Miller Industries - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

Certain statements in this Form 10-Q, including but not limited to Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are made based on our management’s belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management, pursuant to “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to, among other things, the risks related to the cyclical nature of our industry, general economic conditions and the economic health of our customers; our dependence on outside suppliers of raw materials and recent increases in the cost of aluminum, steel, petroleum-related products and other raw materials; the need to service our indebtedness; and those other risks referenced herein, including those risks referred to in this report, in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and those risks discussed in our other filings with the SEC, including those risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for fiscal 2005, which discussion is incorporated herein by this reference. Such factors are not exclusive. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by, or on behalf of, our company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Miller Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Nevertheless, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the financial information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. Cost of goods sold for interim periods for certain entities is determined based on estimated gross profit rates. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

Basic income per share is computed by dividing income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted average number of common and potential dilutive common shares outstanding. Diluted income per share takes into consideration the assumed conversion of outstanding stock options resulting in approximately 217,000 and 271,000 potential dilutive common shares for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and 254,000 and 238,000 potential dilutive common shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, options to purchase approximately 103,000 and 153,000 shares, which were outstanding during the period, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, options to purchase approximately 61,000 and 153,000 shares, which were outstanding during the period, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

 

Inventory costs include materials, labor and factory overhead. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

 

Inventories for continuing operations at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amount of the long-lived assets and goodwill in both its continuing and discontinued operations to determine if those assets may be recoverable based upon the future operating cash flows expected to be generated by those assets. Management believes that its long-lived assets are appropriately valued.

 

 

Long-term obligations consisted of the following for continuing operations at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Certain equipment and manufacturing facilities are pledged as collateral under the mortgage and equipment notes payable.

 

 

 

The Senior Credit Facility consists of a $20.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), and a $7.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). In the absence of a default, all borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at the LIBOR Market Index Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) plus a margin of between 1.75% to 2.50% per annum that is subject to adjustment from time to time based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement), and the Term Loan bears interest at a 30-day adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin of between 1.75% to 2.50% per annum that is subject to adjustment from time to time based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Revolver expires on June 15, 2008, and the Term Loan matures on June 15, 2010. The Senior Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, and contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and affirmative and negative covenants for secured facilities of this type.

 

 

The Junior Credit Facility matures on September 17, 2008, and contains certain representations and warranties, covenants and events of default consistent with the representations and warranties, covenants and events of default in the Senior Credit Agreement. In the absence of a default, all of the term loans outstanding under the Junior Credit Facility bear interest at a rate of 9.0% per annum.

 

In May 2006, the Company repaid $5 million of the subordinated debt under the Junior Credit Facility using additional borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility Revolver.

 

 

Future maturities of long-term obligations (with no outstanding amounts related to discontinued operations) at September 30, 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In May 2006, the Company repaid $5.0 million of subordinated debt under the Junior Credit Facility. This repayment was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and by the full Board of Directors with Mr. Miller abstaining due to his personal interest in the transaction.

 

For additional information regarding these related party transactions, please refer to Notes 4 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

In October 2004, the Company began a project with DataPath, Inc (“DataPath”), a provider of satellite communications, to assist in the design and engineering of mobile communication trailers for military application. DataPath is a company in which Mr. Miller and one of the Company’s other directors held a minority interest and on whose board they also served. In May 2005, the Company entered into a new agreement with DataPath calling for the Company to manufacture and sell to it all of its requirements for this type of equipment during the five-year term of the agreement. During the second quarter of 2006, Mr. Miller and the Company’s other director resigned from Datapath’s board, and, as of September 30, 2006, had reduced their collective interest in Datapath to less than 4%.

 

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” using the modified prospective transition method. This statement requires the determination of the fair-value of stock-based compensation at the grant date and the recognition of the related expense over the period in which the stock-based compensation vests. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded approximately $77,000 and $231,000, respectively, in compensation expense related to its stock-based compensation. Operating income and net income was also reduced by this amount. The stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

 

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Bulletin (APB) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Under the provisions of APB No. 25, no compensation expense is recorded when the terms of the grant are fixed and the option exercise prices are equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” were adopted. Had compensation costs been accounted for based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company’s prior year net income and net income per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

 

The Company did not issue any stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had $462,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options, with approximately $77,000 to be expensed during the remainder of 2006, and $308,000 and $77,000 to be expensed in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The Company issued approximately 62,000 shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from the exercise of stock options. For additional disclosures related to the Company’s stock-based compensation refer to Notes 2 and 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

The Company has entered into arrangements with third-party lenders where it has agreed, in the event of default by a customer, to repurchase from the third-party lender Company products repossessed from the customer. These arrangements are typically subject to a maximum repurchase amount. The Company’s risk under these arrangements is mitigated by the value of the products repurchased as part of the transaction. The maximum amount of collateral that Company could be required to purchase was approximately $27.8 million at September 30, 2006, and $18.4 million at December 31, 2005.

 

At September 30, 2006, the Company had commitments of approximately $2.4 million for construction and acquisition of property and equipment, all of which is expected to be incurred in the remainder of 2006.

 

 

The Company is, from time to time, a party to litigation arising in the normal course of its business. Litigation is subject to various inherent uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters could be resolved unfavorably to the Company, which could result in substantial damages against the Company. The Company has established accruals for matters that are probable and reasonably estimable and maintains product liability and other insurance that management believes to be adequate. Management believes that any liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters in excess of available insurance coverage and accruals will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.

 

 

The Company has maintained a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset from continuing and discontinued operations. The valuation allowance reflects the Company’s recognition that cumulative losses in recent years indicate that it is unclear whether certain future tax benefits will be realized as a result of future taxable income. The balance of the valuation allowance was $3.3 million and $8.8 million at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. In 2006, the Company anticipates the recognition of significant additional net operating losses from the recovery of the Company’s tax investment in certain discontinued operations.

 

 

The Company had comprehensive income of $6.8 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively; and $19.3 million and $11.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Components of the Company’s other comprehensive income consist primarily of foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

 

Net sales and long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment and goodwill and intangible assets) by region was as follows (revenue is attributed to regions based on the locations of customers) (in thousands):

 

 

 

No single customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

 

 

During the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company’s management and board of directors made the decision to divest of its remaining towing services segment, as well as the operations of the distribution group of the towing and recovery equipment segment. The Company disposed of substantially all of the assets of its towing services segment in 2003, and sold all of its distributor locations by the end of 2005. As of September 30, 2006 there are miscellaneous assets remaining from previous towing services market and distributor location sales.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the assets of the towing services segment and the distribution group are considered a “disposal group” and are no longer being depreciated. All assets and liabilities and results of operations associated with these assets have been separately presented in the accompanying financial statements at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

 

In October 2005, the Company’s subsidiary, RoadOne, Inc., filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy laws in the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee and a trustee was appointed. As a result of the bankruptcy proceedings, management anticipates that RoadOne, Inc. will be deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements by December 31, 2006.

 

The operating results for the discontinued operations of the towing services segment and the distributor group for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

The following assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 151, “Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4”. This statement clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage. This statement also requires the allocation of fixed production overhead costs be based on normal production capacity. The provisions of SFAS No. 151 were effective for inventory costs beginning in January 2006. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment”. This statement requires the determination of the fair value of share-based compensation at the grant date and the recognition of the related compensation expense over the period in which the share-based compensation vests. In compliance with a Securities and Exchange Commission amendment to this statement, the Company adopted the new accounting standard effective January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective method for transition. Applying the same assumptions used for the 2005 pro forma disclosure in Note 7 of the Company’s financial statements, the Company estimates its pretax expense associated with its previous stock option grants to be approximately $308,000 in each of 2006 and 2007, and $77,000 in 2008.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 109-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 109 (“SFAS No. 109”), Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“FSP 109-1”). FSP 109-1 clarifies that the manufacturer’s deduction provided for under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (“AJCA”) should be accounted for as a special deduction in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and not as a tax rate reduction. As the Company is currently utilizing net operating loss carryover to reduce taxable income, no benefit for the domestic manufacturing deduction has been provided in the financial statements.

 

Effective July 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets-an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29”. SFAS No. 153 addresses the measurement of exchanges of nonmonetary assets. It eliminates the exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets in paragraph 21(b) of APB Opinion No. 29 “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions” and replaces it with an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“SFAS No. 154”), which replaces Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 20 “Accounting Changes”, and SFAS No. 3. “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”. SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. The statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle as well as changes required by an accounting pronouncement. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. The statement was effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made after January 1, 2006.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements and the effect on earnings. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are in the process of evaluating the impact SFAS No. 157 will have on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation also gives guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosure. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2006. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that FIN 48 will have on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” (“SAB No. 108”), which provides interpretive guidance on the SEC’s views regarding the process of quantifying the materiality of financial statement misstatements. SAB No. 108 is effective for years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company does not believe that the application of SAB No. 108 will have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

 

 

 

Overall, management focuses on a variety of key indicators to monitor our operating and financial performance. These indicators include measurements of revenue, operating income, gross margin, income from continuing operations, earnings per share, capital expenditures and cash flow.

 

We derive revenues primarily from product sales made through our network of domestic and foreign independent distributors. Our revenues are sensitive to a variety of factors, such as demand for, and price of, our products, our technological competitiveness, our reputation for providing quality products and reliable service, competition within our industry, the cost of raw materials (including aluminum, steel and petroleum related products) and general economic conditions.

 

During 2006, our revenues continued to be positively affected by strong overall demand for our products resulting from general economic improvements. In addition, we continued to manufacture heavy-duty towing and recovery units for several military and governmental orders for towing and recovery equipment. While we continue to increase production of our commercial lines, the timing of the receipt of additional military orders as well as the timing of deliveries of chassis and other wrecker components could have short-term effects on the timing of production and revenue over the remainder of the year.

 

We have been and will continue to be affected by increases in the prices that we pay for raw materials, particularly aluminum, steel, petroleum-related products and other raw materials. Raw material costs represent a substantial part of our total costs of operations, and management expects aluminum and steel prices to remain at historically high levels for the foreseeable future. As we determined necessary, we implemented price increases to offset these higher costs. We also began to develop alternatives to the components used in our production process that incorporate these raw materials. We have shared several of these alternatives with our major component part suppliers, some of whom have begun to implement them in the production of our component parts. We continue to monitor raw material prices and availability in order to more favorably position the Company in this dynamic market.

 

 

We are currently expanding our existing manufacturing facilities in Ooltewah, Tennessee and Hermitage, Pennsylvania. We believe this project will position the company to more effectively face the challenges of the global marketplace in the future.

 

 

During 2002, management and the board of directors made the decision to divest of our towing services segment, as well as the operations of the distribution group of our towing and recovery equipment segment. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the assets of the towing services segment and the distribution group are considered a “disposal group” and the assets are no longer being depreciated. All assets and liabilities and results of operations associated with these assets have been separately presented in the accompanying financial statements. The analyses contained herein are of continuing operations, as restated, unless otherwise noted.

 

In general, the customary operating liabilities of these disposed businesses were assumed by the new owners. Our subsidiaries that sold these businesses are nevertheless subject to some continuing liabilities with respect to their pre-sale operations, including, for example, liabilities related to litigation, certain trade payables, workers compensation and other insurance, surety bonds, and real estate. Except in the case of direct guarantees, these are not obligations of Miller Industries, Inc. and Miller Industries, Inc. has taken and would expect to take whatever steps it deems appropriate to protect itself from any such liabilities.

 

In October 2005, RoadOne, Inc. filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy laws in the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee and a trustee was appointed. Although Miller Industries, Inc. was the largest creditor of RoadOne, Inc., the filing is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. As a result of the bankruptcy proceedings, management anticipates that RoadOne, Inc. will be deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements by December 31, 2006.

 

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require us to make estimates. Certain accounting policies are deemed “critical,” as they require management’s highest degree of judgment, estimates and assumptions. A discussion of critical accounting policies, the judgments and uncertainties affecting their application and the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions follows:

 

 

We extend credit to customers in the normal course of business. Collections from customers are continuously monitored and an allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained based on historical experience and any specific customer collection issues. While such bad debt expenses have historically been within expectations and the allowance established, there can be no assurance that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates as in the past.

 

 

Long-lived assets and goodwill are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be fully recoverable. When a determination has been made that the carrying amount of long-lived assets and goodwill may not be fully recovered, the amount of impairment is measured by comparing an asset’s estimated fair value to its carrying value. The determination of fair value is based on projected future cash flows discounted at a rate determined by management or, if available independent appraisals or sales price negotiations. The estimation of fair value includes significant judgment regarding assumptions of revenue, operating costs, interest rates, property and equipment additions; and industry competition and general economic and business conditions among other factors. We believe that these estimates are reasonable; however, changes in any of these factors could affect these evaluations. Based on these estimations, we believe that our long-lived assets are appropriately valued.

 

 

We estimate expense for product warranty claims at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims. We review trends of warranty claims and take actions to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. We believe the warranty reserve is adequate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the accrual.

 

 

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We consider the need to record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We consider tax loss carrybacks, reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning and estimates of future taxable income in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. We currently have a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets from continuing and discontinued operations. The allowance reflects our recognition that cumulative losses in recent years indicate that it is unclear whether certain future tax benefits will be realized through future taxable income. Differences between the effective tax rate and the expected tax rate are due primarily to changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances. The balance of the valuation allowance was $3.3 million and $8.8 million at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. In 2006, the Company anticipates the recognition of significant additional net operating losses from the recovery of the Company’s tax investment in certain discontinued operations.

 

 

Under our accounting policies, sales are recorded when equipment is shipped or risk of ownership is transferred to independent distributors or other customers. While we manufacture only the bodies of wreckers, which are installed on truck chassis manufactured by third parties, we frequently purchase the truck chassis for resale to our customers. Sales of company-purchased truck chassis are included in net sales. Margins are substantially lower on completed recovery vehicles containing company-purchased chassis because the markup over the cost of the chassis is nominal.

 

 

The functional currency for our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, historical rates for equity and the weighted average exchange rate during the period for revenue and expense accounts. The gains or losses resulting from such translations are included in shareholders’ equity. For intercompany debt denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, the remeasurement into the functional currency is also included in shareholders’ equity as the amounts are considered to be of a long-term investment nature.

 

 

 

Net sales of continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006, increased 20.0% to $107.4 million from $89.5 million for the comparable period in 2005. This increase was attributable to continuing overall improvements in market conditions with increases in demand leading to increases in production levels.

 

Costs of continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006, increased 21.3% to $92.2 million from $76.1 million for the comparable period in 2005, which was attributable to increases in demand and production. Overall, costs of continuing operations increased slightly as a percentage of sales from 84.9% to 85.9% because of product mix.

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006, increased to $6.6 million from $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately 18% of this increase is attributable to increased expenses related to our stock-based compensation, with the remainder being attributable to other personnel-related expenses and other expenses associated with higher sales volume. As a percentage of sales, selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to 6.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 6.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 reflects the combined effective U.S. federal, state and foreign tax rate of 12.6% and 14.3%, respectively.

 

 

Net sales from the distribution group of the discontinued operations decreased to $25,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. We sold all remaining distributor locations in December 2005.

 

Costs of sales as a percentage of net sales for the distribution group was 100.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 91.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales was 0.0% for the distribution group for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 9.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

 

Our total interest expense for continuing operations remained constant at $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. No interest expense was incurred for discontinued operations for 2006 or 2005.

 

 

 

Net sales of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, increased 12.9% to $292.7 million from $259.3 million for the comparable period in 2005. The increase is primarily the result of overall improvements in market conditions, with increases in demand leading to increases in production levels.

 

Costs of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, increased 11.7% to $249.6 million from $223.4 million for the comparable period in 2005 due to increases in productivity as demand for our products increased. Costs of continuing operations decreased as a percentage of sales from 86.2% to 85.3% as demand and production increased.

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, increased to $19.6 million from $17.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, which was primarily attributable to higher overall sales and production levels. Approximately 13.0% of this increase is attributable to increased expenses related to our stock-based compensation. As a percentage of sales, selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to 6.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 6.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

The provision for income taxes for continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, reflects the combined effective US federal, state and foreign tax rate of 13.2%. The provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 reflects a similar effective US federal and state rate, plus additional taxes on foreign income for the period.

 

 

Net sales from the distribution group of the discontinued operations decreased to $385,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. We sold all remaining distributor locations in December 2005.

 

Costs of sales as a percentage of net sales for the distribution group was 92.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 90.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales was 8.8% for the distribution group for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 10.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

 

Our total interest expense for continuing operations decreased to $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.2 million for the comparable year-ago period. Decreases in interest expense were primarily the result of lower debt levels coupled with lower interest rates on our new senior credit facility. No interest expense was incurred for discontinued operations for 2006 or 2005.

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $7.3 million for the comparable period of 2005. The cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 reflects increases in profitability partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventory directly related to our revenue increases and increases in accounts payable to support increased productivity.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $0.5 million for the comparable period in 2005. The cash used in investing activities was for the purchase of property, plant and equipment.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $2.1 million in comparable period in the prior year. The cash used in financing activities in 2006 paid down our term loan, funded the modernization of our facilities, and repaid other outstanding long-term debt.

 

Over the past year, we generally have used available cash flow from operations to reduce the outstanding balance on our credit facilities and to pay down other long-term debt. In addition, our working capital requirements have been and will continue to be significant in connection with the increase in our manufacturing output to meet recent increases in demand for our products.

 

We recently began the expansion of our existing manufacturing facilities in Ooltewah, Tennessee and Hermitage, Pennsylvania as a result of the increases in demand for our products. The cost of these projects is anticipated to be approximately $14 million. At September 30, 2006, the Company had commitments of approximately $2.4 million for construction and acquisition of property and equipment, all of which is expected to be incurred in the remainder of 2006. We expect to fund these projects from cash flows from operations and unused availability under our senior credit facility.

 

Additionally, we repaid $5 million of subordinated debt under our junior credit facility using additional borrowings under the revolving portion of our senior credit facility.

 

In addition to our expansion, our primary cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures and interest and principal payments on indebtedness under our credit facilities. We expect our primary sources of cash to be cash flow from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand at September 30, 2006 and borrowings from unused availability under our credit facilities. We expect these sources to be sufficient to satisfy our cash needs for the remainder of 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William G. Miller is the sole lender under our junior credit facility. Our junior credit facility is, by its terms, expressly subordinated only to our senior credit facility, and is secured by a second priority lien and security interest in substantially all of our other assets. The junior credit facility contains requirements for the maintenance of certain financial covenants, and also imposes restrictions on capital expenditures, incurrence of indebtedness, mergers and acquisitions, distributions and transfers and sales of assets.

 

The junior credit facility matures on September 17, 2008, and contains certain representations and warranties, covenants and events of default consistent with the representations and warranties, covenants and events of default in our Senior Credit Agreement. In the absence of a default, all of the term loans outstanding under the junior credit facility bear interest at a rate of 9.0% per annum.

 

In May 2006, we repaid $5 million of subordinated debt under our junior credit facility using additional borrowings under our revolving portion of our senior credit facility.

 

 

Because of the amount of obligations outstanding under the senior credit facility and the connection of the interest rate under such facility (including the default rates) to the LIBOR rate, an increase in the LIBOR rate could have a significant effect on our ability to satisfy our obligations under this facility and increase our interest expense significantly. Therefore, our liquidity and access to capital resources could be further affected by increasing interest rates.

 

 

In addition to the borrowings under the senior and junior credit facilities described above, we had approximately $2.1 million of mortgage notes payable, equipment notes payable and other long-term obligations at September 30, 2006. We also had approximately $2.0 million in non-cancelable operating lease obligations.

 

 

Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers (Co-CEOs) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon this evaluation, our Co-CEOs and CFO have concluded that the 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 are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of this evaluation.

 

 

 

We are, from time to time, a party to litigation arising in the normal course of our business. Litigation is subject to various inherent uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters could be resolved unfavorably to us, which could result in substantial damages against us. We have established accruals for matters that are probable and reasonably estimable and maintain product liability and other insurance that management believes to be adequate. Management believes that any liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters in excess of available insurance coverage and accruals will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

 

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

 

______________

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Miller Industries, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

Date: November 8, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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