UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
 
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended April 5, 2014
 
OR
 
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the transition period from ________________ to ______________
 
Commission file number: 1-32383
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
77-0627356
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia
30339
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(770) 953-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
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  þ No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  þ No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer þ
 
Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
                                                                                             
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o No þ
 
As of May 8, 2014 there were 87,711,516 shares of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding.
 


 
 

 


BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
 
Form 10-Q
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended April 5, 2014
 
INDEX
 
 
PAGE  
   
   
    3
 
   4
 
    5
 
   6
 
   22
 
   30
 
   31
 
   
   31
 
   31
 
   31
 
   32
 
   33
 
   34
 
 
2
 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
             
    First Quarter  
   
Period from
January 5, 2014
to
April 5, 2014
   
Period from
December 30, 2012
to
March 30, 2013
 
Net sales
  $ 443,944     $ 503,153  
Cost of sales
    391,268       446,695  
Gross profit
    52,676       56,458  
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general, and administrative
    51,987       59,419  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,352       2,173  
Total operating expenses
    54,339       61,592  
Operating loss
    (1,663 )     (5,134 )
Non-operating expenses:
               
Interest expense
    6,454       7,192  
Other expense, net
    160       110  
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (8,277 )     (12,436 )
Provision for income taxes
    331       213  
Net loss
  $ (8,608 )   $ (12,649 )
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    85,187       66,714  
Basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common stock
  $ (0.10 )   $ (0.19 )
                 
Comprehensive loss:
               
Net loss
  $ (8,608 )   $ (12,649 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
     Unrealized gain from pension plan, net of taxes
    115       718  
     Foreign currency translation
    (231 )     (109 )
     Total other comprehensive (loss) income
    (116 )     609  
Comprehensive loss
  $ (8,724 )   $ (12,040 )
 
See accompanying notes.
 
3
 

 

 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
             
   
April 5, 2014
   
January 4, 2014
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Assets:
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 7,579     $ 5,034  
Receivables, net
    190,766       150,297  
Inventories, net
    261,006       223,580  
Other current assets
    25,756       22,814  
Total current assets
    485,107       401,725  
Property, plant, and equipment:
               
Land and land improvements
    41,182       41,176  
Buildings
    90,172       90,082  
Machinery and equipment
    76,672       73,004  
Construction in progress
    760       3,028  
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost
    208,786       207,290  
Accumulated depreciation
    (98,344 )     (96,171 )
Property, plant, and  equipment, net
    110,442       111,119  
Non-current deferred income tax assets, net
    824       824  
Other non-current assets
    15,443       16,578  
Total assets
  $ 611,816     $ 530,246  
Liabilities:
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 98,008     $ 60,363  
Bank overdrafts
    21,516       19,377  
Accrued compensation
    5,510       4,173  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    38,078       9,141  
Deferred income taxes, net
    823       823  
Other current liabilities
    12,414       12,949  
Total current liabilities
    176,349       106,826  
Non-current liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    409,294       388,995  
Other non-current liabilities
    40,559       40,323  
Total liabilities
    626,202       536,144  
Stockholders’ Deficit:
               
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014; 87,602,613 and 86,545,000 shares issued at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, respectively.
    877       866  
Additional paid-in capital
    251,374       251,150  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (16,409 )     (16,293 )
Accumulated deficit
    (250,228 )     (241,621 )
Total stockholders’ deficit  
    (14,386 )     (5,898 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  
  $ 611,816     $ 530,246  
 
See accompanying notes.
 
4
 

 

 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
Period from
January 5, 2014
 to
April 5, 2014
   
Period from
December 30, 2012
to
March 30, 2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (8,608 )   $ (12,649 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,352       2,173  
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    744       946  
Write-off of debt issuance costs
          119  
Gain from sale of property
    (210 )     (238 )
Restructuring payments
    (603 )      
Intraperiod income tax allocation related to hourly pension plan
    (76 )      
Pension expense
    225       1,148  
Share-based compensation expense
    690       824  
Increase in restricted cash related to insurance and other
    (1,285 )     (361 )
Other
    808       (894 )
      (5,963 )     (8,932 )
Changes in primary working capital components:
               
Receivables
    (40,469 )     (61,396 )
Inventories
    (37,426 )     (89,595 )
Accounts payable
    37,743       64,084  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (46,115 )     (95,839 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Property, plant and equipment investments
    (775 )     (955 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
    283        195  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (492 )      (760 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
          16  
Repurchase of shares to satisfy employee tax withholdings
    (456 )     (1,206 )
Repayments on the revolving credit facilities
    (99,146 )     (128,836 )
Borrowings from the revolving credit facilities
    149,191       199,828  
Payments of principal on mortgage
    (809 )     (646 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
    (570 )     (384 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
    2,139       (6,298 )
Increase in restricted cash related to the mortgage
    (1,024 )     (2,955 )
Debt issuance costs
    (75 )     (2,715 )
Proceeds from stock offering, less expenses paid
    (98 )     39,892  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    49,152       96,696  
Increase in cash
    2,545       97  
Balance, beginning of period
    5,034       5,188  
Balance, end of period
  $ 7,579     $ 5,285  
                 
Noncash transactions :
               
Capital leases
  $ 983     $  
 
See accompanying notes.
 
5
 

 

 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
April 5, 2014
 
1. Basis of Presentation and Background
 
Basis of Presentation
 
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. has prepared the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, including its accounts and the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, and therefore they do not include all of the information and notes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Fiscal 2014 contains 52 weeks and fiscal 2013 contained 53 weeks. Our fiscal quarters are based on a 5-4-4 week period, with the exception of the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal years containing 53 weeks, which are based on a 5-4-5 week period. BlueLinx Corporation is the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and is referred to herein as the “operating subsidiary” when necessary.
 
We believe the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments and other nonrecurring adjustments disclosed in the subsequent notes to the consolidated financial statements, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material. In addition, the operating results for interim periods may not be indicative of the results of operations for a full year. We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors, with the second and third quarters typically accounting for the highest sales volumes. These seasonal factors are common in the building products distribution industry.
 
We are a leading distributor of building products in North America with approximately 1,700 employees.  We offer approximately 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service more than 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. We operate our distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and our current network of approximately 50 distribution centers.
 
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, our price to the buyer is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. The timing of revenue recognition is largely dependent on shipping terms. For sales transactions designated as FOB (free on board) shipping point, revenue is recorded at the time of shipment.  For sales transactions designated FOB destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.
 
All revenues are recorded gross. The key indicators used to determine when and how revenue is recorded are as follows:
 
 
We are the primary obligor responsible for fulfillment and all other aspects of the customer relationship.
 
Title passes from BlueLinx, and we carry all risk of loss related to warehouse, third party (“reload”) inventory and inventory shipped directly from vendors to our customers.
 
We are responsible for all product returns.
 
We control the selling price for all channels.
 
We select the supplier.
 
We bear all credit risk.
 
6
 

 

 
In addition, we provide inventory to certain customers through pre-arranged agreements on a consignment basis. Customer consigned inventory is maintained and stored by certain customers; however, ownership and risk of loss remain with us. When the inventory is sold by the customer, we recognize revenue on a gross basis.  Customer consigned inventory at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014 was approximately $11.8 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
 
All revenues are recorded after trade allowances, cash discounts and sales returns are deducted. Cash discounts and sales returns are estimated using historical experience. Trade allowances are based on the estimated obligations and historical experience.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with maturity dates of less than three months when purchased.
 
 Restricted Cash
 
We had restricted cash of $14.0 million and $11.7 million at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, respectively. Restricted cash primarily includes amounts held in escrow related to our mortgage and insurance for workers’ compensation, auto liability, and general liability. Restricted cash is included in “Other current assets” and “Other non-current assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The table below provides the balances of each individual component in restricted cash as of April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014 (in thousands):
 
   
April 5,
2014
   
January 4,
2014
 
Cash in escrow:
           
    Mortgage
  $ 1,024     $  
    Insurance
    7,924       7,921  
    Other (primarily real estate related)
    5,042       3,760  
Total
  $ 13,990     $ 11,681  
 
    Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Related Reserves
 
We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their creditworthiness. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for each aging category on our aged trial balance, which is aged utilizing contractual terms, based on our historical loss experience. This estimate is periodically adjusted when we become aware of specific customers’ potential inability to meet their financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filing or other evidence of liquidity problems). As we determine that specific balances ultimately will be uncollectible, we remove them from our aged trial balance. Additionally, we maintain reserves for cash discounts that we expect customers to earn as well as expected returns. At April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, these reserves totaled $4.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
 
        Inventory Valuation
 
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. The cost of all inventories is determined by the moving average cost method.  We have included all material charges directly or indirectly incurred in bringing inventory to its existing condition and location.  We evaluate our inventory value at the end of each quarter to ensure that first quality, actively moving inventory, when viewed by category, is carried at the lower of cost or market. At April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, the market value of our inventory exceeded its cost.
 
Additionally, we maintain a reserve for the estimated value impairment associated with damaged, excess and obsolete inventory. The damaged, excess and obsolete reserve generally includes discontinued items or inventory that has turn days in excess of 270 days, excluding new items during their product launch. At April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, our damaged, excess and obsolete inventory reserves were $1.8 million.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, approximately $1.0 million was recorded in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for damaged, excess and obsolete inventory related to the closure of five distribution centers. There was less than $0.1 million of this reserve remaining as of April 5, 2014 and $0.3 million of this reserve remaining as of January 4, 2014.  We discuss the closure or ceasing of operations of these distribution centers, which is included in our 2013 restructuring plan (the “2013 restructuring”), further in “Note 3 – Restructuring Charges”.
 
7
 

 

 
Consignment Inventory
 
We enter into consignment inventory agreements with our vendors.  This vendor consignment inventory relationship allows us to obtain and store vendor inventory at our warehouses and reload facilities; however, ownership and risk of loss generally remains with the vendor.  When the inventory is sold, we are required to pay the vendor, and we simultaneously take and transfer ownership from the vendor to the customer.
 
Consideration Received from Vendors and Consideration Paid to Customers
 
Each year, we enter into agreements with many of our vendors providing for inventory purchase rebates, generally based on the achievement of specified volume purchasing levels.  We also receive rebates related to price protection and various marketing allowances that are common industry practice. We accrue for the receipt of vendor rebates based on purchases, and also reduce inventory value to reflect the net acquisition cost (purchase price less expected purchase rebates). At April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, the vendor rebate receivable totaled $5.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
 
In addition, we enter into agreements with many of our customers to offer customer rebates, generally based on achievement of specified volume sales levels and various marketing allowances that are common industry practice. We accrue for the payment of customer rebates based on sales to the customer, and also reduce sales value to reflect the net sales (sales price less expected customer rebates). At April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, the customer rebate payable totaled $2.7 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
 
 Loss per Common Share
 
We calculate our basic loss per share by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding for the period. Restricted stock granted by us to certain of our officers, directors, and certain other employees participate in dividends on the same basis as common shares and are non-forfeitable by the holder. The unvested restricted stock contains non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. As a result, these share-based awards meet the definition of a participating security and are included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, pursuant to the two-class method, for the periods that present net income. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that would otherwise have been available to common stockholders.
 
Given that the restricted stockholders do not have a contractual obligation to participate in the losses and the inclusion of such unvested restricted shares in our basic and dilutive per share calculations would be anti-dilutive, we have not included these amounts in our weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which we report a net loss.  Therefore, we have not included 2,265,072 and 2,892,936 of unvested shares of restricted stock that had the right to participate in dividends in our basic and dilutive calculations for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013, respectively.
 
Except when the effect would be anti-dilutive, the diluted earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and performance shares using the treasury stock method. There were no grants of performance shares during the first quarter of fiscal 2014. During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we granted 1,872,852 performance shares under our 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) in which shares are issuable upon satisfaction of certain performance criteria. As of April 5, 2014 and March 30, 2013, we assumed that 1,699,233 and 1,749,815, respectively, of the performance shares will vest, net of forfeitures and vesting, as of first quarter fiscal 2014 and first quarter fiscal 2013. We are assuming that all but 311,653 of these performance shares outstanding as of April 5, 2014 will vest based on our assumption that meeting the performance criteria is probable. The remaining 311,653 performance shares outstanding as of April 5, 2014 will vest in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 due to the completion of the vesting term and the Compensation Committee’s discretionary decision on December 30, 2013 to waive the performance criteria due to the significant restructuring activities undertaken by the Company during the vesting period and vest these performance shares regardless of satisfaction of the performance criteria. The performance shares are not considered participating shares under the two-class method because they do not receive any non-transferable rights to dividends. The performance shares we assumed will vest were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive.
 
     Except when the effect would be anti-dilutive, the diluted earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and performance shares using the treasury stock method. As we experienced losses in all periods, basic and diluted loss per share are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. For the first quarter of fiscal 2014 we excluded 4,748,805 of unvested share-based awards, which includes excluding the assumed exercise of 784,500 unexpired stock options and 1,699,233 performance shares unvested share-based awards, from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive. For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we excluded 5,512,898 of unvested share-based awards, which includes excluding the assumed exercise of 870,147 unexpired stock options and 1,749,815 performance shares, from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
 
8
 

 

 
Share-Based Compensation
 
We have two stock-based compensation plans covering officers, directors, certain employees and consultants: the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the 2006 Plan. The plans are designed to motivate and retain individuals who are responsible for the attainment of our primary long-term performance goals. The plans provide a means whereby our employees and directors develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in our development and financial success and encourage them to devote their best efforts to our business. Although we do not have a formal policy on the matter, we issue new shares of our common stock to participants upon the exercise of options, upon the granting of restricted stock or upon the vesting of performance shares, out of the total amount of common shares authorized for issuance under either the 2004 Plan or the 2006 Plan.   During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee granted 1,114,311 restricted shares of our common stock to certain of our officers, directors, and certain other employees.  Restricted shares of 287,616 vested in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 due to the completion of the vesting term. Performance shares of 386,541 vested in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 due to the completion of the vesting term and the Compensation Committee’s discretionary decision on December 30, 2013 to waive the performance criteria due to the significant restructuring activities undertaken by the Company during the vesting period and vest these performance shares regardless of satisfaction of the performance criteria.
 
We recognize compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value for all share-based payment awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award, unless the awards are subject to market or performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of each separate vesting tranche to the extent the occurrence of such conditions are probable. All compensation expense related to our share-based payment awards is recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.  For the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, our total share-based compensation expense was $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
 Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes are provided using the liability method. Accordingly, deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the income tax and financial reporting bases of our assets and liabilities based on enacted tax laws and tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.  We recognize a valuation allowance, when based on the weight of all available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be realized.   In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred income tax assets, we considered available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, our ability to carryback losses against prior taxable income, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years, our forecast of future taxable income and an excess of appreciated assets over the tax basis of our net assets. In estimating future taxable income, we developed assumptions including the amount of future state and federal pretax operating and non-operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies.  These assumptions required significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income.  We considered all of the available positive and negative evidence during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, and based on the weight of available evidence, we recorded an additional deferred tax asset and valuation allowance of $3.2 million relating to our current period net operating losses, which resulted in a total net deferred tax asset of $91.5 million with a valuation allowance of a corresponding amount as of April 5, 2014.  As of January 4, 2014, our total net deferred tax asset was $88.3 million with a valuation allowance of a corresponding amount.
 
If the realization of deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, a reduction to the valuation allowance related to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable is based on significant estimates, and it is possible that changes in these estimates could materially affect the financial condition and results of operations.  Our effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss; changes to the valuation allowance; changes to federal or state tax laws; and as a result of acquisitions.
 
We generally believe that the positions taken on previously filed tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities.  We have recorded income tax and related interest liabilities where we believe our position may not be sustained.  Such amounts are disclosed in Note 5 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended January 4, 2014. There have been no material changes to our tax positions during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
We consider whether there are indicators of potential impairment of long-lived assets, primarily property, plant, and equipment, on a quarterly basis. Indicators of impairment include current period losses combined with a history of losses, management’s decision to exit a facility, reductions in the fair market value of real properties and changes in other circumstances that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
 
9
 

 

 
Our evaluation of long-lived assets is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is generally the individual distribution facility. In the event of indicators of impairment, the assets of the distribution facility are evaluated by comparing the facility’s undiscounted cash flows over the estimated useful life of the asset, which ranges between 5-40 years, to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the estimated fair market value. Impairment losses are recorded as a component of “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
 
Our estimate of undiscounted cash flows is subject to assumptions that affect estimated operating income at a distribution facility level. These assumptions are related to future sales, margin growth rates, economic conditions, market competition and inflation. In the event that undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount of a facility, our estimates of fair market value are generally based on market appraisals and our experience with related market transactions. We use a two year average of cash flows based on 2013 EBITDA and 2014 projected EBITDA, which includes a growth factor assumption, to estimate undiscounted cash flows. In our impairment analysis we use level 3 measurement assumptions in the fair value hierarchy. We define the measurement assumptions in Note 13 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 4, 2014.
 
No impairment indicators appear to be present that would result in material reductions to our January 4, 2014 projected undiscounted cash flows, which exceeded our carrying amount in all cases during the performance of our January 4, 2014 impairment analysis.
 
Self-Insurance
 
It is our policy to self-insure, up to certain limits, traditional risks including workers’ compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability. Our self-insured deductible for each claim involving workers’ compensation and auto liability is limited to $0.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Our self-insured retention for each claim involving comprehensive general liability (including product liability claims) is limited to $0.8 million.  We are also self-insured up to certain limits for certain other insurable risks, primarily physical loss to property ($0.1 million per occurrence) and the majority of our medical benefit plans ($0.3 million per occurrence). Insurance coverage is maintained for catastrophic property and casualty exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. A provision for claims under this self-insured program, based on our estimate of the aggregate liability for claims incurred, is revised annually. The estimate is derived from both internal and external sources including but not limited to actuarial estimates. The actuarial estimates are subject to uncertainty from various sources, including, among others, changes in claim reporting patterns, claim settlement patterns, judicial decisions, legislation, and economic conditions. Although we believe that the actuarial estimates are reasonable, significant differences related to the items noted above could materially affect our self-insurance obligations, future expense and cash flow. At April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, the self-insurance reserves totaled $7.0 million and $6.9 million, respectively.
 
New Accounting Standards
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB ) issued an amendment to previously issued guidance which requires entities to present unrecognized tax benefits as a decrease in a net operating loss, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, if certain criteria are met. The determination of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and the deferred tax asset that exists at the reporting date and presumes disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. The amendment, which did not materially impact our financial statements, is effective for public companies in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We have adopted this guidance during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
 
There were no other accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 that had a material impact on our financial statements.
 
Reclassifications
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we have broken out certain amounts, which had historically been presented as “Other” changes in the “Cash flows from operating activities” to conform the historical presentation to the current and future presentation.
 
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3. Restructuring Charges
 
We account for exit and disposal costs by recognizing a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity at fair value in the period in which it is incurred or when the entity ceases using the right conveyed by a contract (i.e., the right to use a leased property).  We account for severance and outplacement costs by recognizing a liability for employees’ rights to post-employment benefits when management has committed to a plan, due to the existence of a post employment benefit agreement. These costs are included in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013, and in “Accrued compensation” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014.
 
2013 Facility Lease Obligation and Severance Costs
 
During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we announced the 2013 restructuring which included the realignment of headquarters resources and the strategic review of our distribution centers.  This review resulted in the Company designating five distribution centers to be sold or closed.  These distribution centers were closed or ceased operations during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we also announced that George R. Judd no longer would serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “change in executive leadership”).
 
The table below summarizes the balance of reduction in force activities and the related accrued facility lease obligation reserve and the changes in the accrual for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 (in thousands):
 
   
Reduction in
Force
Activities
   
Facility Lease
Obligation
   
Total
 
Balance at January 4, 2014
  $ 2,550     $ 928     $ 3,478  
Charges
                 
Assumption changes
    (29 )     2       (27 )
Payments
    (500 )     (103 )     (603 )
Accretion of liability
          8       8  
Balance at April 5, 2014
  $ 2,021     $ 835     $ 2,856  

During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we entered into an amendment to our corporate headquarters lease in Atlanta, Georgia related to the unoccupied 4100 building, which was exited during fiscal 2007. The final payment related to this amendment was made during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 in the amount of $0.3 million.

4. Assets Held for Sale and Net Gain on Disposition
 
We have certain assets that we have designated as assets held for sale. At the time of designation, we ceased recognizing depreciation expense on these assets. As of April 5, 2014, and January 4, 2014, total assets held for sale were $2.6 million and were included in “Other current assets” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014 we did not sell any real properties classified as held for sale.  However, we recognized an additional gain related to our Fremont, California location during the first quarter of 2014 of approximately $0.2 million. The gain was related to proceeds previously held in an escrow account for certain environmental remediation procedures. We continue to actively market all properties that are designated as held for sale.
 
5. Employee Benefits
 
Most of our hourly employees participate in noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. These include a plan that is administered solely by us (the “hourly pension plan”) and union-administered multiemployer plans. Our funding policy for the hourly pension plan is based on actuarial calculations and the applicable requirements of federal law.  Benefits under the majority of plans for hourly employees (including multiemployer plans) are primarily related to years of service.  We believe that our portion of each multiemployer pension plan is immaterial to our financial statements and that we represent an immaterial portion of the total contributions and future obligations of these plans.
 
Net periodic pension cost for our pension plans included the following (in thousands):
 
   
First Quarter
 
   
Period from January 5, 2014
to April 5, 2014
   
Period from December 30,
2012 to March 30, 2013
 
       
Service cost
  $ 264     $ 548  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    1,280       1,188  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,510 )     (1,306 )
Amortization of unrecognized loss
    191       718  
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 225     $ 1,148  
 
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The Company’s minimum required contribution for plan year 2012 was $3.2 million.  In an effort to preserve additional cash for operations, we applied for a waiver from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for our 2012 minimum required contribution. The Company received approval from the IRS during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 granting the waiver.  As the Company was granted the requested waiver, our contributions for 2012 will be amortized over the following five years, increasing our future minimum required contributions.
 
The Company’s minimum required contribution for plan year 2013 was estimated to be $6.0 million, including the impact of the waiver.   During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we contributed certain qualifying employer real property to the hourly pension plan. The properties, including certain land and buildings, are located in Charleston, S.C. and Buffalo, N.Y., and were valued at approximately $6.8 million by independent appraisals prior to the contribution.  The contribution was recorded by the hourly pension plan at the fair value of $6.8 million.  We are leasing back the contributed properties for an initial term of twenty years with two five-year extension options and continue to use the properties in our distribution operations.  Each lease provides us a right of first refusal on any subsequent sale by the hourly pension plan and a repurchase option.  The hourly pension plan engaged an independent fiduciary who evaluated the transaction on behalf of the hourly pension plan, negotiated the terms of the property contribution and the leases, and also manages the properties on behalf of the hourly pension plan.  As the Company was granted the requested waiver, the property contribution was designated to the 2013 plan year. 
 
We determined that the contribution of the properties does not meet the accounting definition of a plan asset within the scope of relevant accounting guidance.  Accordingly, the contributed properties are not considered a contribution for financial reporting purposes and, as a result, are not included in plan assets and have no impact on the net pension liability recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We continue to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in our financial statements, and no gain or loss was recognized at the contribution date for financial reporting purposes.  Rent payments will be made on a monthly basis and will be recorded as contributions to the hourly pension plan, of which $0.1 million has been recorded as of April 5, 2014 for fiscal 2014.  These rental payments will reduce our unfunded obligation to the hourly pension plan.
 
The Company’s minimum required contribution for plan year 2014 is approximately $5.1 million. We currently are required to make three quarterly cash contributions during fiscal 2014 of $1.5 million each and twelve monthly lease payments associated with the 2013 property contribution of less than $0.1 million each.
 
6. Revolving Credit Facilities
 
We have our U.S. revolving credit facility agreement (the “U.S. revolving credit facility”) with several lenders including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo Bank”), dated August 4, 2006, as amended.  The U.S. revolving credit facility has a final maturity of April 15, 2016 and maximum available credit of $447.5 million.  The U.S. revolving credit facility also includes an additional $75 million uncommitted accordion credit facility, which permits us to increase the maximum available credit up to $522.5 million.
 
On March 14, 2014, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, in the form of a separate tranche, which became effective on that date.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment is the addition of up to $20.0 million in borrowing capacity for a period of up to 180 days from the effective date, which increased the maximum available credit of the U.S. revolving credit facility to $467.5 million. This additional available credit of $20.0 million was utilized in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $0.1 million of debt issuance fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the 180 day term.  In addition, pursuant to the $20.0 million tranche, specific adjustments were made to the excess availability threshold calculation, the interest rate, and the fixed charge coverage ratio.
 
On June 28, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on that date and pursuant to which certain components of the borrowing base calculation and excess liquidity calculation were adjusted.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment is the addition of PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) as a lender and their additional loan commitment of $25.0 million, which at that time increased the maximum availability of the U.S. revolving credit facility to $447.5 million.  The new terms of this amended agreement are described in this footnote.  In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $0.1 million of debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the amended debt term.
 
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On March 29, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on that date and pursuant to which certain components of the borrowing base calculation and excess liquidity calculation were adjusted.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment are extending the final maturity of the U.S. revolving credit facility, increasing the maximum available credit under the facility and adjusting the excess availability threshold calculation.  In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $2.8 million of debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the amended debt term.
 
On March 27, 2013, we concluded the 2013 Rights Offering.  The 2013 Rights Offering was fully subscribed and resulted in net proceeds of approximately $38.6 million.  We issued 22.9 million shares of stock to our stockholders in conjunction with the 2013 Rights Offering.
 
As of April 5, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $258.4 million and excess availability of $87.7 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 3.8% at April 5, 2014, including the impact of the $20.0 million tranche.  As of January 4, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $207.9 million and excess availability of $44.5 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 3.7% at January 4, 2014.  As of April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $3.6 million, for the purposes of securing collateral requirements related to guaranteeing lease and certain other obligations.  The $3.6 million in outstanding letters of credit as of April 5, 2014 does not include an additional $1.5 million fully collateralized letter of credit securing certain insurance obligations that was issued outside of the U.S. revolving credit facility.
 
As of April 5, 2014, our U.S. revolving credit facility, as amended, contains customary negative covenants and restrictions for asset based loans, including a requirement that we maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the greater of $33.2 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding and $31.8 million at all times thereafter or the amount equal to 12.5% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $467.5 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $447.5 million at all times thereafter (the “Excess Availability Threshold”). The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as EBITDA divided by the sum of cash payments for income taxes, interest expense, cash dividends, principal payments on debt, and capital expenditures.  EBITDA is defined as BlueLinx Corporation’s net income before interest and tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other non-cash charges.  The fixed charge coverage ratio requirement only applies to us when excess availability under our amended U.S. revolving credit facility is less than the Excess Availability Threshold on any date. As of April 5, 2014 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-Q, we were in compliance with all covenants under the U.S. revolving credit facility.  We are required to maintain the Excess Availability Threshold in order to avoid being required to meet certain financial ratios and triggering additional limits on capital expenditures.  Our lowest level of fiscal month-end availability as of the twelve month period ended April 5, 2014 was $44.5 million.  We do not anticipate our excess availability in fiscal 2014 will drop below the Excess Availability Threshold.  Should our excess availability fall below the Excess Availability Threshold on any date, however, we would not meet the required fixed charge coverage ratio covenant with our current operating results.
 
In the event that excess availability falls below $38.7 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding and $37.1 million at all times thereafter, or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $467.5 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $447.5 million at all times thereafter, the U.S. revolving credit facility gives the lenders the right to dominion of our bank accounts.  This would not make the underlying debt callable by the lender and may not change our ability to borrow on the U.S. revolving credit facility.  However, we would be required to reclassify the “Long-term debt” to “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In addition, we would be required to maintain a springing lock-box arrangement where customer remittances go directly to a lock-box maintained by our lenders and then are forwarded to our general bank accounts.  Our amended U.S. revolving credit facility does not contain a subjective acceleration clause, which would allow our lenders to accelerate the scheduled maturities of our debt or to cancel our agreement.
 
On August 16, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our Canadian revolving credit facility (the “Canadian revolving credit facility”), which became effective on that date.  The Amendment modifies the maturity date under the Credit Agreement to the earlier of (i) August 12, 2016 or the (ii) maturity date of the U.S. revolving credit facility.  All other terms of the Canadian revolving credit facility remain the same.
 
As of April 5, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $2.8 million and excess availability of $1.6 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  As of January 4, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $3.3 million and excess availability of $1.3 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.0% at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014.  The Canadian revolving credit facility contains customary covenants and events of default for asset-based credit agreements of this type, including the requirement for BlueLinx Building Products Canada Ltd. (“BlueLinx Canada”) to maintain a minimum adjusted tangible net worth of $3.9 million and for that entity’s capital expenditures not to exceed 120% of the amount budgeted in a given year.  As of April 5, 2014 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-Q, we were in compliance with all covenants under this facility.
 
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7. Mortgage
 
We have a ten-year mortgage loan with the German American Capital Corporation. The mortgage matures July 1, 2016 and is secured by 50 distribution facilities. The stated interest rate on the mortgage is fixed at 6.35%. German American Capital Corporation assigned half of its interest in the mortgage loan to Wells Fargo Bank and both lenders securitized their Notes in separate commercial mortgage backed securities pools in 2006.  As of April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, the balance on our mortgage loan was $186.1 million and $186.9 million, respectively.
 
The mortgage loan required interest-only payments through June 2011, at which time we began making payments on the outstanding principal balance. The balance of the loan outstanding at the end of the ten year term will then become due and payable. The principal will be paid in the following increments (in thousands):
 
2014     1,793  
2015     2,586  
2016     181,756  
2017      
2018      
Thereafter         
Total   $ 186,135  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
On September 19, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our mortgage agreement, which provided for the immediate prepayment of approximately $11.8 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage agreement without incurring a prepayment premium from cash currently held as collateral under the mortgage agreement.  In addition, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, starting with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, additional funds held as collateral under the mortgage agreement will be used to prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement, without prepayment premium, up to an aggregate additional prepayment of $10.0 million.  Thereafter, any cash remaining in the collateral account under the mortgage agreement, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million, will be released to the Company on the last business day of each calendar quarter through the third quarter of fiscal 2014.  All funds released pursuant to these provisions may only be used by the Company to pay for usual and customary operating expenses.  During the periods described above in which cash in the collateral account is used to either prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement or released to the Company, the lenders will not release any of the cash collateral to the Company for specified capital expenditures as previously provided under the mortgage agreement.  Under the terms of our mortgage, we are required to transfer certain funds to be held as collateral. Approximately $3.1 million of cash held in collateral were released to the Company during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to pay for usual and customary operating expenses.  We expect to transfer approximately $13.3 million into the mortgage escrow as collateral during the next twelve month period, approximately $1.3 million of which will be remitted to us on a quarterly basis to pay for usual and customary operating expenses, in accordance with the mortgage agreement.
 
During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, we sold our sales center in Denver, Colorado and increased the restricted cash related to our mortgage by $8.4 million, which represents the allocated mortgage related to the property.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we sold our Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility and increased the restricted cash related to our mortgage by $1.9 million, which represents the allocated mortgage related to the property.  This restricted cash for both locations was used to pay down the outstanding principal of the mortgage in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.
 
8. Fair Value Measurements
 
We determine a fair value measurement based on the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability.  The fair value measurement guidance established a three level hierarchy making a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market (Level 1), (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (Level 2), and (iii) prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (Level 3).
 
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 Carrying amounts for our financial instruments are not significantly different from their fair value, with the exception of our mortgage.  To determine the fair value of our mortgage, we used a discounted cash flow model. We believe the mortgage fair value valuation to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as the valuation model has inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the liability. Assumptions critical to our fair value measurements in the period are present value factors used in determining fair value and an interest rate.  At April 5, 2014, the discounted carrying amount and fair value of our mortgage was $186.3 million and $186.0 million, respectively.  At January 4, 2014, the discounted carrying amount and fair value of our mortgage was $186.9 million and $186.6 million, respectively.
 
9. Related Party Transactions
 
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., our equity sponsor, retains consultants that specialize in operations management and support and who provide Cerberus with consulting advice concerning portfolio companies in which funds and accounts managed by Cerberus or its affiliates have invested.  From time to time, Cerberus makes the services of these consultants available to Cerberus portfolio companies.  We believe that the terms of these consulting arrangements are favorable to us, or, alternatively, are materially consistent with those terms that would have been obtained by us in an arrangement with an unaffiliated third party.  We have normal service, purchase and sales arrangements with other entities that are owned or controlled by Cerberus.  We believe that these transactions are not material to our results of operations or financial position.
 
10. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Legal Proceedings
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, there were no material changes to our previously disclosed legal proceedings. Additionally, we are, and from time to time may be, a party to routine legal proceedings incidental to the operation of our business. The outcome of any pending or threatened proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results or cash flows, based on our current understanding of the relevant facts. Legal expenses incurred related to these contingencies are generally expensed as incurred.
 
Environmental and Legal Matters
 
From time to time, we are involved in various proceedings incidental to our businesses and we are subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which we operate. Although the ultimate outcome of these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty, based on presently available information management believes that adequate reserves have been established for probable losses with respect thereto. Management further believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters could be material to operating results in any given quarter but will not have a materially adverse effect on our long-term financial condition, our results of operations, or our cash flows.
 
Collective Bargaining Agreements
 
As of April 5, 2014, approximately 34% of our employees were represented by various labor unions.  As of April 5, 2014, we had 38 collective bargaining agreements, of which 6 are up for renewal in fiscal 2014.  As of April 5, 2014, we have renegotiated one of the agreements, which became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  We consider our relationship with our employees generally to be good.
 
11. Subsequent Events
 
On May 8, 2014, we announced that Ms. Susan C. O’Farrell will serve as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective as of May 19, 2014. In such role Ms. O’Farrell will also serve as our principal financial and principal accounting officer. Mr. H. Douglas Goforth, our current Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, is expected to serve in an advisory capacity through June 1, 2014 in order to assist with the transition.
We are not aware of any significant events, other than those disclosed above, that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
12.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Comprehensive loss is a measure of income which includes both net loss and other comprehensive (loss) income. Other comprehensive (loss) income results from items deferred from recognition into our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is separately presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as part of common stockholders’ deficit. Other comprehensive (loss) income was $(0.1) million for the quarter ended April 5, 2014 and was $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2013.
 
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The changes in accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive (loss) income for the quarter ended April 5, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
                         
   
Foreign
currency, net
of tax
   
Defined
benefit pension plan, net of tax
   
Other, net of tax
   
Total
 
Beginning balance
  $ 1,636     $ (18,141 )   $ 212     $ (16,293 )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification
    (231 )                 (231 )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
          115             115  
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
    (231 )     115             (116 )
Ending balance, net of tax
  $ 1,405     $ (18,026 )   $ 212     $ (16,409 )
 
The changes in accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive (loss) income for the quarter ended March 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
                         
   
Foreign
currency, net
of tax
   
Defined
benefit pension plan, net of tax
   
Other, net of tax
   
Total
 
Beginning balance
  $ 1,797     $ (32,051 )   $ 212     $ (30,042 )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification
    (109 )                 (109 )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
          718             718  
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
    (109 )     718             609  
Ending balance
  $ 1,688     $ (31,333 )   $ 212     $ (29,433 )
 
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss  for the quarter ended April 5, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
         
 
Details about accumulated other comprehensive loss
components
 
Amount reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive loss
 
Affected line item in the
statement where net
income is presented
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
       
Actuarial loss
  $ 191  
Total before tax
Tax impact
    76  
Tax impact (1)
Total, net of tax
  $ 115  
Net of tax (2)
 
(1) We allocated income tax expense to accumulated other comprehensive loss into the Consolidated Statements of Operations to the extent income was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and we have a loss from continuing operations.
 
(2) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components, related to the hourly pension plan, are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
 
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss  for the quarter ended March 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
         
 
Details about accumulated other comprehensive loss
components
 
Amount reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive loss
 
Affected line item in the
statement where net
income is presented
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
       
Actuarial loss
  $ 718  
Total before tax
Tax impact
     
Tax impact (1)
Total, net of tax
  $ 718  
Net of tax (2)
 
(1) There was no tax effect for this accumulated other comprehensive loss component item due to the fact that there was no intraperiod income tax allocation and the deferred tax benefit was fully offset by a valuation allowance .
 
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(2) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 5 for additional details .
 
13. Unaudited Supplemental Consolidating Financial Statements
 
The consolidating financial information as of April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014 is provided due to restrictions in our revolving credit facility that limit distributions by BlueLinx Corporation, our operating company and our wholly-owned subsidiary, to us, which, in turn, may limit our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock (see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014 , for a more detailed discussion of these restrictions and the terms of the facility). Also included in the supplemental consolidated financial statements are fifty-one single member limited liability companies, which are wholly owned by us (the “LLC subsidiaries”). The LLC subsidiaries own certain warehouse properties that are occupied by BlueLinx Corporation, each under the terms of a master lease agreement. The warehouse properties collateralize our mortgage loan and are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of either us or BlueLinx Corporation. Certain changes have been made to the prior year presentation to conform to the current year presentation.
 
The consolidating statement of operations for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the period from January 5, 2014 to April 5, 2014 follows (in thousands):
                               
   
BlueLinx
Holdings
Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and
Subsidiaries
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $     $ 443,944     $ 6,666     $ (6,666 )   $ 443,944  
Cost of sales
          391,268                   391,268  
Gross profit
          52,676       6,666       (6,666 )     52,676  
Operating expenses (income):
                                       
Selling, general, and administrative
    1,433       57,260       (40 )     (6,666 )     51,987  
Depreciation and amortization
          1,549       803             2,352  
Total operating expenses (income)
    1,433       58,809       763       (6,666 )     54,339  
Operating (loss) income
    (1,433 )     (6,133 )     5,903             (1,663 )
Non-operating expenses (income):
                                       
Interest expense
          3,123       3,331             6,454  
Other expense (income), net
          161       (1 )           160  
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (1,433 )     (9,417 )     2,573             (8,277 )
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (36 )     303       64             331  
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries
    (7,211 )                 7,211        
Net (loss) income
  $ (8,608 )   $ (9,720 )   $ 2,509     $ 7,211     $ (8,608 )
 
The consolidating statement of operations for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the period from December 30, 2012 to March 30, 2013 follows (in thousands):
                               
   
BlueLinx
Holdings
Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and Subsidiaries
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $     $ 503,153     $ 6,888     $ (6,888 )   $ 503,153  
Cost of sales
          446,695                   446,695  
Gross profit
          56,458       6,888       (6,888 )     56,458  
Operating expenses (income):
                                       
Selling, general, and administrative
    1,036       65,109       162       (6,888 )     59,419  
Depreciation and amortization
          1,297       876             2,173  
Total operating expenses (income)
    1,036       66,406       1,038       (6,888 )     61,592  
Operating (loss) income
    (1,036 )     (9,948 )     5,850             (5,134 )
Non-operating expenses (income):
                                       
Interest expense
          3,560       3,632             7,192  
Other expense (income), net
          111       (1 )           110  
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes
    (1,036 )     (13,619 )     2,219             (12,436 )
Provision for income taxes
    188       25                   213  
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries
    (11,425 )                 11,425        
Net (loss) income
  $ (12,649 )   $ (13,644 )   $ 2,219     $ 11,425     $ (12,649 )
 
17
 

 

 
The consolidating balance sheet for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. as of April 5, 2014 follows (in thousands):
                               
   
 
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and
Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
Consolidated
 
Assets:
                             
Current assets:
                             
Cash
  $ 37     $ 7,542     $     $     $ 7,579  
Receivables
          190,766                   190,766  
Inventories
          261,006                   261,006  
Deferred income tax asset, net
                397       (397 )      
Other current assets
    1,215       21,701       2,840             25,756  
Intercompany receivable
    71,274       30,278             (101,552 )      
Total current assets
    72,526       511,293       3,237       (101,949 )     485,107  
Property and equipment:
                                       
Land and land improvements
          4,047       37,135             41,182  
Buildings
          10,930       79,242             90,172  
Machinery and equipment
          76,672                   76,672  
Construction in progress
          760                   760  
Property and equipment, at cost
          92,409       116,377             208,786  
Accumulated depreciation
          (65,927 )     (32,417 )           (98,344 )
Property and equipment, net
          26,482       83,960             110,442  
Investment in subsidiaries
    (58,138 )                 58,138        
Non-current deferred income tax assets, net
          1,221             (397 )     824  
Other non-current assets
          10,969       4,474             15,443  
Total assets
  $ 14,388     $ 549,965     $ 91,671     $ (44,208 )   $ 611,816  
Liabilities:
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 683     $ 97,325     $     $     $ 98,008  
Bank overdrafts
          21,516                   21,516  
Accrued compensation
    33       5,477                   5,510  
Current maturities of long-term debt
          29,234       8,844             38,078  
Deferred income taxes, net
          1,220             (397 )     823  
Other current liabilities
          12,156       258             12,414  
Intercompany payable
    28,058       71,274       2,220       (101,552 )      
Total current liabilities
    28,774       238,202       11,322       (101,949 )     176,349  
Non-current liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
          232,003       177,291             409,294  
Non-current deferred income taxes
                397       (397 )      
Other non-current liabilities
          40,559                   40,559  
Total liabilities
    28,774       510,764       189,010       (102,346 )     626,202  
Stockholders’(deficit) equity/Parent’s Investment
    (14,386 )     39,201       (97,339 )     58,138       (14,386 )
Total liabilities and (deficit) equity
  $ 14,388     $ 549,965     $ 91,671     $ (44,208 )   $ 611,816  
 
18
 

 

 
The consolidating balance sheet for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. as of January 4, 2014 follows (in thousands):
                               
   
 
BlueLinx
Holdings Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and
Subsidiaries
   
 
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
 
Eliminations
   
 
 
Consolidated
 
Assets:
                             
Current assets:
                             
Cash
  $ 47     $ 4,987     $     $     $ 5,034  
Receivables
          150,297                   150,297  
Inventories
          223,580                   223,580  
Deferred income tax asset, net
                397       (397 )      
Other current assets
    790       20,208       1,816             22,814  
Intercompany receivable
    68,454       26,374             (94,828 )      
Total current assets
    69,291       425,446       2,213       (95,225 )     401,725  
Property and equipment:
                                       
Land and land improvements
          4,040       37,136             41,176  
Buildings
          10,839       79,243             90,082  
Machinery and equipment
          73,004                   73,004  
Construction in progress
          3,028                   3,028  
Property and equipment, at cost
          90,911       116,379             207,290  
Accumulated depreciation
          (64,557 )     (31,614 )           (96,171 )
Property and equipment, net
          26,354       84,765             111,119  
Investment in subsidiaries
    (47,735 )                 47,735        
Non-current deferred income tax assets, net
          1,221             (397 )     824  
Other non-current assets
          11,768       4,810             16,578  
Total assets
  $ 21,556     $ 464,789     $ 91,788     $ (47,887 )   $ 530,246  
Liabilities:
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 1,080     $ 59,283     $     $       60,363  
Bank overdrafts
          19,377                   19,377  
Accrued compensation
          4,173                   4,173  
Current maturities of long-term debt
                9,141             9,141  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
          1,220             (397 )     823  
Other current liabilities
          11,727       1,222             12,949  
Intercompany payable
    26,374       68,454             (94,828 )      
Total current liabilities
    27,454       164,234       10,363       (95,225 )     106,826  
Non-current liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
          211,193       177,802             388,995  
Non-current deferred income taxes
                397       (397 )      
Other non-current liabilities
          40,323                   40,323  
Total liabilities
    27,454       415,750       188,562       (95,622 )     536,144  
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity/Parent’s Investment
    (5,898 )     49,039       (96,774 )     47,735      
(5,898
Total liabilities and (deficit) equity
  $ 21,556     $ 464,789     $ 91,788     $ (47,887 )   $ 530,246  
 
19
 

 

 
The consolidating statement of cash flows for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the period from January 5, 2014 to April 5, 2014 follows (in thousands):
                               
   
BlueLinx
Holdings
Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and
Subsidiaries
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net (loss) income
  $ (8,608 )   $ (9,720 )   $ 2,509     $ 7,211     $ (8,608 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
          1,549       803             2,352  
Amortization of debt issue costs
          413       331             744  
Gain from the sale of properties
                (210 )           (210 )
Restructuring payments
          (603 )                 (603 )
Share-based compensation expense
    423       267                   690  
Intraperiod income tax allocation related to the hourly pension plan
          (76 )                 (76 )
Pension expense
          225                   225  
Increase in restricted cash related to insurance and other
          (1,285 )                 (1,285 )
Other
    (392 )     2,040     (955 )     115       808  
Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries
    7,211                   (7,211 )      
Intercompany receivable
    (2,820 )     (3,904 )           6,724        
Intercompany payable
    1,684       2,820       2,220       (6,724 )      
      (2,502 )     (8,274 )     4,698       115       (5,963 )
Changes in primary working capital components:
                                       
    Receivables
          (40,469 )                 (40,469 )
Inventories
          (37,426 )                 (37,426 )
Accounts payable
    (299 )     38,040             2       37,743  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (2,801 )     (48,129 )     4,698       117       (46,115 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Investment in subsidiaries
    3,110       81       (3,074 )     (117 )      
Property, plant and equipment investments
          (775 )                 (775 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
          74       209             283  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    3,110       (620 )     (2,865 )     (117 )     (492 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Repurchase of shares to satisfy employee tax withholdings
    (221 )     (235 )                 (456 )
Repayments on revolving credit facilities
          (99,146 )                 (99,146 )
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities
          149,191                   149,191  
Payments of principal on mortgage
                (809 )           (809 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
          (570 )                 (570 )
Increase in bank overdrafts
          2,139                   2,139  
Increase in restricted cash related to the mortgage
                (1,024 )           (1,024 )
Proceeds from rights offering, less expenses paid
    (98 )                         (98 )
Debt issuance costs
          (75 )                 (75 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (319 )     51,304       (1,833 )           49,152  
Increase in cash
    (10 )     2,555                   2,545  
Balance, beginning of period
    47       4,987                   5,034  
Balance, end of period
  $ 37     $ 7,542     $     $     $ 7,579  
                                         
Noncash transactions:
                                       
Capital leases
  $     $ 983     $     $     $ 983  
                                         
 
20
 

 

 
The consolidating statement of cash flows for BlueLinx Holdings Inc. for the period from December 30, 2012 to March 30, 2013 follows (in thousands):
                               
   
BlueLinx
Holdings
Inc.
   
BlueLinx
Corporation
and
Subsidiaries
   
LLC
Subsidiaries
   
 
Eliminations
   
 
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net (loss) income
  $ (12,649 )   $ (13,644 )   $ 2,219     $ 11,425     $ (12,649 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
          1,297       876             2,173  
Amortization of debt issue costs
          615       331             946  
Write off of debt issuance costs
          119                   119  
Gain from the sale of properties
                (238 )           (238 )
Pension expense
          1,148                   1,148  
Share-based compensation expense
    227       597                   824  
Increase in restricted cash related to insurance and other
          (361 )                 (361 )
Other
    694       (507 )     (1,081 )           (894 )
Equity (deficit) in earnings of subsidiaries
    11,425                   (11,425 )      
Intercompany receivable
    (1,812 )     (2,575 )           4,387        
Intercompany payable
    2,575       1,812             (4,387 )      
      460       (11,499 )     2,107             (8,932 )
Changes in primary working capital components:
                                       
Receivables
          (61,396 )                 (61,396 )
Inventories
          (89,595 )                 (89,595 )
Accounts payable
    217       64,257       (390 )           64,084  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    677       (98,233 )     1,717             (95,839 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Investment in subsidiaries
    (39,364 )     37,643       1,721              
Property, plant and equipment investments
          (955 )                 (955 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
          32       163             195  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (39,364 )     36,720       1,884             (760 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
          16                   16  
Repurchase of shares to satisfy employee tax withholdings
    (1,206 )                       (1,206 )
Repayments on revolving credit facilities
          (128,836 )                 (128,836 )
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities
          199,828                   199,828  
Payments of principal on mortgage
                (646 )           (646 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
          (384 )                 (384 )
Decrease in bank overdrafts
          (6,298 )                 (6,298 )
Increase in restricted cash related to the mortgage
                (2,955 )           (2,955 )
Debt issuance costs
          (2,715 )                 (2,715 )
Proceeds from rights offering less expenses paid
    39,892                         39,892  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    38,686       61,611       (3,601 )           96,696  
Increase in cash
    (1 )     98                   97  
Balance, beginning of period
    28       5,160                   5,188  
Balance, end of period
  $ 27     $ 5,258     $     $     $ 5,285  
                                         
Noncash transactions:
                                       
Capital leases
  $     $     $     $     $  
 
21
 

 

 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The information contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) has been derived from our historical financial statements and is intended to provide information to assist you in better understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations. This MD&A section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This MD&A section is not a comprehensive discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations, but rather updates disclosures made in the aforementioned filing.
 
The discussion below contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, liquidity levels or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “will be,” “will likely continue,” “will likely result” or words or phrases of similar meaning.  All of these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management that, although believed by us to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may include those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014 as filed with the SEC and other factors, some of which may not be known to us.  We operate in a changing environment in which new risks can emerge from time to time.  It is not possible for management to predict all of these risks, nor can it assess the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Factors you should consider that could cause these differences include, among other things:
 
 
  ●
changes in the prices, supply and/or demand for products which we distribute, especially as a result of conditions in the residential housing market;
 
 
  ●
the acceptance by our customers of our privately branded products;
 
 
  ●
inventory levels of new and existing homes for sale;
 
 
  ●
general economic and business conditions in the United States;
 
 
  ●
the financial condition and credit worthiness of our customers;
 
 
  ●
the activities of competitors;
 
 
  ●
changes in significant operating expenses;
 
 
  ●
fuel costs;
 
 
  ●
risk of losses associated with accidents;
 
 
  ●
exposure to product liability claims;
 
 
  ●
changes in the availability of capital and interest rates;
 
 
  ●
immigration patterns and job and household formation;
 
 
  ●
our ability to identify acquisition opportunities and effectively and cost-efficiently integrate acquisitions;
 
 
  ●
adverse weather patterns or conditions;
 
22
 

 

 
 
  ●
acts of war or terrorist activities, including acts of cyber intrusion;
 
 
  ●
variations in the performance of the financial markets, including the credit markets; and
 
 
  ●
the other factors described herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014 as filed with the SEC.
 
Given these risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
 
Overview
 
Background
 
We are a leading distributor of building products in North America. We operate in all of the major metropolitan areas in the United States (“U.S.”) and, as of April 5, 2014, we distributed approximately 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service approximately 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. We operate our distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and our network of approximately 50 distribution centers. We distribute products in two principal categories: structural products and specialty products. Structural products include plywood, oriented strand board (“OSB”), rebar and remesh, lumber and other wood products primarily used for structural support, walls and flooring in construction projects. Structural products represented approximately 41% of our first quarter of fiscal 2014 gross sales. Specialty products include roofing, insulation, moulding, engineered wood, vinyl products (used primarily in siding), outdoor living, and metal products (excluding rebar and remesh). Specialty products accounted for approximately 59% of our first quarter of fiscal 2014 gross sales.  
 
Industry Conditions
 
We operate in a changing environment in which new risks can emerge from time to time.  A number of factors cause our results of operations to fluctuate from period to period.  Many of these factors are seasonal or cyclical in nature. Conditions in the U.S. housing market, while improving, continue to be at historically low levels. Additionally, over the past several years, the mortgage markets have experienced substantial disruption due to an unprecedented number of defaults.  This disruption and the related defaults have increased, compared to historic levels, the inventory of homes for sale in some markets (some markets have sold through excess inventory now) and also have caused lenders to tighten mortgage qualification criteria, which further reduces demand for new homes. While now showing signs of improvement, we expect the lower than historical average level of new housing activity will continue to negatively impact our operating results. However, along with many forecasters, we believe that we are in the beginning of a housing recovery and that U.S. housing demand will continue to improve in the long term based on population demographics and a variety of other factors.
 
As the housing market and general economic conditions continue to improve, the Company will continue to evaluate capital structure opportunities that make sense for the Company.  The Company’s sales depend heavily on the strength of national and local new residential construction and home improvement and remodeling markets, which are showing signs of improvement. The overall housing market and economy are also improving, which is expected to lead to an increase in residential construction and, to a lesser extent, in home improvement activity.  As the Company and its industry continue to recover from the historic housing market downturn, the Company expects its sales to improve and therefore its need for inventory and its accounts receivable to increase.  This increased need for working capital is expected to use some of the Company’s current excess availability under its revolving credit facilities.
 
Facility Lease Obligation and Related Restructuring
 
During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we announced the 2013 restructuring which included the realignment of headquarters resources and the strategic review of our distribution centers.  This review resulted in the Company designating five distribution centers to be sold or closed.  These distribution centers were closed or ceased operations during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we also announced that George R. Judd no longer would serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “change in executive leadership”).
 
23
 

 

 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we completed the transition of our Fremont, California operation to our new facility in Stockton, California.  We incurred approximately $0.8 million of transition costs related to this move which are recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss in the first nine months of fiscal 2013.
 
Selected Factors Affecting Our Operating Results
 
Our operating results are affected by housing starts, mobile home production, industrial production, repair and remodeling spending and non-residential construction.  Our operating results are also impacted by changes in product prices. Structural product prices can vary significantly based on short-term and long-term changes in supply and demand. The prices of specialty products can also vary from time to time, although they are generally significantly less variable than structural products.
 
The following table sets forth changes in net sales by product category, sales variances due to changes in unit volume and dollar and percentage changes in unit volume and price versus comparable prior periods, in each case for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
             
   
Fiscal
Q1 2014
   
Fiscal
Q1 2013
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Sales by Category
           
Structural Products
  $ 185     $ 233  
Specialty Products
    264       271  
Other(1)
    (5 )     (1 )
Total Sales
  $ 444     $ 503  
Sales Variances
               
Unit Volume $ Change
  $ (18 )   $ 9  
Price/Other(2)
    (41 )     40  
Total $ Change
  $ (59 )   $ 49  
                 
Unit Volume % Change
    (3.8 )%     2.1 %
Price/Other(1)
    (8.0 )%     8.8 %
Total % Change
    (11.8 )%     10.9 %
 

 
(1)
“Other” includes unallocated allowances, discounts and the impact of closed centers.
 
(2)
“Other” includes unallocated allowances, discounts and the impact of unit volume changes related to the five distribution centers closed as part of the 2013 restructuring.
 
The following table sets forth changes in gross margin dollars and percentage changes by product category, and percentage changes in unit volume growth by product, in each case for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
 
   
Fiscal
Q1 2014
   
Fiscal
Q1 2013
 
Gross Margin $’s by
 
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Category
Structural Products
  $ 15     $ 20  
Specialty Products
    34       35  
Other (1)
    4       1  
Total Gross Margin $’s
  $ 53     $ 56  
Gross Margin %’s by Category
               
Structural Products
    8.1 %     8.6 %
Specialty Products
    12.9 %     12.9 %
Total Gross Margin %’s
    11.9 %     11.2 %
Unit Volume Change by Product (2)
               
Structural Products
    (9.5 )%     3.0 %
Specialty Products
    1.0 %     1.5 %
Total Change in Unit Volume %’s
    (3.8 )%     2.1 %
 
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(1)
“Other” includes unallocated allowances and discounts.
 
(2)
This excludes the impact of unit volume changes related to the five distribution centers closed as part of the 2013 restructuring.
 
The following table sets forth changes in net sales and gross margin by channel and percentage changes in gross margin by channel, in each case for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
 
   
Fiscal
Q1 2014
   
Fiscal
Q1 2013
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Sales by Channel
           
Warehouse/Reload
  $ 357     $ 399  
Direct
    92       105  
Other(1)
    (5 )     (1 )
Total
  $ 444     $ 503  
Gross Margin by Channel
               
Warehouse/Reload
  $ 43     $ 49  
Direct
    6       6  
Other(1)
    4       1  
Total
  $ 53     $ 56  
Gross Margin % by Channel
               
Warehouse/Reload
    12.0 %     12.3 %
Direct
    6.5 %     5.7 %
Total
    11.9 %     11.2 %
 

(1) “Other” includes unallocated allowances and adjustments.
 
Fiscal Year
 
Fiscal 2014 contains 52 weeks, fiscal 2013 contained 53 weeks and fiscal 2012 contained 52 weeks. Our fiscal quarters are based on a 5-4-4 week period, with the exception of the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal years containing 53 weeks, which are based on a 5-4-5 week period.
 
Results of Operations
 
First Quarter of Fiscal 2014 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal 2013
 
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and first quarter of fiscal 2013.
 
   
 
First Quarter of
  Fiscal 2014
   
% of
Net
Sales
   
First Quarter of
  Fiscal 2013
   
% of
Net
Sales
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net sales
  $ 443,944       100.0 %   $ 503,153       100.0 %
Gross profit
    52,676       11.9 %     56,458       11.2 %
Selling, general, and administrative
    51,987       11.7 %     59,419       11.8 %
Depreciation and amortization
    2,352       0.5 %     2,173       0.4 %
Operating loss
    (1,663 )     (0.4 )%     (5,134 )     (1.0 )%
Interest expense, net
    6,454       1.5 %     7,192       1.4 %
Other expense, net
    160       0.0 %     110       0.0 %
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (8,277 )     (1.9 )%     (12,436 )     (2.5 )%
Provision for income taxes
    331       0.1 %     213       0.0 %
Net loss
  $ (8,608 )     (1.9 )%   $ (12,649 )     (2.5 )%
 
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Net sales.   For the first quarter of fiscal 2014, net sales decreased by 11.8%, or $59.2 million, to $443.9 million.  Sales during the quarter were negatively impacted by unusually cold weather conditions.  Structural sales decreased by $48.0 million, or 20.6%, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in structural product prices and other changes of 11.1%.  In addition, the change in structural sales is due to a decrease in unit volumes of 9.5%, which excludes the impact of the five distribution centers closed as part of the 2013 restructuring.  Specialty sales decreased by $7.3 million, or 2.7%, from a year ago. This change was primarily a result of a decrease in specialty product prices and other changes of 3.7%. The change in specialty sales prices was partially offset by an increase in specialty unit volumes of 1.0%, which excludes the impact from the five distribution centers closed as part of the 2013 restructuring. Approximately $29.5 million of the decrease in sales is related to the five distribution centers closed as a result of the 2013 restructuring.
 
Gross profit.   Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $52.7 million, or 11.9% of sales, compared to $56.5 million, or 11.2% of sales, in the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit dollars compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013 was driven by a decrease in volume partially offset by a favorable variance in our gross margin percentage.  Our overall gross margin percentage was higher due to a greater percentage of our sales being comprised of higher gross margin specialty products and a $1.4 million reduction to cost of sales recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, related to the recovery of countervailing and antidumping duties.
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses.   Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $52.0 million, or 11.7% of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $59.4 million, or 11.8% of net sales, a $7.4 million decrease compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013.  This decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses was primarily due to a decrease in variable costs such as third party freight due to a decrease in unit volume of 3.8%. In addition, there was a decrease in payroll, commissions, and payroll related costs of $5.9 million primarily related to a reduced headcount from the 2013 restructuring and change in executive leadership.
 
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $2.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $2.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
 
Operating loss. Operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $1.7 million, or 0.4% of sales, compared to operating loss of $5.1 million, or 1.0% of sales, in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, reflecting a decrease in selling, general, and administrative expense of $7.4 million partially offset by a decrease in gross profit dollars of $3.8 million.
 
Interest expense. Interest expense totaled $6.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $7.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.  The $0.7 million decrease is largely due to a $0.3 million decrease in interest expense incurred on our mortgage as a result of principal reductions, a $0.1 million decrease in interest related to our revolving credit facilities, a $0.2 million decrease in amortization of debt fees and a $0.1 million decrease in the write-off of debt issuance costs.  Interest expense included $0.7 million of debt issuance costs amortization for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and $0.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, interest expense related to our revolving credit facilities and mortgage was $2.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, interest expense related to our revolving credit facilities and mortgage was $2.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for a description of agreements for the revolving credit facilities and the mortgage.
 
Benefit from income taxes. The effective tax rate was (4.0)% and (1.7)% for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013, respectively.  The unusual effective tax rate in both periods is primarily driven by a full valuation allowance recorded against our year to date federal and state tax benefit.  In addition, we recorded tax expense related to gross receipts, Canadian and certain state taxes. Also, during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we allocated income tax expense to accumulated other comprehensive loss to the extent income was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting in a benefit to continuing operations.
 
Net loss.    Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $8.6 million compared to net loss of $12.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 as a result of the above factors.
 
On a per-share basis, basic and diluted loss applicable to common stockholders for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 was $0.10 and $0.19, respectively.
 
Seasonality
 
We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These seasonal factors are common in the building products distribution industry. The first and fourth quarters are typically our slowest quarters due to the impact of poor weather on the construction market. Our second and third quarters are typically our strongest quarters, reflecting a substantial increase in construction due to more favorable weather conditions. Our working capital and accounts receivable and payable generally peak in the third quarter, while inventory generally peaks in the second quarter in anticipation of the summer building season.
 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We depend on cash flow from operations and funds available under our revolving credit facilities to finance working capital needs and capital expenditures. We had approximately $87.7 million of excess availability under our U.S. revolving credit facility and $1.6 million under our Canadian revolving credit facility, described further below, as of April 5, 2014.   As of April 5, 2014, under the U.S. revolving credit facility, we are required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the greater of $33.2 million during the time the $20.0 million increase, described further below in “Debt and Credit Sources”, is outstanding and $31.8 million at all times thereafter, or the amount equal to 12.5% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $467.5 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $447.5 million at all times thereafter (the “Excess Availability Threshold”).  If we fail to maintain this minimum excess availability, the U.S. revolving credit facility requires us to (i) maintain certain financial ratios, which we would not meet with current operating results, and (ii) limit our capital expenditures, which would have a negative impact on our ability to finance working capital needs and capital expenditures.  In the event that excess availability falls below $38.7 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding and $37.1 million at all times thereafter, or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $467.5 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $447.5 million at all times thereafter, the U.S. revolving credit facility gives the lenders the right, but not the obligation, to dominion over our bank accounts.  This would not make the underlying debt callable by the lender and may not change our ability to borrow on the U.S. revolving credit facility.  However, we would be required to reclassify the “Long-term debt” to “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  For additional information regarding our financial covenants under our revolving credit facilities, see the Risk Factors “ The instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants limiting the discretion of our management in operating our business   set forth under Item 1.A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014, as filed with the SEC.
 
Excess availability may decrease while our industry and the Company continue to participate in the recovery of the housing market. While the Company believes that the amounts currently available from its revolving credit facilities and other sources will be sufficient to fund its routine operations and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months, the Company believes that additional capital will provide it with a stronger liquidity position and allow it to more fully participate in the improving housing market.
 
The following tables indicate our working capital and cash flows for the periods indicated.
 
   
April 5, 2014
   
January 4, 2014
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Working capital
  $ 308,758     $ 294,899  
 
   
Period from
January 5, 2014 to
April 5, 2014
   
Period from
December 30, 2012
to March 30, 2013
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows used in operating activities
  $ (46,115 )   $ (95,839 )
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (492 )     (760 )
Cash flows provided by financing activities
    49,152       96,696  
 
Working Capital
 
Working capital increased   by $13.9 million to $308.8 million at April 5, 2014 from $294.9 million at January 4, 2014.  The increase in working capital reflected an increase in receivables and inventories of $40.5 million and $37.4 million, respectively. The increases are primarily attributable to an increase in demand and seasonal payment patterns. The increases are partially offset by increases in current maturities of long-term debt, accounts payable, and bank overdrafts of $28.9 million, $37.7 million, and $2.1 million, respectively. The increase in accounts payable and bank overdrafts is primarily due to the timing of payments. The increase in current maturities of long term debt is primarily attributable to the increase in the current portion of our revolver of $20.0 million related to the amendment executed during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
 
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Operating Activities
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, cash flows used in operating activities totaled $46.1 million.  The primary drivers of cash flow used in operations were an increase in accounts receivable of $40.5 million, an increase in inventories of $37.4 million and a net loss, as adjusted for non-cash charges, of $3.7 million.  These cash outflows were partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $37.7 million. Refer to the Working Capital section above for further discussion of these items. 
 
       During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, cash flows used in operating activities totaled $95.8 million.  The primary drivers of cash flow used in operations were increases in accounts receivable of $61.4 million reflecting increased revenue resulting from an increase in demand and seasonal payment patterns, an increase in inventories of $89.6 million due to an increase in purchases to meet increased demand and a net loss, as adjusted for non-cash charges, of $5.0 million.  These cash outflows were offset by an increase in accounts payable of $64.1 million due to an increase in purchase volume associated with increased demand. This change in accounts payable was classified net of $1.3 million of expenses accrued but not yet paid for the 2013 Rights Offering, which were classified in cash flows from financing activities. 
 
Investing Activities
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, cash flows used in investing activities totaled $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, our expenditures for property and equipment were $0.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.  These expenditures were primarily to purchase information technology, leasehold improvements, and certain machinery and equipment. The majority of our capital expenditures for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 has been and likely will continue to be paid from our revolving credit facility.
 
Proceeds from the disposition of property totaled $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013, respectively. The proceeds from disposition of assets in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were primarily related to gains at our Fremont, California location. The gains were related to proceeds previously held in an escrow account for certain remediation procedures.
 
Financing Activities
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $49.2 million and $96.7 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013, respectively.  The net cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 primarily reflected a net increase in the balance of our revolving credit facility of $50.0 million and bank overdrafts of $2.1 million.  These increases were partially offset by increases in our restricted cash related to the mortgage of $1.0 million and payments of principal on the mortgage of $0.8 million. The net cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 primarily reflected a net increase in the balance of our revolving credit facility of $71.0 million and net proceeds from the 2013 Rights Offering of $39.9 million.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in bank overdrafts of $6.3 million, increases in our restricted cash related to the mortgage of $3.0 million and cash paid for debt financing costs of $2.7 million.
 
Debt and Credit Sources
 
Our U.S. revolving credit facility is with several lenders including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association, dated August 4, 2006, as amended.  The U.S. revolving credit facility has a final maturity of April 15, 2016 and maximum available credit of $467.5 million.  The U.S. revolving credit facility also includes an additional $75 million uncommitted accordion credit facility, which permits us to increase the maximum available credit up to $522.5 million.
 
On March 14, 2014, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, in the form of a separate tranche, which became effective on that date.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment is the addition of up to $20.0 million in borrowing capacity for a period of up to 180 days from the effective date, which increased the maximum available credit of the U.S. revolving credit facility to $467.5 million. This additional available credit of $20.0 million was utilized in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $0.1 million of debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the 180 day term.  In addition, pursuant to the new $20.0 million tranche, specific adjustments were made to the excess availability threshold calculation, the interest rate, and the fixed charge coverage ratio.
 
28
 

 

 
On June 28, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on that date and pursuant to which certain components of the borrowing base calculation and excess liquidity calculation were adjusted. The most significant of the changes included in the amendment is the addition of PNC Bank, National Association as a lender and their additional loan commitment of $25.0 million, which at that time increased the maximum availability under the U.S. revolving credit facility to $447.5 million.  The terms of this amended agreement are described below.  In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $0.1 million of debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the amended debt term.
 
On March 29, 2013, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on that date and pursuant to which certain components of the borrowing base calculation and excess liquidity calculation were adjusted.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment are extending the final maturity of our U.S. revolving credit facility, increasing the maximum available credit under the facility and adjusting the excess availability threshold calculation.  In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $2.8 million of debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the amended debt term.
 
On March 27, 2013, we concluded the 2013 Rights Offering.  The 2013 Rights Offering was fully subscribed and resulted in net proceeds of approximately $38.6 million.  We issued 22.9 million shares of stock to our stockholders in conjunction with the 2013 Rights Offering.
 
As of April 5, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $258.4 million and excess availability of $87.7 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 3.8% at April 5, 2014, including the impact of the $20.0 million tranche.  As of January 4, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $207.9 million and excess availability of $44.5 million under the terms of our U.S. revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the U.S. revolving credit facility was 3.7% at January 4, 2014.  As of April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $3.6 million, respectively, for the purposes of securing collateral related to guaranteeing lease and certain other obligations.  The $3.6 million in outstanding letters of credit as of April 5, 2014 does not include an additional $1.5 million fully collateralized letter of credit securing certain insurance obligations that was issued outside of the U.S. revolving credit facility.
 
As of April 5, 2014, our U.S. revolving credit facility, as amended, contains customary negative covenants and restrictions for asset based loans, including a requirement that we maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 in the event our excess availability falls below the greater of $33.2 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $31.8 million at all times thereafter, or the amount equal to 12.5% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $467.5 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $447.5 million at all times thereafter.  The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as EBITDA divided by the sum of cash payments for income taxes, interest expense, cash dividends, principal payments on debt, and capital expenditures.  EBITDA is defined as BlueLinx Corporation’s net income before interest and tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other non-cash charges.  The fixed charge coverage ratio requirement only applies to us when excess availability under our amended U.S. revolving credit facility is less than the Excess Availability Threshold on any date. As of April 5, 2014 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-Q, we were in compliance with all covenants under the U.S. revolving credit facility.  We are required to maintain the Excess Availability Threshold in order to avoid being required to meet certain financial ratios and triggering additional limits on capital expenditures.  Our lowest level of fiscal month-end availability for the twelve month period ended April 5, 2014 was $44.5 million.  We do not anticipate our excess availability in fiscal 2014 will drop below the Excess Availability Threshold.  Should our excess availability fall below the Excess Availability Threshold on any date, however, we would not meet the required fixed charge coverage ratio covenant with our current operating results.
 
 In the event that excess availability falls below $38.7 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $37.1 million at all times thereafter or the amount equal to 15% of the lesser of the borrowing base or $467.5 million during the time the $20.0 million increase is outstanding, and $447.5 million at all times thereafter, the U.S. revolving credit facility gives the lenders the right to dominion of our bank accounts.  This would not make the underlying debt callable by the lender and may not change our ability to borrow on the U.S. revolving credit facility.  However, we would be required to reclassify the “Long-term debt” to “Current maturities of long-term debt” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In addition, we would be required to maintain a springing lock-box arrangement where customer remittances go directly to a lock-box maintained by our lenders and then are forwarded to our general bank accounts.  Our U.S. revolving credit facility does not contain a subjective acceleration clause, which would allow our lenders to accelerate the scheduled maturities of our debt or to cancel our agreement.
 
Our subsidiary BlueLinx Building Products Canada Ltd. (“BlueLinx Canada”) has a revolving credit agreement (the “Canadian revolving credit facility”) with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (as successor to CIBC Asset-Based Lending Inc.)   and the other signatories thereto, as lender, administrative agent and collateral agent, dated August 12, 2011, as amended.
 
As of April 5, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $2.8 million and excess availability of $1.6 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  As of January 4, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $3.3 million and excess availability of $1.3 million under the terms of our Canadian revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the Canadian revolving credit facility was 4.0% at April 5, 2014 and January 4, 2014.  The Canadian revolving credit facility contains customary covenants and events of default for asset-based credit agreements of this type, including the requirement for BlueLinx Canada to maintain a minimum adjusted tangible net worth of $3.9 million and for that entity’s capital expenditures not to exceed 120% of the amount budgeted in a given year.  As of April 5, 2014 and through the time of the filing of this Form 10-Q, we were in compliance with all covenants under this facility.
 
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Under the terms of our mortgage, we are required to transfer certain funds to be held as collateral. On September 19, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our mortgage agreement, which provided for the immediate prepayment of approximately $11.8 million of the indebtedness under the mortgage agreement without incurring a prepayment premium from cash currently held as collateral under the mortgage agreement.  In addition, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, starting with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, additional funds held as collateral under the mortgage agreement are used to prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement, without prepayment premium, up to an aggregate additional prepayment of $10.0 million.  Thereafter, any cash remaining in the collateral account under the mortgage agreement, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million, is released to the Company on the last business day of each calendar quarter through the third quarter of fiscal 2014.  All funds released pursuant to these provisions may only be used by the Company to pay for usual and customary operating expenses.  During the periods described above in which cash in the collateral account is used to either prepay indebtedness under the mortgage agreement or released to the Company, the lenders will not release any of the cash collateral to the Company for specified capital expenditures as previously provided under the mortgage agreement.  Approximately $3.1 million of cash held in collateral were released to the Company during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to pay for usual and customary operating expenses.  We expect to transfer approximately $13.3 million as collateral during the next twelve month period, approximately $1.3 million of which will be remitted to us on a quarterly basis to pay for usual and customary operating expenses, in accordance with the mortgage agreement.
 
During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, we sold our sales center in Denver, Colorado and increased the restricted cash related to our mortgage by $8.4 million, which represents the allocated mortgage related to the property.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we sold our Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility and increased the restricted cash related to our mortgage by $1.9 million, which represents the allocated mortgage related to the property.  This restricted cash for both locations was used to pay down the outstanding principal of the mortgage in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.
 
We intend to ensure that we have a solid capital structure to provide runway for the Company as our markets recover. We will continue to accelerate our emphasis on our working capital metrics and management. Growing markets, however, typically necessitate increased working capital, and we want to have the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as the market recovery occurs. We will continue to evaluate capital structure opportunities that make sense for the Company.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
On March 14, 2014, we entered into an amendment to our U.S. revolving credit facility, which became effective on that date.  The most significant of the changes included in the amendment is the addition of up to $20.0 million in borrowing capacity for a period of up to 180 days from the effective date, which increased the maximum availability of the U.S. revolving credit facility to $467.5 million.  In conjunction with this amendment, we incurred $0.1 million of debt fees that were capitalized and are being amortized over the 180 day term.
 
There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from those disclosed above or in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 4, 2014.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make judgments and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. There have been no material changes to our accounting policies from the information provided in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 4, 2014.
 
New Accounting Standards
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB ) issued an amendment to previously issued guidance which requires entities to present unrecognized tax benefits as a decrease in a net operating loss, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, if certain criteria are met. The determination of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and the deferred tax asset that exists at the reporting date and presumes disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. The amendment, which did not materially impact our financial statements, is effective for public companies in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We have adopted this guidance during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
 
There were no other accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 that had a material impact on our financial statements.
 
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 4, 2014.
 
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Our management performed an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, there were no material changes to our previously disclosed legal proceedings. Additionally, we are, and from time to time may be, a party to routine legal proceedings incidental to the operation of our business. The outcome of any pending or threatened proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results or cash flows, based on our current understanding of the relevant facts. Legal expenses incurred related to these contingencies are generally expensed as incurred.
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
There has been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 4, 2014 as filed with the SEC.
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
 

On May 8, 2014, BlueLinx Corporation (the “Operating Company”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (“BlueLinx” or the “Company”) announced that Ms. Susan C. O’Farrell has accepted an offer to serve as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective as of May 19, 2014.

 
Ms. O’Farrell, age 50, has been a senior financial executive holding several roles with The Home Depot since 1999. As the Vice President of Finance, she led teams supporting the retail organization. Most recently, she was responsible for the finance function for The Home Depot’s At Home Services Group. Ms. O’Farrell began her career with Andersen Consulting, LLP, leaving as an Associate Partner in 1996 for a strategic information systems role with AGL Resources. Ms. O’Farrell has a B.S. in business administration from Auburn University.
 

In connection with the hiring of Ms. O’Farrell, the Operating Company and Ms. O’Farrell have entered into an Employment Agreement dated May 5, 2014 and effective May 19, 2014, memorializing the terms of Ms. O’Farrell’s employment as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer.  The Employment Agreement provides that Ms. O’Farrell will receive a base salary of $400,000 per year, subject to increase at the discretion of the Company. Ms. O’Farrell shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus pursuant to the terms of BlueLinx’ Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”), with the annual bonus potential to be a target of 65% of her base salary, based upon satisfaction of performance goals and bonus criteria to be defined and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company in advance for each fiscal year.  In respect to 2014 only, Ms. O’Farrell will receive a guaranteed bonus in an amount equal to no less than $260,000, which bonus will be paid, subject to certain conditions, provided Ms. O’Farrell is employed by the Company on January 1, 2015.  Upon commencing employment, Ms. O’Farrell will receive 400,000 shares of restricted stock, which shares will vest in three equal installments on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date.  In addition, Ms. O’Farrell will receive an additional payment of $75,000 on or about June 9, 2014.  The Employment Agreement provides that Ms. O’Farrell is eligible to participate in all benefit programs for which senior executives are generally eligible, including the Company’s long-term incentive plans. 

 

The Employment Agreement will expire on May 19, 2016, but will be automatically renewed for successive one-year terms unless 90-days’ prior written notice is given by either party in advance of the expiration date of any such extended term. If Ms. O’Farrell’s employment is terminated without “cause” or she resigns for “good reason,” each as described in the Employment Agreement, Ms. O’Farrell will be entitled to, among other things (i) payment equal to one time her annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, (ii) payment of a pro-rata portion of her annual target bonus for the performance year in which the termination occurs, (iii) all unvested time-vested restricted stock grants will automatically vest and become non-forfeitable, and (iv) all unvested performance-vested performance share or restricted stock grants will remain outstanding and will vest and become non-forfeitable in accordance with their terms as if Ms. O’Farrell remained employed.
 

Under the Employment Agreement, in the event Ms. O’Farrell’s employment is terminated in connection with a change in control of the Company, Ms. O’Farrell will be entitled to receive, among other things, a payment equal to two times her annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date of termination.

 

The Employment Agreement also contains customary confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete during the employment term and continuing for a period of one year following her date of termination in the event Ms. O’Farrell is terminated without cause, she voluntarily resigns or resigns for good reason, or the employment period ends.

 

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Other than the Employment Agreement, there are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. O’Farrell and any other persons pursuant to which she was selected as an officer of the Company.

 
Effective as of May 18, 2014, Mr. H. Douglas Goforth no longer will serve as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Company. Mr. Goforth is expected to serve in an advisory capacity through June 1, 2014 in order to assist with the transition.
 
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit
Number  
 
 
Description
     
10.1   Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 14, 2014, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, National Associations, the Lenders named therein, BlueLinx Corporation, BlueLinx Florida LP, BlueLinx Florida Holding No. 1 Inc. and BlueLinx Florida Holding No. 2 Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 17, 2014).
     
   10.2*   Employment Agreement between BlueLinx Corporation and Susan C. O’Farrell, dated May 5, 2014.
     
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101
 
The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 5, 2014, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).* *
     
*   Filed herewith.
     
**
 
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not to be “filed” or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
       
       
   
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
 
   
(Registrant)
 
       
Date: May 8, 2014
By:
/s/ H. Douglas Goforth  
    H. Douglas Goforth  
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Exhibit
Number  
 
 
Description  
     
10.1   Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 14, 2014, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, National Associations, the Lenders named therein, BlueLinx Corporation, BlueLinx Florida LP, BlueLinx Florida Holding No. 1 Inc. and BlueLinx Florida Holding No. 2 Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 17, 2014).
     
   10.2*   Employment Agreement between BlueLinx Corporation and Susan C. O’Farrell, dated May 5, 2014.
     
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
  101   The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 5, 2014, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).**
     
*
  Filed herewith.
     
**
 
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not to be “filed” or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.
 
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EXHIBIT 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
This Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 5, 2014, to be effective as of the Effective Date (as defined herein) between BLUELINX CORPORATION, a Georgia corporation (the “ Company ”), SUSAN C. O’FARRELL (“ Executive ”) and, as to Sections 3(a), 3(b) and 3(e) only, BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC. (“ BHI ”).
 
RECITALS:
 
WHEREAS, the Executive agrees to provide services to BHI as its Chief Financial Officer and to the Company as its Chief Financial Officer and BHI and the Company in return agree to provide certain compensation and benefits to Executive; and
 
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive mutually desire to memorialize the terms of Executive’s employment as Chief Financial Officer of BHI   and the Company.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
1.             Certain Definitions . Certain words or phrases with initial capital letters not otherwise defined herein are to have the meanings set forth in Section 8.
 
2.              Employment . The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive accepts employment with the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending as provided in Section 5 (the “ Employment Period ”). For the purposes of this Agreement, the “ Effective Date ” shall be May 19, 2014.
 
3.               Position and Duties .
 
(a)           During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer of BHI and the Company and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities and authority of an executive serving in such position, subject to the power of the Chief Executive Officer of BHI to provide oversight and direction with respect to such duties, responsibilities and authority, either generally or in specific instances.
 
(b)           The Board of Directors of the Company shall take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect Executive as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company as of the Effective Date. Thereafter, during Executive’s employment with the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company shall nominate Executive for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company at the expiration of Executive’s then-current term. Executive shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and as an officer and director of any of BHI’s other subsidiaries without any compensation in addition to the compensation provided for in this Agreement.
 
 
 

 

 
(c)           During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote Executive’s reasonable best efforts and Executive’s full professional time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of BHI and the Company and its respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Executive shall perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent, trustworthy and business-like manner. However, Executive may continue to serve as a member of the board of directors of the non-profit corporations on which she serves on the Effective Date and may become a member of the board of directors of any other non-profit corporations.
 
(d)           Executive shall perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities from the Company’s headquarters office as located on the Effective Date in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area (the “ Principal Office ”).
 
(e)             Executive as the Chief Financial Officer of BHI shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of BHI; provided, however, consistent with such reporting relationships, Executive, to the extent required by applicable law or regulation   or to the extent required by professional responsibility , nevertheless may provide information directly to the Board of Directors of BHI.
 
4.              Compensation and Benefits .
 
(a)            Salary . The Company agrees to pay Executive a salary during the Employment Period in installments (no less frequently than monthly) based on the Company’s payroll practices as may be in effect from time to time. The Executive’s salary is currently set at the rate of $400,000.00 (less applicable withholding and other customary payroll deductions) per year (“ Base Salary ”). The Base Salary may be increased at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of BHI’s Board of Directors, but there will not be any decrease in Executive’s Base Salary.
 
(b)            Sign-On Bonus . The Company agrees to pay Executive a sign-on bonus in the amount of $75,000.00 (less applicable withholding and other customary payroll deductions) payable on the date that is 30 days after the Effective Date.
 
(c)            Annual Bonus .
 
(i)           Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus, with the annual bonus target to be 65% of her then Base Salary (i.e., 65% upon achievement of annual “target” performance goals), with the “target” based upon satisfaction of performance goals and bonus criteria to be defined and approved by the Compensation Committee of BHI’s Board of Directors for each fiscal year. The Company shall pay any such annual bonus earned to Executive in accordance with the terms of the applicable bonus plan, but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such bonus is earned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in respect of the calendar year 2014 only, Executive shall receive a guaranteed bonus in an amount equal to no less than $260,000.00 (less applicable withholding and other customary payroll deductions) payable on or before March 15, 2015 (the “ 2014 Guaranteed Bonus ”). In order to receive the 2014 Guaranteed Bonus, Executive must either be employed as BHI’s Chief Financial Officer on March 15, 2015 or her employment must have been terminated before that date, but after December 31, 2014, by reason of a Termination without Cause (as defined below), a Termination for Good Reason (as defined below) or a Change in Control Termination (as defined below).
 
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(ii)           During the Employment Period, the Executive will be eligible to participate in long term incentive programs of the Company and BHI now or hereafter made available to similarly situated executives, in accordance with the provisions thereof as in effect from time to time, and as deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee of BHI’s Board of Directors to be applicable to her position as the Chief Financial Officer.
 
(d)            Restricted Stock . Upon commencement of Executive’s employment on the Effective Date, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of BHI shall grant Executive 400,000   shares of common stock of BHI which stock shall vest in three equal installments over a three-year period commencing on the Effective Date in accordance with the terms of the applicable Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Subsequent annual awards of common stock of BHI shall be determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of BHI.
 
(e)            Expense Reimbursement . The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive during the Employment Period in the course of performing Executive’s duties under this Agreement in accordance with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, and subject to the Company’s requirements applicable generally with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses and subject to the Reimbursement Rules. In order to be entitled to expense reimbursement, the Executive must be employed as Chief Financial Officer of either BHI or the Company on the date the Executive incurred the expense.
 
(f)             Vacation . Executive shall receive annual paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy applicable to senior executives, but in no event less than four (4) weeks per year, prorated for partial years.
 
(g)            Executive Benefits Package .
 
(i) Executive is entitled during the Employment Period to participate, on the same basis as the Company’s other senior executives, in the Company’s Standard Executive Benefits Package. The Company’s “ Standard Executive Benefits Package ” means those benefits (including insurance, vacation and other benefits, but excluding, except as hereinafter provided in Section 6, any broad-based severance pay program or policy of the Company) for which substantially all of the executives of the Company are from time to time generally eligible, as determined from time to time by the Board.
 
 (ii) BHI will maintain customary and appropriate Directors and Officers Liability Coverage for Executive during her Employment Period and for the 6 year period immediately following her Employment Period, and will afford Executive with the Indemnification set forth in Article V of the Amendment and Restated Bylaws of BHI. The provisions of this Section 4(g)(ii) will survive the termination of Executive’s employment and this Agreement notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.
 
(iii) BHI will provide to Executive (a) an allowance of $2,500 to cover the cost of an annual physical, (b) an annual club and car allowance of $8,000 in the aggregate per calendar year and (c) training and professional dues as deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive Officer.
 
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(h)            Additional Compensation/Benefits . The Compensation Committee of BHI’s Board of Directors, with input from the Chief Executive Officer, will determine any compensation and benefits to be provided to Executive during the Employment Period by BHI or the Company in addition to the compensation and benefits set forth in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any future grant of stock options or other equity awards.
 
(i)             Disgorgement of Compensation . If BHI or the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance by BHI or the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, to the extent required by law Executive will reimburse the Company for (i) any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation received by Executive from the Company (including such compensation payable in accordance with this Section 4 and Section 6) during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurs) of the financial document embodying that financial reporting requirement; and (ii) any profits realized by Executive from the improper or unlawful sale of BHI’s securities during that 12-month period.
 
5.              Employment Period .
 
(a)           Subject to Section 5(b), the Employment Period will commence on the Effective Date and will continue until, and will end upon, the second anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term ”). The Employment Period shall automatically be extended for successive one year terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ”), unless the Company shall have given Executive written notice of non-extension at least ninety (90) calendar days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term.
 
(b)           Notwithstanding Section 5(a), the Employment Period will end upon the first to occur of any of the following events: (i) Executive’s death; (ii) the Company’s termination of Executive’s employment on account of Disability; (iii) the Company’s termination of Executive’s employment for Cause (a “ Termination for Cause ”); (iv) the Company’s termination of Executive’s employment (a) without Cause or (b) upon expiration of the Employment Period solely as a result of the Company’s non-renewal as provided in Section 5(a) (a “ Termination without Cause ”); (v) Executive’s termination of Executive’s employment for Good Reason (a “ Termination for Good Reason ”); (vi) Executive’s termination of Executive’s employment at any time for any reason other than Good Reason (a “ Voluntary Termination ”); or (vii) a Change in Control Termination.
 
(c)           Any termination of Executive’s employment under Section 5(b) (other than Section 5(b)(i)) must be communicated by a Notice of Termination delivered by the Company or Executive, as the case may be, to the other party.
 
(d)           Executive will be deemed to have waived any right to a Termination for Good Reason based on the occurrence or existence of a particular event or circumstance constituting Good Reason unless Executive delivers a Notice of Termination within forty-five (45) calendar days after the date Executive first becomes aware of such event or circumstance.
 
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6.              Post-Employment Period Payments .
 
(a)           Except as otherwise provided in 6(c) below, at the Date of Termination, Executive will be entitled to (i) any Base Salary that has accrued but is unpaid, any annual bonus that has been earned for the fiscal year prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, but is unpaid, any reimbursable expenses that have been incurred but are unpaid, and any unexpired vacation days that have accrued under the Company’s vacation policy but are unused, as of the end of the Employment Period, which amount shall be paid in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) calendar days of the Date of Termination, in accordance with the Reimbursement Rules, where applicable, (ii) her 2014 Guaranteed Bonus as provided in Section 4(c) (unless paid before such Date of Termination), (iii) any plan benefits accrued before the termination plus the coverage described in Section 4(g)(ii) plus any benefits that by their terms extend beyond termination of Executive’s employment (but only to the extent provided in any such benefit plan in which Executive has participated as a Company employee and excluding, except as hereinafter provided in Section 6, any Company severance pay program or policy) and (iv) any benefits to which Executive is entitled in accordance with Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ COBRA ”). Except as specifically described in this Section 6(a) and in the succeeding subsections of this Section 6 (under the circumstances described in those succeeding subsections), from and after the Date of Termination Executive shall cease to have any rights to salary, bonus, expense reimbursements or other benefits from the Company, BHI or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates.
 
(b)           If Executive’s employment terminates on account of Executive’s death, Disability, Voluntary Termination, or Termination for Cause in accordance with Section 5(a), the Company will provide no further benefit and make no further payments to Executive except as contemplated in Section 6(a).
 
(c)           If Executive’s employment terminates on account of a Termination without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, neither of which qualifies as a Change in Control Termination, subject to Section 6(e) below, Executive shall in addition to the benefits and payments described in Section 6(a) be entitled to the following:
 
(i)           a payment equal to one (1) times the Executive’s annual Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination (the “Severance Amount”). The Severance Amount up to an amount equal to the Separation Pay shall be paid in a lump sum no later than ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination. The Severance Amount in excess of the Separation Pay, if any, shall be paid in a lump sum on the earlier to occur of the first business day of the seventh month after the Date of Termination or the tenth (10 th ) business day following the date of Executive’s death;
 
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(ii)           a pro-rata portion of Executive’s annual bonus as set forth in Section 4(c)(i) for the performance year in which Executive’s termination occurs (the “Pro-Rata Bonus Amount”). The Pro-Rata Bonus Amount shall be determined by multiplying the amount Executive would have received based upon performance had employment continued through the end of the performance year and the performance criteria had been achieved at target by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was employed by the Company during the performance year and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the performance year. The Pro-Rata Bonus Amount up to an amount equal to the Separation Pay shall be paid in a lump sum no later than ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination. The Pro-Rata Bonus Amount in excess of the Separation Pay, if any, shall be paid in a lump sum on the earlier to occur of the first business day of the seventh month after the Date of Termination or the tenth (10 th ) business day following the date of Executive’s death. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event Executive’s employment is terminated after December 31, 2014 but prior to March 16, 2015, Executive shall not be entitled to receive the Pro-Rata Bonus Amount ;
 
(iii)         all unvested time-vested restricted stock grants shall automatically vest and become non-forfeitable as of the date the Release Agreement becomes irrevocable;
 
(iv)         notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any award agreement or plan, all unvested performance-vested performance share or performance-vested restricted stock grants shall continue to vest and become non-forfeitable based on the actual performance of the Company, in the same manner and at the same time as if Executive remained employed by the Company;
 
(v)           continued participation in the Company’s medical and dental plans, on the same basis as active employees participate in such plans, until the earlier of (1) Executive’s eligibility for any such coverage under another employer’s medical or dental insurance plans or (2) the date that is one (1) year after the Date of Termination; except that in the event that participation in any such plan is barred, the Company shall reimburse Executive on a monthly basis in accordance with the Reimbursement Rules for any premiums paid by Executive to obtain benefits (for Executive and her dependents) equivalent to the benefits she is entitled to receive under the Company’s benefit plans. Executive agrees that the period of coverage under such plans (or the period of reimbursement if participation is barred) shall count against the plans’ obligation to provide continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA; and
 
(vi)         to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).
 
(d)           If Executive’s employment is terminated on account of a Change in Control Termination, subject to Section 6(e) below, Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits described in Section 6(c) except that:
 
(i)           the payment called for in Section 6(c)(i) shall equal to two (2) times the Executive’s annual Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination; and
 
(ii)          the time period described in Section 6(c)(v) shall be eighteen (18) months instead of one (1) year.
 
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(e)           The Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments, or deliver any of the benefits, in accordance with Section 6(c) (other than clause (vi) therein) or Section 6(d) if Executive declines to sign and return a Release Agreement, or revokes the Release Agreement or the Release Agreement does not become effective, within the sixty (60) calendar days after the Date of Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any payments to be made, or benefits to be delivered, under this Agreement (other than the payments required to be made by the Company pursuant to Sections 6(a) and 6(c)(vi)) prior to Executive’s execution of the Release Agreement and the expiration of the applicable revocation period, without Executive having elected to revoke same, within the 60-day period after the Date of Termination, shall be accumulated and paid in a lump sum or delivered after Executive’s execution of the Release Agreement and the expiration of the applicable revocation period, without Executive having elected to revoke same, on the sixtieth (60 th ) day after the Date of Termination (except that, if such 60-day period spans more than one (1) calendar year, and the payments or benefits constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, the payments shall be paid, and the benefits delivered, in the subsequent calendar year).
 
(f)           Executive is not required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise.
 
7.              Competitive Activity; Confidentiality; Non-solicitation .
 
(a)            Confidential Information and Trade Secrets .
 
(i)           The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company Group all Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. During her employment and for a period of two (2) years following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or BHI or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, use, communicate or divulge Confidential information other than as necessary to perform her duties for the Company; provided, however, that if the Confidential Information is deemed a trade secret under Georgia law, then the period for nondisclosure shall continue for the applicable period under Georgia Trade Secret laws in effect at the time of Executive’s termination. In addition, except as necessary to perform her duties for the Company, during Executive’s employment and thereafter for the applicable period under the Georgia Trade Secret laws in effect at the time of Executive’s termination, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, transmit or disclose any Trade Secrets to any person or entity, and will not, directly or indirectly, make use of any Trade Secrets, for herself or herself or any other person or entity, without the express written consent of the Company. This provision will apply for so long as a particular Trade Secret retains its status as a trade secret under applicable law. The protection afforded to Trade Secrets and/or Confidential Information by this Agreement is not intended by the parties hereto to limit, and is intended to be in addition to, any protection provided to any such information under any applicable federal, state or local law.
 
(ii)          An files, records, documents, drawings, specifications, data, computer programs, customer or vendor lists, specific customer or vendor information, marketing techniques, business strategies, contract terms, pricing terms, discounts and management compensation of the Company, BHI or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company, BHI or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, and the Executive shall not remove any such items from the premises of the Company, BHI or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, except in furtherance of the Executive’s duties.
 
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(iii)         It is understood that while employed by the Company, the Executive will promptly disclose to the Company in writing, and assign to the Company the Executive’s interest in any invention, improvement, copyrightable material or discovery made or conceived by the Executive, either alone or jointly with others, which arises out of the Executive’s employment (“ Executive Invention ”). At the Company’s request and expense, the Executive will reasonably assist the Company, BHI or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates during the period of the Executive’s employment by the Company and thereafter in connection with any controversy or legal proceeding relating to an Executive Invention and in obtaining domestic and foreign patent or other protection covering an Executive Invention. As a matter of record, Executive hereby states that she or she has provided below a list of all unpatented inventions in which Executive owns all or partial interest. Executive agrees not to assert any right against BHI with respect to any invention which is not patented or which is not listed.
 
(iv)         As requested by the Company and at the Company’s expense, from time to time and upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive will promptly deliver to the Company, BHI or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates all copies and embodiments, in whatever form, of all Confidential Information in the Executive’s possession or within her control (including, but not limited to, memoranda, records, notes, plans, photographs, manuals, notebooks, documentation, program listings, flow charts, magnetic media, disks, diskettes, tapes and all other materials containing any Confidential Information) irrespective of the location or form of such material. If requested by the Company, the Executive will provide the Company with written confirmation that all such materials have been delivered to the Company as provided herein.
 
(b)            Non-Solicitation of Protected Customers . Executive understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company Group and each of its Protected Customers constitutes a valuable asset of the Company Group and may not be converted to Executive’s own use. Executive hereby agrees that, during her employment with the Company and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any other Person, solicit, divert, take away, or attempt to solicit, divert, or take away a Protected Customer with which the Executive had contact while employed with the Company for the purpose of marketing, selling or providing to the Protected Customer any goods or services substantially similar to the goods or services provided by the Company Group.
 
(c)            Non-Solicitation of Employees . Executive understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company Group and each of its Protected Employees constitutes a valuable asset of the Company Group and may not be converted to Executive’s own use. Executive hereby agrees that, during her employment and for a period of two (2) years following the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any other Person, solicit or induce, or attempt to solicit or induce, any Protected Employee to terminate her employment with the Company Group or, for a period of no more than six (6) months after the Protected Employee is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group, to enter into employment with any other Person that is in competition with the Company Group.
 
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(d)            Non-Competition . During Executive’s employment and, if the Executive is terminated pursuant to Sections 6(c) or 6(d) or in the event of Executive’s Voluntary Termination, for a period of one (1) year following the termination of the Executive’s employment (the “Restricted Period”), Executive shall not render services substantially the same as the services rendered by Executive to the Company Group to any Person that engages in or owns, invests in any material respect, operates, manages or controls any venture or enterprise which substantially engages or proposes to substantially engage in Competitive Services in the Restricted Territory. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, during the Restricted Period, in no event shall Executive render services substantially the same as the services rendered by Executive to the Company Group to the Company’s competitors listed on Exhibit A hereto or any of their wholly owned, operating subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the ownership by Executive of not more than five percent (5%) of any class of securities of any corporation having a class of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
(e)            Remedies: Specific Performance . The parties acknowledge and agree that the Executive’s breach of any of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7 will result in irreparable and continuing damage to the Company Group for which there may be no adequate remedy at law. The parties further agree and acknowledge that the Company, and each member of the Company Group, as applicable, shall be entitled to equitable relief, including specific performance and injunctive relief, as a remedy for any such breach and shall not be required to post bond in connection with obtaining such relief. Such equitable remedies shall be in addition to any and all remedies, including damages, available to the Company, or any member of the Company Group, as applicable, for such breaches by Executive. In addition, without limiting any of the foregoing remedies, and except as otherwise required by law, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments set forth in Section 6 hereof and shall be obligated to repay to the Company the after tax amount of any payments previously made pursuant to Section 6 hereof if Executive commits a Material Breach of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 7 and fails to remedy or cure such Material Breach within fifteen (15) business days after her receipt of written notice thereof from the Company. Subject to and without waiver of Executive’s other rights and remedies, if BHI or the Company or any other member of the Company Group breaches its obligations to Executive under Section 4 or Section 6 or the covenant set forth in Section 7(h), the other covenants set forth in this Section 7 shall have no further force or effect.
 
(f)            Communication of Contents of Agreement . During Executive’s employment and for one (1) year thereafter, Executive will communicate her obligations under this Section 7 to any person, firm, association, partnership, corporation or other entity with which Executive accepts employment or is considering an offer of employment.
 
(g)            No Limitation . The Company’s rights under this Section 7 are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other rights the Company may have at law or in equity to protect its confidential information, trade secrets and other proprietary interests.
 
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(h)            Non-Disparagement . No member of the Company Group or any of their officers or directors shall disparage in any form or respect Executive.
 
8.              Definitions .
 
(a)            “ Cause ” means:
 
(i)           Executive’s Material Breach of the duties and responsibilities of Executive or of any provision of this Agreement, provided, however , that Executive’s engagement in activities prohibited by Section 7 shall constitute Cause regardless of whether such engagement constitutes a Material Breach;
 
(ii)          Executive’s (x) conviction of a felony or (y) conviction of any misdemeanor involving willful misconduct (other than minor violations such as traffic violations) if such misdemeanor causes material damage to the property, business, or reputation of BHI or the Company or their respective subsidiaries and affiliates;
 
(iii)        acts of dishonesty by Executive resulting or intending to result in personal gain or enrichment at the expense of the Company, BHI or their respective subsidiaries and affiliates;
 
(iv)        conduct by Executive in connection with her duties hereunder that is fraudulent, unlawful, or willful, and is also materially injurious to the Company, BHI, or their respective subsidiaries and affiliates;
 
(v)          Executive’s failure to cooperate fully, or failure to direct the persons subject to Executive’s management or direction to cooperate fully, with all corporate investigations or independent investigations by the Company, BHI or the BHI Board, all governmental investigations of the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates, and all orders involving Executive or the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates) entered by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
 
(vi)         Executive’s material violation of BHI’s Code of Conduct (including as applicable to executive officers), or any successor codes, all as provided in writing to Executive.
 
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no termination of the Executive’s employment shall be for Cause until (A) there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a written notice setting forth the basis for such termination in reasonable detail (the “Cause Notice”) no later than forty-five (45) days after the Company first becomes aware of the facts allegedly constituting Cause, and (B) the Executive shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard in person by the Board (with the assistance of the Executive’s counsel if the Executive so desires) following receipt of the Cause Notice. No act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless the Executive has acted or failed to act with a lack of good faith and with a lack of reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or failure to act was in the best interests of the Company, BHI, or their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by BHI’s Board of Directors or the Board of Directors of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for BHI or the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of BHI and the Company. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by BHI or the Company under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a termination other than for Cause unless it meets all requirements of this Section 8(a). The Company may not rely on any evidence allegedly supporting “Cause” unless such evidence is disclosed to Executive in the Cause Notice. In addition, if a court of competent jurisdiction later determines that the reason(s) set forth by the Company in the Cause Notice are improper or otherwise do not meet the definition of Cause set forth in this Section 8(a), the damages to which Executive will be entitled shall be equal to the amounts that would have been paid to Executive had Executive been terminated by the Company without Cause, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses, and prejudgment interest; provided, however, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the reason(s) set forth by the Company in the Cause Notice are proper or otherwise meet the definition of Cause set forth in this Section 8(a), Executive shall reimburse the Company for reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such lawsuit. Finally, Executive shall have thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of the Cause Notice to address and “cure” any act or omission which might provide the basis for a termination for “Cause” and, if cured within such 30-day period, such acts or omissions shall not provide the basis for a termination for “Cause”. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8(a) to the contrary, in the event the Company is precluded from providing the Cause Notice due to applicable law or regulation, or an ongoing internal investigation that would be compromised by providing the Cause Notice, the Company shall provide the Cause Notice within ten (10) business days after such impediment to providing the Cause Notice no longer exists.
 
(b)           “ Change in Control ” means any of the following events:
 
(i)           The acquisition by any individual, entity, or group (a “Person”), including any “person” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, of beneficial ownership within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, of twenty percent (20%) or more of either: (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of BHI (the “Outstanding BHI Common Stock”), or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of BHI entitled to vote generally m the election of directors (the “Outstanding BHI Voting Securities”); excluding, however, the following: (A) any acquisition directly from BHI (excluding any acquisition resulting from the exercise of an exercise, conversion, or exchange privilege unless the security being so exercised, converted, or exchanged was acquired directly from BHI); (B) any acquisition by BHI; (C) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by BHI or any corporation controlled by BHI; or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (x), (y), and (z) of Section 8(b)(iii); provided, however, that no Change in Control shall be deemed to occur if Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. or any of its affiliates continues to own a larger voting interest than any such Person;
 
(ii)          Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board of Directors of BHI (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such Board; provided that any individual who becomes a director of BHI subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by BHI’ s stockholders, was approved by the vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board; and provided further, that any individual who was initially elected as a director of BHI as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other than the Board of Directors of BHI shall not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board;
 
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(iii)         Consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of BHI or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of BHI (a “Corporate Transaction”); excluding, however, a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals or entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding BHI Stock and the Outstanding BHI Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns BHI or all or substantially all of BHI’s assets either directly or indirectly) in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding BHI Common Stock and the Outstanding BHI Voting Securities, as the case may be; (y) no Person (other than BHI; any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by BHI or any corporation controlled by BHI; the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction; and any Person which beneficially owned, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the Outstanding BHI Common Stock or the Outstanding BHI Voting Securities, as the case may be) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and (z) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction; or
 
(iv)         Approval by the stockholders of BHI of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of BHI.
 
(c)           “ Change in Control Termination ” means termination of Executives employment by the Company as a result of a Termination without Cause or by Executive as a result of a Termination for Good Reason either within (i) twenty-four (24) calendar months following a Change in Control or (ii) prior to a Change in Control if Executive’s termination was either a condition of the Change in Control or was at the request or insistence of a Person (other than BHI or the Company) related to the Change in Control.
 
(d)           “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
(e)            “ Company Group ” means the Company, BHI, and each of their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates.
 
(f)            “ Competitive Services ” means selling, marketing or distributing products and/or services through distribution that are substantially similar to any of those sold, marketed, distributed, furnished or supplied by the Company during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company.
 
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(g)           “ Confidential Information ” means knowledge or data relating to the Company Group that is not generally known to persons not employed or otherwise engaged by the Company Group, is not generally disclosed by the Company Group, and is the subject of reasonable efforts to keep it confidential. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding product or service cost or pricing, information regarding personnel allocation or organizational structure, information regarding the business operations or financial performance of the Company Group, sales and marketing plans, and strategic initiatives (independent or collaborative), information regarding existing or proposed methods of operation, current and future development and expansion or contraction plans, sale/acquisition plans and non-public information concerning the legal or financial affairs of the Company Group. Confidential Information does not include information that has become generally available to the public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating any right or privilege of the Company Group. This definition is not intended to limit any definition of confidential information or any equivalent term under applicable federal, state or local law.
 
(h)           “ Date of Termination ” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Disability, thirty (30) calendar days after the Company gives Notice of Termination to Executive (provided that Executive has not returned to the performance of Executive’s duties on a full-time basis during this 30-day period), (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (but in no event prior to thirty (30) calendar days following the delivery of the Notice of Termination or more than sixty (60) calendar days following the delivery of the Notice of Termination), (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for any reason other than Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given to the Company; and (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for any other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given (except as a result of non-renewal by the Company as provided in Section 5(a), in which event the Date of Termination will be the date of the expiration of the Initial Term or the Renewal Term, as applicable). A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.
 
(i)            “ Disability ” means the determination (1) by the Company, in accordance with applicable law, based on information provided by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative that, as a result of a physical or mental injury or illness, Executive has been unable to perform the essential functions of her job with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or (ii) one hundred eighty (180) calendar days in any one-year period and (2) that Executive is currently eligible to receive long-term disability benefits under the long-term disability plan maintained by BHI or the Company in which Executive is a participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that as a result of absence because of mental or physical incapacity the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of the term under Section 409A, the Executive shall on such date automatically be terminated from employment because of Disability.
 
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(j)             “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
(k)            “ Good Reason ” means, without the consent of Executive, (A) any material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities that is caused by the Company; (B) a material reduction by the Company of Executive’s Base Salary or the target bonus percentage as set forth in Section 4(c)(i) herein; (C) the Company’s requiring Executive to be based at any office or location which is a material change in geographic location from the Principal Office as described in Section 3(d); or (D) any material violation or non-performance by BHI or the Company of the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Good Reason” shall not be deemed to exist for purposes of (A) through (D) if the event or circumstance that constitutes “Good Reason” is rescinded or remedied by BHI or the Company to the reasonable satisfaction of Executive within thirty (30) days after receipt of a Notice of Termination.
 
(l)            “ Material Breach ” means an intentional act or omission by Executive which constitutes substantial non-performance of Executive’s obligations under this Agreement and causes material damage to the Company.
 
(m)           “ Notice of Termination ” means a written notice that indicates those specific termination provisions in this Agreement relied upon and that sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated. For purposes of this Agreement, no purported termination by either party is to be effective without a Notice of Termination.
 
(n)           “ Person ” means: any individual or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity or enterprise.
 
(o)           “ Principal or Representative ” means a principal, owner, partner, shareholder, joint venturer, investor, member, trustee, director, officer, manager, employee, agent, representative or consultant.
 
(p)           “ Protected Customers ” means any then-existing customer to whom the Company Group sold its products or services at any time during Executive’s employment and with respect to whom Executive either (i) had business dealings on behalf of the Company Group; or (ii) supervised or coordinated the dealings between the Company Group and the customer.
 
(q)           “ Protected Employees ” means any employee of the Company Group who was employed during Executive’s employment and with whom Executive either (i) had a supervisory relationship; or (ii) worked or communicated on a regular basis regarding the Company Group’s business.
 
(r)            “ Reimbursement Rules ” means the requirement that any amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement be made (i) in accordance with the reimbursement payment date set forth in the applicable provision of the Agreement providing for the reimbursement or (ii) where the applicable provision does not provide for a reimbursement date, thirty (30) calendar days following the date on which Executive incurs the expense, but, in each case, no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Executive incurs the related expenses; provided, that in no event shall the reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided by the Company in one taxable year affect the amount of reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year, nor shall the Executive’s right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
 
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(s)            “ Release Agreement ” means an agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , pursuant to which Executive releases all current or future claims, known or unknown, arising on or before the date of the release against the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and its officers.
 
(t)            “ Restricted Territory ” means continental United States of America.
 
(u)           “ Separation Pay ” means that portion of the payment to be provided in Section 6(c)(i) and 6(c)(ii) or 6(d)(i) which the Company has determined is exempt from Section 409A and which does not exceed two times the lesser of (i) the sum of Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the taxable year of the Executive preceding the Date of Termination, or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17) for the year of the Date of Termination.
 
(v)           “ Trade Secrets ” means all secret, proprietary or confidential information regarding the Company, BHI or any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates or that meets the definition of “trade secrets” within the meaning set forth in O.C.G.A. § 10-1-761.
 
9.             Executive Representations . Executive represents to the Company that (a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound and (b) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement will be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
 
10.            Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes that the Company is required to withhold under any applicable law, regulation or ruling.
 
11.            Section 409A .
 
(a)           Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A and determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Company) at the time of her separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A) and if any portion of the payments or benefits to be received by the Executive upon separation from service would be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable pursuant to this Agreement during the six-month period immediately following the Executive’s separation from service (the “ Delayed Payments ”) and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Delayed Benefits ”) during the six-month period immediately following the Executive’s separation from service (such period, the “ Delay Period ”) shall instead be paid or made available on the earlier of (i) the first business day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s separation from service or (ii) Executive’s death (the applicable date, the “ Permissible Payment Date ”). The Company shall also reimburse the Executive for the after-tax cost incurred by the Executive in independently obtaining any Delayed Benefits in accordance with the Reimbursement Rules (the “ Additional Delayed Payments ”).
 
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(b)           With respect to any amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under Section 6(a), such expenses shall be reimbursed by the Company within thirty (30) calendar days following the date on which the Company receives the applicable invoice from the Executive but in no event later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Executive incurs the related expenses; provided, that with respect to reimbursement relating to the Additional Delayed Payments, such reimbursement shall be made on the Permissible Payment Date. In no event shall the reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided by the Company in one taxable year affect the amount of reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year, nor shall the Executive’s right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
 
(c)           Each payment under this Agreement shall be considered a “separate payment” and not of a series of payments for purposes of Section 409A.
 
(d)           Any Delayed Payments shall bear interest at the United States 5-year Treasury Rate plus 2%, which accumulated interest shall be paid to the Executive on the Permissible Payment Date.
 
12.            Excess Parachute Payments .
 
(a)           In the event that it shall be determined, based upon the advice of the independent public accountants for BHI or the Company (the “ Accountants ”), that any payment, benefit or distribution by the Company, Bill or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates (a “ Payment ”) constitute “parachute payments” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as amended, then, if the aggregate present value of all such Payments (collectively, the “ Parachute Amount ”) exceeds 2.99 times the Executive’s “base amount”, as defined in Section 280G(h)(3) of the Code (the “Executive Base Amount”), the amounts constituting “parachute payments” which would otherwise be payable to or for the benefit of Executive shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that the Parachute Amount is equal to 2.99 times the Executive Base Amount (the “Reduced Amount”); provided that such amounts shall not be so reduced if the Executive determines, based upon the advice of the Accountants, that without such reduction Executive would be entitled to receive and retain, on a net after tax basis (including, without limitation, any excise taxes payable under Section 4999 of the Code), an amount which is greater than the amount, on a net after tax basis, that the Executive would be entitled to retain upon her receipt of the Reduced Amount.
 
(b)           If the determination made pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 12 results in a reduction of the payments that would otherwise be paid to Executive except for the application of clause (a) of this Section 12, each particular entitlement of Executive shall be eliminated or reduced as follows: (i) first all cash payments, pro rata; and then (ii) all remaining benefits, pro rata.
 
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(c)           As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the Code at the time of a determination hereunder, it is possible that payments will be made by the Company which should not have been made under clause (a) of this Section 12 (“ Overpayment ”) or that additional payments which are not made by the Company pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 12 should have been made (“ Underpayment ”). In the event that there is a final determination by the Internal Revenue Service, or a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction, that an Overpayment has been made and that repayment will eliminate any excise tax otherwise due under Section 4999 of the Code, any such Overpayment shall be repaid by Executive to the Company together with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code. In the event that there is a final determination by the Internal Revenue Service, a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in the provisions of the Code or regulations pursuant to which an Underpayment arises, any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive, together with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
 
13.            Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, the Company and their respective heirs, executors, personal representatives, successors and assigns, except that neither party may assign any rights or delegate any obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Executive hereby consents to the assignment by the Company of all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any successor to the Company by merger or consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, provided that the transferee or successor assumes the Company’s liabilities under this Agreement by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Executive.
 
14.            Survival . Subject to any limits on applicability contained therein, Section 7 will survive and continue in full force in accordance with its terms notwithstanding any termination of the Employment Period.
 
15.            Choice of Law . This Agreement is to be governed by the internal law, and not the laws of conflicts, of the State of Georgia.
 
16.            Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement is to be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, that invalidity, illegality or unenforceability is not to affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement is to be reformed, construed and enforced in the jurisdiction as if the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
 
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17.            Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement is to be in writing and is to be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight carrier or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address indicated as follows:
 
Notices to Executive:
 
To the address listed in the personnel records of the Company.
 
Notices to the Company:
 
BlueLinx Corporation
4300 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Attention: Legal Department
Facsimile: (770) 953-7008
 
or any other address or to the attention of any other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement is to be deemed to have been given when so delivered, sent or mailed.
 
18.            Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement is to affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement.
 
19.            Complete Agreement . This Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and effective as of its date supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the parties, written or oral, that may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way, including, but not limited to, any prior agreements with respect to Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the Company.
 
20.            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is to be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together are to constitute one and the same agreement.
 
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The parties are signing this Agreement as of the date first set forth above, to be effective as of the Effective Date.
       
 
BLUELINX CORPORATION
 
     
     
     
       
 
By:
 /s/ Mitchell B. Lewis   
   
Name: Mitchell B. Lewis
 
   
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
 
       
       
       
       
 
EXECUTIVE
 
     
     
     
       
      /s/ Susan C. O’Farrell  
 
Susan C. O’Farrell
 
       
       
       
       
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
 
       
  By:    /s/ Mitchell B. Lewis  
   
Name: Mitchell B. Lewis
 
   
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
 
       
       
       
 
LIST OF UNPATENTED INVENTIONS
 
Executive represents that she or she has no such inventions by initialing below next to the word “NONE.”
     
NONE:   /s/ SCF  
 
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
 
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EXHIBIT A
 
COMPANY’S COMPETITORS
 
Weyerhauser
Boise Cascade
Georgia-Pacific
Louisiana Pacific
Norbord
Beacon Roofing Supply
Huttig
Universal Forest Products
Builders Firstsource
Watsco
Interline Brands
Cedar Creek
Guardian Building Products
 
20
 

 


EXHIBIT B
 
RELEASE
 
In consideration for the undertakings and promises set forth in that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of __________, 2014 (the “Agreement”), between SUSAN C. O’FARRELL (“Executive”) and BLUELINX CORPORATION (“Company”), Executive (on behalf of herself and her heirs, assigns and successors in interest) unconditionally releases, discharges, and holds harmless Company and its current and former subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, insurers, assigns and successors in interest (collectively, “ Releasees ”) from each and every claim, cause of action, right, liability or demand of any kind and nature, and from any claims which may be derived therefrom (collectively “Released Claims”), that Executive had, has, or might claim to have against Releasees based upon facts occurring up to the time Executive executes this Release, whether presently known or unknown to Executive, including, without limitation, any and all claims listed below, other than any such claims Executive has or might have under the Agreement:
 
(a)           arising from or in connection with Executive’s employment, pay, bonuses, vacation or any other Executive benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment or employment practices of Company;
 
(b)           arising out of or relating to the termination of Executive’s employment with Company or the surrounding circumstances thereof;
 
(c)           based on discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, disability, age or any other category protected by law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Executive Order 11246, 42 USC § 1981, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, C.O.B.R.A. (as any of these laws may have been amended) or any other similar labor, employment or anti-discrimination law under state, federal or local law;
 
(d)           based on any contract, tort, whistleblower, personal injury wrongful discharge theory or other common law theory; or
 
(e)           arising under the Agreement or any other written or oral agreements between Executive and Company or any of Company’s subsidiaries (other than the Agreement).
 
Except as otherwise set forth herein, Executive covenants not to sue or initiate any claims in any forum against any of the Releasees on account of or in relation to any Released Claim, or to incite, assist or encourage other persons or entities to bring claims of any nature whatsoever against Company or Releasees. Executive further covenants not to accept, recover or receive any monetary damages or any other form of relief which may arise out of or in connection with any administrative proceedings which may be filed with or pursued independently by any governmental agency or agencies, whether federal, state or local.
 
21
 

 

 
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that the above release does not waive any rights or claims that may arise based on facts or events occurring after the date of Executive’s execution of this Agreement, nor does it serve to waive any rights or claims that are precluded from being waived by applicable law. The Company and Executive further acknowledge and agree that nothing herein shall prevent Executive from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other administrative agency if applicable law requires that Executive be permitted to do so; however, Executive understands and agrees that Executive is waiving the right to any monetary recovery in connection with any such complaint or charge that she may file with an administrative agency.
 
In addition, Executive agrees not to file a lawsuit asserting any claims that are waived in this Release. If Executive files such a lawsuit, Executive shall pay all costs incurred by Releasees (or any of them), including reasonable attorney’s fees, in defending against Executive’s claim, and, as a precondition to filing any such lawsuit, shall return all but $500.00 of the severance benefits or payments Executive has received. The preceding two sentences of this paragraph do not apply if Executive files a charge or lawsuit under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) challenging the validity of this Release. However, in the event any such ADEA lawsuit is unsuccessful, a court may order Executive to pay attorney’s fees and/or costs incurred by Releasees (or any of them) where authorized by law. In the event any such ADEA lawsuit is successful, the severance benefits or payments you received for signing this Release shall serve as restitution, recoupment, or setoff to any monetary award received by Executive.
 
Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive has no interest in reinstatement, reemployment or employment with Company or any Releasee, and Executive forever waives any interest in or claim of right to any future employment by Company or any Releasee. Executive further covenants not to apply for future employment with Company or any Releasee, or otherwise seek or encourage reinstatement.
 
By signing this Release, Executive certifies that:
 
(a)           Executive has carefully read and fully understands the provisions of this Release;
 
(b)           Executive was advised by Company in writing, via this Release, to consult with an attorney before signing this Release;
 
(c)           Executive understands that any discussions she may have had with counsel for Company regarding her employment or this Release does not constitute legal advice to him and that she has retained her own independent counsel to render such advice;
 
(d)           Executive understands that this Agreement FOREVER RELEASES Company and all other Releasees to the extent set forth above, except that Executive is not releasing or waiving any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act that may arise after Executive’s execution of this Release;
 
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(e)           In signing this Release, Executive DOES NOT RELY ON AND HAS NOT RELIED ON ANY REPRESENTATION OR STATEMENT (WRITTEN OR ORAL) NOT SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS RELEASE OR IN THE AGREEMENT by Company or any other Releasee, or by any of their agents, representatives, or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of this Agreement or otherwise, and Executive agrees that this Release will be interpreted and enforced in accordance with Georgia law;
 
(f)            Company hereby allows Executive no less than twenty-one (21) days from its initial presentation to Executive to consider this Release before signing it, should Executive so desire; and
 
(g)           Executive agrees to its terms knowingly, voluntarily and without intimidation, coercion or pressure.
 
Executive may revoke this Release within seven (7) calendar days after signing it. To be effective, such revocation must be received in writing by the General Counsel of Company at the offices of Company at 4300 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339. Revocation can be made by hand delivery or facsimile before the expiration of this seven (7) day period.
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Release as of the date set forth below.
     
 
“Executive”
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
  Dated:   , 20    
 
[Signature Page to Release]
 
24

 


 


EXHIBIT 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
I, MITCHELL B. LEWIS, CERTIFY THAT:
 
 
(1)
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of BlueLinx Holdings Inc.;
 
 
(2)
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
(3)
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
(4)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
 
(5)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
May 8, 2014
       
 
  /s/ Mitchell B. Lewis  
    Mitchell B. Lewis  
   
BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
 
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
                                                      
 


EXHIBIT 31.2
 
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
I, H. DOUGLAS GOFORTH, CERTIFY THAT:
 
 
(1)
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of BlueLinx Holdings Inc.;
 
 
(2)
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
(3)
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
(4)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
 
(5)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
May 8, 2014
       
 
  /s/ H. Douglas Goforth  
    H. Douglas Goforth  
    BlueLinx Holdings Inc.  
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
                                                      
 


EXHIBIT 32.1
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the quarterly report of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending April 5, 2014, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Mitchell B. Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
       
May 8, 2014 
By:
/s/ Mitchell B. Lewis  
   
Mitchell B. Lewis
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
                                       
 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2
 
BLUELINX HOLDINGS INC.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the quarterly report of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending April 5, 2014, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, H. Douglas Goforth, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
       
May 8, 2014
     
 
By:
/s/ H. Douglas Goforth
 
   
H. Douglas Goforth
 
   
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer