SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended: MARCH 31, 2004
OR
For the transition period from _________________ to _________________
Commission File Number: 0-13646
DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
200 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, N.Y. 10601
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(914) 428-9098
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) N/A
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. YesXX No ____
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes XX No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 10,248,388 shares of common stock as of April 30, 2004.
DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED WITH
QUARTERLY REPORT OF REGISTRANT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
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DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
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DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Unaudited)
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Drew Industries Incorporated and its subsidiaries (“Drew” or the “Company”). Drew has no unconsolidated subsidiaries. Drew’s wholly-owned active subsidiaries are Kinro, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Kinro”) and Lippert Components, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“LCI”). Drew, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, supplies a broad array of components for recreational vehicles and manufactured homes. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with the accounting policies described in its December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements which appear in that report.
In the opinion of management, the information furnished in this Form 10-Q reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations as of and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include some information and notes necessary to conform with annual reporting requirements.
The Company has two reportable operating segments, the recreational vehicle products segment (the “RV segment”) and the manufactured housing products segment (the “MH segment”). The RV segment, which accounted for 68 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 62 percent of the consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2003, manufactures a variety of products used in the production of recreational vehicles, including windows, doors, chassis, chassis parts and slide out mechanisms and related power units, and electric stabilizer jacks. The MH segment, which accounted for 32 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 38 percent of the consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2003, manufactures a variety of products used in the construction of manufactured homes, and to a lesser extent, modular housing and office units, including vinyl and aluminum windows, chassis, chassis parts and thermo-formed bath and shower units. Intersegment sales and sales to industries other than manufacturers of RVs and manufactured homes are insignificant.
Decisions concerning the allocation of the Company’s resources are made by the Company’s key executives. This group evaluates the performance of each segment based upon segment profit or loss, defined as income before interest, amortization of intangibles and income taxes. Management of debt is considered a corporate function. The accounting policies of the RV and MH segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, of the Company’s December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)(Unaudited)
Information relating to segments follows (in thousands):
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or market. Cost includes material, labor and overhead; market is replacement cost or realizable value after allowance for costs of distribution.
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
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Long-term indebtedness consists of the following (in thousands):
Pursuant to the Senior Notes, the Credit Agreement, and certain of the other loan agreements, the Company is required to maintain minimum net worth and interest and fixed charge coverages and to meet certain other financial requirements. The Company is in compliance with all such requirements. Borrowings under the Senior Notes and the Credit Agreement are secured only by the capital stock of the Company’s subsidiaries.
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Net income per diluted common share reflects the dilution of the weighted average common shares by the assumed issuance of common stock pertaining to stock options. The numerator, which is equal to net income, is constant for both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted is calculated as follows (in thousands):
As of April 1, 2002, the Company adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock options contained in Statement of Financial Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”) “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which is considered the preferable method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. During the transition period, the Company will be utilizing the prospective method under SFAS No.148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosures.” All employee stock options granted subsequent to April 1, 2002 are being expensed over the stock option vesting period based on fair value, determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing method, at the date the options were granted.
Historically, the Company had applied the “disclosure only” option of SFAS No.123. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for stock options granted prior to January 1, 2002.
The adoption of this new accounting policy for stock options resulted in a pretax charge of $212,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and $30,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003.
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The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per common share as if the fair value method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period (in thousands):
In February 2004, the Company sold certain intellectual property rights relating to a process used to manufacture a new composite material. Simultaneously with the sale, the Company entered into an equipment lease and a license agreement with the buyer. As a result, the Company plans to use the new composite material in the production of certain bath products for the manufactured housing, modular housing, and recreational vehicle industries on an exclusive, royalty-free basis. This new composite material will enable the Company to better compete against fiberglass bath products in these industries. The Company will also have the right to use the new composite material on a royalty-free, non-exclusive basis to manufacture various other products for the manufactured housing, modular housing, and recreational vehicle industries. Sales of these new products, if any, are not expected to be significant in 2004.
The sale price for the intellectual property rights was $4.0 million, consisting of cash of $100,000 at closing and a note of $3.9 million, payable over five years. In February 2004, the Company received the first payment under the note for $400,000. The note bears interest at increasing annual interest rates, and is secured by a lien on the intellectual property rights sold, a right of offset against the lease, and a guaranty. The note is convertible at the Company’s option into an equity interest in any new venture that the buyer may form to promote this process. A pre-tax gain on sale of $428,000 was recorded in the first quarter of 2004. Additional gains, if any, will be recorded as payments on the $3.5 million balance of the note are received.
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On May 4, 2004, the Company acquired California-based Zieman Manufacturing Company (“Zieman”), with annual sales of approximately $44 million. Zieman manufactures trailers for equipment hauling, boats, personal watercraft and snowmobiles, and chassis and chassis parts for recreational vehicles (primarily travel trailers and fifth wheels) and manufactured homes. The purchase price was approximately $21 million, plus approximately $5 million of Zieman’s debt which the Company assumed on closing. The purchase price was funded with borrowings under the Company’s line of credit.
Simultaneous with the closing, the Company’s line of credit was increased from $30 million to $50 million and the expiration date of the line of credit was extended until April 30, 2006. In addition, the commitment fee was reduced to 1/4 of one percent per annum from 3/8 of one percent per annum, on the daily unused amount. The line of credit will automatically reduce to $45 million on August 31, 2004 and $40 million on October 31, 2004.
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The Company has two reportable operating segments, the recreational vehicle products segment (the “RV segment”) and the manufactured housing products segment (the “MH segment”). The RV segment, which accounted for 68 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 62 percent of the annual consolidated net sales for 2003, manufactures a variety of products used in the production of recreational vehicles, including windows, doors, chassis, chassis parts, slide-out mechanisms and related power units, and electric stabilizer jacks. The Company’s RV products are used primarily in travel trailers and fifth wheel RVs. Travel trailers and fifth wheel RVs accounted for 67 percent of all RVs shipped by the industry in 2003, up from 61 percent just two years earlier. In recent months, the Company has begun to focus its efforts on expanding its market share for products used in motorhomes, and the Company expects to begin selling slide-out mechanisms and leveling devices for motorhomes in the second and third quarter of 2004.
The MH segment, which accounted for 32 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 38 percent of the annual consolidated net sales for 2003, manufactures a variety of products used in the construction of manufactured homes, and to a lesser extent, modular housing and office units, including vinyl and aluminum windows and screens, chassis, chassis parts and thermo-formed bath and shower units.
The shift in sales between segments resulted partly from the growth in the RV industry and the decline in the MH industry. Intersegment sales and sales to industries other than manufacturers of RVs and manufactured homes are insignificant.
The Company’s operations are conducted through its operating subsidiaries. Its two primary operating subsidiaries, Kinro, Inc. (“Kinro”) and Lippert Components, Inc. (“LCI”) have operations in both the MH and RV segments. At March 31, 2004, the Company’s subsidiaries operated 41 plants in 17 states and one in Canada.
Recreational Vehicle Industry
The Recreational Vehicle Industrial Association (“RVIA”) reported a 19 percent increase in total industry shipments in the first quarter of 2004, compared to the first quarter of 2003. Shipments of travel trailers and fifth wheel RVs, the Company’s primary market, increased 21 percent for the quarter. In 2003, the RVIA reported an increase of 3 percent in total RV shipments to 320,800 units, while shipments of travel trailers and fifth wheel RVs increased more than nine percent for the year to 214,400 units. Increasing industry RV sales are expected to continue to be driven by positive demographics, as demand for RVs is strongest from the over 50 age group, which is the fastest growing segment of the population. Industry growth also continues to be bolstered by the preference for domestic vacations, rather than foreign travel, and low interest rates. In recent years, the RVIA has employed an advertising campaign to attract customers in the 35 to 54 age group, and the number of RV’s owned by those 35 to 54 grew faster than all other age groups.
DREW INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Manufactured Housing Industry
As a result of limited credit availability for purchases of manufactured homes, high interest rate spreads between conventional mortgages on site built homes and chattel loans for manufactured homes, and unusually high repossessions of manufactured homes, industry production declined approximately 65 percent since 1998, to 131,000 homes in 2003, the lowest production level in 40 years. However, based upon industry reports, retail sales of manufactured homes have declined much less severely in recent years. Almost 50 percent of retail sales in the last several years have been filled by inventory reductions by dealers and manufacturers, and the resale of repossessed homes, rather than new production. It has been estimated that approximately 90,000 manufactured homes were repossessed in each of the last three years, and possibly as many as 100,000 homes repossessed in 2003, far in excess of historical repossession levels.
The Manufactured Housing Institute (“MHI”) reported that in March 2004, industry wholesale shipments of manufactured homes increased 10 percent over March 2003, including a 38 percent increase in shipments of the smaller, single section homes, and a 3 percent increase in shipments of the larger, multi-section homes. This increase in industry wholesale shipments follows declines in 55 of the last 59 months. For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, industry shipments of new manufactured homes decreased approximately 4 percent from last year’s first quarter. The availability of financing for manufactured homes has apparently improved in recent months and is expected to improve further, as a result of Fannie Mae’s easing of their financing requirements for manufactured homes, as well as the entry of several lenders into the market. In addition, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. recently acquired Clayton Homes and Oakwood Homes, two of the leading producers of manufactured homes, as well as 21st Mortgage. In addition, Berkshire helped Clayton to raise $1.5 billion for its mortgage operations. Long-term prospects for manufactured housing are favorable because it provides quality, affordable housing which the country needs.
Steel Prices
Steel is one of the Company’s primary raw materials in both segments. In mid December 2003 and continuing into 2004, the Company was notified by its steel suppliers of unprecedented steel cost increases, which through April 2004 have aggregated about 80 percent, with the cost of some types of steel more than doubling.
In response to the steel cost increases, the Company ordered as much steel as possible in advance of the cost increases, so that it could postpone sales price increases to its customers for as long as possible. The impact on the Company’s results of operations of the higher cost of steel and the related increases in the Company’s selling prices, will be more significant over the balance of the year than it was in the first quarter of 2004. While the Company has obtained sales price increases from its customers that appear to be sufficient to offset the increases in the cost of the steel it uses, the Company does not expect to earn any additional profit from these sales price increases. The Company’s material cost as a percent of sales is therefore likely to rise, particularly for products which are made primarily from steel. However, the steel cost increases as offset by sales price increases to date are not expected to have a significant effect on operating profit in 2004.
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Net sales and operating profit are as follows (in thousands):
Consolidated Highlights
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RV Segment
Net sales of the RV segment increased to $73.2 million in the first quarter, which is 46 percent higher than in the first quarter of 2003, compared to the 19 percent industry-wide increase in shipments of RVs this quarter. Sales by this segment represented 68 percent of consolidated sales this quarter, compared to 62 percent in the first quarter of 2003. The increases in sales of the RV segment are largely due to increases in the Company’s market share of all primary product lines in this segment, including slide-out mechanisms and related power units, chassis, and windows and doors, as well as the industry expansion. Sales of slide-out mechanisms and related power units were up more than 100 percent from the first quarter of 2003, to approximately $16 million. The sales of all other major product lines in this segment increased by more than 25 percent compared to the first quarter of last year. The products added through the two small acquisitions completed by the Company in the second half of 2003 added about $4 million in sales this quarter. Annual sales by the two acquired companies aggregated approximately $11 million at the time they were acquired.
In response to the substantial increases in the cost of steel, described above, and to a lesser extent, aluminum, the Company raised its sales prices on certain of its products. For the Company’s RV and MH segments combined, these sales price increases aggregated approximately $1 million in the first quarter of 2004, which offset cost increases of approximately the same amount. The Company believes it has now obtained price increases from its customers that are sufficient to offset the increases in the cost of the steel and aluminum it uses in this segment, and therefore, these cost increases to date are not expected to have a significant effect on the operating profit of this segment in 2004.
Operating profit of the RV segment increased to $7.9 million in the first quarter, which is 73 percent higher than in the first quarter of 2003, as the operating profit margin reached 10.7 percent, compared to 9.0 percent in the same period last year. This improvement in the operating profit margin is largely attributable to the increase in unit sales, since margins on incremental sales are higher, given that a portion of manufacturing overhead and administrative costs is fixed. RV segment results for the first quarter last year included a pre-tax charge of approximately $0.5 million related to settled patent litigation, while the current quarter included a pre-tax charge of approximately $0.3 million due to a plant closing, and a $0.6 million increase in overtime costs due to the rapid increase in production required to meet demand. Segment results in the first quarter of 2003 were also adversely impacted by high steel costs which moderated in the second half of 2003.
MH Segment
Net sales of the MH segment increased to $34.9 million in the first quarter of 2004, which is 14 percent higher than in the same period last year, compared to the 4 percent decline in industry-wide production of manufactured homes this quarter. Industry-wide production was up 10 percent in March 2004, the first monthly increase in industry-wide production in more than two years, and net sales by the Company’s MH segment increased substantially more. While it is too early to determine if this is the beginning of a sustained trend, orders the Company received from its customers indicate that a number of builders of manufactured homes have begun to increase their production levels in recent weeks.
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The substantial increases in steel costs, and to a lesser extent aluminum, have compelled the Company to raise sales prices of certain of its products. For the Company’s MH and RV segment combined, these sales price increases aggregated approximately $1 million in the first quarter of 2004, which offset cost increases of approximately the same amount. The Company believes it has now obtained price increases from its customers that are sufficient to offset the increases in the cost of the steel it uses in this segment. The Company is seeking price increases from its customers to offset the increase in the cost of aluminum it uses in this segment. Therefore, these cost increases in steel and aluminum to date are not expected to have a significant effect on operating profit of the MH segment in 2004.
Operating profit of the MH segment increased to $3.6 million in the first quarter, which is 42 percent higher than in the first quarter of 2003, as the operating profit margin of this segment reached 10.4 percent, compared to 8.3 percent in the same period last year. This improvement in the operating profit margin is largely attributable to the increase in unit sales, since margins on incremental sales are higher given that a portion of manufacturing overhead and administrative costs is fixed. In addition, segment results in the first quarter of 2003 were adversely impacted by high steel costs which moderated in the second half of 2003.
Corporate and Other
Corporate and other expenses increased $317,000 compared to the first quarter of 2003, largely as a result of higher incentive compensation due to increased profits ($140,000), and to a lesser extent higher consulting and audit fees related to compliance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and higher stock option expense. On a consolidated basis, stock option expense increased $0.2 million, most of which is included in segment results.
Other Income
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Taxes
The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2004 was 39.0 percent as compared to 39.1 percent for the first quarter of 2003. The effective tax rate for the full year 2003 was 38.0 percent. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2004 is due in part to a change in the composition of pre-tax income for state tax purposes.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, decreased $0.2 million from the first quarter of 2003, as a result of the reduction in average debt levels, and to a lesser extent, savings resulting from a reduction in the average interest rate.
The Statements of Cash Flows reflect the following (in thousands):
Cash Flow from Operations
Despite a $2.9 million increase in income from continuing operations during the current quarter, net cash flows from operating activities decreased approximately $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to:
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Cash flows used for investing activities of $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2004 consist primarily of capital expenditures. The capital expenditures were funded with the Company’s available cash. Capital expenditures for 2004 are anticipated to be approximately $20 million and are expected to be funded by cash flows from operations. The budgeted capital expenditures for 2004 include expanding glass tempering and vinyl window production capacity, adding a powder coat paint line, building a new facility to replace a leased facility and certain projects which were deferred from 2003.
Cash flows used for investing activities for the full year 2003 were $12.4 million, consisting of capital expenditures ($5.1 million) and two acquisitions for a combined $7.4 million. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2003 were $1.2 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows used for financing activities for the first quarter of 2004 include a net decrease in debt of $1.5 million, partially funded by $0.7 million received from the exercise of employee stock options. Total debt has been reduced by $15.1 million since March 2003.
Availability under the Company’s line of credit was $20.1 million at March 31, 2004, net of $7 million in borrowings and $2.9 million in letters of credit. Such availability, along with anticipated cash flows from operations, is adequate to finance the Company’s working capital and anticipated capital expenditure requirements. The Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants and expects to remain in compliance for the next twelve months. Certain of the Company’s loan agreements contain prepayment penalties.
At March 31, 2004, the Company had outstanding $8 million of 6.95 percent, seven year Senior Notes. The notes originally aggregated $40 million, and repayment of these notes is $8 million annually, of which the first four payments were made annually since January 2001.
On May 4, 2004, the Company acquired California-based Zieman Manufacturing Company (“Zieman”), with annual sales of approximately $44 million. Zieman manufactures trailers for equipment hauling, boats, personal watercraft and snowmobiles, and chassis and chassis parts for recreational vehicles (primarily travel trailers and fifth wheels) and manufactured homes. The purchase price was approximately $21 million, plus
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approximately $5 million of Zieman’s debt which the Company assumed on closing. The purchase price was funded with borrowings under the Company’s line of credit.
The Company is in compliance with the new corporate governance requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. The Company’s governance documents and committee charters and key practices have been posted to the Company’s website (www.drewindustries.com)and are updated periodically. The website also contains, or provides direct links to all SEC filings, press releases and investor presentations. The Company has also established a toll-free hotline to report complaints about the Company’s accounting, internal controls, auditing matters or other concerns.
The Company received notification in April 2004 from Institutional Stockholders Services, Inc., (“ISS”) a Rockville, Maryland-based independent research firm that advises institutional investors, that Drew’s corporate governance policies outranked 98.1 percent of all companies listed in the Russell 3000 index. Drew has no business relationships with ISS.
LCI is a defendant in an action entitled SteelCo, Inc. vs. Lippert Components, Inc. and DOES 1 through 20, inclusive commenced in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino District on July 16, 2002.
Plaintiff alleges that LCI violated certain provisions of the California Business and Professions Code (Sec. 17000 et. seq.) by allegedly selling chassis and component parts below LCI’s costs, engaging in acts intended to destroy competition, wrongfully interfering with plaintiff’s economic advantage, and engaging in unfair competition. Plaintiff seeks damages in an unspecified amount, treble damages, punitive damages, costs and expenses incurred in the proceeding and injunctive relief.
LCI is vigorously defending against the allegations in the complaint, and has asserted counterclaims against Plaintiff. The case is in discovery.
The prices of raw materials, consisting primarily of steel, vinyl, aluminum, glass and ABS resin are influenced by demand and other factors specific to these commodities rather than being directly affected by inflationary pressures. Prices of certain commodities have historically been volatile. In mid December 2003
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and continuing into 2004, the Company was notified by its steel suppliers of unprecedented steel cost increases, which through April 2004 have aggregated about 80 percent, with the cost of some types of steel more than doubling. In 2004, the Company has also been notified by suppliers of aluminum cost increases. Since the first quarter of 2003, the Company experienced modest increases in its labor costs related to inflation.
The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, doubtful accounts, inventories, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, insurance obligations, lease terminations and asset retirement obligations, long-lived assets, post-retirement benefits, and contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other resources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
This Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to financial condition, results of operations, business strategies, operating efficiencies or synergies, competitive position, growth opportunities for existing products, plans and objectives of management, markets for Drew Industries Incorporated (“Drew” or the “Company”) common stock and other matters. Statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act. Forward-looking statements, including, without limitation those relating to our future business prospects, revenues and income, wherever they occur in this Form 10-Q, are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management, at the time such statements were made, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. You should consider forward-looking statements, therefore, in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this Form 10-Q.
There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include pricing pressures due to competition, raw material costs (particularly steel, vinyl, aluminum, glass, and ABS resin), availability of retail and wholesale financing for manufactured homes, availability and costs of labor, inventory levels of retailers and manufacturers, levels of repossessed manufactured homes, the financial condition of our customers, interest rates, and adverse weather conditions impacting retail sales. In addition, national and regional economic conditions and consumer confidence may affect the retail sale of recreational vehicles and manufactured homes.
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The Company is exposed to market risk in the normal course of its operations due to its purchases of certain commodities and its financing activities. Certain raw materials, particularly steel, aluminum, vinyl, glass and ABS resins are subject to price volatility. In mid December 2003 and continuing into 2004, the Company was notified by its steel suppliers of unprecedented steel cost increases, which through April 2004 have aggregated about 80 percent, with the cost of some types of steel more than doubling. In 2004, the Company has also been notified by suppliers of aluminum cost increases.
The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of its financing activities. At March 31, 2004, the Company had $23.7 million of fixed rate debt. Assuming there is a decrease of 100 basis points in the interest rate for borrowings of a similar nature subsequent to March 31, 2004, which the Company becomes unable to capitalize on in the short-term as a result of the structure of its fixed rate financing, future cash flows would be approximately $237,000 lower per annum, than if the fixed rate financing could be obtained at current market rates.
At March 31, 2004, including borrowings of $7 million on its $30 million line of credit, the Company had $9.6 million of variable rate debt. Assuming there is an increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate for borrowings under these variable rate loans subsequent to March 31, 2004, and outstanding borrowings of $9.6 million, future cash flows would be affected by $96,000 per annum.
In addition, the Company is exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of temporary investments in money market funds; however, such investing activity is not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.
If the actual change in interest rates is substantially different than 100 basis points, the net impact of interest rate risk on the Company’s cash flow may be materially different than that disclosed above.
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The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“The Exchange Act”) reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, in accordance with the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a – 14 (c) under the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Management considered in its evaluation the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company performed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2004 or subsequent to the date the Company completed its evaluation, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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LCI is a defendant in an action entitled SteelCo, Inc. vs. Lippert Components, Inc. and DOES 1 through 20, inclusive commenced in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino District, on July 16, 2002.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
May 6, 2004
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