Mohawk Industries, Inc. today announced 2013 third quarter net earnings of $119 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of$1.63. Excluding unusual charges, net earnings were $147 million and EPS was $2.02, a 94% increase over last year's third quarter adjusted EPS. Net sales for the third quarter of 2013 were approximately$2.0 billion, an increase of 33% versus the prior year's third quarter. For the third quarter of 2012, net sales were approximately $1.5 billion, net earnings were $70 million and EPS was $1.01; excluding unusual charges, net earnings were $72 million and EPS was $1.04.

For the nine months ending September 28, 2013, net sales were approximately $5.4 billion, an increase of approximately 25% versus the prior year. Net earnings and EPS for the nine-month period were $254 million and $3.53, respectively. Net earnings excluding unusual charges were $342 millionand EPS was $4.76, an increase of 72% over the nine-month adjusted EPS results in 2012. For the nine months ending September 29, 2012, net sales were approximately $4.4 billion, net earnings were$184 million and EPS was $2.66. Excluding unusual charges, net earnings and EPS were $191 millionand $2.76, respectively.

Commenting on Mohawk Industries' third quarter performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "This quarter we are reporting the highest adjusted EPS in Company history. During the period, higher U.S. volumes, efficiency improvements and the performance of our Pergo, Marazzi and Spano acquisitions supported our strong growth. Our legacy net sales increased approximately 5% as reported, with the balance of our revenue growth derived from our recent acquisitions. Our adjusted operating income improved 350 basis points over the prior year to approximately 11% of sales as a result of enhanced product mix from innovative new collections, improved manufacturing and distribution efficiencies and the implementation of new systems and processes. Ongoing cost containment measures improved our adjusted SG&A by 130 basis points even with significant investments in samples and marketing for new product launches."

Carpet segment net sales for the quarter were $773 million, up 3% over last year, rising with stronger demand from residential new construction and remodeling. The segment's operating margin, excluding unusual charges, for the quarter was 9% of sales, an increase of 290 basis points and the strongest in more than six years due to improved product mix, realignment of assets, productivity, cost controls and volume leverage. Residential mix continued to improve with the expansion of the company's industry-leading position in premium soft carpets and the introduction of the Soft Appeal™ luxury polyester collection. Price increases previously executed offset raw material inflation.

Ceramic segment net sales were $767 million, up 84% over last year, with strong results from both the legacy Dal-Tile business and the Marazzi acquisition. Operating margins, excluding unusual charges, were approximately 12% of sales, an increase of 290 basis points over the prior year as a result of higher volumes, efficiency gains and improved product mix. North American sales rose in the low teens with strong performances in the specialty retail, home center, builder and commercial channels and Mexican sales that outpaced the market. A 2-4% North American price increase was implemented in August to offset higher energy and transportation costs. The Company's Russian ceramic sales outperformed the overall market and gained share due to the success of new product introductions as well as strength in the new construction and franchised retail channels. The Company's European ceramic sales increased in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Far East offsetting soft conditions in Western Europe.

Laminate and Wood segment net sales were $451 million, up 37% over last year, with most of that increase from the acquisitions of Pergo and Spano and growth in North America across all product categories and customer channels. Operating income, excluding unusual charges, was approximately 13% of sales, an improvement of 380 basis points over the prior year due primarily to increased North American volume, overall improved productivity and decreased amortization expense. In North America, the integration of Unilin and Pergo is yielding improved productivity and efficiencies and new capacity is being added to satisfy increased demand for single planks. In Europe, the Pergo manufacturing assets have been closed and production was moved to the Company's more efficientBelgium operations to improve the product offering and manufacturing costs. In both Russia andAustralia, price increases of 4 to 8% were implemented on laminate and wood to offset currency changes. The new insulation board plant in France has begun production and is expanding our reach into new territories in France and Germany.

"Mohawk today is in the strongest position in our company's history," said Lorberbaum. "We have substantially grown our profits and expect continued improvement next year. With our Pergo, Marazzi and Spano acquisitions, we are quickly moving to drive synergies, lower costs and increase top line growth. We have already executed many initiatives to improve the performance of these acquisitions, including implementing new strategies and organizational structures, upgrading marketing tactics and product lines, and reducing costs through best practices and closing high cost assets. In our legacy businesses, we have significant opportunities to deliver improved results as the U.S. business strengthens and we expand our investments in our people, products and capacities. With these factors, our guidance for fourth quarter earnings is $1.66 to $1.75 per share, excluding any restructuring or acquisition costs."

Mohawk Industries is the leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk's vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Bigelow, Daltile, Durkan, Karastan, Lees, Marazzi, Kerama Marazzi, Mohawk, Pergo, Unilin and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world's largest flooring company with operations in Australia,Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and the United States.