Stella-Jones Reports Continued Strong Results in Third Quarter

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 11, 2011) - Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX:SJ) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2011. These results reflect the adoption, on January 1, 2011, of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Results for the prior year have been restated.

(1) Before changes in non-cash working capital components and interest and income tax paid.

THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS

Sales reached $181.8 million, an increase of $20.5 million, or 12.7% over last year's third-quarter sales of $161.3 million. The conversion effect from fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar, Stella-Jones' reporting currency, versus the U.S. dollar, decreased the value of U.S. dollar denominated sales by about $10.2 million when compared with the previous year. Excluding this conversion effect, sales increased approximately 19.0%, as demand remained robust for the Company's core railway tie and utility pole product categories.

Railway tie sales amounted to $92.3 million, up 9.7% from last year, reflecting solid market demand. Adjusting for a negative foreign exchange effect of $7.1 million due to a lower average conversion rate on U.S. dollar denominated tie sales, year-over-year comparable railway tie sales increased $15.3 million, or 18.2%. Utility pole sales reached $56.2 million, up 31.6% from a year ago. This increase mainly reflects robust demand for transmission poles resulting from orders for special projects, while a lower year-over-year conversion rate reduced the value of U.S. dollar denominated pole sales by $1.7 million. Industrial product sales decreased 9.4% to $22.6 million due to the sale of certain assets of the Terre Haute, Indiana facility in the fourth quarter of 2010 and a $1.4 million negative impact from a lower conversion rate on U.S. dollar denominated sales. However, demand remained solid for the balance of the Company's principal products and services in this category. Finally, sales of residential lumber increased 12.0% to $10.7 million, as a result of more favourable weather compared with last year.

Operating income was $25.6 million or 14.1% of sales, compared with $19.7 million or 12.4% of sales last year. The increase as a percentage of sales mainly stems from a product mix more heavily weighted towards utility poles and greater efficiencies throughout our plant network. Net income for the period reached $16.6 million or $1.03 per share, fully diluted, up 33.2% from $12.4 million or $0.78 per share, fully diluted, in 2010. Cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital components and interest and income tax paid rose 18.3% to $27.8 million.

"Stella-Jones continues to benefit from robust investment in the North American rail and electrical utility infrastructure, which led to another strong financial performance in the third quarter," said Brian McManus, President and Chief Executive Officer. "A greater geographical reach and a more extensive breadth of products and services have further enhanced Stella-Jones' market position and driven sales growth. More importantly, additional efficiencies from increased throughput provided additional thrust to operating profitability."

NINE-MONTH RESULTS

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, sales reached $492.6 million, up 15.1% from $428.0 million a year earlier. Excluding the additional sales contribution of $37.7 million from the Tangent Rail Corporation operations in the first quarter of 2011, and net of a $20.9 million conversion effect from fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. currency, sales increased approximately 11.0%.

Operating income amounted to $67.6 million, or 13.7% of sales, versus $41.5 million, or 9.7% of sales a year earlier. Last year's nine-month results included non-recurring expenses and asset impairment charges of approximately $7.5 million. Net income for the period totalled $42.3 million, or $2.65 per share, fully diluted, in 2011 versus $23.8 million, or $1.60 per share, fully diluted, in 2010. Finally, cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital components and interest and income tax paid grew 36.3% to $74.9 million.

SOLID FINANCIAL POSITION

As at September 30, 2011, the Company's financial position remained solid with total debt, including short-term bank indebtedness, of $172.9 million, down from $175.8 million as at June 30, 2011. The ratio of total debt to shareholders' equity was 0.53:1 as at September 30, 2011, down from 0.59:1 three months earlier.

During the quarter, Stella-Jones entered into an agreement to amend its existing revolving credit agreement. The amended facility consists of a $170.0 million committed revolving facility made available for a five-year term. As a result of this agreement, all bank indebtedness is now considered long-term debt with the exception of the Company's proportion of the operating line of its joint venture.

"Operating activities produced a solid cash flow that allowed Stella-Jones to further reduce debt and finance its growth. As a result, the proposed acquisition of Thompson Industries, Inc. ("Thompson") would, if finalized, be entirely financed through readily available sources of funds," added George Labelle, Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.

OUTLOOK

"Despite recent volatility in the macro-economic environment, we expect demand for our core products to remain solid in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the short-term, our priority is to complete our due diligence and, if satisfactory, proceed with the closing of our proposed acquisition of Thompson. If successful, this network expansion would further enhance Stella-Jones' product and service offering to the North American railroad industry. As fundamentals remain solid in our core product categories, we will proactively assess prospective business opportunities to maintain our market momentum," concluded Mr. McManus.

CONFERENCE CALL

Stella-Jones will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Friday, November 11, 2011, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Interested parties can join the call by dialling 416-644-3426 (Toronto or overseas) or 1-800-731-5319 (elsewhere in North America). Parties unable to call in at this time may access a tape recording of the meeting by calling 1-877-289-8525 and entering the passcode 4478464#. This tape recording will be available on Friday, November 11, 2011 as of 1:00 PM Eastern Time until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Friday, November 18, 2011.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Operating income and cash flow from operations are financial measures not prescribed by IFRS and are not likely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management considers these measures to be useful information to assist knowledgeable investors in evaluating the cash generating capabilities of the Company.

ABOUT STELLA-JONES

Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX:SJ) is a leading producer and marketer of pressure treated wood products. The Company supplies North America's railroad operators with railway ties, timbers and recycling services; and the continent's electrical utilities and telecommunications companies with utility poles. Stella-Jones also provides industrial products and services for construction and marine applications, as well as residential lumber to retailers and wholesalers for outdoor applications. The Company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of the Company. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for the Company's products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by competitors, the ability of the Company to raise the capital required for acquisitions, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.