within this amount. Construction for the new facility will be funded primarily through our ongoing cash generation or our line of credit.
For information about our leases, see Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report. The equipment and machinery we use in our operations consist principally of plastic and wood conveying and processing equipment. We own all of our manufacturing equipment. We lease some equipment, primarily forklifts, at our facilities under operating leases.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company has lawsuits, as well as other claims, pending against it which are ordinary routine litigation and claims incidental to the business. Management has evaluated the merits of these lawsuits and claims and believes that their ultimate resolution will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or competitive position.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Market for Common Stock
Our common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) since April 8, 1999. Effective November 23, 2009, our common stock is listed under the symbol “TREX”.
Dividend Policy
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and our credit agreement places limitations on our ability to pay cash dividends. We intend to retain future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business or the repurchase of our common shares and, therefore, have no current intention to pay cash dividends. However, we reconsider our dividend policy on a regular basis and may determine to pay dividends in the future.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information relating to the purchases of our common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2023 in accordance with Item 703 of Regulation S-K:
Quarter ended December 31, 2023 — —
Stockholder Return Performance Graph
The following graph and table show the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s common stock for the last five fiscal years compared to the Russell 2000 Index and the Standard and Poor’s 600 Building Products Index (S&P 600 Building Products). The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2018, in (1) the Company’s common stock, (2) the Russell 2000 Index and (3) the S&P 600 Building Products and assumes reinvestment of dividends and market capitalization weighting as of December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
Among Trex Company, Inc., Russell 2000 Index, and S&P 600 Building Products Index
Other Stockholder Matters
As of February 12, 2024, there were approximately 138 holders of record of our common stock, although we believe that there are a significantly larger number of beneficial owners of our common stock.
In 2023, we submitted to the NYSE in a timely manner the annual certification that our Chief Executive Officer was not aware of any violation by us of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
Item 6. [Reserved]
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This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to our industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” or similar expressions. We cannot promise you that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations because of various factors, including the factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” These statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual operating results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the extent of market acceptance of the Company’s current and newly developed products; the costs associated with the development and launch of new products and the market acceptance of such new products; the sensitivity of the Company’s business to general economic conditions; the impact of seasonal and weather-related demand fluctuations on inventory levels in the distribution channel and sales of the Company’s products; the availability and cost of third-party transportation services for the Company’s products and raw materials; the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials, including scrap polyethylene, wood fiber and other materials used in making our products, at acceptable prices; increasing inflation in the macro-economic environment; the Company’s ability to maintain product quality and product performance at an acceptable cost; the Company’s ability to increase throughput and capacity to adequately match supply with demand; the level of expenses associated with warranty claims, product replacement and consumer relations expenses related to product quality; the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates; cyber-attacks, security breaches or other security vulnerabilities; the impact of current and upcoming data privacy laws and the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the related actual or potential costs and consequences; material adverse impacts from global public health pandemics and geopolitical conflicts; and material adverse impacts related to labor shortages or increases in labor costs.
OVERVIEW
The following MD&A is intended to help the reader understand the operations and current business environment of the Company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to — and should be read in conjunction with — our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. MD&A includes the following sections:
OUR BUSINESS
General. The Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance, low-maintenance wood-alternative decking and residential railing and outdoor living products and accessories, marketed under the brand name Trex®, with more than 30 years of product experience. A majority of our products are manufactured in a
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proprietary process that combines reclaimed wood fibers and recycled polyethylene. The Company is focused on using renewable resources within our Trex Residential segment. Also, through December 30, 2022, the Company provided custom-engineered commercial railing and staging systems for the commercial and multi-family market, including sports stadiums and performing arts venues. During the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, the Company operated in two reportable segments: Trex Residential Products (Trex Residential), the Company’s principal business based on net sales, and Trex Commercial Products (Trex Commercial). On December 30, 2022, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of our wholly-owned subsidiary and reportable segment, Trex Commercial. Subsequent to the sale of Trex Commercial, the Company operates in one reportable segment, Trex Residential.
Outdoor living remains one of the fastest growing categories within the repair and remodel sector, and the strength of the Trex Residential brand coupled with our expanded manufacturing capacity, our key competitive advantages, help us to effectively unlock potential market share and drive long term growth. We continue to benefit from increasing consumer interest in our environmentally friendly, low maintenance product portfolio that transforms and enhances the outdoor living experience.
We remain focused on ensuring the capacity to service our Trex Residential channel partners is aligned with both current demand and expected future growth. In October 2021, we announced plans to add a third U.S.-based Trex Residential manufacturing facility located in Little Rock, Arkansas, that will sit on approximately 300 acres of land. The development approach for the new campus will be modular and calibrated to demand trends for Trex Residential outdoor living products. Construction began in the second quarter of 2022, and in July 2022, we entered into a design-build agreement. We anticipate spending approximately $450 million on the facility and the budget for the design-build agreement is contained within this amount. Construction will be funded primarily through our ongoing cash generation or our line of credit.
We continue to focus on cost reduction projects and identifying continuous improvement opportunities to enhance our margins. Specifically, our efforts are primarily centered on increased automation, modernization, enhanced energy efficiency and improvements to raw material processing. At the same time, we intend to expand our marketing campaigns, continue highlighting the advantages of Trex Residential decking over wood, as well as focusing on innovation and new product development to further strengthen our consumer brand and distribution advantages. These initiatives should help drive continued topline and profit growth and accelerated market share conversion.
Trex Residential is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative composite decking and railing products marketed under the brand name Trex® and manufactured in the United States. We offer a comprehensive set of aesthetically pleasing, high-performance, low maintenance, eco-friendly products in the decking, railing, fencing, cladding and outdoor lighting categories. We believe that the range and variety of our products allow consumers to design much of their outdoor living space using Trex brand products.
We offer the following composite decking and railing products through Trex Residential:
Fencing Trex Seclusions® fencing product
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Trex Commercial offered modular and architectural railing and staging systems and solutions for the commercial and multifamily market, including sports stadiums and performing arts venues, through the date of divesture on December 30, 2022.
Highlights:
* 2021-2024 DISCLAIMER: Trex received the highest numerical score in the proprietary Lifestory Research 2021-2024 America’s Most Trusted® Outdoor Decking studies. Study results are based on experiences and perceptions of people surveyed. Experiences may vary.
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Financial Performance Highlights for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023:
Year EndedDecember 31,
(000s omitted, except per share data)
*A reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA is presented on page 33 of this document under “Net Income and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).”
Capital expenditures. In 2023, we spent a total of $166.1 million on capital expenditures, primarily at our Trex Residential facilities, including $98.0 million related to construction of our Arkansas facility, $23.9 million related to general plant cost reduction initiatives at our Virginia and Nevada facilities, $13.0 million related to our new corporate office development, and $29.0 million for general support, safety and environmental initiatives.
Repurchase of common shares. We repurchased 264,896 shares of our outstanding common stock in 2023 under our stock repurchase programs.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report. Our critical accounting estimates include the areas where we have made what we consider to be particularly difficult, subjective or complex judgments in making estimates, and where these estimates can significantly affect our financial results under different assumptions and conditions. We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. As a result, we are required to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates, judgments and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could be different from these estimates.
Product Warranty. We warrant that for the applicable warranty period our Trex Residential products, when properly installed, used and maintained, will be free from material defects in workmanship and materials and our decking, cladding, fascia and railing products will not split, splinter, rot or suffer structural damage from termites or fungal decay.
Products sold on or after January 1, 2023: The warranty period for residential use is 50 years for Transcend® decking, 35 years for Select® decking and Universal Fascia, and 25 years for Enhance® decking and Transcend, Select, Enhance and Signature® railing. The warranty period for commercial use is 10 years, excluding Signature railing and Transcend cladding, which each have a warranty period of 25 years. We further warrant that Trex Transcend, Trex Enhance and Trex Select decking and cladding and Universal Fascia products will not fade in color from light and weathering exposure more than a certain amount and will be resistant to permanent staining from food and beverage substances or mold and mildew, provided the stain is cleaned within seven days of appearance, for the warranty period referred to above. If there is a breach of such warranties, we have an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price.
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Products sold prior to January 1, 2023: The warranty period is 25 years for residential use and 10 years for commercial use. With respect to Trex Signature railing, the warranty period is 25 years for both residential and commercial use. We further warrant that Trex Transcend, Trex Enhance, Trex Select and Universal Fascia products will not fade in color more than a certain amount and will be resistant to permanent staining from food substances or mold, provided the stain is cleaned within seven days of appearance, for the warranty period referred to above. If there is a breach of such warranties, we have an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price. We maintain a warranty reserve for the settlement of our product warranty claims. We accrue for the estimated cost of product warranty claims at the time revenue is recognized based on such factors as historical claims experience and future claims experience. We review and adjust these estimates, if necessary, based on the differences between actual experience and historical estimates. Additionally, we accrue for warranty costs associated with occasional or unanticipated product quality issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated.
We continue to receive and settle claims for Trex Residential products manufactured at our Nevada facility prior to 2007 that exhibit surface flaking and maintain a warranty reserve to provide for the settlement of these claims. Estimating the warranty reserve for surface flaking claims requires management to estimate (1) the number of claims to be settled with payment and (2) the average cost to settle each claim.
To estimate the number of surface flaking claims to be settled with payment, we utilize actuarial techniques to quantify both the expected number of claims to be received and the percentage of those claims that will ultimately require payment (collectively, elements). Estimates for these elements are quantified using a range of assumptions derived from claim count history and the identification of factors influencing the claim counts. The cost per claim varies due to a number of factors, including the size of affected decks, the availability and type of replacement material used, the cost of production of replacement material and the method of claim settlement.
We monitor surface flaking claims activity each quarter for indications that our estimates require revision. Typically, a majority of surface flaking claims received in a year are received during the summer outdoor season, which spans the second and third quarters. It has been our practice to utilize the actuarial techniques discussed above during the third quarter, after a significant portion of all claims has been received for the fiscal year and variances to annual claims expectations are more meaningful.
Average cost per claim experienced in the year ended December 31, 2023, was lower than that experienced in the year ended December 31, 2022, which was elevated due to the closure of three large claims, and lower than our expectations for 2023. The number of incoming claims received in the year ended December 31, 2023, was lower than the number of claims received in the year ended December 31, 2022, and lower than our expectations for 2023. After evaluating the declining trend in incoming claims in its actuarial analysis, we decreased the estimate of the number of future claims to be settled with payment. As a result of the decrease in estimated future claims, in the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a reduction of $3.8 million to our warranty reserve for the future settlement of surface flaking claims. We believe the reserve at December 31, 2023 is sufficient to cover future surface flaking obligations.
Our analysis is based on currently known facts and a number of assumptions, as discussed above, and current expectations. Projecting future events such as the number of claims to be received, the number of claims that will require payment and the average cost of claims could cause the actual warranty liabilities to be higher or lower than those projected, which could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We estimate that the annual number of claims received will continue to decline over time and that the average cost per claim will increase slightly, primarily due to inflation. If the level of claims received or average cost per claim differs materially from expectations, it could result in additional increases or decreases to the warranty reserve and a decrease or increase in earnings and cash flows in future periods. We estimate that a 10% change in the expected number of remaining claims to be settled with payment or the expected cost to settle claims may result in approximately a $1.0 million change in the surface flaking warranty reserve.
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The following table details surface flaking warranty claims activity:
Year Ended December 31,
(1) Claims received include new claims received or identified during the period.
For additional information about product warranties, see Notes 2 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report.
Goodwill. We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” annually or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change in the interim that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount. We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill at the reporting unit level. Through December 30, 2022 and during the year ended December 31, 2021, we determined that the Company had three reporting units: a residential reporting unit in the Trex Residential reportable segment, and a commercial railing reporting unit and a staging reporting unit in the Trex Commercial reportable segment. On December 30, 2022, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of our wholly-owned subsidiary and reportable segment, Trex Commercial. Subsequent to the sale of Trex Commercial, the Company operates in one reportable segment, Trex Residential. Goodwill is considered impaired when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, and an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess but limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Qualitative factors we consider include events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, and other relevant Company-specific events. We evaluate, based on the weight of evidence, the significance of all identified events and circumstances in the context of determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Weighing the effect of various positive and negative factors is challenging and requires the use of significant judgment. The weight we place on each factor depends on certain conditions, including uncertainty about future events. If different conditions exist in future periods, future impairment charges could result.
If the qualitative assessment indicates that the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, including goodwill, we are then required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit refers to the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit is in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, but not to exceed the total goodwill assigned to the reporting unit.
We measure the fair value of a reporting unit based on a combination of the Income Approach (i.e., the Discounted Cash Flow Method) and a Market Approach. The Discounted Cash Flow Method is a multiple period discounting model in which the fair value of the reporting units are determined by discounting the projected free
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cash flows using an appropriate discount rate and indicates the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of the cash flows that the reporting unit is expected to generate in the future. Significant estimates in the Discounted Cash Flow Method include: the weighted average cost of capital (or discount rate); long-term rate of growth and profitability of the business (residual growth rate); and working capital effects. The Market Approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets, liabilities or a group of assets and liabilities, such as a business. Significant estimates in the Market Approach model may include identifying appropriate market multiples and assessing earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in estimating the fair value of the reporting units. The use of different assumptions, estimates or judgements, including estimated future cash flows and the discount rate used to discount estimated cash flows to their net present value, could materially increase or decrease the fair value of the reporting unit and impact our assessment of any goodwill impairment charges. Also, if different conditions exist in future periods, future impairment charges could result.
Revenue Recognition
Trex Residential Products
Trex Residential principally generates revenue from the manufacture and sale of its high-performance, low-maintenance,eco-friendly outdoor living products, consisting of composite decking and railing products, hidden fasteners, and a broad offering of outdoor living accessories. Substantially all of its revenues are from contracts with customers, which are individual customer purchase orders of short-term duration of less than one year. Trex Residential satisfies its performance obligations at a point in time. The shipment of each product is a separate performance obligation as the customer is able to derive benefit from each product shipped and no performance obligation remains after shipment. Upon shipment of the product, the customer obtains control over the distinct product and Trex Residential satisfies its performance obligation. Any performance obligation that remains unsatisfied at the end of a reporting period is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less. Any variable consideration related to the unsatisfied performance obligation is allocated wholly to the unsatisfied performance obligation and recognized when the product ships and the performance obligation is satisfied and is included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities, Sales and marketing” in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this Form 10-K.
Trex Residential may offer various sales incentive programs throughout the year. It estimates the amount of sales incentive to allocate to each performance obligation, or product shipped, based on direct sales to the customer. The estimate is updated each reporting period and any changes are allocated to the performance obligations on the same basis as at inception. Changes in estimate allocated to a previously satisfied performance obligation are recognized as a reduction of revenue in the period in which the change occurs under the cumulative catch-up method. Should estimates change or prove to have been incorrect, it could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition to sales incentive programs, Trex Residential may offer payment discounts. It estimates the payment discount that it believes will be taken by the customer based on prior history using the most-likely-amount method of estimation.
Trex Commercial Products
Trex Commercial generated revenue from the manufacture and sale of its custom, modular and architectural railing and staging systems. All of its revenues were from fixed-price contracts with customers. Trex Commercial contracts had a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services was not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract and was, therefore, not distinct.
Trex Commercial satisfied its performance obligation over time as work progressed because control was transferred continuously to its customers. Revenue and estimated profit were recognized over time based on the proportion of actual costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying the performance obligation. Incurred costs represent work performed, which corresponds with,
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and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the customer. Incurred costs included all direct material, labor, subcontract and certain indirect costs. The Company reviewed and updated its estimates regularly and recognized adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on revenue and estimated profit to date on a contract is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicated an anticipated loss on the contract, the Company recognized the total loss in the period it was identified. During the year ended December 31, 2022, no adjustment to any one contract was material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and no material impairment loss on any contract was recorded.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General. Our results of operations are affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the cost to manufacture and distribute products, cost of raw materials, inflation, interest rates, consumer spending and preferences, the impact of any supply chain disruptions, economic conditions, and any adverse effects from global health pandemics and geopolitical conflicts.
Net Sales. Net sales consist of sales, net of discounts. The level of net sales is principally affected by sales volume and the prices paid for Trex products. The operating results for Trex Residential have historically varied from quarter to quarter, often due to seasonal trends in the demand for outdoor living products. Seasonal, erratic, or prolonged adverse weather conditions in certain geographic regions reduce the level of home improvement and construction activity and can shift demand for its products to a later period. As part of its normal business practice and consistent with industry practices, Trex Residential has historically offered incentive programs to its distributors and dealers to build inventory levels before the start of the prime deck-building season to ensure adequate availability of its product to meet anticipated seasonal consumer demand and to enable production planning. These incentives include prompt payment discounts and favorable payment terms. In addition, we offer price discounts or volume rebates on specified products and other incentives based on increases in purchases as part of specific promotional programs. The timing of sales incentive programs can impact sales, receivables and inventory levels during the offering period. In addition, the operating results for Trex Commercial have not historically varied from quarter to quarter as a result of seasonality, but are driven by the timing of individual projects, which may vary significantly each period.
Gross Profit. Gross profit represents the difference between net sales and cost of sales. Cost of sales consists of raw materials costs, direct labor costs, manufacturing costs, warranty costs, and freight. Raw materials costs generally include the costs to purchase and transport reclaimed wood fiber, scrap polyethylene and pigmentation for coloring Trex products. Direct labor costs include wages and benefits of personnel engaged in the manufacturing process. Manufacturing costs consist of costs of depreciation, utilities, maintenance supplies and repairs, indirect labor, including wages and benefits, and warehouse and equipment rental activities.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The largest component of selling, general and administrative expenses is personnel related costs, which include salaries, commissions, incentive compensation, and benefits of personnel engaged in sales and marketing, accounting, information technology, corporate operations, research and development, and other business functions. Another component of selling, general and administrative expenses is branding and other sales and marketing costs, which are used to build brand awareness of Trex. These costs consist primarily of advertising, merchandising, and other promotional costs. Other general and administrative expenses include professional fees, office occupancy costs attributable to the business functions previously referenced, and consumer relations expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses have varied from quarter to quarter due, in part, to the seasonality of our business.
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Below we have included a discussion of our operating results and material changes in our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2022
Net Sales
Year Ended December 31, $ Change % Change
(dollars in thousands)
Trex Commercial net sales $ N/A $ 46,507 $ N/A N/A
Total net sales in 2023 decreased $11.2 million, or 1.0%, compared to total net sales in 2022, primarily due to the divesture of Trex Commercial, our wholly-owned subsidiary and reportable segment, on December 30, 2022. The increase in Trex Residential net sales of $35.3 million or 3.3% was primarily due to an increase in sales volume of 2.6%.
Gross Profit
Year Ended December 31, $ Change % Change
(dollars in thousands)
% of total net sales 58.7 % 63.5 %
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales, gross margin, was 41.3% in 2023 compared to 36.5% in 2022. Gross margin for Trex Residential in 2023 was 41.3% compared to 37.7% in 2022. The increase was primarily due to lower production costs resulting from cost saving initiatives and improved plant performance. The increase was partially offset by lower absorption resulting from reduced production and higher depreciation and utilities. Our 2022 gross margin was negatively impacted by our channel partners inventory drawdown to rightsize their inventories and additional costs as we restructured our operations for reduced production levels.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Year Ended December 31, $ Change % Change
(dollars in thousands)
% of total net sales 16.1 % 12.8 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $34.3 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily resulting from a $19.1 million increase in personnel related expenses, a $5.6 million increase in branding and marketing expenses, a $3.1 million write down of fixed assets, and a $2.8 million increase in research and development expenses.
Loss on Sale
Year Ended December 31, $ Change % Change
(dollars in thousands)
% of total net sales N/A 1.4 %
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On December 30, 2022, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of our wholly-owned subsidiary and reportable segment, Trex Commercial, for net proceeds of $7.3 million. The divestiture reflects our decision to focus on driving the most profitable growth strategy for the Company and its shareholders through the execution of our outdoor living strategy. The sale resulted in a loss on sale of $15.4 million and is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Provision for Income Taxes
Year Ended December 31, $ Change % Change
(dollars in thousands)
Effective tax rate 25.6 % 25.2 %
The effective tax rate for 2023 of 25.6% was comparable to the effective tax rate for 2022 of 25.2%.
Net Income and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)1 (dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of net income (GAAP) to EBITDA and EBITDA margin (non-GAAP):
TrexResidential andConsolidated
Interest expense, net 5
Depreciation and amortization 50,189
TrexResidential TrexCommercial Total
Interest income, net (103 ) — (103 )
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Year Ended December 31, $ Change % Change
(dollars in thousands)
Trex Commercial EBITDA N/A $ (20,226 ) $ 20,226 N/A
Total EBITDA increased 12.1% to $326.4 million for 2023 compared to $291.0 million for 2022. The increase was due to a $15.1 million increase in Trex Residential EBITDA, primarily driven by an increase in net sales and gross profit. In addition, the divesture of Trex Commercial on December 30, 2022 contributed to the increase in Total EBITDA in 2023.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2021
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the financial results from fiscal year 2021 and the comparison of financial results from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2021 as set forth in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2023.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We finance operations and growth primarily with cash flow from operations, borrowings, operating leases, and normal trade credit terms from operating activities.
Sources and Uses of Cash. The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities in 2023 was $389.4 million compared to cash provided by operating activities of $216.2 million in 2022. The $173.2 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily a result of a reduction in inventories, and to a lesser extent, impacted by higher operating profit, and increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Inventory decreased in 2023 compared to 2022. During 2022 we saw an increase in inventory as a result of a decline in sales which occurred as our distribution partners met demand partially through inventory drawdown. The decrease in inventory in 2023 reflects a return to more normal purchase patterns from our distribution partners.
Investing Activities
In 2023, cash used in investing activities for capital expenditures was $166.1 million, primarily at our Trex Residential facilities, including $98.0 million related to construction of our Arkansas facility, $23.9 million related to general plant cost reduction initiatives at our Virginia and Nevada facilities, $13.0 million related to our new corporate office development, and $29.0 million for general support, safety, and environmental initiatives.
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Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in 2023 consisted primarily of principal payments under our revolving credit facility and to a lesser extent repurchases of our outstanding common stock.
Stock Repurchase Program. On February 16, 2018, the Trex Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program of up to 11.6 million shares of its outstanding common stock (Stock Repurchase Program). The Company repurchased 10.1 million shares under the Stock Repurchase Program. On May 4, 2023, the Trex Board of Directors adopted a new stock repurchase program (2023 Stock Repurchase Program) of up to 10.8 million shares of its outstanding common stock, and terminated the existing Stock Repurchase Program. The 2023 Stock Repurchase Program has no set expiration date and during 2023 the Company repurchased 264,896 shares of its common stock under the 2023 Stock Repurchase Program.
Inventory in Distribution Channels. We sell our Trex Residential decking and railing products through a tiered distribution system. We have over 50 distributors worldwide and two national retail merchandisers to which we sell our products. The distributors in turn sell the products to dealers and retail locations who in turn sell the products to end users. Significant increases in inventory levels in the distribution channel without a corresponding change in end-use demand could have an adverse effect on future sales.
Seasonality. The operating results for Trex Residential have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Seasonal, erratic or prolonged adverse weather conditions may reduce the level of home improvement and construction activity and can shift demand for its products to a later period. As part of its normal business practice and consistent with industry practice, Trex Residential has historically offered incentive programs to its distributors and dealers to build inventory levels before the start of the prime deck-building season in order to ensure adequate availability of its product to meet anticipated seasonal consumer demand. The seasonal effects are often offset by the positive effect of the incentive programs.
Indebtedness Prior to December 22, 2022. On May 18, 2022, the Company, as borrower; Trex Commercial as guarantor; BOA, as a Lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer; Wells Fargo as lender and Syndication Agent; Regions Bank, PNC Bank, National Association (PNC), and TD Bank, N.A. (YD) (each, a Lender and collectively, the Lenders), arranged by BofA Securities, Inc. as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, entered into a Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) to amend and restate the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 5, 2019.
Under the Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to provide the Company with one or more Revolving Loans in a collective maximum principal amount of $400,000,000 (Loan Limit) throughout the term, which ends May 18, 2027 (Term). Included within the Loan Limit are sublimits for a Letter of Credit facility in an amount not to exceed $60,000,000; and Swing Line Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000. The Revolving Loans, the Letter of Credit facility and the Swing Line Loans are for the purpose of raising working capital and supporting general business operations.
The Credit Agreement provides the Company, in the aggregate, the ability to borrow an amount up to the Loan Limit during the Term. The Company is not obligated to borrow any amount under the Loan Limit. Within the Loan Limit, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow at any time or from time to time while the Notes are in effect. Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Revolving Loans and the Swing Line Loans accrue interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and Term SOFR Loans for the Revolving Loans accrue interest at the rate per annum equal to the sum of Term SOFR for such interest period plus the Applicable Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Base Rate for any day is a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by BOA as its prime rate, and (c) the Term SOFR plus 1.0% subject to certain interest rate floors. Repayment of all then outstanding principal, interest, fees and costs is due at the end of the Term.
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The Company and BofA Securities, as a sustainability coordinator, are entitled to establish specified key performance indicators (KPIs) with respect to certain environmental, social and governance targets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The sustainability coordinator and the Company may amend the Credit Agreement for the purpose of incorporating the KPIs and other related provisions unless the Lenders object to such amendment on or prior to the date that is ten business days after the date on which such amendment is posted for review by the Lenders. Based on the performance of the Company and its subsidiaries against the KPIs, certain adjustments (increase, decrease or no adjustment) to otherwise applicable pricing will be made; provided that the amount of such adjustments shall not exceed certain aggregate caps as in the definitive loan documentation.
Under the terms of the Security and Pledge Agreement, the Company and Trex Commercial, subject to certain permitted encumbrances, as collateral security for the above-stated loans and all other present and future indebtedness of the Company owing to the Lenders grants to BOA, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, a continuing security interest in certain collateral described and defined in the Security and Pledge Agreement but excluding the Excluded Property (as defined in the Security and Pledge Agreement).
Indebtedness On and After December 22, 2022. As of December 22, 2022, the Company entered into a First Amendment to the Credit Agreement (First Amendment) by and among the Company, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto; BOA, as a Lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer; TD as lender and Syndication Agent; Regions Bank, PNC, and Wells Fargo (each, a Lender and collectively, the Lenders), arranged by BofA Securities, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, amending that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 18, 2022, by and among the Company, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, BOA, as a Lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer and the other lenders identified therein (as so amended, Credit Agreement). The First Amendment removes Trex Commercial as a guarantor to any and all indebtedness under the Credit Agreement. As a part of the First Amendment, the Credit Agreement was amended and restated to provide for an additional Revolving B Loan (as hereinafter defined).
Under the First Amendment, the Lenders agreed to provide the Company with a Revolving B Loan consisting of one or more revolving loans in a collective maximum principal amount of $150,000,000 (Revolving B Loan Limit) throughout the term, which ends December 22, 2024 (Revolving B Loan Term). Previously, under the Credit Agreement, there was no Revolving B Loan. The First Amendment also provided that TD would serve as Syndication Agent.
As of December 22, 2022, the Credit Agreement was amended and restated to refer to this loan as the Revolving A Loan. The amended and restated Credit Agreement was made an Exhibit A to the First Amendment. All of the terms of the Credit Agreement apply to the Revolving B Loan. The Credit Agreement continues to include sublimits under the Revolving A Loan for a Letter of Credit facility in an amount not to exceed $60,000,000; and Swing Line Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000. The Revolving Loans, the Letter of Credit facility and the Swing Line Loans under Revolving A Loan are for the purpose of raising working capital and supporting general business operations.
The Notes provide the Company, in the aggregate, the ability to borrow an amount up to the Revolving A Loan Limit during the Revolving A Loan Term and Revolving B Loan Limit during the Revolving B Loan Term. The Company is not obligated to borrow any amount under the revolving loans. Within the respective loan limit, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow at any time or from time to time while the Notes are in effect. With respect to Revolving B Loans, for any day, the rate per annum is a tiered pricing based upon the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio. The applicable rate for Revolving B Loans that are Base Rate Loans range between1.20% and 2.15% and the applicable rate for Revolving B Loans that are Term SOFR/Term SOFR Daily Floating Rate range between 0.20% and 1.15%.
At December 31, 2023, we had $5.5 million in outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and borrowing capacity under the facility of $544.5 million.
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Compliance with Debt Covenants and Restrictions. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company, is subject to certain loan compliance covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2023. Failure to comply with the financial covenants could be considered a default of repayment obligations and, among other remedies, could accelerate payment of any amounts outstanding.
Contractual Obligations. Our contractual obligations consist primarily of purchase commitments and operating leases.
Purchase obligations represent supply contracts with raw material vendors and service contracts for hauling raw materials. Open purchase orders written in the normal course of business for goods or services that are provided on demand have been excluded as the timing of which is not certain. As of December 31, 2023, we have purchase obligations under material supply contracts of $42.6 million for the year ending December 31, 2024, $29.1 million in 2025, $19.6 million in 2026, and $11.3 million in 2027. Please refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this filing for additional information on our purchase commitments.
Operating leases represent office space, storage warehouses, manufacturing facilities and certain office and plant equipment under various operating leases, and include operating leases accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842 and short-term leases. As of December 31, 2023, we have operating lease liabilities of $7.8 million for the year ending December 31, 2024, $19.1 million for the years 2025 through 2028 and $0.9 million thereafter. Please refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this filing for additional information on our operating leases.
The Company believes that its cash on hand and cash generated through operating activities, both over the next 12 months and beyond the next 12 months, should be sufficient to cover purchase obligations and operating leases.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We do not have off-balance sheet financing arrangements.
Capital and Other Cash Requirements. In October 2021, we announced plans to add a third U.S.-based Trex Residential manufacturing facility located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The new campus will sit on approximately 300 acres of land and will address demand for Trex Residential outdoor living products. The development approach for the new campus will be modular and calibrated to demand trends for Trex Residential outdoor living products. Construction began on the new facility in the second quarter 2022, and in July 2022, the Company entered into a design-build agreement. The Company anticipates spending approximately $450 million on the facility and the budget for the design-build agreement is contained within this amount. Construction for the new facility will be funded primarily through the Company’s ongoing cash generation or its line of credit.
Our capital expenditure guidance for 2024 is $210 million to $230 million. In addition to our capital expenditure program, our capital allocation priorities include expenditures for internal growth opportunities, manufacturing cost reductions, upgrading equipment and support systems, and acquisitions which fit our long-term growth strategy as we continue to evaluate opportunities that would be a good strategic fit for Trex, and return of capital to shareholders.
We believe that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowings expected to be available under our revolving credit facility will provide sufficient funds to enable us to fund planned capital expenditures, make scheduled principal and interest payments, fund the warranty reserve, meet other cash requirements, and maintain compliance with terms of our debt agreements for at least the next 12 months. We currently expect to fund future capital expenditures from operations and borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The actual amount and timing of future capital requirements may differ materially from our estimate depending on the demand for Trex products and new market developments and opportunities. Our ability to meet our cash needs during the next 12 months and thereafter could be adversely affected by various circumstances, including increases in the cost of raw materials and product replacement costs, quality control problems, higher than expected product warranty
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claims, service disruptions and lower than expected collections of accounts receivable. In addition, any failure to negotiate amendments to our existing debt agreements to resolve any future noncompliance with financial covenants could adversely affect our liquidity by reducing access to revolving credit borrowings needed primarily to fund seasonal borrowing needs. We may determine that it is necessary or desirable to obtain financing through bank borrowings or the issuance of debt or equity securities to address such contingencies or changes to our business plan. Debt financing would increase our level of indebtedness, while equity financing would dilute the ownership of our stockholders. There can be no assurance as to whether, or as to the terms on which, we would be able to obtain such financing, which would be restricted by covenants contained in our existing debt agreements.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07,“Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The guidance requires disclosure of significant segment expenses which are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), the composition of and amount of other segment items, the CODM’s title and position within the organization, and how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment’s profit or loss to assess the performance of the segment. In addition, on an interim basis, all segment profit or loss and asset disclosures currently required on an annual basis must be reported, as well as those required by Topic 280. The guidance allows for multiple measure of a segment’s profit or loss to be reported. Entities which have a single reportable segment must apply Topic 280 in its entirety. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to apply the amendments of this update retrospectively for all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company does not intend to early adopt the standard and does not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09,“Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The guidance requires public entities to disclose additional categories of information related to federal, state, and foreign income taxes and additional details related to reconciling items should they meet a quantitative threshold. The guidance requires disclosure of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on quantitative thresholds. The guidance is effective for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied on a prospective basis, retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of the guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are subject to market risks from changing interest rates associated with our borrowings. To meet our seasonal working capital needs, we borrow periodically on our variable rate revolving line of credit. At December 31, 2023, we had $5.5 million in debt outstanding under our revolving line of credit. While variable rate debt obligations expose us to the risk of rising interest rates, an increase of 1% in interest rates would not have a material adverse effect on our overall financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
In certain instances, we may use interest rate swap agreements to modify fixed rate obligations to variable rate obligations, thereby adjusting the interest rates to current market rates and ensuring that the debt instruments are always reflected at fair value. We had no interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements listed in Item 15 of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference in this Item 8 and are filed as part of this report.
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None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s principal executive officer, and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who is the Company’s principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We, as members of management of Trex Company, Inc. (Company), are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
We assessed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO Framework). Based on this assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective, based on the COSO Framework.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which follows hereafter.
TREX COMPANY, INC.
February 26, 2024 By: /S/ BRYAN H. FAIRBANKS
February 26, 2024 By: /S/ BRENDA K. LOVCIK
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation described above in “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” that occurred during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Trex Company, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Trex Company, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Trex Company, Inc., (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2023 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Tysons, Virginia
February 26, 2024
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Item 9B. Other Information
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company dated February 21, 2024
. On February 21, 2024 the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted amendments to Article III, Section 2 and Article IV, Section 1 of the Company’s Amended and Restated By-laws, effective immediately, to (a) clarify that that notwithstanding the statement that Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation, if the Corporation has in effect at any time any Stock Ownership Guidelines applicable to Directors, Directors shall comply with such Guidelines and (b) to provide that if the Chairman is unavailable to preside over a meeting of the Board of Directors, then, if there is a Vice Chairman and/or a Lead Independent Director serving at the time of such meeting, the Vice Chairman or the Lead independent Director, in that order, shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for such meeting.
Insider Trading Arrangements
. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as identified in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions the Prevent Inspections
None.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information responsive to this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, which we will file with the SEC on or before 120 days after our 2023 fiscal
year-end.
We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The code is available on our corporate web site and in print to any stockholder who requests a copy. We also make available on our web site, at
www.trex.com/our-company/corporate-governance
, and in print to any stockholder who requests them, copies of our corporate governance principles and the charters of each standing committee of our board of directors. Requests for copies of these documents should be directed to Corporate Secretary, Trex Company, Inc., 2500 Trex Way, Winchester, Virginia 22601. To the extent required by SEC rules, we intend to disclose any amendments to our code of conduct and ethics, and any waiver of a provision of the code with respect to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on our web site referred to above within four business days following any such amendment or waiver, or within any other period that may be required under SEC rules from time to time.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information responsive to this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, which we will file with the SEC on or before 120 days after our 2023 fiscal
year-end.
Information responsive to this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, which we will file with the SEC on or before 120 days after our 2023 fiscal
year-end.
Information responsive to this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, which we will file with the SEC on or before 120 days after our 2023 fiscal
year-end.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information responsive to this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, which we will file with the SEC on or before 120 days after our 2023 fiscal
year-end.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are incorporated by reference in Part II, Item 8 of this Form
10-K:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 42) F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8
(a)(2) The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this report:
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves F-34
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable or not material and, therefore, have been omitted.
(a)(3) See Exhibit Index at the end of the Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the information required by this Item.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
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TREX COMPANY, INC.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 42) F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8
The following Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule of the Registrant is filed as part of this Report as required to be included in Item 15(a)(2):
Page
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves F-34
F-1
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Trex Company, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Trex Company, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework),
and our report dated February 26, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that
was
communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
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Surface Flaking Warranty Reserve
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1995.
Tysons, Virginia
February 26, 2024
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TREX COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Goodwill impairment — — 54,245
Gain on insurance proceeds — — (8,741 )
Interest expense (income), net 5 (103 ) (15 )
Basic earnings per common share $ 1.89 $ 1.65 $ 1.81
Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.89 $ 1.65 $ 1.80
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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TREX COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 18,163 18,582
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 56,734 44,064
Commitments and contingencies — —
Stockholders’ Equity:
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 932,885 $ 933,705
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-5
Table of Contents
TREX COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total