Prospering In a Tough Market

Article Excerpt

DOREL INDUSTRIES $34.01 (Toronto symbol DII.B; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (514-731- 0000; www.dorel.com;Shares outstanding: 33.4 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion) is reopening its idled Dowagiac plant in Michigan on increased demand for its Ameriwood ready-to-assemble furniture. Despite the difficult U.S. retail home furnishings market, ready-to-assemble furniture sales are strong. As well, a low U.S. dollar has made Chinese furniture imports more expensive for American consumers. That has made U.S.-produced ready-to-assemble furniture easier to sell. Dorel reported higher sales and earnings in the three months ended June 30, 2008. Sales rose 29.3%, to $593.7 million from $459 million a year earlier. (All figures except share price in U.S. dollars.) Excluding onetime items, earnings rose 61.1%, to $31.9 million or $0.96 a share from $19.8 million or $0.59 a share. Dorel makes a range of products: ready-to assemble furniture for home and office use; juvenile products such as infant car seats, strollers, high chairs, toddler beds and cribs, including the Eddie Bauer and Disney Baby…